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

At this moment, Tesoro, Boa Hancock, and the others also arrived. Tesoro looked at the two who had recovered rapidly.

Kuzan, in particular, who sat up, showed a hint of surprise in his eyes, but quickly concealed it.

Boa Hancock immediately rammed Kuzan, who was standing next to Gern, and sent him flying.

She then hugged Gern and looked him over from head to toe. After confirming that he was alright, she turned her beautiful eyes to Kuzan with a look of disgust.

Kuzan: "..."

As for Enel, who was following at the back, he simply snorted and stood aside with his golden cudgel, unusually refraining from making any pronouncements.

He originally wanted to learn from Gern's method of breaking free from freezing using overwhelming power.

As a result, he accidentally made an even bigger embarrassment on the warship!

Soon, the navy's medical team rushed up with stretchers.

But seeing that both officers were already able to sit up and talk on their own, they were at a loss for what to do.

Gern stood up, stretched his fully recovered left arm, and said to the medical team, "Give us a bandage!"

After all, the major injuries have healed, but the minor ones remain.

"Yes, Lieutenant General Gern!"

Kuzan slowly stood up, although his internal injuries had mostly healed under the healing energy.

However, the enormous depletion of his physical strength and domineering aura could not be replenished in a short time, and he still felt weak.

"This 'performance' should satisfy the adults in Mary Geoise."

Gern scoffed, "Whether they're satisfied or not is none of my business."

He paused, then looked at Kuzan, "What are you planning to do next?"

"Let's go back." Kuzan's voice returned to its usual languid tone, but with a hint of depth.

"The battle is over, but the turmoil of the 'battle' is only just beginning."

The marshal and...those other officials are probably all waiting for the outcome.

At the same time, the warship slowly approached the shore, and on the deck...

Marshal Steel Bones Kong stood prominently at the forefront, clad in a marshal's coat, his expression as solemn as ever.

But Sengoku, standing beside Kong, had a slightly melancholy expression.

Although both eyes were fixed on Gern, Sengoku's gaze was more complex than Sora's scrutinizing one.

Or rather, it carried an assessment, a solemn tone, and a very subtle... apprehension.

Especially when Gern's figure appeared at the top of the gangway, Sengoku's pupils contracted imperceptibly.

The earth-shattering decision made by Steel Bone Sky—"the independent autonomy of subordinates"—uncontrollably echoed in his mind once again!

In that instant, the Warring States period saw its mind rapidly weighing the future landscape, considering balance and checks and balances.

But his face remained expressionless; he simply raised his hand and, like everyone else, made a welcoming gesture, though the movement was slightly stiff.

"Hahaha!" Laughter broke the silence.

Garp picked his nose, strode forward without any regard for his image, waved his arms wildly, and laughed heartily.

"You two brats! You've got quite a fight going on!"

You didn't let me down! We're having a banquet at the naval mess hall tonight, plenty to go around!

Zefa stood a little behind, looking at his two most outstanding students, his tense expression easing considerably.

Especially when she saw Libo's pale face, a hint of concern flashed in her eyes.

His gaze then shifted between Gern and Kuzan, finally settling into a soft, ambiguous hum.

There was pride in the disciples' abilities, but also a hint of helplessness regarding the internal strife.

The final term of the Steel-Bone Sky Marshal, Sengoku's imminent succession.

The world government is watching closely, and Gern's increasingly powerful "Calamity" faction...

Chapter 246 A Year of Dramatic Change

In the year 1500 of the Sea Calendar, the pulse of the sea trembled violently, and the torrent of the times swept everyone's fate forward.

At the beginning of the year, Steelbone issued a transfer order, moving Gren and all members of his "Cataclysm" faction to the New World, granting them absolute command autonomy.

This "catastrophe" directly stood in the way of the Whitebeard Pirates.

Like the Sword of Damocles hanging over the head of this 'world's strongest' man.

As a result, in just a few months, Gern and Whitebeard clashed no fewer than fifty times in the New World!

However, shortly after Gern's fleet arrived in the New World, a shocking attack shattered the balance.

The solitary red, "The Red Earl"—Patrie Redfield, the last remaining powerful figure of the old era on the high seas.

To everyone's surprise, he single-handedly launched a surprise attack on Fleet Admiral Steelbone Sky, who was patrolling away from the Navy Headquarters.

For a time, the battle between these two peak experts lasted for five days and five nights, ultimately ending with Steel Bone Sky suffering severe injuries and being defeated...

The exhausted Red Earl was also unable to escape and was taken to Impel Down by Garp who arrived at the scene.

At the same time that the event occurred, the world government's reaction to the change of naval power was also breathtakingly fast.

While still unconscious, Kong was promoted to Commander-in-Chief, and Sengoku was immediately given the marshal's coat and placed in command at Marineford.

And on the seventh day after Sengoku took over, the "Ohara Incident" that shocked the world occurred!

The "Poneglyph Expedition," which Gern had secretly let go back then, suffered a devastating blow.

The fleet led by Lieutenant General Haguval D. Sauro blasted the expedition ship to pieces, with only Nicole Olvia surviving.

And when CP agents unearthed crucial evidence from the crew's remains, the World Government officially launched the Buster Call to surround Ohara.

At the same time, Vice Admiral Haguval D. Saul witnessed the World Government torturing Olvia.

And the hesitation that arose regarding this "justice" after hearing Spandam's conversation with the World Government!

So the giant general led Eurythia towards Ohara, only to witness his homeland reduced to scorched earth by the bombardment...

As the chill of Saul's frozen state lingered, Kuzan gazed at eight-year-old Robin as she fled in a small boat, ultimately turning away and tacitly accepting the betrayal.

On that day, the flames of Sakazuki's shelling of the refugee ship not only burned away Sauro's passion but also froze Kuzan's last illusions about justice.

Months later, before the ashes of Ohara had sunk to the bottom of the sea, Vegapunk encountered a dragon among the ruins who had also come to pay their respects.

The two talked all night under the dilapidated Tree of Omniscience.

At dawn, the dragon departed with the resolve to inherit the consciousness, and two months later, during the complete liberation of the Kingdom of Sorbe...

He met Bear and Ginny, and the two of them, through Ivankov's introduction, joined the revolution.

Thus, the Revolutionary Army was officially established, and its flag flew over the sea for the first time.

Meanwhile, at the lowest level of the Impel Down prison

At the cost of severing his own legs, Golden Lion broke free of his Seastone shackles, reclaimed his twin swords, and shattered the so-called "impregnable fortress."

And after leaving Xiliu with a scar that pierced his chest, he soared into the sky.

Amidst all the commotion, the crying baby in Garp's arms was being quietly sent to the East Blue.

The name Portgas D. Ace, along with his background, was buried deep in the dense forests of the Goa Kingdom, in the wooden hut of the bandit Dadan.

In this year, the old era shed its last drop of blood, while the new era was already stirring with deafening force.

...........

In January of the year 1501 of the Maritime Calendar, Marineford, the naval headquarters, was still shrouded in the solemn atmosphere of the new rulers.

"Bang!" The heavy door to the marshal's office was pushed open without any politeness, slamming against the inner wall with a dull thud.

Gern strode in, wearing a justice cloak with black trim on the cuffs, a near-provocative smile on his face.

Holding a document in his hand, he walked straight to the large marshal's desk and slammed it down in front of Sengoku.

“Marshal of the Warring States Period,” Gern’s voice was laced with undisguised sarcasm, “this is not right, is it?”

Give me the position of a general, and then strip me of my independent fleet, independent sortie rights, and independent execution rights!

Isn't this deal a bit too much of a rip-off?

Upon seeing Gern, Sengoku, who was sitting behind the desk, was visibly startled for a moment before slowly closing the document he was reviewing.

He raised his head, his gaze calm and unwavering, and pushed up the frog-shaped glasses on his nose.

“Gern,” his voice betrayed no emotion, “I’m willing to leave you the core of the ‘subordinate autonomy’ power: the power of ‘independent decision-making’ and ‘independent appointment’.”

This already fully considers and respects the final order given by the Air Force Commander before his departure.

You must understand that the position of a general implies greater responsibility and a broader perspective, not unlimited freedom of action.

"And..." He paused, his tone becoming more emphasized.

"You left the New World Frontline base without any notice and ran back to headquarters, which is a serious violation of discipline!"

What about the pressure from the Whitebeard Pirates? What if they make a move while you're away? Who will take responsibility then?

“Don’t worry,” Gern chuckled, casually pulling over a sofa and sitting down, crossing his legs.

His gaze suddenly turned cold, like polar ice, piercing straight into the Warring States period.

The wounds I left him before I left won't heal so quickly!

He has neither the energy nor the inclination to make any big moves in the short term.

Sengoku didn't doubt what Gern said, after all, Gern's fight with Whitebeard last year had dominated the headlines for almost the entire year.

Seeing that Sengoku was about to speak, Gern leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed on Sengoku, and asked, word by word, "Don't try to change the subject, my Marshal Sengoku."

"..."

"You made a deal with those five old guys from the World Government, didn't you?"

Otherwise, why would they have so readily agreed to my promotion to general?

I traded my autonomy in frontline operations for a more secure power structure that secured your marshal's position.

And the World Government's temporary reassurance regarding the "troublemakers" within the Navy? This deal is a sure win for you.

The air in the office seemed to freeze.

Upon hearing this, Sengoku's face darkened, and his hand on the table clenched slightly.

“Gern!” he snapped, his voice carrying the authority of a marshal. “Watch your words and your stance!”

Promotion to admiral is an affirmation of your strength and achievements, and the corresponding adjustment of power is also for the overall coordination and balance of the navy!

There is no dirty deal involved, as you're imagining!

"Is that so?" Gern's sneer deepened, clearly showing he didn't believe this official platitudes at all.

"I am the one whose power has been reduced, but in the end, the one who benefits and is better able to carry out your will, isn't it you, Warring States Marshal?"

"Gern!" Sengoku emphasized again, but seeing the other party's unyielding attitude and clear willingness to bargain, he knew that simply suppressing him was meaningless.

So he took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his anger, and softened his tone, which carried an almost compromising undertone.

Even if, as you say, some adjustments are not ideal for you.

But I will compensate you in other ways.

Moreover, a general's authority and resources far surpass those of a lieutenant general.

Upon hearing the word "compensation," the provocative smile on Gern's lips instantly transformed into a subtle upward curve of triumph, as if he had been waiting for those words.

"Oh? Compensation?" He leaned back into the sofa, his posture becoming languid again.

But his eyes remained sharp, and he stated his conditions in a calm tone.

"Okay! Then I need people."

"You want people?" Sengoku was visibly taken aback, his tense expression easing slightly, and he even let out a barely perceptible sigh of relief.

If it's just about getting people, then it's still within the rules of the naval system, nothing more than an exchange of interests.

Thinking of this, Sengoku agreed almost without hesitation, nodding with the generosity of a marshal in allocating resources.