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

But... after all these years at sea, it seems... I haven't fulfilled a single dream.

Guern downed the wine in his glass in one gulp, then slammed the glass down heavily on the small table beside him.

He didn't respond to Ace's sentiments, but instead changed the subject.

"But you have a father who loves you."

Ace seemed to have been struck on a nerve, abruptly raising his head, his voice filled with suppressed repulsion: "Don't mention that man to me..."

“It wasn’t him,” Gern interrupted him.

"It's Whitebeard."

Ace was speechless for a moment, his pupils trembling slightly.

Gern slowly stood up, finally turning around to look down at Ace in the cage.

He said something that confused Ace, yet also felt inexplicably heavy.

"That man... he's betting his future on you."

"You...please don't turn around, Ace!"

Gern's words, "Never look back," struck Ace hard.

Combined with the earlier statement, "He has staked his future on you," a terrifying premonition sent chills down his spine.

"Dad...he couldn't be..." Ace's voice trembled, and tears could no longer be held back.

He dared not think about that ending, the cruelest ending that might happen because of him.

Gern didn't let him continue speculating. Instead, with the calmest yet cruelest tone, he bluntly shattered Ace's last shred of hope.

"I will kill him."

These five words were clear, cold, and without the slightest hesitation.

"He knew I would kill him."

Gurn added, stating a fact that both sides had long understood.

This is a war in which Whitebeard knowingly faced death, yet resolutely came.

It is also a battle that Gern will inevitably have to fight.

Ace looked up, his eyes blurred with tears, and gazed at Gern's retreating figure.

Just then, Gern slightly turned his head, glancing out of the corner of his eye at the collapsing Ace in the cage, his voice still steady.

So... don't let the tattoo on your back...

That symbol carries the glory, beliefs, and sense of belonging of the Whitebeard Pirates.

"It's all meaningless!"

This statement is more powerful, and more cruel, than any comfort or encouragement.

It's telling Ace what Whitebeard's sacrifice was for.

It was reminding Ace of his current identity.

It was forcing Ace to shoulder the will that had been passed down at the cost of his life, and that he must not be weak at this moment, and must not turn back!

These few words were also Gern repaying his last favor!

He will now give it his all.

Ace stood frozen in place, tears streaming down his face, his teeth clenched, his nails digging deep into his palms.

The white-bearded skull and crossbones flag behind him seemed to become incredibly hot at that moment, imprinted deep into his soul.

Gern turned his head away and stopped looking at him.

The escort ship continued its silent journey.

..........

Marineford, a naval port.

Gern had just completed the handover of Ace, officially transferring him to the temporary guard force before his execution.

Tesoro, who had been anxiously waiting nearby, immediately stepped forward, approached Gern, and reported in a very low voice.

"General Gern, things are going exactly as you predicted with the Golden Lion!"

Following your previous arrangements, the crew of G-10 went to carry out tasks such as deterring Big Mom and clearing the sea. After a brief 'vacuum' appeared in the internal defenses...

He quietly left alone to meet with Whitebeard!

"And another thing," Tesoro paused, then continued, "Trafalgar Law, left unattended, also took the opportunity to run back to Sabaody Archipelago."

After listening to Tesoro's report, Gern showed no surprise, but instead smiled slightly.

"Ah, the Golden Lion..."

What he's thinking right now is nothing more than that after Roger's glory comes Whitebeard's era.

He also realized that Whitebeard's journey there was doomed to certain death.

Therefore, he believed that, according to the so-called 'succession,' the next one should naturally be his era as Golden Lion Shiki!

Gern's tone carried a hint of insightful, mocking sarcasm.

"What he recovered was not just his body, but also his ambition that had been suppressed for more than ten years."

"The Flying Pirate, Golden Lion... is also preparing to use this all-out war sweeping the world to announce his return!"

Hearing Gern's exclamation, Tesoro smiled knowingly, remaining silent but his mind clear.

"But this time, the Golden Lion sees himself as the stage to declare his ambitions, and isn't that also true...?"

What was the final act that General Guern had meticulously planned for him and for the entire old era?

The legendary era... is truly coming to a complete end with the combined departure of these three titans: Roger, Whitebeard, and Shiki!

This war will be far more than just a showdown between the Navy and Whitebeard; it will be a funeral dirge for an era, orchestrated by "Skyquake" Gern himself.

Chapter 456: I'll give it to anyone except Gern.

Meanwhile, in the Holy Land, Mary Geoise, in the Pangu Hall, five familiar figures stood in a circle.

The gaze of the Five Elders, the supreme rulers of the World Government

The focus is also on the all-out war that is about to break out in Marineford.

This "open conspiracy" that they orchestrated themselves was far more significant than simply eliminating the threat posed by Whitebeard.

"Everything is proceeding according to plan."

Dressed in a dark kimono and wielding the first generation Kitetsu, Izanbaron V. Nasujuro Sei slowly spoke.

"The Warring States period should come to an end," Shepard X. Pittsmann added coldly.

"Regardless of the outcome of this battle, the enormous casualties, especially the deaths of senior officers, must be borne entirely by him, the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy."

This is the best time for him to resign, and it's an outcome we must push for.

Just as Zephyr had previously analyzed, the Five Elders had already decided on the next Fleet Admiral.

“Sakazuki…” Topman Vochuli, who had a birthmark on his forehead, murmured.

"His concept of 'absolute justice' is clear, his style of action is tough and... predictable."

He is a knife that is sharp enough and obedient enough.

His appointment is the best fit for the current needs.

A man like him, in particular, would not allow someone like Gern to continue to exist in the New World.

The existing system of "one body, two systems" will inevitably be broken, internal strife within the navy will begin, and everything will return to normal.

Putting Akainu in power was the best and easiest choice they could make after weighing the options.

However, having held power over the world for eight hundred years, they were certainly not short-sighted fools.

“Of course.” Jaygolucia Satan Saint calmly pointed out the backup plan: “We also need to be prepared for another possibility.”

If the course of the war takes an unexpected turn, making the situation unfavorable for our power transition...

Therefore, the World Government will spare no expense to provide relief to the families of all fallen generals and to bestow upon the survivors the highest honors and rewards.

"Use sufficient benefits and 'righteousness' to quell internal doubts and resentment, help the Warring States period stabilize the situation, and allow him... to continue sitting in that position."

A brief silence fell over the hall.

Ultimately, Makas Mazsan succinctly concluded this high-level decision-making process with a single sentence, revealing the deepest fear behind all their decisions.

"In short, the position of Marshal can be given to Sakazuki, or Kuzan can temporarily take over."

"It wouldn't hurt to let Sengoku remain in office, or if all else fails, give him to Borsalino!"

"In short!!" His voice was resolute and unwavering.

"Absolutely, absolutely not, can it fall into the hands of Gern Reginald Sigmar!!"

This is a shared bottom line, stemming from their shared distrust of Guern's uncontrollable power and unfathomable ambition.

And a deep fear of a vast power completely independent of their control.

They would rather maintain a less-than-perfect but obedient admiral than allow one who could potentially overturn the existing order.

Even the "natural disaster" that backfired on him allowed him to take the commanding position that could mobilize the entire navy!

The war at Marineford has not yet begun, but the chessboard of power has already been set in motion in the clouds.

And Gern, the variable they fear most, remains a Damocles' sword hanging over all their plans.

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

Marineford Square.

A massive execution platform stood tall, below which stood a densely packed, solemnly arrayed elite naval force, an atmosphere of grim determination permeating the air.

This is an almost perfect execution setup, an impregnable fortress, ready to fight.

Meanwhile, Marshal Sengoku and Chief of Staff Tsuru, standing at the forefront of the execution platform, showed no sign of relief.

The Warring States period's gaze was firmly fixed on the area not far below.

There, Gern Reginald Sigmar stood with Barrett, Tesoro, and Lipo.

Out of place with the tense atmosphere around them, they seemed to be there just to watch a performance.

"Sengoku." Noticing Sengoku's focused gaze, Tsuru spoke calmly, her voice soft yet clear enough to reach Sengoku's ears.

"You should have already told him the truth, right?"

Otherwise, given his personality, he wouldn't have appeared here so 'well-behavedly,' and even brought three combatants with him.

Upon hearing Tsuru's words, Sengoku's mind flashed back to his conversation with Gern in the Marshal's office. His eyes narrowed slightly, and his voice became serious: "Tsuru, you are wrong."

This man... never truly 'opens up' to anyone.

Because he knew better than anyone that any truly successful plan is carried out in the shadows, unknown to others.

He wouldn't reveal his true, complete thoughts to anyone, not even me.

He spoke with a worried tone, "So, I'm really worried right now."

The biggest variable in this all-out war against Whitebeard isn't Whitebeard himself, nor the Seven Warlords of the Sea or Garp… but him, Gern!!

"Hehe." Upon hearing this, He let out a knowing chuckle. "You only talk about others, but you haven't revealed anything yourself, have you?"

After saying that, he turned his head to look at the solemn-faced Sengoku, "But then again..."

"Warring States...deep down in your heart, haven't you always been hoping that he would take your place?"

"Tsuru! You..." Sengoku's body trembled slightly as his best friend exposed his thoughts. He looked at Tsuru in astonishment, but in the end, he could only let out a helpless sigh.

He didn't deny that the man—chaotic, powerful, and uncontrollable, yet truly possessing the courage to break the deadlock and create the future—was indeed a force to be reckoned with.

Indeed, he subconsciously believed that she was the most suitable successor!

Although this path is fraught with difficulties and is almost impossible for the world government to allow.

So Sengoku abruptly changed the subject: "By the way, what's the news from the New World? Shanks, Kaido, Big Mom?"