A killer in the navy? I’m just trying my best to survive Chapter 015

“……”

For a moment, the training ground was so quiet that a needle could be heard falling.

Dayne and the soldiers of the 16th Branch were completely stunned.

Wasn’t Admiral Akainu here to inspect Lieutenant Colonel Hawke?

Why did he suddenly change the subject and ask them to join his command instead?

What about Lieutenant Colonel Hawke?

In an instant, countless thoughts surged in the soldiers’ minds.

On one side, there was the personal recruitment by the highest combat power of Marine Headquarters, representing supreme glory and a promising future.

On the other side, there was Lieutenant Colonel Hawke, who led them out of their predicament, gave them dignity and strength, and was deeply respected and followed by them.

If Lieutenant Colonel Hawke didn’t go…

They didn’t want to go either…

“……”

Akainu took in the undisguised hesitation on Dayne and the others’ faces.

His interest in Hawke, whom he was about to meet, grew even stronger.

This kid could not only clear out pirates with thunderous methods but also train a group of branch soldiers so excellently.

What was even rarer was this power to unite people.

He was an Admiral of Marine Headquarters, promising generous treatment and status from the Headquarters.

Yet these soldiers were still hesitating…

“Uh…”

The Marine Headquarters personnel who came with Akainu were also holding their breath, eyes downcast.

This…

Admiral Akainu’s personal recruitment, and the branch soldiers were still hesitating?!

What kind of mind-altering drug had Hawke given them?

If it were them, they wouldn’t hesitate at all.

Hesitating for even a second would be disrespecting the Headquarters’ treatment!

“Where is Lieutenant Colonel Rayne Hawke?”

Akainu’s eyes swept over the branch soldiers in front of him.

Although the strength of these soldiers was still far from comparable to the elites of the Headquarters.

However, with his casual mini “Meteor Volcano” just now.

Not a single one of these soldiers collapsed and fled!

Instead, they instinctively formed a formation, trying to resist.

This response when facing absolute power, this courage to defy death, and the discipline ingrained in their bones.

Very good!

Strength could be slowly improved later.

Armament Haki, Observation Haki, these could all be mastered and refined through arduous training.

But, discipline and military discipline!

This was what the Marines lacked the most right now!

Look at those two guys at the Headquarters!!!

One kept saying, “Yo, that’s scary~” all day, never exerting effort if he could slack off!

The other was even worse, “Well, what a nice day for a nap~”, completely losing his fighting spirit!

The future of the Marines couldn’t rely on those two good-for-nothings!

If these young ones joined the Headquarters, they would surely inject new vitality into the stagnant Headquarters!

This was the main reason he offered to recruit them.

As for their current hesitation?

It didn’t matter.

As long as he got his hands on that kid named Hawke.

Then, every single one of them would have to obediently follow him!

“…”

“Admiral Akainu, Lieutenant Colonel Hawke has been waiting in the office for a long time.”

“Please follow me.”

Dayne snapped out of his daze, quickly composed himself, and respectfully led the way.

Akainu followed with the Headquarters Marines.

Inside the office.

Hawke was flipping through a book on the great ocean currents of the Grand Line.

“Thump—”

Heavy and orderly footsteps echoed outside the door.

Then, the door was pushed open.

A scorching, lava-like aura surged in first.

Akainu’s tall figure appeared at the doorway.

“…”

Seeing the person, Hawke immediately stood up and gave a standard Marine salute, “Admiral Akainu!”

“Hmm.”

Akainu nodded slightly, without any extra expression, walked straight to the main seat, and sat down grandly.

“I’ve already basically understood the course of events on my way here.”

“The so-called inspection is just a formality.”

He leaned slightly forward, staring intently at Hawke, “Now, Lieutenant Colonel Hawke, tell me.”

“What is your ‘justice’?”

He wanted to use this to judge the young man who had stirred up the East Blue.

Justice was the creed of the Marines.

Every Marine had their own justice in their heart.

He wanted to see what kind of justice Hawke upheld.

“Reporting, Admiral Akainu.”

Hawke met Akainu’s gaze, which seemed to burn through people’s hearts, and spoke calmly, “My justice…”

“Is the justice of slaughter.”

“Oh…”

Akainu’s eyebrows twitched slightly, and a hint of an unknown meaning flashed in his eyes.

“Slaughter, huh… Not bad.”

He slowly leaned back against the chair, his tone meaningful.

The justice of slaughter.

He was satisfied with this answer.

On this vast ocean, filth was everywhere, and evil ran rampant.

Indeed, a thorough, merciless slaughter was needed.

Only by burning away all corruption could true purity be achieved.

However…

Anyone could talk about ideals.

In the Headquarters, those who only moved their lips spoke more high-sounding words than this.

“But, Hawke…”

“On this vast ocean, those without strength will only be killed.”

Before his words finished.

“Boom—!”

A scorching aura suddenly erupted from Akainu’s body!

“Do you have the strength to execute the justice of slaughter?”

Inside the office, the temperature suddenly soared!

The surface of the wooden desk began to slightly warp, emitting fine white smoke.

The papers on the wall spontaneously combusted, turning into ashes.

“Argh—!”

Dayne, who was standing at the door, and the Headquarters Marines who followed Akainu, instantly felt a suffocating burning pain.

Their faces changed drastically, and they retreated awkwardly, fleeing out of the office.

“Drip—”

Only Hawke stood straight in place.

Sweat, like a small stream, slid down his forehead, cheeks, and neck, instantly evaporating due to the high temperature.

But he didn’t move.

An ink-black color permeated from beneath his skin, rapidly covering his entire body!

Armament Haki!

Operating at full power!

His intermediate physique was frantically resisting this terrifying aura from Akainu!

“As expected of the MVP of the Summit War!”

Hawke gritted his teeth and endured, while his thoughts raced, “This isn’t even Conqueror’s Haki!”

“Just the aura naturally emitted from years of accumulated killing intent fused with the Magma-Magma Fruit ability has such terrifying intensity!”

“The pressure… is too strong!”

“Armament Haki, huh…”

Akainu looked at Hawke’s body covered in black Haki, and the satisfaction in his eyes grew even stronger.

Without the careful guidance of an elite Headquarters instructor, just by exploring on his own, he could awaken Armament Haki…

Moreover, this level of refinement could definitely not be achieved by a short period of training!

It required far more effort than ordinary people, and… talent!

In an instant, Akainu changed his mind.

He had originally thought that this trip to the East Blue was just a formality.

To see this young man with his own eyes and confirm his determination to eradicate evil.

Then, he would simply recommend him for promotion to Headquarters Colonel, and the matter would be perfectly concluded.

After all, from the death of Nezumi to the near extinction of pirates in the East Blue, and then to the renewed military discipline of the branch soldiers.

Every single thing made him very satisfied.

But now…

A strong impulse suddenly surged in Akainu’s heart.

He wanted to personally test how capable this young man named Rayne Hawke truly was!

Perhaps…

A position as a Headquarters Colonel was far from enough!

“Hawke, I have a direct promotion slot for a Headquarters Rear Admiral…”

“But, you need to prove to me that you are worthy of this slot.”

“!!!”