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

Seeing this, Asahi looked at the two of them and suddenly clapped his hands: "Alright, since that's the case, Bellemere, you take the Major General to visit the newly renovated training ground first."

I've already asked the cafeteria to prepare a special menu for dinner.

Bellemere nodded and stepped aside to let Guern go first.

As they walked out of the office one after the other, the soldiers in the corridor cast curious glances at them.

The whispers behind her made Bellemere straighten her back even more.

On the training field, the new recruits are undergoing combat training.

Upon seeing Gern appear, the entire venue fell silent instantly, and everyone froze in place.

"Continue training!" Bellemere shouted sternly, and the recruits seemed to wake up from a dream and started moving again, but their eyes still couldn't help but glance in their direction.

Gern looked around and saw that the newly expanded training ground was more than three times larger than it used to be, with all kinds of facilities.

In the distance, at the firing range, rows of soldiers are practicing shooting.

“What a big change,” Gern said softly.

“After you left, the branch received strong support from headquarters and became the West Sea General Branch.” Bellemere followed half a step to his side.

"These are all stories that Lieutenant Colonel Asahi tells every new recruit."

“This Asahi…” Gern smiled and shook his head, then paused for a moment, “Tell me about yourself, how did someone from the East Sea end up in the West Sea?”

Bellemere's expression suddenly became complicated: "Four years ago, I couldn't stand the pirates bullying the villagers, so I signed up to join the navy."

As a result, on one occasion our warships were attacked by pirates in the Western Sea, the warships were destroyed, and the entire fleet was wiped out.

"And I was just rescued by Lieutenant Colonel Asahi, who had been dispatched to provide support." She touched a scar on her left arm. "Later, I stayed at the 133rd Branch and became a naval officer."

Gern noticed a flicker in her expression when she mentioned the navy and chuckled softly.

It seems that Bellemere has not yet experienced the naval battle that changed her fate, nor has she adopted the two little girls.

"Want to go back and take a look?" Gern suddenly asked.

Bellemere looked up abruptly: "What?"

“I can have Asahi arrange for a warship to take you back to the East China Sea,” Gern said casually. “After all, you haven’t been back for several years, have you?”

"Rear Admiral Gern, I am now a member of the Navy, and I have my duties here. It has been nine years since you returned to Branch 133."

Gern glanced at her but said nothing more.

He understood Bellemere's character—stubborn, independent, and unwilling to accept charity.

As the sun sets, the shadows on the training ground are stretched long.

Gern stood where he had first demonstrated his abilities, the stone slab beneath his feet still bearing the faint crack.

“Major General Gern,” Bellemere suddenly spoke, her voice hesitant, “may I ask you a question?”

"explain."

“Why…why are you helping me?” She looked directly into Gern’s eyes. “We’re complete strangers, yet you know so much about me…”

Gern looked out at the distant horizon where a merchant ship was slowly sailing by.

“Some people are destined to meet,” he said softly, “like the orange trees in Cocosia Village, which will naturally blossom and bear fruit when the season comes.”

"Is that so?" Bellemere frowned, then nodded as if she understood.

The sea breeze tousled her red hair, making it appear like a burning flame in the sunset.

Chapter 114 Young Mihawk~

West Sea, Lilikaya Island

The West Sea Casino is brightly lit and neon lights flash in the night, and the whole city seems to be coated with a golden halo.

The streets were teeming with people, filled with the cheers of gamblers and the shouts of slave traders.

The music in the tavern mingled together, creating a chaotic and noisy symphony.

Gern, dressed in a black uniform, top hat, and with the black sword Bahuang wrapped in white cloth at his waist, strolled along, his gaze sweeping over the shops on both sides of the street.

In the shop window of the slave shop, the people bound by chains had empty eyes, as if they had long lost hope.

“What a disgusting place…” Gern muttered to himself, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the hilt of his knife.

His goal is to find Tesoro, the man who will become the "Golden Emperor" in the future.

According to intelligence, Tesoro is currently working hard in this city to earn money in an attempt to buy his beloved Stella's freedom.

The two also enjoyed singing through the cage.

However, just as Gern was searching aimlessly, a cold voice suddenly came from behind him.

Are you a swordsman?

"Huh?!" Gern paused and slowly turned around.

What came into view was a tall, slender boy, about fifteen or sixteen years old, wearing a burgundy cardigan jacket with embroidered details.

His eyes were as sharp as a hawk's, and he carried a uniquely designed long sword on his back.

(In 1498, Roger was executed, and 19-year-old Mihawk watched. It is now 1494, so going back in time, Mihawk would be 15 years old now.)

“Mihawk?” Gern raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.

I never expected to meet the future "world's greatest swordsman" here, especially since he is so young.

Am I starting to step into the forefront of a new era? First Crocodile, then Bellemere, and now Mihawk.

While Gern was still in a daze, Mihawk's gaze fell on the black sword, Eight Desolations, at his waist, his tone calm yet firm.

"You're a swordsman too, right? How about a fight?"

Upon hearing this, Gern smiled and looked at the boy in front of him with great interest.

At this time, Mihawk was not yet famous; he was just a young swordsman traveling the world in search of opponents.

His sword was not yet forged into the black blade "Night," but his eyes already revealed a sharpness beyond his years.

Seeing that Gern did not answer him, Mihawk frowned and continued.

"Don't try to fool me. Although you've hidden it well, I can still sense it..."

"Are you sure I'm hiding something?" Before the words were even finished, Gern's eyes suddenly turned cold.

boom!

In an instant, an invisible pressure, directed solely at Mihawk, crashed down like a mountain!

Mihawk's pupils suddenly contracted, and all the muscles in his body tensed up instantly, as if he were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand!

My breath hitched, my heart nearly stopped, and cold sweat trickled down my back.

What's this……?!

Mihawk's vision began to blur, and all he could hear was the rapid pounding of his own heart.

His legs trembled uncontrollably, and he almost collapsed to his knees.

He had never felt such terrifying oppression.

It was as if the person standing in front of him was not a human, but a ferocious beast that would devour anyone it wanted!

Gern remained standing in the same spot, his posture unchanged, but his eyes stared at Mihawk like an abyss.

"Now, do you still want to fight?" Gern's voice was soft, but it struck Mihawk's heart like a heavy hammer.

Mihawk gritted his teeth and forced himself to stand firm.

His pride wouldn't allow him to bow his head, but his instincts were screaming warnings at him.

This man is absolutely not to be messed with!

"Who...who are you?" Mihawk asked with difficulty, his voice hoarse.

Gern smiled slightly and withdrew his imposing manner.

The surrounding air seemed to resume its flow instantly. Mihawk gasped for breath, cold sweat dripping from his forehead onto the ground.

"Rear Admiral Gern of the Naval Headquarters."

"A quake?" Mihawk's eyes were filled with complex emotions, a mixture of resentment and barely concealed shock.

He learned that there were only two key points in Guern's situation.

One was slaying the Golden Lion with a sword, and the other was defeating the samurai Kozuki Oden alone.

Both of them are unique dual-wielding great swordsmen!

In other words, Gern is a man who is absolutely qualified to challenge himself, and who will inevitably face challenges on his path to becoming the world's number one!

Looking at his expression, Gern chuckled softly, "What, disappointed?"

“No, I’ve just confirmed one thing.” Mihawk paused for a moment, then said coldly, “I am indeed no match for you right now.”

His tone was calm, but the fingers gripping the knife were slightly white.

Proud as he was, he admitted that failure was more painful than death, but he also understood...

The oppressive feeling I experienced just now was definitely not an illusion.

“Not bad.” Gern nodded appreciatively. “At least he’s much better than those stubborn idiots who refuse to admit defeat.”

“But…” His words trailed off as Mihawk slowly raised his head, and a dormant fighting spirit suddenly erupted in his sharp, hawk-like eyes.

"If I don't even dare to make a move and run away now, I will never be able to achieve my goal in my entire life."

As he spoke, he gripped the blade tightly, its edge gleaming coldly in the moonlight.

"That's why..."

"Even if there's an abyss ahead, I will leap into it!" Mihawk's voice was deep and resolute. "Let me witness it with my own eyes..."

"The real gap between us..." The knife pointed directly at Gern, and he said, enunciating each word clearly, "is the true gap!"

"Are we really going to fight?" Gern looked at Mihawk and smiled slightly. "If you lose to me, you'll have to join the Navy, you know."

“The Navy?!” Mihawk looked up abruptly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Gern shrugged, his tone relaxed: "What, you don't want to?"

Mihawk paused for a moment, then said coldly, "I have no interest in the Navy, but if you can beat me, I might consider it."

"Consider?" Gern chuckled. "That's fine too."

Seeing that Gern agreed, Mihawk's eyes gradually sharpened. "Then let's let our strength speak for itself."

Immediately, pedestrians on the street seemed to sense the tense atmosphere between the two and quickly moved away.

Gern looked around and pointed to a deserted dock in the distance: "No one will bother you there, it's a good place to spar."

Mihawk did not object, and the two walked towards the dock one after the other.

Chapter 115 I Won't Lose Again!?

On the empty dock, the night breeze blew, the sea shimmered, and the moonlight shone on the two people, casting long shadows.

"Let's begin." Mihawk drew Night from his back again, the blade gleaming coldly in the moonlight. His movements were clean and swift, without the slightest waste.

Gen slowly drew his black sword, Eight Desolations, the white cloth on the blade still fluttering.

Instead of rushing to attack, he stood still and waited for Mihawk to make his move.

Without hesitation, Mihawk flashed forward, his blade slicing through the air, aiming straight for Gern's throat.

The cut was swift.

However, Gern merely shifted his body slightly, and the Black Blade Eight Desolations easily blocked the attack.

"Clang!" The crisp sound of the collision echoed across the dock.

Mihawk's knife was firmly blocked, unable to advance an inch.

"The speed is good, but it's slow," Gern commented, with a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

Mihawk's eyes narrowed, and he quickly changed his move, sweeping his blade horizontally towards Gern's waist.