"Da—da—"
Steady footsteps echoed across the docks of Marineford.
At the center of the send-off procession stood Fleet Admiral Sengoku, with Vice Admiral Tsuru by his side.
Behind them followed the three Admirals, and further back Vice Admirals Yamakaji, Onigumo, and a host of other Headquarters officers.
"..."
Every soldier on the docks held their breath.
The upper echelon of Marine Headquarters… all here!
"!!!"
Standing on the dock, ready to depart, Hawke spotted the massive send-off party and hurried forward to greet them.
Behind him trailed Hibari and Kujaku.
Hibari carried a bulging little backpack—its contents a complete mystery.
"Hawke."
Sengoku was the first to speak, his voice loud and commanding:
"Garp and Zephyr are both away on missions, so they couldn't come."
"Otherwise, even more of Headquarters' high command would be here…"
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, this is already more than enough."
Hawke looked at the delegation that embodied the Navy's highest authority, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.
"Anyone who knows the situation would say this is a farewell for a little Commodore like me."
"Anyone who doesn't know might think the Navy's about to go to war with a Yonko!"
"Hahaha—"
Sengoku patted Hawke's shoulder.
"Isn't this proof of how highly we value you?"
Then, reaching into his robes, he took out a Buster Call and handed it over, reminding him sternly:
"Hawke!"
"I now officially authorize you with a Fleet Admiral-level Buster Call."
"This Buster Call has three times the weight of an Admiral's—use it carefully…"
"Hawke, my boy!"
Tsuru cut him off directly, her affection for Hawke plain as day.
"Don't listen to Sengoku."
"If you need to use it, then use it."
"Yes, ma'am."
Hawke saluted Tsuru first, then solemnly accepted the Buster Call from Sengoku's hand.
But inwardly, there was no great wave of emotion.
If anything, he felt a little numb.
Why?
Simple… he was used to it!
On this whole sea, who else could stockpile Buster Calls like they were wholesale goods?!
"Shhh—"
Hawke then drew out a finely crafted rosewood box from his coat.
He had bought it specifically for storing Buster Calls.
Luckily, he'd bought it big enough… otherwise, it wouldn't fit them all.
"Hmm…?"
When the lid opened, everyone's eyes froze.
Inside, on a velvet lining, lay two identical golden Den Den Mushi, side by side.
"There are already two Buster Calls in that box?!"
"...!"
Akainu's eyes flashed with sharp light.
After the fiasco at the docks last time, if Borsalino had granted Hawke a Buster Call, he would have told him in advance.
So it wasn't Borsalino…
And Sengoku's Buster Call had just been handed over…
That meant, of the two already in the box, one wasn't his.
The other came from—!!!
"Yes…!"
Akainu's gaze suddenly swept toward the laid-back figure with hands in his pockets, staring off into the distance: Aokiji.
"Ma…"
Aokiji seemed not to notice Akainu's stare at all, still gazing blankly into the horizon.
But the faintest trace of a smile curled at his lips.
"Heh—"
Akainu gave a low chuckle.
That bastard Kuzan!
Ever since Ohara, how long had it been since they'd agreed on anything?
But on the matter of Buster Calls… they'd somehow aligned!
Hmph. Fine by him!
"Da—"
Hawke carefully placed Sengoku's Buster Call inside the box and prepared to shut the lid.
But at that exact moment—
"Whoosh—"
A streak of yellow light appeared before him without warning.
"Hawke-kun~"
"Hm…?"
Hawke blinked at the sudden appearance of Kizaru, confused.
What now?
Admiral Kizaru, you too?
"An old man like me can't be left out, don't you think~"
Kizaru winked at him, then casually pulled out his own Buster Call and set it inside the box.
Sakazuki and Kuzan, bitter rivals, had both invested in Hawke.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku had also bestowed his personal recognition.
If Kizaru didn't contribute, people might actually think that the Navy's most slippery Admiral was being excluded!
"Uh…"
Hawke glanced down.
The once roomy box was now crammed to bursting.
This… was every Buster Call Marine Headquarters could muster, all in his little wooden box?!
"Hahaha—"
Sengoku, watching the scene unfold, was filled with pride.
That Hawke could earn the approval of all the top brass—this made him, as Fleet Admiral, deeply gratified.
He stepped forward and said:
"Hawke, for small matters, one Buster Call is enough."
"But if something truly grave happens…"
"Then press them all!"
"Marine Headquarters will always have your back!"
"Yes!"
Hawke nodded firmly, then saluted each of the senior officers in turn.
Turning, he boarded the massive central battleship.
"Vrrmmm—"
The vast fleet split the blue waves, sailing into the open sea.
Hawke stood at the bow, the corners of his mouth curling into a cold arc.
"Pirates of Paradise…"
"I'm coming for you~"
...
East Blue, Shimotsuki Village.
In the dojo at dawn, Zoro stood bare-chested, sweat soaking his short green hair.
Eyes closed, he gripped a bamboo sword, swinging it again and again in steady repetition.
The whistle of air, simple and pure.
"Hu—"
Zoro lowered the sword, exhaling heavily.
It was time to depart.
He washed quickly, changed into his Navy uniform, packed his belongings, and stepped outside.
At the dojo gates, Koshiro was sweeping fallen leaves with an easy rhythm.
"Sensei."
Zoro stopped before him.
Koshiro paused, looking up.
"You're leaving?"
"Yes."
Zoro nodded firmly.
"I can't stay any longer."
"Hmm."
Koshiro's gaze lingered on Zoro's uniform.
"Have you decided on the Navy's path?"
"I have."
"I will become the world's greatest swordsman. No matter what uniform I wear, no matter where I stand—that will never change!"
"But for now, I want to wear the cloak of Justice."
"Ha—"
Koshiro chuckled, his smile as gentle as ever.
He stepped aside, clearing the way.
"Go, then."
"Yes, Sensei!"
Zoro bowed deeply.
Before long, a small boat cut across the calm East Blue seas.
Zoro stood at the prow, full of confidence.
"Hmph. Just heading back to the branch this time—I definitely won't get lost."
"Set sail!"
He checked the sun, adjusted the sail, and read the charts.
It all looked very professional.
"..."
Who knew how long had passed.
Zoro stared at the chart, then at the sun above, frowning deeply.
"Strange…"
"This sea route feels less and less familiar the more I follow it."
"Did the currents change?"
He looked around.
Nothing but endless ocean—no islands in sight.
Where the hell had he ended up?
Just then…
The aroma of food, mixed with the noise of lively voices, drifted over with the sea breeze.
"Hm?"
Zoro raised his head, following the scent.
In the distance, an oddly shaped structure floated on the sea.
A ship.
A ship shaped like a giant fish.
The crisp clatter of cutlery, the laughter of guests, the shouts of chefs—all mingling in a bustling harmony.
The Ocean-Going Restaurant, Baratie.
At last!
Baratie.
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