"..."
Hawke's words left Sengoku in silence.
Once again, he subconsciously weighed things back and forth.
To seize those who possessed rare Devil Fruits and lock them away in the sunless depths of the sea had indeed always been the strategy of the Marines, and even the World Government.
But what was the result?
Did this sea become peaceful?
No!
From the era of Rocks, to the era of Roger, and now to this Great Pirate Era set aflame by a single word from Roger.
The Rocks Pirates—truth be told, that lineup... was extravagant!
The fire of chaos has never stopped burning, not for a moment.
Impel Down's prisoners only grew in number, yet the pirates setting sail only multiplied further.
Since the old order has long rotted away, then let that boy Hawke, with his "Slaughter Justice"...
Forge a new order!!!
Kill!
Kill until every fool who dares hoist the skull-and-bones flag trembles in terror!
Kill until no one on this sea dares see the word "pirate" as glory ever again!
Sengoku had thought it through...
If they did not use thunderous methods to sever the rot, if they did not use blood-and-iron discipline to reforge the Marines' soul, how could they ever restore the authority of Justice?
The Marines' duty is to protect the people.
If you are starving because of the Celestial Dragons' "Heavenly Tribute," you may call upon the Marines for aid.
If you are struck by an overwhelming natural disaster or calamity, you may seek help from the Marines.
These—this future Marine force—will uphold.
But...
If you choose to raise that flag of plunder and crime, if you choose the identity of a "thief," raising your blade against the innocent...
Then be prepared to face the Marines' iron-blooded pursuit—chasing you down to the very ends of hell!
"Haa—"
Sengoku let out a long breath, as if exhaling the last trace of hesitation from his chest.
"Very well, Hawke."
His voice became resolute.
"In the name of Fleet Admiral of the Marines, I authorize all your actions within Impel Down!"
"I have only one request."
"Please speak, Fleet Admiral."
"Vergo... that traitor. Leave him for me."
Sengoku's voice was cold, stripped of any emotion.
"I want to personally bring Doflamingo before him...!"
"Understood."
Hawke agreed cleanly and without hesitation.
"Clack."
The Den Den Mushi closed its eyelids and sank into slumber.
"Tap—"
Hawke slowly rose to his feet and walked out of the captain's quarters. The sea breeze whipped the two great characters for "Justice" on his back until they snapped and fluttered.
He did not walk down the stairs. Instead, his toes tapped lightly on the deck.
"Boom!"
With a muffled sound, his figure shot into the sky, hovering steadily above the fleet.
Thousands of Marines working on deck instantly turned their eyes upward, locking onto Hawke's figure.
One by one, they set aside their work, straightened their bodies, and stood at solemn attention.
"Brothers!"
Hawke's voice rang clearly into every soldier's ears, like a mighty bronze bell.
"In the New World, the wind has risen!"
"The chance for the Marines to ride the waves and guide the entire era has appeared!"
"So, I apologize—our planned three days of rest are canceled!"
His words sparked no complaints. Instead, they made every soldier's breathing grow rapid and heated.
The wind had risen...
Another chance to earn merit following Rear Admiral Hawke... had arrived!!!
"We are bound for the world's greatest prison—Impel Down—for two months of hellish training!"
"When I lead you out of Impel Down!"
Hawke spread his arms wide, his voice suddenly booming like thunder rolling across the skies.
"I want... the entire world to hear the voice of G-3 Branch!"
"I want... the Yonko, the Shichibukai, every pirate to tremble at the words 'Marine'!"
"I want... the whole world to know!"
"That Justice has returned to this sea!"
"Do you have the resolve!?"
"Shua—"
At that same instant, thousands of soldiers straightened their chests!
They raised their right arms high and with every ounce of their strength, bellowed a roar that shook the heavens!
"For Justice, sworn till death!"
"For the Marines, life or death without regret!"
"For the Rear Admiral, our loyalty eternal!"
The tidal-wave roar fused into a visible wave of sound, scattering the clouds in the sky!
"Excellent."
Hawke nodded in satisfaction. "All ships—change course!"
"Target—the great underwater prison, Impel Down!"
"Vrrr—"
The colossal steel fleet carved an elegant arc across the sea's surface, racing full speed toward that legendary prison.
"Tap—"
Hawke's figure descended slowly back onto the flagship's deck.
"Zoro! Sanji!"
His voice rang out again.
"Here!"
Green and blond flashes appeared almost instantly before him, their postures as straight as lances.
Looking at these two subordinates, already showing the aura of true warriors, Hawke smiled faintly.
"Get ready."
"This time..."
"We're going to bathe Impel Down in blood!!!"
...
Egghead Island.
The main laboratory buzzed with the hum of machinery and the acrid stench of welding metal.
Massive mechanical arms moved precisely through the air, welding special alloy plates onto the keel of the first-generation "Deep-Sea Salvager."
Once Vegapunk's genius brain set into motion, his efficiency was astounding.
In just one week, the blueprint of the super-submarine had been completed, and the prototype's construction had entered a fever pitch.
"Clang—clang—"
Inside the main laboratory, a tall woman with wavy twin ponytails leaned lazily against the console, cheeks stuffed with potato chips.
"Desire" York.
York.
Vegapunk's No. 06 clone, embodiment of "Desire."
Her gaze swept across the complete submarine blueprint on the screen before her, the culmination of the main body's painstaking efforts.
Truly... a perfect design.
With this, the Marines could dredge from the deep sea treasures enough to overturn the World Government.
York extended her tongue to lick the potato chip crumbs off her fingers.
That senile fool of a main body actually believed the Marines' words...
Betrayed the World Government...
Utterly foolish.
She quietly pulled a miniature data storage device from her pocket. Her fingers danced across the console.
On-screen, a progress bar raced forward.
[Data Copy Complete.]
York slipped the device back into her pocket.
This world only needs one Vegapunk.
As long as she reported these blueprints—together with the intel on the main body's betrayal—to the Five Elders...
She, York, could replace that naïve main body and become the one and only Vegapunk!
No!
That alone wasn't enough!
What she wanted... was far more!
She would become a Celestial Dragon!
She would live in the Holy Land Mary Geoise, enjoy the finest food on earth, command countless slaves, squander endless riches, and wield supreme power!
Never again would she need to think. Never again would she need to work!
All she'd need was to satisfy her own desires!
That was the most perfect, ultimate form of life!
At this thought, York's body trembled with excitement.
She must find a chance to secretly contact the Five Elders.
This data device was her ticket to paradise!
Just as she drowned herself in limitless fantasies of that glorious future—
A lazy voice, dragging its vowels, suddenly rang out behind her.
"Yo~"
York's body froze.
She spun around sharply.
At the laboratory door leaned a figure in a yellow-striped suit, a lewd grin plastered across his face.
"Have you ever... been kicked at the speed of light?"