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

Karp took a deep breath, turned around, and strode out of the office.

The office door closed again, cutting off outside light and sound.

Gern stood there for a moment, then slowly walked back behind his desk.

My gaze fell on the name "Koby," below which was written...

[Awaiting rescue]

[Battle Situation: A total of 344 naval personnel, including officers and enlisted personnel, have been killed or wounded. Commander Colonel Kirby has been captured.]

[Reason: Assigned by Vice Admiral Doll of the Navy Branch, to lead a warship to the G-14 Branch to carry out a routine mobilization mission.]

During the voyage, the warship encountered Gizas Burgess, the number one captain of the Blackbeard Pirates, known as the "Fighting Champion".

Faced with a sudden and powerful enemy, Colonel Kirby neither followed procedure in making an emergency contact with nearby G-series bases to request support from a lieutenant general.

They did not take any tactical evasion measures, and instead issued orders from colonels to have their warships engage the enemy head-on.

During the battle, excessive concern for the safety of individual soldiers led to hesitation in command, resulting in indecisiveness in advancing and retreating.

This led to the collapse of the ship's defense system, and ultimately, apart from the casualties, all crew members were captured by pirates.

After being captured, Colonel Coby offered to exchange himself for one thousand ordinary naval soldiers from Burgess.

The proposal was accepted by the pirates, and Coby has now been taken to the depths of Beehive Island, which is controlled by Blackbeard's forces.

Their fate is unknown; they await rescue by the navy.

“SWORD… Coby…”

"Perfect timing, killing two birds with one stone."

"Since you want to be a hero so badly, then I'll grant your wish..."

Anyway..

Guern picked up the red pen on the table and slowly wrote a few bold words in the "Recommendations" section of the report.

"There is no sacrifice in the world greater than the sacrifice of others!"

Chapter 589 The Troubles of 'Marshal' Gern

After a long while, Gern, having barely finished his work, threw down the pen he was using to mark papers.

Exhausted the last bit of energy I had left to handle official business.

He leaned back, and the marshal's chair creaked under the weight, the backrest bending backward.

Then he raised his hand, grabbed the marshal's cap that symbolized the highest authority in the navy, and without even looking at it, put it directly on his face.

"Ugh……"

A long, weary sigh escaped from beneath the hat.

Lying flat.

Although his posture wasn't very elegant, all Guern wanted to do at that moment was clear his mind, even if only for a minute.

The chain reaction brought about by the Naval Declaration of Independence far exceeded initial expectations.

This is not merely a military and political divide, but a massive tsunami sweeping across the entire organizational structure, logistics system, diplomatic relations, economic lifeline, and even ideology.

Each document represents a problem that must be solved, a contradiction that must be reconciled, a dissenting voice that must be suppressed, and a resource that must be fought for in the process of establishing a new order.

The reorganization and troop rotation of the G-series bases in the New World, and the clause-by-clause negotiations of tax agreements and security treaties among the member states of the Four Seas and the first half of the Grand Line.

The restructuring and budget allocation of the navy's financial system after independence, and the cleanup and confrontation with the remnants of the former World Government.

Internal dissemination and unification of the Navy's "justice" ideology, and weighing and approving special requests from veteran admirals like Garp.

Monitoring and contingency plans for internal destabilizing factors such as the "Sharp Edge Force"...

Furthermore, a steady stream of intelligence is pouring in from all over the world: what actions the Blackbeard Pirates might take after obtaining Aokiji.

Subtle movements of the other four Emperors' forces

The Revolutionary Army's seemingly quiet but actually turbulent activities, the World Government's unsettling silence...

All the myriad thoughts and feelings were transformed into the stacks of cold papers on the table, weighing heavily on Guern's shoulders.

"This marshal... he's not fit for the job," Gern muttered under his hat, his voice indistinct.

He suddenly felt an overwhelming longing for the days when the Warring States period was still in power.

At least back then, most of the complicated political affairs and headaches of diplomacy were handled by that "wise general".

Although he himself holds a high position and wields great power, he exists more as a strategic deterrent and the highest combat force, and has much greater freedom.

Now, things have turned out differently. The struggle for the Mother Spark has become a forced situation, with the person in charge now in charge.

He had great power, but the endless responsibilities and trivialities almost swallowed him up.

"We need to find a few reliable 'working people'... no, 'comrades who will fight alongside us' to share the burden."

Gern was thinking in a daze.

Tezzolo has now taken over as Chief of Staff and is adept at managing finances and domestic affairs, but he needs stronger support in military and strategic matters.

Barrett only likes fighting, Mihawk is a loner, Enel is seriously injured and recuperating, and Torituma is better at... well, certain special areas.

Staff Officer Tsuru chose to retire after Tezzolo took over. Although he was 76 years old, it didn't matter, as he was still at the age where he could work hard! He complemented Tezzolo perfectly.

Fujitora Issho has a firm stance, but he needs to stay in one place to oversee things; he is currently the person who carries out the mission as a general.

Borsalino... never mind.

Upon reflection, it turns out that our Warring States Marshal was a typical managerial and strategic talent!

There's no one else I can help him with this pile of messy files!

Gern shifted restlessly, his hat slipping down slightly to reveal an eye that screamed "I'm hopeless."

Besides the current situation, there are a host of external matters that I must handle personally.

The first to be affected is the Land of Harmony.

This strategically important location, closed off from the world, easy to defend and difficult to attack, yet possessing a sea stone mine and clues to the legendary ancient weapon "Pluto," had long been considered his for the taking.

Momonosuke and Kin'emon's petty schemes and tragedy were just an interlude.

The real target is the Beasts Pirates, who are entrenched there, and Kaido, the "strongest creature in the world."

The goal is to completely bring Wano Country under the Navy's sphere of influence and control its resources and technology, which are powerful enough to influence the world order.

According to the original historical trajectory (if there is still such a thing as an "original" one).

The Straw Hat crew should currently be in Zou forming an alliance with the Mink Tribe to obtain clues on their way to Wano Country.

But my appearance was like a giant butterfly flapping its wings violently.

The timeline of Doflamingo's downfall has been altered, and the aftermath of the Dressrosa incident has spread...

With a combination of factors, the Straw Hat crew, based on scattered intelligence...

It has already appeared in Totland (Cake Island).

Gern frowned, his brow hidden under his hat.

"Playing the Whole Cake Island instance? But that might not be a bad thing."

With Luffy around, if he really can't find the time in Wano Country, he could even be the king of picking up the scraps.

Secondly, there's the name that Im inadvertently revealed when he descended upon "Nasujuro Saint".

Elbaf, the land of giants.

Guern's focus sharpened.

Im's tone at the time carried a sense of regret and hypothetical: "If only Harald hadn't made that foolish mistake back then..."

Capable of completely transforming the giant nation of Elbaf into a military superpower under the World Government...

Therefore, the navy itself, for Mu, could become a pawn that could be discarded at any time.

This statement is chilling upon closer examination.

It reveals several key pieces of information: First, the World Government (or Im) attempted to gain complete control of Elbaf.

Second, they almost succeeded (Harald was probably the key figure).

Third, the military potential brought by controlling Elbaf is so great that Im feels that an organization like the "Navy" has become dispensable!

Gern was well aware of the terror of the giants, after all, there was a giant vice admiral within the navy.

Their naturally large physique, superhuman strength, long lifespan, and relatively simple social structure

This makes every adult, trained giant warrior comparable to a human colonel or even a lieutenant general in terms of combat strength!

More importantly, they are not "special cases" that rely on Devil Fruits or top-tier Haki, which are difficult to replicate.

Instead, it is a basic combat force that is built on racial talent and can be cultivated on a large scale!

A single giant warrior can often play a role on the battlefield that surpasses that of three fully equipped medium-sized naval warships!

Imagine if you could build a fully organized, commanded legion of giants... what an overwhelming force it would be for land warfare and siege warfare!

For Gern, who aspires to make the navy truly independent and possess the power to deter and even overthrow the old world order,

Elbaf is also a strategic resource that we absolutely cannot let go of!

"Wano Country, Elbaf..." Gern silently marked two key points in his mind.

These are all places where he needs to go in person to achieve his goals.

The title of Admiral of the Navy is both a shield and a shackle.

He cannot leave the center of power for an extended period, otherwise internal changes may occur.

We must plan our timeline, assign suitable agents, and expedite the implementation of these two long-term strategies.

Also, Garp has already gone to Blackbeard's side...

However, if he doesn't participate, Vice Admiral Garp is probably going to be bet by Koby on Beehive Island.

"what!!!"

Suddenly, Gern sat bolt upright, his hat slipping off his face, and he clutched his head with both hands.

His eyes were fixed on the pile of documents on the desk, which seemed to have grown several centimeters taller, and he let out a wail.

"My goodness! I can't live like this anymore!"

"The Warring States Period!!!"

Gern let out a shout that echoed in the empty marshal's office, filled with regret.

"My beloved Buddha Sengoku!!! I shouldn't have granted you leave!!! Please come back!!!"

"This marshal's job is really not something a human being can do!"

Come back quickly and help me out... no, I mean, give me guidance!!!

After shouting, he slumped into his chair, staring blankly at the ceiling, becoming a salted fish who had lost his dreams.

Chapter 590 "A Casual Chat Among Three"

Meanwhile, below the office building, beside a sunny lawn, three figures gathered in a peculiar posture.

Bartholomew Bear sat calmly on a specially made, reinforced stone bench.

His usually expressionless square face now held a hint of gentle relaxation.

He was holding a strawberry milk popsicle that was disproportionately large for his hand.

To his left, petite Lipo was squatting on the ground, her long, furry ears drooping contentedly.

Holding a carrot-shaped popsicle in both hands, she happily nibbled on it, her cheeks puffing out.

And to the right of the bear, also crouching, is Enel.

The god was squatting there without any regard for appearances, wearing a navy cap askew, holding an ice pop in his hand, licking it while looking at the sky with a bored expression.

"Gern is calling again!"