"You're not going to eat it?"
"Shhh—"
Everyone's gaze turned toward Hawke, seated at the head position.
Yes.
This was the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.
One of the most powerful among the Logia fruits.
Was Hawke really not going to eat it?
"Ha—"
Leaning back on the sofa, Hawke only laughed and shook his head.
It wasn't until he had witnessed and obtained a true Admiral-level physique that he truly understood the massive gulf between Vice Admiral and Admiral.
It looked like just one step apart, but in reality, it was a chasm as vast as heaven and earth.
And even Admiral-level (Top-Tier)... was not the end.
Beyond the Top-Tier, there was the Peak of the world!
Hawke had a feeling.
Once his physique, martial arts · Fist, Armament Haki, Observation Haki, and Conqueror's Haki—these five foundations—all reached the Peak...
Any Devil Fruit would become meaningless to him.
His body would be the strongest weapon.
His fists would be the strongest ability.
This was the path he had chosen for himself: the purest, most domineering road.
Hawke's gaze slowly swept toward Zoro and Sanji in front of him.
"And you two?"
"Any thoughts?"
"..."
Zoro's brows furrowed tightly.
His hand instinctively rested on the hilt of Wado Ichimonji at his waist, feeling the cold touch of the handle.
If he ate this fruit, his strength would no doubt skyrocket.
Perhaps he could catch up to Hawke even faster.
But... that wasn't what he wanted.
That wasn't the power of a swordsman.
It was a shortcut...
A betrayal of the very path of the sword.
What he sought was to cut down everything with the Wado Ichimonji in his hand and become the world's greatest swordsman.
What he sought was to stand as a pure swordsman at Hawke's side, cutting down every enemy who dared to approach.
"No need."
Zoro raised his head, his gaze clear and firm.
"My path lies only in the way of the sword."
"Hu—"
Sanji exhaled a long puff of smoke, the swirling haze giving his expression a faintly playful air.
The Rumble-Rumble Fruit?
Strong enough to tempt anyone.
But so what?
The one thing he had dreamed of, from beginning to end, was the Clear-Clear Fruit.
Apart from that fruit, no other power interested him—
Not even a Logia.
"I've got no interest in that thing either."
Sanji spread his hands, speaking lightly.
"Mhm."
Hawke nodded.
He respected their choices, and even more, admired that purity and determination unshaken by outside power.
That was the heart of one who could truly reach the summit.
Then his gaze turned toward the other two.
Hibari and Nami!
"!!!"
Nami instinctively waved her hands again and again.
"No no no, Hawke-sama, I... I can't!"
Her heartbeat raced wildly.
She had just joined the G-3 branch, having only earned a sliver of military merit.
Zoro the Captain and Sanji the Commander, both with illustrious battle records, had refused it.
What right did she have to accept such a gift?
This favor was far too heavy.
She wasn't ready to bear it.
"..."
The captain's quarters fell silent again.
All eyes ultimately settled on the last person.
Hibari.
The girl lowered her head, pale fingers nervously twisting together until her knuckles turned red.
She could feel every gaze on her.
Curiosity, encouragement, expectation.
To take it... or not?
Inside, a war raged.
As Zoro and Sanji's strength grew by leaps and bounds, that crushing sense of being left far behind threatened to drown her.
Kujaku had the Whip-Whip Fruit—strong, graceful, awe-inspiring.
And her?
Aside from the title of "Admiral Akainu's daughter," what did she have left?
In every battle, she could only hide behind others, watching their backs, offering meager sniper support.
She didn't want that anymore.
She wanted to be strong!
She wanted to stand proudly at Hawke's side, to be his strength—not some delicate "young lady" in need of protection!
This fruit...
Was her chance!
But...
Was she really worthy of such power?
Her breathing quickened, chest rising and falling violently.
She bit her lip so hard it nearly drew blood.
Her clear eyes brimmed with longing and struggle.
"Ha—"
Hawke chuckled softly.
Since Zoro, Sanji, and Nami had all refused, the choice was obvious.
Hibari.
As the one who had discovered the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, letting her eat it was entirely reasonable.
Besides...
A flash of inspiration struck Hawke like lightning.
A sniper with the Rumble-Rumble Fruit?
Now that was interesting.
Shoot—elementalize instantly—appear at the next sniping point.
The enemy could never lock her down.
Use electromagnetic principles to accelerate bullets to several times the speed of sound, firing armor-piercing rounds rivaling a railgun.
Or coat bullets with lightning, so when they struck, they triggered vast chains of electricity across the battlefield.
Hibari, a mobile long-range artillery battery.
Not bad at all!
"Of course..."
Hawke's lips curled into a mischievous grin.
If Hibari really ate the Rumble-Rumble Fruit... and her father, Admiral Akainu, found out...
That would be interesting!
Hawke could already imagine the scene—
Admiral Akainu, stuck in an awkward dilemma.
Wanting to thank him, but unable to lower his pride.
Wanting to praise him, but worried it would undermine his Admiral dignity.
In the end, he'd probably just grit his teeth and squeeze out:
"Hmph! You brat, well done!"
Then he'd silently drag out ten crates of Admiral-exclusive cigars from under his desk, slam them in front of Hawke, and grumble:
"Hawke, you don't know—I've quit smoking recently! From now on, my share's all yours!"
And when his cravings struck...
Would Admiral Akainu sneak over to borrow cigars from Kizaru or Kuzan?
"Borsalino, old friend, bring out some Admiral-exclusive cigars!"
What a scene. Ha!
Just imagining it lifted his mood.
"Hibari!"
Hawke's voice pulled the girl out of her inner struggle.
He picked up the wooden box's golden fruit and tossed it casually.
The Rumble-Rumble Fruit traced a graceful arc through the air, landing perfectly in Hibari's arms.
"!!!"
The girl fumbled, clutching the fruit in shock, staring wide-eyed.
"The Rumble-Rumble Fruit is yours. Make sure you work hard."
"..."
Her cheeks flushed scarlet in an instant, like a ripe apple.
She could feel the warmth in everyone's gazes, filled with encouragement and goodwill.
A surge of heat welled in her chest, scattering every shred of doubt and inferiority.
She straightened sharply, heels together, and delivered a crisp, flawless salute.
"Yes!"
Her voice was no longer a faint whisper but loud and resolute like never before.
Just then—
"Vmm—"
The vast steel fleet began to slow.
Ahead, on the dead-still waters of the Calm Belt—
A colossal prison loomed, wrapped in chains and bristling with cannon emplacements, slowly surfacing from the sea.
No sound. No light.
Only a suffocating miasma of despair and madness rolling out to meet them.
The world's greatest prison.
Impel Down.
They had arrived!