"Vice Admiral Yamakaji, you've got an eye for good stuff."
Hawke admitted generously, "This was a gift from Admiral Akainu."
"For the sake of this taste, I'm taking responsibility for training Ensign Hibari."
"Every two months of hard work… only enough to exchange for one box."
"No wonder…"
"This is a premium cigar."
Yamakaji's eyes couldn't hide his shock and surprise.
"Even Admirals only get one box per month in their allocation."
He had thought he already held Hawke in high regard.
But he hadn't expected this — Admiral Akainu not only entrusted his precious daughter to train under Hawke's command but even gave away part of his personal cigar quota.
This wasn't just valuing him…
This was grooming Hawke as his successor!
"..."
Hibari sat quietly on the side, her little ears perked up, listening intently to every single word.
In her little head, another storm of thoughts erupted.
Hawke-san said… for the sake of training her, Dad gives him one box of cigars every two months as payment?
But… that's not right!
She clearly remembered that in Dad's study, the cabinet still had plenty of those same cigars!
Only one box every two months?
Why is Dad being so stingy?!
Isn't he just exploiting Hawke-san's labor?!
No, she had to do something.
Before leaving Marineford, she must sneak into Dad's study and "confiscate" all those cigars to give to Hawke-san!
Yes, that's what she'd do!
"Fuu—"
As Hawke and Yamakaji started puffing smoke, the atmosphere in the office became relaxed.
The two began to chat casually.
"Commodore Hawke…"
Yamakaji exhaled a perfect smoke ring and asked with a smile,
"What's your take on the current state of the seas?"
"Undercurrents surge beneath the surface — looks calm, but a storm is coming."
Drawing from his memories as a transmigrator, Hawke slowly laid out the present situation and his predictions for the future.
From the delicate balance between the Yonko, to the motives of the Shichibukai, and even to the Revolutionary Army's hidden movements.
He didn't reveal any specific future events, but he analyzed each faction's motives, advantages, and weaknesses in meticulous detail.
"..."
Yamakaji's smile gradually faded, replaced by deep shock.
He even forgot to take another puff from his cigar, letting the ash grow long and brittle.
Commodore Hawke's vision and strategic mind were far beyond what his age should allow!
He could see further and deeper than many Vice Admirals at Marine Headquarters!
To think… he not only possessed monstrous strength but also had a top-tier strategic brain!
Suddenly, Yamakaji recalled the phrase Admiral Akainu had written at the end of his report — "Leader of the Navy's new generation."
Originally, he thought it was just Akainu overpraising someone he valued.
But now…
It couldn't be more accurate!
The young man before him was truly the leader of the Navy's new generation!
He was the Navy's future for decades to come — someone who could uphold the word "Justice" and carry it to even greater heights!
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Tsuru, Vice Admiral Garp, and Zephyr-sensei… they would eventually grow old.
The three Admirals might be at their peak now, but the Navy still needed its future!
And Hawke… was that future!
"Fuu—"
The pleasant chat soon came to an end. Seeing it was getting late, Hawke stood up to leave.
"Vice Admiral Yamakaji, thank you for your time."
"Not at all, not at all!"
Yamakaji quickly stood up and personally escorted Hawke and Hibari to the office door, even walking them all the way downstairs.
Such a respectful gesture drew countless stares from Marines along the way.
In the corridor, a Lieutenant Commander hurriedly passed by carrying documents. When he saw Vice Admiral Yamakaji personally walking a young Commodore out, his steps faltered, almost spilling the files in his arms.
"Is that… Vice Admiral Yamakaji?"
"Who's that person he's escorting? Such a young Commodore!"
"That's Commodore Rayne Hawke! The one everyone's been talking about these past two days!"
"Whoa… to have Vice Admiral Yamakaji personally walk him downstairs… Commodore Hawke's influence must be massive!"
Whispers spread rapidly, but Yamakaji ignored them completely while Hawke accepted it calmly.
The more the upper ranks publicly showed their support for him, the more convenient his future within the Navy would become.
Once downstairs, Hawke, Hibari, and Yamakaji parted ways.
Hawke gave Yamakaji a respectful salute.
Yamakaji smiled and returned the salute, his eyes full of admiration.
"Go on, and come by for a chat whenever you're free."
With that, he turned and headed back toward the office building.
Hawke then led Hibari along the path back to Admiral Akainu's estate.
Soon, they arrived.
The estate's style was just like Akainu himself — sharp lines and rigid structure.
Two solemn Marines stood guard at the gate, and even the pine trees in the courtyard were trimmed to look like soldiers standing in formation.
"We're here."
Hawke stopped and said, "Get some rest early."
"Mm…"
Hibari answered softly, hesitated for a moment, then mustered up her courage to raise her head.
"Hawke-san, you're amazing!"
Then, like a startled little deer, she turned and darted through the estate gates.
Hawke was incredible — just a few words, and Yamakaji personally escorted him downstairs.
She didn't really understand what they had discussed, but she remembered everything!
She'd ask Dad about it later.
"Ha—"
Watching her disappear behind the gates, Hawke finally turned and walked away.
"What an… interesting little girl."
...
That night, at Admiral Akainu's estate.
After dinner, Hibari went to find Akainu, who was reviewing documents in his study.
She began by carefully recounting every detail about Tsuru's promise to Hawke.
Akainu listened quietly and only responded with a faint "Mm," showing little expression.
Seeing this, Hibari gathered her courage, stepped closer, and made her request.
"Dad, the Grand Line is so dangerous. Aren't you worried about your daughter's safety?"
"So, give Hawke-san a dozen giant battleships to protect me!"
"..."
Akainu's hand, holding the pen, froze midair.
Slowly, he raised his head to look at his daughter — his little "leaky cotton jacket" who hadn't even left home yet but was already siding with outsiders — and sighed helplessly.
You get nervous around strangers like a timid rabbit, but when it comes to your own father, you dare make demands like this?
A dozen giant battleships?
That's twelve ships!
You say it's for protection, but once they reach G-3 Branch, those ships would practically become Hawke's personal fleet!
"Hmph. That brat Hawke took you out for an afternoon…"
Akainu's voice rumbled low. "And this is what he teaches you? Asking me for a dozen giant battleships?"
"It wasn't Hawke-san's idea!"
Hibari quickly shook her head, her little face turning bright red.
"Hawke-san didn't ask for anything! He even took me to meet Vice Admiral Yamakaji today!"
Then, she repeated word for word Hawke's analysis of the current sea situation from Yamakaji's office.
"..."
The more Akainu listened, the more his expression shifted — from confusion to shock.
His grip on the steel pen unconsciously tightened.
Wait a damn minute… Hawke, you brat. You're keeping this from me, huh?
With such top-tier strategic insight, and you never said a word to me?!
You saying it's my fault for not asking?
So if I don't ask, you won't bother telling me?!
I've treated you as my successor, and this is how you repay me? You've broken this Admiral's heart!
From now on, for every major Headquarters decision, you're writing a five-thousand-word comprehensive analysis report!
And this matter… we'll let slide!
"A dozen giant battleships? Impossible. That's twelve ships!"
Akainu finally snapped out of it and rejected firmly.
"But Dad, aren't you an Admiral?"
Hibari tilted her head, her lake-blue eyes full of confusion.
"Granny Tsuru is just a Vice Admiral, but she promised Hawke so many things."
"I…"
Akainu was momentarily speechless.
Yes, he was an Admiral… but Tsuru wasn't just any Vice Admiral!
Her promises held weight because of decades of camaraderie and deep trust with Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
When she asked for something, no matter how troublesome, Sengoku had to give her that face.
But how was he supposed to explain such complicated politics to his simple-minded daughter?
"However, Hibari… Dad can give you something that even Vice Admiral Tsuru can't."
"Huh?"