192 With the Justice System

Three days later.

"Coo—"

"Coo—"

Countless News Coo birds spread their wings and took flight.

They soared over the towering Red Line, crossed the deathly still Calm Belt, and swept past the countless islands scattered across the Grand Line.

Finally, they delivered newspapers carrying the dawn of a new world order to every corner of the civilized world.

The latest issue of the Marine Daily bore, in unprecedentedly large letters, a headline powerful enough to shake the entire world.

[The Great Marine Era Has Arrived!]

[Power Shift in Marine High Command! A New Fleet Admiral and New Admirals Emerge!]

[Former Admiral "Akainu" Sakazuki Officially Promoted to the New Fleet Admiral! Sitting at Marine Headquarters, He Shall Deter All Evil!]

[Former Rear Admiral—Rayne Hawke—Promoted to Marine Admiral! Code Name "Blood Hawk," Stationed at the New World G-5 Branch!]

[Former Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Former Vice Admirals Garp and Tsuru, All Step Down from the Frontlines.]

[The Scepter of This Great Sea Has Been Officially Passed from the Guardians of the Old Era to the Hands of the New Generation!]

"!!!"

The news exploded like a bomb, once again stirring tidal waves across the world that had only just recovered from the shock of the Marineford War.

After a moment of stunned silence, the world boiled over.

"Sakazuki... Fleet Admiral?!"

"'Blood Hawk' Hawke... Admiral?!"

Those two names crashed down upon the hearts of every would-be pirate who still dreamed of "ONE PIECE" like twin mountains of despair.

One was the magma demon who burned the emperors of the old era to ashes.

The other—an avatar of carnage—had crushed the skull of a cowardly comrade beneath his heel and slain another Yonko with a single punch.

"This... this sea... there's no hope left for pirates!!!"

Fear spread like a plague.

Those young fools who once spoke of becoming pirates, who thought that setting sail meant fame, fortune, and freedom—at this moment, they woke up completely.

They no longer doubted: the instant they dared to hoist a pirate flag...

The next second, that godlike Marine force would tear them—and their ships—into pieces!

"Waaah!!"

"Long live the Marines!"

"Justice will prevail!"

In stark contrast to the panic and despair engulfing the pirate world, this newspaper brought something entirely different to the ordinary citizens of the world—an overwhelming sense of relief and joy.

The Great Pirate Era... was ending!

That age of chaos, lawlessness, and cheap human life was finally reaching its conclusion!

The Marines would forge, with steel and fire, a truly peaceful future!

For a time, the number of pirates setting sail across the Four Seas and the first half of the Grand Line plummeted to a historic low.

Meanwhile, Marine recruitment centers around the world were overflowing beyond belief.

Countless hot-blooded young men and women, driven by admiration for justice—and burning fanaticism for the newly promoted Admiral—flooded through the gates of enlistment offices.

"For justice!!!"

...

East Blue, Shimotsuki Village.

Compared to the noise and excitement of the outside world, this place remained as calm and peaceful as ever.

"Clack—"

"Clack—"

Inside the dojo, the crisp, rhythmic sound of bamboo swords colliding echoed.

Koshiro Shimotsuki sat beneath the eaves of the dojo, holding that same newspaper now spreading across the world. He read it over and over, carefully and quietly.

His gaze did not linger on the bold names on the front page.

Instead, it rested on a small photo tucked in the corner of the page—easy to overlook.

In the photo, a green-clad figure wearing a "Justice" cape stood upright, saluting formally before a tall, sharp-eyed man.

That man was none other than the newly promoted Marine Admiral—"Blood Hawk" Rayne Hawke.

In Hawke's hand was a brand-new epaulet representing the rank of Rear Admiral, which he was personally pinning to the green figure's shoulder.

That green figure was his student—Roronoa Zoro.

Below the photo was a line of text:

[Former Marine Headquarters Captain Zoro, For Outstanding Performance During the Marineford War, Promoted Exceptionally to Rear Admiral. Awarded Today by Admiral Blood Hawk in Person.]

"Ha—"

A warm smile spread across Koshiro's face.

It was as if he could once again see that stubborn boy crying as he vowed to become the world's greatest swordsman.

That boy, who once lost his way on the path called "strength."

But now...

He'd found it.

He'd found the path leading to his dream of becoming the greatest in the world.

"Zoro..."

Koshiro lowered the newspaper and murmured softly, "Your master is proud of you."

Just then—"Thunk!"

A burst of childish chatter echoed from outside the dojo.

"Wow! Is this the dojo where Rear Admiral Zoro used to train?!"

"Amazing! I want to be a Marine swordsman like Zoro-san someday!"

"I'm gonna join the Marines! I want to serve under Admiral Blood Hawk!"

"I'll wear the Justice cape and chop down all the bad guys!"

"..."

Koshiro looked up to see a crowd of excited kids peeking through the dojo doors, their eyes wide with awe.

Their faces shone with excitement and admiration.

In their eyes flickered a light—the light of dreams.

A dream no longer about some vague, meaningless "great treasure," but of something real—of that "Justice" cape that symbolized peace and order.

"Haha—"

Koshiro laughed warmly.

He rose slowly to his feet.

"Come on in, all of you..."

...

The sea restaurant, Baratie.

Outside the restaurant, a massive crowd had formed—orderly, but brimming with excitement.

A line stretched from the entrance far down the street, filled with people whispering eagerly among themselves, their faces glowing with anticipation.

Two burly chefs managing the line were drenched in sweat.

"That's right! This is where Rear Admiral Sanji used to work!"

"Yeah! The boss is in such a good mood that we're having a special celebration week!"

One chef waved his arm and shouted, "Eat as much as you can! As long as you don't waste food, it's all free!"

"Hey, you—what are you doing?!"

The other chef suddenly pointed at a customer who had just finished eating and was pulling out his wallet. His brow furrowed as he grabbed a massive rolling pin from beside him.

"You looking down on Baratie?! Or are you looking down on Marine Headquarters' Rear Admiral Sanji?!"

"Put that wallet away!"

"..."

The customer looked troubled. "But, chef, we came all this way to support the place. We can't just eat for free!"

"This is just a small token of appreciation!"

"Appreciation my ass!"

The chef slung the rolling pin over his shoulder and growled,

"Move along! Don't block the next customers!"

"If you try to pay again, I'll let you meet my Big Rolling Pin personally!"

"..."

The customer flinched, quickly stuffing his wallet back into his pocket. Amid the friendly laughter around him, he hurried off, muttering under his breath,

"Once this event ends, I'll definitely come back often!"

In the kitchen—

"Whew—"

Zeff had just finished a plate of seafood risotto. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with the towel hanging around his neck.

Then he looked up at the newspaper carefully framed and hung on the most prominent wall in the kitchen.

The clipping was cut neatly.

In the photo, a blond man in a crisp Marine Rear Admiral's uniform stood with his head slightly bowed.

Beneath his trademark curled eyebrow, his eyes burned with determination.

Standing before him was the same man, personally pinning a brand-new Rear Admiral epaulet to his shoulder.

Below the photo, a bold caption read clearly:

[Former Marine Headquarters Commander Sanji, For Outstanding Performance During the Marineford War, Promoted Exceptionally to Rear Admiral. Awarded Today by Admiral Blood Hawk in Person.]

"Ha—"

Zeff's lips curled upward uncontrollably until they broke into a wide, proud grin.

"That damn kid... really made something of himself!"