At the same time—several days later, on a stretch of open ground on Egghead Island that served as a training field.
Kizaru stood lazily with both hands in his pockets, leaning against a railing. Behind his dark-tinted sunglasses, his gaze rested on the small figure training not far away.
Sentomaru was swinging a wooden axe again and again. Sweat streamed down his round cheeks as he muttered grand declarations to himself—things like "the man with the tightest mouth in the world" and other half-childish, half-serious boasts.
"How hardworking~" Kizaru drawled, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. His tone was as flippant as ever, yet a subtle flicker passed through his eyes.
Just moments ago, he had heard some rumors from Vegapunk—whispers about the investigation into the disappearance of the Celestial Dragon, Saint Charlmark, in the West Blue.
As the head of the Marine science division, he naturally had access to certain internal channels.
And the instant he saw the keywords "Lilikaya Island" and "Tesoro," a particular face surfaced in his mind—
Gern's half-smiling, half-mocking expression.
"Tesoro… West Blue… Lilikaya Island…" Kizaru murmured under his breath, unconsciously leaning back against the tree behind him.
He remembered it clearly.A few months ago, Gern had contacted him through a private line, asking him to pull Tesoro's personal records.
Even when Gern later came to Egghead Island in person, Kizaru hadn't thought much of it.
After all, Gern was exactly the type to occasionally make strange requests. Kizaru was used to it—and helping out casually had become second nature.
But now…
Looking back, everything felt premeditated.
"What a pain~" Kizaru pushed up his sunglasses, the cold reflection of the lenses hiding his eyes completely.
Gern's intentions weren't difficult to guess.
He had deliberately asked Kizaru to retrieve Tesoro's information so that, once everything went down, Kizaru would become one of the "people in the know."
And with that, Kizaru was forced onto a crossroads—
Expose Gern…or stay silent.
And above all else, Kizaru hated troublesome multiple-choice questions.
"Uncle!" Sentomaru came running over, panting heavily as he looked up at him. "I finished today's training!"
"Oh?" Kizaru smiled and rubbed the boy's head. His voice remained relaxed, but his thoughts drifted far away."Well done~"
Gern had played this move beautifully.
He had taken advantage of Kizaru's corporate drone mentality.
What was a corporate drone?
Someone who hated trouble, preferred slacking off, and would never be the first to poke holes in fragile truths.
"Young people these days are really bold~" Kizaru sighed softly, turning his gaze toward the distant horizon.
He could very easily pretend nothing had happened.
After all, the information on Tesoro had been retrieved privately. There was no official record.
If he said nothing, no one would ever know he'd been involved.
And Gern—clearly—had calculated that too.
"Well, whatever~" Kizaru stretched lazily and turned toward the laboratory.
"I'm just a salaryman collecting my paycheck, after all~"
"But if you're dragging me into this mess, you'd better pay overtime, Gern."
...…
Elsewhere, in the office of Marine Branch 133 in the West Blue.
Gern sat on a sofa, casually flipping a gold coin between his fingers.
The coin spun and danced at his fingertips, reflecting a cold, metallic gleam.
"Rear Admiral Gern," Tesoro said as he pushed the door open, his expression serious. "The CP0 investigation fleet has withdrawn."
"Mm." Gern didn't even turn his head. He simply flicked his fingers—and the coin shot toward Tesoro.
Tesoro instinctively caught it. Lowering his gaze, he saw that it was a gold coin stamped with the Marine emblem.
"Tesoro." Gern finally turned, a faint smile curling at his lips."From today onward, your past will be completely erased."
"Completely… erased?" Tesoro froze.
"That's right."
Standing by the window, Asahi held a freshly signed officer dossier. A meaningful smile played on his face.
"Guild Tesoro…" he read softly, tapping the document with his finger."Not bad. Sounds like a proper Marine."
"From today on, your last two years were spent as a probationary officer stationed at Branch 133, later serving as an undercover operative. Full documentation, spotless record."
"Because of your undercover work, you picked up a gambling habit—so you're frequently seen in casino cities. Simple, clean, believable."
Hearing this, Tesoro quickly took the file.
After all, killing a Celestial Dragon had already bound his entire life to Gern.
But as he looked at the officer ID in his hand, the tension finally left his shoulders.
Especially when he saw the words printed clearly beneath his photo—
"Marine Headquarters Probationary Officer."
Stella's identity, meanwhile, had been officially registered as "Military Dependent."
"Gern… this West Blue-wide Special Enforcement Authority…" Asahi muttered as he watched Tesoro read through the documents. A sharp glint flashed through his eyes."It really is a convenient thing."
With this temporary authorization, Gern could mobilize every Marine branch in the West Blue at will—and even execute "suspects" on the spot without going through judicial procedures.
And Asahi, using his authority as branch commander, coordinated perfectly with Gern.
In just a few short hours, they had completed Tesoro's entire identity overhaul—
Forged records. Fabricated service history.Even arranged "eyewitnesses" to testify that he had always been a Marine.
"This kid Gern is getting better and better at this game," Asahi chuckled, shaking his head as he walked back to his desk."But… I like it."
"From today on, your past no longer exists."Gern handed the credentials to Tesoro.
"Remember—you are a Marine now.And Marine justice…" His eyes narrowed slightly."…is defined by me."
Tesoro accepted the documents. The golden ring on his finger glinted softly in the sunlight.
He took a deep breath and nodded solemnly.
Beside him, Stella gently squeezed his hand, her eyes filled with unwavering resolve.
Just then—
The Den Den Mushi on the desk suddenly began to vibrate violently.
Its originally neutral face twisted instantly into a furious mohawk hairstyle, veins bulging on its forehead, mouth stretched wide.
There was no mistaking it.
This was Fleet Admiral Kong's personal communication line.
"Oh right—almost forgot about this," Gern said, raising an eyebrow as he leisurely picked it up.
"Moshi moshi. Rear Admiral Gern speaking."
"GERN!!" The Den Den Mushi practically exploded with a roar."DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU'VE DONE?!The World Government just contacted us—YOU KILLED THE ONLY CP0 AGENT SENT TO THE WEST BLUE, DIDN'T YOU?!"
Gern rested his chin on one hand while casually spinning a pen with the other.
"Yeah," he replied calmly. "I killed him."
The Den Den Mushi froze mid-expression, clearly not expecting such a blunt confession.
"You—" Kong's voice dropped dangerously low."Do you understand what CP0 is?! They answer directly to the World Government!"
"I know." Gern set the pen down and leaned forward slightly, a cold smile forming."But the World Government also granted me West Blue-wide Special Enforcement Authority."
He continued evenly,"It clearly states: 'Possesses the right to execute any suspicious individual without prior approval.'I suspected that CP0 agent—so I killed him.
Completely legal. Completely procedural.What's the problem?"
"What's the problem?!" The Den Den Mushi's expression became wildly animated as Kong struggled to suppress his rage."That CP0 agent was investigating the disappearance of a Celestial Dragon!On what grounds did you decide he was suspicious?! The World Government is pressuring me right now!"
"Because the moment he disembarked," Gern's eyes turned ice-cold, "he tried to arrest my new recruit for interrogation."
"Fleet Admiral Kong, you should know this well. During special enforcement operations, any interference can be treated as obstruction of justice."
"And besides…" He deliberately dragged out the last words."I don't believe I violated any procedures."
The Den Den Mushi fell silent.
You didn't violate anything—I'm the one getting burned, you bastard.
After a few seconds, Kong's voice returned—eerily calm.
"Gern… rein it in."
"Fleet Admiral," Gern leaned back comfortably,"we Marines value procedural justice above all else. Isn't that right?"
The Den Den Mushi's face twitched.
Kong understood all too well—Gern had just thrown the hot potato straight into Marine Headquarters' lap, forcing them to take a side.
"…Enough," Kong exhaled sharply."Get your ass back to Marineford within a week to report in person.The West Blue investigation will be handed over to Strawberry."
"Understood, Fleet Admiral," Gern replied with a cheerful smile."Before the handover, though, I suggest you take a look at today's World Economy News special edition."
Click.
The line went dead.
Gern turned his gaze toward the window.
At the harbor, flocks of News Coo soared through the sky. On the front page of the freshly printed newspapers, a massive headline stood out—
[MARINE THUNDER OPERATION! CELESTIAL DRAGON SAINT CHARLMARK RETURNS SAFELY TO THE HOLY LAND]
The subheadline was even more telling—
["HEAVEN-SHAKING" REAR ADMIRAL GERN: JUSTICE WILL NOT BE TARNISHED]
The office door swung open as Asahi strolled in, a cigar clenched between his teeth.
"Settled?"
"Of course." Gern idly played with a golden lighter on the desk."Now the whole world will believe that CP0 agent was executed for colluding with pirates."
Asahi grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellowed teeth."That was ruthless. Even the World Government can't openly pursue this now.But tell me—did you really recover that Celestial Dragon?"
"Who knows?"Click. The lighter ignited, flames illuminating Gern's sharp profile.
"All that matters is that Saint Charlmark must return to Mary Geoise—in one form or another."
His gaze drifted toward the distant sea beyond the window.
He knew that the moment this news was published, that overworked corporate drone—
Kizaru—
had already made his choice.
Silence.
"Thanks, Senior Kizaru," Gern thought, a faint smile flickering in his eyes.
Some understandings required no words.
And some kinds of power—
only needed a legitimate name.