Year 1489 of the Sea Circle Calendar.The elite training camp was officially launched, and at the same time, major personnel reshuffling took place within Marine Headquarters.
Tsuru was promoted from Rear Admiral to Vice Admiral, though she was transferred to the Marine Staff Headquarters, serving as Deputy Chief of Staff while retaining her Vice Admiral rank.
The following year—Sea Circle Calendar 1490—the infamous workaholic Sakazuki accumulated the highest number of merits. He was promoted three ranks in succession, rising from Headquarters Colonel to Vice Admiral, and was appointed Commander of the G-3 Base in the New World, where he would remain stationed long-term.
Kuzan was promoted two ranks as well, advancing from Marine Colonel to Rear Admiral and assigned to the Headquarters Mobile Unit, responsible for high-level mission support.
Borsalino likewise rose two ranks to Rear Admiral and was transferred to the Scientific Defense Unit, tasked with escorting and protecting Dr. Vegapunk.
Meanwhile, on the final day marking the transition from 1489 to 1490, a major event shook the world of the Celestial Dragons.
Saint Homing of the Donquixote Family made the unprecedented decision to renounce his status as a World Noble, leaving Mary Geoise together with his wife and two sons.
One year later—Sea Circle Calendar 1491.
Due to the combined impact of the G-3 Golden Lion incident and his overwhelming performance during the elite training camp's exhibition battle—where he emerged as the sole victor by defeating Borsalino—Gern received a special promotion.
With both his military achievements and lineage perfectly aligned with the Marines' propaganda goals, he was exceptionally promoted four ranks at once, rising from Headquarters Captain to Headquarters Commodore, and appointed 巡航指挥官 (Patrol Commander) of the New World.
At only twenty years old, Gern became the youngest flag officer in Marine Headquarters history.
At the same time, the Roger Pirates—having reached the final island indicated by the Log Pose only to discover it was not the true destination—continued their search for the Poneglyphs.
That same year, the Whitebeard Pirates unexpectedly entered Wano Country.The "Samurai" Kozuki Oden joined their crew—and on his very first voyage, he sank four Marine warships in a single day and personally slew two Headquarters Vice Admirals.
His bounty was set at 1.87 billion Beli.
Kaido, Big Mom, the Tyrant King, the Crescent Moon Hunter, Red the Aloof—legendary pirates of the old era began stirring once more.
Meanwhile, rising figures such as Gecko Moria and Crocodile began making their mark…
...
New World — Kasven Island
A Marine warship lay quietly anchored off the coast.The salty wind swept across the deck, carrying with it the scent of the sea.
On the island itself, an eerie stillness hung in the air. Dense forests were blanketed in grayish-white fungal growths, as though the land itself were being slowly devoured by something alive.
Rustle…
Amid the faint squirming sounds of the spores, a figure stepped forward.
Wearing the Marine justice cloak, Gern emerged from the fungal mass, dragging a man by the hair in his left hand.
The man's body was wrapped in thick mycelium. Strange spores covered his skin, his eyes rolled back—completely unconscious.
"Tch."Gern glanced down at his own arm. The fungus still writhed like a living organism, attempting to burrow into his skin.
"Damn… if you'd developed your Spore-Spore Fruit a bit further, even I would've had trouble with you."
Black Armament Haki surged like lightning, and in an instant, the fungi were crushed into ash, scattering into the air.
"Commodore Gern!"A Marine hurried forward, but the moment he recognized the man being dragged, his voice trembled.
"That… that's the 'Plague Doctor'—Samuel Kronos?! The one with a bounty of 1.14 billion?!"
"Mm."Gern tossed the man onto the sand, sending dust flying.
"Spore-Spore Fruit user. Annoying opponent."
He nudged the limp body with his boot.
"Take him back. Deliver him to the nearest Marine base. Have Kuzan personally escort him to Impel Down.And make sure you use Seastone cuffs—don't let his spores escape."
"So this is the man who once defeated Rear Admiral Borsalino…"
The soldiers stared at Gern in awe. He stood uninjured, his breathing steady, not a scratch on him.
This was a pirate worth 1.14 billion Beli.
"Serving under Commodore Gern really is a blessing," murmured an older first-class private."You've never seen how other officers treat their subordinates…Only Commodore Gern would rather fight an entire pirate crew alone than let his men get hurt."
"Commodore Gern—!"
"Alright, enough," Gern waved them off."Move it."
"Yes, sir!"
The Marines swiftly shackled Samuel with Seastone cuffs and hauled him aboard the warship.
"Looks like things will be peaceful for a while again…"A petty officer muttered as he wrote in the mission log.
[April, Sea Circle Calendar 1491: Commodore Gern captures the 1.14-billion-Beli pirate 'Plague Doctor' Samuel Kronos.]
Closing the logbook, he looked up.
"Commodore Gern, shall we return according to schedule?Admiral Zephyr contacted us earlier—he requested your immediate return to Headquarters to attend—"
"A mixer?" Gern twitched. "Nope. Not happening."
The officer hesitated."Sir, Admiral Zephyr said this is a gathering meant to strengthen unity among officers. You're a newly promoted Commodore and the face of the elite training program—your absence might—"
"Unity?" Gern snorted, gazing toward the horizon."You think I don't know what Zephyr-sensei's really thinking?"
Of course he did.
Ever since Gern's promotion—and since Zephyr learned that Gern wanted a fluffy deputy—the old man had been doing everything possible to anchor him at Marineford.
Meetings. Social gatherings. Networking events.All under the banner of 'cultivating leadership qualities'.
In reality, Zephyr just wanted to keep him from running off again.
But fluffy subordinates were great, weren't they?Carrot-type adorableness with combat prowess—what was wrong with that?
He only wanted a cute, fluffy deputy, that's all!
That was why Gern seized every chance to volunteer for patrols in the New World.
Of course, another key reason was—
I still haven't found my fluffy kingdom yet.
That said, Gern only dared to leave because Gion wasn't stationed at Headquarters at the moment.
After all, spending time with Marine HQ's number-one beauty?That was… very tempting.
Watching his commander, the officer hesitated again—but Gern raised a hand, stopping him.
"Reply to Zephyr-sensei. Tell him the New World is too dangerous to ignore. Justice cannot pause."
"As for his mixer—if Gion isn't there, neither am I."
He shrugged.
"Tell him to go bother Borsalino instead. That guy's got plenty of free time in the Science Unit."
"..."
"Oh, and add one more thing," Gern said casually."Tell him—if pirates still roam free, how can there be a home to return to?"
The officer hesitated, then nodded."Yes, sir."
"Alright." Gern turned toward the horizon."Continue the patrol. Next destination—"
"Report!"
Before he could finish, a communications officer rushed onto the deck, face pale.
"Commodore Gern! Emergency distress signal detected!A G-14 Division warship has been attacked by the great pirate 'Colossal Battleship' Sanjuan Wolf!Coordinates: East 132°, North 28°!"
Gern raised an eyebrow.
"Sanjuan Wolf?"
Known as the 'Mobile Natural Disaster', the giant stood over 180 meters tall—large enough to resemble a small island when lying down.
With a bounty exceeding 1.5 billion Beli, he was among the most dangerous pirates in the New World.
"Yes!" the officer continued urgently."The G-14 warship has sustained critical damage, and the target appears to be moving toward Kasven Island!"
"Toward here?"Gern's lips curled into a cold smile.
"Interesting."
He turned toward the ship's railing, resting one hand on the hilt of the black blade Bahuang.
"All hands—change course toward the distress coordinates!"
"Yes, sir!"
The warship roared to life, slicing through the waves at full speed.
Now, Zephyr-sensei…You can't complain about me not returning this time, can you?