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

Having done all this, Kizaru completely distanced himself from the situation, preparing to find a safe place to observe the impending cataclysmic storm from afar.

As for stopping Gren? Let whoever wants to go, go ahead; Borsalino, for his part, has no intention of getting involved.

At G-10 base, Gern was not surprised by Kizaru's sensible departure.

He then slowly retracted the Black Blade Eight Desolations, and the bandages wrapped around it automatically restored, resealing the blade.

Instead of taking immediate action, Gern waited quietly for several days.

In recent days, G-10 base has been operating like a sophisticated war machine, running at an unprecedented speed and efficiency.

All supplies, weapons and ammunition, and ship maintenance were completed as quickly as possible under Tezolo's coordination.

To ensure that things would remain perfect after Gern and the others left, even though he had warned Whitebeard, one should always be wary of others!

Finally, after everything was ready.

On this day, the atmosphere at the G-10 base port was somber.

The core members of the "Cataclysmic Faction," led by Gern, boarded a warship that flew a distinctive "Cataclysmic" flag and a naval ensign.

Without a massive fleet, a single, ordinary warship slowly departed the harbor, cutting through the waves of the New World, its destination clear and direct.

Navy G-1 Branch Base!

The reason for choosing G-1 base instead of other routes is simple: the Red Line stretches across the world, dividing it into eastern and western halves.

To reach Mary Geoise, the sacred land located at the top of the Red Line, from the New World side

The proper and shortest route is through the Navy's G-1 branch base located at the entrance to the New World!

(If it's in the first half of the Grand Line, then surface through the coated passageway in the Sabaody Archipelago.)

Gern's purpose is now crystal clear!

He wasn't seeking revenge secretly; he wanted to do it in the most forceful and unquestionable way.

Following the "rules" set by the World Government, let's rightfully... attack Mary Geoise!

.....

Meanwhile, at the Navy's G-1 branch base, in front of the giant elevator shaft leading to Mary Geoise at the top of the Red Line.

The atmosphere wasn't as tense as I'd imagined; instead, it had a strange... relaxed feel to it.

Garp sat cross-legged on the ground without any regard for his image, a large bag of senbei piled up beside him, which he was happily munching on.

Admiral Kuzan, nicknamed "Aokiji," is reclining in a deckchair, wearing his signature eye patch.

He seemed to be asleep, even snoring softly, appearing completely oblivious to what was about to happen.

Admiral "Kizaru" Borsalino sat with his legs crossed on an ammunition box, trimming his nails.

Despite his extreme reluctance, Kizaru, one of the few who was mostly free, was dragged into the fray!

The gathering of these three top naval combatants should have meant that something momentous was about to happen.

However, to the other naval personnel at G-1 base, this was probably just a routine inspection by a high-ranking officer.

After all, the base was not on high alert and everything was operating normally.

"Hey, Kuzan, don't actually fall asleep!" Garp mumbled between bites of senbei, "Although that kid will most likely really leave from here!"

Hearing the sound, Kuzan pulled down his eye mask, revealing a sleepy eye, and yawned widely: "Ara ara... Mr. Garp, don't worry."

"If he really comes, with all that noise, I won't be able to sleep at all." After saying that, he pulled his eye mask back up, adjusted his position, and prepared to catch up on his sleep.

Kizaru blew the dust off his fingernails and slowly replied, "Maybe Lord Gern is just back to report on his duties?"

After all, such a big thing happened, it's only right that I come back and explain to the marshal.

Of course, his eyes darted around when he said this, clearly indicating that he didn't even believe it himself.

Upon hearing this, Garp scoffed, "Reporting on duty? Bringing back a Celestial Dragon's head to report on duty? I'd like to see that scene."

He grabbed a handful of senbei (rice crackers) and stuffed them into his mouth, sighing, "That old man from the Warring States period was just too proud to admit it. You can't hide something like that."

After all, Gern represents the Navy's 'face' and deterrent power in the New World.

Marineford, on the other hand, symbolizes absolute dominance in the first half of the Grand Line.

If it gets out that our own people are fighting each other, wouldn't the pirates laugh their heads off?

So the matter was almost completely suppressed.

Therefore, to the pirates and other forces outside, they probably just thought it was another 'routine' wrangling between G-10 and Marineford about military spending or authority.

After all... immediately after the incident at Sabaody Archipelago, World Government agents and the Navy eliminated all those in the know.

The speed was so fast that even Morgans' men didn't hear the news.

Of course, this is the facade that the naval leadership and the World Government are trying so hard to maintain.

An internal storm capable of upending the entire system was forcibly downplayed and distorted into an ordinary "internal affair".

After finishing the last senbei, Garp dusted off the crumbs from his hands, stood up, and stretched his limbs.

His gaze fell upon the turbulent sea of ​​the new world, and his expression became slightly more serious: "Alright, everyone, let's all perk up."

That kid... he's not one to play by the rules.

“If he really dares to walk this way…” Karp clenched his fist, which was as big as a sandbag, making a cracking sound, “Even if it costs me my old bones, I’ll make him know…”

Sometimes, it's best to leave things unsaid...

Seeing Garp's enthusiastic expression, Aokiji and Kizaru simultaneously thought to themselves, "What do you mean?"

"If they really wanted to stop that man, they wouldn't have sent the three of us..."

Chapter 322 You're a Marine, Not a Dog

Naval G-1 branch base port.

The base commander, Vice Admiral Strawberry (the one with the long skull), stood solemnly at the edge of the dock.

He watched the warships getting closer and closer on the horizon, especially the lead one flying the distinctive "Natural Disaster" flag, and his brows furrowed involuntarily.

As a key figure guarding the gateway from the New World to the Holy Land, Vice Admiral Strawberry is naturally a trusted confidant of the World Government, and his political stance is beyond question.

So he picked up a megaphone and shouted at the approaching fleet in a formulaic, emotionless tone:

"Admiral Gern! This is Navy G-1 Branch! What is the purpose of your arrival at G-1 Base without prior notification? Please state your intentions!"

The sound was amplified by the loudspeaker and echoed across the sea.

Gern's figure was clearly visible on the bow of the warship.

He listened to Storobelli's shouts, a cold, mocking smile appearing on his face.

He didn't even use any amplification equipment; he simply opened his mouth slightly, yet the sound was conveyed through precisely controlled vibrations.

The message resounded clearly throughout the entire G-1 port, each word seeming to strike at the heart: "What is it?"

"I heard that some reckless madman attacked the esteemed 'world nobles'."

Gern's voice carried an undisguised mockery.

"As a naval admiral, isn't it my duty to protect the safety of the world's nobles and eliminate all threats?"

"Now, I suspect the perpetrators may be attempting to escape to Mary Geoise through G-1 base!"

"Open the passage immediately! I need to go up and 'protect' the Celestial Dragons, and... apprehend the criminals!"

These high-sounding yet provocative words left the naval soldiers in the harbor looking at each other, somewhat at a loss for words.

Lieutenant General Stolberg's face darkened completely. Although he remained expressionless, his gaze became incredibly sharp.

Damn it, instead of saying you, Gern, would protect the Celestial Dragons, you should just say that the Celestial Dragons like to eat vomit; that would be much more convincing.

Thinking of this, he picked up the megaphone again and continued in a firm voice, "Sorry, General Gern!"

I have not received any orders from the Marshal or the World Government regarding this matter, nor have I received any instructions requiring your assistance in defending G-1 or Mary Geoise!

"According to regulations, you must immediately lead your fleet to turn around and leave! Otherwise, it will be considered a provocation against G-1 base!"

After saying that, Lieutenant General Storoberry didn't give Gunn any more chance to argue and suddenly waved his hand!

"Snap! Snap! Snap!"

On both sides of the port and on the fortifications of G-1 base, countless dark cannon muzzles instantly turned in all directions!

The heavy sound of loading rang out, and all the heavy cannons were loaded in a very short time, their cold muzzles locked firmly on Gern's fleet!

The stance is clear—refuse to cooperate, and we will use force to stop it!

At the bow of the warship, Gern looked at the utterly ruthless attitude of the Stolberg and the gun barrels aimed at him, and his sneer deepened.

"As expected of a good dog raised by the World Government." He muttered to himself, completely losing patience for nonsense.

He directly ordered those behind him: "Ignore them, force your way in!"

The warships did not slow down at all; on the contrary, they accelerated and headed straight for the port of G-1 base!

Upon seeing this, Storoberry's eyes flashed with a cold light, and he issued the attack order without hesitation: "Fire!!"

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!" The deafening roar of artillery fire erupted instantly!

Dozens of heavy shells, trailing smoke, rained down on Gern's fleet like a storm!

however

Just as these shells were about to hit the front of the warship

On the ship, two figures darted out simultaneously like ghosts!

A massive, dark green slash, incredibly refined and seemingly capable of slicing through anything!

A blazing, violent, crimson slash, imbued with an eerie allure!

Two attacks, one from the left and one from the right, crossed over the airspace in front of the fleet!

"Shh! Shh!"

The incoming shells were as fragile as paper in the face of these two terrifying strikes, and were instantly and silently split in two!

It exploded in mid-air, turning into two dazzling but useless fireballs!

In the light of the explosion, Jorah Mihawk slowly sheathed his black sword "Night" behind his back, his eyes indifferent.

Torritoma gracefully sheathed her sword, leaning against the fiery serpent, a hint of disdain on her exquisite face.

The first show of force from G-1 base was easily and instantly dismantled!

Lieutenant General Stolberg's face instantly turned extremely ugly!

And so, Gern led the core members of the "Calamity Faction" across the barrage of gunfire and strode firmly to the dock of G-1 base.

Seeing this, Lieutenant General Strawberry, the base commander, knew there was no room for maneuver, but as the gatekeeper appointed by the World Government, he could not back down.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the shock in his heart, stepped forward, and stood in front of Gren without fear, meeting his eyes.

His gaze swept over the impressive and menacing lineup behind Guern.

The world's greatest swordsman, Hawkeye Mihawk, Bartholomew Kuma, God Enel, the demon heir Barrett, Golden Tesoro, the Snake Princess of Kuja, the White Rabbit Ripo...

This was practically the entirety of Gern's top combat forces!

Strawberry instantly realized that the seriousness of the problem far exceeded his expectations; this was definitely not a simple friction or demonstration!

But he maintained his tough stance, his right hand resting on the hilts of the twin swords at his waist, his voice cold and resolute: "General Gern!"

"Please lead your troops back to sea immediately! Do not advance any further! Don't put me in a difficult position! What about the World Government..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Guern's deep and calm voice.

Gern didn't even look at his hand on the knife, but merely glanced down at him, as if stating a perfectly simple fact:

"Storoberry..."

"You're a navy officer, not a dog."

These merciless words pierced Strawberry's bottom line and dignity like a sharp knife!

"Then I'm sorry!!!" A fierce glint flashed in Storoberry's eyes. He knew that the negotiations had broken down and the only way out was to stop them by force!

He roared, his twin swords instantly unsheathed, covered in Armament Haki, and with a swift movement, he charged toward Gern, attempting to use offense as defense and create chaos!