"Whoosh—"
Akainu flipped open the intelligence summary sent from headquarters.
The intelligence report covered six months.
Just six short months.
"Blood Hawk"—Commander Rayne Hawke—had unleashed a blood-soaked storm in the East Blue.
The report listed a long string of pirate crews.
From crew members with bounties of several million Berries, to pirate leaders with ten-million-Berry bounties.
Behind every name was a note: "Eliminated," without exception.
The report mentioned that the name "Blood Hawk" came from Commander Hawke's thunderous methods.
Any pirate crew caught in his sights met only one fate—total annihilation.
No survivors, no acceptance of surrender.
His style was brutal, his methods ruthless, striking fear into every pirate across the East Blue…
"Impressive…"
Akainu's fingertip paused on the words "total annihilation."
He nodded slightly, acknowledging it.
"Absolute justice…"
This was the justice he upheld himself.
Leaving no room for compromise, uprooting all evil entirely.
He didn't care what methods Hawke used, nor whether he strictly followed Navy regulations.
What mattered was the result.
The result: pirates of the East Blue eradicated.
The result: corrupt Captains colluding with pirates removed.
The result: the East Blue, once again, cleaned up under Hawke's iron-handed rule.
This approach was rough, direct, somewhat irregular.
But… effective.
Extremely effective.
"Hmph—"
A faint nasal sound escaped Akainu's throat, tinged with dissatisfaction.
Now was the era of great pirates. Pirates ran rampant; evil flourished.
And yet, such an outstanding Navy officer as Hawke was to be "inspected" for the sake of petty Navy regulations?
Ridiculous!
What he needed was not some meaningless inspection.
It was promotion!
A raise!
Greater authority! More troops under his command!
Then, he could go to an even larger stage and continue his righteous campaign against pirates!
Inspection?
Rubbish!
Inspection complete: Commander Rayne Hawke of the 16th Branch strictly upheld the Navy's ideals of justice during his service!
This Admiral recommends—direct promotion!
"Rayne Hawke…"
Akainu savored the name once more.
Good.
Kid, you've done remarkably well.
If only the Navy had more people like you—decisive, ruthless, leaving no loose ends…
This chaotic sea could be brought to order!
This trip to the East Blue had been worth it.
Akainu turned to the soldiers behind him and issued orders.
"Raise the Navy flag again!"
"Full speed ahead! Destination—the 16th Branch!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Also, prepare the paperwork for my special promotion recommendation."
"Yes, sir!"
"Whoosh—"
The Navy flag once again fluttered in the wind.
The ship cut through the waves, racing full speed toward the 16th Branch.
...
At the 16th Branch, on the training grounds.
The sun scorched the earth, and the air was thick with heat.
The soldiers were carrying out their afternoon routine training, their shouts echoing loudly.
Suddenly!
In the distant sky, a barely visible small black dot was rapidly approaching at incredible speed.
"Hm…?"
Akainu, walking on Geppo, hovered above the 16th Branch.
He crossed his arms and looked down at the branch's Navy personnel still training below.
Hm…?
The morale and spirit of these soldiers were quite impressive.
Their formation was precise, their movements powerful, and faintly emanated a battle-hardened aura.
These are branch soldiers?
Surely they aren't elite troops from headquarters?
"Interesting…"
A smirk curved Akainu's lips. He was in a good mood.
Then let me personally test this 16th Branch and see what they're truly made of!
"Boom—"
Akainu's right arm suddenly swelled without warning.
Deep crimson, molten-hot magma quickly coated his entire arm, bubbling with a "glug-glug" sound.
The air distorted from the extreme heat, and blinding light burst from the center of his fist.
"Great Eruption!"
Without hesitation, Akainu launched a punch!
A three-meter-wide mini-lava fist, trailing thick black smoke, slammed violently into the center of the 16th Branch training ground!
Wherever the molten fist struck, the air ignited, producing a deafening explosion!
"Hm…?"
Dane looked up sharply at the sound and saw the incoming molten fist.
"!!!"
"Enemy attack!!!"
His pupils shrank suddenly, and he barked orders with intensity!
Almost at the same time, the 16th Branch Navy soldiers displayed astonishing reflexes and iron-like discipline.
No panic. No retreat.
"First squad, defensive posture! Hold the impact!"
"Second and third squads, evacuate to the sides! Prepare suppressive fire!"
"Medical team, fall back and stand by!"
Commands flowed rapidly from officers at all levels, and the soldiers moved like the wind, perfectly coordinated.
"Haah—!"
The front-line soldiers roared fiercely, preparing to withstand the onslaught… slammed the specially made alloy shield heavily onto the ground.
Their bodies sank slightly, forming a solid steel defensive line.
The Lava Giant Fist, radiating destructive power, thundered down!
"Bang——!!!"
The first squad's shield formation melted and deformed instantly upon contact. Several soldiers groaned, blood spilling from their mouths and noses from the massive impact, sliding backward.
But they gritted their teeth, holding their ground tightly. Not a single person stepped back!
The power of the Lava Fist diminished slightly, but it still carried terrifying heat and force, pressing down relentlessly.
At that moment.
"Clang——!"
A clear, sharp sword ring echoed across the training ground.
Dane's figure flashed forward, his famous blade "Akubi-no-Kiba" cutting a cold arc through the air.
The dazzling blade gleamed for a fleeting moment, striking precisely the Lava Giant Fist, which had already lost part of its momentum!
"Shhh—!"
Like a hot knife through butter.
The Lava Fist was split cleanly in two under Dane's strike, exploding apart!
Scalding lava chunks scattered, creating blackened craters on the ground with thick smoke billowing upward.
"Thud——"
A figure descended from the sky, landing steadily at the edge of the training ground.
Akainu calmly observed the 16th Division soldiers before him. Though a little disheveled, their formation had not broken, and they remained alert.
He also looked at Dane, standing with his sword, breathing slightly unsteady.
He nodded with satisfaction.
"Not bad!"
"Really not bad!"
"..."
"This... this is..."
When the soldiers recognized the visitor's face and the "Admiral" epaulets on his shoulders—representing one of the Navy's highest powers—everyone's hearts skipped a beat.
"Is... Admiral Akainu!"
Dane took a deep breath, sheathing his sword, and stepped forward, standing at attention in front of Akainu.
"Admiral Akainu!"
"East Blue 16th Division, under Commander Hawke, Lieutenant Commander Dane!"
"Reporting to you!"
He performed a standard Navy salute.
"Reporting to you!"
Behind him, all the 16th Division Navy soldiers saluted in unison, their voices strong and clear.
"..."
"You all... want to join my command?"
"Ah...?"
Dane's head snapped up, his eyes filled with shock.
The 16th Division soldiers' expressions froze instantly.
"???"
The elite Navy officers who had just arrived from headquarters were collectively stunned, jaws dropping.
No, Admiral… weren't we here for an inspection?
How did this turn into… recruitment?!!!
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