"Hawke, not bad!"
Akainu withdrew his hand.
"Your Armament Haki, Observation Haki, physique, and martial arts have all reached the level of an elite Rear Admiral from Headquarters."
"In terms of overall strength... you've surpassed Headquarters' elite Rear Admirals by quite a margin."
"…"
He paused, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
"This Headquarters Commodore position is yours."
Akainu's gaze carried a faint trace of expectation.
"With your strength, keep accumulating military merits. It won't be long before you're promoted to Rear Admiral."
"As for Vice Admiral… that'll require more time to build up your merits and seniority."
After all, in the Marines' military merit system, seniority was an important factor.
"Ha—"
"Admiral, this is more than enough!"
Hawke let out a long breath of relief and stepped forward to stand before Akainu.
Being promoted to Headquarters Commodore so smoothly had far exceeded his expectations.
Moreover, there was still a year left before the Summit War.
Plenty of time to continue improving his strength and rank, to prepare thoroughly for the grand event.
He pulled two cigars out of his pocket and handed one to Akainu.
"Admiral, after the duel… care for one?"
"…"
Akainu glanced at the cigar Hawke handed over, then at his calm face, and finally accepted it.
This kid, despite having strength surpassing Headquarters Rear Admirals, wasn't dissatisfied with the Commodore position.
Not bad. A good mindset.
Click—
Akainu extended his finger, a small tuft of orange-red flame sparking at the tip, lighting both their cigars.
One had gone all out, fighting to his heart's content.
The other had just warmed up a bit, weighing his junior's capabilities.
Two men who shared the same unshakable belief — absolute justice and the eradication of pirates — stood in silence at the center of the training grounds, puffing on cigars.
Huff—
Huff—
Smoke curled and drifted lazily through the air.
Outside the training grounds, however, the Marines were far from calm.
"Hawke… Commodore!!!"
The Marines from Branch 16 were red-faced with excitement, their fists clenched tightly.
They had witnessed their own Commander… no, their own Commodore, fighting a Headquarters Admiral — and being personally recognized by him!
What an honor!
And knowing Commodore Hawke's personality, he would never keep this glory to himself.
That meant for those who had followed him loyally all this time…
Promotions!
Raises!
Just around the corner!
Commodore, if you never abandon us, we will follow you to the death!
"…"
Meanwhile, the Headquarters Marines were even more restless.
"!!!"
"No way?! Did he really surpass the strength of Headquarters elite Rear Admirals?!"
"Impossible, no way!"
"I'm shocked too, but calm down…"
A Headquarters soldier's voice trembled, "Admiral Akainu said it himself. There's no mistake!"
Those who had previously sworn that Hawke's strength could never surpass a Headquarters Captain's now wore faces uglier than one another.
If Admiral Kizaru had been the one to say it, maybe they wouldn't believe it. After all, that old guy spouted nonsense all the time and thought everything was "so scary~".
But this was Admiral Akainu speaking!
They were screwed.
Absolutely, utterly screwed!
There was no escaping the month-long punishment of smelly socks now!
Those who had won the bet looked just as stunned.
"W-We… we actually won?"
"Wait, no… can a Branch Commander from the East Blue really have this kind of strength?"
"To surpass Headquarters' elite Rear Admirals… that's just ridiculous!"
Still, shock aside, the joy of winning the bet quickly washed away any doubts.
"Who cares! A win's a win!"
One of the winners grinned so wide his cheeks almost split.
"I've never looked forward to running laps this much!"
He proudly patted his big feet.
"With my size 45 sweat machines, after I'm done running, the fragrance will be… exquisite!"
"Got to make sure those losers faint on the spot from the smell!"
"Hahahahaha!"
The winning soldiers burst into wild laughter, already imagining the glorious scene of punishing the losers.
"Hmph—"
Akainu heard the noisy laughter at the edge of the training grounds, and the corner of his lips twitched upward ever so slightly.
He turned his head and gave an order: "Headquarters personnel, begin today's running drills!"
"Yes, Admiral!"
The Headquarters soldiers who had won the bet were bursting with energy, running with an enthusiasm they'd never felt before.
"Today I'm adding five extra laps!"
"I'm doing ten!"
"I'll do—"
Anyway, as long as they didn't have to wash the socks, they were winning no matter what.
"Shit!"
The soldiers who lost the bet screamed in unison.
"These heartless bastards!"
They all looked miserable, watching their cheerful comrades, despair filling their hearts.
Not only would they have to endure grueling training in the coming days…
At night, they'd have to suffer through the stench of socks that could qualify as biological weapons.
Life was over.
Splash—
The Headquarters soldiers began sprinting wildly around the training grounds.
"Haaah—"
Akainu's cigar burned out between his fingers. He turned to glance at Hawke.
The young man before him had a handsome face, sharply defined features, and an air of stern discipline unique to a Marine officer — bright, sharp, and unyielding.
"…"
Akainu recalled everything he'd seen since arriving in the East Blue.
A peaceful sea untouched by pirates.
Well-trained, disciplined branch soldiers.
And this young man standing before him — Rayne Hawke — a Commodore who followed "Justice Through Slaughter" and possessed strength far beyond that of Headquarters Rear Admirals.
It was all a pleasant surprise.
This trip had been worth it.
Feeling satisfied, he suddenly felt like having another cigar.
Ever since he'd been promoted to Admiral, and Sengoku, the former Admiral, had become Fleet Admiral, he'd been smoking less.
With the "Buddha of the Marines" Sengoku overseeing overall naval strategy, all Akainu had to do was focus single-mindedly on wiping out pirates across the seas.
Fewer headaches, less stress.
He was very satisfied with his position as Admiral.
Thinking of this, Akainu pulled out a deep crimson wooden cigar box engraved with the Marine emblem.
The box was polished to a glossy sheen, releasing a faint woody aroma.
He drew out two cigars and handed one to Hawke.
"Headquarters Admiral-exclusive cigars. Try it."
"…"
Hawke gently took the cigar, bringing it to his nose for a sniff.
A rich, deep tobacco aroma mixed with a rare woody fragrance instantly filled his senses.
Like a fine aged wine — just the smell alone was invigorating.
As expected of Admiral-exclusive cigars — these were several grades above the ones reserved for Captains.
Perfect.
"…"
Hawke's gaze flickered slightly as he glanced at the large cigar box Akainu was tucking away.
He hesitated for a moment. "Admiral, I think…"
"Hm?"
Akainu paused mid-motion and looked at him, a questioning glint in his eyes.
"These cigars… they're pretty strong," Hawke said seriously. "Smoking too many isn't good for you…"
"…"
"???"
Akainu's hand froze midair, still holding the box.
Wait a damn second!
Kid, weren't you the one who handed me a cigar right after our fight?!
And now you're telling me to quit smoking?!
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