"Don't worry, there's no way I'll get lost!"
"Oh... okay."
Seeing Zoro's confident face, the soldier finally put away his doubts, turned the rudder, and steered the small boat away.
Zoro turned around, his gaze falling on the familiar yet somewhat strange-looking village before him.
Shimotsuki Village.
It was as peaceful and serene as ever, with thin trails of smoke lazily rising from chimneys.
On the paths between the rice paddies, villagers greeted each other warmly.
"Huuh—"
He took a deep breath, letting the air fill his lungs. Even the scent carried a familiar warmth.
Following the path etched in his memories, Zoro soon arrived before a familiar building.
Isshin Dōjō.
The dōjō covered a wide area, its wooden structure exuding a sense of ancient dignity and solemnity. From inside, faint shouts of children practicing with bamboo swords echoed outward.
"Ah—!"
"It's Zoro!"
"Zoro is back!"
A few children playing by the dōjō gate spotted him first and immediately shouted in excitement.
Soon after, more kids rushed out from inside the dōjō, quickly surrounding him in a lively crowd.
"Zoro, didn't you leave to become a bounty hunter?"
"Why are you wearing a Marine uniform?"
A little girl with her hair tied up in a spiky ponytail curiously inspected the uniform on him.
"Hahaha!"
Zoro scratched the back of his head and laughed proudly.
"That's right! Pretty cool, huh?!"
He puffed out his chest, showing off his uniform to the kids.
"Tch."
A chubby boy pouted in disdain, his face full of contempt.
"This is just a Third-Class Seaman's uniform. It doesn't even come with a Justice cape. Not cool at all!"
"..."
The smile on Zoro's face froze instantly.
He quickly retorted, "Hey! If I wanted a Justice cape, I could get one easily!"
"Yeah, right, keep bragging!"
The kids shouted back in unison, their voices filled with mockery.
"You little brats!"
Zoro's expression turned awkward as he reached out, intending to give each of the cheeky kids a good "lesson in love."
Just then, a calm and gentle voice came from inside the dōjō.
"Zoro, is that you? You're back?"
A man wearing glasses and a simple kimono slowly walked out, his face carrying a warm, kind smile.
The owner of the dōjō — Shimotsuki Kōshirō.
...
Zoro froze immediately. All the playfulness and arrogance on his face disappeared in an instant.
He turned around, bowed deeply, and greeted respectfully.
"Kōshirō-sensei, I've returned."
Zoro's heart was filled with deep reverence.
Kōshirō-sensei was the man who guided him on the path of swordsmanship, and also the father of his dear friend, Kuina.
He was the one who entrusted him with the legendary blade that carried Kuina's dream — the Wado Ichimonji.
In Zoro's heart, Kōshirō-sensei was one of the people he respected the most.
"Hmm—"
Kōshirō looked at Zoro, his gaze lingering briefly on the Marine uniform, then nodded slightly.
"Your aura has grown stronger. So, in the end, you chose to become a Marine?"
"Yes. Because of some things... I decided to join the Marines."
"Mm. No matter which path you choose, as long as it's your own, then walk it with conviction."
"Yes!"
Kōshirō stepped aside, gesturing for Zoro to come in.
"Come in. How long will you be staying this time?"
Following Kōshirō into the familiar dōjō, Zoro inhaled deeply as the scent of sweat and wood filled his senses.
"I won't be staying long this time… I have to leave again soon."
"...?"
"I'm going to the Grand Line."
As he said that, Zoro's gaze subconsciously drifted toward the dōjō's backyard, his footsteps slowing down slightly.
Kōshirō noticed his hesitation, stepped forward, and gently patted his shoulder.
"Go on. Go see her."
"Tell her about your new decision."
"Yes."
Zoro nodded firmly, no longer hesitating. He walked quickly through the dōjō, heading straight to the quiet cemetery in the backyard.
A simple gravestone stood silently.
The words engraved on it read — Shimotsuki Kuina.
Zoro sat cross-legged before the grave, placing the hilt of the Wado Ichimonji toward the tombstone.
"..."
He remained silent for a long time before finally speaking softly.
"Kuina."
"I've become a Marine."
"Sounds strange, right? I think so too."
"But there are no pirates left here in the East Blue worth fighting."
"There's a man named Rayne Hawke… he's killed them all."
Zoro's voice carried a faint frustration… and even stronger yearning.
"I met one of his men, a Marine swordsman named Dane. He's strong."
"I couldn't beat him."
"He used some kind of black power I've never seen before. He called it Armament Haki."
"He also said… that man, Hawke, can teach me."
"Kuina, this is a monster who can one-punch Arlong to death… and even dared to fight an Admiral."
Zoro's voice lowered, but his eyes burned brighter and brighter.
"Kuina, I have to master that power."
"I want to become stronger… strong enough to fulfill our promise."
"That's why I joined the Marines."
He reached forward and tightly gripped the hilt of the Wado Ichimonji, as if drawing strength from it.
"Wait for me, Kuina."
"Your name and mine… will surely resound in heaven!"
...
Marine Headquarters.
Knock knock — "Dong, dong—"
"Come in."
A warm, deep voice answered from inside.
Hawke walked into Vice Admiral Yamakaji's office, with Hibari following close behind.
...
He had already made up his mind. During his stay at Marineford, he would take Hibari — his little shadow — and personally visit each of the Vice Admirals stationed at headquarters.
Naturally, this was to build connections and strengthen ties.
Once they got familiar, it would be easier to call in favors during the inevitable battle at Marineford one year later.
Vice Admirals just needed to inflict serious injurie.
As for the killing part… leave that to me.
Swoosh—
Seeing who had entered, Yamakaji immediately stood up from behind his desk.
"Commodore Hawke!"
There was unhidden enthusiasm in his tone.
This young man before him was one of the most talked-about rising stars in Marine Headquarters.
The incident where Admiral Akainu nearly fought Admiral Kizaru had already spread among the inner circle of influential Vice Admirals.
And with that outrageous event, one particular name had surged into the spotlight.
The Blood Hawk of the East Blue — Commodore Rayne Hawke.
As a Branch Commander, in just a few months, he had wiped out nearly every pirate in the entire East Blue.
His practice of Slaughter Justice perfectly aligned with Admiral Akainu's own philosophy of Absolute Justice.
Even more shocking was the fact that he had fought a suppressed Admiral Akainu to a draw, earning the Admiral's personal evaluation — "Monster."
That incident had even led to a public clash between Admirals Akainu and Kizaru, forcing Fleet Admiral Sengoku himself to intervene.
"Vice Admiral Yamakaji!"
Hawke and Hibari snapped to attention and saluted simultaneously.
Yamakaji's gaze fell on Hibari, and his expression briefly froze.
Wasn't this Admiral Sakazuki's daughter?
Why was she tagging along behind Hawke Commodore like a little assistant?
Suppressing his doubts, Yamakaji put on a broad smile and walked out from behind his desk.
"Come, sit."
He warmly gestured for the two of them to sit on the sofa in the guest area, then sat across from them.
Hawke reached into his pocket and pulled out two cigars, offering one to Yamakaji.
Sharing a smoke — one of the best ways to build camaraderie between men.
"Vice Admiral, care for one?"
As a veteran smoker of several decades, Yamakaji instinctively reached out to take it.
A rich, full-bodied tobacco aroma immediately filled his nostrils.
Yamakaji's usually half-closed eyes opened slightly, a faint glint flashing within.
"This cigar…"
His voice carried a subtle, barely noticeable tremor.
"Is this… Admiral's special supply?"
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