Tesoro's hands were drenched in blood.The razor-sharp blades formed from his golden ring glinted under the sunlight, dazzling and cruel.
Saint Charlmark had already been scattered by Gern—eradicated in both biological and physical terms.
Yet Tesoro, his face splattered with blood, seemed completely unaware of it. He only stood there, gasping for breath in ragged gulps, as if he had just staggered out of a fight balanced on the edge of life and death.
"I… I killed him…"Tesoro's voice trembled. His eyes were filled with disbelief—and a strange, indescribable sense of release.
Gern stood to the side, watching everything with icy indifference. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
"Well done," he said flatly. "At least you've proven you're not a coward."
Stella moved to stand in front of Tesoro, wrapping her arms tightly around him. She buried her face against his neck, stroking his hair again and again.
"Gild… it's okay now. It's over. Everything's over…"
Her voice was gentle, yet unwavering—as if she were telling him that no matter what he had done, she would stand beside him.
Tesoro turned his head to look at her.The madness in his eyes slowly ebbed, replaced by a tangle of complex emotions.
He took a deep breath, then looked at Gern.
"Why… why did you make me do this?"
Gern didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked,"Now tell me—what do you think power is?"
Tesoro lowered his gaze to his hands.Through the power of the Gold-Gold Fruit, he could feel a strength unlike anything he had ever known.
He clenched his fist.Gold flowed under his control, as though it were an extension of his own body.
"Power…"He spoke slowly."Power is something that can change everything."
"Correct."Gern nodded."But power needs direction.You can use it to destroy—or you can use it to protect."
"Protect?"Tesoro let out a bitter laugh."Someone like me… what could I possibly protect?"
"That depends on your choice."Gern's gaze shifted to Stella."You can take her and run—spend your life being hunted."
"Or," he continued evenly,"you can join the Marines."
Tesoro froze.
Join the Marines?Before today, that idea would have been nothing but absurd.
But now, with his mind finally clear, everything suddenly made sense—
Because the one saying this was Heavenquake Gern.
Even as an outsider, Tesoro knew it perfectly well:this man was destined to become an admiral-level figure.
With someone like him backing you, the Marines were far more comfortable than life as a pirate.
Especially since Gern allowing him to kill a Celestial Dragon meant—all the consequences had already been handled.
At that moment, Stella tightened her grip on Tesoro's hand and whispered softly,
"Gild… no matter what you choose, I'll support you."
Tesoro looked at her.The hesitation in his eyes slowly faded away.
He lifted his head and met Gern's gaze.
"Fine. I'll join the Marines. But I have one condition."
"Say it."
"I need Stella to be safe.She must not suffer because of my choice."
Gern nodded.
"Agreed. She'll be placed in the Marines' family residential zone at Marineford.Under Marine protection, no one will be able to harm her."
At last, Tesoro smiled—truly relieved.
"Then it's settled."
Gern turned and walked toward the other end of the street. Without looking back, he waved a hand.
"Come on. We still have a lot to do."
Tesoro and Stella exchanged a glance, nodded to each other, and followed after him.
...
World Government Headquarters — Holy Land, Mariejois
Inside Pangaea Castle, the Five Elders gathered in the Chamber of Flowers.Cherry blossom petals drifted past the windows, lending the heavy atmosphere an eerie, unnatural calm.
"A piece of trash from the Charlmark family vanished in a slave market at the level of the Four Seas?"Shepherd Ju Peter spoke slowly, his tone flat."If I recall correctly, I once said that World Nobles are forbidden from traveling to the Four Seas, didn't I?"
"So why did a member of the Charlmark family appear on Lilikaya Island in the West Blue?"
"Intelligence reports say he's been obsessed lately with collecting blond slaves," Topman Warcury said, frowning.
"Then he went to Lilikaya Island to replenish his 'collection,'"Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro sneered."Honestly, the bloodlines of the Charlmark family's offshoots have grown more and more… regrettable with each generation.
"Obsessed with human women all day long. A disgrace to the name of the 'Creators.'"
"What we should be discussing now…"Marcus Mars flipped through an urgent CP0 report."…is that only bloodstains were found at the scene. No body. No signs of combat.
"And more importantly—twelve CP agents accompanying him all had their Vivre Cards burn out simultaneously. That point is… noteworthy."
"In any case,"Jaygarcia Saturn tapped his cane lightly against the marble floor, his pupils contracting in the shadows,"the World Government cannot afford to lose face—even for a useless Charlmark.
"CP will handle Morgans. He knows how to report this properly.
"As for the West Blue…"
"I've already instructed Kong to have the Marines take over."His voice dropped lower."Coincidentally, 'Heavenquake' Gern happens to be on leave in that region."
"Heavenquake?"Marcus Mars chuckled softly."His Devil Fruit is quite peculiar—a vibration-based Logia, with impressive growth potential."
"Sakazuki. Kuzan. Borsalino. Gern."
"The future combat power of the Marines…"He paused briefly."But that man does have a bit of a… murderous streak. Back in G-3 with Sakazuki—"
"That's precisely why he's suitable,"Shepherd Ju Peter cut in decisively."It's settled.
"Charlmark may have been useless trash, but the dignity of the Celestial Dragons cannot be challenged. This cannot become precedent.
"Inform Steelbone Kong—grant Heavenquake Gern special enforcement authority over the entire West Blue."
Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro raised his eyes slightly and added,"Pirates. Black markets. Slave traders.
"Anyone even remotely suspicious—better to kill the wrong one than let a single one slip through."
"As for Saint Charlmark…"He glanced toward the direction of the Empty Throne.
"If the body can be recovered, all the better.If not…"
"Then announce that he has been found, and end it there.Have Morgans publish it."
...
Lilikaya Island — The Docks
Gern stood by the shore, a Den Den Mushi in his hand.From it came the deep, stern voice of Fleet Admiral Steelbone Kong.
"Gern! Saint Charlmark has gone missing on Lilikaya Island.The World Government's CP agents are fully mobilized—Mariejois is furious!
"You're already in the West Blue, and you're the highest-ranking Marine there. Your leave is suspended immediately. Take command and cooperate with CP to investigate this thoroughly!"
"Understood, Fleet Admiral Kong."Gern's lips curled slightly as he spoke, though his tone was impeccably serious.
"I'm currently on leave in the West Blue.I'll take responsibility for the Celestial Dragon's disappearance on Lilikaya Island."
"There's just one thing…""I found a promising talent at the 133rd Branch. So—"
The Den Den Mushi fell silent for a moment.
Then Kong's voice sank even lower.
"You bastard… bring him back. Put him under your command.
"But when you're dealing with those CP types—who I also despise—try to show some restraint. Don't make things difficult for me."
"Of course."Gern let out a soft chuckle."I am a Marine of justice, after all."
The call ended.The Den Den Mushi slowly closed its eyes.
Tesoro stood not far away. Gold still flowed over his fingertips, but his gaze had grown much calmer.
"What happens next?" he asked quietly."The World Government won't let go of a single clue…"
Gern put away the Den Den Mushi and looked toward the distant horizon.
"CP will arrive within two hours.Marine fleets will seal off this sea."
His tone was calm, as if stating an utterly trivial fact.
"So," he continued,"we need to give them a 'culprit.'"
Tesoro's pupils shrank.
"What do you mean—?"
Before he could finish, massive waves suddenly surged across the sea.A pitch-black warship cut through the water, its mast flying the flag of the World Government.
CP0 had arrived.
Gern slowly placed his Marine cap on his head. A cold smile curved his lips.
"Tesoro—remember this."
"From this moment on, you are a Marine."
"And the Marines,"he said softly,"never betray 'justice.'"