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

The Five Elders were not at ease despite the plan's smooth progress.

It was Gern's unusually calm reaction that made them feel something was amiss.

"Tianzhen... There has been no public response so far, nor any unusual mobilization," Izanbaron V. Nassshuro said in a deep voice. "He's been too quiet."

This is not in line with Gern's usual assertive and proactive style; after all, he's a guy who can fight his way to the Holy Land.

“Nassou is right, it is indeed abnormal,” Topman Vochuli interjected.

"Given his personality, even if he accepts it, he should at least respond with some semblance of courtesy."

Such silence... could it be that they're secretly plotting something?

After all, that was the new world, his territory.

A brief silence fell over the hall; Gern's inaction hung like a dark cloud over the five men.

“Perhaps we are overthinking it.” After a moment of contemplation, Marcus Mazsan slowly shook his head, offering a different perspective.

"The most obvious cards that everyone can see in Gern Reginald Sigmar right now"

He simply wanted control of the entire navy and to become the Fleet Admiral.

"Moreover, the example of Karp's success back then is right before our eyes."

We also bestowed upon him honors and status, and although he was somewhat dissatisfied...

But ultimately, didn't they accept this constraint and not truly break free from control, for the sake of the Navy's "greater good" and the symbolic meaning of "justice"?

"No matter how strong or arrogant Gern is, he is still a naval officer."

As long as he still desires the power of the Navy and values ​​the banner of 'justice,' he should understand the immense cost of openly breaking with the World Government.

Accepting our 'conferment' and integrating into this system is, for him, the most logical and least resistant way to rise to power.

After all, as long as he obeys, we might reward him after Akainu's term ends, and he could even sit on the position of Fleet Admiral!

“That’s right.” Shepard X. Pitt Saint also nodded: “After all, in the face of absolute strength and the general trend, a little personal dissatisfaction can be suppressed and guided.”

We gave him unprecedented honor and a way out; he had no reason, nor any need, to take such a huge risk to overturn the table on the eve of achieving his goal.

"Ha, who cares if he makes a move or not!" Finally, Jaigolusia Satan Saint delivered the decisive blow.

"As soon as he sets foot on Mary Geoise and accepts this honor in front of the whole world, it is tantamount to acknowledging a subordinate relationship with the World Government."

After that, he was no longer able to do things entirely according to his own will.

After the Five Elders finished discussing the overall strategy against Gern, they felt confident that they had the situation under control, and the atmosphere had just eased somewhat.

However, when the topic inevitably turned to an extremely real and fatal problem, the temperature in the hall seemed to drop to freezing point once again.

“So…” Shepard X. Pitt Saint cleared his throat first, raising the crucial question of execution.

"Of the five of us, who should go and award him the medal?!"

The phrase "awarding the medal" here refers to personally walking up to Gern and personally pinning the medal, which symbolizes "honor," on him.

In other words, it's face-to-face, close contact!

Upon hearing this, the other four people, who had been talking confidently and as if they had everything under control, fell silent instantly.

That's Gern!

His performance in the Marineford War, where he fought against the peak-level King-class Whitebeard and crushed Shiki, has already declared to the entire world...

This man is no longer the "Emperor" level figure who stormed the Holy Land with sheer ruthlessness.

Instead, it stood proudly on this vast ocean, the only "King" level!

Back then, those at the Emperor level could rely on their immortality to survive, but now they're at the King level!

What would be the terrifying power of a King-level expert's Conqueror's Haki at such close range?

What's more, he also possesses the Black Blade Eight Desolations, which previously belonged to Lox and is filled with an ominous and destructive aura!

The five of them vividly remember how Rocks broke into the Flower Court back then!

Now go and award a medal to someone like Gern, face to face, up close.

He practically delivered himself into the opponent's fists and blades without any defense!

If Gern really had ulterior motives, or if he simply disliked one of them and acted on a whim...

The person who goes to receive the medal is definitely asking for death—like an old man hanging himself!

Not dying doesn't mean not feeling pain, especially on a stage broadcast live worldwide, where the highest authority in the world government is beaten to a pulp... It's incredibly humiliating!

Thus, in an instant, the five world's most powerful figures, who had just been united in discussing important matters, were...

His gaze began to shift subtly, and a variety of plausible reasons spilled out.

"Ahem..." Jaigolusia Satan, who had been beaten the most badly back then, spoke first, his face solemn with a heavy responsibility on his shoulders.

"Scientific defense of the War God is of paramount importance, and the 'Seraphim' project is at a critical stage."

I must keep a close eye on Vegapunk at all times; I cannot leave my post for even a moment, or I would be unable to be in two places at once.

“Hmm.” Izanbaron V. Nasujuro, wielding the first generation Kitetsu, immediately nodded, his face showing deep understanding.

Then, his tone shifted abruptly, as if the world government would go bankrupt without him.

"As a financial strategist, the recent review of funding for several major projects required by the Warring States period is at a critical juncture."

The amount is enormous, and it concerns world stability; I simply cannot spare the time.

"Upholding world order and the dignity of the law is the natural duty of the legal warriors." Topman Vocuri declared righteously.

"While the awarding ceremony is important, there are several recent arbitrations involving legal disputes among member states that concern the authority of the world government, and these cannot be compromised."

“The environment…yes, the environment!” Marcus Mazsan seemed to have found an excellent reason, his tone resolute.

"As the Environmental God of War, I must personally oversee the climate regulation of the Red Earth Continent to prevent ecological imbalance. This matter concerns the very foundation of Mary Geoise."

“Then, agricultural work too…” Shepard X. Pitt Saint, dressed in a dark red suit, without a tie, with blond hair and a golden beard, was about to speak when the other four stared at him instantly.

"Farming isn't a big deal, is it?"

"That's right, it doesn't matter at all!"

"After all, Mary Geoise doesn't need you, an earthworm, to loosen the soil!"

"Yeah yeah!"

Shepard X. Pitt's inner monologue: "You four fucking bastards!"

"If I had known, I should have sent Figarando Greenegu. He's been beaten into submission so many times already, one more time wouldn't have made a difference!"

Ultimately, this problem seemed to become an unsolvable puzzle.

Everyone knows they should go, but no one dares to go.

Chapter 489 The world was in an uproar!

January 1st, 1521 (Haiyuan Calendar)

The long-awaited medal-awarding ceremony, spearheaded by the World Government, was finally held in Mary Geoise amidst great anticipation.

However, since the world's nobles consider themselves "gods," they naturally won't allow ordinary mortals to truly glimpse the core scenery of the "land of gods."

Therefore, this grand event, which was supposedly held in the holy land, was actually located on a vast platform in front of the entrance to the huge upwelling channel connecting the red earth continent with the G-1 naval base below.

Although this area is also under the jurisdiction of Mary Geoise, and is magnificent enough to demonstrate the authority of the World Government, it cleverly avoids the real core area.

Even so, the scale and attention garnered by this award ceremony have already shaken the entire ocean!

Those invited to attend were all heavyweight figures:

Almost all of the Navy's top brass were present, including Commander-in-Chief Kong, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Admirals Kizaru, Aokiji, and Akainu, former Admiral Zephyr, Navy Hero Garp, Chief of Staff Tsuru, and many elite Vice Admirals of the Headquarters.

The emperors of the underworld, such as Big News, the shipping king, and the king of loan sharks, these big figures who control the economic lifeline of the world's dark side, also make their appearance, demonstrating the influence of the world government.

Furthermore, numerous kings and noble representatives from member states of the World Government, all impeccably dressed, gathered together.

Even more astonishingly, the conference was being broadcast live to the world via video Den Den Mushi (snail phone) set up by the World Government and Morgans!

At this moment, no matter where you are...

In the squares of ordinary towns across the seas and along the Grand Line, people gather in front of screens, gazing up at this "sacred" scene.

Pirates, from ordinary pirates to the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and even those from the territories of the Four Emperors of the New World.

Kaido, Big Mom, Shanks, and their subordinates all watched the live stream with cold indifference.

In the revolutionary army's secret stronghold, leader Long and revolutionary army cadres are solemnly analyzing the meaning behind this political show.

On an island in the New World, Blackbeard Teach, barely opening his eyes after recovering from near-death experiences,...

Wrapped in thick bandages, he stared intently at the projection with eyes full of resentment.

Even the Straw Hat crew, who were undergoing arduous training on the Grand Line, temporarily stopped to watch this momentous event.

On this day, the whole world seemed to have pressed the pause button.

.........

The award ceremony stage, the edge of the red clay continent platform

The grand and solemn award ceremony was not festive; instead, it carried an invisible heaviness and oppression.

On one side of the stage, the Five Elders, representing the highest authority of the World Government, finally arrived and were already seated, their faces calm.

Further back, CP0 agents in white uniforms and members of the Knights of God could be vaguely seen standing like statues, guarding the venue.

Even behind some special curtains, one could glimpse the figures of a few Celestial Dragons dressed in spacesuits, their expressions arrogant.

All these important figures standing at the pinnacle of the world, their faces grim, some scrutinizing, some wary, quietly awaited the man's arrival.

A tense atmosphere, like the impending storm, filled the air.

"Tap...tap...tap..."

A series of clear and steady footsteps approached from afar, their unhurried pace resonating with the heartbeats of everyone present, instantly drawing all eyes to the entire venue!

At the entrance of the passage, the light was dim, and then several figures slowly stepped out and entered this world-renowned stage!

The leader was none other than Gern!

Today, instead of his usual justice coat, he wore a well-tailored, dignified yet imposing naval uniform, almost identical to that of a marshal.

With the Eight Desolations adorning his waist, the golden sash and epaulets gleamed in the sunlight, making his tall and imposing figure even more extraordinary.

And following behind him was the “natural disaster” that struck fear into the hearts of the new world!

Barrett scanned the entire room with a sinister grin.

The bear remained silent.

Enel, carrying his golden cudgel, looked on with disdain and contempt.

Tezzolo remained calm.

Perona, Lipo, and the Snake Princess Torituma chatted and laughed.

Hawkeye, carrying the black sword Night, stood alone to one side, coldly observing everything.

This terrifying elite force, personally crafted by Gern, simply by standing there, exuded an invisible aura that transformed half the stage into its domain.

On the side where the Five Elders and the Divine Riders were located, a clear division was formed, yet there was an underlying sense of confrontation!

“For me…” Gern’s gaze slowly swept over the lavishly decorated, lavishly decorated, and grandly decorated scene, broadcast live to the world via Den Den Mushi.

There was no trace of stage fright on his face; instead, a smile tinged with mockery and satisfaction appeared on his lips, and his voice rang out clearly.

"Wow, that's really... luxurious!"

This statement, whether praising the stage setup, satirizing the complex power struggles behind it, or something else entirely..., remains unclear.

He was declaring that this stage was exactly what he wanted!

In an instant, all eyes and all thoughts were focused on the platform at the edge of the red earth continent.

Focusing on this man, who showed no stage fright whatsoever and even wore a smile, ready to bestow the "highest honor"...

"Skyquake" Gern Reginald Sigma!

.......