The natural system started off strong, but the navy finally reached its peak!

At that moment, a deliberately hushed murmur came from outside the cabin door.

"Have you heard? Warrant Officer Gern fought Whitebeard for three whole rounds!"

"More than that! I saw it with my own eyes, even Whitebeard acknowledged him!"

"This person is definitely destined to become a great general..."

"I think the warrant officer is even stronger than those three monster rookies at headquarters!"

As Guern listened to these discussions, his gaze gradually deepened.

Compared to the so-called "achievements" of wiping out those small-time pirates in the West Sea, this battle was the real feat that would make his name resound throughout the sea.

Those from the main navy were all eyewitnesses, and the news would spread like wildfire throughout Marineford.

Thinking of this, Gern slowly sat up, with the Black Blade Eight Desolations leaning against the bedside, its blade reflecting his sharp gaze.

“Kongzhen Geen…” Geen familiarly picked up the black sword Bahuang and began to wrap the blade with white cloth.

From this day forward, this title will define me, no longer just an empty title of "Pirate Hunter" in the West Blue.

It is a true codename recognized by the World Government, the Marine Headquarters, and all the great pirates!

“Without a background, my reputation is another form of capital.” After wrapping his fist around the last loop, Gern clenched it.

Since you've chosen to enter the grand scheme of the navy, you must establish a sufficiently high starting point from the very beginning.

Today's battle must already be on the Marshal's desk.

Those admirals who might have harbored resentment towards their West Blue origins and their parachuting into headquarters without experiencing the righteous ideals of naval academy.

They are probably all reassessing themselves as "newcomers" from the West Sea.

“But that’s not enough…” Gern looked out the porthole at the surging waves.

Whitebeard's final slash, imbued with destructive Conqueror's Haki, was etched deeply into Gern's mind, replaying endlessly.

That overwhelming power, that domineering strength...

"Hehe, I'm really eager to have that domineering aura!"

Chapter 23 Marineford

Marineford, the center of world justice, the location of the Navy Headquarters, and a symbol of world peace.

But today, this port, a center of world justice, is unusually bustling...

The morning sunlight shone and reflected off the building's iconic, massive "Justice" sign and naval insignia.

This is the safest place in the world, so everything feels cozy, and the sea is sparkling.

However, the naval soldiers on duty at the port had no time to appreciate the beautiful scenery.

Because their gazes frequently fell upon the two tall figures standing at the very front.

"Black Arm" Zeff and "Iron Fist" Garp.

"Hey, what day is it today?" a lieutenant from headquarters, who was preparing for a mission, asked in a low voice, his eyes constantly glancing in the direction of the two lieutenant generals.

"I don't know either?!" The lieutenant beside him looked equally puzzled.

"But the person who could get 'Black Arm' and 'Iron Fist' to come to the port to greet them at the same time is probably Vice Admiral Sengoku or Brigadier General Tsuru, right?"

"Could it be that the Sengoku period general has returned from the new world?"

"Impossible! Vice Admiral Sengoku's warship just departed for the G-1 branch yesterday, taking Commodore Tsuru with him to deal with Golden Lion!"

Whispers quickly spread throughout the port as everyone grew curious about the approaching figure.

In front of the Marineford naval base, Zephyr stood with his arms crossed, his posture as straight as a pine tree.

His signature short purple hair remained motionless in the sea breeze, his eyes fixed on the distant horizon, his serious expression deterring the surrounding navy from approaching.

"Hey, Zephyr, don't be so serious!" Garp suddenly put his arm around Zephyr's shoulder, breaking the silence.

"That kid did something really big!"

Seeing Garp's unreliable behavior, Zephyr frowned slightly, but instead of pushing his arm away, he said in a deep voice...

"Karp, mind your manners. This is the port, not your office."

"Hahaha!" Garp's laughter grew even louder, drawing the attention of the surrounding Marines.

"What does it matter! The guy you asked Marshal Kong for last time was something else!"

They're even stronger than those three monsters who graduated from naval academy!

I secretly saw the documents on Sengoku's desk a few days ago. I never expected that he would dare to attack Whitebeard and even clash with him!

And... they actually got Whitebeard to use the Overpower Technique! What a bold move for a young man!

Karp's voice was so loud that it could be heard almost throughout the entire port, and the surrounding whispers instantly turned into exclamations.

"White beard?!"

"Entanglement?!"

"Could it be that Warrant Officer Gern from the Western Sea?"

The most famous among those recently promoted to headquarters is Gern Reginald Sigmar from the West Blue.

Seeing the marines whispering among themselves in the harbor, Zephyr frowned even more and lowered his voice, "Garp, you're being too loud."

"Oh, what does it matter!" Garp waved his hand dismissively.

"Anyway, everyone will find out soon enough."

That brat survived Whitebeard's clutches! Haha!

This is way better than Sakazuki and his ilk! They were still in school when they were 16!

"Sigh." Zephyr finally couldn't help but sigh. He turned to Garp, his expression serious.

"Although Sakazuki and his two friends have graduated, they have become a little too reliant on their Devil Fruit abilities after gaining them!"

"Gern too, I know his Devil Fruit ability very well, this time it was entirely due to his Devil Fruit ability!"

"Hey, don't be so harsh." Garp's smile faded slightly, but the admiration in his eyes remained undiminished.

"To stand up to Whitebeard without flinching isn't something you can do just with your Devil Fruit powers; it takes guts!"

“Courage?” Zephyr scoffed. “That’s recklessness.”

"He was lucky this time, he ran into Whitebeard. If he had run into Shiki the Golden Lion, he might have already perished at sea!"

"You and I both know! The New World isn't a place where you can run rampant just because of your Devil Fruit abilities."

Domineering spirit is the true path of the strong.

"Alright, alright! You're right!" Garp suddenly burst into laughter again, slapping Zephyr hard on the back.

"So isn't this exactly your duty as a lieutenant general?"

Otherwise, why would you have bothered arguing with the marshal to keep him by your side?!

Train that brat named Gern well, and make him a true powerhouse!

Garp was very strong, and Zephyr was knocked forward and staggered a step.

She couldn't help but glance back at him, her tone tinged with helplessness: "Garp, you..."

Just then, the sentry on the watchtower shouted, "Warships are entering the harbor! They are the Western Navy's warships supporting the G-14 branch!"

"They're here." Everyone's eyes immediately turned to the sea.

In the distance, a battered warship was slowly approaching, its obvious cracks silently telling the story of the fierce battles it had endured.

"Tsk tsk tsk!" Garp whistled. "Looks like the battle is even more intense than the report says!"

Zefa did not respond; his gaze remained fixed on the deck of the warship.

“Gern…” Zefa murmured the name, his tone complicated.

Garp glanced at Zephyr, then suddenly grinned: "What? Regretting asking for someone from the Air Marshal? I think that guy is better than my son!"

“No.” Zefa shook his head, his voice firm. “That’s precisely why we need to correct his views.”

Devil Fruit abilities are merely supplementary; true power originates from within oneself.

“You’re still the same as ever!” Garp laughed and shook his head. “But that brat is someone you’re really interested in, so he must be quite something!”

"Zeff, you may frequently lecture at the Naval Academy and have many students, but you don't have any true disciples!"

“Sigh, indeed…” Zephyr sighed, without replying.

In an instant, my thoughts returned to the moment I saw the battle report three days ago.

When the report describing Gern's head-on confrontation with Whitebeard was placed on his desk, he could hardly believe his eyes.

A young man who had only recently joined the Navy dared to challenge the man who "possessed the power to destroy the world".

After the initial shock came deep anxiety.

Zephyr knew all too well the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, and also all too well the consequences of over-relying on its power.

And now, there's a Heaven-Warp Fruit, even more powerful than the Tremor-Tremor Fruit...

And this power just happened to fall into the hands of a naval rookie, which could easily make a person arrogant and conceited.

"Zeffa, you're here." Garp's voice interrupted Zephyr's thoughts.

The warship has docked, and the gangway is slowly being lowered.

The sailors in the harbor unconsciously held their breath, waiting for the legendary newcomer to appear.

The first to disembark were ordinary soldiers and junior officers, their faces still showing signs of shock.

Next was the lieutenant in charge of the mission on this warship. As soon as he disembarked, he noticed the two lieutenant generals standing at the front and immediately saluted them.

Finally, a tall, slender figure with short black hair and bandages appeared at the top of the gangway.

Gern Reginald Sigma!

Gern's injuries had not yet healed, so the bandages on his body were particularly noticeable in the sunlight, but his steps were unusually steady.

Black Blade Eight Desolations was wrapped in white cloth and carried on his back. The blade seemed to be vibrating slightly, emitting an almost inaudible hum.

When Gurn's gaze met that of the two lieutenant generals, the harbor fell silent, with only the sound of waves crashing against the shore.

"Naval Headquarters, I, Gern, have arrived."

Chapter 24 What is your definition of justice?

Upon seeing Gern land at Marine Headquarters, Garp was the first to break the silence.

He strode forward, his hearty laughter echoing throughout the harbor: "Hahaha! Kid, well done!"

You're the first newcomer to make Whitebeard use his Overpower Technique!

Gern paused for a moment, then recognized Garp from the young, muscular man's slightly youthful face! (Even more so from the scar near his eye!)

Upon recognizing Garp, Gern instinctively glanced at Zephyr behind Garp, whose expression remained serious, revealing neither joy nor anger.

“Lieutenant General Karp is too kind.” Gern bowed slightly, his voice calm. “I just did what I was supposed to do.”

"Hahaha! Too modest!" Karp slapped Gern's shoulder hard, almost making the wounded man lose his balance.

"Let's go, let's go to the medical department for a thorough check-up first, and then we can talk about that battle in detail!"

Just then, Zephyr finally spoke up: "Garp, stop messing around."

"Zepha~"

“He needs to come with me to report for duty first.” His gaze shifted to Gern, his voice low and forceful.

"Warrant Lieutenant Gern, one hour from now."

My office; I'll be waiting for you there.

Gern straightened his back and gave a standard military salute: "Yes, Lieutenant General Zefa."

Garp scoffed, "Hey, Zephyr, don't be so rigid. That kid just went through a tough battle not long ago..."

“That’s precisely why discipline is so necessary.” Zephyr interrupted Karp, then nodded to Gern. “Go on, don’t be late.”