"Big brother…"
"You're not going to eat it?"
All eyes turned to Hawk, seated in the captain's chair.
This was the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.
Among Logia-type Devil Fruits, it ranked among the top.
And yet, Hawk did not intend to consume it.
He leaned back on the sofa, a faint smile curling on his lips as he shook his head.
After witnessing and feeling what it meant to possess a true admiral's physique, he understood deeply the chasm separating a vice admiral from an admiral. It appeared to be only a step, but in reality, it was an abyss.
And an admiral-level body, no matter how powerful, was still not the end.
Beyond the top level, lay the ceiling of the entire world.
Hawk had a premonition.
Once his body, martial arts, Haki Armament, Observation, Conqueror and fist techniques all reached the ceiling,
No Devil Fruit, no matter how extraordinary, would hold any meaning for him.
His body alone would be the ultimate weapon.
His fists alone would be the ultimate power.
This was the path he had chosen for himself: the purest, most tyrannical path.
Hawk's gaze swept across Zoro and Sanji.
"And you two?"
"Any thoughts?"
Zoro's brows furrowed tightly.
His hand instinctively brushed against the hilt of Wado Ichimonji at his waist, feeling the cold metal against his palm.
Consuming this fruit would undoubtedly skyrocket his power. Perhaps it would allow him to catch up to Hawk faster.
But… this was not the path he desired.
This was not the power of a swordsman.
It was a shortcut, a betrayal of swordsmanship itself.
He sought to carve a path with Wado Ichimonji, to become the world's greatest swordsman through skill and mastery alone.
He wished to remain a pure swordsman, standing behind Hawk, clearing every enemy that dared approach.
"No need, big brother."
Zoro lifted his head, eyes clear and resolute.
"My path lies only in swordsmanship."
Sanji exhaled a long smoke ring, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.
It was undeniably tempting power.
But what of it?
From the beginning, the only power he had ever desired was the Clear-Clear Fruit.
No other ability, no matter how mighty even a Logia-type held any appeal.
"Big brother, I'm not interested in this thing either."
Sanji shrugged casually, voice light.
Hawk nodded.
He respected their choice and admired their purity, the unshakable determination untainted by external temptation.
This was the mark of those capable of truly reaching the summit.
His gaze then shifted to the remaining two.
Hibari and Nami.
Nami instinctively waved her hands.
"No, no, no, Vice Admiral Hawk, I… I can't!"
Her heart raced.
She had only just joined the G-3 Branch and barely made a mark with minor contributions.
Colonel Zoro and Lieutenant Colonel Sanji, both highly accomplished, had refused.
What right did she have to accept this reward?
The debt was too heavy.
She could not bear it yet.
"…."
Silence fell over the captain's quarters again.
All eyes turned to the last person.
The girl's head hung low, her fair fingers nervously twisting together, knuckles nearly turning red.
She could feel everyone's gaze upon her.
Curiosity, encouragement, expectation.
To take it… or not to take it?
Her mind waged a battle of heaven and earth.
With Zoro and Sanji's rapid growth leaving her far behind, the sense of helplessness threatened to swallow her whole.
Hibari-sister, with her Whip-Whip Fruit, was powerful and gallant.
Beyond being "Admiral Akainu's daughter," what did she have?
In every battle, she was relegated to the back, performing minor sniper support tasks, watching others' silhouettes move forward.
She no longer wanted that.
She wanted to become stronger.
She wanted to stand proudly beside Hawk, to be his support rather than a protected, delicate "lady."
This fruit…
Could be her opportunity.
Could she really take it?
Did she truly deserve this power?
Her breath quickened, chest rising and falling violently.
She bit her lower lip hard, almost drawing blood.
Her clear eyes blazed with desire and struggle.
Hawk smiled softly.
Since Zoro, Sanji, and Nami had declined, the choice had become obvious.
As the discoverer of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, it made perfect sense for Hibari to claim it.
Hawk's mind was struck by a delightful thought.
A sniper with the Rumble-Rumble Fruit?
Fire a bullet, instantly materialize at the next sniping point, leaving the enemy unable to pin down her location.
Using electromagnetic principles, bullets could be accelerated to multiple times the speed of sound, firing as armor-piercing rounds rivaling a railgun.
She could even channel lightning into bullets, triggering chain lightning upon impact.
Hibari could become a mobile artillery platform for long-range battlefield support.
"Of course…"
A mischievous smirk curled Hawk's lips.
If her father, Admiral Akainu, ever learned that Hibari had eaten the Rumble-Rumble Fruit…
It would be entertaining.
Hawk could imagine the scene perfectly.
Akainu would be torn between wanting to express gratitude and preserving his dignity.
He might mutter grudging praise: "Hmph! Not bad, kid."
Then silently drag ten boxes of Admiral-exclusive Marine cigars from under his desk, slamming them down.
"Hawk, you don't know, I've quit smoking recently!"
"All my shares are yours now!"
Would he even run to Kizaru or Kuzan when his cravings struck?
"Borsalino, old friend, bring me some Admiral's special cigars!"
Just imagining it brought a wry smile to Hawk's face.
Hawk's voice drew the girl from her internal struggle.
He picked up the Rumble-Rumble Fruit from the wooden box and tossed it casually.
The golden fruit traced a graceful arc through the air, landing squarely in Hibari's lap.
Flustered, she caught it and looked up, stunned.
"The Rumble-Rumble Fruit is yours."
"Do your best!"
"…."
Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, like a perfectly ripened apple.
She could feel the warm, encouraging gazes from everyone.
A surge of warmth flooded her chest, washing away all self-doubt and hesitation.
She straightened her posture abruptly, feet together, and rendered a flawless military salute.
Her voice, once a timid whisper, now rang strong and commanding.
Outside, the massive steel fleet slowly decelerated.
Ahead, on the dead-calm, windless sea, the colossal prison loomed, encircled by chains and turrets, resting ominously in the water.
No sound, no light.
Only an overwhelming aura of despair and madness pressed upon them.
The world's most notorious prison.
For the readers of this fanfic, a note: Hibari has officially been established as the first female lead. The romantic subplot will unfold after the summit battle.