Earlier.
Inside the G-3 Branch Commander's office.
Shff
Renn Hawk sat behind his desk, reviewing the personnel roster of G-3.
Unlike most senior officers' offices in the Navy, Hawk's had little in the way of decoration.
Only two things revealed the will of its master.
Behind the desk hung a massive plaque with five bold black characters carved upon it:
Justice of Slaughter.
On the opposite wall stretched a newly drawn chart of the Grand Line, marked in different colors to track the movements and territories of the various powers.
Tap—tap—
Hawk's fingers drummed against the roster.
His unit had now become a gathering of true elites.
There were more than a few worth grooming.
First was his most loyal subordinate Dane.
The boy's swordsmanship talent was exceptional, but what truly set him apart was his absolute loyalty.
With proper guidance, he could rise to an elite Vice Admiral, perhaps even a candidate for Admiral someday.
Then there was Zoro.
Hawk's gaze paused on the name Roronoa Zoro.
As the future right-hand man of the Straw Hat crew, Zoro's ceiling was unquestionable Admiral-level strength.
Not to mention, in the Wano arc, he had already shown signs of possessing Conqueror's Haki.
Definitely someone worth investing in.
"Hm..."
Hawk's thoughts drifted back to their first real meeting the night before.
The way Zoro looked at him carried a mix of heat, curiosity, trust, and respect.
His only requests were that Hawk teach him Observation and Armament Haki, and arrange more opportunities to spar with the Navy's master swordsmen.
When Hawk offered to help him find two quality blades, Zoro refused.
Zoro explained that he had once believed more swords meant greater strength.
But after witnessing the power of Haki, he finally understood true strength came from within.
For now, one Wado Ichimonji was more than enough.
"Heh..."
The corners of Hawk's mouth curled.
It seemed the words he once spoke to Dane had found their way back to Zoro.
His eyes continued down the list.
Vinsmoke Sanji.
The other "wing of the king."
Sanji's potential was just as enormous.
At the very least, he could one day be Admiral candidate-level.
But Sanji's presence offered more than power.
For Hawk, he also meant a complete improvement in the G-3 Branch's food supply.
Everyone knew this was a world where only those who ate well grew strong.
And Sanji wasn't just any cook.
In the original tale, he had mastered Attack Cuisine, a style of cooking that could strengthen the body and rapidly restore stamina even to those injured or exhausted.
An invaluable asset.
So Hawk hadn't hesitated.
He appointed Sanji as the new Head Chef of G-3, responsible for the branch's nutritional balance.
This way, his soldiers would always have the strength and energy to endure hellish training.
Not just winning loyalty but a long-term investment in power.
"Mm..."
Hawk's eyes shifted from Sanji's name to another.
Smoker.
"Ah..."
Hawk rubbed his forehead.
A man reliant on his Devil Fruit, yet lacking in martial skill.
But what truly made Hawk want to sigh
"Smoker, not only is your close combat poor, your fruit usage is even worse!"
Turning into smoke, charging at enemies like a brawler, and swinging a jitte was that really all there was to his arsenal?
"Look me in the eye and tell me!" Hawk muttered in frustration.
"If you can't beat your enemy, why not weaken them with your smoke?!"
Ideas for developing the Smoke-Smoke Fruit immediately flashed through his mind.
Poison mist
Infuse the smoke with toxins that numb the nerves, slowing reactions in a battle of attrition.
Acid mist
Corrosive smoke that eats away at weapons and defenses.
Or the simplest, most brutal option:
Replace the air with dense smoke, robbing enemies of oxygen until they faint from suffocation.
Far more effective than charging in with that pathetic jitte.
Or better yet, fill the smoke with combustible dust.
Once the battlefield was covered in smoke, all it would take was a spark
BOOM—!
"Dust explosion!"
The image alone felt... like art.
"You're holding a royal flush," Hawk muttered, "and still manage to play it like garbage. A waste of talent."
He shook his head, then said coldly, "Smoker... looks like I'll have to push your training to the next level."
Just then Knock knock!
"Enter."
The door opened, and Hibari rushed in, breathless.
"Hawk-nii!"
She snapped to attention before his desk and saluted, speaking quickly:
"Urgent message from the lookout tower!"
"A pirate ship has been spotted southwest, approaching our branch at high speed!"
"Oh...?"
Hawk immediately rose, striding to the window and grabbing the military telescope at its side.
He adjusted the focus, his vision tightening in on the ship slicing across the waves.
"Hm..."
On its sail was a crossed-out smiley face.
The sight made Hawk's eyes narrow.
"The Donquixote Family's insignia...?"
His gaze dropped to the bow, where a blond man stood with arms folded, exuding arrogance.
"Bellamy, the Hyena?"
Bellamy, captain of the Bellamy Pirates and wielder of the Spring-Spring Fruit.
A man who idolized Donquixote Doflamingo, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
So, a mere vassal of Doflamingo had come to provoke him?
How amusing.
He turned to the anxious Hibari.
"Spread the word assemble the fleet. Prepare to fire."
"Show them what real power looks like."
"Yes, sir!"
Hibari dashed out, her footsteps echoing.
Moments later, alarms blared throughout the G-3 Branch.
WOOO—WOOO—WOOO!
Every Marine, whether eating, training, or resting, dropped everything at once.
They sprinted to their posts with explosive speed.
The entire base came alive like a war machine roaring into motion.
Step
Hawk walked out into the corridor, the murderous aura of the base rising around him.
He gazed down at the surging soldiers below and nodded in satisfaction.
Then, clenching his fist, he whispered:
"Justice of Slaughter isn't just words."
"Bellamy, since you love talking about your 'New Age'..."
"I'll use your blood to proclaim mine."
"Let Magic Valley Town be your grave."
—————————————————————————————————————————————————
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.