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

"Vice Admiral Zephyr!!" At that moment, a navy officer handed over a list. "This is the list of navy personnel who sacrificed their lives in this incident."

Upon hearing this, Zephyr frowned, his gaze sweeping across the chaotic deck.

Most of the names on the list in my hand have already been crossed off; the devastation at God Valley far exceeded my expectations.

"Alas, since that's the case, let's prepare to retreat and set sail!"

"Yes, sir!" the navy officer saluted in response, just about to pass on the order.

Suddenly, a commotion arose in the distance.

"Wait! There are still people alive!" a navy officer exclaimed, pointing to the coastline.

All eyes turned to that direction.

A figure staggered towards them, covered in blood, carrying someone on his back.

His naval uniform was already tattered, but his back was ramrod straight, as if he had used up his last bit of strength.

Zephyr, standing at the bow of the ship, narrowed his eyes slightly. "That is..."

Gern's steps were heavy, each step leaving deep footprints in the sand.

His face was covered in blood, and he was breathing heavily, as if he might collapse at any moment.

Derek's "corpse" lay limply on his back, its arms hanging down, swaying gently with each step.

The soldiers on deck were stunned, then burst into hushed whispers.

"There are actually people who can walk out of that hellish battlefield!"

"That's... Warrant Officer Derek from the West Sea branch? Oh my god, I know him..."

Listening to the navy's discussion, Zephyr strode down the gangway without saying a word and stood in front of Gern.

His gaze was sharp as he scrutinized the young soldier.

"What's going on? Your name." Zephyr's voice was deep and carried an undeniable authority.

“Gern Reginald Sigma.” Gern slowly raised his head, and when he saw Zeffa’s face, he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

"Is this the upright and peak Zephyr? The aura of a strongman!"

But despite his thoughts, he still had to act, since his target this time was Zephyr!

Then Gern looked tired, his lips were chapped, and his voice was so hoarse it was almost inaudible.

"Warrant Lieutenant Derek... was killed by Whitebeard, a remnant of the Rocks crew, while covering for me..."

Upon hearing Gern's words, Zephyr showed no doubt about him, a private first class; instead, his brows furrowed even more.

"So, you're so slow because you have him with you?"

Gern paused for a moment, then knelt on one knee, lowered his head to hide the downward pressure on his lips, and his voice choked with emotion.

“I…I promised Derek…I would take him home…”

As Guern frantically recalled the grievances he had suffered over the years, the genuine despair he had experienced made him cry his heart out.

For a moment, the deck was completely silent, with only the sound of waves crashing against the hull.

Zephyr glanced at the list in his hand and instantly spotted the names of Gern and Derek.

When he saw that Gern was merely a private second class in the West Sea branch, he was taken aback.

"You're a private first class from the West Sea branch?!"

“Yes.” Gern nodded. “I asked Warrant Officer Derek to bring me here.”

A real man should see bigger vistas and bigger battlefields!

But I never expected... I never expected... if it weren't for me!

Zefa completely believed what Gern said.

Because it was to make it easier to collect Gern's pension.

The name listed in the "representative" column is indeed Derek, while Derek's own name is Gern.

In the navy, only those who are as close as family will fill in each other's names in that column when heading to the battlefield.

Zefa stared at Gren for a few seconds, then suddenly reached out and placed his hand on Gren's shoulder.

That hand was as heavy as a mountain, yet it carried a trace of warmth.

“Gern, you did the right thing.” Zephyr’s voice was unusually gentle. “The Navy never abandons its comrades.”

Guern's shoulders twitched slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.

He kept his head down, and no one could see the sarcasm in his eyes. "Yes, Lieutenant General."

The soldiers who had just experienced the life-or-death battle of God Valley were also moved by this scene, and some even had tears in their eyes.

They whispered about Guern's "heroism" as if he were some tragic hero.

Soon, Derek's body was covered with a white sheet, and the medic stepped forward to examine it.

And when he lifted Derek's uniform, his expression changed drastically.

“This… the internal organs are completely pulverized, but there are almost no external wounds!” He looked up at Zefa, his voice trembling.

"This injury... seems to be caused by some kind of shock force directly attacking the inside."

Upon hearing this, Zefa's gaze suddenly sharpened.

"Vibrational power?"

"Yes, it matches the characteristics of Whitebeard's Devil Fruit ability from the Rocks Pirates," the medic added in a low voice.

Zefa remained silent for a moment, then his gaze fell on Gern again.

Gern kept his head down, seemingly immersed in "grief".

"Alas, how many young children have we lost in this game of the world's elite?"

A child raised by a mother for over twenty years would not survive more than five seconds in front of that group of monsters.

Zefa slammed his fist heavily on the ship's side, then turned to his adjutant and ordered, "Record the damage and prepare to return."

……

As night fell, the naval warships slowly sailed away from God's Island, cutting through the dark sea and leaving a silver trail in the moonlight.

Gern stood alone at the stern, gazing at the dark sea.

The moonlight shone on his profile, outlining his cold, hard features.

"Crack..." A faint cracking sound came from underfoot.

The wooden grain of the deck was spreading outwards from his military boots, with spiderweb-like cracks quietly appearing.

Gern stared at the uncontrolled vibrating particles, a cold smile creeping onto his lips, before the tiny air cracks vanished.

The goal has been achieved, but in this world, simply possessing a Devil Fruit is far from enough!

In this world, without any cheat codes or system, he, Gern, must proceed step by step, starting as a "three-nothing product"—no Devil Fruits, no Haki, and no talent.

Step by step, we march towards the peak!

Devil Fruits are the first step; the next step is to develop the fruit's abilities and master Haki!

Genn unconsciously stroked the bandaged hilt of the Eight Desolations sword with his fingertips, his thoughts racing.

Without a doubt, Zephyr is the best choice!!

In the high command of the navy in this era, Sengoku was racking his brains to be promoted to admiral, while Garp was chasing Roger all over the world.

Only Zephyr—soon to be promoted to admiral for his "Black Arm" title and the future Chief Instructor of the Navy—would have the same thoughts about an ordinary soldier and his instructor.

In addition, if the timeline is correct... after this God Valley incident, Zephyr will be promoted from Vice Admiral to Admiral.

Furthermore, after revealing his Devil Fruit ability upon returning to the West Blue, he worked hard to advance back to Marine Headquarters.

Whether it's about factionalism or future planning, making a good impression on Zephyr is always beneficial!

"Heh, the Armament Haki mastery of the 'Black Arm' is no weaker than Garp's at this moment!"

Gern chuckled, raised his hand, and a ball of white vibrating particles condensed in his palm.

“So this is what ‘justice’ is…” He clenched his fist tightly, and a ball of light burst out from between his fingers, “It’s nothing special.”

The waves surged, and the shadows of the warships gradually disappeared into the darkness in the distance.

.....

P.S.: Note: Zephyr died at the age of 74. The God Valley incident occurred 38 years ago (based on the current manga timeline).

His birth date can be estimated to be 36 years before the event (74 years old at the time of his death - 38 years = 36 years old).

Therefore, Zephyr should have been 36 years old when the God Valley incident occurred.

Zephyr was a fellow naval cadet with Garp, Sengoku, and Tsuru. He joined Marineford Naval Academy at the age of 14 and participated in his first battle at the age of 18.

At 28, he was promoted to corporal and mastered the Six Powers. At 34, he was known as "Black Arm" for his mastery of Armament Haki. At 38, he was officially promoted to admiral.

When the God Valley Incident occurred (at age 36), Zephyr had not yet reached the rank of Admiral.

Chapter 6 Promotion to Sergeant

Inside the warship late at night, the dim light of oil lamps cast flickering shadows on the metal bulkheads.

Zefa sat at the table, which was covered with heavy battle reports and personnel lists, and next to the ink bottle was a fountain pen covered in ink.

This "Black Arm" is not a pure warrior; he also has the air of a strategist from the Warring States period.

"Sigh." Zephyr rubbed his temples. The long hours of work had left even the notoriously tough lieutenant general looking tired.

The casualties in the Battle of God Valley far exceeded expectations; few survived, and even fewer were able to bring back the bodies of their comrades.

The pen tip glides across the paper, names are crossed out one after another, merits are assigned, and ranks are adjusted.

until……

Gern Reginald Sigma

Upon seeing the name, Zefa's pen stopped.

“Gern…” He stared at the name, his brows furrowing slightly.

Logically speaking, it would be a miracle for a private from the West Sea branch to survive in God Valley, let alone bring back the body of his superior.

Normally, such performance would be enough to be promoted to corporal, the lowest rank from soldier to non-commissioned officer.

But for some reason, Zefa felt that something was wrong.

What a coincidence.

In the final moments before everyone was about to evacuate, Gern appeared carrying Derek's body, covered in blood, and spoke tragically.

This scene was too perfect, so perfect...it looked like a meticulously planned performance.

Zefa put down his pen and tapped his knuckles lightly on the table.

In his mind, Gern's face reappeared, especially his sorrowful expression.

"Lieutenant." After a long while, Zefa suddenly spoke.

"Yes, Lieutenant General!" The adjutant standing at the door immediately stepped forward.

How much do you know about the Xihai branch?

The adjutant paused for a moment, then lowered his voice: "Corruption is rampant. It's common for officers to buy and sell positions and for soldiers to bribe their superiors to evade missions."

A soldier like Gern, with no connections, only rose to the rank of private in four years… he was either too honest or too clever.”

Zefa's eyes darkened.

Those who are too honest will not survive the Valley of the Gods.

Too clever people... know how to use "tragic heroism" to gain benefits.

"Furthermore, I suspect that Derek's body was also his..."

"Hmm?" Zephyr's expression turned grave upon hearing his adjutant's words. "That child's grief is no joke!"

"In my life, I've met many people... cunning, treacherous..."