A killer in the navy? I’m just trying my best to survive Chapter 034

“……”

“Zoro, you want to join the Marines?”

Dane looked up, carefully scrutinizing Zoro.

“Mm.”

Zoro nodded heavily, he understood it very clearly.

Here in the Marines, there was abundant food and complete training equipment.

And there was a Kendo master like Dane who could fight him to his heart’s content.

By joining the Marines, he would be able to touch the power called “Armament Haki.”

By joining the Marines, he would be able to go to the Grand Line, challenge strong enemies, and refine his Kendo.

Joining the Marines was the best choice!

“…”

“Zoro, as a bounty hunter, your background is clean.”

“If you want to join the Marines, I personally welcome you very much!”

Dane pondered for a moment, then gave him a choice.

“I can recommend you to join the 16th Branch, to stay in the East Blue.”

“Or I can recommend you to Big Brother, to go to the Grand Line and join the G- 3 Branch, what is your choice?”

“G- 3 Branch!”

Zoro answered without hesitation.

Did he even need to choose?

Stay in the comfortable East Blue to retire?

He didn’t decide to join the Marines for comfort!

What he wanted was battle, to become stronger!

“Alright.”

Dane nodded, “I’ll report to Big Brother tomorrow, after all…”

He changed the subject, a look of pride appearing on his face.

“Our branch, now, isn’t somewhere you can just walk into!”

“Ah… why?”

“Heh—”

Dane snorted softly, the pride in his tone almost overflowing.

“The current G- 3 Branch is the most sought-after place in the entire Marine!”

“Besides us, the old guard who followed Big Brother.”

“Marines without strength or background, who want to newly join Big Brother’s command, it’s difficult!!!”

“Really?”

Zoro was a little disbelieving.

Although he greatly recognized Dane’s strength, this was a bit much.

Dane saw Zoro’s doubt, “Big Brother Hawke, is the youngest Rear Admiral in Marine Headquarters history!”

“???”

Zoro’s eyes widened suddenly, “Rear Admiral?!!!”

No…

Wasn’t Hawke a Lieutenant Commander?

How did he become a Rear Admiral?!

As an experienced bounty hunter, he often dealt with the Marines.

He was clear about the Marine rank system.

Above Lieutenant Commander was Commander, then Captain, and only then Rear Admiral!

And there was also the vast difference between branch and headquarters.

Did this man named Hawke fly up there on a cannonball?!

This promotion speed was too outrageous!

“Mm-hmm!”

Mentioning Hawke, the pride on Dane’s face grew even more.

He felt that just talking wasn’t enough, so he simply got up and brought back two oversized wooden beer mugs.

“Bang!”

He placed one in front of Zoro, the golden ale bubbling with white foam.

“Zoro, you know Arlong, right?”

Dane picked up his own mug and took a large gulp.

“Of course I know! The pirate with the highest bounty in the East Blue!”

Zoro also picked up his mug, took a large gulp, then rolled his eyes.

“As a bounty hunter, knowing the bounties of all pirates in the East Blue is my bread and butter!”

“Dane, who are you looking down on?!”

“……”

Dane wiped the beer foam from the corner of his mouth, looking meaningfully at Zoro.

“I didn’t mean to look down on you.”

“But please, pay for this late-night snack.”

“Cough—”

Zoro’s face instantly turned crimson, the drink he had just gulped down almost choked him.

Didn’t you say you were treating?

My pockets, even a mouse would cry looking at them.

“Quick, what happened to Arlong?”

“Arlong, a great pirate with a bounty of 20 million Berries.”

“Was killed by Big Brother, with one punch!”

“……”

Zoro’s hand, holding the mug, froze.

One punch? Killed?

That was Arlong!

Arlong the Fish-Man!

Naturally, his physique far surpassed that of humans!

One punch…

What level of monster could do something like that?!

“Hehe, pretty strong, huh.”

Dane saw through Zoro’s shock, “The Armament Haki I used earlier was specially trained by Big Brother.”

“If you can successfully join the G- 3 Branch, you can also learn it.”

“That stuff, it’s not difficult.”

“Gulp—”

Zoro swallowed hard, his heart pounding uncontrollably.

Armament Haki!

He was truly tempted!

“Do you know Admiral Akainu?”

Dane threw out an even more shocking piece of news.

“One of the highest combat powers in Marine Headquarters, who doesn’t know him?!”

Zoro replied, a little confused.

He could understand the Fish-Man Arlong, after all, he was a pirate crew entrenched in the East Blue.

Could Hawke even be related to Admiral Akainu?

That was one of the three great powers of Marine Headquarters.

Even his own goal, Mihawk the ‘Hawk-Eye’, against a full-strength Admiral Akainu, would probably…

“Good that you know.”

Dane nodded, “Big Brother, not long ago, had a good fight with Admiral Akainu, who was suppressing his strength.”

“After the fight, Admiral Akainu praised him profusely.”

“He immediately used his special approval authority to promote Big Brother from a Lieutenant Commander of the East Blue Branch to a Headquarters Rear Admiral.”

“Then he appointed Big Brother as the base commander of the Grand Line G- 3 Branch.”

“We will soon be heading to the Grand Line to rendezvous with Big Brother.”

“…”

“…”

Zoro’s brain completely crashed.

Fought… fought an Admiral from Headquarters?!

Even if Admiral Akainu was suppressing his strength, he was still a monster standing at the pinnacle of the world’s power.

At this moment, Zoro had a clear understanding of the strength of Hawke, the man who might become his superior.

A super monster!

An inexplicable shiver ran from the tip of his spine, instantly spreading throughout his limbs.

It was awe for an absolute strong man, and also the instinctive excitement of a swordsman.

“This…”

Zoro’s Adam’s apple bobbed, “Can I spar with Rear Admiral Hawke?”

“Ha—”

“Big Brother isn’t at the branch, he went to Headquarters to accept his appointment.”

Dane patted Zoro’s shoulder, a look of “you’re thinking too much, kid” on his face.

“And, Big Brother doesn’t use a sword.”

“He uses his fists.”

“When Big Brother punches, it’s always earth-shattering.”

He looked Zoro’s muscular body up and down, then shook his head.

“Your physique isn’t enough for him to even warm up with one punch.”

“Just honestly, spar with me!”

“???”

A question mark slowly appeared above Zoro’s head.

That sounded… a little off.

But if he thought about it carefully, there seemed to be nothing wrong.

“……”

……

The next day, the sun slowly rose over Marineford.

Loud slogans, like waves, came one after another from the vast training ground, full of power and discipline.

Hawke simply washed up, changed into a neat training uniform, and walked out of his residence.

He did not slack off in the slightest, directly joining the morning exercise team.

“Rear Admiral Hawke!”

“Good morning, Rear Admiral Hawke!”

Many Marine soldiers who had witnessed the “Admiral snatching people” commotion at the dock cast respectful glances at him, actively greeting him.

“Good morning!”

Hawke smiled and nodded in response, without any airs.

Suddenly, his Transponder Snail rang, “Buruburu~”

It was Dane’s call.

“Hello…?”

“Big Brother, was your trip to Headquarters smooth?”

“Yes, very smooth.”

Hawke replied while jogging slowly.

“Your and the brothers’ appointments will come down soon.”

“Congratulations, Marine Headquarters—Colonel Dane.”

“Hehe, Big Brother, don’t tease me.”

“Without you, I wouldn’t even have had a chance for revenge, let alone be a Colonel.”

“By the way, Big Brother, there’s a good prospect who wants to join the Marines.”

“Oh… what’s his name?”

Hawke asked casually, not paying much attention.

“A well-known bounty hunter from the East Blue, Roronoa Zoro.”

“???”

“!!!”

Hawke’s expression froze for a moment.

He almost thought he had misheard.

No, I only left for a few days, and you kidnapped Three-Sword Zoro into the Marines?!