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

And then... Ginny gets kidnapped.

Thinking of this, a strange light flashed in Gern's eyes.

"Once Ginny is kidnapped, that will be the real key to my victory in gaining the combat power of Big Bear."

Even if Kuma were to agree to follow him now, Gern wouldn't be able to take people back to Marine Headquarters directly.

After all, he doesn't yet have enough power to shake the rules of the world government.

“This time, it’s just planting a seed.” Gern stepped onto the naval deck.

By the time this seed truly sprouted, Roger's era had long since ended, and the Great Pirate Era had fully begun.

Although the Golden Lion incident brought Gern fame

But what Gern truly planned in his heart, and what would allow him to take the final step into naval power, was...

In the future, he will use his foresight—knowing in advance that Roger will surrender—to...

Arrest the Pirate King Roger!!!

“Turning ‘surrender’ into ‘arrest’…” A dangerous smile crept across Gern’s lips.

This plan has already been brewing in my mind.

Because this would be far more effective in establishing his future position in the navy than defeating Shiki or anything else.

Once the "arrest of the Pirate King" is accomplished, my reputation within the Navy will be "invincible."

Compared to Garp's title of "Naval Hero," the title of "Man Who Ended an Era" carries a much greater symbolic meaning!

The immense influence of this title would give Gern a significant voice.

At that time, the Warring States period saw the succession of the marshal, and the system of three generals was established.

He will use his achievement of "arresting the Pirate King" to demand the independence of his own naval commanders.

And by using this power, he cultivated his own powerful faction of justice to slowly monopolize and devour naval power (a powerful minister usurping the throne, becoming too powerful to control).

“By then…” The warship cut through the waves, and Gern gazed at the receding coastline of the Kingdom of Sorbe, his smile deepening.

The right to interpret "justice" may not necessarily lie with world governments.

.......

Two weeks later, Marineford, naval port

The place was as busy as ever, with warships coming and going.

Soldiers busily moved supplies, the cries of seagulls mingling with the sound of waves crashing...

Gern stood on the gangway, took a deep breath of the salty sea breeze, and his gaze swept across the harbor before finally settling on a warship not far away.

On the deck of the warship, a tall figure slowly walked down, the sunlight shining on his striking green knitted hat, reflecting a dazzling light.

Gern narrowed his eyes, his lips twitching slightly—it was our king of slacking off, Borsalino.

"I never expected that Kizaru had such unique taste when he was young..." Gern muttered to himself.

Seemingly sensing Gern's gaze, Kizaru turned his head, paused for a moment when he saw Gern, and then revealed his signature lazy smile.

"Hey~ isn't this Captain Gern?" He drawled out as he slowly walked towards Gern.

"I didn't expect you to be back so late too. I thought I'd be the only one dragging my feet until the last minute~"

Gern shrugged and stepped down the gangway: "I took advantage of my vacation to go to the East China Sea with Mr. Karp."

We then went to the South China Sea for a stroll. We were already in a rush on the way, but there was no other way.

"But Borsalino, why are you so relaxed? I remember you were on a mission, weren't you?"

"I really envy people on vacation." Kizaru shrugged, his tone flippant. "Missions always have to be completed, but there's no need to rush, right?"

As he spoke, he raised his hand to adjust the green knitted hat on his head, his eyes under the brim slightly narrowed, as if he were sizing up Guern's reaction.

Guern's gaze unconsciously fell on the hat again, and he couldn't help but click his tongue: "Your hat... is quite unique."

Upon hearing this, Kizaru's eyes lit up, as if he had found a kindred spirit.

He immediately pulled out an identical green knitted hat from his pocket and handed it to Gern.

"Do you like it? I have more here, I'll give you one."

"Never mind, never mind!" Gern quickly waved his hand and chuckled dryly, "I don't have the habit of wearing a green hat."

"Tsk tsk tsk, young people these days are so unfashionable~" Kizaru shook his head with feigned regret, stuffed his hat back into his pocket, and said with a hint of teasing.

Gern rolled his eyes, too lazy to reply.

The two walked side by side toward the headquarters building, attracting the attention of many naval soldiers along the way.

After all, one is the recently famous "Tensen" and the other is the Navy Headquarters' well-known "King of Slacking Off"—such a combination is truly rare.

"I heard you severely injured Shiki with a single strike and drove him back?" Kizaru suddenly spoke, his tone still lazy.

Gern nodded, his tone flat: "Just lucky, the Golden Lion underestimated its opponent."

"Oh~ really?" Kizaru drawled, looking at Gern with a half-smile. "Even Sengoku praised that strike."

Gern didn't reply, but just smiled slightly.

"By the way," Kizaru suddenly changed the subject, "have you seen the match schedule for the Elite Training Camp?"

Guern raised an eyebrow: "I saw it. I had an exhibition match with Borsalino."

"That's terrifying~" Kizaru sighed dramatically, "I don't want to be shaken to pieces by your vibration ability."

“Likewise.” Gern glanced at him. “Your Glitter Fruit isn’t exactly innocent either.”

The two looked at each other and laughed at the same time.

Upon reaching the headquarters building, Kizaru stopped and lazily stretched.

"Alright, I have to go report now. If I'm any later, Mr. Zhan Guo will start nagging again."

Gern nodded. "See you later."

Kizaru waved his hand, turned and walked into the building, his green knitted hat standing out in the sunlight.

Gern watched his retreating figure, shook his head, and muttered to himself, "What on earth is that guy thinking..."

He looked away and was about to leave when he suddenly felt a gaze upon him.

Gern turned his head and, sure enough, a familiar figure was standing not far away—Sakazuki.

Especially since Akainu was looking at him at that moment with what he thought was a very harmonious smile.

No, brother, we really won't have any future together!

Chapter 62: Seeking a Mink Tribe Lieutenant?

Sunlight streamed through the windows into the corridors of the main building.

Sakazuki's lips curled into a rare smile as he held the document, "G-3 Base Five-Year Development Plan," in his hand.

“Gern,” Sakazuki called out in a low voice.

"The restoration work at G-3 base is nearing completion." He stepped closer, his tone carrying an undeniable firmness.

"I was very impressed with your performance during our last collaboration."

I really hope you'll consider transferring to G-3 base and join me in guarding the front lines of the New World.

"When the two of us join forces, how could any pirate on the high seas possibly stand a chance against us?"

"Haha, is that so, Colonel Sakazuki?" Gern waved his hand with a smile.

"But I have very little experience right now; I haven't even taken on a patrol mission on my own."

If we accept your promotion like this, wouldn't that be very unfair to the other naval personnel?

“That’s definitely not good.” Sakazuki agreed with the rules, so he nodded.

At the same time, this time he did not hear Guern directly reject him, but was worried that his unfair actions would be criticized by others.

They abide by naval discipline, possess formidable strength, and uphold justice as they do...

The perfect jinchūriki... no, the perfect colleague!

In a short time, Sakazuki began to increasingly approve of Gern.

"Although I've said it many times, I still think you're just my type."

After this exhibition match, once the personnel transfer and promotion to general rank are completed as soon as possible, I look forward to the day when I can work with you.

"It's this exhibition match, hehe..."

Akainu did not object to the promotion during the exhibition match, because the military achievements of the King of Roll were already enough to be promoted to general in the next transfer.

So it doesn't matter whether we hit him or not.

However, the main reason for his return was because of the direct order issued by Marshal Steelbone.

Hearing Sakazuki's words, Gern raised an eyebrow. "Well, I'm also a bit opportunistic..."

“You’re different!” Sakazuki interrupted Gren before he could finish speaking.

"You're not speculating; you just need to be where you are."

Gern: "!!!"

It's true that everyone applies double standards when it comes to someone they like.

Seeing this, just as Gern was about to respond, a lazy voice suddenly interrupted.

"Hey, Sakazuki, you're making people feel embarrassed." Kuzan walked slowly over from the side with his hands in his pockets and a faint smile on his lips.

At the same time, his gaze swept between Sakazuki and Gern, finally settling on Sakazuki's cold, hard face.

"Heh." Sakazuki sneered, his eyes instantly turning icy cold. "Kuzan, this is none of your business."

Kuzan shrugged and walked nonchalantly to Gern's side, even deliberately taking a step closer to Sakazuki.

“I was just passing by, but…” he drawled, his gaze defiant as he looked at Sakazuki.

"Forcing someone to accept your invitation is not gentlemanly behavior."

Sakazuki's brow twitched violently, and the surrounding air seemed to heat up with his anger.

He gave Kuzan a cold look, then nodded to Gern: "You can come find me anytime after you've thought it through."

After saying that, he turned and strode away, leaving Kuzan with the words, "I won't cheat in an exhibition match."

Kuzan chuckled, exhaling a wisp of cold air. "Just what I wanted."

Only after Sakazuki's figure disappeared around the corner did Gern finally burst out laughing.

Anyone who didn't know better would think that the two of you were about to determine who was superior and even fight to the death!

Kuzan shrugged helplessly: "There's nothing I can do. I don't like those cold-blooded guys."

After saying that, he put his arm around Gern's shoulder and smiled even more broadly, "Hey! You're really something!"

While I was on patrol for the past few months, you actually managed to accomplish something so big!

"The man who shattered the sky, wow, that's quite a title!"

Faced with Kuzan's teasing, Gern sighed and shook his head.

"That was me, Teacher Zephyr, and Sakazuki working together to barely defeat the Golden Lion. I didn't expect that only my picture would be published in the newspaper."

"Hahaha!" Kuzan laughed. "Who told Morgans to be so attention-grabbing?"

"And..." He blinked, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"Your photo of slaying the golden lion is really well done! I even want to save a copy."

"Heh." Gern rolled his eyes, too lazy to reply.

Kuzan suddenly leaned closer and lowered his voice, saying, "Seriously, is Sakazuki particularly obsessed with you?"

I heard he even wanted you to help write the logistics report for G-3 base.

“Sometimes, charming people are quite helpless…” Guern rubbed his forehead and sighed softly.

"Hahaha! You bastard." Kuzan laughed even more unrestrainedly, even attracting the sidelong glances of passing soldiers.