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

Gern paused, glancing sideways slightly.

Jorah Mihawk was seen leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

His signature black top hat was pulled low, obscuring part of his face, but it couldn't hide his golden eyes, which remained sharp as an eagle's even in the shadows.

Then, he tilted his head slightly and looked directly at Gern.

"Do you want to challenge this 'world'?" Hawkeye's voice was calm, yet he asked a question that could stop anyone's heart.

Upon hearing this question, Gern did not answer immediately.

Instead, he looked Hawkeye up and down, admiring his impeccable posture and cool, handsome face, and clicked his tongue, his tone carrying a slightly inappropriate tone of praise.

"I have to say, you're really handsome, Mihawk."

Both in terms of temperament and appearance, he is a role model for men.

"It's a matter of temperament." Hawkeye's lips twitched almost imperceptibly at the sudden compliment, revealing a faint, self-satisfied smile.

He quickly composed himself, steer the conversation back on track, and stared intently at Gern with his golden eyes: "You haven't answered my question yet."

Seeing that Hawkeye was serious, the ease on Gern's face disappeared. He chuckled and asked, "Does this even need an answer?"

"As long as I continue on this path and take that next step... then a direct confrontation with the World Government will be an inevitable outcome."

"Because they would never allow a 'navy' to exist that is out of their control or even threatens the very foundation of their rule."

As he spoke, Gern recalled the admonition Whitebeard had given him before his death and continued...

"In particular, Whitebeard's last words made me realize that taking that step requires 100% preparation and cannot be taken lightly."

Guern's tone grew heavy, carrying a rare hint of worry that even he himself was reluctant to delve into.

"Because I'm worried...what if I lose?"

Then no one... can stop me from being driven to desperation, from doing anything at all costs, so..."

"I will stop you."

Just as Gern finished speaking, Hawkeye suddenly interjected calmly.

The voice remained flat, but Gern paused slightly.

"And me too."

At that moment, another rough voice rang out from the left.

Douglas Barrett's tall figure emerged smiling from behind the pillar's shadow.

He cracked his neck, a wild and pure smile on his face: "After all, I've only had one goal from the very beginning."

"That is to defeat you, Gern!" Barrett's eyes burned with an undisguised desire for a showdown of epic proportions.

"So, if that day ever comes and someone has to end you... I won't feel any burden about killing you."

Looking at the two people in front of me

One is the world's greatest swordsman, who pursues the ultimate swordsmanship and is as calm as ice.

One is a demon who worships absolute power and is as fanatical as fire.

In their own ways, they made the same weighty promise.

Gern paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over Hawkeye and Barrett's faces.

Finally, a complex yet relieved smile appeared on his face.

“If,” Gern’s voice was soft, yet clear enough to reach both of them, “if that day really comes…”

"Then... I'll have to trouble you."

This is not pessimism, but a sober understanding based on reality.

Judging from his current position and perspective (not from a god's-eye view), his strength back then was definitely no less than his.

Even the possibly stronger Rocks D. Giebeck was defeated and killed in God Valley!

What he was challenging was a massive machine that had ruled the world for eight hundred years, whose hidden depths and power were unfathomable.

Therefore, we must make thorough preparations and also... prepare a final "insurance" for possible failure.

Hawkeye and Barrett's promises were less a threat and more a response to his clear-headed understanding.

It is a unique and profound trust and bond among the strong.

..........

The heavy, almost suffocating atmosphere did not last long.

Gern took a deep breath, temporarily suppressing his worries, and his usual carefree smile returned to his face.

He waved his hand, breaking the silence with a light tone.

“Oh dear! But don’t be so sure of yourself!” he said deliberately in an exaggerated tone, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Hawkeye and Barrett.

"With just the two of you, you might not even be able to beat me! Do you even know what it means to crush someone with one hand?"

He even mimicked the gesture of making a fist with one hand, displaying an extremely arrogant attitude.

"You..." Hawkeye frowned at his sudden change of expression and irritating tone. He was about to say something when Gern interrupted him again.

"Let's not talk about anything else yet!" Gern interrupted, holding up a finger, his expression becoming slightly more serious.

But his eyes still held a hint of mockery as he looked at Hawkeye, "I've already found you an opponent beforehand."

At that time, one of those five old geezers will be wielding the first generation of the Kitetsu.

"Looks like he's a great swordsman too. I'll leave him to you, our beloved world's greatest swordsman!"

He brought up the name "First Generation Onikiri," clearly with a provocative intent.

As expected, Hawkeye's expression shifted slightly upon hearing the name "First Generation Kitetsu." It was the burning fighting spirit that only a top swordsman would feel upon hearing of a peerless sword and a powerful opponent.

Then, a haughty smile curved his lips as he arrogantly declared, "The First Generation Kitetsu? The most evil demon sword in legend..."

His fingers unconsciously caressed the hilt of the black sword "Night," his tone filled with anticipation and confidence, "Hmph, I'll be happy if its wielder can give me some enjoyment!"

Seeing Hawkeye's fighting spirit instantly ignited, Gern smiled with satisfaction.

Just as Gern and Hawkeye were joking around and the atmosphere lightened again...

Barrett, who was standing a little further back, did not join the conversation.

He simply watched Gern's retreating figure in silence, a complex and extremely subtle emotion flashing deep in his eyes.

He recalled the words he had just uttered: "Killing you would not weigh on my mind."

He spoke very directly, but... that was a lie.

He longed for a thrilling showdown with Gern to determine who was the strongest, and this desire was genuine.

But the option of "killing Gern" was never truly valid in his heart.

“Gern…”

"A man like you... will never lose!"

"Because that was the promise you made to me back then, that I could never beat you in my entire life."

"And you will never lose..."

Chapter 530 The Truth About 'Valley of God'

A few days later, the follow-up matters of the global military recruitment, including Fujitora's formal onboarding process, will be discussed.

The procedures for Green Bull's "demotion" and the final coordination with Kizaru regarding the science unit have been completed.

Gern finally managed to free himself and went to the recruit training classroom to find Karp.

This naval hero was wearing a slightly casual floral shirt at the moment.

Standing before a group of new recruits with innocent yet energetic eyes, he passionately expounded his "twisted logic":

"So! You kids, remember this!" Garp said, hands on his hips, his voice booming, "If you encounter a powerful enemy you can't beat, don't be stupid and charge in headfirst!"

Preserving your own life and keeping the spark of hope alive is the most important thing!

As for us old folks who are halfway to the grave... we should give up decisively when it's time to give up!

The ocean of the future belongs to you!

He is trying to instill these fresh blood in the navy.

The realistic idea is to "preserve hope, even if it means sacrificing the older generation."

Just then, the door was flung open, and Gern appeared in the doorway, listening to Karp's last few words.

A playful smile played on his lips as he stepped inside, his voice not loud.

"Oh? Are these old folks from the old era so pitiful in your eyes that you can just give up on them like that?"

Gern shook his head with feigned sigh, his gaze sweeping over the recruits who had instantly become excited.

"According to this logic, it seems that I, a remnant of the 'old era,' will eventually be abandoned by you flames of the new era?"

"It's General Gern!!"

"Lord Bai Lin!!"

"He actually came!!"

The arrival of Gern was like pouring cold water into a boiling oil pan, and the entire classroom instantly erupted into chaos!

All the new recruits stood up excitedly, their eyes burning with fervor as they stared intently at the figure clad in the coat of justice, representing the navy's highest fighting force and authority.

The previous classroom discipline was instantly thrown to the winds.

To them, Gern is a living legend, a goal to strive for!

Karp saw that the classroom atmosphere he had painstakingly created had been completely ruined by a single sentence from Gern.

Moreover, this guy immediately undermined him upon arrival, which made him furious.

"Quiet down, all of you!!!" Garp roared like thunder, his powerful aura instantly suppressing the restless recruits.

This silenced them, but their eyes still kept glancing at Gern.

Karp glared at Gern, annoyed, and, not wanting to argue with him in class, went straight to him.

He grabbed Gern's arm and said gruffly, "You brat, you're causing trouble as soon as you arrive! Come out with me!"

Without waiting for Gern's consent, Karp grabbed him and, under the envious and admiring gazes of the many new recruits, strode away from the classroom.

And Gern shouted to everyone, "Go for it, future stars of the Navy!!"

.......

The deserted open space behind the classroom building was swept by the sea breeze, carrying a salty, fishy smell.

Karp leaned against a boulder without any regard for appearances, picked his nose with his thick fingers, glanced sideways at Gern, and broke the silence first.

"Speak! You troublesome little brat, you came all this way to see this old man, it can't be anything good!"

Let me make this clear first: I'm officially retired now! Trying to assign me tasks? No way!

He adopted a "I'm not doing this" attitude, trying to shut Gern up.

Seeing Garp's expression, Gern wasn't angry; instead, he smiled.

Like a magician, he pulled a bag of rice crackers from his pocket that read "New Flavor - Explosive Spicy Volcano".

He deftly tore open the packaging and handed it to Karp.

"Hey! Vice Admiral Garp, try this, I hear it's pretty potent."

Garp's eyes lit up, and he took it without hesitation, popped a piece into his mouth and chewed, mumbling, "Hmm...it tastes alright!"

"If it's not a mission, spit it out! I'm leaving once I finish my snacks!"

Gern looked at Karp, his smile gradually fading, and his tone became more serious than ever before.

"Vice Admiral Garp, I want to know... what really happened at God Valley back then."

"Valley of the Gods?!"

"Crunch!" Garp abruptly stopped chewing, his hand holding the senbei froze in mid-air, and the laziness on his face vanished instantly.