However, just as the two were about to step deeper into G-3 Base, Sakazuki suddenly stopped.
He turned to face Gern.
Sakazuki was a straightforward man by nature. Even though Gern had already indirectly refused his earlier offer, the truth was—he genuinely liked him.
Especially now, in an era where "gentle justice" had become the prevailing ideal, and his own brand of justice was increasingly labeled extreme or brutal.
If he had to walk that path alone, so be it—but now, suddenly, someone like Gern had appeared.
It felt like encountering a kindred spirit on a long, lonely road.
After hesitating for a moment, Sakazuki decided to try another approach. His tone softened—just slightly.
"Captain Gern, since you seem interested in G-3 Base, I can give you a detailed overview of our operational efficiency."
"Huh?" Gern blinked. "When did I say I was interested?"After a pause, he added cautiously, "Efficiency…?"
If I appeal to efficiency, Sakazuki thought, someone like him might be persuaded.
Nodding to himself, he spoke with unmistakable pride.
"G-3 Base is one of the Navy's most elite strongholds in the New World. Our mission success rate is 98.7%, far exceeding other bases."
"…Oh?"
"Our average daily training time is maintained at eight hours. Soldier physical fitness compliance is at one hundred percent."
"Eight hours a day?!"
"What, you think that's short? I already account for recovery—"
"No, no, please continue," Gern said quickly, sweat beginning to bead on his forehead.
Sakazuki, encouraged, continued with growing intensity.
"Additionally, our average pirate suppression operation takes only 3.2 days—47% faster than Headquarters' standard!"
"Holy—are the soldiers at G-3 even still human?"Gern forced a smile. "I-I see… impressive…"
Seeing Gern's reaction, Sakazuki grew more animated.
"Furthermore, our logistics turnover rate is at eighty percent. We operate in a constant state of combat readiness! And here—"
His eyes sharpened.
"—you can fully unleash your desire to eliminate pirates. Aside from targets that must be taken alive, I can turn a blind eye."
"Even if you wipe out an entire pirate crew… I'll approve it."
"WAIT—!" Gern quickly raised a hand. "Colonel Sakazuki, I'm just here to hand over a prisoner. You really don't need to go into this much detail—"
Sakazuki frowned, clearly displeased by the interruption.
"Efficiency is the foundation of justice. If you intend to remain at G-3, you must understand this data."
Gern let out an awkward laugh. "Ha… haha… I'll, uh, think about it."
"I know you're considering Instructor Zephyr's stance," Sakazuki said, staring at him for two seconds before pulling a thick dossier from his coat."These are my operational reports and efficiency analyses from the past three years at G-3. You can review them first."
Gern stared.
No—don't fall for me like this. This love is doomed from the start.
…
Several days later.
The New World skies churned with dark clouds, violent winds whipping the sea into towering waves.
The Flying Lion, Shiki's flagship, floated ominously atop the waters, surrounded by five or six subordinate ships.
On deck, the crew stood in rigid silence, hardly daring to breathe.
At the prow sat Golden Lion Shiki, his golden mane whipping violently in the wind. A cigar burned between his lips, his expression dark and volatile.
The sake cup in his hand had already been crushed to pieces, shards embedded deep into his palm. Blood dripped freely, unnoticed.
"Newgate…" he muttered venomously.
His thoughts returned to their recent clash.
Though the Flying Pirates had overwhelming numbers and strength, facing Edward Newgate at his peak—wielding the devastating power of the Gura Gura no Mi—even Shiki had been forced to retreat.
What infuriated him most was this—
Whitebeard's crew had been nothing but upstarts… yet they had forced him back.
And that sentence—
"Shiki… I don't want to sink you here."
It echoed like an insult burned into his skull.
"DAMN IT!" Shiki roared, hurling the shattered cup across the deck.
"Ad–Admiral…" a subordinate began nervously, only to freeze under Shiki's glare.
Footsteps echoed from behind.
"Dead Bell" Davy approached, head lowered, hat shadowing his grim expression.
As soon as he reached Shiki, he dropped to one knee.
"Admiral… my apologies. I'm late."
Shiki exhaled a plume of smoke, eyes cold.
"You're late, Davy."
"I encountered… trouble."
"Oh?" Shiki narrowed his eyes. "What kind of trouble could delay the commander of my Third Division?"
Davy raised his head, voice heavy.
"The newcomer who was supposed to join us—Split-Island Dorg… was captured by the Marines."
"What?!"
Shiki's fury erupted. His Conqueror's Haki burst outward uncontrollably, splintering the deck beneath him. Several weaker pirates collapsed unconscious on the spot.
"Useless!" he roared, kicking over a table. "You couldn't even protect a rookie?!"
"I lose to Newgate, and then one of my future men gets taken right under my nose?! Are you trying to make the Flying Pirates a joke?!"
Davy clenched his teeth, enduring the pressure.
"Admiral… the Marine who captured him—he's not ordinary."
"Hah!" Shiki scoffed. "A Marine? How strong could—"
"He has the same kind of power… as Whitebeard."
The air froze.
Shiki's pupils contracted sharply, his rage compressing into something far colder.
Slowly, he rose to his feet and stepped forward, placing a boot on Davy's shoulder.
"Say that again."
Davy lifted his head, eyes unwavering."That Marine can generate vibrations—power strong enough to shatter space itself. It's different in form, but fundamentally… it's the same."
"…Like Newgate," Shiki muttered.
He suddenly burst into laughter—deep, chilling, razor-edged.
"Interesting… truly interesting! The Navy's been hiding a monster like that?"
Then his laughter stopped.
His killing intent surged.
"Tell me," he said coldly, "what is that Marine's name?"
"Gern… Gern Reginald Sigmar."
Davy continued quickly, having already investigated everything.
"He's a Marine captain. Until recently, he served under 'Black Arm' Zephyr. They say he's Zephyr's direct disciple."
"Zephyr's student…" Shiki sneered. "No wonder he's so bold."
"And there's more," Davy added.
"Oh?"
"He clashed with Whitebeard three years ago… in the West Blue."
The air went completely still.