"Woo—"
The massive fleet of battleships began to gradually slow down.
Dong dong— The door of the captain's room was knocked.
"Enter."
"Hawke-san, we're almost at G-3 Branch!"
Hibari darted in from outside like a lively little bird, calling toward Hawke.
Behind her followed Kujaku.
"Hmm…"
Hawke was standing before a huge sea chart, one that depicted the Grand Line as far as the Navy had mapped it.
The map was densely covered with red and black markings, forming a complex yet clear strategic web.
Hearing Hibari's voice, Hawke turned around.
"We're almost there?"
"Mm-hmm! You can already see its outline!"
"Let's go take a look."
"Okay!"
"Let me tell you…"
As Hawke stepped out of the captain's room, Hibari immediately followed, chirping non-stop as she described the silhouette of G-3 Branch she had seen through the telescope.
"..."
Kujaku's steps, however, lagged half a beat.
Ever since her grandmother had forcibly pushed her into Commodore Hawke's unit, she had been silently observing this man.
Why was it that even her grandmother, Vice Admiral Tsuru the Strategist, held him in such high regard?
"Hmm?"
Her gaze unconsciously fell on the sea chart covered in markings.
As the granddaughter of Vice Admiral Tsuru, she had been immersed in strategy from childhood, her intellect far beyond her peers.
The reason she chose the Whip-Whip Fruit was because there were simply too many brainless brutes in the Navy.
They needed to be lashed properly before they'd learn to use their heads!
But this messy-looking chart…
"What is this?"
Kujaku's pupils narrowed. She quickly strode to the chart, her eyes scanning rapidly.
This was no idle scribbling.
Every mark, every line, was laden with meaning.
Before even arriving at G-3 Branch, Commodore Hawke had already drafted detailed operational plans for the future?
This realization struck Kujaku to her core.
Her gaze ultimately settled on several heavily marked areas.
One nation was circled thickly in red—Alabasta.
Beside it, two smaller red circles highlighted Mock Town and the nearby Jaya Island.
Further away, within the perpetually fog-shrouded Florian Triangle, there was a massive question mark.
Kujaku's mind raced.
The Kingdom of Alabasta—that was the domain of the Shichibukai, "Desert King" Crocodile.
Was there a problem there?
Mock Town, the pirates' lawless heaven—clearing it out made perfect sense.
But why was Jaya Island next to it marked as well?
And the Florian Triangle, where over a hundred ships vanished mysteriously each year—why was it marked with a question mark?
For once, the self-proclaimed clever Kujaku could not decipher the strategic intent behind this chart.
Yet that only stoked her burning curiosity.
"Hmph. Man, you've managed to catch my attention!"
Kujaku snorted coldly, folding her arms across her chest.
Hawke, I'll see just what game you're playing!
...
Tap—
Hawke exited the captain's room. The fleet drew ever closer to G-3 Branch.
The outline of the base was now visible to the naked eye.
It was a naval fortress built upon the foundation of an enormous island.
At the center, on the tallest structure, a massive "G-3" insignia gleamed under the sunlight, reflecting an icy brilliance.
As the fleet slowly entered the harbor, the sight on the docks came into view.
Thousands of Navy soldiers were already assembled in formation.
"Hmm, their military bearing is fairly decent…"
Hawke nodded inwardly.
Though still inferior to his own direct subordinates, these were, after all, elite troops stationed on the Grand Line.
That aura of men who had survived blood and fire was not something that could be faked.
Much stronger than the branch troops of the Four Seas.
"But… your days of ease and hardship alike are about to begin!"
...
On the dock of G-3 Branch.
Standing at the very front was Hina, with her long pink hair. Beside her was Smoker, radiating irritation from every pore.
Behind them stood their respective soldiers.
And further back, the original garrison troops of G-3 Branch.
Three distinct groups, clearly divided.
"Hina is shocked."
Hina adjusted her sunglasses. Staring at the massive fleet, her tone was filled with disbelief.
"Smoker, didn't you meet Commodore Hawke back in East Blue? Do you know why Headquarters has assigned such a luxurious fleet here?"
"Hmph—"
Smoker squeezed out a cold snort through gritted teeth.
"I don't know!"
Of course, he wasn't about to admit he once considered making Hawke his subordinate, only to…
And all he really knew was that Hawke was a good Marine, deeply beloved by the people of East Blue.
But somehow, after a trip to Headquarters…
Not only had he been promoted to Commodore, but he'd even managed to wring an entire fleet out of that stubborn old goat Sengoku!
An entire fleet!
And among them—three giant battleships!
Smoker himself had only ridden aboard such giants a few times, back during his training days at Headquarters.
"Smoker, you… are you jealous?"
His contemporary, Hina, saw through him at a glance.
"Jealous, my ass!"
"If it weren't for me back then…"
Smoker suddenly cut himself short.
A thought split apart the gloom in his mind.
Right!
Back in East Blue, if it hadn't been for him convincing Kuzan to lend a hand, could Hawke have so smoothly dealt with Nezumi's mess?
That favor… surely Hawke owed him.
In that case…
At least one of those three giant battleships had to be his, right?!
Smoker's eyes lit up.
Debts of favor aside, when it came to sheer strength, he had nothing to fear!
He was a Logia user, the Smoke-Smoke Fruit!
Here in G-3 Branch, aside from that monster Hawke, wasn't he solidly in the top three?
Hawke himself would obviously keep one battleship.
That Dane, his right-hand officer, had already been promoted to Headquarters Captain. Being Hawke's confidant, he'd probably snag another.
Which left the last one—perfect for him, "White Hunter" Smoker!
Imagining himself setting sail on missions aboard a giant battleship…
Majestic!
Just thinking about it…
Being under Hawke's command suddenly didn't feel so unbearable.
"Heh—"
The gloom melted off Smoker's face without him realizing, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
His entire aura lightened considerably.
This blatant change, of course, didn't escape Hina's notice.
She raised a brow at him.
"Hina is curious. What are you thinking about?"
"None of your business!"
"...…"
The fleet finally docked.
Hawke descended from the deck of a giant battleship, Hibari and Kujaku at his side.
His gaze swept over the distinctly divided groups on the dock, finally settling on Smoker's face.
And there it was—a smile.
"Huh?"
Hawke raised an eyebrow.
Smoker, shoved into his command against his will, was smiling?
No matter.
Soon enough, he'd wipe that smile right off.
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