Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting long bands of gold across the corridor floor.
Sakazuki stood there with a rare upward curve tugging at the corner of his lips, a document still clutched in his hand—"G-3 Base Five-Year Development Plan."
"Gern," he called out in a low voice.
"Repairs at G-3 Base are nearly complete."
He stepped forward, his tone firm and unyielding.
"Your performance during our last joint operation left a deep impression on me.I truly hope you'll consider transferring to G-3 and standing on the front lines of the New World alongside me."
His gaze sharpened.
"If the two of us fight together, what pirate on the seas could possibly stand against us?"
"Haha, is that so?"Gern laughed lightly, waving a hand.
"But I'm still pretty inexperienced, you know. I haven't even led a patrol mission on my own yet.If I accepted a promotion like that now… wouldn't it be unfair to the others?"
"That's… a fair point."Sakazuki nodded, acknowledging the logic.
And this time, what he noticed wasn't rejection—but restraint.Gern wasn't refusing out of fear or ambition, but concern for fairness.
Disciplined. Powerful. Aligned with justice.
Perfect—No, not a weapon… a perfect colleague.
Sakazuki's evaluation of Gern rose sharply.
"I've said it before, and I'll say it again," he continued."You suit me well. After this exhibition match, once your promotion is finalized, I hope you'll complete the formal transfer procedures as soon as possible. I look forward to working with you."
"It's that exhibition match, huh…"Gern let out a quiet chuckle.
Sakazuki didn't mind the idea of an exhibition match at all. His own merits were already more than sufficient for promotion, regardless of the outcome.
The only reason he'd returned this time was because Fleet Admiral Kong himself had issued the order.
Hearing Sakazuki's words, Gern raised an eyebrow."Well, I guess I'm just taking a bit of a shortcut—"
"You're not."Sakazuki cut him off instantly.
"You're not cutting corners. You're simply standing where you belong."
Gern froze.
…So that's what it feels like.
When someone genuinely believes in you, logic stops mattering.
Just as Gern was about to respond, a lazy voice drifted in from the side.
"Hey, hey… Sakazuki, you're going to make the guy blush like that."
A tall man strolled over with his hands in his pockets, a lazy smile on his face.
Kuzan.
His eyes drifted between the two before settling on Sakazuki's rigid expression.
"Heh."
Sakazuki snorted, the temperature around him seeming to drop instantly.
"This doesn't concern you, Kuzan."
Kuzan shrugged and casually stepped closer to Gern—deliberately inching toward Sakazuki's personal space.
"I was just passing by," he said lazily, eyes glinting with amusement."But forcing your enthusiasm on someone isn't very gentlemanly, you know?"
The air grew tense.
Sakazuki's brow twitched, heat rolling faintly from his body.
He shot Kuzan a cold look before turning back to Gern.
"Think it over. When you've decided, come find me."
Then, as he brushed past Kuzan, he added coldly:
"During the exhibition match, I won't be holding back."
Kuzan exhaled a frosty breath, a thin smile forming.
"Good. That's exactly how I like it."
Once Sakazuki disappeared around the corner, Gern finally laughed.
"Anyone watching would think you two were about to fight to the death."
Kuzan shrugged."Can't help it. I don't get along with guys that cold."
He slung an arm around Gern's shoulders, grinning broadly.
"But seriously—you're something else. I go on patrol for a few months, and you pull off something this big?'The Man Who Shattered the Sky'—that's one hell of a title."
Gern sighed and shook his head.
"It wasn't just me. Teacher Zephyr and Sakazuki were both there. We barely managed to drive Golden Lion back.But somehow the papers only printed my picture."
"Hahaha!" Kuzan burst out laughing."You know Morgans—he loves eye-catching headlines."
Then he leaned closer, lowering his voice teasingly.
"And that photo of you slashing Golden Lion? Honestly, it's pretty damn cool. Even I want a copy."
Gern rolled his eyes.
Kuzan suddenly leaned in again, whispering:
"Say… Sakazuki seems pretty fixated on you, huh?I heard he even wants you helping with G-3's logistics reports."
Gern rubbed his temples."When you're charming, it can be a real curse."
"Hahaha!" Kuzan laughed loudly, earning glances from nearby Marines.
He slapped Gern on the back cheerfully.
"Come on! Let's grab a drink. It's been ages.And while we're at it…" he grinned,"You can tell me exactly how you embarrassed Golden Lion like that."
Gern sighed, but a faint smile tugged at his lips.
Marineford — Outside a Tavern
Kuzan reached for the door, but Gern suddenly placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Wait."
Kuzan paused. "Hm?"
"I just remembered—about that thing I asked you to look into last time. Any news?"
Kuzan frowned slightly, thinking.
"You mean… the Mink Kingdom?"
He turned back, puzzled.
"Why are you interested in a place like that?You read about it somewhere? That country rides on the back of a giant elephant—it's always moving."
He shook his head.
"I kept an eye out during my patrols, but didn't find a trace of it."
"I see…"Gern didn't reply directly, his fingers absently brushing the hilt of Bahuang.
"Looks like it's harder to find than I thought."
"Hey, don't tell me you're planning a vacation there?"Kuzan studied him for a moment before snorting.
"That place is practically unreachable—even for the World Government."
"No," Gern said, lifting his gaze with a faint smile."But once I'm promoted… I'll be able to choose my own adjutant, won't I?"
"…Yeah."Kuzan shrugged while signaling the bartender.
"Traditionally, you'd pick from top graduates of the Marine Academy…"
Then he froze.
"…Wait. Hold on."
His eyes widened slightly as he stared at Gern.
"You're not thinking of picking a Mink, are you?!"
Gern smiled silently.
Kuzan sucked in a sharp breath and pointed at him.
"Are you insane?! Even finding them is nearly impossible!Zunesha never stops moving—and I've heard the Minks don't trust outsiders at all! Some even say they eat people!"
"Now you're just repeating rumors from books," Gern shot back flatly.
"Anyway," he added with a grin, cutting him off,"You're already patrolling on Garp's behalf. Keeping an eye out won't kill you."
Kuzan pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.
"You really know how to make trouble for people…"
Gern patted his shoulder."Relax. If you find them, I'll treat you to drinks for a whole month."
Kuzan squinted at him.
"…The expensive kind."
"Deal."
The two exchanged a look and laughed together, Kuzan shaking his head in helpless amusement.