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

“Sure. You can choose any vice admiral from the Navy Headquarters…” Before he could finish speaking, Gern’s voice cut him off.

To deliver a name in a calm tone, enough to freeze the air in the entire office.

“I want… Douglas Barrett.”

Chapter 247 Belonging

"Tell me, who do you want?!"

"Douglas Barrett."

Gern's voice was flat, as if he were merely asking for an ordinary soldier's uniform.

Instead of the "descendant of the devil" who once rivaled the Pirate King Roger and caused a sea rampage.

However, when this name reached the ears of the Warring States period, it had a completely different meaning.

The slight relief on his face vanished instantly, replaced by utter shock and disbelief.

After a performance comparable to a Sichuan opera face-changing act, Zhan Guo suddenly stood up from his marshal's chair, placed his hands on the table, leaned forward, and shouted sternly.

"Gern! Do you know what you're saying?!"

"Barrett?! That descendant of the devil, that extremely dangerous, unrestrained..."

He's even crazier than most pirates!

How dare you ask me for him?! Do you know what that means?!

Should I pack the Red Earl's Jewel for you too?!

"May I?"

"That's a load of rubbish!!!"

Sengoku's roar echoed in the marshal's office, so loudly that he even picked up his cup to take a sip of water to quench his thirst.

"In short, Barrett is now imprisoned in the deepest part of the sixth level of Impel Down, the Infinite Hell!"

The world government will never allow him to see the light of day again!

Don't even think about it! That condition is absolutely impossible!

Faced with Sengoku's fury, Gern reacted in the complete opposite way, not even raising an eyebrow.

And in the brief pause between the words of the Warring States period, he even slowly raised his hand and picked at his ear with his little finger.

Then he gently blew on his fingertips, looking as if he thought the other person was being noisy and making a mountain out of a molehill.

"Tsk, Marshal Sengoku, keep your voice down." Gern lowered his hand, lazily raising his eyes to look at Sengoku, whose face had turned blue with anger. "You're deafening me."

"Besides, I arrested him, so of course I know where he's being held." With that, Guern shifted into a more comfortable position on the sofa and continued...

"Otherwise, why would I even bring this up with you?"

"You..." Sengoku was speechless with anger at Gern's nonchalant attitude, pointing at him.

"You're utterly lawless! What do you want Barrett for? Do you know how much chaos releasing him will cause?!"

"What are you doing?" Gern chuckled, but his eyes suddenly sharpened.

"Of course, we should let him unleash his full potential and let him fight!"

After all, locking him up in the dark, sunless bottom of an underwater prison to rot would be the biggest waste.

"His power, his destructive urges, his obsessive pursuit of being the 'strongest'..."

These are extremely dangerous and uncontrollable factors in your eyes, but to me," Gern pointed to himself, "they are the most useful knives."

Besides, you know better than I what the New World is.

Now that Kaido has taken over Wano Country, Oden, who was once known as "invincible," has become a clown dog. I estimate he won't be able to keep up for more than a few years before he's played to death.

Needless to say, the BLG MOM Pirates have taken over the entire Torient Sea and started their Whole Cake Island project. They're like popcorn, constantly having offspring.

As for that 'strongest man in the world,' Whitebeard…" At this point, Gern's expression suddenly turned serious, and he raised his eyes and said coldly.

"You know how many times I fought him last year, let me tell you the truth..."

I can't beat him!

Or rather, if it comes down to risking our lives, we'll basically both perish.

Whitebeard was different from Roger; Roger was determined to die.

Whitebeard, who is still relatively young, has the dream and determination to protect his family.

In a truly desperate fight, both sides will inevitably suffer heavy losses or both will perish simultaneously...

"So you've got your eye on the Barrett?!" Sengoku simply couldn't comprehend his thought process.

"That's a double-edged sword that will turn on its master! It might even cut you first!"

"That's not a problem for you, as the Admiral of the Navy, to worry about."

Since I dared to want it, I naturally have a way to control it.

At worst, I'll just beat him up one more time!

"Besides..." At this point, Gern's tone shifted, and his gaze turned icy again.

"I traded almost all of my autonomy on the front lines for a prisoner whom you consider a 'useless child'."

This deal looks like a win for the World Government and the Navy Headquarters, doesn't it?

By using a hot potato, they both appeased me and completely eliminated the potential threat of me "holding too much power in the army."

"It also allows me to continue fighting for you on the front lines against Whitebeard. A win-win situation, isn't it?"

Guern's words were like a sharp knife, precisely dissecting the calculations beneath the surface of the power struggle, causing Sengoku's expression to change repeatedly.

"Are you threatening me, Gern?"

"You can't say things like that! My dear Warring States Marshal."

A brief silence fell over the office...

Sengoku stared intently at Gern, his mind racing.

He had to admit that, while Guern's words were harsh, they did hit the nail on the head to some extent.

'White Rabbit' Lippo Hope, 'Gold' Gild Tezzolo

'Snake Princess' Toritoma, 'God' Enel, plus 'Heavenquake' Gern!

Currently, the only group at headquarters capable of holding back the Whitebeard Pirates with just a few people is Gern's "Calamity" faction.

Because the Great Pirate Era started by Roger is getting more and more intense, and the Revolutionary Army is causing trouble all over the world's allies.

Once Gern is freed from the Whitebeard Pirates' control, the Marine Headquarters' current stable deployment will be seriously disrupted...

Of course, if Barrett, an extremely dangerous prisoner, were used in exchange for the unsettling independent military power held by Guern...

For the five women in Mary Geoise and for themselves, it might really be a "deal" worth considering.

After all, in their eyes, Barrett was already a thing of the past, devoid of value, while the threat posed by Gern was a present reality.

But if Barrett actually obeys, it will bring...

The risks involved can be described as having both advantages and disadvantages.

[Another note: The Warring States period was marked by strategists, and those who wield strategy are often ruthless; they'll do anything to benefit themselves.]

He's willing to make deals with anyone, which is why Sengoku's character in the early and later stages of the One Piece manga is very much a reflection of the World Government.

Seeing Sengoku caught in a fierce internal struggle, Gern did not urge him.

They simply waited patiently, as if they were certain that the other party would eventually compromise.

Finally, Sengoku slowly sat back down in his chair, as if a great deal of strength had been drained from him. He rubbed his temples, his voice filled with unprecedented weariness and gravity:

"This is not a decision I can make alone."

I need to report to Mary Geoise.

“Mary Geoise? Heh.” Gern sneered, saying sarcastically, “Marshal Kong didn’t like to consult with them before.”

“Gern”.

"Alright, alright!" Gern waved his hand to interrupt Sengoku's reprimand, smiling politely.

"Please make sure to fully explain my 'sincerity' and the 'superiority' of this proposal to those five elderly people."

He knew that since the Warring States had said that, it meant that the matter was already halfway done.

The rest is simply a matter of negotiation between the World Government and the government.

Gern wasn't interested in that at all.

Chapter 248 'The Demon' Unleashed'

Time flew by, and three days of maneuvering and weighing of options were silently taking place between the Navy Headquarters and Mary Geoise.

Finally, a transfer order bearing the Marshal's seal and the World Government's special authorization seal was placed in front of Gern.

“Gern, this is the ‘compensation’ you wanted.” Sengoku’s face looked even more exhausted than three days ago.

He then pushed the document toward Guern, his tone serious, each word carrying immense weight.

"Although the World Government... agreed in principle."

But I must warn you again that Douglas Barrett is an extremely dangerous individual, whose destructive power and unpredictability far exceed your imagination.

If he causes any trouble outside, leading to any uncontrollable chaos...

You, Gern Reginald Sigma, will take full responsibility for this!

The Navy and the World Government will not take any responsibility for you!

In other words, this almost completely stripped away all the risks and responsibilities, placing them entirely on Guern's shoulders.

“This is what I deserve.” Gern picked up the transfer order document, his eyes sweeping over the harsh terms and final approval, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

As for Sengoku's stern warning, he made no promises or rebuttals, simply maintaining that enigmatic smile.

It's as if they've already disregarded all consequences, or perhaps they possess absolute confidence in their ability to control everything.

But Gern's silent expression only made Sengoku more uneasy, but what's done is done.

Without lingering any longer, Gern put away the transfer order and turned to leave the Marshal's office.

But then, Sengoku suddenly called out to him.

“Gern”.

Gern stopped in his tracks without turning around.

"The era of the Air Force Marshal is over. Now I am the Navy Marshal. I hope you understand this."

"Heh." Gern chuckled softly, then stepped out.

All that was left was a helpless Sengoku sitting in the marshal's seat, while a little lamb beside him bleated.

……

Meanwhile, after leaving the Marshal's office, Gern went directly to Marineford Naval Base and boarded a pre-arranged special warship, heading straight for...

Impel Down, the world's largest underwater prison!

The warship cut through the waves, remaining silent the entire way.

Gern stood at the bow of the ship, the sea breeze ruffling the coat with the word "Justice" written on it behind him.

Holding the transfer order in his hand, he gazed intently at the silhouette of the building that gradually emerged on the distant horizon, resembling a ferocious and terrifying deep-sea monster.

Impel Down, we've arrived.

The warship slowly sailed into the heavily guarded, suffocating harbor.

Upon receiving the news, the current warden Magellan was already waiting at the port with a group of prison guards. Everyone's face was unusually solemn, as if facing a formidable enemy.

(The former warden was removed from his post due to the Golden Lion's escape.)

Because the orders they received were of the highest level, requiring them to fully cooperate with a vice admiral to retrieve a Level 6 Infinite Hell criminal.