"Shhhk."
Admiral Sakazuki flipped open the intelligence report sent from Headquarters.
The information was clear: six months.
In just six short months, Lieutenant Colonel Renn Hawk, nicknamed the "Blood Hawk," had turned the East Blue into a storm of blood and fire.
The report listed an endless string of pirate crews. From small-time crews worth only a few million berries to captains with bounties exceeding ten million every single name bore the same notation beside it: Eliminated.
Not one spared.
The report also explained the origin of Hawk's new title. The name "Blood Hawk" came from his merciless methods.
For any pirate crew that fell under his gaze, there was only one ending: total annihilation.
No survivors. No mercy. No acceptance of surrender.
His ruthless efficiency and unyielding approach had already spread fear across the East Blue.
"Not bad…"
Sakazuki's finger paused on the words total annihilation. He gave a small nod of approval.
"Absolute justice…"
That was the very creed he himself lived by.
He cared little for Hawk's methods, or whether his actions perfectly aligned with Marine regulations. What mattered to him was the outcome.
And the outcome was undeniable.
Pirates across the East Blue had been eradicated.
The corrupt Marine captain who colluded with them had been executed.
The sea was once again cleansed under Hawk's iron hand.
Yes, the methods were harsh, even irregular.
But effective.
Brutally effective.
A faint grunt escaped Sakazuki's throat, tinged with dissatisfaction.
This was the Great Pirate Era pirates ran rampant, evil was everywhere.
And yet, instead of rewarding an officer as capable as Hawk, Headquarters wanted him tied down in endless review and scrutiny?
What a joke.
What Hawk needed was not an audit.
He needed a promotion.
A raise.
Greater authority, and more troops under his command.
Then he could take his justice to an even larger stage.
Audit?
Worthless.
The review was already complete. Lieutenant Colonel Renn Hawk of the 16th Branch had carried out the Marine's doctrine of justice to the letter.
Sakazuki's recommendation? Immediate promotion.
"Renn Hawk…"
He repeated the name under his breath, his expression hard but satisfied.
Good.
This man was doing excellent work.
If only the Marines had more officers as decisive and uncompromising as Hawk, leaving no enemies alive… the chaos of these seas would soon be quelled.
His trip to the East Blue had not been in vain.
Turning sharply, Sakazuki barked to the men behind him:
"Raise the Marine flag once more!"
"Full speed ahead. Our destination: the 16th Branch!"
"Yes, sir!"
"And prepare the paperwork for my special promotion recommendation."
"Yes, sir!"
The Marine flag unfurled proudly into the wind as the warship split the sea, surging toward its target.
…
At the 16th Branch training grounds, the afternoon sun beat down relentlessly. The air shimmered with heat as rows of soldiers carried out their daily drills, their shouts echoing with raw strength.
Then, suddenly
A small black speck appeared on the horizon, moving closer with astonishing speed.
"Hmm?"
Suspended high above on Moonwalk, Sakazuki hovered in the sky over the training yard. Arms crossed, he gazed down upon the soldiers below who continued their exercises, unfazed by his presence.
He raised a brow.
The spirit of these troops was impressive.
Their formations were tight, their movements sharp and forceful. More than that, a faint aura of battlefield steel hung about them.
Was this really just a branch unit?
Not Headquarters elites?
"Interesting…"
A rare grin tugged at Sakazuki's lips. His mood was good.
In that case, he would test them himself.
"Boom."
Without warning, his right arm swelled monstrously. Crimson magma surged over his skin, bubbling and hissing, the air itself warping from the searing heat.
From his clenched fist, a blinding glow erupted.
"Great Eruption!"
He launched a molten fist the size of a carriage straight down into the heart of the training field.
The mini-volcano of magma trailed thick black smoke as it roared downward, setting the very air ablaze.
"…?"
The sound made Major Dane snap his head upward. His eyes widened at the sight.
"Enemy attack!"
His shout cracked like thunder.
But the soldiers of the 16th Branch did not falter.
No panic. No retreat. Only discipline.
"First Squad, shields up! Brace for impact!"
"Second and Third, split and flank! Prepare suppressing fire!"
"Medical team, fall back and stand by!"
Orders rang out with precision. Soldiers moved like a single organism, fast and steady.
"Rahhh!"
The front line slammed their alloy shields into the dirt, locking them together in a steel barrier.
The molten fist crashed down.
"Boom!"
The shields sizzled and warped under the blistering heat, several soldiers coughing blood from the sheer force. Yet not one man yielded ground.
The magma's momentum weakened, but it still bore down with frightening pressure.
And then
"Shing!"
A blade rang out, cold and sharp.
Major Dane blurred forward, his treasured sword Nightcalm flashing in the sun.
"One-Sword Style Iaijutsu!"
The gleaming arc of steel split the magma fist cleanly in two.
The molten rock burst apart, chunks crashing down around the field, leaving smoking craters in the earth.
"Tch."
A figure landed heavily at the field's edge.
Sakazuki.
He regarded the soldiers bloodied but unbroken, their formations still intact. Dane stood at their head, chest heaving, sword steady in his grip.
The admiral gave a firm nod.
"Good."
"Very good."
"…!"
When the soldiers saw his face, and the rank insignia on his shoulder, their hearts clenched.
An Admiral.
"Admiral Sakazuki!"
Dane snapped his blade back into its sheath and strode forward to attention.
"Admiral Sakazuki! Major Dane, under Lieutenant Colonel Hawk of the 16th Branch, reporting!"
He saluted sharply.
Behind him, every soldier in the branch followed suit, voices booming in unison:
"Salute!"
"…Tell me."
Sakazuki's eyes glinted as he spoke.
"Would you rather serve under me?"
"…What?"
Dane's head shot up, his eyes wide with disbelief.
The soldiers froze, stunned.
Even the elite officers from Headquarters stood slack-jawed.
Wait what?
Weren't they here for an audit?
Since when did this turn into a recruitment drive?!