194 With the Justice System

Zoro and Sanji exchanged a glance, and in each other's eyes, they both saw a trace of confusion.

Something related to them?

"Hawke, what's going on?"

"After the Summit War..."

Hawke didn't bother with any preamble and went straight to the point.

"The structure of the Marines' power has been adjusted."

"Old man Sengoku and the others have officially stepped back from the frontlines. In principle, they won't personally take part in battles anymore..."

"So, the higher-ups decided to expand the Marines' top-tier combat power."

"Tap—"

Hawke's fingers tapped lightly on the table.

"The three Admiral positions remain unchanged. They represent the Marine's highest combat force—the ultimate deterrent of power!"

"But below the Admirals, five new 'Special Admiral' positions have been created."

"These positions will serve as the bridge between the high-level and mid-level combat forces. The previous term 'Admiral Candidate' has been completely abolished."

"'Gion and Tokikake have both been automatically promoted to Special Admiral, due to their seniority and strength."

"As for the other two positions, both have already been decided—one will be personally recruited by the Fleet Admiral, while the other will be recruited by Kuzan himself in the Grand Line."

Hawke paused for a moment, his gaze slowly falling on Zoro.

"As for the final spot..."

"There was a proposal—to recruit 'Hawk Eyes' Mihawk."

"Swish—!"

Zoro's pupils shrank sharply.

Mihawk!

That man was his lifelong target—the world's greatest swordsman he had sworn to surpass!

The Marines... wanted to recruit him?

Make him a 'Special Admiral'?!

"However, that proposal... I rejected it."

Hawke's voice was calm and even.

"Not to mention that he refused the Marines' forced summon during the Summit War..."

"Just his old title as the 'Marine Hunter' alone makes him unfit to be accepted by the Marines now."

"Moreover..."

Hawke's tone suddenly shifted.

"The Shichibukai system is about to be swept into the trash heap of history."

"Crocodile, Moria, and Jinbe are dead."

"Kuma is currently undergoing reverse modification at G-3 Branch—he'll soon return to being human."

"As for the remaining three..."

"They've all been added to the target list for elimination."

"'Heavenly Yaksha' Doflamingo— Sengoku himself will head to Dressrosa to settle old debts with him."

"'Pirate Empress' Boa Hancock will soon be targeted as well."

"And as for 'Hawk Eyes' Mihawk..."

Hawke pulled out a document from his drawer, stamped with the Fleet Admiral's seal, and handed it to Zoro.

"His elimination order—I suppressed it."

"Swish—"

Zoro took the document and opened it.

It was an official Marine-issued decree authorizing the elimination of the former Shichibukai.

And the target was—"Hawk Eyes" Dracule Mihawk!

"When you're ready, you can go find him anytime."

"..."

The hand holding the document trembled slightly.

He remembered... back when he had just joined the Marines in the East Blue.

At that time, Hawke had promised to give him a chance to challenge Mihawk.

As time passed, as Hawke's position rose higher and higher, Zoro thought maybe that promise had long been forgotten.

But it wasn't.

He remembered.

And more than that—he had paved the entire path toward their final battle for him!

As long as he was ready—as long as he believed his strength was enough—he could take this document, and in the name of the Marines, challenge the man who stood at the top of the world!

To fulfill his promise with Kuina!

"Hu—"

"Hawke!"

Zoro took a deep breath, then solemnly tucked the document carrying his dream and promise into his chest.

"Yeah..."

Hawke smiled, then turned his gaze to Sanji.

"Sanji..."

"On the second day after the Marine Daily was published, a membership application from the North Blue—Germa Kingdom—landed on Fleet Admiral Sakazuki's desk."

"You're one of mine, so the Fleet Admiral left the decision to me."

"The status of Special Member Nation? Out of the question."

"That's reserved for allies like Alabasta—nations that treat their people well and have contributed greatly to the Marines."

"As for an ordinary member nation..."

"A roaming country that profits off war, modifies human genes, creates emotionless clone soldiers, and spreads conflict everywhere..."

"They don't deserve it either."

"So, your father—Vinsmoke Judge..."

"Ultimately chose to hand over Germa Kingdom's core 'Lineage Factor' technology in exchange for a one-year trial membership status."

"Furthermore, he signed an agreement guaranteeing that Germa Kingdom will never again engage in any inhumane military expansions or scientific experiments."

"After all..."

Hawke grinned. "The first person Kuzan visited was in the North Blue."

"Clack—"

Hawke stood up and retrieved a black metal briefcase from the safe under his desk.

"Click—"

He placed the briefcase on the table and opened it.

"..."

Sanji leaned forward to look inside.

Inside was a black, cylindrical metal canister.

Etched onto its surface was a bold number "3".

Next to the canister lay a crystal-clear syringe filled with faintly red liquid.

"This is..."

Sanji's pupils contracted violently.

"Take it."

Hawke pushed the briefcase toward Sanji.

"This was the 'gesture of sincerity' that came with your father's surrender of the Lineage Factor technology."

"The pinnacle of Germa science—the battle suit!"

"And this one is yours... Stealth Black!"

"Additionally..."

Hawke pointed at the syringe.

"Dr. Vegapunk's research into Lineage Factors is no weaker than your father's."

"So I asked him to help formulate this enhancement serum."

"It can perfectly activate the latent Lineage Factor within your body, granting you the powerful physique and regenerative ability of a Germa-modified human."

"At the same time, it will remove all unnecessary side effects!"

"It will only make you stronger—and you'll still be yourself!"

"!!!"

Sanji's head snapped up, eyes fixed on Hawke, lips trembling—yet he couldn't utter a single word.

That opportunistic father of his—how could he ever attach a 'gesture of sincerity'?

And that sincerity just happened to be his own Stealth Black?!

This... this was what Hawke had demanded for him!

This favor...

"Hawke!"

Sanji's eyes turned red in an instant.

His voice was hoarse, thick with emotion; countless words condensed into just two—

"Loyalty!"

"Alright..."

Hawke walked up to the two of them, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. "Go get some rest."

"When Admiral Kizaru returns, your special training begins!"

"..."

"Yes, sir!!!"