"Well now, Hawk-kun."
"Care for a little chat?"
"…?"
Renn Hawk looked at the man before him.
Marine Headquarters Admiral Kuzan better known as Aokiji.
The power of the Ice-Ice Fruit rested in his hands.
The man with the warmest heart had eaten the coldest of fruits.
In his youth he had upheld "Burning Justice."
But after the tragedy of Ohara, his convictions wavered.
What he clung to now was "Lazy Justice."
Hawk could not help but think, Good grief…
On this single trip to Marineford, he had already met nearly every top-ranking officer.
Aside from Vice Admiral Garp and Instructor Zephyr, he had crossed paths with all the rest.
The three Admirals collected like trophies.
"… …"
While Hawk studied Aokiji, Aokiji in turn was examining him.
He had been at the docks earlier and seen everything clearly.
The clash between Akainu and Kizaru did not concern him.
What caught his attention was the report a scout had slipped into his hand the moment he arrived.
A report on why Smoker had been so furious.
At first, Kuzan had ordered the investigation out of amusement. Smoker losing face was not something one witnessed every day.
Yet the findings had left him speechless.
The dossier detailed Hawk's actions in the East Blue:
Training his soldiers.
Improving their meals.
Building a training ground with his own money.
Distributing spoils to his men.
He had executed pirates. He had executed corrupt officers.
But he had also returned seventy percent of the seized wealth to the oppressed townsfolk.
A phrase resurfaced in Aokiji's mind "Justice of Slaughter."
He had seen it once in Akainu's report.
At the time, Kuzan assumed it was just another case of Sakazuki the extremist finding a like-minded disciple.
But now… things did not seem so simple.
Sakazuki's "Absolute Justice" was only concerned with erasing evil from the world. He never cared about the ruins evil left behind.
Hawk was different.
He destroyed the guilty, yes. But he also returned what had been stolen.
He cut away corruption at the root, yet afterward he sowed new seeds of hope into the same soil.
That kind of justice burned like fire, consuming wickedness completely.
And yet, it also carried the chill and order of ice.
From the ashes of destruction, it rebuilt stability.
"… …"
Kuzan's usually lazy gaze sharpened, deep and focused.
He wanted to have a serious talk with Hawk about justice.
That was why he had waited outside the Fleet Admiral's office.
"Of course, Admiral Aokiji."
Hawk nodded. He did not know exactly what Aokiji wanted to discuss, but speaking with another Admiral could only be to his benefit.
"Come. Let's head to my office."
"Yes, sir."
Together, the two men walked away.
East Blue, 16th Branch.
"… …"
Zoro's eyes locked on the blade at Dane's side.
It was a sword as black as night.
The sheath was a deep obsidian hue, the hilt wrapped in black cord, its simplicity radiating a deadly aura.
"Grade Fifty Sword… Night Calmer?"
Zoro's hoarse voice carried a swordsman's excitement.
"…?"
Dane's gaze fell on the three swords at Zoro's waist, lingering on one in particular.
A pure white blade.
An ivory sheath, a snow-white hilt, exuding both purity and unyielding resolve.
"Great Grade Twenty-One Sword… Wado Ichimonji?"
The moment the two true swordsmen met, sparks ignited in silence.
Warriors' instinct. A duel was inevitable.
"Major Dane."
A marine hurried forward, giving Dane a quick report.
The bounty hunter Roronoa Zoro had dragged in a petty thief, hoping to exchange him for reward money.
He had not eaten in nine days and was close to collapsing from hunger.
"… I see."
Dane's eyes swept over the trembling thief bound on the floor.
His judgment was quick.
A failed theft. Barely a crime worth mentioning. Certainly not one worthy of death.
"Take him away. Record the offense and warn him. If he tries again, the consequences will be severe."
His attention returned to Zoro.
"You're Zoro, right? Come with me."
"I'll get you something to eat."
"…!!!"
Zoro's eyes lit up instantly. He stumbled after Dane, driven by sheer hunger.
They entered the 16th Branch mess hall.
The lamps blazed, the hall was full of voices, the atmosphere lively and warm.
Though the building was modest, the food inside was astonishing.
Long serving tables groaned beneath the weight of steaming dishes.
"Zoro."
Dane gestured to the tables. "You're not one of us, so this is out of my own pocket. Eat your fill. When you're done, we'll spar."
"Yeah!"
Starving for nine days, Zoro's eyes widened at the sight.
Food stacked like mountains.
And then he realized something unbelievable.
This was a buffet.
Roast sea king meat dripping with fat.
Heaps of golden fried chicken legs.
Huge iron cauldrons of thick, savory stew.
Fresh fruit, chilled juice.
All free to take.
Zoro's jaw nearly hit the floor.
He seized a platter larger than his own head and piled food into a mountain.
"You guys… always eat like this?" he mumbled through a mouthful of meat. "You even drink after hours?"
He saw several marines in plain clothes laughing over pitchers of beer, clearly off duty.
"Yeah."
Dane's tone was calm, almost casual.
"Hawk always says… off duty, sharing food and drink together strengthens bonds."
"Apart from Headquarters funding, he's spent a lot of his own money on the mess hall."
"He says, 'A soldier who can't fill his stomach can't speak of justice.'"
"… Hawk?"
Zoro's chewing slowed. The name rang a bell.
"Renn Hawk. The Blood Hawk."
"Oh? You know the commander?" Dane asked, surprised.
"…"
Zoro's face darkened. His eyes brimmed with resentment.
Know him?
He more than knew him.
It was because of that bastard Renn Hawk…
That he had ended up in this miserable state!
"Commander Hawk… is here? In this branch…?"
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