The others ultimately fell a little short.
Hawkins put more faith in fate. He had probably divined that he had no hope of challenging the Beasts Pirates and simply surrendered early.
After all, the Beasts Pirates were everywhere. Over time, that could affect one's mindset, subtly breeding fear and making it even harder to face them.
"Aokiji, Drake."
Good pondered for a moment, his eyes lighting up.
After the Paramount War, the World Government would be even less inclined to go to war with him lightly. His own resources were limited, so he did not want war either.
What came next would very likely be a cold war.
Politics, economics, armaments...
The Hoenn Government's governing principles had to be established. Only then could it gain an ideological lead over the World Government and compete for people and resources!
Before that, there was something else to do.
If the World Government could hold a mass recruitment drive, so could his Hoenn Government. It merely lacked a positive public influence, making it difficult to attract powerful people with a sense of justice.
If he could put forward some positive figures as shining examples, such as Aokiji, along with mid-ranking officers like Drake, he might well be able to lure people away from the World Government.
A fire lit in Good's eyes. "Speed, have Drake come see me. Also, investigate Aokiji's whereabouts immediately!"
"Understood!"
Meanwhile, in the Sabaody Archipelago.
At a certain bar.
Two old men shared farewell drinks.
Instructor Zephyr sighed. "Kuzan, I never thought you would leave the Marines one day. I heard Sakazuki flew into a rage over it."
"Mr. Zephyr, I left precisely because I didn't want to work under Sakazuki. Besides, I'm a little tired. I want to take a break."
Kuzan took a swig of sherry.
His