Grand Line, G-3 Branch.
A full day had passed since the battle on the training grounds.
Inside the mess hall of G-3, the atmosphere was more lively than ever.
"Hss…"
An old veteran, his body wrapped in bandages, winced from pain as he stuffed a mouthful of golden fried seafood rice into his mouth.
"Yesterday, I thought I was done for… never imagined I'd be alive to taste food like this!"
"Right?!"
"Compared to this flavor, the stuff we used to eat here was pig slop!"
"Hey…"
"Did you hear?"
"Yesterday Brigadier Hawk appointed some blond private as head chef."
"At the time, the old head chef turned green with rage, but with the brigadier standing there, he didn't dare say a word."
"And this morning, I saw it with my own eyes! The old chef was crying, begging to be the man's assistant, and kept praising the brigadier for his sharp eye!"
"Hahaha!"
The soldiers burst out laughing, clapping the tables in agreement.
"Sharp eye? That's underselling it!"
One soldier slammed his fist on the table, face flushed with excitement. "Yesterday the brigadier also announced that our future pay and subsidies would increase by half!"
"And he advanced this month's salary too!"
"… Yeah! Last night I literally slept hugging my Beli!"
"With a commander like him, taking a beating was worth it!"
"Worth it!"
"More than worth it!"
"Hahaha!"
The mess hall filled with heartfelt cheers and admiration for Hawk.
…
At a corner table, Tashigi twirled a forkful of pasta with her usual grace before glancing across at Smoker, who was wolfing down his steak.
"Tashigi is surprised. You don't look shocked at all, Smoker."
"Hawk pulled the same thing back in the East Blue."
Smoker crammed the last bite into his mouth and spoke through the chew, "That's why those men from the 16th Branch followed him so fiercely."
He wiped his mouth roughly with a napkin.
"A stick in one hand, a sweet date in the other."
"His way of commanding is crude but irresistible."
"Yesterday's battle shattered G-3's arrogance and forced everyone into line."
"And now this meal and the pay raise? That's how you win hearts."
"Won't be long before Hawk molds G-3 into a single clenched fist, moving only at his command."
Smoker rose to his feet and looked at Tashigi. "I'm heading to train. Coming?"
"…? Tashigi is confused. It's still a long while before the brigadier's scheduled drill."
"I'm doing extra."
His tone was serious, his eyes fixed on his own hands.
"Tashigi, I'm ready to abandon that seastone-tipped jitte I've carried for years."
"My Devil Fruit power is still my own strength, but seastone… it's just an external crutch."
"Armament Haki is far more reliable."
In his mind, Kuzan's voice resurfaced.
"Smoker, don't rely too much on your fruit. Train your body more. Take an abandoned warship as a punching bag if you have to. It'll do you good."
And what had he answered back then?
With a Logia fruit, taijutsu doesn't matter.
Now that thought felt laughable.
Yesterday…
Hawk's fists had spoken the one truth.
Strength itself is justice.
Without strength, what right do you have to speak of justice?!
…
Smoker's eyes burned with newfound resolve. Without waiting for Tashigi, he strode out toward the training grounds.
"Huff…"
Tashigi set down her fork and lit a lady's cigarette.
Smoker stubborn, rebellious, untamed.
And yet, to hear those words from him…
It proved just how deeply yesterday's battle had carved itself into his heart.
She crushed the cigarette into the ashtray.
"Tashigi must work hard too."
She stood and followed him toward the training grounds.
…
Bang!
Smoker pushed open the doors of the training hall, ready for extra drills.
But he wasn't alone.
Clang!
The sharp ring of steel echoed again and again.
At the center, swords clashed Zoro and Dane locked in a fierce duel.
With each collision, shockwaves burst outward.
After another clash, both fighters slid back across the floor.
Dane's eyes glimmered with approval as he studied Zoro.
"Zoro, your progress is fast. I think it won't be long before you master Armament Haki."
"Mm!"
Zoro grinned, gripping Wado Ichimonji tightly. "I can't wait for that day."
His blood was burning with excitement.
Joining the Marines had been the right choice.
Their new commander, Brigadier Hawk, wasn't just unfathomably strong but also bold and generous.
The G-3 branch had top-class meals, top-class training facilities, and most importantly Dane, a swordsman who wielded Armament Haki, ready to spar with him at any time.
Zoro could feel it clearly: the bottleneck in his growth… was loosening.
His strength was soaring.
And it felt good.
Just then, a voice cut in.
"Captain Smoker, so this is where you are."
Wearing glasses and carrying Shigure on her back, Tashigi stepped inside.
"…?"
Zoro and Dane instinctively turned.
And in that instant
"!!!"
Zoro's entire body froze.
His smile vanished, pupils shrinking to pinpoints.
That face…
That hair…
That expression…
Impossible.
No way.
Hadn't she already
"Kuina?!"
Zoro's mind went blank.
His body moved faster than thought, bolting toward the door. In a few strides, he stood before Tashigi, eyes wide, scanning her up and down without blinking.
Identical.
Her hair, her face exactly the same as the one etched in his memories.
"…?"
Tashigi shivered under his sharp, invasive stare, instinctively stepping back.
"!!!"
Smoker's brow furrowed, irritation flaring as he prepared to intervene.
But someone beat him to it.
Whoosh!
A black-clad figure in chef's attire whirled in like a gale.
"Hey, moss-head!"
With Sanji's furious roar, a flying kick came down toward the back of Zoro's skull.
"What are you trying to do to this beautiful lady?!"
"Curly-brow idiot?!"
Zoro snapped around, raising his scabbard to block.
Bang!
Leather sole slammed against steel.
"You wanna die, curly-brow?!"
"You're the one who wants to die, moss-head bastard!"
Sanji landed gracefully, fixing his tie as his eyes blazed at Zoro. "How dare you frighten such a lovely, delicate lady! Unforgivable!"
"Shut it, perverted cook!"
"…."
Dane rubbed his temples, exasperated.
These two clowns yesterday they were beaten unconscious together by Big Brother Hawk, and today they're back at each other's throats.
He stepped forward, ready to break them apart.
But before he could
Wooo—! Wooo—! Wooo—!
Shrill alarms blared across the skies above G-3, cutting through everything.
The entire training hall froze.
Battle alarm.
Thud!
A messenger burst inside, saluting sharply.
"Report! Colonel Dane, Captain Smoker!"
"A pirate ship has been sighted to the southwest, heading full speed toward the branch!"
"Pirates?"
Smoker scowled. Which fool thought it wise to attack G-3?
"The brigadier's orders: show them what we're made of!"
…
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