"Zoro, you want to join the Navy?"
Dane lifted his eyes, scrutinizing Zoro carefully.
"Mm."
Zoro nodded heavily. He saw things very clearly.
The Navy offered abundant meals and complete training equipment.
And there were swordsmanship masters like Dane, who could fight him to the fullest.
Joining the Navy meant he could reach the power called "Armament Haki."
Joining the Navy meant he could set sail for the Grand Line, challenge formidable foes, and refine his swordsmanship.
Joining the Navy was the best choice!
"..."
"Zoro, as a bounty hunter, your record is clean."
"If you want to join the Navy, I personally welcome it!"
Dane paused for a moment, then gave his recommendation.
"I can recommend you for the 16th Branch, to remain in the East Blue."
"Or I can recommend you to my Hawke, to go to the Grand Line and join the G-3 Branch. Which do you choose?"
"G-3 Branch!"
Zoro answered without hesitation.
Was there even a choice?
Stay in the cozy East Blue for an easy life?
He didn't join the Navy for comfort!
He wanted battles, he wanted to get stronger!
"Alright."
Dane nodded. "I'll report to Hawke tomorrow, after all..."
He shifted his tone, a proud expression appearing on his face.
"Our branch isn't something anyone can join at will!"
"Ah… why?"
"Heh—"
Dane snorted lightly, pride practically overflowing from his voice.
"The current G-3 Branch is the hottest place in the entire Navy!"
"Except for us old comrades who follow Hawke."
"Without strength, without background, any Navy member wanting to join Hawke's crew will find it hard!!!"
"Really?"
Zoro found it hard to believe.
Although he highly respected Dane's ability, this sounded a bit too much.
Seeing Zoro's doubt, Dane said, "Hawke is the youngest Commodore in Navy Headquarters' history!"
"???"
Zoro's eyes widened.
"Commodore?!!!"
No way…
Hawke wasn't a Commander?
How did he suddenly become a Commodore?!
As an experienced bounty hunter, Zoro often dealt with the Navy.
He knew the Navy's rank system well.
Above Commander was Captain, then Commodore!
And there was a huge difference between branch and headquarters.
Did this man named Hawke ride a cannonball up the ranks or something?!
This promotion speed was absurd!
"Mm-hmm!"
Mentioning Hawke made Dane's pride even more apparent.
Feeling that words alone weren't enough, he stood, grabbed two oversized wooden beer mugs, and returned.
"Bang!"
He placed one in front of Zoro, the golden beer frothing with a snowy white head.
"Zoro, you know Arlong, right?"
Dane lifted his mug and took a large gulp.
"Of course! The pirate with the highest bounty in the East Blue!"
Zoro also picked up his mug, drank deeply, then rolled his eyes.
"As a bounty hunter, knowing all the bounties of the East Blue pirates is a basic skill!"
"Dane, who are you looking down on?!"
"..."
Dane wiped the foam from his mouth and looked at Zoro pointedly.
"No looking down, really."
"But do me a favor and pay for this late-night meal."
"Ahem——"
Zoro's face turned bright red instantly; the beer he had just swallowed nearly came out in a cough.
Wasn't this supposed to be your treat?
My pocket, even mice would cry seeing it.
"Quick, tell me. What happened to Arlong?"
"Arlong, the great pirate with a twenty million Belly bounty…"
"…was killed by Hawke with a single punch!"
"..."
Zoro's hand froze, holding the mug.
A single punch? Killed him?
That was Arlong!
A fishman!
His natural physique far exceeded humans!
One punch…
What level of monster could pull that off?!
"Hehe, impressive, right."
Dane saw through Zoro's shock.
"The Armament Haki I used before was trained by Hawke himself."
"If you can smoothly join the G-3 Branch, you can learn it too."
"It's not hard."
"Gulp——"
Zoro swallowed hard, his heart racing uncontrollably.
Armament Haki!
He was thrilled!
"Do you know Admiral Akainu?"
Dane dropped even heavier news.
"One of the Navy Headquarters' top forces, who doesn't know him?!"
Zoro replied, a little puzzled.
He could understand fishman Arlong—after all, he was a pirate in the East Blue.
Could Hawk have a connection to Admiral Akainu?
That was one of the three main forces of Navy Headquarters.
Even his target, Hawk Eyes—Dracule Mihawk, might struggle against a fully serious Admiral Akainu…
"Good that you know."
Dane nodded. "Not long ago, Hawke fought Admiral Akainu, whose power was being suppressed, and had a thorough fight."
"After the fight, Admiral Akainu praised him highly."
"On the spot, he used the special authorization in his hands to promote Hawke from a Commander at the East Blue Branch directly to Commodore at Headquarters."
"Afterwards, he appointed Hawke as the base commander of the G-3 Branch on the Grand Line."
"We'll be heading to the Grand Line soon to meet up with Hawke."
"…"
"…"
Zoro's mind completely crashed.
F-fought with a Headquarters Admiral?!
Even if it was Admiral Akainu, whose strength was suppressed, he was still a monster standing at the pinnacle of the world's military power.
At this moment, Zoro had a clear recognition of the strength of Hawke, the man who might become his superior.
A super monster!
A strange shiver surged from the tip of his spine and instantly spread throughout his entire body.
It was both awe toward an absolute strongman and the instinctive excitement of a swordsman.
"This…"
Zoro's Adam's apple bobbed. "Can I spar with Commodore Hawke for a bit?"
"Ha—"
"Hawke isn't at the branch; he went to Headquarters to receive his appointment."
Dane patted Zoro on the shoulder, a faint smile on his face that seemed to say,
"You're overthinking it, kid."
"Also, Hawke doesn't use a sword."
"He uses his fists."
"When Hawke throws a punch, it's like an earthquake."
He sized up Zoro's sturdy body from head to toe and shook his head.
"Your physique isn't even enough for him to warm up with one punch."
"Better be honest and spar with me instead!"
"???"
A question mark slowly appeared above Zoro's head.
That sentence sounded a little off.
But on second thought… maybe it wasn't really wrong.
"..."
...
The next day, the sun slowly rose above Marineford.
Clear and loud chants, like waves, surged from the vast training ground, one after another, filled with power and discipline.
After a quick wash, Hawke changed into a crisp training outfit and walked out of his residence.
He showed no trace of laziness and immediately joined the morning exercise squad.
"Commodore Hawke!"
"Good morning, Commodore Hawke!"
Many Navy soldiers who had witnessed the "Admiral Kidnapping Incident" at the docks turned to him with respectful eyes and greeted him proactively.
"Good morning!"
Hawke smiled and nodded in response, without any airs.
Suddenly, the Den Den Mushi on him rang, "Buru-buru~"
It was Dane calling.
"Hello…?"
"Hawke, how was your trip to Headquarters?"
"Not bad, very smooth."
Hawke replied while jogging.
"The appointments for you and the guys will come through soon."
"Congratulations, Navy Headquarters—Lieutenant Commander Dane."
"Hehe, Hawke, don't tease me."
"Without you, I wouldn't even have a chance for revenge, let alone be a Lieutenant Commander."
"By the way, Hawke, there's a promising recruit who wants to join the Navy."
"Oh… what's the name?"
Hawke asked casually, not paying much attention.
"A well-known bounty hunter from the East Blue—Roronoa Zoro."
"???"
"!!!"
Hawke's expression froze for a brief moment.
He almost thought he'd misheard.
No way—he'd been gone just a few days, and they'd already dragged the Three-Sword Zoro into the Navy?!
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