Cocoyasi Village.
Golden sunlight spilled across rolling groves of orange trees.
Plump oranges hung heavy on the branches like glowing lanterns, filling the air with a fresh, sweet fragrance.
"Heave ho!"
"Hahaha, this year's oranges are incredible! Big and sweet!"
Villagers moved through the groves, busy harvesting, carrying, and packing the fruit.
"Careful, don't bruise them!"
"These are for Mr. Hawk!"
Nojiko stood to the side with her hands on her hips, directing everyone. Her sun-bronzed skin gleamed in the light, and her face was lit with an unrestrained smile.
She glanced down at the newspaper in her hands, already worn thin from being read again and again, her heart surging with emotion.
The man who had freed Cocoyasi Village from Arlong's tyranny.
The man who back then was only a branch base lieutenant colonel.
Renn Hawk.
Now, he was a Navy Admiral.
The news was like the sweetest orange juice, soaking into the hearts of every villager in Cocoyasi.
Nojiko's gaze shifted to a small corner of the paper.
There, in modest print, was a single line.
Special Talent Nami, promoted to Navy Headquarters Major for her exceptional navigation and intelligence-gathering abilities, assigned to the Naval Cartography Division.
Major at Headquarters.
Nojiko's fingers trembled slightly as she held the paper.
She lifted her head and looked at the vast, cloudless blue sky, her eyes quietly filling with tears.
"Bell-mère…"
Her voice was barely a whisper.
"Can you see this…"
"Nami is wearing the cloak of justice now."
The girl who had once carried everything alone to protect the village, walking through darkness without a choice.
The sister who had once struggled in despair.
Now she was no longer a thief stealing from pirates.
She was a Navy Headquarters major.
She could stand in the light and, with her own hands, draw the map of the entire world she had always dreamed of.
All of it came from that man.
Renn Hawk.
He had brought freedom and peace, and he had given Nami a future where her dreams could truly be fulfilled.
Gratitude surged through Nojiko's chest, heavy and overwhelming.
This debt was too great.
She took a deep breath, spun around, and shouted to the villagers in the groves.
"Everyone, pick up the pace!"
"Faster!"
"Pack more! Even more!"
"Let the Navy of justice taste them!"
"The oranges of Cocoyasi Village are the best in the world!"
…
A heavy solid-wood door now bore a brand-new emblem.
A blood-red eagle with wings spread wide, talons tearing through a black skull flag, radiating lethal intent.
Inside, the office was stark and severe.
No unnecessary decorations. Just a black sofa, a desk, and a massive plaque hanging on the wall.
Justice of Slaughter.
Though Hawk would soon be stationed long-term at G-5 in the New World, as the Navy's highest combat power, Marineford still reserved a private office for him.
Hawk leaned back in his chair, eyes half-closed, a freshly lit cigar held between his fingers.
Smoke curled through the air, softening the sharp lines of his face.
His mind raced as he organized his future plans.
In one week, he would lead his fleet into the New World and formally take command of G-5.
After the crucible of the Summit War, his forces needed a brief period of rest and reorganization.
This deployment would see Dane, previously stationed at G-3, rejoin his command.
Smoker and Tashigi, stationed in Alabasta, would also rendezvous with him at Headquarters.
Their vacant posts would be filled by personnel dispatched from HQ.
His massive naval fleet would undergo a full overhaul, maintenance, and weapons upgrade.
Hawk exhaled a slow ring of smoke and smiled faintly.
Thanks to the overwhelming victory of the war, his officers had received collective promotions.
Zoro, Sanji, Hibari, and Dane were all promoted to Navy Headquarters Rear Admirals.
They were now the brightest rising stars of the new generation, only time and achievements away from becoming fully independent Vice Admirals.
Hina, Smoker, and Kujaku were promoted to Commodores.
As for Nami and Robin, they had been reassigned out of his direct combat roster.
Nami, with her unparalleled navigation talent, entered the Naval Cartography Division.
Robin became the head of the Navy's Poneglyph and historical text research department.
Both divisions nominally fell under the Naval Staff, led personally by Staff Officer Tsuru.
Although Tsuru had stepped down from her Vice Admiral rank and moved to the second line, she retained her position as Chief of Staff.
After all, among the old guard of the Navy now…
Sengoku enjoying his unrestrained retirement, Garp itching for action, and Zephyr waiting eagerly for a Devil Fruit were all terrifying in their own ways.
But when it came to managing the Navy itself, Tsuru was still unmatched.
As for the Navy's broader situation…
Fleet Admiral Sakazuki held the fort at Headquarters, standing in distant opposition to the Holy Land.
Admiral Kizaru remained the ultimate support specialist.
Wherever he was needed, he appeared.
Hawk had already issued orders for Zoro and Sanji's special training.
Once the mission at Sleepy Ancient Town was complete, he would personally guide them.
It was a promise he had made, and it would be honored.
The Four Blues were entrusted to Kuzan.
He would personally lead a sweeping campaign to eradicate piracy at its roots.
Suddenly, a soft knock sounded.
Hawk's thoughts were interrupted.
The office door opened, and Zoro and Sanji walked in one after the other.
They stopped in front of the desk, raised their right arms in perfect unison, and saluted.
"Boss!"
Hawk nodded.
"Sit."
He gestured toward the sofa.
Zoro and Sanji relaxed and took their seats.
Hawk stubbed out his cigar in the ashtray, his gaze moving calmly over the two of them.
"I called you here because this concerns your own futures."
"There's something we need to talk about."