Akainu looked at Hawke's eyes, which were practically glued to the box of cigars, and instantly understood.
This brat... persuading him to quit smoking was fake, but wanting the cigars was real!!!
"Take it."
With an annoyed expression, Akainu tossed the cigar box straight at Hawke.
"Still trying to beat around the bush with me."
"Next time you want something, just say it directly."
It was just a box of Admiral-exclusive cigars anyway — he had plenty.
"Ah, that's too embarrassing, Admiral!"
Hawke caught the cigar box in one swift motion, his face lighting up with a bright smile.
Admiral-exclusive cigars!
The box felt heavy in his hands — at least twenty sticks inside!
Beautiful!
"What's there to be embarrassed about?"
Akainu snorted coldly. "A Marine should speak directly. Don't act like some old hag."
"Yes, sir!"
Hawke immediately straightened his back, his voice loud and firm.
"Admiral... cigars of this caliber..."
"Give me another twenty boxes!"
"..."
"Huh...??!"
The veins on Akainu's forehead bulged violently.
He glared at Hawke, his voice carrying the heat of molten magma:
"Brat! What do you think avout Admiral-exclusive cigars?!"
"My monthly allocation is only one box!"
"And you open your damn mouth and ask for twenty boxes?!"
"What the hell am I supposed to smoke then?! Thin air?!"
"Admiral, you're the one who said we should speak directly!"
Hawke looked innocent and aggrieved.
See? I'm being straightforward, and now you're mad again...
"I said speak directly! I didn't say open your lion's mouth and swallow the whole herd!"
Akainu's right fist was already starting to condense scorching magma, the surrounding air turning unbearably hot.
"Admiral, then fifteen boxes!"
"Heh—"
Akainu let out a cold laugh, the magma on his fist flaring even hotter.
"Ten boxes! Ten boxes is fine too!"
Hawke had zero doubt that if he kept talking, the next second that magma-covered fist would smash into his face.
"Great Eruption—!"
"Five boxes! Just five boxes!"
"..."
"Hawke... five boxes, I can give you."
The magma on Akainu's fist slowly dissipated and finally extinguished.
He looked at Hawke, his expression complex.
"But, there's a condition."
"…"
Hawke secretly exhaled in relief when he saw Akainu retract his molten fist.
Even though his strength had improved drastically, if he really took a full-force punch from Admiral Akainu, he wouldn't die… but he'd probably lose a layer of skin!
After all, this was the same man who used a single "Hellhound" to permanently remodel half of Whitebeard's face.
"Admiral, tell me… what's the condition?"
"..."
Akainu didn't answer immediately.
He just stared deeply at Hawke.
Ever since being promoted to Admiral, the burden on his shoulders had become heavier than ever.
Day after day, he was busy hunting down pirates, hardly finding a moment to breathe.
Even his own daughter had chosen to walk the same thorny path of Marine justice.
She had guts, just like her old man.
Just like Kujaku, Vice Admiral Tsuru's granddaughter — young, yet already one of Marine Headquarters' elite forces.
Kujaku (Vice Admiral Tsuru's granddaughter).
But the truth was… he simply didn't have the time. He had given his daughter too little guidance, too little company.
He needed someone he could trust… someone to oversee her training and growth.
Hawke… was actually a good candidate.
After a moment of silence, Akainu finally spoke,
"Before that, Hawke…"
"I need to confirm something with you."
"Would you be willing… to become my adjutant?"
"..."
The moment Akainu's words fell, silence rippled across the training grounds.
Those Headquarters soldiers, who had been drenched in sweat and sprinting hard, suddenly froze mid-stride.
They strained their ears, craned their necks, terrified of missing even a single word.
Holy crap!
Commodore Hawke… is about to ascend to the heavens in one step?!
Directly becoming Admiral Akainu's adjutant?!
This was Admiral Akainu they were talking about!
The absolute iron-fisted figure of Marine Headquarters!
And ever since his promotion to Admiral, his adjutant's position had remained vacant!
Countless Headquarters elites had sharpened their heads trying to squeeze their way in — and none of them had even gotten close to the doorframe!
Everyone in Marine Headquarters knew just how strict Admiral Akainu's standards were for his adjutant. He was meticulous to the point of being unreasonable!
And now, the Admiral was personally inviting Hawke?!
The significance of this… the weight of this… it was beyond shocking!
Jealousy was brewing everywhere.
Green, sour, burning jealousy.
Countless envious, jealous, and resentful gazes all locked onto Hawke in unison.
"..."
Hawke himself fell silent too.
Becoming Admiral Akainu's adjutant?
The benefits were outrageous!
He would instantly step into the core power circle of Marine Headquarters, walking sideways from then on.
And after the Marineford War, Admiral Akainu would eventually take over the position of Fleet Admiral.
By then, as his most trusted adjutant, Hawke's status, power, and promotion speed would all be…
Tsk, tsk… just imagining it made his blood surge with excitement.
Power, status — within reach!
In the future, who at Marine Headquarters would dare not to give Hawke face?
"But…"
Hawke's brows furrowed ever so slightly.
Following Akainu would indeed be glorious, his future dazzlingly bright.
But the problem was…
With Akainu around, would there even be any pirates left for him to handle?
The answer was clear: no!
Then where the hell was he supposed to earn his Justice Points?!
Justice Points… they are the very foundation of my survival in this world!
They are the cornerstone of my strength, the key to earning more days to live!
Without Justice Points, how am I supposed to buy more survival days? How am I supposed to get stronger?
Am I supposed to just trail behind Akainu, watching him slaughter enemies left and right every day while I clap and cheer on the sidelines?
No way. Absolutely not!
Glory is temporary, but true strength lasts forever!
In that fleeting moment of weighing pros and cons, Rayne Hawke had already made his decision.
"Sorry, Admiral."
Hawke lifted his head, without a trace of hesitation.
Facing Akainu, he slowly, yet firmly, shook his head.
"I appreciate your kindness."
"But I cannot accept the position of adjutant."
"Hmm?"
Akainu-sama raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise flashing in his eyes.
He hadn't expected this young man, someone he held in such high regard, to turn down his offer.
"Why?"
"Admiral, following you would certainly allow me to learn a great deal and offer me better prospects."
Hawke met Akainu-sama's sharp gaze without flinching, his voice steady and sincere.
"But I want to personally go to those places where evil breeds… and use these fists of mine to wipe out the scum one by one."
"The East Blue is just the beginning."
"The Four Seas, the Grand Line, the New World… there are countless ruthless pirates out there, waiting for me to bring them justice."
"If I stay by your side, Admiral, I'm afraid I won't even get the chance to warm up against them."
"These fists of mine are still starving for battle!"
"Heh—"
Akainu listened quietly until the end, then let out a low chuckle, his expression shifting to one of approval.
This kid… he understood well enough.
Indeed, if Hawke followed him, there wouldn't be many chances for him to act...
But this also gave Akainu a clearer view of Hawke's sense of justice.
Perhaps, only this kind of pure, unwavering determination...
Could allow someone to shine with the brightest light amidst this chaotic sea.
Keeping Hawke by his side would only shackle his hands and feet… and dull his edge.
"Alright."
Akainu finally spoke. "I understand."
"In that case, I won't bring up the adjutant position again."
"However, about those five boxes of cigars… we still need to discuss the conditions."
He fixed his gaze on Hawke, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.
"I have a daughter, named Hibari. She's fourteen this year. Quite talented, and she's already joined the Marines."
Hibari (in the original, suspected to be Akainu-sama's daughter).
"She's wild by nature and needs someone to keep her in line."
"I plan to place her under your command, so you can train and discipline her for me."
Akainu-sama's sharp gaze carried an oppressive weight, as if saying,
"This is already decided."
"You, kid… I trust you."
"???"
Three huge question marks practically popped out of Hawke's forehead.
Wait, wait, Admiral… my training regimen is brutal, you know?!
Your precious little princess, delicate and cherished… how am I supposed to train her? How do I discipline her?
Can I even hit her? Can I even yell at her?!
If she gets hurt or bruised, won't you melt me down on the spot, Admiral?!
These five boxes of cigars… they're burning in my hands right now!
Can't we… renegotiate this?
...
A/N: Although there's no concrete evidence confirming Hibari is Akainu-sama's daughter(even the latest vivre card doesn't state it)...
This fan theory from the community was simply too tempting to pass up!
T/N: Facts explaining why these theories exist:
1. She exhibits proficiency in marksmanship and shares a linguistic trait with Sakazuki, as both characters speak in the Hiroshima dialect.
2. Unlike the formal suit of an Admiral, her attire is a mix of personal preference and rank-based clothing. This deviation is also seen in characters like Sakazuki, suggesting a degree of personal style within the Marines.
3. Hibari and Sakazuki are the only characters in the series to speak in the Hiroshima dialect. Coincidentally, both are Marines, came from the North Blue and have the Blood Type F.
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