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

“Otherwise?” Zephyr glanced at him, his tone meaningful.

"Your statement last time that 'the teacher is my support' really shook the entire naval leadership."

The new recruits are now all chanting, "Ze Faxing, Marshal is dead!"

Gern: "..."

Oh no, we've messed up.

At this moment, Libo tilted her head, looked at Gern, then at Zephyr, and said innocently, "Teacher Zephyr, Gern said that you are his backer."

"Does that mean we can walk sideways now?"

Zephyr: "??"

Gern: "...Lipo, some things don't need to be said."

Zefa took a deep breath and finally couldn't help but burst into laughter: "Good lad, you're a good lieutenant... not bad, really not bad!"

And so, with Libo’s innocent “assistance”, the “Zeff’s wrath” that Gern might have faced was perfectly resolved.

And the soldiers of Marineford witnessed it for the first time.

It turns out that even "Black Arm" Zephyr can be defeated by a fluffy rabbit.

.....

Ribo skipped ahead, curiously looking at the magnificent buildings of the Marine Headquarters.

As she walked away, Zepha suddenly grabbed Gern by the neck and whispered through gritted teeth:

"It's all because of you, brat! I, the old man who was once the chief naval instructor, have now been turned into a powerful minister with disciples all over the place!"

Even that bastard from the Warring States period would secretly talk to me every day, saying things like, "Old comrade-in-arms, we should offer more support."

Although Marshal Kong didn't say anything outwardly, the way he looked at me was definitely strange!

“Professor Zefa, I didn’t know you were in the Marshal’s office at the time…” Gern struggled to explain.

“You brat, you’re definitely doing this on purpose…” Zefa was about to continue his lecture when he suddenly noticed Lipo turning around.

“Professor Zephyr! This fountain is so beautiful!” Lippo excitedly pointed to the fountain in the center of the square.

Zephyr's expression changed instantly. He released Gren and instead lovingly stroked his head, his voice so gentle it could melt water: "Yes, this is the iconic building of Marineford..."

Gern: "..."

Taking advantage of Ribo's attention being drawn to something new, Guern quickly said, "Teacher Zephyr, Ribo is a Mink and possesses the ability of the Healing Fruit. She also has a strong talent for physical combat."

The fur-bearing tribe of the Furry Duchy are warriors from a young age; I hope you can give her some pointers when you have time.

"Do you need to tell me?" Zephyr sneered. "She just called me Teacher Zephyr!" The implication was clear.

Looking at his teacher's face, which clearly showed disdain but couldn't hide the upturn of his lips, Gern suddenly felt worried about his junior's future.

(You little rascal, your dad's paternal love might be shifting...)

Just then, Lippo ran back and grabbed Zephyr's hand: "Teacher Zephyr, do you sell carrots here?!"

Seeing little Lipo (168) looking up at him, Zephyr suddenly burst into laughter.

"Of course! There's plenty more!" Zephyr scooped up Lipo and hoisted her onto his shoulder. "Come on! Teacher Zephyr will take you to eat the best carrot cake in Marineford!"

"Okay!" Libo cheered as she was lifted up, swinging her legs and brushing her ear against Zefa's cheek.

The iron-blooded instructor was smiling like a doting father, completely forgetting that he had come to interrogate him.

As Gern watched the old man and the young man walking away happily, he suddenly realized—

Not only will his junior brother lose his father's love, but he, as a disciple, might not even be as favored as a rabbit.

Chapter 86 Steel-Bone Sky's Confident Operation

Just as Gern was about to go inside the headquarters building, Zephyr stopped him.

“Teacher?” Gern stopped in his tracks.

"Don't think you can get away with this just because you're back." Zefa sneered and lowered his voice, saying: "Marshal Kong's office isn't so easy to get into."

He called you over, and it wasn't just to reward you.

Gern smiled slightly: "I know."

Zefa stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly reached out and pressed down on his shoulder: "Remember, whatever you say, don't admit it."

Especially regarding David, don't mention a single word about him.

When Zefa mentioned David, Gern was clearly taken aback.

"Do you think I don't know your personality? Anyway, because of this matter..."

The Flying Pirates are causing chaos in the member states, and the World Government is putting pressure on them daily.

Gern nodded: "Understood."

"Good that you understand." Zephyr's gaze softened as he turned to Lippo, who was munching on a carrot. "I'll take this girl back first."

Remember, no matter what Kong says, keep your composure.

"Give my regards to Lina." Gern watched Zefa leave, and the smile on his face vanished instantly as he turned away.

He straightened his collar and strode toward the white building that symbolized the highest authority in the navy.

.........

Naval Headquarters, Marshal's Office

When Gern stepped into the Marshal's office, Steel Bone Kong was standing with his back to him in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the panoramic view of Marineford.

Sunlight streamed through the glass, casting a cold, sharp light on his epaulets.

“Report.” Gern stopped, his voice calm.

Steel Bone Kong slowly turned around, his sharp gaze sweeping across Gern's face before pointing to the sofa: "Sit."

Gern nodded, walked straight to the sofa and sat down, his posture relaxed yet respectful.

Steel Bone picked up the documents on the table, casually flipped through a few pages, and a slight smile appeared on his lips: "It seems that General Zephyr's 'accomplices' have returned."

In response to Kong's teasing, Gern smiled slightly and said, "That was all just a joke."

"A joke..." Kong gave Gern a deep look, then chuckled and said no more.

Instead, she steered the conversation back to the main point: "You did a great job this time, you really dealt a blow to the arrogance of the New World pirates."

After all, both the 'giant warship' and the 'cursed doctor' are troublesome creatures.

“Just ran into them.” Gern shrugged, his tone indifferent, and said slowly.

"So, the sudden interruption of my mission this time couldn't just be because I was sent to keep an eye on the Golden Lion, could it?"

"Heh." Steelbone Kong chuckled lightly, his tone flat. "What do you think?"

Gern glanced sideways, his gaze calmly meeting Steelbone's.

"Since the Marshal has asked this question, there must be other plans?"

Steelbone Kong didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked to his desk, picked up a document, and handed it to Gern: "Take a look at this first."

Gern took the document, quickly glanced through it, and frowned slightly: "Deathstroke David, captain of the Third Division of the Golden Lion? Should I arrest him?"

"Stop pretending." Kong's voice suddenly turned cold. "You killed David, didn't you, Gern?"

The air in the office seemed to freeze for a moment.

"Heh." Gern gently placed the file on the coffee table, his expression remaining calm, even carrying a perfectly appropriate hint of doubt.

It was as if Kong was asking a question he had absolutely no idea about.

"Why would the Marshal think that?" Gern even managed a polite smile.

"There is no such thing in the summary of the task reports I submitted."

Steelbone stared at Gern in silence for a second.

There was no panic, no hesitation, and not even a change in heart rate.

It must be admitted that this young man is not only strong in ability, but also has remarkable mental fortitude.

"Intelligence indicates that there are traces of naval activity near the location where David was last seen."

Steel Bone Kong placed his hands on the table and leaned closer to Gern, "And at that time, the only ship patrolling that area was your warship."

"And if I'm not mistaken, you went to the Hairy Principality after you destroyed David's ship."

"Marshal, you can't just make things up without evidence." Gern chuckled. "Pirates are rampant in the New World, and David's enemies aren't just the Navy."

Maybe it's Whitebeard, Roger? Or perhaps some other great pirate! After all, pirates are known for their fierce competition.

“I don’t have any evidence; these are just my guesses.” Steelbone Kong narrowed his eyes and smiled.

After all, all the navy personnel who went with Gern have the same story, so there's no point in trying to turn one of them against their cause.

Given the vast ocean and David's likely being eaten by fish, there is really no evidence to prove that it was Gern who did it.

Steel Bone Kong was silent for a moment, then suddenly straightened up and sneered: "You're very smart, but some things can't be hidden."

Gern didn't reply, but just stared quietly at Steelbone Sky.

“However…” Steelbone Kong changed the subject, took a new document from the drawer, and tossed it in front of Gern.

"This time, I can pretend I didn't see it."

Gern raised an eyebrow, picked up the file, and opened it, finding it to be a new mission instruction.

“He is, after all, the third division commander of the Flying Pirates. It’s impossible for Golden Lion not to make a move.” Kong walked back to the window and said with his back to Gern.

Gern closed the file, his gaze deep: "Air Marshal, this is the Golden Lion!"

Don't you know about what happened between him and me? My going there would only make things worse!

"I didn't send you to the Golden Lion on the other side. You're still dealing with the trouble caused by his pirate crew."

“That also…” Gern was about to say something when Steelbone interrupted him.

"I believe you are capable of handling this, and this is a problem you brought upon yourself."

In short, you need to calmly and properly bring this matter to a close.

"......"

Gern saluted and turned to leave.

As he reached the door, Steelbone Kong suddenly called out to him again: "Gern."

"Does the Marshal have any further instructions?" Gern asked, turning around.

Steelbone Kong's gaze was deep: "Remember, what the Navy needs is loyalty, not individual heroism."

Gern paused slightly at the doorway. With his back to Steelbone Sky, a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips: "Loyalty? You're the ones who should be calling me that."

Steel Bone Sky's brows furrowed instantly: "What did you say?"

“I said I would handle everything.” Gern waved his hand and went straight out the door.

The corridor lights cast a long shadow of him as he walked, flipping through the mission file in his hand. When he saw the transfer order, his pupils suddenly contracted.

The document clearly stated: "Effective immediately, Brigadier General Guern is transferred to New World G-3 Base, reporting directly to Lieutenant General Sakazuki."

"G-3 base? Lieutenant General Sakazuki?"

“Your mother's…” Gern’s knuckles clenched until they turned white. “So this is what your ‘loyalty’ means? Damn it.”

And me and Akainu, the two of us? Quiet? Calm? Proper? Heh.

.....

Meanwhile, in the office, Steel Bone Kong picked up his teacup with satisfaction and said softly to the air, "Young man, you should learn a thing or two from Sakazuki about discipline."

I believe that under Sakazuki's leadership, they will "properly" handle the various problems caused by the Flying Pirates' affiliated forces.

At this moment, the admiral was still unaware that his actions had alienated two of the most extreme individuals.

What will be the consequences of this confident move of simultaneously cramming in a base...?