226 With the Justice System

(Extra Story)

Three whole months had passed since that world-shaking war.

The once chaotic and turbulent seas had settled at an unbelievable pace.

Holy Land, Mary Geoise.

It was no longer the sacred, resplendent place it used to be. After being baptized by fire and ice, Pangaea Castle had turned into a ruin of broken walls and scorched stone.

The "Empty Throne," symbol of the world's supreme authority, was blasted into dust during the final battle between Hawke and Imu.

The enslaved were freed.

And those who once called themselves "gods," the Celestial Dragons, met their end.

The collapse of the World Government was absolute.

The vast network of CP organizations across the world had been uprooted, their surviving members branded as fugitives and relentlessly hunted down.

As for the Celestial Dragons, stripped of all privilege and wealth—some took their own lives in despair, while others were dragged through the streets by enraged civilians and made to suffer a hundredfold of the pain they had once inflicted upon others.

Most of them were now imprisoned at Marine Headquarters, awaiting the day of their final execution.

And the outcome of that battle outside the G-5 Branch… had already been engraved into history.

After Hawke rushed to the Holy Land, the two Yonko who attacked G-5 met the end of their lives.

"Beast" Kaido and "BIG MOM" Charlotte Linlin were utterly defeated by the combined assault of Kizaru, Fujitora, and Aramaki—the three Marine monsters!

The two rulers of the old era died miserable deaths, their downfall captured clearly by the Den Den Mushi broadcasting live to the world.

And the last pirate force capable of threatening global order—the Supernova Alliance—couldn't escape judgment either.

Under the "guidance" of Marine Headquarters Captain Trafalgar Law, Captain Kid, "Magician" Hawkins, and others led their fleet, seizing the opportunity while Kaido and Big Mom's main forces were engaged elsewhere, to invade Totto Land and Wano.

There, they clashed in a brutal battle against the remnants of the defeated Yonko crews.

When both sides were exhausted and bleeding, a Marine fleet appeared like a phantom behind them—delivering the final blow.

This carefully orchestrated Marine operation annihilated every member of the so-called "Worst Generation" with ambitions beyond their reach.

From that moment on, the seas no longer harbored any pirate crew that could be called a true "power."

The Great Pirate Era had come to a bloody, conclusive end.

Even the few pirates lucky enough to escape the purge and hide in remote corners of the world now lived in constant terror.

They didn't dare sail. They didn't dare commit crimes. They didn't even dare... speak loudly!

They simply cowered in dark corners, trembling like rats in the gutter.

Because an era of iron and blood—the "Great Marine Era"—had dawned!

And because the most ruthless, the strongest, and the youngest Fleet Admiral in history had been born!

...

Marine Headquarters.

Marineford, inside the Fleet Admiral's office.

Warm sunlight poured through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the entire room.

"..."

Hawke sat quietly behind the desk that symbolized the supreme power of the Marines. There were no piles of paperwork, only a steaming cup of black tea and a lit cigar.

He had changed—and yet, somehow, hadn't.

The same youthful, handsome face remained, but in those deep eyes lay the weight of countless memories.

After slaying Imu, the number in the Justice Point section of his system panel had skyrocketed to an astronomical figure—even he found it unfamiliar.

He no longer needed to kill to survive.

He had become the only god upon these seas.

Knock, knock, knock—

"Come in."

Hawke's voice was calm.

"Fleet Admiral, here's the report you requested."

His new adjutant—Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral Hibari—walked in, holding a thick stack of documents.

She still carried that same soft, shy air, but when she looked at Hawke, her eyes glimmered with admiration.

"Put it there."

Hawke gestured toward the side table.

Hibari set down the files, but didn't leave. She stood there, nervously fidgeting with the hem of her coat.

"Hm...? Something else?"

Hawke glanced up at her.

"Um.... Father asked me to... um..."

Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's hum.

"He... he wanted to ask if his Fleet Admiral–grade special cigars could still..."

"By regulations... no."

"Oh..."

Hibari's head drooped in disappointment.

Hawke couldn't help but smile. He opened a drawer, took out an exquisite wooden box, and pushed it toward her.

"Here. Give this to your father. A personal gift from me."

"Thank you!"

Hibari's eyes sparkled instantly. She hugged the box, stood on her toes to kiss Hawke on the cheek, and skipped happily out of the office.

"..."

Hawke watched her go, shaking his head with a faint smile.

He picked up his teacup and took a slow sip.

Through the wide glass windows, his gaze fell upon the magnificent plaza below.

There, the elite Marines were conducting their daily drills—their battle cries echoing to the skies.

Their eyes burned with fervor and conviction.

Their faith was pure and absolute.

"..."

Hawke relished the feeling of having everything under his control.

Power. Strength...

He was the sole ruler of this era.

Marine Headquarters — Fleet Admiral Rayne Hawke!