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

At the same time, his gaze casually swept over the golden lion hovering not far away, talking to Luo.

"Shiki the Golden Lion, he will not submit to anyone."

“He is not Barrett. Barrett only needs a partner who will not betray him and a goal worth pursuing forever.”

"But Shiki, this man..."

“He’s different.” Kizaru’s tone carried a profound understanding of the old-fashioned tyrants.

"He was once a 'king,' truly standing at the pinnacle of his era, overlooking the entire ocean."

That pride etched into their very bones... belongs to an era, not to any one person.

Kizaru said this because he was worried that Gern might be arrogant or have a "legendary figure submits to me" mentality.

So he added, subtly pointing with his finger at Enel, who was staring disapprovingly at the golden lion.

"The fact that Enel possesses the 'Heartnet' and can hear thoughts is currently known only to you 'Calamity' members and to me, his somewhat irresponsible half-master."

"So, that Enel guy..." His gaze flickered again towards Shiki.

"They should have 'heard' some things they shouldn't have heard, or at least figured them out."

Upon hearing Kizaru's heartfelt and insightful advice, Gern pursed his lips, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

“How could I not know…” Gern sighed softly to himself.

He actually understands this principle better than anyone else.

It's like asking him to submit to Luffy, the innocent straw hat kid who was just sent flying.

Is that possible? Absolutely not! Even if Luffy gets stronger later, it's still the same!

So, in the eyes of the seasoned Golden Lion Shiki, even with his terrifying strength, Gern Reginald Sigmar...

But in the other party's eyes, he is probably just a "junior".

True surrender? Where does that even begin?

But Gern still harbored a sliver of wishful thinking, needing his power, his influence, his reputation... but ultimately he was thinking too simply.

In an instant, Guern calmed down.

In fact, Gern himself had been gambling along the way, which is why he appeared here with the Golden Lion.

When Enel saw the appraising, displeased expression that flashed across his face when facing Shiki...

He had already realized it...

The golden lion is still the same golden lion.

He may have temporarily bowed his head because of the hope of the Op-Op Fruit, but the pride and ambition that belonged to the legendary pirates never truly died out.

Actually, I've always thought Enel's Mind Network (listening to inner thoughts) is terrifying.

Think about it, if you are weaker than him, you have nowhere to hide your true feelings.

You're in the same grade as him, but he always seems to be one step ahead.

Unless you are stronger than him, by a significant margin.

But he'll come up sooner or later! He'll be in the same grade as you.

Furthermore, Luffy is the only character in the One Piece world who doesn't have any inner thoughts.

And most importantly, you didn't know he could hear your thoughts.

Therefore, if he doesn't tell you, you'll be completely unprepared during the fight.

........

"Fantasy time is over."

The decision, made in a mere instant, had matured over decades of experience, and the decisive Guern made the judgment that best suited his practical interests.

"Since we can't truly subdue them, then... let's go with the flow and activate the second plan."

With this thought, Gern's eyes regained their calm, and the unrealistic expectation and wishful thinking that might have existed because of the appearance of the Golden Lion was completely abandoned.

What he needs now is never an unstable "subordinate".

Rather, it is a "collaborator" or... "pawn" that can be used and directed toward specific goals.

Thinking of this, Gern tilted his head slightly, his gaze sweeping once more over the golden lion and the lion in its arms.

A new, more pragmatic plan began to take shape in my mind.

So Gern smiled slightly, casually brought up a trivial topic, and looked at Kizaru.

"The competition for the marshalship...has it already begun?"

"uh-huh??"

"Although I reside in the New World, in Marineford... I've heard that the Sakazuki and Kuzan factions are locked in a fierce battle?"

Upon hearing Gern suddenly steer the conversation toward the Navy's most crucial power transition, Kizaru's tense expression, which had been tightened by Shiki, instantly relaxed.

He put his signature, slightly lewd, and irreverent look back on, waved his hand, and spoke in an exaggerated tone.

"Tsk, Mr. Gern~ Don't ask me about such troublesome things, okay?"

As for me, you know, I don't take sides, I don't engage in factionalism, and clocking out peacefully is the only true path~

“And you…” he drawled, his tone suggestive.

"And I'm simply not cut out to be Fleet Admiral." Gern interrupted Kizaru before he could finish, his tone surprisingly calm, as if stating a fact unrelated to himself.

But a mocking smile played on his lips. "The World Government... dares not let me take the position."

He looked directly at Kizaru and softly uttered two words.

"right?"

At that moment, Kizaru's nonchalant expression froze for a split second, and his eyes behind his glasses narrowed slightly as he re-examined Gern before him.

"Gern...you even know this much about things?"

It seems that G-10's intelligence network, or rather, its reach, is much deeper than I imagined!

He realized that he seemed to have consistently underestimated the power and information channels possessed by this younger generation who had long been based in the New World.

Seeing the subtle changes in Kizaru's expression, Gern knew he had guessed correctly.

So, continuing in this casual tone, he dropped an even more bombshell speculation.

"And, if I'm not mistaken... the World Government..."

"You must have already 'contacted' Sakazuki and Kuzan separately, right?" He tilted his head, pretending to think.

"Otherwise, given their personalities, even if their ideologies differed, how could they have agreed to this while the Warring States Marshal was still in office?"

"Are they really going to put this competition on such a high level, making it even more 'exciting' than the handover of command of the Steel-Bone Air Force Marshal back then?"

He paused, his fingers lightly tapping the hilt of the Eight Desolations sword, producing a soft tapping sound, his tone playful.

"Speaking of which, the reason the Air Marshal abdicated early was because of the trouble caused by that aloof monster, Barrorik Redfield (the Red Earl)..."

So, what major event will force our beloved Warring States marshal to abdicate prematurely this time?

Gern's gaze swept over the ravaged Sabaody Archipelago, and he smiled knowingly.

"This is...so hard to guess!"

Chapter 439 Gern, you know I support you.

"Indeed...it's hard to guess~~"

Seeing Gern's seemingly confused but actually more insightful expression, Kizaru wasn't stupid.

After all, Kizaru, who can slack off indefinitely and disappoint everyone without forming any factions, didn't achieve this simply by being lazy.

As the saying goes, if you don't step up, someone will push you to do so.

But Kizaru did it; no one wanted to push him. You can imagine how smart his choices were every time he made a decision.

Therefore, when Kizaru saw Gern's reaction, alarm bells went off in his mind.

He was all too aware of the "great achievements" of this younger man before him.

Back then, the World Government tried every means to obstruct him and refused to give him the position of admiral. And what was the result?

As a result, this guy not only managed to tear open a breach, forcing the World Government to reluctantly acknowledge the existence of the "Fourth Admiral," but also...

This ushered in the so-called era of the Four Great Generals...

Kizaru's thoughts raced back...

This is just the beginning.

Gern then used the pretext of the deteriorating situation in the new world to forcefully push for the establishment of the G-10, acquire the Barrett missile, and use it as a foundation.

Step by step, they extended their reach into the New World, and then cooperated with the Sengoku period, triggering the "Holy Land Incident," which Mary Geoise still loathes and vividly remembers.

He eventually obtained the almost independent title of "New World Strategic Commander".

Today, the G-10 is a powerful and well-equipped force, teeming with elites. Its size and influence extend to that lawless region of the New World.

It is almost equivalent to a fully functional and formidable fighter.

Naval Headquarters New World Division

Not to mention his ridiculously large degree of autonomy!

Conscription, finances, and even a certain degree of diplomacy...

Now, even the Warring States marshal has to carefully choose his words if he wants to do something for him, and he has to play the old emotional card from time to time...

Thinking of this, Kizaru felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

Guern's logic couldn't be clearer: You won't give it to me? No problem, I'll just take it myself.

And it's not a small-scale takeover; it's a ruthless, comprehensive takeover, one that leaves you terrified and forced to acknowledge the fait accompli.

It even gets you to the point where you start to question who really makes the rules!

"This guy... is a complete rule-breaker and rule-reshaper! The terror of natural disaster justice is terrifying."

At this moment, the "curious child" expression on Gern's face seemed to Kizaru...

It was exactly the same expression he had when he said, "I don't want to be a general" and "I don't want to go to the new world!"

His humble demeanor, tinged with amusement, is nothing more than the calm before certainty of victory.

Therefore, his question about the reason for Sengoku's early abdication was definitely not out of curiosity!

He was assessing, calculating, and even... planning how to use this inevitable 'change' to gain greater benefits and initiative for himself!

"Ouch!" Kizaru suddenly felt a headache coming on.

The Sabaody Archipelago is already in a mess enough because of the Celestial Dragons incident and the Straw Hat Pirates' meddling.

Now, with the addition of Shiki the Golden Lion, a bombshell, Gern is clearly not satisfied with this. His sights have been set on the change of power in Marineford!

"This time... you can't just get away with slacking off..."

Kizaru inwardly lamented, feeling his dream of "clocking out of get off work" was hanging by a thread.

It was gradually shattering amidst Guern's "kind" smile.

Once this guy starts "taking," who knows what kind of storm he'll unleash this time!

In other words, if Gurn were in power, would I still be able to slack off?

"Borsalino-senpai, what do you think...?"

Suddenly, Gern put his arm around Kizaru's shoulder, a harmless smile on his face.

"Sakazuki and Kuzan, who will succeed him?"

This seemingly casual question caused Kizaru's relaxed muscles to tense up slightly for a moment.

He knew all too well that every problem this guy was asking was more than just a problem in itself.

"Sakazuki and Kuzan..."

Kizaru's sunglasses reflected the dappled light and shadow of Sabaody Arches, making it impossible to see his eyes.