190 With the Justice System

Marine Headquarters.

Marineford no longer bore any traces of war; the ground had been thoroughly cleaned until it shone.

Except for the faint metallic scent of blood still lingering in the air, it was as if nothing had ever happened.

"Shoo——"

A golden beam of light descended from the sky, landing at the center of the plaza.

Kizaru's figure slowly took shape, hands tucked into his pockets, a hint of regret showing on his old face.

"The support mission's been canceled... what a pity~"

He had thought he could catch some action in the New World and make a little extra on the side, but halfway there, he was called back.

"Tap——"

Kizaru started walking toward the main building of headquarters, pulling a small booklet from his pocket as he moved.

He flipped through the pages with practiced ease, plucking one out after a brief glance and placing it at the very top.

"Well now~ a mission jointly raised in price by Instructor Zephyr and Fleet Admiral Sengoku..."

The corner of his mouth curved upward, the eyes behind his glasses narrowing into slits.

"When you pay extra, of course you get the fastest service~"

On that mission slip, placed neatly at the top, one line was clearly written:

[Bat-Bat Fruit · Mythical Zoan · Vampire Form.]

Kizaru tucked the mission list away, quite satisfied, and strolled toward the conference room.

Soon, "Hum——"

Out at sea, a vast fleet led by a dog-headed warship slowly entered the harbor, stirring up rolling waves.

Garp strode down from the ship, tossing the unconscious Luffy on his shoulder toward the medical team.

"Take him down. Keep an eye on him."

"Yes, Vice Admiral Garp!"

The medics hurriedly lifted Luffy onto a stretcher and rushed away.

"..."

Garp walked silently beside Tsuru as the two entered the deep corridors of the headquarters building.

This Navy high-command meeting would determine the direction of not only the Marines, but the entire world.

...

Marine Headquarters, High Command Conference Room.

Along the long table, the Navy's top powerhouses had gathered together.

Sengoku, Garp, Tsuru, Zephyr, Akainu, Aokiji, Kizaru — and... Hawke.

"Everyone..."

Sengoku's gaze swept across the group, his voice steady and direct.

"I've decided to step down as Fleet Admiral."

"For the next Fleet Admiral... what are your thoughts?"

"..."

As his words fell, the room grew even quieter.

Garp, Zephyr, and Tsuru exchanged calm glances.

They were the foundation of the old era of the Navy, having witnessed countless storms — and buried two Yonko.

But they knew well... their time had passed.

The future of the Marines belonged to those sharper, fiercer young men whose eyes still burned with passion.

"..."

The reactions of the three Admirals were completely different.

"I abstain!"

Kizaru raised his hand at the speed of light, his expression unusually serious.

In his mind, he recalled the endless piles of paperwork that had haunted him when he served as Acting Fleet Admiral.

Terrifying!

Being Fleet Admiral was even scarier than fighting two Yonko at once!

"Well then..."

"I abstain too."

Aokiji shrugged, utterly nonchalant.

The Navy's current theme was blood and iron — the crimson color of slaughter and the claws of hawks.

He wasn't the right one to lead such an institution.

"..."

Akainu said nothing, his stern face unreadable.

He no longer clung to the obsession he once had for the Fleet Admiral's chair.

The future of the Marines was crystal clear to him.

Purge the pirates. Reforge order.

And finally...

Aim the cannons at the parasites nesting within the Holy Land!

But in terms of commanding the entire force...

Akainu's eyes slowly turned toward Hawke. His voice was deep.

"Hawke, what about you?"

"Shff——!"

All at once, everyone's gaze fixed on Hawke.

Sengoku's eyes were full of approval and expectation.

"Hawke, your strength now stands at the very pinnacle of this sea."

"Your command during this war was flawless."

"The Marines respect you — they follow you willingly."

"There's no need for hesitation. Follow what your heart tells you."

"..."

Hawke met the eyes of everyone in the room.

Become Fleet Admiral?

Climb to the peak of power and lead the entire Navy?

That would also mean endless paperwork, tedious meetings, and being shackled forever to Marineford.

If this sea's sins had been purged — if someone needed to rebuild order and ideology for the Navy and the world — he wouldn't have minded taking that seat and becoming a guide.

But right now...

The seas still festered with crime.

His Justice Points still needed far more "fuel."

He wasn't ready to be locked down yet!

Then...

In his mind, memories flickered — of that time in the East Blue.

Back when things were at their hardest, it was Admiral Akainu who had protected him without hesitation, even invoking special privilege to promote him beyond the rules.

That debt... he'd never forgotten.

Hawke slowly stood up straight, his back firm, and gave a crisp salute to everyone present.

"Everyone, I recommend Admiral Akainu to take over as the next Fleet Admiral!"

"!!!"

The atmosphere in the room changed instantly.

Behind his glasses, Kizaru's eyes glimmered knowingly — just as expected.

Aokiji simply smiled and closed his eyes, as if he'd already foreseen it.

Garp grinned broadly. This kid...

"Hawke..."

Akainu froze for a second.

He hadn't expected Hawke to hand this position over to him.

"Ha——"

Sengoku observed everyone's reactions and nodded slightly.

"In that case..."

He struck the table lightly, voice decisive.

"From now on, Sakazuki will serve as the new Fleet Admiral of the Marines!"

"..."

No one objected.

Everyone silently accepted the outcome.

"Shff——"

Akainu rose slowly, face solemn, and saluted Sengoku and the others.

"With Sakazuki's promotion to Fleet Admiral, there'll be a vacant Admiral seat."

Sengoku turned toward Hawke, a hint of excitement in his voice.

"Hawke..."

"From today onward, you are officially promoted to Admiral of Marine Headquarters!"

"Your codename shall be the name that already echoes across the seas — 'Blood Hawk'!"

"Yes, sir!"

Hawke stood and saluted again, his voice firm and resonant.

He had no desire to be Fleet Admiral for now — but the Admiral's position suited him perfectly!

As an Admiral, he would have the authority to initiate a "Buster Call," the freedom to command vast fleets.

He could keep fighting pirates on the front lines, earning Justice Points with every drop of enemy blood spilled and every cry silenced.

"Well then..."

Sengoku's face relaxed into a faint smile. He stretched with a long sigh.

"This old man should find a place to retire."

"The G-3 Branch was just expanded — nice and spacious. I'll settle there."

Then, his gaze hardened suddenly.

"Just in time — Vegapunk has sent word. The World Government's God's Knights are preparing to inspect the G-3 Branch."

"I'll be sure to collect a little interest for all the years I've swallowed my pride!"

"Hmm...?!"

Garp's eyes lit up at once.

"The World Government?! The God's Knights?!"

"Sengoku, count me in!"

"I'll go too! I can help Zephyr train those fresh recruits — and maybe finally see what it feels like to punch a Celestial Dragon!"

Garp clenched his fists, the knuckles cracking like firecrackers.

He turned to Tsuru with a grin.

"Tsuru, how about you?"

"..."

Vice Admiral Tsuru lifted her teacup and took a quiet sip, shaking her head helplessly.

"Since you old fools are all going to G-3, naturally this old lady will come along too."

"As for headquarters, we'll leave it to Sakazuki and the others."

"..."

Thus, the decision was finalized.

Fleet Admiral Sakazuki took command.

Rear Admiral Hawke was promoted to Admiral "Blood Hawk."

Sengoku, Garp, and Tsuru retired to the G-3 Branch, guarding the Marines' independence and future.

A new Marine leadership — strong enough to shake the world — had officially been born.

...

That night, Marineford.

"Shoo——"

A golden beam of light quietly streaked across the night sky.

At the port, a massive fleet of warships was ready to depart.

Sengoku, Garp, Tsuru, and Zephyr — the four living fossils of the Marines — would ride this fleet to take command at the G-3 Branch.

They would relieve the stationed five hawkish Vice Admirals and Commodore Dane.

...

Fleet Admiral's Office.

"Knock knock——"

Hawke rapped on the heavy door.

"Enter."

A deep, fiery voice came from within.

Hawke pushed the door open.

"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, you wanted to see me?"