"Yo, Hawke-kun."
"Care to chat for a bit?"
"..."
Hawke looked at the man before him — the Marine Headquarters Admiral, "Aokiji" Kuzan, a Logia-type Ice-Ice Fruit user.
The man with the hottest heart… yet he had eaten the coldest fruit.
In his youth, he upheld the belief of "Burning Justice," but after the Ohara Incident...
Kuzan, who had become lost about the meaning of "justice," shifted to embracing "Lazy Justice."
Good grief...
On this trip to Marineford, aside from the old-timer Garp and Zephyr-sensei...
He had met every single high-ranking officer.
The three Admirals of Headquarters — collection complete!
"..."
As Hawke observed Aokiji, Aokiji was also deeply studying Hawke.
He knew everything about what happened at the docks.
The quarrel between Kizaru and Akainu didn't concern him.
When he first arrived at the docks, an intel officer had handed him a report that caught his interest.
It detailed why Smoker had been so furious...
At first, he had ordered the investigation just for entertainment's sake.
After all, seeing Smoker get humbled wasn't something you got to witness every day.
The report described in detail what Hawke had done in the East Blue.
He trained soldiers, improved the quality of their meals, built training grounds out of his own pocket, and distributed spoils to his subordinates.
He slaughtered pirates and executed corrupt superiors.
But he also returned seventy percent of the plundered wealth to the oppressed civilians.
"Justice Through Slaughter."
Aokiji had first seen that term in one of Sakazuki's reports.
He thought it was just another one of those extreme slogans, that Sakazuki had finally found a like-minded junior.
But now, it seemed… things weren't so simple.
Sakazuki's "Absolute Justice" only cared about erasing evil from the world. What happened after — the chaos, the destruction, the suffering — he didn't care.
But Hawke's actions were entirely different.
He didn't just kill evil pirates; he also ensured that the wealth stolen from the people was returned to them.
He didn't just sever the roots of evil; he personally sowed the seeds of hope into the ravaged land.
This kind of behavior...
This sense of justice...
It burned like raging flames, incinerating all evil.
Yet it carried the calm and order of ice and snow.
After the blaze, he rebuilt stability upon the ashes.
"..."
Kuzan's once-lazy gaze sharpened, becoming deep and focused.
He wanted to have a serious talk with Hawke — about justice.
And so...
He waited outside the Fleet Admiral's office door.
"Of course, Admiral Aokiji."
Hawke nodded, accepting the invitation.
He didn't know what Aokiji wanted to discuss, but getting closer to an Admiral was never a bad thing.
"Come on, let's head to my office."
"Yes, sir!"
The two walked together toward Aokiji's office.
...
East Blue, 16th Branch.
"..."
Zoro's gaze was fixed firmly on the sword hanging at Dane's waist.
It was a blade of pure black.
The scabbard bore the deep sheen of obsidian, its hilt wrapped tightly in black cord — simple yet exuding deadly intent.
"One of the Skillful Grade Blades 50 — Akubi-no-Kiba?"
Zoro's voice was hoarse, but carried the subtle thrill only a true swordsman would have.
"Hmm...?"
Dane's eyes drifted toward the three swords at Zoro's waist.
Especially that one — pure white.
Its ivory-white scabbard, pristine handle wrap, and aura of noble resilience were unmistakable.
"One of the Great Grade 21 — Wado Ichimonji?"
The moment these two true swordsmen crossed paths...
A fighting spirit surged between them, like a volcano on the verge of eruption.
By swordsman's etiquette, a proper duel was inevitable.
"Lieutenant Commander Dane."
A nearby Marine hurried over and gave Dane a brief report.
The pirate hunter — Zoro — had caught a thief and wanted to trade him in for a bounty to make ends meet.
He hadn't eaten or drunk anything for nine days and was about to pass out from hunger...
"Hmm."
Dane nodded slightly.
He glanced at the trembling thief tied up nearby.
His decision came instantly.
Just a thief — and a failed one at that.
Not worth dying over.
"Take this thief into custody, give him some education, and record his case."
"Warn him — next time, there won't be any mercy."
"Zoro, right?"
Dane gestured for Zoro to follow him.
"Come with me."
"I'll take you to eat."
"...!!!"
Zoro's eyes lit up instantly at the mention of food, and he quickly followed behind.
The two headed together toward the mess hall of the 16th Branch.
"..."
By evening, the mess hall was brightly lit and bustling with noise.
Though the building itself hadn't been expanded, the dishes served inside had undergone a complete transformation.
The long serving tables were piled high with steaming, mouthwatering food.
"Zoro."
Dane pointed to the buffet. "The meal's on me. You're not a Marine, so this comes out of my pocket."
"After you eat, we'll have a spar. How's that sound?"
"Yeah!"
After nine days without food, Zoro stared at the mountain of dishes and nodded without hesitation.
A full belly and a duel against a strong swordsman wielding a famed blade?
There was no better deal in the world.
And then...
Zoro made a surprising discovery.
This remote Marine branch… had a buffet?!
Massive cuts of roasted Sea King meat sizzling with juice.
Towering piles of golden, crispy fried drumsticks.
A massive iron pot filled with rich, fragrant meat stew.
Fresh fruit and chilled juice, all free to take.
Eat as much as you want!
Zoro's eyes nearly popped out of his head. He grabbed a tray bigger than a washbasin and stacked food on it like he was building a fortress.
"You guys... always eat this well?"
With his mouth full of meat, Zoro mumbled, "And you even get to drink after work?"
He'd even spotted a few off-duty Marines in casual clothes sitting around a table.
Large mugs of beer stood in front of them — drinks in the mess hall, apparently included!
"Mm."
Dane explained calmly, "Hawke-aniki said it himself..."
"After work, everyone should sit together, have a drink, chat, and build camaraderie."
"Aside from Headquarters funding, Aniki also personally invested a lot of money into the mess hall."
"If the brothers can't even fill their stomachs, how can they talk about carrying out justice?"
"Hmm... Hawke-aniki...?"
"Hawke..."
Zoro suddenly froze mid-bite, the name ringing familiar in his ears.
"Blood Hawk... Rayne Hawke...?"
"Oh? You know Aniki?"
Dane looked at Zoro, mildly surprised.
"..."
Zoro's expression darkened instantly, an unspoken grudge flashing in his eyes.
Know him?
That's putting it lightly!
It's because of that damn bastard!!!
That's why I ended up in this mess!!!
"Commander Hawke... he's stationed at this branch...?"
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