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

After coating and diving, the ship officially set sail for the dreamlike underwater kingdom of Fishman Island, thus beginning the second half of its journey to the new world.

Meanwhile, Eustass "Captain" Kid, who belongs to the "Worst Generation" like Luffy, and his Kid Pirates are gaining momentum.

Previously, in a fierce conflict with the crew of the Four Emperors, "Red-Haired" Shanks, Kidd paid a heavy price by losing his left arm, but his momentum did not diminish.

To replenish his strength and vent his anger, he turned his attention to the Big Mom Pirates, who were severely weakened by Ingon's attack.

They launched a swift and decisive attack on two of his important pirate ships, achieving a great victory and adding insult to injury for Whole Cake Island.

Meanwhile, in order to gather strength for revenge against Shanks, the Kid Pirates formed an alliance with the Radio Pirates (Apoo) and the Hawkins Pirates (Basiel Hawkins).

This coalition of the "most wicked generation" was heavily publicized by the World Economic Herald, which called it a "thunderclap of the new era."

Attracting the attention of people all over the world, a new storm capable of challenging the old monarchy is taking shape.

Unfortunately, Kaido, one of the Four Emperors, descended from the sky and crushed the so-called alliance with his absolute power.

Faced with overwhelming terror, Ap and Hawkins immediately chose to surrender.

Only Kidd, with his most unruly personality, led his crew in battle to the very last moment.

Exhausted and captured, he and some of his crew were imprisoned by Kaido in Wano Country's "Prison Quarry," where they were forced to perform hard labor, and the storm of the new era was extinguished once again!

Just as the Great Pirate Era was churning and new and old forces were clashing fiercely...

Within the Navy, a profound and systematic reform, jointly driven by Gern and Sengoku, has officially begun.

Admiral "White Scale", Grand Commander-in-Chief and Grand Admiral Gern Reginald Sigmar, and the nominal Fleet Admiral Sengoku

By bypassing world governments, they jointly signed and issued Document 133 on naval reform, marking the beginning of a new historical phase for the navy.

The core objective of the first phase of the document is fundamental: the reshaping of naval ideology and the reconstruction of its culture.

Abandon radicalism and clarify the core principles.

For the first time, it was explicitly declared in an official document that the Navy's supreme justice lies in maintaining the stability of the entire world and protecting the safety and interests of the people of all islands and nations.

Member states of the World Government will no longer enjoy privileged preferential protection; the Navy's goal is to protect all people living on this sea.

The ultimate goal is to "eliminate all maritime threats" and establish a truly safe and orderly marine environment.

Secondly, we began to promote "responsibility and honor" education: a large-scale and systematic ideological education campaign was launched throughout the entire army.

It is emphasized that discipline is the backbone of the navy, teamwork is a multiplier of combat power, and fulfilling missions is the duty of soldiers.

At the same time, an internal "purge of evil" was launched, and generals such as Lao Shuwei were beheaded one by one!

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

The Holy Land, Mary Geoise, Hall of Power.

The "Naval Reform Document No. 133" jointly signed by Gern and Sengoku

Its contents spread like wildfire to every corner of the world, and naturally, they were presented to the Five Elders immediately.

The declaration in black and white on the document states that "member states will no longer enjoy privileged preferential protection," and that "the highest justice of the navy lies in maintaining the stability of the entire world and protecting the safety and interests of the people of all islands and nations."

In the eyes of the Five Elders, this was nothing short of a resounding, merciless slap in the face, a blow to the very foundation of the World Government's rule that had been maintained for eight hundred years!

Although this is merely an internal naval reform document, seemingly just a small step in exploring new ideas...

But its symbolic significance and potential chain reaction are enough to shake the entire core of power.

In particular, all the member states of the World Government were in an uproar almost instantly upon learning this news!

What do those kingdoms get in return for the enormous sums of celestial gold they pay to the Celestial Dragons every year?

Isn't it just the World Government, especially its most powerful violent organization, the Navy, enjoying priority protection? The core of this deal is security and privilege!

Now, a single document from the Navy is proposing to eliminate this priority, placing them alongside non-member states.

Even some of the places they call lawless are placed on the same level of protection.

What is the point of the "heavenly gold" they pay? Is all that's left for them—a seemingly prestigious but actually limited qualification to participate in a world conference held every four years?

In an instant, countless letters of questioning and protest flew to Mary Geoise and onto the desks of the Five Elders.

The panic and discontent among the member states put unprecedented pressure on world governments.

The atmosphere inside the Hall of Power was terrifyingly oppressive.

"Arrogant! That brat Gern is utterly lawless!" Environmental War God Marcus Mazsa was so angry his beard trembled. "What does he want?!"

"Does he think we can't see through his intentions?" Topman Vochuli, the God of Law, said with a grim face. "This is a blatant challenge to the authority of the World Government and an attempt to sever the relationship between the Navy and the Government!"

"And Sengoku! How did he become a marshal?! He actually joined in this nonsense!" The scientific defense god, Jaigolusia Satan, slammed his cane heavily on the ground.

"No, the Warring States period had no real say! It was just another 'officially appointed marshal' put on a show!!"

"This is not the time to discuss this," said Financial War God Izanbaron V. Nassjuro Sei in an icy voice. "This dangerous trend must be stopped immediately! The Navy's subordinate status must be clearly defined!"

The five elders took turns criticizing Gurn's "treason" and the "harmful nature" of the document.

Their intense anger nearly shattered their usual composure.

But after the initial outrage subsided, a real and thorny problem arose before them: how to stop it?

Summon Gern to the Holy Land to reprimand him?

The idea had barely surfaced when they rejected it themselves.

Putting aside that man's current personal strength and absolute power in the new world, just his personality of daring to attack even the Holy Land is enough to warrant a reprimand.

This approach is likely to not only fail to achieve its intended effect, but could also exacerbate the conflict and even lead to self-humiliation.

Besides, they dared to kill even Celestial Dragons, why would they care about a few words of reprimand from the Five Elders?

Why summon the Warring States?

Thinking of this, the Five Elders felt even more powerless.

Nowadays, it's clear to everyone that the Buddha of Warring States has long been disheartened and is content to be his "stamped marshal," wearing a floral shirt and contemplating retirement.

What can you expect from summoning him, other than a perfunctory response like, "Uh-huh, the document was spearheaded by Grand Commander Gern, and I think it makes a lot of sense"? He's nothing more than a piece of wood that nods in agreement!

An unprecedented sense of frustration and loss of control permeated the minds of the five world's most powerful figures.

They suddenly realized that, compared to the revolutionary army's sneaky tactics...

A guy like Gern, with power, strength, capital, a large army, and prestige, could easily make a move now.

Their foundation, which had held supreme power for eight hundred years, began to crumble!

“We can’t let him continue like this…” Shepard X. Pitt Saint, the God of Agriculture, finally broke the silence with a grim face.

"He must understand who the true master of this world is."

Perhaps... we should consider using some... 'unconventional' methods.

Chapter 533 Kill Gern? I can't do it!

"What 'unconventional' methods?" Marcus Mazsan asked sarcastically, curling his lip in annoyance.

"Kill him? This glorious task, will you go, or will you let Nasujuro go?"

Upon hearing this, Izambaron V. Nassjuro, who was directly named, almost instinctively took half a step back, his face so dark it could drip water.

"What a joke! Twenty years ago, when he was just a mere general, dealing with him would have been troublesome, but not impossible! But now?"

"This is simply unrealistic! Have you all forgotten how he single-handedly turned the world upside down?!"

Topman Vochuli sighed heavily, rubbed his temples, and said with a helpless tone, "This is difficult... It's become too big to handle!"

"Think carefully, what forces do we still have left to utilize after losing effective control of the navy?" He glanced at the other four.

"Is it the Knights of God? Or those agents from CP0 to CP9?" He finished, a bitter look on his face. "Honestly, those guys from the Knights of God..."

If you remove the halo of 'divine' blessing they possess, in terms of pure raw strength alone, even combined, they probably wouldn't be enough for Gern to kill them all!

CP agents are good at assassinations and intelligence gathering, but a direct assault on 'Skyquake'? That's suicide.

At that moment, a glint of light flashed in Jaigollucia Satan's eyes, and he proposed a seemingly feasible solution: "What about Borsalino?"

"On the surface, he at least obeys the World Government's orders."

In addition, there's Aramaki, whom we just assigned to the Navy!

Both of them are general-level fighters. If they join forces to launch a sneak attack, they can definitely severely injure Gern!

We'll seize the opportunity then and take them down in one fell swoop!

The suggestion made the others' eyes flicker, but Izambaron V. Nassshuro immediately shook his head, pouring cold water on the idea.

"Kizaru isn't stupid!" he said with certainty. "That guy is more slippery than an eel! Send him to fight Gern to the death?"

He has a million ways to shirk his duties, he might even switch sides on the spot!

“And…” he paused, his voice growing even more serious, “Don’t forget, Gern still has his loyal ‘Calamity’ followers!”

"Gild Tesoro, Mihawk, Enel, Bartholomew Kuma, Douglas Barrett, and that Mink Tribe member, Boa Hancock, and Princess Mononoke..."

They are currently stationed in various parts of the New World to maintain a deterrent effect; they are not dead!

How will these people react if Gurn is attacked?

He counted on his fingers one by one, and with each name he mentioned, the other four elders' expressions grew increasingly grim: "And then there's Garp, who's never really gotten along with us!"

Zephyr still wields considerable influence! And the newly promoted Fujitora, whose ideology clearly leans towards Guern's!

Can you guarantee that Kuzan, who has already resigned, won't act out of old feelings?

Or rather, will that seemingly indifferent Sengoku, who always wears a floral shirt, really just stand by and watch us touch his chosen successor?!

Nasujiro finally threw out the possibility that they feared most, his voice almost squeezed out between clenched teeth.

"Even... that Sakazuki who is known for always obeying orders!"

If, in his capacity as Admiral of the Navy, he were to issue him an order...

Do you think that person, who secretly admired Gern's strength and 'achievements' and then, as if under a spell, went to the first half of the Grand Line...

The guy who firmly believes Gern will hand over power to him in five years... could he turn his guns on us and fire a 'Hound of the Ghoul'?!

This series of rhetorical questions instantly shattered that unrealistic fantasy.

The hall fell into a deathly silence once again.

The five elders looked at each other, each seeing a deep sense of helplessness and predicament in the other's eyes.

Gern is no longer the naval commander who can be manipulated at will.

He possesses overwhelming martial prowess, commands a vast army of top-tier fighters, and through a series of maneuvers...

He gradually imprinted his personal mark on the massive naval machine, forming a community of interests and beliefs that was difficult to break through from the outside.

In reality, the option of direct military elimination has been almost completely blocked.

Kill Gern? I can't do that!

.........

Just as the world government's highest power hall was filled with gloom and endless debate about how to deal with Gern,

Gern, however, once again set foot on Egghead Island, Egherd.

Compared to my first visit many years ago, Egghead Island has undergone tremendous changes.

Towering futuristic buildings stand side by side, energy pipes weave through the island's surface and air like blood vessels, and countless automated machines and pacifist prototypes shuttle in an orderly fashion along predetermined routes.

This place is no longer just Vegapunk's secret research facility, but has become a heavily guarded, technologically advanced futuristic fortress.

"Brother Gern?!" A loud and surprised voice rang out.

Gern looked in the direction of the sound and saw a very burly man wearing a red bellyband.

A "wrestler" carrying a huge double-edged axe and wearing a naval justice cloak was running towards him with a big smile on his face.

The person who arrived was none other than Sentomaru.

Looking at the muscular man who was even stronger than himself, Gern recalled the man who had followed him and Kizaru many years ago.

It was still a chubby little figure. For a moment, I was a little dazed, and I blinked unconsciously, my tone filled with a hint of amazement.

"Sentomaru...you...have gotten stronger!"

"To better protect Uncle Punk." Sentomaru, his voice now rough and bold, smiled sheepishly.