"Well…"
Akainu turned toward Hawke and said, "Hibari will be in your care, Hawke."
After saying that, he turned around and walked away without another word.
He still had military affairs to handle. If the one Hawke had been assigned wasn't Hibari, he wouldn't have personally come here.
"Uh…"
Hawke stared at Akainu's retreating back, a bit speechless.
Two sentences to make the introduction, then he just turns around and leaves…
That really was Akainu-sama's style.
He shifted his gaze toward Hibari, who stood beside him.
"..."
The girl was looking down, nervously twisting her fingers together, her gaze glued to the tips of her boots.
But every now and then, she'd sneakily lift her eyelids, stealing a quick glance at Hawke, her eyes filled with curiosity.
So this was the Hawke who her father wouldn't stop praising after returning from the East Blue?
Father had even said that Commodore Hawke was the Navy's future hope, and that she should learn more from him in the future.
But… how exactly was she supposed to learn from Commodore Hawke?
And… was Commodore Hawke going to be strict?
"Ah—"
Suddenly, she noticed Hawke was looking at her, and like a startled little rabbit, she quickly ducked her head, refusing to look up again.
"Uh…"
Hawke suddenly felt a faint throbbing at his temples.
Akainu-sama, is it still too late to return this "gift"?
Forget it… he'd rather not have a Magma Fist straight through his heart.
"Hibari."
"Y-Yes!"
Hibari straightened like a student suddenly called on in class, her body jolting upright as she raised her head and stiffened her posture.
"Relax…"
"Let's walk and talk."
"Yes, Commodore Hawke."
Hawke walked ahead, easily sensing the cautious little gaze following closely behind him.
Sigh. It seemed like he really needed to bring a few more female Marines into his command.
Otherwise, with just one timid girl like Hibari, a lot of things were going to get… inconvenient.
"..."
Along the way, Hawke asked, and Hibari answered.
Before long, Hawke had grasped the basics.
Hibari had just graduated from the Headquarters' recruit training camp and was currently looking for a suitable unit and commanding officer to continue her development.
Akainu-sama had recommended Hawke to her, saying he was an excellent mentor and superior.
Without hesitation, Hibari agreed.
At present, her rank was Ensign, and she specialized in firearms during combat.
"Hibari, you're Akainu-sama's daughter," Hawke said. "And Akainu-sama… is my benefactor."
Without Akainu-sama's strong support and personal recommendation, he never would've climbed the ranks so quickly.
That was a debt he would never forget.
"So, from now on, no need to bother with formal ranks when addressing me. It feels too distant."
"Y-Yes… Hawke-senpai."
"Uh, no need to add 'senpai.'"
"Understood, Hawke-san."
"..."
Hawke stopped, pressing his fingers to his brow.
Why did her forms of address keep getting more distant?
Seeing Hibari obey whatever he said so straightforwardly, Hawke couldn't help but laugh.
How could Akainu-sama, with his rigid, almost obsessive personality, have a daughter with such a soft and gentle temperament?
The contrast was just too much.
"Tap—"
Suddenly, a figure slowly approached from the corner ahead.
It was an elderly woman with silver hair and a thin frame.
She wore a Vice Admiral's uniform, her face lined with the marks of time, but her eyes were astonishingly bright and sharp.
Hawke's heart tensed immediately.
Vice Admiral Tsuru—the Strategist!
An old-generation powerhouse from the same era as Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Vice Admiral Garp, the Navy's greatest tactician, wielder of the Wash-Wash Fruit, and a firm believer in "Pure Justice."
"Vice Admiral Tsuru!"
Hawke immediately straightened and saluted.
"Commodore Hawke."
Tsuru noticed Hawke and Hibari, smiling gently as she nodded.
"Chatting with little Hibari, I see?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Ah, Vice Admiral Tsuru!"
Hibari quickly saluted as well, visibly nervous.
Tsuru returned a kind nod, then let her gaze fall back on Hawke. Her sharp, penetrating eyes held a faintly amused look as she studied him.
"Little Hawke, Sakazuki speaks very highly of your leadership abilities."
"Admiral-sama praises me too much. I'm only doing my duty."
"No."
Tsuru slowly shook her head, stepping closer.
"Sakazuki may be overly forceful at times, but as a Marine Admiral, his judgment of people is rarely wrong."
"He not only acknowledges your sense of justice, but also values your talent in cultivating capable subordinates."
"The morale and discipline of the soldiers in your 16th Branch—Sakazuki mentioned it several times in his reports."
Tsuru's tone suddenly shifted.
"Speaking of which, my granddaughter, Kujaku, has just been promoted to Commander at Headquarters."
"She's a talented child, but she still needs tempering."
"Headquarters is fine, but ultimately, it's too comfortable there, lacking the real conditions she needs to grow, as well as a proper guide."
"So, I'd like to place her in your G-3 Branch and have you oversee her training."
"Would you be willing?"
"..."
Hawke's expression instantly froze.
Huh?
Again?!
Vice Admiral Tsuru!
Akainu-sama just stuffed his daughter into my command, and now you want to send your granddaughter too?
I'm heading to the G-3 Branch as the Branch Commander, not opening a special daycare for elite Marine brats!
...
East Blue, 16th Branch.
Dane put away the Den Den Mushi and turned to Zoro beside him.
"Welcome to the Marines, Zoro."
"Yeah."
"Come on, I'll take you to get your gear."
Zoro followed Dane and received a brand-new Marine uniform, a pair of polished boots, and basic personal supplies.
Afterward, Dane gathered all the soldiers at the branch and assembled them on the training field.
"Brothers!"
Dane's powerful voice echoed across the entire field.
"We've just received orders from Commodore Hawke."
"Before we collectively transfer to the G-3 Branch on the Grand Line, everyone will be granted staggered leave!"
"Go home! Go spend time with your families!"
For a moment, the training field fell into stunned silence.
Then, a tidal wave of cheers erupted.
"OOOOOH!!!"
"Long live Commodore Hawke!"
Many of the hardened soldiers suddenly had red eyes.
They all understood—after this departure, heading to the Grand Line, returning to the East Blue wouldn't be easy anymore.
And yet, Commodore Hawke still thought of this and made arrangements for them.
Once the noise subsided a little, Dane turned to Zoro.
"What about you, Zoro?"
"Are you going back to visit too?"
"..."
Zoro stayed silent.
Go back, huh?
In his mind, an image appeared—a familiar dojo, Isshin Dojo.
And that smiling, gentle teacher.
Yeah… he should go back.
Visit his teacher. And visit that grave—the one where his dearest friend and his very first dream rested.
He was about to embark on an entirely new journey. Before setting out, it was only right to say a proper farewell to his past.
Zoro raised his head, his gaze firm and resolute.
He gave Dane a deep, heavy nod.
"Shimotsuki Village, right? Perfect. There are a few soldiers heading that way—you can go together."
"Got it!"
...
(This chapter has been published for review. Thank you again for review. For each review +1 additional chapter)