Marine Headquarters — Marineford
"Gern, you bastard—even on leave, keep yourself in line, got it?!"
Gern stepped out of the Fleet Admiral's office, a document clenched between his fingers.Stamped prominently upon it was the seal of Steel Bone Kong—approval for three full months of leave.
"You make it sound like I'm some kind of loose cannon," Gern muttered, exhaling softly as the corner of his mouth lifted.
The relentless grind of the past months had finally come to an end—at least for now.It was time to slow down, breathe, and take care of a few personal matters that had long been put on hold.
...
Sunlight bathed the plaza of Marine Headquarters.From the distance, sharp, synchronized shouts echoed from the elite training camp.
Gern paused mid-step, his attention drawn instinctively in that direction.
On the training grounds, a group of Marine recruits were engaged in live combat drills.
Among them, one figure stood out immediately.
A silver-haired boy, eyes sharp and unyielding.White smoke coiled around his body like a living thing as he overwhelmed his opponent with crushing dominance.
Gern leaned against the railing, watching with open interest.
"That's Smoker," a woman's voice said beside him."Logia-type—Smoke-Smoke Fruit. One of the standouts of this class."
Gern turned his head.
Standing next to him was a young woman with long pink hair, dressed in a wine-red Marine uniform.Tashigi Tina—arms folded, expression calm and composed.
"Oh?" Gern raised an eyebrow. "You're from this class too?"
"Yes." Tina's lips curved faintly."But compared to that reckless brute, I prefer strategy."
On the training field, the fight had just ended.Smoker seemed to sense their gaze and turned around.
The moment his eyes landed on Gern, his pupils shrank violently.The cup in his hand nearly slipped from his grasp.
"Skyquake—Gern?!"
Disbelief colored his voice.
Gern smiled and gave him a casual wave.
Smoker abandoned his opponent on the spot and hurried over, eyes blazing.
"It really is you! I've watched your combat footage over a hundred times!"
Gern laughed. "That's a bit much, don't you think?"
"Of course it's not!" Smoker clenched his fists."You're the one who defeated Borsalino during the training camp exhibition match!That's one of Marine Headquarters' so-called 'monsters'!
—No, wait. You're a monster now too!"
Faced with Smoker's near-religious fervor, Gern simply shrugged.
"That was a long time ago."
"No. That was just the beginning."Smoker's gaze hardened with absolute conviction."One day, I'll surpass you, Rear Admiral Gern—and become the strongest Marine!"
Gern studied him for a moment, then smiled faintly.
The fire in the boy's eyes reminded him of his own past—that same defiant refusal to accept limits.
"Good." Gern patted Smoker on the shoulder."But remember this—justice can't be achieved through brute force alone."
Smoker frowned. "What do you mean?"
"It means stop picking fights and start using your head," Tina cut in, her tone lightly teasing.
Smoker shot her a glare—but Gern laughed.
"She's right," Gern said, turning his gaze back to the training field."You're the future of Marine justice."
...
"Well, you certainly seem popular."
A deep, steady voice sounded from behind them.
Gern turned around.
Zephyr stood a short distance away, a faint smile on his lips.
"And you two—are you slacking off?!"His voice suddenly exploded across the grounds.
The entire training field went dead silent.
Smoker and Tina stiffened, spinning around in unison.
Sure enough, Zephyr stood there with his arms crossed, sunglasses hiding eyes sharp as blades.
"Z–Zephyr! Chief Instructor!" Smoker snapped to attention and saluted.
Tina followed instantly, sweat forming at her brow."Reporting, Chief Instructor! We were just—"
"Just what?" Zephyr snorted."Chatting during training hours? Looks like I've been too lenient with you."
The two recruits went rigid, barely daring to breathe.
Gern stood off to the side, a barely perceptible smile tugging at his lips—but he made no move to intervene.
Zephyr's gaze swept over them coldly.
"Smoker—you rely too much on your Devil Fruit.And even then, your Logia development is terrible.Do you think you're Gern?"
He snorted.
"And even he, back in the day—if he ran into a Haki specialist like me in real combat—he wouldn't last three seconds."
Smoker gritted his teeth. "Yes, sir! I'll train harder!"
"Tina—your Rokushiki—"
"I understand!" Tina cut in immediately. "I'll fix it!"
"Good." Zephyr barked."Now get back to the field. Immediately.Five hundred additional physical training sets—no rest until you're done!"
"Yes, sir!!"
They bolted instantly, terrified of earning another reprimand.
Watching their miserable retreat, Gern finally let out a laugh.
"You're still as strict as ever, Instructor Zephyr."
Zephyr snorted."If you don't beat the arrogance out of brats like that early, they'll never learn their place."
He paused, glancing at Gern.
"Especially that Smoker kid. Good talent—but he idolizes you too much.When he first joined, he actually wanted to challenge me just because you did once."
Gern spread his hands. "I wasn't that reckless."
Zephyr scoffed. "You were worse."
Gern merely smiled, neither agreeing nor denying it.
...
The two walked side by side toward a small pavilion at the edge of the training camp.The sea breeze carried a salty tang as it brushed past them.
"So," Zephyr said as he sat down, "how does it feel—being promoted to Rear Admiral?"
"Nothing special," Gern replied, leaning against the railing."The workload's the same as ever."
Zephyr chuckled."Don't be ungrateful. Plenty of people never reach that rank in their entire lives."
"I'm not complaining," Gern shrugged.
"Hah."Zephyr fell silent for a moment, then spoke quietly."In a few more years… I might have to give up my Admiral seat."
"Hey, hold on," Gern raised an eyebrow."I have zero interest in becoming a Celestial Dragon's bodyguard."
"You think I want to?" Zephyr shook his head with a bitter smile."But some things… aren't ours to decide."
Gern said nothing.
He knew all too well—even though Zephyr took fewer missions these days, the World Government frequently dispatched him to Sabaody Archipelago.
Officially, it was to "maintain order."
In reality, it was temporary guard duty for the Celestial Dragons.
Zephyr never spoke much about those assignments.But every time he returned, his expression was darker than before.
"So," Zephyr said bluntly, "what did you come to see me about?"
"My leave was approved," Gern replied just as directly."I'm heading out for a while."
Zephyr frowned. "Where to?"
"Personal business." Gern's tone was calm."I'll be leaving Lipo in your care for now."
Zephyr studied him for a few seconds—then laughed.
"Every time you say 'personal business,' trouble follows."
Gern smiled back."Relax. This time, there won't be any headlines."
"Hmph. It'd better stay that way."
Zephyr stood up and clapped a hand on Gern's shoulder.
"I'll take care of the girl. You handle whatever you need to handle."
Gern nodded."Thanks, Instructor."
Zephyr waved him off and turned away, his silhouette stretching long beneath the setting sun.