Smoker recounted everything that had happened at the G-3 branch in vivid detail.
From Zephyr-sensei's sparring session with Rayne Hawke to the night-long discussion about new training plans…
To being utterly shocked by the monstrous talents of those two brats, Zoro and Sanji.
Kuzan listened with great interest...
Among the top-tier recruits Smoker mentioned...
He had only personally met Dane, the Commodore stationed at G-3.
That young man was indeed calm, methodical, and handled the branch's affairs flawlessly — a rare talent among the Marines.
But above him, under Hawke's command, there were apparently two other "monsters"… so exceptional that even Zephyr-sensei himself couldn't stop laughing in delight.
Now that… was very interesting!
After all, Zephyr-sensei had personally trained nearly every high-ranking officer in Marine Headquarters.
For students to make him laugh so openly…
Just how extraordinary must their talents be?!
"..."
Kuzan couldn't shake off the growing feeling that within the Marines…
A brand-new, vibrant faction was quietly rising.
This faction had Hawke at its absolute core…
And around him, countless promising stars were beginning to gather.
"Hahaha—"
Kuzan's mood grew lighter and brighter.
The stronger the new generation became, the more secure the Marines' future would be.
"If Borsalino and Sakazuki find out about this..."
"They'll be thrilled too, I bet..."
A faintly amused smile curved across Kuzan's lips.
Sakazuki, that guy… no one wanted the Marines to wield overwhelming power against all evil more than he did.
The emergence of these "monsters" under Hawke's banner meant that his vision of "Absolute Justice" now had more heirs… and more enforcers.
As for Borsalino, that notorious slacker, seeing such capable juniors would only make him happier.
Because it would mean he'd have even more excuses to slack off.
Kuzan could already imagine his tone:
"Yo~ Just leave these scary rookies to handle everything~"
Suddenly…
Kuzan stopped in his tracks.
"Then… what about me…?"
His thoughts drifted back to Ohara… and the frozen heart he'd carried ever since.
His so-called "Lazy Justice"… was nothing more than self-deception.
A passive compromise born out of helplessness — helplessness in the face of the World Government's corruption, helplessness before the ugliness of the Celestial Dragons.
He had used laziness as a shell, forcefully sealing away that burning flame deep inside him — the flame called "Justice" — burying it beneath layers of frost.
And then… Hawke appeared.
This young man… he didn't choose. He didn't compromise.
He shattered every rule and every hidden chain in his way — directly, decisively.
And then, he created a new board.
A board… that belonged to the Marines alone.
Independent resources, absolute military strength, and an unshakable will free from anyone's control.
Wasn't this exactly what he, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Garp-san… and even Sakazuki himself had long dreamed of?
A future where tragedies like Ohara would never happen again.
Because the Marines would finally have the power to say "No"… to the World Government itself!
And perhaps, someday…
The Marines would replace the World Government entirely… and steer this chaotic sea toward a new order!
"Heh…"
A low chuckle escaped Kuzan's lips.
There was relief in that laughter — the kind that came after laying down a burden he'd carried for far too long.
From Headquarters to Skypiea… from Skypiea to G-3… and finally, from G-3 to Alabasta.
Everything he had seen and heard along the way… had finally untangled the knot in his heart.
The confusion that had haunted him for twenty years was shattered in this very moment.
The ice around his heart was beginning to melt, thawed by a blazing fire called "hope."
And that ice… was turning into steam — boiling, seething, brimming with a passion strong enough to shake the entire world.
"It's time…"
Kuzan's gaze grew sharp, clear, and resolute.
"…to let Justice… burn again!"
Whether it was the Yonko… or the World Government.
No matter who dared stand in the way of this path of Justice…
He would freeze them into eternal ice sculptures.
This… was Kuzan's "Justice Rekindled"!
"..."
Smoker glanced at Kuzan, startled by the sudden change in his aura, scratching his head in confusion.
What the hell was up with him…?
Just then— "Da-da-da—"
A group of people hurried toward them from the direction of the Nanohana Command Post.
Leading them was Hina, followed closely by King Cobra of Alabasta, dressed in royal attire and wearing a solemn expression.
"Admiral Aokiji!"
King Cobra strode quickly to Kuzan and bowed deeply.
"There's no need for such formality, King Cobra."
Kuzan waved a hand dismissively, cutting straight to the point.
He gestured behind him, toward the massive crates heavily guarded by Marine Headquarters' elite — each one tightly wrapped in thick canvas.
"These… are the gold reserves the Marines need to convert into military funding."
"More will be arriving continuously. How they're converted into the power the Marines need… will be entrusted to Your Majesty."
"..."
King Cobra's gaze fell upon the towering crates.
Even though he'd been mentally prepared for this, seeing this much gold — this many crates stacked high — still made his heart skip a beat.
And this was only the first shipment.
More… would follow.
The Marines were truly preparing to break free from the World Government's leash!
And Alabasta… would become the most crucial ally in this unprecedented transformation.
"Huuh—"
King Cobra drew in a deep breath, suppressing the swell of excitement within, before speaking in a steady, solemn tone:
"Please rest assured, Admiral Aokiji."
"Though Alabasta has suffered through endless wars, our foundation remains unshaken."
"Our nation has a population of over ten million, vast territories, and a deeply rooted tradition of commerce."
"I will immediately establish a Royal Chamber of Commerce under the crown's direct authority to procure the highest-grade stone, timber, and steel from around the world!"
He paused briefly before continuing.
"Furthermore, a portion of the gold will be crafted into exquisite works of art, which we will sell through underground auctions and noble channels, converting them into clean Belly."
"The kingdom's entire commercial network is already prepared. We will convert this gold into weapons, warships, and supplies for the Marines at the fastest possible speed!"
"Good. In that case, this will work out perfectly."
Kuzan nodded. "After discussing with Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Hawke, we've decided…"
"All funds converted through Alabasta will grant your nation one-tenth of the total as compensation, to be used for infrastructure and public welfare."
"???"
"!!!"
"One-tenth…? Impossible!"
King Cobra immediately rejected the offer without a moment's hesitation.
His face flushed with both agitation and shame, and his voice rose several pitches.
"Admiral Aokiji, you don't understand!"
"The Belly confiscated from Crocodile back then — Hawke-sama didn't take a single coin of it! He left it all to Alabasta!"
"The Marines saved Alabasta. It is only natural that Alabasta contributes back to the Marines!"
"How could we possibly accept such compensation?!"
"King Cobra…"
Kuzan's tone turned serious, each word measured and deliberate.
"We believe that a strong and prosperous Alabasta is itself the best possible testament to the Marines' new Justice."
"The Marines need a model nation — a living, breathing example that every allied country around the world can see for themselves."
"A poor, struggling Alabasta would only make them think that the Marines' new Justice is nothing but empty promises."
"But a rich and thriving Alabasta… will become the brightest banner of our new Marines — a beacon to draw in all who seek Justice!"
"Your Majesty."
Kuzan's voice deepened, ringing with conviction.
"The Marines will use this wealth to declare to the entire world—"
"Follow Justice… and Prosperity shall be yours!!!"