Marineford no longer showed any trace of war.
The ground had been washed clean, spotless and smooth.
Aside from the faint smell of blood lingering in the air, it was as if nothing had ever happened.
A beam of golden light descended from the sky and landed in the center of the plaza.
Kizaru's figure slowly took shape. His hands rested casually in his pockets, and there was a hint of regret on his aged face.
"Support mission canceled. What a shame, huh."
He had thought he would make it to the excitement in the New World, maybe even earn a little extra on the side. Instead, he had been recalled halfway.
Kizaru strolled into the Headquarters building, pulling out his task list as he walked.
Flipping through it with practiced ease, he drew out one sheet, studied it for a moment, then placed it neatly on top.
"Oh my. A mission with both Instructor Zephyr and Fleet Admiral Sengoku raising the price."
The corners of his mouth curled upward, his eyes narrowing behind the lenses.
"If you pay more, of course you get faster service."
The task order clearly displayed a single line of text.
Sleepy Ancient Town. Bat Devil Fruit. Mythical Zoan. Vampire Form.
Satisfied, Kizaru tucked the task list away and headed for the conference room.
Soon after, a low hum echoed across the sea.
Led by the dog-headed warship, a massive fleet slowly entered the harbor, waves rising and falling in its wake.
Garp strode off the ship and casually tossed the unconscious Luffy, slung over his shoulder, toward the medical team.
"Take him away. Watch him carefully."
"Yes, Vice Admiral Garp!"
The medics hurriedly lifted Luffy onto a stretcher and rushed off.
Garp walked silently beside Tsuru as they entered the deep corridor of Headquarters.
This high-level Navy meeting would determine the future of the Navy, and perhaps the entire world.
Navy Headquarters. High Command Conference Room.
At the long table, the Navy's highest combat power was gathered.
Sengoku, Garp, Tsuru, Zephyr, Akainu, Aokiji, Kizaru, and Renn Hawk.
"Everyone."
Sengoku swept his gaze across the room, his voice steady and direct.
"I have decided to step down as Fleet Admiral."
"As for the next Fleet Admiral, what are your thoughts?"
Silence fell.
Garp, Zephyr, and Tsuru exchanged calm glances.
They were the pillars of the Navy's old era, veterans who had seen countless storms and helped bury two Emperors of the Sea.
But they knew their time had passed.
The future of the Navy belonged to the younger generation, sharper in presence and fiercer in gaze.
The three Admirals reacted very differently.
"I abstain."
Kizaru raised his hand at light speed, his expression more serious than ever.
Images of endless paperwork and never-ending reports from his time as acting Fleet Admiral flashed through his mind.
Being Fleet Admiral was scarier than fighting two Emperors at once.
"Well…"
"I abstain too."
Aokiji shrugged, looking indifferent.
The Navy's current direction was iron-red and ruthless, shaped by slaughter and talons.
It was not a path suited for him.
Akainu remained silent, his stern face unreadable.
He no longer clung to the title of Fleet Admiral as he once had.
The Navy's future was clear.
Purge the pirates. Rebuild order. And eventually, turn the guns toward the parasites squatting in the Holy Land.
Still, when it came to commanding the entire force…
Akainu slowly shifted his gaze to Hawk.
"Hawk. What do you think?"
In an instant, every eye in the room focused on him.
Sengoku's gaze was filled with approval and expectation.
"Hawk, your strength already stands at the pinnacle of this sea."
"Your command in this war was flawless."
"The officers and soldiers all trust you from the heart."
"There is no need to hesitate. Follow your own will."
Renn Hawk met everyone's gaze.
To stand at the peak of power and become the leader of the Navy.
But that also meant endless paperwork, tedious meetings, and being firmly tied to Marineford.
If the evils of the sea were cleansed, and someone was needed to build a new order and ideology for the Navy and the world, he would not mind sitting in that seat.
But not now.
Evil still festered across the seas.
His sense of justice still needed vast amounts of fuel.
And he did not want to be locked down yet.
His thoughts drifted back to the East Blue.
At his most difficult moment, it had been Admiral Akainu who stood firmly behind him, even using his authority to promote him beyond standard limits.
That debt, Hawk had never forgotten.
He rose slowly, straightened his back, and gave a crisp salute to everyone present.
"I recommend that Admiral Akainu take the position of the next Fleet Admiral."
The atmosphere in the room shifted once again.
A flicker of understanding passed through Kizaru's eyes. Just as expected.
Aokiji smiled faintly and closed his eyes, as if he had already known.
Garp grinned. This brat…
"Hawk…"
Akainu was momentarily stunned.
He had not expected Hawk to push the position onto him.
Sengoku took in everyone's reactions and nodded.
"In that case…"
He made the final decision.
"Sakazuki will assume the role of Fleet Admiral."
No one objected.
The result was accepted without dispute.
Akainu rose, solemn and composed, and saluted Sengoku and the others.
"With Sakazuki becoming Fleet Admiral, the Admiral position is now vacant."
Sengoku turned to Hawk, excitement evident in his voice.
"Hawk."
"From today onward, you are officially promoted to Admiral of Navy Headquarters."
"Your code name will be the one already resounding across the seas."
"Blood Hawk."
Hawk stood again and returned the salute, his voice firm and powerful.
He had no desire to become Fleet Admiral for now, but the position of Admiral suited him perfectly.
As an Admiral, he had the authority to invoke a Buster Call and the freedom to command massive fleets.
He could remain on the front lines, hunting pirates, trading enemy blood and screams for justice.
"Well then."
Sengoku smiled, stretching lazily.
"It's time for this old man to find a place to retire."
"G-3 Branch has just been expanded. Plenty of space. I'll go there."
His tone shifted, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"Vegapunk just sent word that the World Government's Holy Knights are preparing to inspect G-3."
"I'll collect a bit of interest for all these years of swallowing my anger."
"What?"
Garp's eyes lit up immediately.
"The World Government? The Holy Knights?"
"Sengoku, count me in!"
"I'll go too. I can help Zephyr drill the new recruits."
"And while I'm at it, I'll see what it feels like to punch a Celestial Dragon."
Garp cracked his knuckles, sharp pops echoing.
He turned to Tsuru with a wide grin.
"What about you, Tsuru?"
Tsuru lifted her teacup and took a small sip, shaking her head helplessly.
"If all you old monsters are going to G-3, then I'll go as well."
"Headquarters will be left to Sakazuki and the others."
The decisions were finalized.
Sakazuki became Fleet Admiral.
Renn Hawk was promoted to Admiral, code name Blood Hawk.
Sengoku, Garp, and Tsuru stepped back to take charge of G-3 Branch, safeguarding the Navy's independence and future.
A new Navy leadership was born, one powerful enough to make the world tremble.
That night, Marineford.
A streak of golden light silently cut across the sky, vanishing toward Sleepy Ancient Town.
A massive fleet of giant warships stood ready to depart.
Sengoku, Garp, Tsuru, and Zephyr, four living legends of the Navy, would sail with it to G-3 Branch.
They would replace the five hawkish Vice Admirals and Rear Admiral Dain stationed there.
Fleet Admiral's Office.
Knock. Knock.
Hawk tapped on the heavy door.
A deep, burning voice answered from inside.
Hawk pushed the door open.
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki. You wanted to see me?"