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

and so.

Even if Admiral Akainu turned G-10 upside down, he absolutely wouldn't find any problems on the surface.

"That's good, that's good..." Gern finally let go and breathed a long sigh of relief.

Actually, theoretically speaking, G-10 is an independently operated entity by Gern, so it's normal for it to have some of its own 'unique' channels.

Even during the Warring States period, they turned a blind eye... but it was Sakazuki who came!

That serious, rigid man who couldn't tolerate the slightest imperfection and believed in 'absolute justice' to the extreme!

If he knew that G-10 had this kind of "shady deal" with the Four Emperors, even if it was just to obtain scarce resources or extract intelligence...

I bet they could give us a 'justice whitewash' right here and now!

Therefore, unnecessary trouble should be avoided if possible.

In particular, Akainu hasn't contacted him on his own initiative for a really, really long time.

..............

Three days later, at the G-10 base port, the sea breeze blew across the naval port docks.

Rarely, Gern was dressed in a full general's uniform, wearing a cloak inscribed with the word "Justice," and personally stood at the forefront to wait.

Beside him was Lipo, who was also dressed neatly and munching on a carrot.

"Uncle Sakazuki, are you really coming? Lipo hasn't seen him in so long."

“Yes! It’s been a long time.” Gern crossed his arms, gazing at the horizon, his tone tinged with reminiscence.

“Every time I went to see Sakazuki before, whether in Marineford or another branch, that guy would always be standing at the port waiting for me like a block of wood.”

Although he always wore an expression that said, "Everyone owes me hundreds of millions of Berries," he never neglected the rules.

Not long after, a standard-issue large naval warship slowly entered the port, with the insignia of Akainu's fleet clearly visible on its sails and hull.

After the warship docked smoothly, the gangway was lowered.

The first figure to appear at the top of the gangway was none other than Sakazuki.

He was still wearing his signature dark red shirt, with the Admiral's Justice Cloak draped over it.

His expression remained as stern as ever, and his sharp gaze swept over the port soldiers first, but after seeing his serious and solemn demeanor, it finally settled on Gern.

Seeing Akainu looking at him, Gern smiled and was about to step forward to greet him in his usual slightly teasing tone.

For example, "Hey, Sakazuki, what brings you to this remote and impoverished place?"

But, just as he took half a step, a clear, energetic female voice suddenly rang out from behind Akainu.

"Uncle Gern!!!"

A figure peeked out from behind Akainu.

She was a girl who looked about twelve or thirteen years old, with dazzling long blonde hair tied into a neat ponytail.

She wore a stylish pair of headphones and had a small music player hanging around her neck.

She wore a white short-sleeved naval-style shirt and a dark blue skirt, looking both energetic and full of youthful vitality.

What's most eye-catching is the fluffy bear-shaped backpack she carries, which seems out of place with her military-style look.

The girl completely ignored the slightly formal and tense atmosphere, and like a cheerful little bird, she waved vigorously at Gern with a bright smile on her face.

Gern's foot, which was about to lift, suddenly stopped. The smile on his face froze instantly, and his pupils dilated slightly, clearly surprised by this unexpected situation.

She even blinked subconsciously to make sure she wasn't seeing things.

Libo, who was standing next to him, was also stunned for a moment when she saw the girl, and blinked.

Meanwhile, Akainu seemed unsurprised by the girl behind him "stealing the show".

He didn't utter a word of reprimand, but his stern expression seemed to darken even further.

He then continued to walk steadily down the gangway, but the girl couldn't wait to get past him and practically jumped over him, heading straight for Gern.

Looking at the girl rushing towards him, Gern finally snapped out of his shock and, with an incredulous tone, tentatively called out a name.

"You are... Little Lark?!"

Chapter 404 "Sorry"

"You are... Little Lark?!"

Looking at the bright and lively girl in front of him, long-dormant memories in Gern's mind were instantly awakened.

I vaguely remember that it was many years ago, after a meeting that sparked a heated debate surrounding the establishment of the "Seven Warlords of the Sea" system.

I was invited to Akainu's residence in Marineford.

It was in that somewhat deserted but spotless Akainu house that Gern first saw the infant girl in swaddling clothes.

However, Akainu's attitude at the time was also petty, simply saying, "My daughter, Hibari."

Then, without giving Gern a chance to pinch his cheek, she had his mother take him away.

Time flies. The little one who could only babble when she first started out has now grown into a vibrant young woman.

Gern couldn't help but sigh, "Time... it really waits for no one!"

At that moment, Libo, who was standing next to her, also recognized the other person. She blinked her beautiful big eyes and a surprised smile appeared on her face.

"Is she Little Lark? She's grown so much!"

Before she finished speaking, Lipo instantly abandoned her usual gentle older sister image, as if she had transformed back into the little girl who shouted "Partners of Justice" many years ago. With a joyful cry, she rushed towards Hibari.

"Sister Lipo!" Hibari called out happily.

The two girls, who were completely different ages, immediately hugged each other and jumped around.

Seeing this, Guern couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head.

At this moment, Akainu had already walked up to Gern and was looking him up and down.

Looking back, there was that young man in G-3 who needed occasional "discipline" but whose talent and potential couldn't be ignored.

Now he reigns supreme in the New World, and is the Navy's Chief of Strategic Command, capable of severely injuring even the Four Emperors.

Akainu took a deep breath, seemingly wanting to say something, but in the end, he simply extended his broad and powerful hand and placed it heavily on Guern's shoulder, patting it forcefully.

“You did a great job, Gern.”

There are no excessive embellishments, no fancy words, just this simple and direct sentence.

But coming from Akainu, it carried immense weight.

As a result, Gern felt the strength and warmth on his shoulder, and the smile on his face became even more genuine.

“Of course! After all… I have received a lot of your ‘education’, General Sakazuki.”

..........

In G-10, in Guern's office, the atmosphere was completely different from what he had initially expected.

There were no rigorous inspections, no questioning of the G-10's independent style, and not even much official small talk.

Sakazuki silently walked to the window and looked at the orderly yet distinctly New World-style port and town outside the base.

Then he turned around and took out two bottles of sake and a pair of small ceramic sake cups from his briefcase.

He calmly filled both glasses and pushed one of them towards Gern.

Gern looked at the small wine glass pushed in front of him, then at Akainu's still serious face, and wondered.

This was completely out of character for Sakazuki, which made him a little scared.

But Akainu didn't explain immediately; he simply picked up his glass of wine and stared directly at Guern.

“Gern,” he said, his voice a few decibels lower than usual, “Back then… I misunderstood you.”

Upon hearing this, Gern paused slightly in the hand holding the wine glass, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Akainu didn't wait for his response and continued speaking, as if these words had been building up inside him for a long time.

"Back in G-3, you told me..."

"When weak soldiers and civilians are slaughtered by powerful pirates..."

"When the iron fist of justice falters, the wise Buddha remains silent in the face of bureaucracy."

"At this moment, only the absolute heat of magma will step forward."

Akainu repeated Gern's passionate words from his youth, his tone carrying a long-lost warmth.

At that time, I firmly believed that you and I were the same kind of people.

The justice we uphold allows no compromise or taint.

"Later, at headquarters, facing the World Government and the power of the Divine Knights, you still dared to draw your sword for the principles in your heart."

A look of admiration flashed in Akainu's eyes. "I am even more gratified, even... proud."

"And then later, you almost risked your life to personally arrest Gol D. Roger..." Akainu's voice carried a heavy weight.

"At that time, in my heart, you were no longer just an outstanding junior or a like-minded colleague."

I consider you...my only friend, a confidant who understands my 'absolute justice'.

Akainu paused for a moment, then picked up his sake cup and drank the sake in one gulp.

Then, when he looked at Gern again, there was a hint of self-mockery in his eyes.

"However, ever since you were transferred to the New World and took charge of G-10..." Akainu shook his head, "you've heavily relied on the former pirate Bullet, maneuvered with various forces, and even..."

I've heard that you've recruited some people with complicated backgrounds.

I sensed... betrayal.

"I don't understand! I can't understand why you gave up on that pure path!"

Therefore, I have always stubbornly believed in my heart that the righteous young man who spoke so eloquently to me at G-3 back then...

That tough guy who dared to say 'no' to the world government... has changed.

They've been assimilated by the corruption, or rather, they've compromised with reality.

Akainu turned his gaze out the window again, looking at the naval flags fluttering above G-10 base and the distant sea area that had been brought under order by Guern.

"This idea has bothered me for many years."

Until... until before I came this time, I had thoroughly inspected your G-10 area of ​​influence.

He turned back, his eyes now incredibly clear, even carrying a hint of relieved smile, a rare sight on his hardened face.

"I've seen that the shipping routes that were once ravaged by pirates are now bustling with orderly merchant ships."

Under your protection, the faces of ordinary people are no longer filled with fear, but with peace.

Seeing this base, how it was like a nail, firmly driven into the heart of the new world, preventing those so-called 'emperors' from making any rash moves…

Akainu took a deep breath, refilled his and Gern's glasses, and then solemnly raised his glass: "Gern, you haven't forgotten 'justice'."

In your own way, you established order and authority for the navy in this most chaotic and darkest sea.

His voice carried an unprecedented sincerity and respect: "On the contrary... it was I who forgot."

Justice is not only in the form of 'absolute'.

Different battlefields and different enemies require different methods and wisdom to implement them.

"I held fast to my beliefs, but almost lost the only friend who could understand the weight of those beliefs."

“So…” Akainu raised his glass forward: “This glass is an apology for my misunderstanding over the years.”

Looking at Sakazuki apologizing to him, Gern pursed his lips and sighed inwardly.

"My god, thank goodness Tesoro made arrangements beforehand. I didn't expect Akainu to use the spies tactic! If he had found out about the port that has business dealings with the Four Emperors..."

However, as fortunate as he was, Gren still had some realizations when Akainu said "sorry" to him.

After all, in his mind, Akainu was someone who would never compromise, absolutely.

But after listening to him say so much, Gern realized

They seem to have their own judgment, and they're no longer the comic book characters they remember...