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

Gern's answer was absurd, but Zefa couldn't detect any lie in it, as if his disciple was answering truthfully.

"Never mind." After a while, Zephyr walked to the window and looked at the surging waves in the distance.

"Regardless of the circumstances, that one strike you delivered has made the world remember your name."

But remember, reputation is a double-edged sword.

Gern gripped the hilt of his knife, his gaze resolute: "I understand, Professor Zephyr."

"Hmm. Now, tell me about your Conqueror's Haki." Zephyr suddenly changed the subject, his sharp gaze fixed on Gern.

"Why were you able to use the Overlord's Entanglement technique back then? And what about that 'Godfall' strike?"

“Entanglement…” Gern was stunned. To be honest, he was still a little confused.

The reason I made that slash was because the image of that action kept flashing through my mind, and then my body just started moving.

"When you awakened your Conqueror's Haki, you didn't act like a novice at all." Zephyr's voice was somewhat solemn, and that scene reappeared in his mind's eye.

Gern stood with his sword in hand, his Conqueror's Haki sweeping across the battlefield like a raging torrent, even suppressing the Golden Lion.

That level of Conqueror's Haki, almost maxed out, is something even Sengoku and Garp might not be able to achieve now.

Even now, thinking back on it, Zefa still feels a chill.

“I’m not really sure…” Gern shook his head, then looked at the Eight Desolations in his hand and suddenly said, “Why don’t we try again?”

“Try it!” Zephyr nodded subconsciously.

Having received Zephyr's nod, Gern forced himself to calm down, then focused on the black blade, Eight Desolations, in his hand.

And then... it was eerily quiet...

"Hmm? Domination! Godfall! Domination!" Gern frantically swung his knife, the blade slicing through the air with a "whoosh" sound.

But the purplish-black lightning of that day is nowhere to be seen; only silence graces Cambridge tonight…

"Why don't you try the most basic Conqueror's Haki intimidation?" Zephyr frowned.

“Okay.” Gern nodded, then stared at Zefa with wide eyes for three minutes straight.

"Yes. It's confirmed." Zephyr took a deep breath, even managing a slight smile.

"I really thought you had awakened a max-level Conqueror's Haki."

It seems you're just like everyone else who's just awakened... a newbie.

And Gern, who had just recently experienced that overwhelming power, now seemed like a toddler taking its first steps.

A huge sense of disparity washed over me like a tidal wave, and I found it hard to accept.

“Teacher Zefa…” His voice unconsciously carried a hint of grievance.

"Don't look at me with those pitiful eyes!" Zephyr waved his hand dismissively.

"I don't have Conqueror's Haki! Go back and find Garp yourself!!"

"Okay~_~"

"And also! That one strike that allowed you to cut down the Golden Lion..."

Seeing his disciple's dejected appearance, Zefa stopped at the door before leaving, his tone suddenly becoming serious.

"It's entirely because the Rocks Haki remaining in your sword combined with your Conqueror's Haki locked down and suppressed Shiki."

And he himself lost his focus and forgot to defend himself due to inner fear.

In addition, the result of various factors, including your max level state when you awakened, led to that one strike.

Don't actually think you can handle someone of this level alone!

Zephyr is genuinely worried that Gern will get arrogant!

For example, he thought he could severely injure Shiki with one blow, and then searched the entire ocean for Whitebeard, challenging Roger to a duel.

“I understand, Professor Zephyr.” Gern nodded seriously.

"Also, that guy Golden Lion won't let this go."

Once you return, please stay quietly at headquarters for the time being. I will request leave from the Marshal.

"take a vacation?!"

“That’s right. Take this opportunity to refresh your Conqueror’s Haki. Besides, wasn’t that sword forged by Rocks using Conqueror’s Haki?”

Since it accepts you, perhaps you can use Conqueror's Haki to slowly shape it into your form.

“Professor Zephyr, please don’t say things that are easy to misunderstand with such a serious expression.”

……

[Salted Fish's comment: Thank you everyone for your support. With the accumulated gifts, I will update three times a week for the next week!]

Just 30 gifts (including free ones) are enough to give a serious boost to a lazy writer!

Chapter 53 Trivia

A few days later, the returning warships slowly sailed into the port of Marineford.

Gern stood on the deck, his black sword, Eight Desolations, still wrapped in white bandages, hanging silently at his waist.

His gaze remained calm as he watched the approaching Navy Headquarters.

By this time, countless naval soldiers had already gathered at Marineford port. They stood or stood still, all their eyes fixed on the warship where Gern was located.

Quiet murmurs and gasps of amazement rose from the crowd, and everyone's eyes were filled with curiosity.

After all, in this legendary era, the man who could severely injure the Golden Lion with a single blow now stands before them.

“You recognize the swords you know, and you really don’t recognize the ones you don’t. So why keep wrapping them in bandages?” Zephyr frowned as he looked at the black sword, Eight Desolations, on Gern’s waist.

“Professor Zephyr, you don’t understand.” Gern slightly turned his head and said slowly with a serious expression.

"Because...it looks cool!"

Zefa: “…”

As the warship slowly approached the shore, Gern stepped down the gangway with steady steps and a calm expression, maintaining his persona and completely ignoring the intense gazes.

However, the moment he stepped onto the port ground, a tall figure suddenly rushed out from the crowd and blocked his way.

"You are 'Skyquake' Gern?" A clear female voice rang out. Gern looked up and saw a young female navy officer staring intently at him.

She had black hair, a tall figure, wore shorts, and had a slender knife at her waist.

Moreover, several young generals followed behind him, and Onigumo, Squirrel, and others also surrounded him.

Gern nodded slightly: "It's me."

"I am Gion, a sergeant under Commodore Tsuru," Gion introduced himself, his tone tinged with fervor.

"Captain Gern, I heard you severely wounded Golden Lion with a single blow, is that true?"

Before Gern could answer, Onigumo, unable to contain himself any longer, stepped forward and said...

"Golden Lion was a great pirate on par with Whitebeard and Roger. How did you manage to do that?"

Although the flying squirrel didn't speak, the passion for heroic deeds unique to young people in its eyes was unmistakable.

These guys who were just watching from the sidelines back then are now only beginning their naval careers.

Therefore, they were filled with awe for the legendary powerful pirates, and Gern's "achievements" undoubtedly shocked them.

“Heh.” Gern chuckled, his gaze sweeping over their faces, a slight upturn at the corners of his mouth. “If the newspapers are correct, yes.”

Gern answered calmly, yet with an undeniable confidence.

That's right, just maintain your persona and image like that.

At this moment, Gion frowned, as if she wanted to ask something more, but Guern had already walked past her and headed straight towards the headquarters building.

"If you want autographs, I need some more time to prepare, so bye-bye~"

Gion paused for a moment, then turned around and called out, "Hey! Wait a minute!"

“And another thing!” Gern didn’t turn around, but just waved his hand: “If you want to verify, you can go find Colonel Sakazuki again in a few days! He witnessed that stab firsthand.”

Upon hearing Akainu's name, Gion, Onigumo, and the others instantly froze.

Going after Akainu is just asking for trouble, isn't it?!

Meanwhile, Zephyr stood not far away, watching Gern who had been surrounded by the young generals but had easily escaped, a relieved smile appearing on his lips.

He didn't go forward to disturb them, but instead turned and walked towards the conference room at the Navy Headquarters.

After all, the G-3 base incident is not just about Gern's rise to fame.

.......

Naval Headquarters Conference Room.

The heavy wooden door was pushed open, and Zefa stepped inside.

Inside the conference room, Fleet Admiral Kong sat at the head of the table, flanked by high-ranking naval officers such as Sengoku, Garp, and Tsuru, along with several Vice Admirals from the Headquarters.

A solemn atmosphere filled the air, and everyone's eyes were focused on Zephyr as he entered.

"Zeffa, your good disciple, you've accomplished something great on your first independent mission!" Kong picked up the newspaper on the table, his tone slightly teasing, but his eyes were incredibly sharp.

"Air Marshal." Zephyr walked to his position and shrugged helplessly: "No one could have predicted the Golden Lion's sudden attack."

After all, his Devil Fruit ability allows him to soar through the sky; the fact that we managed to stop him this time is already the best outcome.

“But well done!” Karp interjected. “You must have seen the picture in the newspaper, right?”

He then slammed his hand on the table: "That arrogant Shiki has finally met his match! Gern, that kid, really didn't disappoint me!"

"Garp, calm down! This isn't the time for jokes." Sengoku pushed up his glasses and calmly analyzed the situation.

"Golden Lion will not let this go. The Flying Pirates are a powerful force, and the Navy may face their fierce retaliation."

We need to plan ahead and allocate resources to respond.

“I agree with Sengoku’s proposal.” Tsuru, whose hair was beginning to turn white, nodded and added, “Especially since the G-3 base is likely to be attacked again.”

Sakazuki may be quite strong, but against the full-scale attack of the Flying Pirates' crew, he'd likely be overwhelmed alone.

Listening to everyone's opinions, Kong interlaced his fingers and rested them on his chin, his gaze slowly sweeping across every face in the conference room before finally settling on Zephyr.

“Zeff.” Kong’s voice was deep and powerful. “What’s the assessment of Gern’s current condition?” He paused slightly after speaking, his eyes becoming even sharper.

"Furthermore, I need you to assess, as a witness, the Golden Lion's combat strength level after taking that blow."

Steel Bone Hollow's fingertips tapped rhythmically on the table.

After all, as a legendary pirate on par with Roger and Whitebeard, Shiki's threat level is self-evident.

Even if Gern goes all out, how much can he guarantee?

If Shiki wasn't seriously injured, the Float-Float Fruit's ability to launch projectiles from high altitudes, making it impossible to defend against, would force the Navy to carefully reassess its operational plans.

Faced with Kong's questioning, Zephyr straightened his back, his admiral's cloak swaying slightly behind him.

“Gern is just severely exhausted, and given his current condition, I suggest he take a break.”

Then, his gaze suddenly sharpened like a knife, and he said calmly, "As for Shiki the Golden Lion..."

Everyone in the meeting room held their breath.

“I swear on the honor of a Navy Admiral,” Zephyr said, emphasizing each word. “That guy was indeed badly injured.”

"Gern's final strike..." Zephyr's fist clenched involuntarily, "...truly changed the course of the entire battle."

When the conclusion that "Golden Lion was severely injured" was confirmed by one of the Navy's top combatants, the air in the conference room seemed to freeze instantly.

The generals in the staff exchanged bewildered glances, and several lieutenant generals even leaned forward unconsciously, their faces filled with disbelief.

Marshal Steelbone's pupils contracted slightly, and his fingers, which were tapping the table, suddenly stopped in mid-air.

“Another monster.” Sengoku continued, “In any case, the appearance of that slash has now attracted the attention of the World Government.”

They might pay special attention to Guern, or even... recruit him.

Everyone understands what it means to be "specially watched" by the world government.

“Heh.” Zephyr’s eyes turned cold: “Gern is a Navy man, and his future should be decided by the Navy.”