The sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the air.
Seeing Renn Hawk appear, Zoro instantly regained his confidence. He yanked free from Nami's grip and strode forward in large, eager steps until he stood before Hawk. With a sharp snap, he stood straight and saluted.
"Captain Hawk, mission complete! I've brought them back!"
Hawk gave a small nod of acknowledgment. "Good work."
Nami quickly followed, jogging over with flushed cheeks and ragged breath. When her eyes finally fell upon the man before her a figure even younger and more striking than the rumors claimed, yet emanating an aura as deep and unshakable as the sea her heart tightened.
She straightened her posture, took a deep breath, and saluted crisply. Her voice was hoarse from travel but filled with pride and relief, as though she had finally found her place.
"Reporting to Rear Admiral Hawk! Third-Class Seaman Nami of the East Blue 16th Branch, reporting for duty! Here are my identification documents!"
She presented a leather file with both hands.
Hawk accepted it calmly, opened it, and flipped through the pages. Everything was in order complete registration forms, recommendations, and even a personal letter from the colonel of the 16th Branch himself. The letter described Nami's background in detail and affirmed her resolve to join G-3.
As Hawk read, a faint smile crept onto his face.
He had once joked about letting that straw-hatted kid set sail hungry and alone. Now, that joke might actually be coming true.
First, he'd recruited the swordsman. Then, the cook. Now, even the navigator and the archaeologist had ended up in his ranks.
The Straw Hat crew was practically being dismantled piece by piece by him.
Hawk chuckled inwardly. "How amusing."
He looked up at the girl before him. Her vibrant orange hair shimmered under Alabasta's blazing sun, resembling living fire. Her amber eyes glimmered with anticipation and determination. Despite the long journey, her charm and energy radiated unmistakably.
Nami the brilliant navigator.
For a Navy that sought to dominate the seas, her talent was as valuable as a powerful Devil Fruit.
"Your paperwork checks out," Hawk said, his tone steady but reassuring. "Welcome to G-3, Seaman Nami."
Nami's face lit up as she saluted once more. The tension in her shoulders melted into pure joy. Then, remembering something, she quickly produced another envelope.
"Sir! During my reconnaissance in Alubarna, I obtained critical evidence on Baroque Works and their leader's plan to overthrow the Alabasta Kingdom!"
"Oh?" Hawk raised an eyebrow, accepting the report and scanning it briefly.
As expected of the future 'Cat Burglar' her talent for infiltration and information gathering was natural-born.
He already intended to uproot Baroque Works completely, but having these documents ahead of time would certainly make things more efficient.
He handed the folder to the young woman beside him. "Copy this and send it through Navy channels to King Cobra of Alabasta."
"Yes, sir," Hibari replied, saluting before heading off to carry out the order.
Turning back to Nami, Hawk nodded approvingly. "Excellent work, Nami. Once this operation concludes, your contributions will be formally recognized."
Nami's smile was radiant, her eyes curling into crescents.
Then Hawk's gaze shifted toward another figure Robin. His tone deepened. "Nico Robin… You're the one Zoro brought in, right?"
"Yes, sir!" Zoro stepped forward, chest puffed out with pride. His grin nearly split his face.
He had captured the Navy's top-priority target personally assigned by an Admiral, no less! Meanwhile, that curly-browed idiot cook was probably still out there punching small fry.
Surely this would earn him a promotion past Sanji!
Hawk nodded in approval at first… and then his tone sharpened.
"But tell me where's your unit?"
Zoro froze.
Hawk had seen it clearly: Nami had dragged him here by the ear. He'd assigned Tashigi to that same squad precisely so the team wouldn't lose formation yet somehow, this idiot still managed to get separated.
War wasn't a playground. No matter how strong one was, battles were won through discipline, coordination, and structure. Only then could individual strength merge into overwhelming force.
Zoro said nothing. He opened his mouth, then closed it again.
Hawk sighed inwardly. He could already guess the story. The swordsman had likely gotten carried away in battle, charged ahead, and lost everyone. Somehow, he'd convince himself it wasn't his fault.
"Enough," Hawk said finally. "I'll cut your credit in half this time. Take it as a lesson."
Zoro winced but nodded reluctantly.
Extending his Observation Haki, Hawk's awareness swept across the entire Alubarna region. Within moments, he located the lost swordsmen's squad still searching aimlessly for their captain.
He turned to Nami. "You have a new assignment."
Her eyes brightened immediately.
"Escort Zoro back to his team. Here's their position."
Then Hawk added with a faint smile, "From this moment, you have full command authority regarding navigation and direction."
Nami blinked. "...Sir?"
"If he refuses to follow your lead, you're authorized to use any necessary violent measures."
Nami's eyes lit up with delight. She saluted sharply. "Understood, sir! I'll make sure he remembers this lesson!"
She turned to Zoro with a devilish grin.
So you called me 'orange head,' huh?
Big mistake.
"Hey, moss-head, move it!"
"You violent woman! I don't need your help finding my way!"
"Shut it! You get lost just walking in a straight line!"
"I said I don't get lost!"
"Oh really? Hawk gave me permission to use necessary violence! Take this!"
A solid thud rang out, followed by Zoro's pained groan. The two disappeared around the dock corner, still bickering all the way.
Hawk watched them go, amusement flickering in his eyes. Only after they vanished did he turn toward Robin the woman who had remained silent through all the chaos.
She stood still, her expression calm, her presence quiet yet magnetic. Like a black tulip blooming in shadow elegant, mysterious, and tinged with loneliness.
Robin had been studying Hawk since she arrived.
He was unlike any commander she had ever met strong and cold, yet surprisingly lenient toward his subordinates, allowing both discipline and warmth to coexist.
Even the G-3 forces themselves were a paradox: ruthless in battle, yet brimming with life and human emotion.
Hawk's smile faded as his gaze deepened.
"Nico Robin," he said slowly, "let's talk."
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