Earlier.
Inside the G-3 Branch Commander's office.
"Shua——"
Rayne Hawke sat behind his desk, flipping through the personnel roster of the G-3 Branch.
Unlike most high-ranking Marine officers' offices, Hawke's office lacked unnecessary decorations.
Only two things stood out, reflecting the will of the man who occupied this room.
Directly behind his desk, mounted high on the wall, hung a massive plaque carved with five bold black characters:
"Justice Through Slaughter."
On the opposite wall, a freshly updated Grand Line nautical chart occupied nearly the entire space. Various colors marked territories and movements of major forces across the seas.
"Tap—"
Hawke's finger rhythmically tapped the roster.
His unit had grown into a formidable force, composed of elites and rising talents.
There were quite a few people worth cultivating.
First on the list was his most loyal subordinate—Dane.
The kid had remarkable talent with the sword, and his loyalty was beyond question.
With proper training, Dane could easily reach the level of an elite Vice Admiral, and perhaps even compete for the position of Admiral candidate someday.
Next up—Zoro.
Hawke's finger lightly traced over the name "Roronoa Zoro."
As the future right-hand man of the Straw Hat Pirates in the original story, Zoro's potential was unquestionable—Marine Headquarters Admiral level.
Not to mention, during the Wano arc, he had already shown signs of awakening Conqueror's Haki.
Absolutely someone worth focusing on.
"Hmm—"
Hawke's thoughts drifted back to his first official meeting with Zoro last night.
Zoro's gaze toward him had been a complex mix—fiery, curious, respectful, and full of admiration.
Aside from expressing his desire to learn both Armament and Observation Haki, Zoro had only asked Hawke to create more opportunities for him to spar with top Marine swordsmen.
Hawke had even offered to help him find two more high-grade swords, but Zoro had firmly refused.
Zoro said he once believed… the more swords you wield, the stronger you become.
But after witnessing the power of Haki, he realized that true strength came from oneself.
For him, at this stage, having the Wado Ichimonji was more than enough.
"Heh—"
Hawke's lips curved upward.
Looks like the words he once told Dane had circled back and somehow inspired Zoro as well.
Hawke's gaze moved further down the list.
Vinsmoke Sanji.
As the other half of the Straw Hats' "wings," Sanji's potential was just as tremendous.
His ceiling was at least that of an Admiral candidate.
More importantly, Sanji's presence brought Hawke more than just a boost in combat power.
It improved the entire G-3 Branch's food situation.
After all, in the world of pirates…
The strong are always the ones who can eat.
A good chef was crucial for his subordinates' growth.
In the original story, Sanji mastered the art of "Attack Cuisine."
It was a special cooking technique that could enhance physical capabilities and rapidly restore the injured or exhausted. Its uses were endless.
Hawke didn't hesitate.
He immediately appointed Sanji as the head chef of the G-3 Branch, responsible for ensuring balanced nutrition for the entire unit.
His soldiers needed strength and stamina to endure hell-level training intensities.
This wasn't just about winning hearts—it was a long-term strategic investment.
"Hm…"
Hawke's eyes left Sanji's name and landed on another.
Smoker.
"Ugh…"
Hawke rubbed his forehead.
This guy relied too heavily on his Devil Fruit… and his martial arts were nonexistent.
But honestly, Hawke couldn't help complaining.
"Smoker, your martial arts are terrible.
But your Devil Fruit usage? Even worse!"
Turning your body into smoke and charging in like a brute swinging your jitte—that's your whole strategy?!
Huh?!
Look me in the eyes and tell me!
If you can't overpower your opponent, why not debuff them?!
Countless ideas for developing the Smoke-Smoke Fruit flashed through Hawke's mind.
For instance, poisonous smoke.
Mix neurotoxins into the smoke—even in tiny amounts, they'd impair your opponent's reactions during drawn-out battles.
Or acidic smoke.
Turn the smoke into corrosive gas, specialized for destroying enemy weapons and defenses.
Or go even more extreme—
Replace all the surrounding air with dense smoke, deprive the enemy of oxygen, and suffocate them unconscious.
Isn't that far more efficient than brawling with a cheap jitte?!
And if you want something more… artistic…
Fill the smoke with highly flammable particles.
Then, once the smoke blankets the battlefield, all you need is a single spark…
"BOOM——"
"Dust Explosion!"
Just picturing it was… art.
"Smoker, you're holding a royal flush… and you've somehow turned it into a busted hand.
What a waste."
Hawke sighed softly.
"Smoker, what am I going to do with you?"
He muttered, "Guess I'll just… raise your training intensity another level!"
Just then—
Knock, knock—
Someone rapped on the door.
Without looking up, Hawke said calmly, "Come in."
The door opened, and Hibari hurried inside, slightly out of breath.
"Hawke-san!"
She ran to the desk, stood straight, and saluted sharply, reporting urgently:
"Emergency alert from the watchtower!"
"A pirate ship has been spotted to the southwest, speeding directly toward our branch!"
"Oh…?"
Hawke immediately stood up and strode to the floor-to-ceiling window, grabbing the military binoculars nearby.
Adjusting the focus, his vision quickly zoomed in on the ship slicing through the waves.
"Hmm…"
On the ship's sail was a crude crossed-out smiley face insignia, glaringly obvious.
"This is… the mark of the Donquixote Family?!"
His gaze shifted lower, settling on a blond figure standing at the bow.
The man stood with his arms crossed, arrogance radiating from his posture—a look of utter defiance.
"The Hyena… Bellamy, huh?"
Hawke lowered the binoculars, murmuring to himself.
Bellamy, captain of the Bellamy Pirates, a Spring-Spring Fruit user, and a die-hard worshipper of one of the Shichibukai—Donquixote Doflamingo.
Bellamy was technically an affiliate of Doflamingo's forces.
And yet, he had the nerve to come here and provoke Hawke?
…Interesting.
He turned to the tense-looking Hibari and ordered, "Pass the word—assemble the fleet. Prepare the cannons."
"Show them what we're made of."
"Yes, sir!"
Hibari snapped a sharp salute, spun on her heel, and dashed out of the office.
Moments later, battle alarms roared through the entire G-3 Branch.
"Woooooo——Woooooo——Woooooo——!"
Every Marine in the branch, no matter if they were eating, training, or resting, dropped what they were doing the instant the alarms blared.
Within seconds, they were sprinting to their designated combat positions.
The entire base moved like a single, precise war machine—fully awakened and ready for battle.
"Tap—"
Hawke stepped out of his office, standing in the corridor as he felt the wave of killing intent surging through the base.
Overlooking the torrents of soldiers racing below, he nodded in satisfaction.
Then, clenching his fist, he exhaled softly.
"Ha—"
"Justice through slaughter… isn't just empty words."
"Bellamy, since you're so obsessed with your so-called 'New Era'…"
"I'll use your blood to declare the dawn of my era."
...
A/N: That's right!
According to the latest spoilers from Chapter 1152, it's confirmed—Zoro has Conqueror's Haki!