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

His keen sense of news immediately made him realize that this was an excellent subject!

Soon, newspapers printed in urgent batches, accompanied by the cries of newsbirds, were scattered to every corner of the world and the Great Sea Route.

The front page headline, in bold, striking font, read:

"The 'Heavenly Tremor' Suppresses the 'Beasts'! Marine Admiral Gern Defeats Kaido in the New World!"

"Naval authority cannot be challenged! G-10 base demonstrates absolute military strength!"

The Clarion Call of a New Era? The Powerful Rise of the Navy in the New World!

In his report, Morgans used highly inflammatory language to describe (or rather, reasonably imagine and exaggerate) the intensity of the battle.

It also emphasized Gern's identity as a Navy Admiral and the controller of G-10.

This confrontation was deliberately portrayed as a display of strong dissatisfaction and a test of force by pirate forces against the Navy's actions of planting its flag in the New World.

Gern's victory signifies that the Navy's dominant position in the New World is unshakeable.

Therefore, this report indeed caused a huge uproar around the world!

.........

Meanwhile, in the New World, in the vast ocean, inside the magnificent, fairytale-like palace on Whole Cake Island.

Charlotte Linlin, Queen of the Kingdom of Totto Land and captain of the Big Mom Pirates, is holding a freshly printed World Economic Report.

His eyes were wide open, and his mouth was slightly agape, as if he had seen something unbelievable.

"Oh my god..." The old woman's voice was filled with astonishment, and even carried a hint of fear that she herself was unaware of.

"Kaido...that kid...lost? Lost to the Navy?!"

Her gaze was fixed on the blurry yet awe-inspiring photograph on the front page of the newspaper: "Gern slays the dragon and plunges into the sea."

Although her relationship with Kaido is complicated, involving both past affection and personal favors, and they often scheme against each other, she is very clear about how terrifying Kaido's strength is.

That was the "strongest creature" that even she was unwilling to fight to the death easily!

Unexpectedly, he was defeated head-on by a naval admiral in a one-on-one duel.

Although she knew Kaido might be holding back and "enjoying" the process, this also...

In short, the power of this "skyquake" clearly needs to be reassessed!

While Big Mom was still reeling from Kaido's defeat, her eldest son, Charlotte Perospero, stood beside her.

With his distinctive, slightly sticky voice, he calmly reported another piece of bad news.

"Mom, the news of Kaido's defeat has been confirmed... Perori~"

Perospero licked his signature long tongue, tapping the ground lightly with his delicate candy cane. "Also, about that thing we already agreed on..."

"Sweet Berry Town, the island that boasts premium cake ingredients, unilaterally broke its agreement with us yesterday."

At this point, he cautiously observed his mother's expression, his tone becoming even more hesitant.

"They...voluntarily declared their presence within the sphere of influence of Naval Base G-10, seeking refuge... Peroli~"

"The one who stepped forward to accept their surrender was 'the devil's heir' Douglas Barrett..."

Charlotte Snag, one of the Sweet Commanders who went to fight, was defeated and fled in disarray.

So, that special cake that you loved so much, Mom... I'm afraid... won't be available anymore.

He said those last words almost as if he were forcing himself to.

Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, the temperature inside the palace seemed to drop suddenly!

A suffocatingly terrifying sense of oppression emanated from Charlotte Linlin as if it were a tangible force!

The newspaper in her hand was crumpled into a ball, and the shock in her huge eyes was quickly replaced by an offensive rage!

Kaido's defeat was shocking, but stealing her beloved, pre-ordered dessert... that was simply touching her sore spot!

"Mmm...mmmmmmmmmm..." The old woman's laughter turned low and dangerous as she slowly lowered her head from the throne.

A massive shadow loomed over Perospero, his mouth slightly agape, drool dripping from his lips.

"G-10...Gern...How dare you steal my snacks?!"

"It seems... some people think that by defeating Kaido, they can do whatever they want in the New World?!"

Upon hearing this, Perospero was immediately startled, but then he forced himself to suppress his fear of "life extraction."

Maintaining a calm demeanor, and even speaking with an even more composed tone, she analyzed, "Mom, please think about this calmly, Peroni~"

We... certainly cannot easily start a war with Naval Base G-10 right now.

He licked his dry lips again halfway through his sentence, pointing his cane at the blurry but imposing silhouettes behind Gern's figure in the newspaper.

"G-10 not only has 'Heavenquake' Gern himself, who just defeated Kaido, but also several unfathomable strongmen in his 'Disaster' forces."

Putting everything else aside, the world's undisputed greatest swordsman, Dracule Mihawk, is someone we cannot underestimate.

Upon hearing her eldest son mention the name "Mihawk," Charlotte Linlin's furious aura paused slightly.

Seeing that his mother was moved, Perospero pressed on, pointing out a more realistic dilemma: "And, Mom, the G-10's sphere of influence borders Edward Newgate's territory."

If we launch a major offensive against G-10, who knows what that old guy might do, Perot!

"More importantly, Mom, you are the pillar of the nation, the soul of Tottoland!"

You can't leave Whole Cake Island so easily, what if this is a diversionary tactic...?

Perospero didn't say what followed explicitly, but the meaning was clear.

As an empress, her foundation and territory are equally important; once she leaves the core area of ​​the kingdom...

It's hard to guarantee that other forces, such as the Navy, other royal crews, or pirates (like Shanks who just entered the New World), won't take advantage of the situation.

After all, the new world order is very unstable now because of Gern's flag-planting.

Charlotte Linlin's large chest heaved violently a few times as she stared intently at the photograph of Guern in the newspaper.

He glanced again at Perospero's tense yet determined face.

She knew that Perospero's analysis was correct.

For a special cake from an island (which she absolutely adored), she went to a powerful and well-equipped enemy that had just defeated Kaido.

Furthermore, waging war against a major naval stronghold adjacent to Whitebeard's territory, while risking the theft of their home base, would be an absolute loss.

"Mmm...mmmmmmmmmm..." The middle-aged woman let out a low, enigmatic laugh, her anger seemingly forcibly suppressed.

"Damn the navy... damn Gern... how dare they steal my snacks..."

She slumped back onto the throne, crumpled the tattered newspaper in her hand into a ball, and threw it angrily to the ground.

"Perospero! Go find me! Find cake ingredients better than those from Sweet Berry Town!"

If I can't find you, I'll take away your lifespan! Mwah mwah mwah mwah!!

Chapter 358 You are no longer a 'lonely person'

G-10 base, in Gern's office.

Gern looked at Barrett, who had returned from a long and dusty patrol, and casually asked...

"Did you run into Charlotte Snack, the Sweet Commander of the Big Mom Pirates, when you were taking over the island this time? Did you fight?"

I just heard from Tesoro that the sweet treats from Sweet Berry Town on that island are highly anticipated by Big Mom.

"Make a move? With that piece of trash?" Hearing Gern's question, Barrett's fierce face furrowed.

He revealed an undisguised sneer, his tone laced with disdain: "Hmph, if he dares to linger for even a moment, or show the slightest intention to make a move..."

His head has long since been brought back as trophy and is hanging at the base gate!

Guern had no doubt about Barrett's words.

The G-10's sphere of influence is expanding, and its routine patrols and maintenance of order missions are increasing.

Apart from Tezzolo, who is mainly responsible for the economy and internal coordination, the other core members need to take turns going out.

Once it's Barrett's turn to go out, if he encounters any pirates who provoke or obstruct him, there's basically no chance of leaving them alive.

Often, all that remained was the severed head, which he would bring back as proof that the "mission was accomplished."

Seeing Guern tapping his fingers lightly on the table, seemingly deep in thought, Barrett, for some reason, subconsciously added another explanation.

"That guy... saw my boat from afar and immediately turned around and ran away."

As he spoke, he seemed to feel that he hadn't completed the task, so he emphasized, "And they run very fast, so catching up with them is a bit troublesome."

"Hmm?" A clear look of surprise flashed in Gren's eyes when he heard that Barrett would actually take the initiative to explain the situation to him.

When has this war machine, whose mind is almost entirely focused on fighting and becoming stronger, ever cared about such "details"?

Was it because of Lipo's influence that he also learned a little bit about... communication?

However, Gern was only surprised and didn't think much of it, so he smiled and waved his hand, saying, "It's alright, let it go. As long as the island is successfully taken over, that's all that matters."

After saying that, Gern's smile faded, and his tone became slightly more serious: "However, we still need to be a little careful about the Big Mom Pirates."

Although they backed down this time, Charlotte Linlin, that woman, can be quite difficult to deal with when she's on a crazy whim; she'll do anything for dessert.

Gern stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the bustling scene outside the base: "And, the high-level meeting of the Navy Headquarters is about to be held."

I will need to take a few of you core members with me to Marineford.

Until then, it's best to maintain stability in the New World and avoid any further complications or major trouble.

The next step for G-10 is to consolidate and digest the existing power structure, and at the upcoming headquarters meeting, strive for greater influence and benefits for its faction.

Upon hearing this, Barrett merely snorted coldly, which was taken as tacit approval of Gern's arrangement.

However, he immediately changed the subject, asking in a low voice, "Gern, how strong is Kaido, that guy?"

Hearing Barrett's undisguised and challenging question, Gern was not surprised at all; in fact, he smiled inwardly.

I told you so! Barrett is still Barrett, the "Demon's Descendant" who only thinks about challenging stronger opponents has finally returned.

That's more like it!

So, without any preamble, Gern decisively and directly gave the conclusion: "You are no match for him now."

"What?!" Barrett's face instantly darkened, his fist clenched tightly, his knuckles cracking, clearly extremely dissatisfied with this assessment, and he was about to refute it.

But Gren didn't give him a chance to speak, raising his hand to interrupt, "Let me finish."

There's a reason why Kaido is called the 'strongest creature in the world'.

Its defense, stamina, and recovery ability are all at a monstrous level, and its pure physical strength is even more exaggerated.

That doesn't even include the fact that he has mastered all three types of Haki to their peak, especially the Conqueror's Haki, whose power you've witnessed before.

In addition, the all-around bonuses and elemental manipulation abilities brought by the Zoan-type Mythical Beasts…

Seeing Barrett's increasingly grim expression, Gern paused and said something even more hurtful: "To be honest, even for me..."

If I don't fight with a do-or-die mentality, using all my cards to win, I probably only have a 50% chance of winning in a one-on-one duel.

These words made Barrett's pupils shrink. He knew Gern's strength well, and even Gern had such a high opinion of Kaido...

The atmosphere in the office became somewhat heavy for a moment.

"However... that's what I say, but... hehe."

Gern suddenly changed the subject, a familiar smile appearing on his face, and said in a joking tone, "If we don't care about any sense of honor in a one-on-one fight and instead engage in a tag-team battle with him, then Kaido is definitely going to lose! Hahaha!"

“After all, on our side…” Gern smiled, adding meaningfully, “we have Xiong and Libo with us!!”

This sentence is like the finishing touch on a painting.

Barrett was taken aback at first, but then he realized what was happening, and a rare smile of approval appeared on his tense and fierce face.

Yes, the almost bug-like healing ability of the Kuma and Ripo combination is enough to turn any sustained battle of attrition into a nightmare for the opponent.

As long as they aren't instantly killed, they can continuously recover and fight again with Lipo's support!

In this mode, even someone as strong as Kaido can be worn down to the point of collapse!

In other words, the four of them—Gern, Barrett, Mihawk, and Enel (who would come on his own even without being brought along)—could easily overwhelm Kaido.

However, Gern's words not only highlighted Kaido's personal strength but also subtly reminded Bullet, who preferred to fight alone.