In the blink of an eye, two years had passed since Gern's promotion to Marine Headquarters.
It was now Year 1488 of the Sea Circle Calendar. Gern Reginald Sigmar was eighteen years old—and it had already been four years since he obtained the Tremor-Tremor Fruit in God Valley.
Over these two years, under the relentless guidance of Zephyr and Garp, Gern's Armament Haki had begun to take shape. It was still far from its true peak, but its foundation was solid.
After all, Armament Haki was not something one could rush. It demanded long-term perseverance, willpower, and relentless refinement. There were no shortcuts.
However, his Observation Haki was a completely different story—abnormally sharp.
Perhaps it was the result of two souls overlapping… or perhaps the Tremor-Tremor Fruit had heightened his perception of vibrations to an unnatural degree.
The flow of air, the rhythm of breathing, the faint tremor caused by blades cutting through space—Gern could sense all of it with astonishing clarity.
This near-monstrous talent even drew praise from both Zephyr and Garp.
And because of it, his Logia-like combat style became terrifyingly effective. He could transform into his elemental state at the very last instant, perfectly evading attacks that should have been unavoidable.
As for Conqueror's Haki… Gern chose to let fate decide.
After all, he didn't have a system handing out rewards for completing quests or daily check-ins.
Just mastering Armament and Observation Haki had already taken him two years—especially under the brutal daily training of two of the Marines' strongest figures.
Shifts Within the Marines
Over these same two years, major changes swept through Marine Headquarters.
In the first year, both Zephyr and Sengoku were promoted to the rank of Admiral. Garp, however, refused the promotion as always, choosing to remain a Vice Admiral and act freely.
Not long after, Zephyr married his longtime fiancée, Lina.
Nearly every Marine officer attended the wedding. On that day, the man known as "Black Arm Zephyr"—feared for his severity—wore a gentle smile few had ever seen.
From then on, as Zephyr's adjutant, Gern followed him on missions across the seas. His rank rose steadily, from Ensign to Headquarters Captain.
But things did not remain smooth.
Over time, Zephyr began to notice something unsettling.
This disciple he believed to possess exceptional resolve… fought very differently on the battlefield.
Especially when operating alongside Zephyr—regardless of whether pirates surrendered or not, Gern's blade never hesitated. Often, even after the battle had ended, he would deliver a final, fatal strike… sometimes even severing heads.
Zephyr reprimanded him more than once.
Yet every time he arrived at the scene, he would find Gern calmly wrapping bandages around his black blade, Eight Desolations, while the pirate's severed head lay silently nearby.
It was then that Zephyr sensed something unsettling—a form of "justice" completely opposite to his own Non-Killing Justice.
A justice steeped in cold finality.
Marine Headquarters — Sengoku's Office
Sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting fragmented patterns across the desk.
Zephyr sat on the sofa, fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest, his brow tightly furrowed.
Across from him, Sengoku sat with a cup of hot tea in hand. Steam curled upward, blurring the lenses of his glasses.
"...Sengoku," Zephyr finally spoke after a long silence."That kid, Gern… he's starting to remind me of someone."
Sengoku gently blew across the tea's surface."Sakazuki?"
Zephyr's fist tightened slightly before relaxing.
He didn't deny it.
"The same stubbornness. The same… lack of restraint," Zephyr said quietly."But at least Sakazuki follows Absolute Justice. He obeys orders."
His voice darkened.
"With Gern… sometimes, when I look into his eyes, I don't see belief at all—only pure killing intent."
Images surfaced in his mind:Every mission. Every battlefield.Whenever Zephyr chose not to kill… Gern always did it for him.
Clean. Efficient. Final.
Hearing this, Sengoku set his teacup down.
"About Gern…"
Zephyr nodded slightly. "I know what you're going to say."
Sengoku sighed and closed the file in front of him."These past two years, his performance has been exceptional. Combat ability, mission success—flawless."
"But his methods… they directly oppose your principle of non-lethal justice."
Zephyr's back stiffened. After a moment, he turned around, his expression conflicted.
"I thought… he would understand my beliefs."
"Sengoku met his gaze steadily."Everyone's understanding of justice is different."
He continued,"Take Sakazuki, for example. His 'Absolute Justice' may be extreme, but in certain situations… it works."
Zephyr frowned deeper at the mention of that name.
"That's exactly why I don't want Gern to become another Sakazuki," he said heavily."With his potential… he could go much further than I ever did."
Sengoku paused, then spoke carefully.
"Have you ever considered that maybe… by keeping him by your side, you're preventing him from finding his own justice?"
Zephyr froze.
"What do you mean?"
"For the past two years, Gern has achieved plenty under your command—but he's never been given a chance to act independently."
He looked directly at Zephyr.
"You value him, I know that. But you can't decide his path for him."
Silence filled the room.
Sengoku continued,"He's eighteen now. Old enough to choose his own justice. Kuzan, Sakazuki… at that age, they were already commanding missions on their own."
"But Gern?""He's never once been given full authority."
Zephyr walked to the desk, planting both hands firmly against it.
"I just want him to understand that strength exists to protect… not to kill."
"I know," Sengoku replied gently."But some lessons can only be learned firsthand."
Zephyr straightened, taking a deep breath."So… what are you suggesting?"
"Kuzan, Borsalino—even Sakazuki—were all given independent missions at this stage," Sengoku said calmly."It's time Gern had one too."
"…An independent mission," Zephyr repeated softly.
"Let him decide what justice means to him."
After a long silence, Zephyr finally nodded.
"…Perhaps you're right. It's time he walks his own path."
Sengoku smiled faintly and lifted his teacup.
"Then it's settled. I'll inform Fleet Admiral Kong and arrange his assignment."
"Wait—since when did you plan this so smoothly?" Zephyr narrowed his eyes.
Sengoku chuckled."Because I already have a troublesome case on hand."
He pulled a document from the stack on his desk.
"Recently, a pirate crew has been causing trouble in the Grand Line."
Zephyr took the file and began reading.
Pirate Crew Name: The Fracture PiratesCaptain: "Island-Splitter" DogerDevil Fruit: Paramecia — Split-Split FruitAllows the user to split non-living objects—such as weapons, terrain, or structures—into multiple fragments or smaller units upon contact.
Bounty: 360,000,000 Berries(Earned for destroying three Marine bases in the South Blue and sinking three warships in the Grand Line.)
Age: 33Origin: Son of a fisherman from an unknown village in the South Blue.