"Teacher… I already gave you my answer long ago."
The air seemed to freeze.
Zephyr's memories were dragged back three years in an instant. His gaze locked onto Gern, searching desperately for the boy he once knew within those eyes.
"So this is your answer?" Zephyr asked at last, his voice low."Killing?"
"No." Gern shook his head. "I'm still searching."
He stepped forward, brushing past Zephyr, stopping beneath the pale moonlight. His back was straight—unyielding.
"And besides, Teacher… when pirates slaughter civilians, do those people ever get the chance to beg?"
His voice was soft, yet every word struck like a hammer.
"Every pirate you spare could take ten, a hundred innocent lives in the future."
Zephyr fell silent.
"I don't believe in repentance," Gern continued, lifting his gaze to the night sky."And I don't believe in reform. I believe that the dead never harm anyone again."
Those words cut like a blade, piercing straight through the foundation of Zephyr's long-held belief in non-lethal justice.
"You've changed, Gern."At last, Zephyr spoke again, weariness creeping into his voice."You used to have fire in your eyes… confusion, yes—but also warmth."
Gern didn't argue. He simply smiled faintly.
"People change, Teacher."
The night wind grew colder. Their shadows stretched across the ground—long, distorted, never quite touching.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku has already approved your independent mission."Zephyr's voice returned to its familiar calm as he handed over a document folder.
"Your target is 'Island-Splitter' Doger. Bounty: three hundred and sixty million."
"I understand." Gern nodded.
"This mission… I won't interfere." Zephyr turned away, his coat fluttering softly."But remember this, Gern…"
He paused, then looked back—his gaze complex, heavy with emotion.
"Killing may solve problems in the moment… but it will never create true justice."
"So tell me—" his voice sharpened, "—that isn't your justice. Tell me it isn't!"
"I'm still searching…" Gern began—
A dark green bottle suddenly flew toward him.
"Teacher—?" Gern caught it instinctively, frowning.
"Don't lose yourself while chasing justice," Zephyr said sternly."If you walk the wrong path… I'll be the one to knock you back onto the right one!"
Gern watched as Zephyr turned away, his purple silhouette slowly swallowed by the night.
"Heh… you always say things like that," Gern murmured to himself."About how a man should live true to his beliefs. How that's what makes him strong…"
He uncorked the bottle and took a drink, his fingers brushing against the hilt of the black blade at his waist—Yahakuro, wrapped tightly in bandages. It trembled faintly, as if resonating with his thoughts.
"Even if it's not my justice… at least it can protect the people I care about."
Moonlight gleamed in his eyes—sharp, resolute.
As for his justice…
Perhaps he would only find it at the very end of this road.
Three Days Later — Marineford Naval Port
Morning mist clung to the harbor, the rising sun painting everything in soft gold.
The scent of salt filled the air as the masts of docked warships creaked gently in the breeze.
Gern stood at the bow of his assigned vessel, clad in a pristine white Marine coat.
Beneath it, however, he wore a fitted black combat uniform, embroidered with dark crimson patterns along the cuffs and collar—distinct from the standard blue-and-white Marine attire.
The wind snapped his cape sharply, revealing the black blade at his waist—Yahakuro, wrapped in layers of bandages.
Two years had changed him.
He now stood nearly two meters tall, broad-shouldered, long-limbed, his physique lean yet explosive with strength. His short black hair caught the morning light, his sharp features hardened by experience, a faint, unreadable smile always at his lips.
Marines on deck whispered among themselves.
"That's Captain Gern… the one people say rivals the three monsters."
"He looks younger than I expected…"
"Shh—don't you know? They say he never leaves survivors. Even pirates who surrender…"
"Then why is his sword wrapped up? Some kind of seal?"
Gern ignored them all, eyes focused on the mission file in his hand.
Target: Doger "Island-Splitter"Bounty: 360,000,000 BerriesOrigin: South BlueDevil Fruit: Paramecia — Split-Split FruitAbility: Can split non-living matter—structures, weapons, terrain—into fragments or smaller units upon contact.
"Only non-living matter, huh… A downgraded version of the Chop-Chop Fruit?"Gern murmured thoughtfully, fingers brushing the hilt of his blade.
"Interesting."
"Captain Gern!"A messenger hurried over and snapped to attention."The Science Unit just delivered a batch of new experimental weapons. Admiral Sengoku said they're specially prepared for you."
"Store them in the warehouse," Gern replied without looking up.
"B–But—!"
"Problem?" Gern lifted his gaze.
The messenger froze, sweat beading down his face.
"N-No! I'll take care of it immediately!"
He fled.
Gern turned his attention toward the distant fortress overlooking the harbor.
At its highest window stood a lone figure—purple-haired, wearing dark sunglasses, gazing down at him.
Zephyr.
Gern raised his hand in a crisp salute.
From afar, Zephyr sighed.
"…You idiot."
The warship slowly began to move.
Gern stood at the bow, the black blade at his waist trembling faintly in anticipation.
"Doger the Island-Splitter…" he murmured, a glint of excitement flashing in his eyes."Finally… a mission where I don't have to hold back."
He turned sharply, his cape slicing through the air.
"Raise anchor! Set course for New World—G-2 sector!"
Far behind, Zephyr watched the ship fade into the horizon, his fist slowly tightening.
"Gern… don't disappoint me."