Just as Gern Reginald Sigmar was about to step inside the main building, Zeff grabbed his arm.
"Teacher?" Gern paused.
"Don't think you can just waltz back in and brush everything off," Zeff snorted, lowering his voice."Fleet Admiral Kong's office isn't a place you stroll into casually. If he summoned you, it's definitely not just to hand out praise."
Gern smiled faintly."I know."
Zeff stared at him for several seconds before suddenly pressing a hand down on his shoulder.
"Whatever happens in there—don't admit anything. Especially not about David. Not a single word."
At the mention of David, Gern froze for a split second.
"You think I don't know your temperament?" Zeff continued in a low voice."Because of this mess, the Flying Pirates are wreaking havoc across the affiliated nations. The World Government's under pressure every single day."
Gern nodded. "Understood."
"Good." Zeff's gaze softened slightly as he glanced toward Lipo, who was off to the side gnawing on a carrot."I'll take this kid back with me first. No matter what Kong says, keep your head screwed on tight."
"Give my regards to Sister Lina," Gern replied.
Zeff turned away, and as Gern watched him leave, the faint smile on his face vanished instantly.
He straightened his collar and strode toward the towering white building—the very symbol of the Marines' supreme authority.
Marine Headquarters — Fleet Admiral's Office
When Gern stepped inside, Fleet Admiral Kong stood with his back to him, gazing out through the massive floor-to-ceiling window at the full expanse of Marineford below.
Sunlight streamed across his epaulets, casting a cold metallic sheen.
"Reporting," Gern said calmly.
Kong turned slowly, sharp eyes sweeping over him before gesturing toward the sofa.
"Sit."
Gern nodded and took a seat, relaxed yet perfectly composed.
Kong picked up a document and flipped through it casually, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"So… Zeff's little 'ally' has returned."
Gern smiled faintly."Just a joke."
"A joke, hm…" Kong studied him for a moment before letting out a soft chuckle and moving on."You did well this time. You struck a heavy blow to the pirates of the New World.Both the 'Giant Battleship' and the 'Plague Doctor' were persistent headaches."
"Just happened to run into them," Gern replied calmly."So… you didn't summon me back just to have me keep an eye on Golden Lion, did you?"
"Heh." Kong chuckled lightly. "What do you think?"
Gern turned his gaze toward him, unflinching."If you're asking that, then you must have other plans."
Kong didn't answer immediately. He walked over to his desk, picked up a folder, and tossed it across.
"Take a look."
Gern opened it, scanning quickly. His brows drew together.
"David, 'Deathknell,' captain of the Flying Pirates' Third Division? You want me to arrest him?"
"Stop pretending," Kong's voice turned cold."You killed David, didn't you, Gern?"
The air in the room seemed to freeze.
Gern calmly set the file down on the table, his expression unchanging—almost mildly curious.
"Why would you think that, Fleet Admiral?"His tone remained polite, even carrying a hint of amused confusion."My mission reports don't say anything of the sort."
Kong studied him in silence.
No hesitation.No fluctuation in breathing.Not even the slightest tremor.
This young man wasn't just powerful—his mental discipline was terrifying.
"Intelligence reports show naval activity near the location where David was last seen," Kong said, leaning forward with both hands on the desk."And at that time, the only Marine vessel in the area… was yours."
"And if I'm not mistaken," he continued, eyes narrowing,"you went to the Mink Kingdom immediately after sinking his ship."
"With no evidence, that's a dangerous accusation," Gern replied lightly."The New World is full of pirates. David had more enemies than just the Marines.Whitebeard, Roger—who knows? Pirates kill each other all the time."
"I know I don't have proof," Kong admitted with a thin smile."All of this is speculation."
After all, every Marine who had sailed with Gern was completely consistent in their testimony.Even if one were turned, it would be useless.
And David?By now, he was probably nothing more than fish food.
Kong straightened abruptly and gave a cold laugh.
"You're clever. But some things can't stay buried forever."
Gern said nothing.
"However…" Kong changed tone, pulling another document from a drawer and tossing it across the desk."This time, I'll pretend I didn't see anything."
Gern raised a brow and opened the file.
A new mission order.
"He was still the third division commander of the Flying Pirates," Kong said, turning back toward the window."Golden Lion won't stay idle."
Gern closed the file slowly, eyes darkening.
"Fleet Admiral, that's Golden Lion we're talking about. You know what history he and I share.Sending me in will only make things worse."
"I'm not asking you to confront Golden Lion directly," Kong replied coolly."You're dealing with the chaos his subordinates are causing."
"That still—"
"I trust you can handle it," Kong cut in."And frankly, this mess exists because of you. So you'll clean it up. Calmly. Properly."
"..."
Gern saluted and turned to leave.
Just as he reached the door, Kong spoke again.
"Gern."
"Yes, sir?"
Kong's gaze was heavy."Remember—what the Marines need is loyalty. Not personal heroics."
Gern paused at the threshold. His back remained turned, but the corner of his mouth curved faintly.
"Loyalty?" he replied quietly."You're the ones who should be saying that to me."
Kong's brow furrowed."What did you say?"
"I said I'll handle it."With that, Gern pushed the door open and walked out.
The corridor lights stretched his shadow long across the floor. As he walked, he opened the mission document.
The moment his eyes landed on the posting, his pupils shrank.
Effective immediately: Rear Admiral Gern Reginald Sigmar is reassigned to G-3 Base in the New World.Direct superior: Vice Admiral Sakazuki.
"G-3 Base… Sakazuki?"
Gern clenched the paper until his knuckles whitened.
"You've got to be kidding me…So this is what you mean by loyalty?"
"And me and Akainu… peaceful coexistence?Yeah. Right."
Meanwhile — Inside the Office
Fleet Admiral Kong calmly lifted his teacup and took a sip.
"Young people should learn discipline from Sakazuki," he murmured to the empty room."I'm sure under his leadership, all issues surrounding the Flying Pirates will be… properly resolved."
At that very moment, the Fleet Admiral had no idea—
That sending two of the most extreme individuals in the Marines to the same basemight just be the most catastrophic decision of his career.