Marineford — The Calm Before the Storm
As Gern and the others returned to Marineford, Fleet Admiral Kong made a rare public announcement—
The Elite Training Program was about to begin.
The entire headquarters was instantly enveloped in an atmosphere of tension and excitement.
Groups of soldiers gathered in hushed clusters, voices buzzing with anticipation as they discussed the upcoming exhibition battles.
"Did you hear? They're holding it on two uninhabited islands!" a young Marine said excitedly.
"Two deserted islands as the battlefield?" another widened his eyes. "Looks like the Fleet Admiral is serious this time."
"Of course he is!" a bespectacled officer adjusted his glasses, his voice tinged with excitement."This is the first official showdown between the Monster Quartet! Kuzan versus Sakazuki—Gern versus Borsalino!This lineup is unprecedented!"
Marine Cafeteria — A Heated Debate
In a corner of the cafeteria, a group of recently promoted Marine officers were already deep in heated argument.
"Hah!" Doberman snorted, cigar clenched between his teeth."Colonel Sakazuki's magma power is unmatched! Kuzan's ice doesn't stand a chance against that kind of raw destruction!"
"Exactly!" Onigumo nodded with a grin."Sakazuki's fighting style is decisive—none of that dragging things out like certain people."
His eyes flicked pointedly toward the Kuzan camp.
"Tch."Onigumo's blades rattled softly at his waist as he scoffed."You people don't know what you're talking about. Kuzan is Vice Admiral Garp's disciple.He's mastered both forms of Haki—especially Observation.What good is magma if it can't land a hit?"
"And don't forget," Strawberry added calmly, arms crossed,"Kuzan's Ice Age can freeze an entire ocean in an instant.No matter how hot magma burns, it still has to melt through ice first."
He smirked."Elemental advantage—did you all skip physics class at the academy?"
"Tch."Momonga cut in sharply. "You're all missing someone—what about Borsalino?Speed is power. Once he gets serious, who can even keep up with his light-speed kicks?"
"Exactly!"Gion—better known as Momousagi—tapped her chin thoughtfully."Even Instructor Zephyr once said Borsalino relies heavily on his Devil Fruit…But that also means his defense is terrifyingly solid. Strong enough that even Zephyr found it troublesome."
Then—
Clink.
A teacup was set gently on the table.
All eyes turned.
Gion—Momousagi—lifted her gaze calmly.
"Are you all forgetting Captain Gern?"
Silence.
Doberman scoffed."Him? Everyone knows he only landed that blow on Golden Lion because Zephyr and Sakazuki pinned him down first. He just got lucky."
"Exactly," Fire Fist agreed."Shiki was already worn down. Anyone could've finished him off."
Momousagi's eyes sharpened.
"Really?" she said coolly."Which of you actually saw that battle?"
She tapped the table lightly.
"The papers were very clear. That slash across Shiki's chest—that was Gern alone. One strike. A decisive one."
Onigumo frowned."But Shiki underestimated him."
She sneered."Underestimated? That's the Golden Lion we're talking about.Even if he underestimated someone, who among you could wound him like that?"
"Wait!"Chaton suddenly blinked.
"…Momousagi, you don't actually like Gern, do you?"
He squinted at her suspiciously.
"He's got what—height, looks, strength… is that it?"
His voice cracked slightly.
"What does he have that I don't?!"
The room went silent.
"…Didn't you just list them all?" someone muttered.
"Listen!" Chaton protested."He's obviously unreliable! Probably a heartbreaker!"
Momousagi shot him a cool glance.
"I'm just stating facts."
Then she added quietly—
"And besides… even light can be shattered."
The room fell silent again.
Most of them still didn't believe Gern truly stood on equal footing with the other three.
Abandoned Training Grounds — Former Training Yard of Garp
Gern stood alone.
Shirtless. Sweat pouring down his body.
Before him loomed a rusted, broken warship.His black blade, Bahuang, pointed toward the ground.
Eyes closed. Muscles taut.
He tried—again—to feel it.
That overwhelming presence he'd unleashed once before.
That Conqueror's Haki.
"…It was so clear that day," he murmured.
No matter how hard he focused, nothing responded.
"Damn it!"
He slashed downward. The air shrieked—but no black lightning followed.
Unlike Armament Haki, Conqueror's couldn't be forced.
"Damn it…"
He collapsed backward, staring up at the blue sky.
Raising his arm, he studied the blade.
"Master Zephyr said you were forged by Rocks himself…That you were the one who awakened my Conqueror's Haki…"
He sighed.
"So why won't you respond now?"
"You idiot. Conqueror's Haki isn't something you brute-force."
A familiar voice spoke from behind.
Gern propped himself up and turned.
Zephyr stood there, smiling faintly.
"Master Zephyr? Shouldn't you be at the hospital? Sister Lina's about to give birth, isn't she?"
Zephyr chuckled.
"If I stayed any longer, she'd start feeling awkward.No other Marine wife gets that kind of treatment."
"Tsk, tsk," Gern laughed."Looks like you got kicked out."
Zephyr shook his head fondly and sat beside him.
"Still struggling with Conqueror's Haki?"
Gern nodded."I could use it naturally back then… but now it barely responds."
"Because it's not something you force," Zephyr said calmly."It's the manifestation of one's will—of one's kingly spirit.What you experienced that day was your resolve reaching its limit."
He placed a hand on Gern's shoulder.
"You'll need time. True mastery comes with conviction."
Gern nodded slowly.
Then Zephyr cleared his throat.
"Actually… I came for something else."
Gern blinked.
"Kuzan told me," Zephyr continued carefully,"that you're planning to pick a Mink as your adjutant."
Gern froze.
"…That loudmouth."
Zephyr coughed.
"Well… personal preferences aside—"He hesitated awkwardly."Lina's a bit concerned about your… romantic orientation."
"—What?!"
"Of course, I respect your choices!" Zephyr rushed on."But you're still young. You shouldn't isolate yourself.You should… interact with girls your age."
He cleared his throat again.
"Like Gion, for example. She thinks highly of you."
Gern stared at him.
"…When did you become a matchmaker?"
"Hey!" Zephyr snapped, blushing."I'm just saying she defended you fiercely! Even argued with Doberman!"
Gern burst out laughing.
"So this is a matchmaking attempt?"
Zephyr stood up angrily.
"That's not what I—ah, forget it! Go find your furry vice-captain if you want!"
He stormed toward the exit, then suddenly stopped.
"…But after the exhibition match," he added gruffly,"you're attending the mixer Lina organized for you."
"Don't argue. That's an order."