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

Stella pressed her face against his sweaty back, her tears soaking through his tattered shirt.

Tesoro's fist hovered in mid-air, gold slowly dripping down.

He then realized he was crying, hot tears washing away the blood on his face and forming a red stream on his chin.

Guern's leather shoes stepped into the pool of blood, and he crouched down to look Guern in the eye.

"How does it feel?" Black Blade Eight Desolations lifted Tesoro's chin. "Do you understand now? The so-called Celestial Dragons..."

Then he suddenly stabbed into Charmaco's mangled head and poked at it.

"It's just a bleeding chunk of flesh."

After saying that, Gern used the molecular-level control of vibrating particles to shake everything in Charmaco Saint into a blood mist and dissipate it (physical erasure).

The sea breeze, carrying the stench of blood, swept across the dock and slowly dissipated.

Tezzolo looked at his hands and suddenly burst into manic laughter, which grew louder and louder until it turned into a hysterical howl.

At the same time, gold seemed to flow through his body like a living thing, gleaming in the sunlight.

By killing the Celestial Dragons, Tesoro would have no way out; this was Gern's plan...

“So…” Gern smiled, “Welcome to the real world.”

Chapter 118 Golden Justice

Tesoro's hands were stained with blood, and the sharp blades formed from his gold rings gleamed blindingly in the sunlight.

Charmaco Saint was shattered by Gern in both a biological and physical sense.

But Tesoro, whose face was splattered with blood, was completely unaware of it, only panting heavily as if he had just gone through a life-or-death struggle.

“I…I killed him…” Tesoro’s voice trembled, his eyes filled with disbelief and an indescribable sense of relief.

Gern stood aside, watching all this indifferently, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Well done, at least it proves you're not a coward."

Stella turned to face Tesoro, hugged him tightly, buried her face in his neck, and stroked his head repeatedly.

"Gild, it's alright, it's alright, it's all over..."

Stella's voice was soft yet firm, as if telling him that no matter what he did, she would stand by his side.

Tesoro turned to look at Stella, the madness in his eyes gradually subsiding, replaced by a complex emotion.

He took a deep breath and asked Gern, "Why...why do you want me to do this?"

Instead of answering directly, Gern asked in return, "Now, what do you think power is?"

Tesoro looked down at his hand, and the power of the Gold-Gold Fruit gave him a feeling of unprecedented strength.

He clenched his fist, and the gold flowed under his control, as if it were part of his body.

"Power... is something that can change everything."

“That’s right.” Gern nodded. “But power needs direction.”

You can use it to destroy, or you can use it to protect.

"Protect?" Tesoro gave a bitter laugh. "What can someone like me protect?"

“Then it’s up to you.” Gern’s gaze shifted to Stella. “You can take her and run away, continuing your life of being hunted.”

Or, join the navy.

Tezzolo was stunned.

Joining the Navy? The idea had previously seemed absurd to him.

But now that he had calmed down, his thoughts became clear, because it was 'Skyquake' Gern who said those words!

Even an outsider like Tesoro could tell that the man before him was destined to become a general.

With him around, the Navy is much more comfortable than the pirates!

In particular, he believed that Gern's decision to let him kill the Celestial Dragon meant that everything had been taken care of.

At that moment, Stella gripped Tesoro's hand and whispered, "Gild, whatever you choose, I will support you."

Tesoro looked at her, the hesitation in his eyes gradually disappearing, and looked up at Gern: "Okay, I'll join the Navy. But I have one condition."

"explain."

"I must ensure Stella's safety; she cannot be harmed because of my choice."

Gurn nodded: "Okay. She'll be under the Navy's protection in the Marineford family quarters; no one can hurt her."

Tesoro finally smiled with relief: "Then it's settled."

Gern turned and walked to the other end of the street, waving behind his back: "Come on, we still have a lot to do."

Tesoro and Stella exchanged a glance, nodded to each other, and then followed in Gern's footsteps.

......

World Government Headquarters, Holy Land, Mary Geoise

Inside Pangu City, the Five Elders gathered in the Flower Hall, where cherry blossom petals falling outside the window added an eerie tranquility to the somber atmosphere.

"The Charma family's good-for-nothings actually disappeared in a slave market of the Four Seas level?" Shepard X. Peter said slowly and calmly.

"I remember saying that world nobles are not allowed to travel to the four seas, right?"

Why did the Charma family appear on Lilikaya Island in the West Blue?

"The intelligence says he's recently become obsessed with collecting blonde slaves?" Topman Vochuli Saint frowned.

“So, we’re going to Lilicaya Island to replenish our ‘collection’,” Izanbaron V. Nassshuro sneered.

"However, the bloodline of the recent branches of the Charma family is indeed... becoming more and more regrettable."

"To be obsessed with human women all day long is a disgrace to the name of the 'Creator'."

“Now we should discuss…” Marcus Mazsan flipped through the CP0 emergency report: “Only bloodstains were found at the scene, no body.”

There were no signs of combat, and the life cards of the twelve accompanying CP agents all burned out simultaneously, which is noteworthy.

"In short, the World Government and Mary Geoise cannot lose face, even if it's the Charma family's worthless trash!"

The CP will handle things on Morgans' side; he should know what to do.

"And over in the Western Sea..." Jaigocia Satan tapped the marble floor lightly with his cane, his pupils contracting in the shadows.

"I have already instructed Kong to let the Navy handle it."

It just so happens that 'Skyquake' Gern is on vacation in that area of ​​the sea.

"Tianzhen? His Devil Fruit is quite unique, a Logia-type with great potential for growth." Marcus Mazsan suddenly chuckled.

"Sakazuki, Kuzan, Borsalino, Guern."

"The future fighting force of the navy... but he seems a bit ruthless, like during G-3 with Sakazuki..."

“That’s exactly right, let’s decide it this way!” Shepard X. Peter St. said decisively.

"Although Saint Charmaco is a useless piece of trash, the dignity of the Celestial Dragons cannot be challenged. This cannot set a precedent!"

Tell Steelbone Sky to grant Skyquake special law enforcement authority over the entire western sea region.

Izanbaron V. Nassjuro Sei raised his eyes slightly and added, "Pirates, black markets, slave traders... if there is any suspicion, it is better to kill the innocent than the guilty."

"As for Saint Charmaco... it would be best if his body could be recovered."

"If not..." He looked in the direction of the Void Throne.

"Let's end with the news of the recovery and have Morgans make the announcement."

........

The pier on Lilikaya Island

Gern stood on the shore, the Den Den Mushi in his hand transmitting the deep, stern voice of Colonel Steelbone Sky Admiral.

"Gern! Saint Charmaco has disappeared on Lilicaya Island. The World Government's CP agents have been fully mobilized, and the World Government is furious!"

You are currently in the Western Sea, and you are the highest-ranking person in the Western Sea Navy. Your leave is temporarily suspended; you must immediately lead and cooperate with them to investigate thoroughly!

"Don't worry, Marshal Kong." Upon hearing these words, Gern's lips curled slightly, but his tone was unusually serious.

"I'm currently on vacation in the West Blue. I'll take responsibility for the Celestial Dragons' disappearance on Lilicaya Island."

"Well... I found a promising talent in Branch 133, this..."

The Den Den Mushi was silent for a moment, then Kong's voice grew even deeper: "You bastard, bring him back! He'll be under your command."

But when it comes to that group of arrogant and annoying couples that I also dislike, I hope you'll be patient and not put me in a difficult position.

“Of course.” Gern chuckled. “I’m a righteous navy officer.”

The call ended, and the Den Den Mushi slowly closed its eyes.

Tesoro stood not far away, gold still flowing through his fingertips, but his eyes had calmed considerably.

"What's next?" Tesoro asked in a low voice. "The World Government won't let any clue slip by..."

Gurn put away the Den Den Mushi and turned his gaze to the distant horizon.

"CP will arrive within two hours, and the navy fleet will blockade this area." His tone was calm, as if stating a trivial fact.

"So, we have to give them a 'murderer'."

Tesoro's pupils contracted: "What do you mean?"

Before the words were finished, a huge wave suddenly rose on the distant sea, and a black warship broke through the waves, with the flag of the World Government flying on its mast.

CP0, we've arrived.

Gern slowly put on his military cap, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Tesoro, remember this—from now on, you are a Marine."

"And the Navy never betrays 'justice'."

Chapter 119 What I say goes

At the dock, CP0's black warship slowly approached the shore.

On the deck, more than ten agents dressed in white suits stood in a line.

The leading man wore a mask and a cloak embroidered with the emblem of the World Government.

Gern stood at the edge of the dock, one hand in his pocket, the shadow cast by his hat obscuring half his face and the slightly upturned corner of his mouth.

The hem of his black shirt, not tucked into his collar, fluttered in the wind as Tezzolo and Stella stood behind him.

"Major General Gern?" The lead CP0 agent descended the gangway, his voice coming through his mask, carrying an arrogant, condescending tone.

"Lord Charmaco has gone missing, and you, as the highest-ranking official in the West Blue, have only now appeared, even though you were on vacation?"

"None of your business?" Gern snorted, slightly raising the brim of his hat to reveal his eyes.

"What kind of attitude is this?" The CP0 agent sneered, "Don't the Navy even know the most basic etiquette anymore?"

Under certain circumstances, our CP0 can take over naval command!

As soon as he finished speaking, he waved his hand, and the agents behind him immediately dispersed and surrounded the dock.

“So, Major General Gern. Now, report everything you know truthfully, or else…”

"Otherwise?" Gern sneered. "Otherwise, what can you do?"

The leading CP0 agent seemed enraged by his attitude and suddenly took a step forward.

"Otherwise, I will report your dereliction of duty to the World Government!"

Don't forget, the Navy is merely a subordinate agency of the World Government!

The sea breeze suddenly stopped for a moment.

Suddenly, Gern turned his head slowly, ignoring everything else, and looked at Tesoro, muttering to himself.

"Let me introduce you. This is a promising talent I just discovered. I plan to take him back to Naval Headquarters for further training."

Seeing Gern's actions, the CP agents were also dumbfounded, but soon someone immediately focused their attention on Stella behind Tesoro.