The massive warship drifted slowly toward the shore, casting a colossal shadow across the ancient stone steps of the island.
Shandora.
The legendary City of Gold revealed itself in all its splendor.
Sunlight pierced the clouds above, falling onto streets and towers made entirely of pure gold. The city shimmered so brilliantly that it was almost painful to the eyes, as if the heavens themselves had forged a treasure meant to blind mortals with awe.
The marines who followed Renn Hawk down the gangplank froze at the sight.
"Gulp…"
They had faced pirates, monsters, the blood and fire of countless battles. They had seen desperate screams and oceans stained red. But never never had they seen something like this.
A city. Built entirely of gold.
How much was it worth? Tens of billions? Hundreds? An uncountable fortune beyond comprehension.
Smoker's cigar slipped from his mouth and fell to the golden floor with a faint clatter. His perpetually sour expression was wiped away, leaving him staring in blank, stupefied silence.
That bastard Hawk…!
So this had been his target from the start. The fabled Golden City of Shandora.
But how had he known it existed?
Smoker's gut twisted. Renn Hawk's ambition and foresight… they stretched far beyond anything he had imagined.
Nearby, Tashigi nicknamed "Peacock" by her peers gripped the hilt of her blade so tightly that her knuckles turned pale. As Vice Admiral Tsuru's granddaughter, she understood instantly what this sight meant.
This wasn't just treasure.
This was power.
With this wealth, navies could be armed, fleets could be built, and armies sustained. This was enough to change the very balance of the seas. With it, the Marines could even loosen the World Government's leash.
She finally understood why her grandmother valued Renn Hawk so highly. He had only just taken his first step beyond East Blue… and he had already unearthed this.
"Begin the transport," Renn Hawk's calm voice cut through the silence.
"Yes, sir!"
The spell broke. The marines surged forward, voices echoing across the golden streets. One after another, they began carrying out treasures: golden bells, towering pillars, heavy bricks, vessels, ornaments, and jewelry.
Clang… clang…
Each piece landed on the deck of the warship with a deep, resonant sound. The noise was heavy, yet strangely melodious, like a hymn composed in gold.
Hawk stood silently, watching the operation with an unreadable expression.
A single ship filled with treasure. Enough to fuel war. Enough to rewrite history. But Renn Hawk wasn't blinded by the glittering shine.
He knew too well what would happen if he tried to haul it all away at once. The World Government's spies especially CP were always watching. If such wealth suddenly poured into the Marines' coffers, suspicion would descend upon him like a vulture.
And Hawk wasn't ready to show all his cards. Not yet.
No he would take only what one warship could hold. Enough to shock the Navy headquarters, to prove to Sengoku and the Admirals that Shandora was real and that the Navy could indeed free itself from financial chains.
What happened afterward how to divide the treasure, how to conceal its origin that could be the headache of the higher-ups.
His job was simple.
Bring them the money. Put it on their desks. And say, Here. I've solved the problem. Now it's your move.
Hawk turned, his eyes landing on two figures approaching after finishing their duties in battle.
"Sanji. Zoro."
"Brother Hawk!"
Sanji and Zoro walked up side by side, though their expressions were as different as fire and ice.
Hawk looked first at Sanji, a flicker of approval in his gaze.
"You handled yourself well, Sanji," Hawk said. "Battles aren't won by fists alone. Staying calm, finding solutions, that too is strength."
"Yes, sir!" Sanji snapped to attention. His chest swelled with pride, and a smirk spread across his lips. He shot a sideways glance at Zoro, eyes brimming with playful provocation.
Did you hear that, mosshead?
Strategy. Tactics. That's what won the day. Not just swinging a sword like a brainless brute.
"And when we return to base," Hawk continued, "I'll personally sign your promotion. You're now a Headquarters Major, Sanji."
Sanji's heart leapt. His salute was crisp, though his voice trembled with excitement. "Yes, sir!"
A Headquarters Major. Higher than Zoro by a rank. He had done it!
Hawk nodded and turned to Zoro.
"Zoro, I'll approve your promotion as well. Headquarters Captain."
Zoro blinked, momentarily caught off guard. He clenched his jaw, exhaling slowly. It was lower than Sanji's, yes. But it was still recognition, still a leap forward from an ordinary soldier to a Captain of Headquarters.
It was an achievement worthy of pride.
"Understood," Zoro replied in his steady, low voice. Yet inside, his competitive fire burned. He had lost this time, tricked by that damned cook's so-called "tactics." But that didn't mean he'd accept it.
Just wait, curly-brow. You'll slip up eventually. And when you do… I'll be ready.
Hawk concealed a smile. Their rivalry was exactly what he wanted a healthy competition to push both of them higher.
Meanwhile, the soldiers worked tirelessly, loading treasure until the warship's hold overflowed. The vessel dipped slightly into the sea, weighed down by the wealth of an ancient civilization.
The marines were exhausted, sweat dripping down their brows, but their spirits soared. They knew Hawk wasn't the kind of man to hoard treasure for himself. No every coin would be reinvested, whether in Headquarters or the G-3 branch.
Better weapons. Double the wages. Better training grounds. And food Sanji's cooking would finally have every ingredient he could dream of.
Serving under Hawk was worth every drop of sweat.
The warship pulled away from Shandora, its golden cargo glittering even beneath the clouds.
Beside Hawk, the young girl Skylark tugged his sleeve with curiosity.
"Brother Hawk, aren't we going straight back to base?"
He ruffled her hair gently. "We came all this way. We can't leave without some souvenirs. Sky Island shells are precious things."
Skylark's eyes widened with delight, already thinking about the strange treasures she'd bring home.
…
At that same moment, far away in the New World.
G-5 Branch.
One of the Marine's few strongholds in those lawless seas and by far the most notorious.
In the commander's office, Vice Admiral Vergo sat behind his desk, fingers tapping rhythmically on the wood. A half-eaten meat pie clung to his cheek, a ridiculous image at odds with the cold sharpness hidden behind his sunglasses.
He flipped through the latest personnel file sent from Headquarters.
"Doffy asked me to find out who dared to provoke him in Paradise…"
Vergo's fingers stopped on a single name.
Renn Hawk.
Former Lieutenant Colonel of East Blue's 16th branch. Recently promoted directly to Headquarters Rear Admiral. Current commander of G-3.
"…Hm?"
Vergo frowned. The only new branch leader in Paradise was this man.
Could it be that the one who had challenged Doflamingo was none other than Rear Admiral Hawk?
A chill ran down his spine. He recalled the rumors whispered through the upper ranks of the Marines: Cross Hawk, and the whole of Headquarters trembles.
No… it couldn't be.
Or could it?
Vergo's gut twisted. For the first time in years, unease tugged at him.
This time… Doflamingo may have kicked an iron wall.
"No… this is bad."
He stood abruptly, meat pie falling forgotten to the floor.
"We must notify Doflamingo immediately!"
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