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

At the same time, an idea that coincided with Perospero's own surfaced uncontrollably in his mind, swirling around...

While Gern is indeed terrifying, another enormous variable exists on this vast ocean...

That's Marshall D. Teach, in his prime, who possesses the power of two Devil Fruits!

The power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit is already in Blackbeard's hands; if he's given enough time...

Let him fully digest and master these two top-tier abilities...

Thanks to the Dark-Dark Fruit's ability to absorb damage (while also being immune to the Tremor-Tremor Fruit's counter-damage).

To counter the strange characteristics of Devil Fruit users, and to harness and amplify the destructive power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit...

A chilling conclusion formed in Katakuri's mind.

At that time, why couldn't Blackbeard become a...weakened version of 'Skyquake'?!

After all, Whitebeard, with only the Tremor-Tremor Fruit ability, was enough to contend with Gern for decades.

The two sides have clashed countless times in the New World, with one year even seeing more than fifty fierce battles, and neither side could gain the upper hand.

Whitebeard's existence was one of the cornerstones that maintained a certain terrifying balance in the New World.

Katakuri gazed at the devastated Whole Cake Island and let out a sigh tinged with premonition.

"After Whitebeard died..."

"The new era is truly... boiling over now!"

Chapter 519 A Time of Tumultuous Change!

November, 1521 (Haiyuan Calendar).

After the summit, the world situation entered a period of turbulence.

Admiral "White Scale", Commander-in-Chief of the New World Naval Strategy, and Grand Admiral of the New World Naval Commander-in-Chief—"Skyquake" Gern Reginald Sigmar!

After ending the Marineford War and establishing its reputation, it once again achieved a stunning victory.

She launched a solo attack on Totto Land, the kingdom ruled by the Yonko Big Mom Charlotte Linlin!

The outcome of this battle shocked the seas: Big Mom herself suffered severe damage, her symbolic Cake Castle was reduced to ruins, and her core territory, Cake Island, was nearly destroyed.

Although there are many theories about Gern's true motives, it is undoubtedly true that this has been the case since the Navy Headquarters officially moved to the New World.

This was the first and most intense frontal attack launched against the maritime emperors who were entrenched here!

Therefore, this move is widely regarded as 'Skyquake' Gern demonstrating an undeniable and absolute military force to all pirates in the New World.

This also signals that the Navy will adopt an unprecedentedly tough stance in the New World.

At the same time, the tides of the times never stop because of the will of any single individual.

Around the same time, another major event that shocked the world—the Rocky Harbor incident—occurred!

The Great Pirate King, who has been entrenched on Beehive Island, the Pirate Paradise, for many years with a bounty of 1.9 billion, is here!!

He was defeated at his base by Blackbeard Marshall D. Teach and his forces, and his head was taken by Blackbeard!

The Blackbeard Pirates successfully occupied the easily defensible Beehive Island and took over all of Wang Zhi's vast power and resources accumulated over decades.

Its sphere of influence and power expanded rapidly, coupled with its dual Devil Fruit powers and the presence of powerful subordinates with all of them possessing Devil Fruit abilities.

This completely and truly laid a solid foundation for him to become one of the Four Emperors!

Thus, a new 'emperor' was born.

Blackbeard Pirates, Admiral Marshall D. Teach, with a bounty of 3,996,000,000 Berries.

A user of both the Logia-type Dark-Dark Fruit and the Paramecia-type Tremor-Tremor Fruit.

Completely replace Whitebeard and fill the vacancy of the Four Emperors!!!

Trafalgar Law, one of the masterminds behind this incident,

With its meticulous design and operation, it successfully stole the hearts of 100 pirates with bounties exceeding 100 million.

He used this as a "pledge of allegiance" to make a deal with the World Government and was officially appointed as the new "Seven Warlords of the Sea"!

At this point, the bounty was lifted, and he was granted the legal right to travel to Punk Hazard, a special island under government control.

Of course, the Rocky Harbor incident also created another "hero".

Marine Coby, who received widespread praise for "protecting a large number of civilians" during the incident.

This opportunity allowed them to wash away the stigma of being called "the shame of the Navy" by Gern himself.

He was promoted from Marine Corps Sergeant to Marine Corps Captain and received an honorary medal from the World Government!

Following the incident where the former hero Garp attacked an admiral, he was molded by public opinion into a new role model for the next generation of naval personnel.

The character "Kobby the Shame" has dramatically transformed into "Kobby the Hero".

At the same time, following the departure of Admiral Aokiji Kuzan, the World Government officially launched a global conscription program!

The decline of the old emperor, the rise of the new emperor, the rise of schemers, the birth of "heroes," and the conscription of soldiers to the world...

At the end of 1521 in the Haiyuan Calendar, the gears of the entire world were turning at an increasingly frantic speed.

.........

New World, G-10 Base.

On the huge training ground outside the base, two figures were fiercely clashing, each collision triggering a muffled explosion and shock.

It was Douglas Barrett and Jolac Mihawk engaging in their daily "sparring".

The two of them, or rather Enel and Gern's occasional one-on-one duels during their vacations, have become an awe-inspiring sight on the G-10.

Inside the base, in a quiet little garden, the atmosphere was completely different from the bustling outside.

Marine Admiral Kizaru Borsalino was leisurely reclining in a comfortable wicker chair, with his legs crossed.

Several copies of the latest World Economic News were spread out on the small round table in front of him, but he clearly wasn't reading them carefully.

Instead, she held a small nail clipper and slowly and methodically trimmed her nails, occasionally making "tsk tsk" sounds.

"How scary~" Kizaru drawled, his tone as languid as ever.

"One big thing after another, I don't even have time to trim my nails in peace..."

After speaking, he raised his eyelids and looked at Gern, who was sitting opposite him, focused on the tea set in his hands, preparing to brew black tea.

"Soloing Big Mom, one of the Four Emperors...tsk tsk tsk." Kizaru shook his head, the "admiration" in his tone sounding particularly irritating.

"As expected, it had to be you! Gen~, your courage and strength are truly beyond our reach~"

Hearing Kizaru's signature sarcastic tone, Gern's hand holding the teapot paused slightly. Without even raising his eyelids, he calmly replied...

"Senior Borsalino, I must remind you of something."

"Based on the current ranks and positions in the Navy, I should now be considered your direct superior."

"Oh dear~ Gen-kun!" Kizaru immediately put on a hurt expression, "What kind of relationship do we have?"

That's a deep friendship forged over many years of fighting side by side and sharing joys and sorrows!

Why do we have to be so formal with military ranks? It's too distant!

As he spoke, he put down the nail clippers, and his hand, which had just been manicured and whose cleanliness was questionable, naturally reached out to put his arm around Gern's shoulder, trying to get closer to him.

“You motherfucker…” Gern frowned, leaning back slightly to avoid the hand with disgust, his tone carrying an undisguised warning.

"You better wash your nail-clipping hand before you touch me."

Otherwise, next time I won't sign the mission documents, so you won't be able to use a mission as an excuse to come here for a 'vacation'."

"Oh~" Kizaru's outstretched hand froze instantly, then he awkwardly withdrew it, pursed his lips, and muttered under his breath, "How heartless, Commander-in-Chief Gern~"

Kizaru, back in his seat, picked up the newspaper again, and as if suddenly remembering something, spoke in a casual tone.

"By the way, what do you think of that newly crowned 'hero' Koby?"

I heard that in order to avoid the 'tone' you set for him within the Navy, he has stopped following the conventional promotion path.

Relying on the reputation and merits he gained from the Rocky Harbor incident, he was recruited through a special recruitment process and joined a secret special unit, which seemed to be called... 'Sharp Blade'?

This seems to be a plan to take a different approach, a roundabout way to achieve the goal.

Gern poured the brewed black tea into a cup, the rising steam momentarily blurring his expression.

He picked up the teacup and gently blew on it.

"What can I do?" Gern asked, his tone tinged with helplessness, even a hint of exasperation.

"I don't know what got into Lieutenant General Garp, but he just happens to have a soft spot for him."

Sometimes, Gern even wondered if some so-called "worldline will" was forcibly interfering, trying to make this guy, whom he had nailed to the pillar of shame, jump up.

“And…” Gern put down his teacup, his expression turning serious, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.

"What I'm more concerned about now is... global recruitment."

Upon hearing this, Kizaru also dropped his nonchalant expression and sat up slightly.

That's right! We should definitely be worried about people trying to steal our jobs!

Chapter 520 Those who bear the risks themselves, make their moves with difficulty!

"Stealing jobs... no, it's global conscription..." Kizaru's tone softened, and he continued...

"It sounds impressive, but in reality, it's just a matter of drawing so-called 'elites' directly from the armies and royal guards of those World Government member states to fill the ranks."

Guern took a sip of his black tea but did not answer.

Because Kizaru was right.

The so-called "world conscription" sounds impressive, but it is not actually a general open selection process. Its scope is basically limited to the member states under the World Government.

This is more like a resource allocation and talent interception within the power system.

Moreover, given Gern's current absolute authority within the Navy, especially his control over the New World Grand Admiral and his near-marshal-like power...

If he doesn't agree, no one can expect to be successfully transferred into the naval system under the World Government's conscription order.

The final approval authority for personnel appointments and troop replenishment had long since shifted in his favor.

However, he couldn't disagree.

Gern put down his teacup and let out a barely audible sigh.

"Only when you're in charge do you realize how expensive firewood and rice are, senior Borsalino."

"During the Marineford War, Fleet Admiral Sengoku deployed a full 100,000 naval troops, who were almost all elites drawn from branches scattered around the world!"

"And the result? More than half were lost!!" After saying that, Gern rubbed his temples and continued.

"For the past year or so, headquarters, no, the entire naval system, has been working hard to replenish its personnel and train new recruits."

However, training a qualified naval soldier takes time, and cultivating an elite officer who can stand alone requires countless battles and honing his skills.

The void left by those who fell in battle is not so easily filled.

"This is just a matter of manpower," Gern said, changing his tone. "Sakazuki has taken his faction's main force to the first half of the Grand Line to oversee operations."

It's nominally an independent defense zone, but the pirate forces there have rebelled fiercely because of the relocation of their headquarters.

Almost every day, we receive messages requesting help or additional supplies and weapons.

"We need to expand into the new world, consolidate the G-10 defense zone, take over the navy's territory, and we can't ignore the entrance to Paradise..."

Finally, Gern looked at Kizaru, his eyes revealing a sense of helpless reality: "Right now, we're just robbing Peter to pay Paul."

The World Government is willing to 'drain' resources from member states to replenish our ranks. Even if not all of them are top-tier fighters, it will at least alleviate our urgent shortage of basic troops.

"I can't refuse this 'kind offer' right now."

This is the dilemma we face in reality.

Even though Gern possesses terrifying strength comparable to the Four Emperors and controls a vast amount of power, he still faces the reality of rebuilding the Navy and maintaining the operation of a massive military machine.

He had no choice but to compromise with reality and accept this "aid".

After suffering devastating damage in the Marineford War, the navy is facing an unprecedented period of weakness and a talent gap.