Doubt Akainu, Understand Akainu, Become Akainu

The reason Storm brought up Hawk Eyes Mihawk at this time was because...

It's because Sand Crocodile had previously given a somewhat vague piece of intelligence.

That was back when the news of "The Coronation of the White Dragon Emperor" was spreading like wildfire across the sea.

Storm learned of their impending departure for the New World from various "friends."

For example, Aokiji, Sand Crocodile, and Gecko Moria...

All of these people chose to enter the New World because Storm became the Pirate Emperor.

However, due to the distance, the time it takes for each person to arrive in the New World is different.

For example, the Sand Crocodile is in Alabasta, which is located almost at the very front of the Paradise.

This means that the time it takes to get to the New World from Alabasta will definitely be longer than the time it takes to get to the New World from other places.

It's like Aokiji and his crew have already arrived in the New World, while Sand Crocodile... is still on the boat, still on the road.

Storm clearly remembered that when Sand Crocodile contacted him, he had conveyed an intelligence message.

According to Sand Crocodile, he originally intended to invite Hawk Eyes to come along.

After all, it's Golden Island in the East Blue.

Storm, Hawk Eyes, and Sand Crocodile formed a secret force together.

Cross Guild.

Because of the existence of the "Cross Guild," Sand Crocodile plans to contact Hawk Eyes, enter the New World with him, and then seize an opportunity to launch "revenge" against the Whitebeard Pirates!

Unfortunately, Hawk Eyes declined Sand Crocodile's invitation and declared that he would be working with another pirate crew.

Sand Crocodile also told Storm that "Hawk Eyes has betrayed the covenant of the Cross Guild."

Whether Hawk Eyes betrayed or not...

Storm wasn't quite sure.

However, he could still make some inferences about Hawk Eyes's movements.

As is widely known.

Hawk Eyes Mihawk is a lone wolf.

There's probably only one pirate crew in the entire ocean that can be linked to Hawk Eyes: the Red-Haired Pirates.

Storm had previously suspected that Hawk Eyes Mihawk would be traveling with the Red-Haired Pirates.

But it's unclear whether his deduction was wrong, whether there was a conflict between Hawk Eyes and Red-Haired, or some other reason...

The Red-Haired Pirates have all been captured by the New Marines.

Hawk Eyes Mihawk is still nowhere to be seen.

"... In short, based on the intelligence I obtained earlier, Hawk Eyes Mihawk is on his way to the New World."

Storm relayed the information he possessed to the New Marines leaders present.

"And Hawk Eyes is Red-Haired' friend... so we still need to be careful about this issue."

Hawk Eyes Mihawk is Shichibukai.

According to the rules of the World Government, Hawk Eyes cannot attack Member Nations or navies.

However, the "New Marines" is not the "Old Marines".

If Hawk Eyes were to forcefully storm the New Marines's base for Red-Haired' sake...

World Government will not only not stop it, but may even cheer it on.

Storm wasn't worried that Hawk Eyes actually rescued Red-Haired.

The New Marines's overall strength is evident, with an abundance of high-end combat capabilities.

Hawk Eyes, fighting alone, can't compare to the entire Red-Haired Pirates.

If Hawk Eyes really intends to storm the New Marines's headquarters.

His fate won't be much better than that of Golden Lion Shiki, who caused the "Marine Headquarters Attack Incident" more than a decade ago...

But no matter what...

Hawk Eyes Mihawk is the World's Greatest Swordsman.

If the New Marines were to be targeted by Hawk Eyes Mihawk right now...

This is indeed a troublesome matter.

Storm's reminder was not unnecessary.

Before becoming one of the Shichibukai, Hawk Eyes Mihawk was known as the "Marine Hunter."

This guy won't hold back when dealing with the New Marines!

"Hawk Eyes Mihawk?"

Zephyr frowned, and a cold, stern figure immediately flashed into his mind.

"I understand..."

"If that 'World's Greatest Swordsman' really comes to attack, I will definitely arrest him!"

The so-called "World's Greatest Swordsman".

Zephyr acknowledges Hawk Eyes's strength, but disapproves of Hawk Eyes style.

"Naval Hunter"?

Snort!

The New Marines has successfully defeated the Pirate Emperor.

How could Zephyr possibly be afraid of a mere World's Greatest Swordsman!?

Aokiji and Fujitora's expressions did not change noticeably.

Isn't that just Hawk Eyes?

Could a lone swordsman be more difficult to deal with than Pirate Emperor?

It has to be said.

The defeat of the Red-Haired Pirates certainly instilled a tremendous sense of confidence in the New Marines.

Especially the key figures in the New Marines!

One of the Pirate Emperor has already been defeated, so how far are we from taking down the World Government?

"Let's keep the Red-Haired Pirates locked up at the G1 Branch for now!"

After giving instructions regarding Hawk Eyes Mihawk, Storm steered the conversation back to the Red-Haired Pirates.

"Fleet Admiral Zephyr, there should be a place inside the G1 Branch, right?"

Yes, but not many.

Zephyr nodded, but then shook his head.

"In the past, when the Navy captured Great Pirate of this caliber, they would usually send him to Impel Down."

"But for now, let's keep him locked up at the G1 Branch... there's nowhere else to put him."

We can't exactly send the Red-Haired Pirates to Impel Down, can we?

That's a subordinate agency of the World Government!

The New Marines has no right to use it.

"This is indeed a problem..."

Storm's brow furrowed as well.

"The G1 Branch can hold the Red-Haired Pirates in place right now, but when the New Marines captures more pirates in the future... we'll still need a place similar to Impel Down."

"Or... should we kill all the pirates we capture?"

Storm genuinely felt that many pirates were the kind of beings who "waste air while alive and occupy land when dead."

For this kind of trash, "detention" or even "life imprisonment" is meaningless.

The death penalty is still the most reliable option!

But after Storm said that...

Zephyr, Aokiji, and Fujitora all shook their heads in unison.

"As expected of you..."

"I think your idea is a bit too extreme..."

"Pirates certainly deserve to die, but not every pirate deserves to die..."

Storm stared speechlessly at the three New Marines leaders before him.

He overlooked the fact that these three guys in front of him were all "moderate" members of the navy...

It's a bit scary to think about.

At this moment, Storm started to miss Akainu.

Question Akainu, understand Akainu, become Akainu...

I've actually become the head of the Navy's hawkish faction?

"The death penalty is absolutely necessary!"

Storm insisted.

"I also worked in Impel Down for a period of time, among the Impel Down."

"Killing ten out of ten might result in wrongful convictions, but killing nine out of ten will definitely leave some who escape."

"Most pirates are damn trash!"

Upon hearing what Storm said, Zephyr, Aokiji, and Fujitora exchanged a glance.

I don't know if it's just their imagination.

"Thorough Justice" seems to be reviving in the New Marines...

Zephyr pinched the bridge of his nose, choosing to skip the topic for now.

"We'll talk about that later... But Storm, your plan to build an Impel Down similar to Impel Down can definitely begin now."

If it were anyone else here, Zephyr wouldn't have spoken so casually.

But who could blame him when Storm was sitting in front of him?

With Storm around, moving islands is a piece of cake.

Finding an island, building a new Impel Down... these were not difficult tasks for Storm.

If Impel Down weren't so special, with so many prisoners inside...

Zephyr even considered suggesting that Storm go to the Paradise phase and bring Impel Down to the New World!

Having witnessed firsthand the entire process of Storm moving the G1 Branch, Zephyr felt that this method of "building a base," while somewhat shameful, was indeed very efficient.

"I've got it."

Storm nodded, then glanced at Aokiji beside him.

"Once we find a suitable island, Admiral Aokiji, don't forget to modify its environment. Just transform it into something like the Extreme Cold Hell of Impel Down."

Impel Down, the Extreme Cold Hell on Earth, is where prisoners with bounties exceeding 100 million are held.

According to rumors, the average bounty for pirates in the New World exceeds 100 million Beli.

The New World and the Extreme Cold Hell go quite well together!

Aokiji's [Ice-Ice Fruit] has long been capable of permanently altering the climate and environment.

It's easier for Aokiji to create an "Extreme Cold Hell" than for Storm to find a new "prison island".

Therefore, Aokiji readily agreed.

"No problem!"

That concludes our discussion on how to deal with the Red-Haired Pirates.

The New Marines will gain fame—the fame from defeating the Red-Haired Pirates will belong to the New Marines.

Storm will gain benefits—he will take over the Red-Haired Pirates' wealth and territory.

Aside from the Red-Haired Pirates, a win-win world has been achieved!

"Oh, right, there's one more thing."

Storm was about to pack up and leave when he suddenly remembered the base commanders from the previous G1 Branch and G5 Branch.

"Fleet Admiral Zephyr, how are Vice Admiral Momonga and Vice Admiral Burgas?"

Upon hearing this question, Zephyr, who had just seemed so confident, immediately frowned and began to stammer.

"The Momonga and Burgess are very firm... They both feel, they both feel..."

Storm raised an eyebrow at Zephyr's troubled expression.

"Is it because of me?"

Zephyr sighed and nodded.

Really!

Storm pressed on, "Admiral Zephyr, didn't you tell them about my identity Blade Unit Member '?"

Zephyr shook his head and said somewhat tactfully, "I did tell them, but neither the Momonga nor Burgess really believed me."

In fact.

The Momonga and Burgess weren't "not quite convinced."

Rather, they believed that Zephyr was being controlled by Storm, the evil Pirate Emperor!

For these two Marine Vice Admiral...

The New Marines is barely acceptable.

After all, they all knew exactly what the World Government and the World Nobles were like.

But New Marines that's cooperating with the Pirate Emperor?

Can this even be called a navy?!

Storm was also helpless about this.

He could completely understand the concerns of the Momonga and Burgess.

But this kind of thing can't be explained by language alone...

Storm never expected to personally step in and persuade the two Momonga.

If he were to personally take to the field, the effect he could have would definitely not be positive!

Storm is very confident about this.

"Fleet Admiral Zephyr, this matter still depends on you and Aokiji Admiral put in the effort."

Storm shook his head, not mentioning Fujitora.

Fujitora was the last to join the New Marines, and it was Storm who recommended him to New Marines.

In the eyes of Momonga and Burgess, Fujitora's personal qualities might not be as believable as those of an ordinary marine...

At this point, Storm recalled the Red-Haired Pirates, who had been captured by the New Marines.

"By the way, when you're trying to persuade Momonga and the others, perhaps you could take Shanks with you."

Storm offered his earnest advice.

"A genuine Pirate Emperor, a Pirate Emperor utterly defeated by the New Marines, must be of great significance to Momonga!"

Upon hearing this, Zephyr's eyes suddenly lit up.

Yes!

Zephyr was unable to persuade the Momonga to let go of their fear of Storm.

However, he could arrange for Momonga and the others to meet the Red-Haired Pirates!

At the very least, we need to make the Momonga and his crew realize the New Marines's determination and will to defeat the Pirate Emperor!

"If there's nothing else, I'll head back to the Totto Land. There's a lot of stuff to take care of there too."

Storm stood up and nodded to Zephyr and the others.

"Once the construction of the New Marines base and other miscellaneous tasks are completed, we can then release the news that the 'New Marines has been established' and the 'Red-Haired Pirates have been defeated'."

"By then, our New Marines may have to face more than just the Pirate Emperor."

"And the Marine Headquarters, and the World Government!"

Second update.

Good morning, everyone.

I'm going to sleep.