"The one making a mess is you, Sengoku."
"You're the one obstructing the rise of the Navy's new generation."
Tsuru's voice was not loud, but it struck directly at Sengoku's heart.
"..."
Sengoku's body jolted violently. He leaned back into his chair, silent for a long time.
So...
From beginning to end, the one at fault had been himself!
Tsuru was right. Sakazuki's methods might be a bit extreme.
But his persistence and obsession with the word "justice" were unmatched within the entire Navy.
Compared to the other two headaches—one as slippery as Borsalino, the other as lazy as Kuzan...
Sakazuki was already the least worrisome of them all.
"..."
Sengoku began to re-examine Akainu's report.
Rayne Hawke, holding the rank of Commander in a branch, had cleansed the East Blue.
Resolute in killing, upholding "Justice of Slaughter."
Strength surpassing Headquarters' elite Rear Admirals, with balanced abilities and no obvious shortcomings.
The soldiers under his command displayed strict discipline, fearless of death, their spirit comparable to Headquarters' finest elites.
This was... a true hexagonal talent!
If strength was needed, he had strength!
If conviction in justice was needed, he had conviction!
If the ability to lead was needed, he had ability!
Hawke truly possessed the qualifications, and indeed the possibility, of becoming a leading figure in the Navy's future new generation!
Before, he had only seen Sakazuki's "overreach," while overlooking the deeper meaning of his recommendation.
Obstructing the rise of the Navy's new generation...
Having devoted his entire life to the Navy, how could he, how would he, obstruct the rise of its new generation?!
"..."
Sengoku slowly closed his eyes. When he opened them again...
The flames of anger had completely vanished, replaced instead by clarity and determination.
"Shua shua——"
He picked up the pen on the desk and signed his name on the promotion and appointment papers.
"Hawke is to be promoted to Commodore and appointed Head of G-3 Branch."
"He must come to Headquarters to complete the procedures and receive the official appointment."
Sengoku set down his pen, his voice deep: "Just right, I want to see him in person."
"Mm."
Vice Admiral Tsuru nodded slightly, satisfied.
This was the Sengoku she knew, the "Buddha" Sengoku.
Humans... once they grow older...
And after being in contact with those old geezers, the Elders, for too long, they inevitably pick up some bureaucratic bad habits.
It seemed from now on, she really needed to keep a closer eye on him.
"Huu—"
Tsuru lifted her teacup again and took a light sip.
Her mind began calculating. Perhaps she should send her beloved granddaughter, Kujaku...
Over to serve under Hawke's command, so she could be well polished and trained?
Headquarters' orders were quickly sent out.
...
East Blue, Navy 16th Branch.
Inside the mess hall.
"Hawke..."
Akainu's low voice carried its characteristic rasp.
"The G-3 Branch, located on a key route in the first half of the Grand Line, sees far more rampant pirate activity than the East Blue..."
Hawke listened intently, committing each and every word to memory.
These insights from an Admiral of the Navy were priceless.
Just then.
A messenger soldier rushed in quickly, snapped to attention before Akainu, and handed him a document.
"Report, Admiral! Latest appointment from Navy Headquarters!"
"Hm..."
Akainu took the document and unfolded it.
Seeing Sengoku's familiar signature and the stamp of the Fleet Admiral's office...
A look of satisfaction appeared in his eyes.
Good.
That old man Sengoku hadn't gone senile after all.
Did he really think this promotion of Hawke was just about seizing power?
Everything Akainu did was for the future of the Navy!
For the true "justice" across this sea!
"Hawke..."
Akainu handed the appointment papers to him.
"Everything is finalized."
"Chaa——"
Hawke accepted the appointment document, his eyes sweeping swiftly across the page.
Black ink on white paper, clear and unmistakable.
"Authorization for Commander Rayne Hawke of the 16th Branch to be promoted to Headquarters Commodore."
"Appointment of Commodore Hawke as Head of the Grand Line G-3 Branch."
At the end, Sengoku the Fleet Admiral's signature stood out clearly.
It was done!
The rank of Commodore, and the real power of G-3's Branch Head—already set in stone.
From this day forward, he would officially enter the Navy Headquarters' field of vision.
However, the appointment letter clearly stated...
He had to personally go to Navy Headquarters at Marineford, receive the official appointment, and complete the related procedures.
That was fine...
Hawke thought to himself.
Going to Headquarters meant he could meet the Navy's top figures.
This would be crucial for his future development.
Hawke put away the document and looked toward Akainu.
"Hawke."
"Prepare yourself. You're coming with me to Headquarters to report in."
"Yes, sir!"
"..."
Soon, all personnel assembled at the port.
Akainu's towering figure stood at the edge of the pier, his gaze sweeping across two distinct groups of soldiers.
On one side, the elites he had brought from Headquarters, sharp and imposing.
On the other, Hawke's 16th Branch soldiers, equally well-ordered, their eyes unwavering.
"..."
Akainu glanced back at the standard Navy warship he had come on.
One ordinary warship obviously couldn't hold so many people.
Meanwhile, the 16th Branch's own warship still had to carry out routine patrol duties, maintaining order in this newly cleansed sea area.
Pirates were like stubborn weeds—no matter how many were cut down, they could sprout and spread again at any moment.
"Hm..."
Akainu's brow twitched almost imperceptibly. A decision had already formed in his heart.
He turned to face all the soldiers.
"Headquarters soldiers, remain stationed at the 16th Branch."
"Ah...?"
At those words, the expressions on the Headquarters soldiers' faces froze instantly.
Then, Akainu's next sentence exploded in their ears like thunder.
"All 16th Branch soldiers, come with me to Headquarters to report in!"
"..."
"???"
The Headquarters soldiers were collectively petrified.
Admiral!
It's Admiral Akainu!
Who are your true direct subordinates who followed you all the way from Headquarters to this far-off East Blue?!
It's us!
It's us, the Headquarters elites!
And yet now, we're the ones being left behind?
Admiral... without you...
"..."
Standing beside Akainu, Hawke took in the shock and confusion written all over the faces of the Headquarters soldiers.
He understood Akainu's meaning.
This was his way of showing importance and favor to Hawke and the 16th Branch.
After all, with different resources invested, they had still forged the same fighting spirit...
That in itself was proof of ability.
However, the main reason for this trip to Headquarters was his own promotion.
The promotions of Dane and his 16th Branch brothers would only begin once his own appointment was complete.
Besides...
He much preferred to personally lead his brothers, and openly, proudly march into Navy Headquarters one day.
Not like this, as some kind of "tag-along" under Admiral Akainu's wing.
That wasn't his style.
"Admiral, let Dane and the others stay behind."
Hawke stepped forward, his tone firm.
"In the future, I will personally lead them into Headquarters."
"..."
Akainu paused slightly at those words.
After a moment of silence...
"Hah—"
A very faint laugh rumbled in Akainu's throat.
Ambitious.
This kid really hadn't let him down.
"Headquarters soldiers, board the ship!"