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

Chapter 27 I, Gern, have an exceptionally high level of ideological awareness!

"Ahem! Sorry, it's just that your eyes were a bit..."

Gern cleared his throat, then steered the conversation back on track.

"I didn't expect that Lieutenant General Garp would even tell you this."

“It’s not just him.” Dragon’s voice was low and heavy with a sigh.

"The entire headquarters is talking about you right now."

After all, daring to challenge Whitebeard head-on, even forcing him to use the Overlord's Binding Technique... you've got guts."

Gern chuckled lightly: "Being bold doesn't mean you're strong enough, otherwise I wouldn't be sitting here now, but sinking in the sea."

Dragon didn't reply, but remained silent for a moment before suddenly asking, "Do you really believe... that justice will be delayed?"

Gern squinted.

This question is very profound.

The Dragon should now be beginning to question the World Government.

Especially after the God Valley incident, he witnessed the brutality of the Celestial Dragons firsthand, and his belief in so-called "justice" has probably already wavered.

"I inquired about your file with my father. You also participated in the battle at God Valley."

The killing game of the world's nobles...

"I don't know if justice will be delayed," Gern suddenly interrupted Dragon, speaking slowly.

"But I know that if even those who uphold justice begin to doubt themselves, then the so-called justice is really just empty talk."

Upon hearing Gern's reply, Dragon's pupils contracted slightly.

Then, staring at him, she calmly retorted.

"The navy exists to maintain order."

But if even the order itself is distorted... then what is justice anyway?

The air seemed to freeze at this moment.

Dorrag's eyes deepened as he stared intently at Gren, seemingly trying to discern the meaning behind his words.

But Gern wasn't stupid. Although he currently lacked Observation Haki, as a Logia-type Devil Fruit user, he could clearly sense some subtle vibrations.

For example, Zephyr is standing right now, eavesdropping against the wall below the left window!

So, after pretending to ponder for a long time, Gern slowly asked, "And what about your sense of justice?"

"You think it's distorted, but in my view, the existence of the Navy depends on whom it serves and how it acts, not on the abstract order itself, whether it is just or not."

By completely tying the navy to order, the complexities of its functions are ignored.

Your real criticism should be directed at the power structure that abuses the navy (implying the world government), rather than denying the core values ​​of justice.

"Drag, your father is Vice Admiral Garp, the 'Naval Hero'..."

The realization of justice in our society is a dynamic process; imperfections in order should not negate all values.

Dorag didn't press further after hearing Gern's words. He simply gave him a deep look before turning and walking toward the door.

And in a voice only Gern could hear, he whispered, "I have no justice."

After the door closed, the office returned to silence.

.......

The office door had barely closed when the window on the left was pushed open from the outside.

Zefa nimbly flipped into the room, his short purple hair motionless in the sea breeze, his eyes behind sunglasses staring directly at Gern.

“Eavesdropping is no good habit, Lieutenant General Zephat.” Gern said without looking up as he watched Zephat climb out the window, his fingers lightly tapping the table.

"Haha!" Zephyr chuckled and strode to his desk.

"Testing the awareness of subordinates is the prerogative of the superior." He removed his sunglasses, his sharp gaze scrutinizing Gern.

"Your answer... is satisfactory."

Seeing Zefa's upturned lips, Gern shrugged helplessly: "Just telling the truth."

“It’s rare precisely because it’s the truth.” Zepha tossed a document in front of Gern, something he had gone out of his office to deal with.

The document lists some recently troublesome pirates, similar to the Supernovas of later generations, except that the term doesn't exist yet, so they are all referred to as "troublesome pirates."

"Most people, when faced with a question like that of Dolag, either blindly agree or vehemently refute it."

And Guern, you can see the essence of the problem—that's good.

The marshal also said that you were born in the Western Sea, and that your sense of justice is very vague; he even suggested that you go to a naval academy to study.

Haha, in my opinion, you are the one with the truly upright lineage!

Background doesn't matter; my judgment of people is remarkably accurate.

You! Gern Reginald Sigmar, your sense of justice is exceptionally high!

Gern ignored Zephyr's self-congratulatory remarks and instead opened a file to read, casually glancing up at Zephyr.

"So, Captain Dragon..."

“Just a lost lamb,” Zephyr interrupted him, a rare hint of regret in his voice.

"Sigh, that Garp guy, he's so busy chasing Roger that he can't even raise his own son properly."

Thinking of this, he walked over to Gern and patted him heavily on the shoulder. "But you're different."

The relief that this "black-armed" lieutenant general showed at this moment was completely different from his usual sternness.

"Afternoon work finished, first training ground." Zephyr withdrew his hand and put his sunglasses back on.

"It's time to show you what true power is."

Gern closed the file, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Domineering training?"

“It’s not training.” Zephyr’s voice was deep and powerful.

"It's to make you understand that no matter how strong the fruit is, it's still just an external thing."

"The true strongman..." He pointed to his chest, "...the source of power is here."

So, is it... getting beaten up?

"What are you saying?! I'm telling you to comprehend power! What do you mean by 'taking a beating'? Garp's style is what you call taking a beating!"

The midday sun shone through the window, casting dappled shadows on Zephyr's cloak.

As Guern gazed at the future admiral, he suddenly realized that he was standing at a crucial turning point.

Damn it, I guess I'll just have to take the beating!

“I will be there on time.” Gern stood up and gave a solemn military salute.

Zefa nodded and turned to walk towards the door.

He paused for a moment as he pushed open the door: "By the way, Gern."

"Hmm? Is there anything else you need to explain about getting beaten up?"

“Your knife…” Zefa’s voice suddenly turned deep, “Eight Desolations, right? You’re not allowed to bring it with you this afternoon.”

The door closed, leaving Gern alone in the center of the office.

He reached out and stroked the black knife on his back; the blade trembled slightly, as if in response to something.

"Fine, they won't even let me bring my only weapon attachment!"

Chapter 28 Kuzan

After Zepha left, Gern stood alone in the office, his fingers unconsciously tapping on his desk.

Outside the window came the sound of naval academy cadets practicing in unison, but further away, a strange commotion seemed to be spreading.

Immediately afterwards, Garp's loud voice rang out!

"Hey! This afternoon at Training Ground Number One, Gern is going to have a match with Zephyr!!"

"It spread so quickly?" Gern raised an eyebrow, walked to the window, and opened it.

Sure enough, what came into view was the scene on the playground where Zephyr looked helplessly at Garp beside him.

Even at the office entrance, small groups of naval personnel were gathering in that direction.

Although the corridor was still quite far, Ginn could still clearly sense the excited whispers.

"Lieutenant General Zephyr is going to fight that new Genius!"

"Is that the one who fought Whitebeard, the one with the Skyquake ability?"

"I heard that Teacher Zephyr is going to teach him what true power is..."

Gurn's lips twitched: "Teach my ass, they're clearly just using me as a punching bag."

The sun was shining brightly outside the window. Gern stretched and decided to go to the cafeteria to fill his stomach first.

After all, I'm going to get beaten up in the afternoon, so I can't go hungry.

……

The Naval Headquarters mess hall is always bustling with activity.

As soon as Guern sat down with a plate piled half his height with food, the conversations at the surrounding tables strangely subsided.

"Am I that scary?" Gern forked a piece of steak, glancing around out of the corner of his eye.

Several young sailors immediately lowered their heads and pretended to be focused on eating, but most of their eyes were still secretly cast at him.

Gern could even hear suppressed, excited discussions coming from afar.

"That's Warrant Officer Gern!"

"I heard he single-handedly blocked Whitebeard's attack..."

"His Heaven-War Fruit is said to be even more powerful than Whitebeard's..."

"Really? That's a white-bearded man."

"Nonsense, I saw it with my own eyes from the warship!"

"Stop talking, you'll see it for yourself this afternoon!"

"My gossip-loving heart is burning!" Gern shook his head and focused on the food in front of him.

Just as he was about to drink his soup, a tall figure sat down opposite him.

"You don't mind if I sit here, do you?" a lazy voice asked.

Gern looked up and saw a familiar yet unfamiliar young face with fluffy black curly hair and a smiling expression.

“Captain Kuzan…?” Gern asked tentatively.

The three generals graduated as captains, then followed by field officers and generals...

Therefore, the Naval Headquarters' educational resources are unmatched by any other institution.

However, the current Aokiji is still a passionate righteous person, so his personality is completely different.

"Just call me Kuzan." The future admiral smiled.

And with an extremely familiar air, he casually picked up a piece of bread from Gern's plate, took a bite, and said, "I heard you're going to get a beating from Professor Zephyr this afternoon?"

Guern's eye twitched: "It's 'guidance,' not a beating."

“It’s all the same.” Kuzan shrugged, then suddenly leaned closer, lowering his voice.

"Let me tell you, you'd better carry a few steel plates with you. Zeff's fists are about the same size as Garp's..."

"Is it really that bad?" Guern paused slightly with his fork.

"Haha." Kuzan grinned, revealing his white teeth. "Just kidding, but Professor Zeff is indeed very strict."

He then casually took a piece of fried fish from Guern's plate.

"Speaking of which, can your Heavenly Tremor really withstand Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor?"