Grand Line, G-3 Branch.
A day had passed since the massive battle at the training grounds.
Inside the G-3 Branch cafeteria, the atmosphere was more heated than ever.
"Fsshh..."
A veteran wrapped in bandages winced from pain while shoveling golden seafood fried rice into his mouth.
"Yesterday I thought I was gonna die, but to think I'd get to eat this kind of heavenly food today!"
"Who wouldn't agree?!"
"Compared to this flavor now—"
"Hey..."
"Have you heard the news?"
"Yesterday, Hawke-sama appointed some blond Third-Class Seaman as our head chef."
"At the time, the old head chef's face turned completely green, but with Hawke-sama's authority looming over him, he didn't dare make a sound."
"And guess what? This morning, I saw it with my own eyes—the old chef was crying and begging to work as his assistant, praising the Hawke's sharp eye for talent non-stop!"
"Hahahaha—"
The entire table burst into laughter and agreement.
"Sharp eye for talent? That's putting it lightly!"
A soldier slammed the table, his face flushed with excitement.
"Hawke-sama announced yesterday that from now on, our salaries and allowances will be increased by fifty percent!"
"And he already paid out this month's salaries in advance!"
"..."
"Yeah! I slept hugging my Belly last night. Best sleep I've had in years!"
"With a commander like Hawke-sama, what's a little beating in training? Totally worth it!"
"Absolutely worth it!"
"Too worth it!"
"Hahaha—"
In an instant, the entire cafeteria was filled with heartfelt admiration and respect for Hawke.
"..."
At a table in the corner, Hina twirled a small forkful of pasta elegantly and placed it into her mouth.
"Hina is surprised."
She glanced across the table at Smoker, who was devouring his steak like a starving beast.
"Smoker, you don't seem surprised at all."
"Hawke pulled the same stunt back in the East Blue."
Smoker stuffed the last bite of steak into his mouth and mumbled indistinctly,
"That's why the guys from the former 16th Branch follow him so loyally."
He grabbed a napkin and wiped his mouth hard.
"A stick in one hand, candy in the other."
"That kid's way of handling subordinates is rough and simple, but no one can resist it."
"Yesterday's battle shattered G-3's pride and forced everyone to submit."
"This meal and the advance salary are just a way to win their hearts."
"Before long, the entire G-3 Branch will be molded into a single clenched fist, moving only on his command."
Smoker stood up and looked at Hina.
"I'm heading to train. Coming?"
"Hm...? Hina is confused."
"It's still way too early for Hawke-sama's scheduled training assembly."
"I'm doing extra training."
Smoker's tone was unusually serious. He looked down at his hands.
"Hina... I'm planning to abandon the Seastone Jitte I've relied on for years."
"Devil Fruit powers are part of me, sure... but Seastone is just an external crutch."
"Armament Haki feels far more reliable."
In his mind, his friend Kuzan's words echoed.
"Smoker, don't rely too much on your Devil Fruit. If you have time, practice your martial arts. Use those decommissioned warships as punching bags—it'll do you good."
And what had he replied back then?
With a Logia Fruit, martial arts didn't matter.
Looking back now, how laughable that was.
Yesterday...
Hawke's fists had spoken the only truth there was.
Power is justice!
Without power, how could anyone speak of justice at all?!
"..."
A new, resolute ambition burned in Smoker's eyes—something never seen before.
Ignoring Hina's baffled expression, he strode purposefully toward the training grounds.
"Hoo—"
Hina set down her fork and lit a slender lady's cigarette.
For someone as stubborn and unrestrained as Smoker to say something like that...
That battle yesterday must have left one hell of a mark on him.
"Click—"
Hina stubbed out the cigarette.
"Hina must work harder too!"
She stood up and headed for the training grounds as well.
...
"Bang—"
Smoker shoved open the doors to the training ground, ready to begin his extra session.
But he realized he wasn't alone.
"Clang—!"
The clear sound of clashing blades rang continuously.
In the center of the training ground, Zoro and Dane were locked in an intense sword duel.
Their blades flashed, whipping up waves of air with every strike.
After yet another fierce collision, both stepped back at the same time.
Dane looked at Zoro with a glimmer of approval in his eyes.
"Zoro, your progress is impressive."
"I think you'll master Armament Haki soon."
"Yeah!"
Zoro grinned, gripping Wado Ichimonji tightly.
"I can't wait for that day to come."
Inside, his blood was boiling with excitement.
Joining the Marines was the right decision.
His new superior, Hawke, wasn't just unfathomably strong but also bold and fair.
The G-3 Branch had top-tier food, cutting-edge training equipment, and, best of all, Dane—a swordsman proficient in Armament Haki—to spar with anytime.
He could clearly feel it—his bottleneck was loosening.
His strength was skyrocketing.
This sensation... was exhilarating!
Just then, a voice called out.
"Captain Smoker, so you were here."
Tashigi walked in, glasses gleaming, Shigure strapped to her back.
"Hm..."
Zoro and Dane, mid-conversation, instinctively turned their heads.
The next instant—
"!!!"
Zoro's entire body stiffened.
The grin on his face froze, and his pupils contracted sharply.
That face...
That hair color...
That expression...
No way!
Impossible!
She wasn't supposed to be—
"Kuina?!"
Zoro's mind went completely blank.
Before he could think, his body moved on its own.
He lunged forward, rushing to the doorway, standing right in front of Tashigi in just a few steps.
His eyes widened as he stared at her, scanning her from head to toe again and again.
Exactly the same!
The hair, the face—everything was identical to the girl in his memories!
"...?"
Tashigi flinched under his piercing, invasive stare, instinctively taking half a step back.
"!!!"
Smoker frowned deeply, his aura flaring with irritation. Just as he was about to step in—
A "hero" appeared to save the damsel.
"Whoosh—"
A black-clad figure in a chef's coat darted past like a whirlwind.
"Hey, moss-head!"
Sanji's furious roar came with a flying kick aimed straight at the back of Zoro's head.
"What the hell are you trying to do to this beautiful lady?!!"
"You damn curly-brow?!"
Zoro spun around, instinctively blocking with his sword's scabbard.
"Bang!"
The dull sound of leather shoe meeting hardened scabbard echoed.
"Curly-brow, are you looking to die?!"
"You're the one who's gonna die, you shitty moss-head!"
Sanji landed lightly, straightened his suit and tie, then glared at Zoro, his eyes blazing.
"How dare you scare such a beautiful, adorable lady!"
"Unforgivable!"
"Shut up, you pervy cook!"
"..."
Dane stood to the side, a vein throbbing on his forehead.
These two idiots... Yesterday they'd both gotten knocked out cold by Hawke, and today they were already at it again.
He was just about to step in to stop the escalating fight when—
"Woo—woo—woo—!"
A sharp, urgent siren tore through the skies above G-3 Branch!
Everyone in the training ground froze instantly.
That was—the battle alarm!
"Step, step, step—!"
A messenger soldier rushed in from outside. "Report!"
"Captain Dane! Captain Smoker!"
"A pirate ship has been spotted southwest of here, heading straight for the branch at high speed!"
"Pirate ship?"
Smoker's brow furrowed deeply. Which idiot had the guts to come pick a fight at G-3 Branch?
"Hawke-sama has issued orders!"
"Teach them a lesson they won't forget!"
...
(This chapter was posted for your review, thank you. For each review I post +1 chapter)