"Whoosh——"
A vast fleet of warships cut through the waves, sailing along the Grand Line.
Inside the captain's quarters of a massive battleship, smoke lingered thick in the air.
"Hoo——"
Hawke sat behind his desk, a specially supplied cigar pinched between his fingers.
Spread out across the table was a detailed dossier on the G-3 Branch.
The G-3 Branch, one of the major Marine fortresses in the first half of the Grand Line.
Its former Branch Commander had been promoted, taking part of his trusted circle with him.
"Hm..."
Hawke's gaze swept across the breakdown of the unit's structure, his brows tightening slightly.
Aside from the original veterans of G-3, there were also Smoker and Hina's subordinates, men who only recognized their own commanding officers.
Finally, there were his own loyal men from the East Blue's 16th Branch.
"Too chaotic..."
His own loyalists were not a concern—absolute loyalty was assured.
But the veterans of G-3, along with the soldiers under Smoker and Hina... would they obey orders unquestioningly? That was uncertain.
Although he could invoke the authority of his new rank as Branch Commander to issue direct orders—
Who could guarantee that they would give their all when carrying out missions?
Headquarters had entrusted him with such a massive fleet. This strength could not, must not, be wasted.
He had to let the thunder of cannon fire resound across Paradise!
And more importantly...
Having lived two lives, he understood all too well.
Ruling through both kindness and fear—that was the way to command men.
If he wanted these unruly soldiers to fall in line, the first step was to crush them with overwhelming strength.
Then... use real benefits, tangible rewards, to win their hearts.
Just as he had done in the 16th Branch of the East Blue.
Only then would the entirety of G-3 echo with a single voice—his.
Only then could the G-3 Branch become the sharpest blade in his hands.
"In that case... I'll need..."
Hawke's finger slid slowly across the file, searching for the perfect target.
Someone who would allow him, on his very first day at G-3, to establish unquestionable authority.
Before long, his fingertip halted on a photo.
A man, two cigars clamped in his mouth, eyes filled with rebellious fire.
Hawke studied the familiar face, lips curving into a faint arc.
The "White Hunter" — Smoker.
One of the Marine's most notorious troublemakers.
Using him as the first example would be the most effective choice.
"Sorry, Smoker. There's no better target to establish authority than you."
...
East Blue, Cocoyasi Village.
Silver moonlight spilled across the orange grove, coating every leaf in a sacred glow.
The sea breeze drifted gently, carrying with it the fragrance of orange blossoms and the briny scent of the ocean.
"Mmm——"
Inside the wooden house in the grove, Nami lay in bed, unable to sleep.
Her beautiful eyes were wide open, gazing at the moonlit sky, her thoughts tangled in countless directions.
Arlong was dead.
The crushing boulder that had weighed upon her chest for seven long years had finally been lifted.
After crying her heart out, she had embarked on a new life.
Two weeks had passed in the blink of an eye.
Every day, fresh fish graced their table.
Every day, she worked side by side with Nojiko, tending to the orange grove.
Every day, she saw the villagers smiling sincerely, free of fear.
And yet...
Why did her heart still feel so empty?
What now?
What was she supposed to do next?
Suddenly, she felt like a ship adrift without a compass, floating aimlessly in an endless sea.
"Can't sleep?"
The gentle voice of her sister Nojiko came from the bed beside her—she too was awake.
Nami turned over, facing Nojiko. "Sis... that Marine who killed Arlong... what kind of person is he?"
"Hm..."
A smile blossomed on Nojiko's lips, her eyes shimmering with the glow of memory.
In her mind, the figure of a dashing man in a Marine uniform gradually took shape.
"Commander Hawke. He's a true Marine."
"And more than that..."
"He's really handsome!"
"Ugh... Who asked if he was handsome?!"
Nami snapped, flustered, though a faint blush crept onto her cheeks.
She was simply curious about the man strong enough to crush Arlong's empire in an instant. Why did her sister have to bring up his looks?
"Oh my, embarrassed already?"
Nojiko chuckled. "Our Nami's finally at the age where she's curious about men."
"I am not!"
Nami buried her face in the pillow, her voice muffled.
"I just... I just don't know what to do with myself anymore..."
"Nami, Arlong is dead. You're free now."
Nojiko sat up, gazing at her younger sister's lost expression under the moonlight.
"You don't need to carry the burden of this village anymore."
"Go chase your own dream—draw a map of the entire world, isn't that what you wanted?"
"The entire world map...!"
Nami's body froze.
Yes. That was her original, purest dream.
But...
"Go out to sea?"
Her voice was dry.
Just the thought of the ocean brought back Arlong's twisted fishman face, and the brutal shadows of countless pirates.
"Pirates... I hate pirates!"
Nami's voice trembled with unconcealed hatred.
"Who said going to sea means becoming a pirate?"
Nojiko laughed softly. "You could become a Marine instead."
"Bell-mère was a Marine, wasn't she?"
"And besides... you'd even have a chance to see the man who saved Cocoyasi Village—Commander Hawke."
"..."
"!!!"
Marine...
That word struck Nami like a bolt of lightning, scattering the fog clouding her heart.
Yes.
Bell-mère had once been a Marine.
If she became a Marine...
She could sail the seas, reach every corner of the world.
A brand-new, radiant goal lit up within her chest, burning away all doubt and emptiness.
"I've decided."
Hope rekindled in her eyes.
"Tomorrow, I'll visit the 16th Branch!"
She sat upright, her orange hair gleaming under the moonlight.
"And I'll see for myself whether Commander Hawke is really as handsome as you say!"
"You won't be disappointed~"
Nojiko turned on her side, propping her head with one hand, smiling mischievously at her sister.
"I'm telling you, Commander Hawke's got real manly charm. And his body's incredible too."
"What are you even saying, Nojiko?!"
Nami's face flushed red, and she grabbed a pillow to hurl at her sister.
"I'm not going there to see if he's handsome! I'm going... I'm going for serious reasons!"
"Heehee~"
Nojiko caught the pillow effortlessly, her laughter bubbling brighter.
"Yes, yes, going to see a handsome man is very serious business..."
"You're impossible!"
The sisters' playful bickering echoed through the tranquil night, warm and comforting.
...
The next morning, at the 16th Branch.
"Hm...?"
The newly appointed Branch Commander raised an eyebrow at the sight of the tall, graceful orange-haired woman standing before him.
His gaze flickered from Nami to the file in his hand.
Nami. Adopted daughter of the retired Marine, Bell-mère.
Once forced to join the Arlong Pirates in order to protect Cocoyasi Village.
Recently, the Arlong Pirates had been wiped out completely by Commodore Hawke.
Now, she was applying to join the Marines, requesting transfer under Commodore Hawke's command.
"I see..."
A ripple stirred in the Colonel's heart.
So this was the result of Commodore Hawke's "Justice through Slaughter."
Not only the destruction of evil—
But also the rebirth of people like this girl, who found new life and new hope.
"Nami."
The Colonel pulled himself from his thoughts and spoke decisively.
"Your case is already on record with the Branch."
"I can handle your enlistment paperwork here."
"After that, you may choose to stay in the 16th Branch—it's close to Cocoyasi, convenient for visiting your family."
"Or... you can wait for the next ship bound for G-3."
Nami bowed slightly, her gratitude sincere.
"Colonel, thank you for your kind offer."
"But I don't need an escort."
"Just give me a Log Pose for G-3."
"Because..."
She straightened, her voice crisp and resolute.
"I am a navigator!"
"A genius navigator!"
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