The sky over Marineford was a flawless blue, the sun bright and warm as it bathed the harbor in golden light. A Marine warship glided smoothly into port, its white sails furled as it docked with practiced precision.
A woman descended the gangplank with confident, measured steps. She was striking, her beauty matched only by the air of authority she carried. A Vice Admiral's coat draped across her shoulders, the kanji for "Justice" bold against the white fabric. At her waist hung a katana, its presence understated but unmistakable. Her posture was upright, commanding, every inch the seasoned officer.
Gion paused at the edge of the dock, gazing out over Marineford. A faint smile touched her lips. "Headquarters. I've visited a few times over the years, but this time… this time I'm officially back."
"Sister Gion!!!"
The shout came from across the harbor. Hina was sprinting toward her, waving enthusiastically, her Marine Captain's coat billowing behind her.
Gion's smile widened as Hina skidded to a halt in front of her. She reached out and ruffled the younger woman's hair affectionately. "Hina. It's been too long."
After a moment, Gion glanced around the harbor, her brow furrowing slightly. "Where's Finn? I finally make it back to headquarters, and he couldn't even bother to meet me?"
"The Admiral's in a meeting," Hina explained quickly.
Gion clicked her tongue, exasperated. "A meeting? Why is it always meetings these days?"
"There's a lot going on right now," Hina said, her tone apologetic. "A few days ago, Instructor Zephyr officially retired from his Admiral position. Vice Admiral Tsuru was reinstated as Chief of Staff. And Sakazuki's being promoted to Admiral. Headquarters has been swamped. The Admiral's been in the conference room practically every day."
Gion wasn't the type to hold grudges over small things. She nodded, her irritation fading. "Fair enough. He really is busy, then. I won't bother him just yet."
"Gion!"
A voice called out from behind her. Gion's expression immediately shifted to one of mild exasperation. She turned slowly, shoulders slumping slightly, to see Vice Admiral Tokikake approaching with a broad smile.
Of course, she thought. Here we go.
"You're finally back from G-7!" Tokikake said cheerfully as he closed the distance.
"Yes," Gion replied, forcing a polite smile. "I've been transferred back officially this time."
"How are things over there?" Tokikake asked.
"Doberman's taken over as G-7 Base Commander. Everything's running smoothly." Gion's tone was professional, courteous, but slightly distant.
Tokikake nodded, then hesitated. His expression grew more complicated, tinged with something that looked almost like regret. Finally, he spoke, his voice quieter. "I've always thought Finn wasn't good enough for you. I still think that, honestly. But… no matter what I think, you chose him. And at this point, even I'm not shameless enough to keep pushing. So… Gion, I'll just say this: I wish you the best."
Gion blinked, surprised. She'd known Tokikake longer than she'd known Finn. They'd joined the Marines together, back when everything was simpler. Their friendship had been strong once, before things got complicated. Even now, after all the years of awkwardness, there was still a thread of affection there, buried beneath layers of unspoken tension.
She studied his face for a moment, then smiled, genuine warmth in her expression. "Tokikake, do you know why, despite everything you've done over the years, I've never cut ties with you completely? Even when you annoyed me, I never truly disliked you."
Tokikake grinned, trying to lighten the mood. "Because I'm devastatingly handsome?"
Gion groaned, rolling her eyes. "I really wish you'd develop some self-awareness about that."
Tokikake laughed.
"It's because," Gion continued, her tone softening, "you've always been honest. You've never had bad intentions, not really. There's nothing wrong with liking someone. I like Finn. You like me. That's just how it is. So… I accept your blessing."
Tokikake's smile faded slightly, replaced by something more wistful. "I still don't know what you see in that bastard."
He sighed, then shook his head. "Anyway, I've given up for real this time. You don't have to worry about me bothering you anymore. And, well… congratulations on becoming an Admiral Candidate. You've surpassed me again."
"Didn't you get nominated as an Admiral Candidate too?" Gion asked, curious.
Tokikake's expression immediately soured. "Yeah, but the one who nominated me was Finn. How the hell was I supposed to accept that?"
Gion laughed. "Do you regret refusing it?"
Tokikake hesitated, then grinned sheepishly. "You know what? I do. That bastard always finds ways to mess with me."
"Vice Admiral Tokikake," Hina interjected with a playful smile, "if you keep badmouthing my Admiral, Hina going to tell on you!"
"Hina, you're still young," Tokikake said, feigning seriousness. "Don't let Finn trick you!"
As Finn's personal secretary, Hina knew the truth. Vice Admiral Tokikake and her Admiral didn't get along, that much was obvious. They bickered constantly whenever they crossed paths. But there was no real animosity between them. They just… didn't mesh.
She also knew that Finn respected Tokikake deeply. The Vice Admiral was strong, honorable, and unwavering in his principles. And despite all the insults Tokikake threw Finn's way, he'd occasionally, grudgingly, acknowledge the Admiral's accomplishments when no one was listening.
They weren't friends. They were too awkward for that. But they weren't enemies either. It was… complicated.
"My Admiral is a good person," Hina said firmly. "He didn't deceive Hina."
"You're only paying attention to his looks," Tokikake said, shaking his head with exaggerated disappointment. "What really matters in a man is what's inside."
"My Admiral is plenty capable inside!" Hina shot back. "You know about all the changes at Headquarters over the past two years, don't you, Vice Admiral Tokikake?"
Tokikake opened his mouth, then closed it. He tried again, faltered, and finally gave up. "I… you… this…"
As one of the Marines who'd directly benefited from Finn's reforms, Tokikake couldn't deny the Admiral's achievements. If it weren't for Finn, the Marines wouldn't have nearly the funding or resources they had now. That much was undeniable.
Before anyone could say more, another warship glided into port.
A tall man disembarked, his presence commanding immediate attention. He wore a Marine peaked cap, and draped across his shoulders was the coat of an Admiral Candidate, the word "Justice" emblazoned boldly across the back. His face was stern, carved from stone, but as his gaze swept the dock and landed on Gion, Hina, and Tokikake, his expression softened into a smile.
Sakazuki.
Returning to Headquarters to be promoted to Admiral.
"Gion. Tokikake. Hina," he greeted, his voice warm.
He paused, then asked, "Are you all here to meet me?"
Sakazuki was in an unusually good mood. For years, he'd returned to Headquarters without fanfare. Aside from officers like Onigumo, who reported directly to him, no one ever bothered to greet him at the docks. But this time, after two years stationed at G-1, people were actually here. It felt… nice.
Maybe I've been gone long enough that they missed me, he thought, allowing himself a rare moment of sentiment.
"Sakazuki?" Gion blinked, then smiled. "You're coming back today too?"
Sakazuki's smile froze. "Huh?"
Wait. They're not here for me?
"Yeah," Gion continued, oblivious to his inner turmoil. "I just got back from G-7. I resigned as Base Commander there. Though I can't compare to you. I'm coming back as an Admiral Candidate, but you're being promoted straight to Admiral."
Sakazuki forced his smile back into place. "Congratulations."
Right. Gion just got back from G-7. That makes sense.
He turned his attention to Tokikake, hope flickering briefly. "What about you, Tokikake?"
"I'm here to meet Gion," Tokikake said bluntly.
Sakazuki's eye twitched.
Can't you at least pretend?
Then Hina stepped forward, beaming. "Hina here to meet you, Sakazuki! The Admiral sent me. He said you'd be arriving today."
Though Hina didn't bother with his title, calling him simply "Sakazuki," he didn't mind. His mood lifted instantly. "Really? Thank you, Hina."
Sakazuki had worked closely with Finn over the years, and that camaraderie extended to Finn's subordinates. Hina was no exception.
"Where's your Admiral?" Sakazuki asked.
"In a meeting," Hina replied cheerfully. "Thanks to you, things have been hectic at Headquarters. First Gion got promoted to Admiral Candidate, and now you're being promoted to full Admiral. Everyone's been scrambling."
Sakazuki laughed, loud and genuine. "Once this is all over, drinks are on me."
As his promotion loomed, Sakazuki found himself reflecting on how much had changed since he'd first joined the Marines. Back then, he'd been difficult to get along with. His temper, his uncompromising principles, his rigid worldview, they'd alienated people. He'd clashed with Garp. He'd argued with Kuzan. He hadn't cared. Justice was justice. Why should he bend for anyone?
But after Finn arrived at Marineford, things had shifted. Slowly at first, then faster. The atmosphere had changed. And so had Sakazuki himself.
Now, no one at Headquarters actively disliked him. Even with Kuzan, their disagreements were ideological, not personal. When Sakazuki's candidacy for Admiral had been delayed, Kuzan had spoken up on his behalf.
And Garp. Though Sakazuki had been stationed away from Headquarters for two years, the old man had stayed in regular contact. Or rather, Garp had unilaterally bombarded him with letters and Den Den Mushi calls, bragging endlessly about his grandsons.
Sakazuki had met Ace and Luffy, years ago. For reasons he didn't fully understand, Garp loved showing them off to him specifically.
After all that, their relationship had actually improved.
Thinking of the kids, Sakazuki asked suddenly, "How are Ace and the others doing?"
Hina blinked, surprised. "What brought that up?"
"Just thinking about them," Sakazuki said with a rare, nostalgic smile. "I heard the kid was shouting about becoming a Marine Admiral when he was five. I like ambitious kids like that."
Hina grinned. "He's still full of energy. You should come see him when you treat us to drinks."
"Absolutely," Sakazuki said without hesitation.
In another world, this man would have killed Ace with his own hands, cementing a blood feud with Garp that would never heal. But here, now, things were different. The path had diverged.
They made their way toward the Justice Fortress, chatting easily as the sun climbed higher in the sky.
Meanwhile, back in the conference room, Finn sat at the head of the table, holding a document. He scanned it briefly, then spoke.
"Currently, Queen Otohime of Fish-Man Island is actively promoting communication and contact with human society on the surface. I believe this is a positive development, and the Marines should support it. While large-scale recruitment of Fishmen into the Marines has proven… difficult, recruiting individuals on a case-by-case basis should still be feasible. This could change things for the better."
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