"Submarine...?"
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Sengoku's voice was filled with confusion.
Inside his mind, an old, long-buried memory resurfaced.
Years ago, the Navy's chief scientist — Vegapunk — had once eagerly presented a small invention to the top brass: a submarine.
Sengoku still remembered it vividly — it was a strange-looking, iron capsule.
At the port of Marineford, it had slowly sunk beneath the surface... and just as slowly floated back up.
That project had been dismissed on the spot.
The reason was simple: for the Navy's massive war machinery, such a thing was practically useless.
Why would this kid Hawke suddenly bring it up now?
Sengoku explained in a deep voice, "Hawke, Vegapunk already tried the idea of a submarine long ago…"
"It's too small to carry heavy artillery."
"And because of the presence of Sea Kings, its speed underwater is even slower than a warship sailing on the surface."
"..."
"In short, it provides no actual enhancement to the Navy's combat strength."
Sengoku repeated the conclusion from back then. In his mind, this was already a settled matter.
"Fleet Admiral."
"Who said... the submarine is meant for combat?"
"Hm?"
Sengoku froze.
Not for combat?
If it's not for battle, how can it even be considered a weapon? What's the point of making one? A sightseeing boat?
"Fleet Admiral, what we need isn't a combat submarine."
"What we need... is a vessel that can dive ten thousand meters deep, excelling in stealth, transportation, and recovery — a deep-sea salvage vessel."
"Salvage?"
Sengoku was even more confused. "Salvage what?"
"Salvage…"
Hawke's voice was like the devil's whisper, filled with deadly temptation.
"Salvage… the true wealth of this sea."
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
"Think about it. Over the last eight hundred years, ever since the Void Century, how many once-glorious civilizations have sunk into the ocean's depths?"
"And how many legendary pirates, who once ruled the seas, perished in battles, their ships sinking along with a lifetime's worth of plundered treasure, forgotten in the unknown depths of the deep sea?"
"And these massive treasures…!"
"They're quietly waiting — for the Navy — to claim them."
Hawke had already laid out a grand strategy, one so vast it could shake the foundations of the world itself. At this moment, he was finally revealing a critical piece of his plan to Sengoku.
In the grand blueprint he envisioned for the Navy's future, there were two paths to solve its financial problems.
The first path was "physical persuasion."
Gild Tesoro, the Golden Emperor.
Turning his massive golden empire from a parasitic tumor draining the world into the Navy's private treasury, making it serve the cause of Justice.
The second path was the one he was proposing right now — a plan that only the Navy could execute:
The Grand Deep-Sea Salvage Project!
Why was this plan exclusive to the Navy?
First, because of Dr. Vegapunk.
The Navy needed Vegapunk's assistance to develop the super-salvage vessel.
This genius scientist, hailed as five hundred years ahead of human intellect, worked for the World Government, but at his core, he was a kind-hearted man.
His lifelong dream was to create a world without war, where energy could be shared by all.
The only reason Hawke hadn't brought up this plan earlier was simple…
The Navy had been barely scraping by financially. Finding the funds to bankroll Vegapunk's research was impossible.
But now, things had changed!
Fleet Admiral Sengoku had just returned from the Holy Land — bringing back one hundred billion Belly!
This colossal sum could serve as the perfect bargaining chip to persuade Vegapunk!
As long as the doctor agreed to collaborate with the Navy and help develop a super-salvage vessel, the returns would be hundreds, even thousands of times greater than this initial investment!
Moreover, Vegapunk was an old friend of Admiral Kizaru.
If Admiral Kizaru personally extended the invitation, would Vegapunk have any reason to refuse?
Absolutely not.
Secondly, the Navy was the undisputed overlord of these seas!
It possessed unparalleled organizational strength and a global network unlike any other.
Navy branches were scattered across all four seas and the Grand Line like pieces on a chessboard.
Once the top brass unified their vision, with a single command, a world-spanning "undersea treasure-hunting" operation could begin instantly!
The Navy would gain an endless stream of wealth!
Finally, Hawke's other plan — bringing the Golden Emperor under control — tied everything together.
By having Tesoro manage and process the recovered treasures through legitimate commercial channels, the Navy could convert them into funds.
Returning wealth to the people. Improving livelihoods. Establishing a massive, self-sustaining economic system.
This — this was the true foundation for the Navy to stand tall, proudly, achieving complete financial independence!
"..."
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, silence fell.
For a long moment, there was nothing.
"Gulp…"
Then came the clear, strained sound of a difficult swallow.
As the Fleet Admiral who had spent decades crushed beneath the weight of the word "Belly", Sengoku's mind suddenly erupted with unprecedented calculation power.
In an instant, he understood Hawke's intent.
Feasible.
This plan was feasible!!!
"Hawke…"
When Sengoku's voice came again, there was an undeniable tremor to it.
"Tell me… your detailed proposal."
"Step one: Admiral Kizaru approaches Dr. Vegapunk with the Navy's sincerity and a research fund, inviting him to join our side."
"Tell him the Navy needs a super-submarine not for warfare, but solely for deep-sea exploration."
"One requirement: it must dive deep enough, recover enough, and possess the capability to evade Sea Kings."
"With Vegapunk's genius, and enough funding, this won't be difficult."
"Step two: once the submarine is developed and mass-produced, immediately equip every major branch."
"Using the Navy's vast global network, we'll conduct carpet-style deep-sea salvage operations."
"Fleet Admiral, just imagine it."
Hawke's voice carried an irresistible, grand narrative.
"The East Blue, West Blue, South Blue, North Blue… and Paradise!"
"Countless treasures, slumbering for centuries, will be awakened one by one!"
"If the Golden City marks the beginning of a great transformation…"
"Then this 'Deep-Sea Salvage Project' will be the Navy's declaration of independence from the World Government's financial chains — a trumpet blast of freedom against the Celestial Dragons!"
"When the first troves of wealth are brought up from the ocean floor…"
"Everyone on this sea… will have to obey the Navy's will!!!"