Marine Headquarters, inside the Fleet Admiral's office.
"…What?"
Sengoku was stunned. He had been refused.
This brat Hawk actually rejected me to my face…
Where am I supposed to put my dignity as Fleet Admiral now?
"Hah…"
Akainu's stern features softened into a rare smile.
As expected of the man he valued most.
Even the Fleet Admiral's personal offer had been turned down without hesitation.
That took courage.
"Yo…"
Kizaru's trademark sunglasses slipped slightly, revealing eyes full of disbelief.
This kid Hawk… is he really that bold? To outright reject the Fleet Admiral himself?
Renn Hawk, however, knew exactly why these high-ranking figures were all paying attention to him.
A Marine who had never undergone formal training at Headquarters, who grew up in the supposedly weakest of the seas, the East Blue, and yet had risen to this level entirely on his own
To them, that was genius. That was monstrous talent.
But Hawk himself knew the truth.
Genius? No.
He was a cheater.
Becoming an Admiral's aide or the Fleet Admiral's assistant would indeed be a colossal opportunity, a chance to ascend overnight.
But it would also chain him to Marineford.
The Fleet Admiral rarely left Headquarters. Admirals spent most of their time tied to the World Nobles' constant demands.
If he was bound to Headquarters, how much Justice Value would he lose?
One year from now, the Paramount War would erupt.
That was the stage he had chosen for himself.
His chance to soar into the heavens.
If he could cut down half the Whitebeard Pirates with his own hands, then only then would he obtain the one million Justice Value he sought.
But with his current strength, to think of such a slaughter was laughable.
Even a dying Whitebeard had taken Akainu's "Hellhound" head-on and lived.
Hawk's present level, barely scraping into Headquarters Vice Admiral strength, was nowhere near enough.
So the priority was clear.
He had to grow stronger. Stronger before the Paramount War arrived.
And the G-3 Branch, positioned in the first half of the Grand Line, was the perfect training ground.
Pirates there would be his best prey, his stepping stones to power.
With that thought, Hawk abruptly stood, saluted crisply toward the gathered senior officers, and declared with unwavering voice,
"Fleet Admiral, Admirals, Vice Admiral Tsuru!"
His voice rang out, echoing across the chamber.
"My refusal is not out of discontent. It is because my sense of justice will not allow me to remain in the rear."
"My justice is born from battle. Its foundation is laid upon the corpses of the guilty."
"G-3 lies in the first half of the Grand Line, where pirates run rampant and crime thrives."
"I request permission to go where sin is most rampant, to enforce justice there. Not to stand sheltered in the shadow of the Fleet Admiral or the Admirals."
The office fell silent.
Then came the sound of applause.
"Good!"
Akainu's voice rang out, full of approval. "Very good! Unmoved by power, guided only by the justice in your heart. Excellent!"
"Yo~"
Kizaru lazily added, "Young people these days… truly frightening, aren't they?"
"Hawk…"
Tsuru nodded gently. "Your conviction is firm. Your justice is clear. No wonder Sakazuki sees you as the leader of the new generation of Marines."
At last, she understood why Akainu held this young man in such regard.
Sengoku, meanwhile, let out a cold snort. His pride had been bruised.
This youth had no idea how high the sky was or how deep the sea ran.
But then again… if he did, would he still be called young?
As Sengoku looked at Hawk's determined young face, for a moment he saw his own reflection from long ago.
Back then, he too had rushed forward without hesitation for the sake of justice.
And now?
For the sake of the Navy, for the sake of budgets, he had compromised again and again with the World Government, with those damned Five Elders.
The younger Sengoku would certainly despise the man he had become this "Buddha Sengoku" bound by bureaucracy and compromise.
So many justices that should have been carried out… never were.
"Hawk, Commodore."
Sengoku's voice was steadier now, carrying an unusual gravity and expectation.
"The G-3 Branch of the Grand Line will be yours."
"Go. Show this chaotic world the majesty of the Marines."
"Yes, sir!"
Hawk straightened, saluted again, and strode out with steady steps.
He still needed to collect his commodore's cloak and insignia from logistics, and then visit the records department to handle the promotion paperwork for the men of the 16th Branch.
His footsteps echoed in the wide, sunlit corridor.
Then a laid-back voice drifted from nearby.
"Well now, Hawk-kun."
"Care for a little chat?"
Hawk stopped and turned.
Leaning casually against a pillar stood a tall man in a white vest suit, dark-blue shirt beneath, tie loose at the collar. White trousers, curly black hair, and an air of drowsy languor. A green sleep mask rested above his forehead.
Marine Admiral Kuzan better known as Aokiji.
Meanwhile, at the 16th Branch…
At the bounty office, a weary voice spoke.
"Hey, can thieves be turned in for bounties?"
The speaker, a swordsman with green hair, dragged a tightly bound man behind him.
"My name isn't 'hey,' you know—"
The clerk looked up and froze, recognizing the swordsman's appearance.
"…Roronoa Zoro, the Pirate Hunter?"
As a bounty clerk, of course he knew the name that had spread across the East Blue in recent years.
"Yeah. That's me."
The clerk gaped.
Good heavens he looked like he hadn't eaten in days.
"You… when was the last time you ate?"
"Nine… nine days."
Zoro dumped the tied-up thief onto the counter. "So, can I claim the bounty?"
"I only stole 50 Berries…" the thief wailed, tears streaming down his face. "And I failed anyway! There's no bounty!"
The clerk winced. This was awkward.
Zoro's expression was pale-green with hunger.
He glanced at the wall clock. Dinner in the mess hall had only just passed.
Maybe… maybe he could sneak this famous bounty hunter a meal.
But he'd need permission.
"Wait here. I'll go ask Major Dane."
Moments later, Dane arrived.
The instant he stepped into the room, his eyes fell on a white sword at Zoro's waist.
At the same moment, Zoro's gaze fixed on the blade at Dane's side.
The air seemed to freeze.
"Grade Fifty Sword Night Calmer?"
"Great Grade Twenty-One Sword Wado Ichimonji?"
—————————————————————————————————————————————————
Already drawn into the tides of this story? Share what pulled you in your words and reviews keep the fire burning. And every 300 Power Stones will unlock a bonus chapter, pushing the voyage forward even faster!
Renn Hawk's journey is only beginning, and the evolution of justice is far from over. Stay with Unbound Evolution and keep sailing ahead of the horizon!
[email protected]/_tey
Change @ to a.