Paradise, G-3 Branch.
"Hey!"
"Ha!"
The roars of thousands of Marines shook the training grounds like rolling thunder, echoing across the morning air. Sweat had already drenched their uniforms, yet not a single movement faltered.
To keep pace with Rear Admiral Renn Hawk, to purge all pirates across Paradise, there was no other choice but to become stronger. Stronger, and stronger still.
Just then
"Report!"
From the watchtower, the lookout Marine bellowed with all his might.
"On the horizon, a massive warship under our flag has been sighted! It's… it's Rear Admiral Hawk's flagship, returning to port!"
"!"
Every soldier's movement froze for an instant. And then uncontainable joy exploded among them.
He was back. Rear Admiral Hawk had returned.
At the front of the formation, Acting Branch Commander Dane drew in a deep breath. He spun on his heel, his voice booming across the grounds with commanding force.
"All hands, assemble!"
"Move to the docks!"
"Welcome the Rear Admiral home!"
"Yes, sir!"
In less than fifteen seconds, thousands of Marines had reorganized into perfect ranks. Like a tidal wave of white and grey uniforms, they surged toward the docks, unified in purpose and voice.
"Whrrr "
The sunlight dimmed as a massive shadow fell over the port. Hawk's great warship slid gracefully into the harbor, its colossal hull blotting out half the sky.
At the prow stood Renn Hawk himself, cloak snapping in the sea breeze like a banner of authority. Behind him were Zoro, Sanji, Smoker, Tashigi, Hibari, and Kujaku, each radiating a sharper, heavier aura than before. Their presence alone was enough to silence the docks.
Dane strode forward quickly, halting at the foot of the gangplank. He saluted with rigid precision.
"Rear Admiral Hawk!"
"Acting Branch Commander Dane, with the officers and soldiers of G-3, welcomes you home!"
"You've done well, Dane."
Hawk's tone was steady as he descended the gangplank. His eyes swept across the assembled ranks, catching every gaze filled with loyalty and burning fervor.
With calm precision, he let his Observation Haki spill outward like a silvery tide, spreading across every corner of the base. Every heartbeat, every trace of emotion fed back into his awareness.
Good. No abnormalities.
G-3 was his fortress, his ironclad domain. The World Government's spies would never find purchase here. Storing the gold here and bringing Sengoku personally was, without question, the wisest decision.
His voice carried weight as he spoke again.
"Dane, pass down the order. All cargo from the warship's holds is to be moved to Secret Warehouse No. 1 immediately. And inform the branch to prepare the highest level of reception."
Hawk paused, his gaze narrowing slightly. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku will be here soon."
"Yes, sir!"
...
The massive cargo hold doors groaned open. Marines rushed forward to begin unloading, but the moment the interior was revealed, their steps faltered as though their boots had turned to stone.
Gold.
Blinding, dazzling gold.
Piles upon piles of golden artifacts filled the cavernous hold, stacked like miniature mountains, cramming every inch of space.
"I…"
Eyes widened, jaws dropped, and minds went blank. It was as though an ocean of sunlight had been trapped inside the ship.
One Marine turned stiffly to his comrade the one who had just returned with Hawk. His eyes screamed silently:
Brother! My dearest bunkmate, what is this?!
The returning soldier smirked, lifting his brow with pride.
What do you think it is?
All this gold! What in the world happened out there?!
"Oh, the gold?" The Marine's grin stretched ear to ear, smugness oozing from every word.
He tried to act casual. "You're getting worked up over a few trinkets? You've got to learn composure, brother. Be calm, no matter fortune or loss."
He had completely forgotten that back on Skypiea, his own jaw had practically hit the golden pavement and refused to close.
"Hawk steered us up a Knock Up Stream," the Marine said, as if recounting a lazy stroll. "Along the way, he casually killed a guy calling himself a god Logia powers and all. After that, he took control of an entire sky island. Then, wouldn't you know it, we stumbled on a golden city. So, we just brought back a little something."
He spread his arms, gesturing to the mountain of treasure. "That's all there is to it."
"…"
The Marine left behind in G-3 stared at him, face frozen. His mind echoed with the same words on repeat:
A full cargo hold… A full cargo hold… And you call this a little something?!
And that tone! So casual, so dismissive. If he had gone to Skypiea himself, he'd be the one bragging like this!
Grinding his teeth, the Marine hissed through clenched jaws. "You bastard… quit acting high and mighty! Don't forget who covered for you when you nearly pissed yourself on guard duty!"
"Shhh!"
The returning soldier paled, lunging to clamp his hand over his friend's mouth. "Alright, alright! I was wrong, don't spill that here!"
But it was too late. Every Marine nearby had caught the explosive words.
"What?! Rear Admiral Hawk defeated a Logia user?!"
"Skypiea? The legendary sky island really exists?!"
"And all this gold… this is just a fraction?!"
Shockwaves rippled through the soldiers' ranks.
One quick-thinking Marine glanced at his own hands, then back at the golden piles. His eyes began to glitter, and his breathing quickened.
Gold. So much gold.
And if Hawk was the one who brought it back…
That meant only one thing.
Bonuses.
Better rations.
New gear.
His shout broke the trance. "What are you waiting for? Move it! Do you think the Rear Admiral would ever shortchange us?!"
"!"
"Yeah! Move it!"
"Work, work, work!"
The port erupted in energy, the clang of metal ringing as crates of gold were hauled to Warehouse No. 1. By the time the last load was stacked inside, the air was buzzing with feverish excitement.
Then
"Whrrr "
A new vibration rolled across the waves. A colossal warship cut through the sea, dwarfing all others. Its hull gleamed like a fortress on water, and at its mast flew the banner of the Navy's highest authority.
"Inform Rear Admiral Hawk immediately! The Fleet Admiral has arrived!"
...
At the dock, Hawk stood at the forefront, his trusted core officers Hibari, Kujaku, Smoker, Tashigi, Zoro, and Sanji arrayed behind him. Their eyes were locked on the approaching titan of a ship.
"Clank "
The gangplank lowered.
A towering figure appeared at its peak, every stride radiating authority.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
He descended with booming laughter, his voice carrying over the crowd.
"Hahahahaha! Hawk, you rascal what you did in Mock Town caused one hell of a stir!"
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