For a moment, the training ground was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Dane and the soldiers of the 16th Branch were completely stunned.
Admiral Akainu... wasn't he supposed to come to inspect Commander Hawke?
Why did the conversation suddenly turn, and now he was trying to recruit them to serve under a Admiral?
Then... what about Commander Hawke?
In an instant, countless thoughts swirled in the soldiers' minds.
On one side, there was the personal recruitment by the Navy Headquarters' top combat power, representing supreme honor and a bright future.
On the other side, there was Commander Hawke, who led them out of hardship, gave them dignity and strength, and earned their deep respect and loyalty.
If Commander Hawke didn't go...
They didn't want to go either...
"..."
Admiral Akainu observed the soldiers' unmasked hesitation in their expressions and took it all in.
His interest in Hawke, whom he would meet soon, deepened even further.
This kid could not only wipe out pirates with thunderous efficiency but also train a branch's soldiers to such excellence.
More importantly, he possessed the rare ability to unite people.
It should be noted that he was a Admiral at Navy Headquarters, offering generous treatment and status.
Yet these branch soldiers were still hesitating...
"Uh..."
The Navy personnel who accompanied Akainu were also holding their breath, careful not to make a sound, eyes forward, mind alert.
Personal recruitment by Admiral Akainu, and yet the branch soldiers hesitated?!
If it were them, there would be no hesitation at all.
Even a second of doubt would be disrespect toward the treatment and status offered by Headquarters!
"Where is Commander Rayne Hawke?"
Akainu's gaze swept over the branch soldiers.
Although their strength could not yet compare to the elite at Headquarters,
Faced with his casually executed mini-version of "Meteor Volcano,"
Not a single one of them scattered or fled!
Instead, they instinctively formed ranks, trying to resist.
This response to absolute power, their fearless courage, and the discipline etched in their bones—
Excellent!
Strength can be gradually increased through training.
Armament Haki, Observation Haki—these can all be mastered and refined through hard work.
But discipline and military order!
That is what the Navy is most lacking at present!
Look at those two at Headquarters!!!
One spends all day saying, "Oh, how scary~" and shirks any real work!
The other is even worse: "Ah, what a perfect day for a nap~," completely losing his fighting spirit!
The future of the Navy cannot rely on those two useless men!
If these young soldiers in front of him joined Headquarters, they would undoubtedly inject a brand-new vitality into the stagnant force!
That was the main reason he offered to recruit them personally.
Even if you are hesitant?
It doesn't matter.
As long as that kid called Hawke is in hand,
Then every single one of you will have to obediently follow me!
"..."
"Admiral Akainu, Commander Hawke has been waiting in the office for some time."
"Please follow me."
Dane shivered, quickly snapped back to attention, and respectfully led the way.
Akainu followed with the Headquarters Navy personnel.
...
Inside the office.
Hawke was flipping through a book about the ocean currents of the Grand Line.
"Thud—"
Heavy, measured footsteps echoed outside the door.
Then, the door opened.
A molten heat-like presence surged in first.
The towering figure of Akainu appeared at the doorway.
"..."
Seeing him, Hawke immediately stood and executed a standard Navy salute, "Admiral Akainu!"
"Hmm."
Akainu nodded slightly, expressionless, and strode directly to the main seat, sitting down with commanding authority.
"Commander Rayne Hawke..."
"I already have a general understanding of the situation on my way here."
"The so-called inspection is merely a formality."
He leaned slightly forward, eyes fixed on Hawke,
"Now, Commander Hawke, tell me."
"What is your 'justice'?"
He intended to judge this young man, who had stirred the seas of the East Blue.
Justice is the creed of the Navy.
Every sailor has their own sense of justice.
He wanted to see what kind of justice Hawke upheld.
"Reporting, Admiral Akainu."
Hawke met Akainu's gaze, as if it could burn through a person's soul, and spoke calmly,
"My justice..."
"Is the justice of slaughter."
"Oh..."
Akainu's eyebrows twitched slightly, a subtle hint of meaning flickering in his eyes.
"The justice of slaughter, huh... not bad."
He slowly leaned back in his chair, his tone heavy with implication.
The justice of slaughter.
He was satisfied with this answer.
This sea was full of filth and crime.
A thorough, merciless slaughter was indeed necessary.
Only by burning all corruption to ash could true purity emerge.
However...
Anyone can talk about ideals.
At Headquarters, those who only move their lips have far more grandiose words.
"But, Hawke..."
"In these seas, the fate of those who have no power...Only to be killed."
Before the words even fell.
"Boom——!"
A scorching heat suddenly erupted from Akainu's body!
"Do you have the strength to execute justice through killing?"
Inside the office, the temperature spiked sharply!
The surface of the wooden desk began to warp slightly, emitting fine white smoke.
The papers on the wall ignited without fire, turning into flying ash.
"Ugh——!"
Dane, standing at the door, and the Marines following Akainu, instantly felt a suffocating, burning pain.
Their faces changed drastically, and they retreated awkwardly, fleeing out of the office.
"Tick-tock——"
Only Hawke stood upright, unmoving.
Sweat streamed down his forehead, cheeks, and neck like a small creek, instantly evaporated by the extreme heat.
Yet he did not move an inch.
A jet-black color seeped from beneath his skin, rapidly covering his entire body!
Armament Haki!
Operating at full power!
His Intermediate physique was also desperately resisting the terrifying aura radiating from Akainu!
Truly the MVP of the Summit War!
Hawke gritted his teeth, holding on, while his thoughts raced—this was still not Conqueror's Haki!
Merely the accumulated killing intent, fused with his Magma Fruit ability, naturally emitted an aura of such terrifying intensity!
The sense of oppression… was overwhelming!
"Oh… interesting…"
"Armament Haki, huh…"
Akainu's eyes darkened with growing satisfaction as he watched Hawke's entire body enveloped in black Haki.
Without the careful guidance of the Marine HQ elite instructors, this young man had awakened Armament Haki all on his own…
And the refinement of it was no achievement from a short-term training!
What it required was an extraordinary level of diligence, and… talent!
In an instant, Akainu changed his mind.
He had initially thought this trip to the East Blue was just a formality.
To see this young man with his own eyes, to confirm his resolve to eradicate evil.
Then he would smoothly recommend him for promotion to Marine HQ Captain, and everything would be complete.
After all, from the death of the mouse, to the near eradication of East Blue pirates, and to the newly disciplined soldiers at the branch, everything had been highly satisfying.
But now…
A strong impulse surged in Akainu's heart.
He wanted to personally test this young man named Rayne Hawke—to see exactly how much strength he truly had!
Perhaps…
A position as Marine HQ Captain was still far from enough!
"Hawke, I have a direct promotion spot to Marine HQ Commodore…"
"But you need to prove to me…"
"That you are worthy of this spot."
"!!!"