"Lark..."
Hawk muttered softly, and a silhouette surfaced in his mind.
Lark, full-body image:
Golden ponytail, headphones hanging casually over her ears. On top, a fitted cropped shirt that revealed her midriff. On the bottom, layered pants outer camo with only one leg, and underneath, striped leggings that hugged her figure. Boots on her feet, a tiny backpack with a teddy-bear charm on her back.
Tch...
That shy, blushing, soft-spoken girl... was actually the daughter of Fleet Admiral Sakazuki?
Hawk blinked hard, again and again, unable to reconcile the ruthless, iron-blooded admiral standing before him with the cute, kawaii little princess called Lark.
Something about this felt... very off.
"Hm?"
Sakazuki's instincts were razor-sharp. The moment he noticed Hawk's slightly awkward stare, he let out a low sound of inquiry, as if asking:
What? You got a problem, kid?
"...!"
Hawk shivered and quickly lowered his head, forcing himself to think straight.
In the original timeline three years later, Lark was a lieutenant commander in Headquarters, and also a member of the covert special ops unit SWORD.
The SWORD unit, also known as the Blade Corps, was made up of Marines who had already submitted their resignations and returned their service numbers. They operated independently, free of orders, and could even start fights with the Four Emperors without approval.
Practically speaking, the entire team was made up of "second-generation elites" — the strongest group of connections in the Marines.
Captain: X. Drake — his father was once a Marine officer.
The Deserter King, Coby — disciple of Vice Admiral Garp, known as the man of "two hundred times the effort."
Helmeppo — son of "Axe-Hand" Morgan, the former Marine captain of the 153rd Branch.
Peacock — granddaughter of Vice Admiral Tsuru, the Grand Strategist of Headquarters.
And then there was Lark... the apple of Admiral Sakazuki's eye.
Good grief. A team of pure connections!
But for Sakazuki to place his precious daughter under his command... what was he thinking?
His unit was full of battle-hardened, rough-edged soldiers — hardly a place for a pampered princess.
"Admiral, this..."
The unease showed clearly on Hawk's face.
"Difficult?"
Sakazuki's voice was calm, revealing no emotion.
Yet Hawk swore the air around the training field grew several degrees hotter.
"To be honest..."
He nodded reluctantly.
Becoming a babysitter for the sake of five boxes of cigars? That was a raw deal.
Sizzle—
Sakazuki's gaze locked onto him. His right fist erupted in molten flame once more.
"Perfect timing..."
"I just finished warming up. My hands are itching for a fight."
"Admiral, it's... not that difficult, actually."
"Hmph."
The magma instantly receded, disappearing back into Sakazuki's hand.
"As for training..."
"You use your methods. I won't interfere."
There was a flicker of admiration in the admiral's eyes.
"You took a group of East Blue branch soldiers and, within a few months, drilled them into disciplined, fearless elites on par with Headquarters. Your training methods are already top-class."
"Leaving Lark in your hands — I'm at ease."
Then Sakazuki dropped the real bombshell.
"The commander of the G-3 Branch on the Grand Line was just reassigned to Headquarters."
"The G-3 region has always been under my direct supervision."
"By principle, the commander of a Grand Line branch must hold the rank of vice admiral or higher."
Sakazuki's gaze bore into Hawk.
"But for you, I can make an exception."
"I'll have you, Brigadier General Raine Hawk, transfer with your entire 16th Branch to the Grand Line..."
"And you will serve as commander of the G-3 Branch."
"???"
"!!!"
Hawk's heart skipped a beat the moment the words G-3 Branch Commander hit his ears.
He was just a brigadier general — now suddenly promoted to oversee a Grand Line branch?
This wasn't the remote East Blue anymore. This was the Grand Line!
And the Grand Line meant...
Stronger pirates.
Higher bounties.
More ruthless villains.
Greater missions and greater glory.
But most importantly...
More sin.
More pirates.
More Justice Points.
What was he hesitating for?
This babysitting gig? Forget it — he'd take it in a heartbeat!
"Admiral, mission guaranteed!"
Hawk thumped his chest, his voice ringing with conviction.
"Miss Lark, under my guidance, will grow into a fine Marine."
"Good."
Sakazuki's towering figure shifted slightly closer, lowering his voice so only Hawk could hear.
"Hawk..."
"Lark has... certain hobbies."
"She likes taking pictures. And she collects little handbags from every place she visits."
There was something complicated in his voice — a mixture of helplessness and guilt.
"As a father, I've been too busy hunting pirates. I owe her too much."
"So I hope you can allow her some leeway in these harmless little hobbies."
"Of course, I won't let you go unrewarded."
"Every two months, I'll personally send you one box of my private admiral-grade cigars."
"Well..."
Hawk's thoughts raced.
A box every two months. Sakazuki himself only got one box a month as his entire quota.
This was basically half of his own supply.
The sincerity was undeniable.
Of course, Hawk wasn't agreeing for the cigars.
What truly struck him was that this iron-blooded admiral, known for his ruthless "absolute justice," actually carried such tenderness for his daughter.
"Admiral, no problem!"
Hawk's tone was earnest. "Your deep care for your daughter is something I sincerely admire. I'll handle it with the right balance."
"You brat."
Sakazuki's lips curved in the faintest of smiles, his mood clearly lifted.
This East Blue trip had yielded far more than expected.
Not only had he discovered Hawk — the rising star of the Marine hawks — but he had also solved the issue of Lark's training.
Now, he could unleash his full power against the scum infesting the New World.
"Come."
He clapped Hawk on the shoulder.
"Tell me about your training methods."
"Let's discuss it over lunch."
"Yes, Admiral!"
Hawk snapped to attention, hurrying to keep pace.
...
Soon after, a report titled "Regarding the Case of Lieutenant Colonel Hawk" was transmitted from the 16th Branch of East Blue to Marine Headquarters.
The duty officer, a major in the Information Division, nearly jumped out of his chair when he saw the sender.
A report, personally authorized by Admiral Sakazuki!
He opened it, skimmed the summary, and his face instantly went pale.
"Quick! Hurry!"
His voice cracked, unable to mask his panic.
"Deliver this to the Fleet Admiral immediately! Not a second's delay!"
The contents of that report... were far too explosive.
And so, in record time, the document landed on Fleet Admiral Sengoku's desk.
Moments later—
"SAKAZUKI—!!!"
The thunderous roar shook the entire Headquarters building.
"Madness!!!"
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