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

"I had just finished a meeting and was in front of the headquarters building, so I had to maintain my persona."

"Hahaha!" Upon hearing this, Kizaru suddenly burst out laughing, his sunglasses sliding down to the tip of his nose.

Only then did he realize that the junior in front of him was actually a 'lazy bum' with a higher level than himself.

“If Sakazuki saw you like this, tsk tsk tsk…” Kizaru drawled out the words meaningfully.

“There’s nothing I can do, the punishment period has to end eventually. I don’t want to be leading newbies around anymore.” Gern shrugged and took another bite of daifuku.

"Besides, they haven't started fighting yet, we're just here to 'take a look'."

"That makes sense!" Kizaru also picked up a piece of daifuku and savored it.

"Hmm... the local specialties of Luya Island are indeed quite good."

After the mission, I need to bring some back for Vegapunk and Sentomaru.

“Senior, don’t relax too much.” Gern glanced at him.

"If a war really breaks out, we'll need to gather firsthand intelligence. Otherwise, we won't be able to get through to Marshal Kong."

"Intelligence?" Kizaru scoffed. "I think the best course of action is to stay far away when they start fighting."

"If you do that, Marshal Kong will deduct your bonus for this quarter."

"Pshaw, how much will the quarterly bonus be this month? I'm not going to put that in mind..."

"Around 50 million Berries."

“Then let’s be a little more ‘just,’ Gern.”

"..."

The reconnaissance ship quietly sailed into the edge of the Adewol Sea.

To conceal their movements, they shut off the engine and relied solely on the sea breeze to propel the boat forward slowly.

“We’ve arrived.” Gern suddenly lowered his voice, his gaze fixed on the gradually clearer outline of the fleet on the distant horizon.

That was the Golden Lion's Flying Pirates. Their densely packed ships were like dark clouds pressing down, their overwhelming presence suffocating.

Kizaru finally dropped his lazy expression, put down his teacup, and his eyes behind his sunglasses sharpened.

"Tsk tsk tsk, almost all the cadres are here!"

It seems that Golden Lion is serious this time.

“And judging from this setup…” Gern narrowed his eyes, “they’re lying in wait, intercepting us beforehand!”

It seems the Roger Pirates will appear on this route.

"So?" Kizaru spread his hands. "We can't really go over and say hello, can we?"

After saying that, Kizaru's expression suddenly froze, because someone was staring straight at him, with an unsettling smile on their lips.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Kizaru's voice suddenly rose, "You kid don't actually want to...!"

I'm warning you, I was just saying that offhand!

Don't even think about it.

Chapter 135 I'm not Sakazuki!

In the Aylward Sea, on the distant horizon, a reconnaissance ship gently sways with the waves.

Seeing Kizaru's disdainful and refusing expression, Gern tapped the rim of his teacup rhythmically, making a crisp sound.

He then glanced sideways at Kizaru, a sly smile playing on his lips.

“Senior Borsalino, you said…” Gern deliberately dragged out his words.

"What else can I say?" Kizaru turned his head, his eyes narrowing slightly behind his sunglasses.

"Or... does our Major General Gern have some daring idea again?"

“Just a little bit!” Gern, who had been interrupted, smiled, pinched his fingers slightly, and continued.

"What if we could capture either Golden Lion or Roger this time...?"

"I knew it..." Upon hearing Gern's words, which were like a critical hit, Kizaru's sunglasses slipped down slightly, revealing half of his eye.

"If this really works out, promotions and raises will be a piece of cake." Gern leaned closer, his voice low but enticing.

"I heard that Marshal Steelbone is considering creating a so-called candidate position for general (which doesn't exist yet)."

"You and I are both major generals, and we might even skip directly to lieutenant general..."

"Admiral candidate? Does the Navy Headquarters have such a position?"

But it does sound like there might be some truth to it.

This kid's master is Teacher Zefa, so maybe it's possible!

The sea breeze suddenly became gentle, and Kizaru's teacup reflected an alluring luster in the sunlight.

"And also..." Seeing Kizaru pondering, Gern continued to tempt him.

"With the merits I've earned, applying for six months... no, a year of paid administrative leave shouldn't be a problem, right?"

The phrase "paid administrative leave" made Kizaru's fingers tremble almost imperceptibly.

And Guern clearly saw that the veteran slacker's Adam's apple bobbed up and down.

“Senior Borsalino. Just think about it, the sun and sand of the Maldives…” Gern’s voice was like a devil’s whisper.

"No documents, no meetings, and certainly no crap-worthy corporate slave missions from the Celestial Dragons..."

Gern's words, like the whispers of a demon, filled Kizaru's ears.

Suddenly, the deck of the reconnaissance ship became eerily quiet, with only the sound of waves lapping against the hull.

Kizaru's sunglasses had slid all the way down to the tip of his nose, revealing his unusually wide-open eyes.

Seeing this, Gern pressed his advantage: "You can sleep in until you naturally wake up every day, drink as much afternoon tea as you want, and you'll also have time to take your measurements for your custom-made suit!"

And, and…

"Wait!" Kizaru suddenly raised his hand to interrupt, as if waking from a beautiful dream. He abruptly pushed up his sunglasses and leaned back.

"Gern, I finally understand why Marshal Kong gave me command of the mission."

You're so persuasive! I was really smitten just now!

However, I, Borsalino, am not Sakazuki!

"Damn it, so close!" Gern thought to himself as he watched Kizaru come to his senses.

Then, blinking, she said, "But you were clearly tempted just now..."

"Being tempted is one thing." Kizaru picked up his teacup again, resuming his languid demeanor.

"But you want me to fight the Golden Lion or Roger to the death?" He shuddered dramatically. "That's terrifying!"

Gern sighed, deciding to try a different approach: "What if... we only need to intervene at the crucial moment? Like when they're both severely weakened..."

"Both sides suffer heavy losses?" Kizaru scoffed. "Gern, do you think it's just two pirate henchmen fighting?"

Those are the Golden Lion and Roger!

Even if you're down to your last breath, fighting with all your might is terrifying!

"But you're a flash of light, sir! Everyone in the Marine Headquarters knows you, the 'Light-Up Man'!"

"Stop!" Kizaru made a pause gesture. "My Devil Fruit ability is for elegantly slacking off, not for suicide."

Seagulls flew overhead, making mocking cries.

Gern looked up at the sky and suddenly realized that this mission was much more boring than he had imagined.

“However…” Just when Gern was completely bored, Kizaru suddenly spoke again, his tone subtle.

If you insist on causing trouble...

"Hmm?" Gern immediately perked up his ears.

“We can do this…” Kizaru pulled out a packet of matcha-flavored daifuku from somewhere and slowly opened it.

"Once they've fought enough, take a few photos from a distance, and go back and say we 'bravely penetrated deep behind enemy lines and obtained crucial intelligence'..."

Gern's expression froze.

"As for the bonus, a basic one will do." Kizaru happily took a bite of the daifuku, the kind with a stretchy, cheese-like texture.

"If it's a vacation... it should be approved in half a month, right? How about we punch each other and pretend to be injured?"

That way, I might be able to get another medical subsidy!

"..."

Gern finally understood why Zephyr had been telling him to occasionally learn from Kizaru ever since his defeat against Roger.

Because when it comes to completing missions, our Borsalino really has something special!

“Senior…” Gern rubbed his temples, “With this kind of work attitude, how will you ever become a general?”

"There's no rush... Do you think I like taking on jobs from the Celestial Dragons for no reason?"

"Heh, young man." Kizaru gave a mysterious smile. "Survival and the workplace both require wisdom."

He stretched contentedly, "You know, in this world, the one who lives the longest is the winner."

In the distance, the outline of the Golden Lion Fleet became increasingly clear.

As Gern gazed at the fleet that resembled a dark cloud, he suddenly realized that Kizaru's words were damnably true.

“So…” Kizaru patted Guern on the shoulder, “we’ll stick to the plan, ‘observe’ from a distance, and then…”

"Then go back safely and claim your credit," Gern replied helplessly.

"Smart!" Kizaru nodded with satisfaction. "It seems you've grasped the essence of the survival rules."

Gain gazed at the horizon and suddenly chuckled, "Senior, you actually need to go to the naval academy as an instructor occasionally."

"Oh?"

“At least you can teach those hot-blooded navy men…” Gern picked up his teacup.

"For example, how to achieve the targets while keeping one alive."

"Haha!" Kizaru raised his teacup with satisfaction: "A toast to the wisdom of survival."

"Respectfully, you're on paid leave." Guern chuckled and raised his hand to clink glasses.

Two teacups gleamed warmly in the sunlight as the reconnaissance ship continued its slow drift into the dangerous waters.

At the same time, deafening cannon fire suddenly erupted in the distance, and Shiki's fleet finally discovered the Roger Pirates' trail.

The decisive battle between two legendary pirate crews is about to begin...

Chapter 136 The Legendary Battle

Dark clouds filled the sky above the Adewol Sea, and strong winds howled.

Golden Lion's Flying Pirates fleet pressed in like a dark cloud, with several warships spread out in a fan shape.

The Oro Jackson, which had fallen into a trap while following its course, was completely surrounded.

The cannons stood menacingly at the muzzles, and at least thirty different New World pirate flags fluttered in the wind, filling the entire sea with a chilling atmosphere.

Stokes stood on the flagship deck of the Flying Lion, his golden mane-like hair dancing wildly in the wind.

With a cigar dangling from his lips, he grinned and his voice boomed like thunder: "Roger!!"

At the bow of the Oro Jackson, Roger stood with his arms crossed, looking at his old rival.

Behind him, Rayleigh, Jabba, Barrett, and others stood ready, while Shanks and Bucky gripped their weapons tightly, their faces grave.

"Oh! Long time no see, Shiki!" Roger laughed, then continued...

"What? You brought so many people to welcome me today?" Roger said, glancing at the crowd, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes.

"It wasn't just an early interception; they mobilized their entire force!"

"Hehehe!" Upon hearing this, the Golden Lion sneered, arrogantly spreading his arms wide, his wooden clogs resting on the ship's railing, looking down at Roger.