"Whoosh—"
A Navy warship cut through the surging waves.
The Navy flag hung at the bow fluttered fiercely in the sea breeze.
It slowly departed from the dock of the 16th Branch, sailing at full speed toward the Grand Line.
The destination: Marine Headquarters — Marineford.
On the deck.
"…"
Hawke held a cigar between his lips, leaning against the railing.
He gazed at the boundless blue horizon. Marine Headquarters… I'm coming!
...
On the dock of the 16th Branch.
"Hawke…"
Dane and the branch soldiers stood quietly.
The sea breeze tugged at their uniforms, solemn expressions etched on every face.
"Swish—"
Dane suddenly raised his right hand and gave a standard military salute to the departing warship.
All the soldiers behind him moved in unison, saluting at the same time.
Their eyes followed the warship as it grew smaller in the distance.
"…"
Only when the ship disappeared completely where the sea met the sky did Dane lower his arm.
His right hand habitually rested on the hilt of "Akubi-no-Kiba" at his waist.
The cold touch of the handle calmed the turmoil in his heart.
Hawke-aniki…
Heading to Marine Headquarters to receive his official appointment as Commodore and Base Commander.
And soon, my brothers and I will follow in his footsteps and march toward the Grand Line.
Before leaving, aniki had already explained everything clearly.
In half a month, Marine Headquarters will send new officers and soldiers to formally take over the 16th Branch.
By then, I will lead all the brothers, reorganized, to the G-3 Branch on the Grand Line and reunite with aniki.
At the same time, aniki will bring all the promotion papers for the brothers to G-3.
In short, every brother of the 16th Branch is getting promoted!
Dane slowly turned around.
He faced the soldiers who were still gazing into the distance.
Hearing his voice, all eyes gathered on him.
"Commodore Hawke has gone to Headquarters to receive his appointment!"
"He will soon command — the G-3 Branch on the Grand Line!"
"In half a month, we will depart for G-3 Branch!"
"There, we will reunite with Commodore Hawke!"
"And at the same time—"
"Everyone will be promoted in rank!!!"
"…"
For an instant, there was dead silence. Even the sound of the wind at the dock seemed to halt.
"Everyone… gets promoted?"
"Really?"
The soldiers gaped, eyes wide in disbelief.
Did they hear that right…?
Everyone gets promoted?!
"Yes!"
"Every single one of you will be promoted!"
Dane could not hide his own excitement.
"So, in this final half month…"
"We will stand our last watch at the 16th Branch!"
"And wait for our comrades from Headquarters to take over!"
"Yes, sir—!!!"
After a brief pause, deafening cheers erupted across the dock!
The soldiers were in complete uproar!
Countless caps were thrown into the sky, falling back down in waves.
Tears of joy slid down faces darkened and hardened by training and battle.
This is amazing!
Commodore Hawke!
He truly hadn't forgotten the brothers who had followed him all this time!
Everyone has a share!
Everyone will be promoted!
Everyone will go to the G-3 Branch on the Grand Line!
The Grand Line…
The pirates' paradise of legend, the graveyard of the strong!
But so what?!
As long as they marched under Commodore Hawke's banner!
Whether ahead lay mountains of blades… or seas of fire…
They would know no fear!
...
At the same time, Marine Headquarters.
Inside Admiral Aokiji's office.
Sunlight streamed through the blinds, scattering mottled light across the floor.
Aokiji half-reclined on the sofa, his sleep mask pushed up to his forehead, his eyes still hazy with drowsiness.
"…"
He frowned slightly at the uninvited man sitting on the opposite sofa.
The visitor was tall and lanky, dressed in a striking yellow-and-white striped suit. His short black curls framed a face shaded by sunglasses, stubble lining his jaw, and a sleazy grin tugging at his lips.
One of the top powers of Marine Headquarters — "Kizaru," Borsalino.
"…Borsalino."
Aokiji's lazy voice came out hoarse, as if just woken.
"You finish your mission and instead of reporting to the Fleet Admiral, you come here. Why?"
"Yo~"
Kizaru spread his hands and leaned back comfortably with a sigh.
"Kuzan, after all, we're colleagues~"
He drew out his tone, eyes narrowing behind the lenses.
"Can't I come to catch up with you?"
"Heh—"
"You're just afraid the Fleet Admiral will slap you with a new mission."
"Heh heh~"
Kizaru chuckled sleazily. "Kuzan, I knew you'd understand me."
When he returned from his mission in the New World…
He discovered Sakazuki, that workaholic, had taken a mission to the East Blue…
With him gone, the chances of new tasks landing on Kizaru's head skyrocketed.
So, to slack off just a little longer…
He came up with the perfect idea: hide out in Kuzan's office and lay low.
Heh heh, this old man really is too clever!
At that moment, "knock knock knock—"
The office door was lightly tapped.
"Come in."
Aokiji responded lazily.
The door opened, and a Marine soldier stepped inside, offering a respectful salute.
"Admiral Aokiji."
Immediately, his gaze fell on Kizaru. His expression showed slight surprise, but he quickly reacted and saluted once more.
"Admiral Kizaru."
The soldier held a sealed file in his hands and strode quickly to Aokiji, presenting it with both hands.
"Admiral, the review result for the person you asked us to focus on has come out."
"Oh..."
Aokiji's usually drowsy eyes sharpened slightly at the soldier's words.
He straightened up a bit, reaching out to take the document.
"Yo...?"
Behind his glasses, Kizaru's eyes glanced over subtly, and the lecherous curve at the corner of his lips widened.
Was this really the Kuzan who was known for his laziness...?
That he would actually pay special attention to one person?
Interesting... Who could this person be?
"Shh—"
Aokiji opened the file, first looking at the conclusion.
Rayne Hawke, promoted to Headquarters Commodore.
At the same time, appointed as Branch Commander of the G-3 base on the Grand Line.
"Hmm...?"
Aokiji's brow instantly furrowed.
This outcome far exceeded his expectations.
He had originally thought that, with both himself and Sakazuki speaking up one after the other, Hawke would at least escape punishment.
Perhaps, relying on his achievements in the East Blue, he might even receive a small promotion within a branch.
But now...
Headquarters Commodore?
And appointed as Branch Commander of the G-3 base on the Grand Line?
The G-3 base was a key stronghold on the first half of the Grand Line. Its commander's position had always been held by a Vice Admiral of Headquarters.
For a branch Commander to leap several ranks at once, become a Commodore, and be exceptionally appointed as the head of such an important base...
That wasn't something Sakazuki alone could decide.
Even if Sakazuki intended to recommend him, if Fleet Admiral Sengoku wanted to stall, such an appointment could never have been approved so smoothly.
Which meant...
The Fleet Admiral's stance had shifted as well.
"..."
Aokiji read through the report carefully, understanding the entire chain of events.
The lazy expression on his face quietly vanished, replaced by surprise.
Sakazuki's evaluation of Hawke... was this high?
As a colleague who often clashed with Sakazuki's views...
He was very aware of just how strict Sakazuki's standard for "justice" was.
For Rayne Hawke to receive such tireless praise and recommendation from Sakazuki, just how exceptional must he be?
Well, better tell Smoker this news.
He'd probably find it very interesting.
With that thought, Aokiji picked up the Den Den Mushi on his desk and dialed a number.
"Burururu~ Burururu~"
The Den Den Mushi mimicked the expression of the one being called.
Very soon, a face chewing on two cigars appeared, looking impatient.
"Kuzan? What is it?"
"Smoker... good news."
"And bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?"
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