"Thud——"
Kuma gently put down the book in his hand and looked at Kizaru, his face carrying a soft, calm smile.
"Borsalino, are you here to see me?"
"Indeed… it's almost time, you know…"
"..."
Kizaru stared at Kuma, who sat quietly on a metallic chair.
In his mind, fragments of long-forgotten memories resurfaced.
Back then… everyone sat together, sharing steaming-hot pizza, dancing to some meaningless, ridiculous choreography.
He still didn't understand what that dance was supposed to mean, even now.
But those days… were undoubtedly the happiest moments of his life, apart from receiving his salary and bonuses on time.
"Save Kuma."
That single thought firmly surfaced in Kizaru's heart.
The Pacifista Project was nothing more than a weapon forged by the World Government to consolidate its decaying rule.
Now, the Marines were planning to win over the creator of this project — Vegapunk.
In that case…
Wouldn't preserving Kuma's consciousness in its entirety be an easy task along the way?
And given Kuma's kind nature, he would surely repay the Marines one day.
This deal… was a guaranteed profit.
He would report this matter to Fleet Admiral Sengoku later.
But for now…
Kizaru pulled himself out of his tangled thoughts and walked over to Vegapunk.
"Come with me. There's something… we need to have a serious talk about."
"It's urgent."
"Hm?"
"…Alright."
Vegapunk nodded slightly and put down the tools in his hand.
Kizaru led him out of the main laboratory.
The two walked through a long, futuristic corridor filled with high-tech equipment, until they reached an isolated, soundproof observation room.
This was the safest, cleanest place on the entire island — Kizaru had just confirmed it using Observation Haki.
"Borsalino, what on earth is going on?"
"..."
Kizaru didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he turned around and stared through the massive one-way glass, overlooking the mechanical city below.
After a long silence…
He finally spoke in a low, deep voice.
"Vegapunk… my old friend…"
"Do you… want to save Kuma?"
"!!!"
Vegapunk's pupils instantly shrank to the size of a needle tip.
His entire body stiffened in place.
Save Kuma?
How could he not want to?
But he was just a scientist… a tool firmly chained in the hands of the World Government.
He traded his genius for funding, and in turn, the World Government used that genius to create weapons of slaughter.
It was always a deal with the devil.
And Kuma's self-awareness… was the tragic price demanded in this exchange.
"Borsalino! You…"
"This is part of Kuma's deal with the World Government! It can't be changed!"
"Deal?"
Kizaru turned around, and for the first time, those perpetually lazy eyes of his glimmered with unprecedented sharpness.
"Vegapunk… do you really think…"
"I still represent a Marine who blindly obeys the World Government?"
"…What do you mean?"
"..."
"The Marines… no longer need to bow to the World Government."
Kizaru stepped closer to Vegapunk, bending slightly so that their eyes were on the same level.
"The Marines want to invite you."
"But not as a subordinate of the World Government."
"We invite you… on behalf of a brand-new force… a force that will soon dominate these seas as an independent power."
"Dr. Vegapunk… we want you to become the true Chief Scientist of the Marines."
"..."
"Don't make this difficult for me, old friend."
"You know… I happen to be somewhat skilled… in both fists and swordplay."
"…???"
"!!!"
...
Alabasta — Nanohana Port
"Vroooom——"
The engines of a colossal battleship roared deeply, churning white foam along the docks.
The G-3 Fleet was preparing to set sail once more.
King Cobra, accompanied by Princess Vivi and the royal guards, had come to see them off.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the young man wearing the cloak of Justice.
"Rear Admiral Hawke…"
Cobra stepped forward solemnly.
"Alabasta… will forever remember your kindness."
"From now on, should the Marines ever require anything… both I and my entire kingdom will spare no effort."
"Mn."
Hawke turned to the king, who had now bound the fate of his nation to that of the Marines, and nodded slightly.
He then glanced at Smoker and Hina beside him.
"I'm leaving this place in your hands."
"Tch—"
With two cigars dangling from his mouth, Smoker gave a vague grunt.
"Yeah, yeah. Got it. Quit nagging."
"Hina will ensure Alabasta remains perfectly safe."
With their farewells complete…
"Tap——"
Hawke turned and stepped onto the deck of the flagship.
The warship slowly departed the port, and the figures onshore grew smaller and smaller.
Standing at the bow, Hawke let the salty sea breeze wash over his face.
This journey to Alabasta… had yielded far more than expected.
First, he had successfully persuaded Nico Robin.
The "Devil Child," the sole survivor of Ohara, would become the cultural core of his grand plan — reshaping Marine ideology and spreading the true history of the world.
Power and ideology — both had to be grasped firmly. Neither could be neglected.
Then came the deal with King Cobra, creating a perfect "laundering" channel for the gold from Skypiea.
And finally…
"..."
Hawke's gaze shifted to his system interface.
A string of numbers shone brilliantly.
[Current Remaining Justice Points: 102,168]
One hundred thousand points.
For the first time since transmigrating, his Justice Points had exceeded the six-figure mark.
This was enough to elevate one of his abilities to the Top-Tier of this world.
Hawke's mind raced with possibilities.
Armament Haki, Observation Haki, Martial Arts: Fist, Physique — all four were currently at Advanced level, equivalent to a Headquarters Vice Admiral.
Any one of them could be upgraded.
"If I raise Armament Haki to Top-Tier… I'd be able to shatter most pirates' defenses with a single punch, just like Instructor Zephyr."
"If I upgrade Observation Haki to Top-Tier… I could briefly glimpse into the future, like Katakuri, gaining the upper hand in battle."
"If I push my martial arts — Fist — to Top-Tier… my techniques would become sharper, more precise, and even more destructive."
Hawke's eyes scanned between the three options… but eventually, his focus locked onto the last one.
Physique.
"Akainu… Aokiji… Kizaru… Kaido… Big Mom… Whitebeard…"
One by one, the names of the world's monsters flashed through his mind.
What was their most fundamental commonality?
It was… their monstrous physiques!
Physique was the foundation of everything.
It was the vessel that carried Haki and strength alike.
If the vessel wasn't big enough or sturdy enough, even the most supreme power couldn't be fully unleashed.
Besides… on these seas, without a physique on par with monsters… how could one even dream of standing at the top?
"Then… it's decided."
Hawke's gaze hardened with resolve.
"System — upgrade Physique to Top-Tier!"
[Ding. 100,000 Justice Points consumed.]
[Physique upgraded to Top-Tier (Headquarters Admiral Level).]
The moment the command was given—
Hawke could clearly feel every single muscle fiber in his body being torn apart… only to regenerate instantly.
The newly-formed muscles brimmed with explosive power, as though ancient titans were awakening within his body.
Blood surged through his veins like raging torrents, no longer whispering gently but roaring thunderously!
A sense of fullness and raw power coursed through every cell of his body.
He slowly raised his hand and clenched his fist.
"Crack——!"
Hawke felt it — even that simple motion distorted the air faintly around his knuckles.
This… was the physique of an Admiral!
This… was the power that allowed him to stand on equal footing with the world's greatest monsters!
[Rayne Hawke]
[Marine G-3 Branch Commander, Headquarters Rear Admiral]
[Observation Haki: Advanced (Headquarters Vice Admiral Level)]
[Armament Haki: Advanced (Headquarters Vice Admiral Level)]
[Physique: Top-Tier (Headquarters Admiral Level)]
[Martial Arts: Fist — Advanced (Headquarters Vice Admiral Level)]
[Conqueror's Haki: Advanced]
[Remaining Justice Points: 2,168]
[Remaining Survival Days: 3,650]
"Huff—"
Hawke let out a long, deep breath.
Then his gaze shifted to the distant horizon.
"Pass down the order."
"Full fleet, set course—"
"Devil's Triangle!"