One month later — Sabaody Archipelago, Marine G-33 Base.
The afterglow of sunset spilled across the harbor, stretching the shadows of two warships long and thin.
One was Gern's black warship.The other was Garp's unmistakable dog-headed vessel.
The sea breeze carried the faint, sweet scent of mangrove resin from the bubble trees, yet it couldn't dispel the heavy, oppressive atmosphere hanging over the base.
Inside the battlefield hospital unique to the Sabaody base, the air reeked of disinfectant, sharp and stinging.
Garp stood with his back to the hospital bed, facing the window. His Justice cape swayed faintly.
Once jet-black, his short hair now showed conspicuous streaks of silver near the temples—as though he'd aged ten years in just a single month.
Outside the window, the massive mangrove trees cast mottled shadows in the twilight. Bubbles floated upward, shimmering—then burst.
On the bed, Gern slowly pushed himself upright.
Very slowly.
Every inch of movement sent tearing pain through his muscles.
Bandages wrapped his entire body, some already stained with faint traces of blood.
Once upright, Gern simply lowered his head, elbows resting on his knees. Strands of messy hair fell forward, hiding his eyes.
The silence stretched on for a long time.
"…How is it?" Gern finally asked, his voice hoarse beyond recognition.
Garp didn't turn around. He stared out the window and snorted coldly.
"Roger's already reentered the New World."
His fist clenched, knuckles whitening."When I rushed over, I didn't even catch a glimpse of that bastard's stern!"
The glass reflected Garp's darkened expression.
Gern lifted his head. His pale face was expressionless."Vice Admiral Garp… I'm sorry. I seem to have los—"
BAM!
A heavy punch smashed straight into Gern's face, sending him flying back onto the bed!
In an instant, the bed—and the cabinet beside it—were reduced to splinters.
"You damn idiot!!" Garp roared."Do you have any idea you could've died?!"
The sheer force of his voice, laced with faint Haki, made the windows of the ward buzz violently.
"Do you know the look on my face when Zephyr and I got word that you fought Roger?!Do you know what expression Zephyr had when he dragged you out of the sea?!"
Garp's scolding came one after another, his eyes burning with fury—and lingering fear.
"If that bastard Roger hadn't held back, you'd be fish food by now!"
Gern lay on the ruined bed, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
He didn't wipe it away. He just stared at the ceiling.
Seeing no response, Garp strode forward, grabbed Gern by the collar, and hauled him up.
"You think beating Kozuki Oden makes you invincible?!"Garp's voice dropped low—far more terrifying than shouting.
"I'll tell you this: even that samurai wouldn't last a single slash in front of Roger!"
Outside the ward, a passing nurse shrieked and dropped her tray.
"…Where's Instructor Zephyr?" Gern asked quietly, his pupils tightening."And Lipo doesn't know, right?"
"Zephyr's already gone back," Garp said, releasing him. Gern collapsed heavily onto the floor."As for your furry little adjutant—"
"We didn't tell her anything. She's still training at the headquarters camp."
"There are so many people who care about you… and yet you—"
Garp turned back toward the window, his broad back heavy as a mountain.
"Displaced organs. Over forty percent of your muscle fibers torn. A permanent scar across your chest."
He paused.
"And Roger did all of that with a single strike."
The twilight deepened.
Gern slowly sat up again. This time, Garp didn't stop him.
"The gap… was it really that big?"Gern stared at his bandaged hands and asked softly.
Garp didn't answer.
Outside, the final sliver of sunlight sank below the horizon.
The ward fell into darkness, broken only by the steady beep… beep… of medical instruments.
"During your recovery," Garp suddenly said, turning around, his gaze sharp as a blade,"I expect you to think—really think—and until you truly understand what 'king-level' means, you're not leaving Sabaody."
Gern looked up and met his eyes.
Within Garp's gaze were anger and disappointment—but deeper still… a trace of expectation, barely perceptible.
"Zephyr once said that after he became an Admiral, he wanted you to take his place," Garp continued."But from what I see now… you're far less mature than Kuzan and the other two."
With that, he strode toward the door.
Just before closing it, he stopped.
"Oh, and that golden brat of yours…"
"…Tesoro?" Gern asked immediately.
"He was taken back to Marineford with Zephyr," Garp replied flatly, his brow faintly furrowing."He's pretty good. Has real talent in developing his Devil Fruit. You…"
He didn't finish the thought.
Garp turned and left completely.
He wasn't a complete fool—he could clearly see that after reaching commander-level, Gern had begun cultivating his own inner circle.
...…
After Garp left, the ward sank into brief silence.
Leaning against the wall, Gern slowly exhaled a heavy breath. Pain flared in his chest, drawing a faint frown.
Just then, lazy footsteps echoed from the doorway.
"Looks like a certain patient doesn't have a bed to sleep in tonight."
Gern looked up.
Kuzan leaned against the doorframe, hands in his pockets.
His trademark lazy smile hung on his face—but his eyes were more serious than usual.
"Kuzan…" Gern tugged at the corner of his mouth and clutched his chest as he struggled to stand."When did you get here?"
"Since Vice Admiral Garp started yelling at you," Kuzan shrugged, walking in. He casually steadied a wobbling chair and sat down across from Gern."But I didn't feel like getting scolded too, so I waited until he left."
Gern snorted softly and said nothing.
Kuzan's gaze swept over him, lingering on the blood-stained bandages. His brow creased.
"Honestly, you were too reckless this time."
"So even you're here to lecture me?" Gern shot him a sidelong glance.
"Not just me," Kuzan sighed."When Sakazuki heard you'd made a move against the Roger Pirates, he actually lost his temper at G-2."
"He even smashed half his desk."
Gern froze for a moment—then let out a short laugh.
"That stubborn bastard actually cared about me?"
"Don't get the wrong idea," Kuzan spread his hands."Even someone as extreme as him thought you went too far this time."
"After all, the Roger Pirates aren't exactly someone you provoke lightly."
Gern fell silent. He lowered his head, staring at his palm. Beneath the bandages, the wounds throbbed faintly.
"The gap… is it really that big?" he murmured, asking himself once more.
Kuzan didn't answer right away.
He pulled an apple from his pocket and tossed it over."Eat. You need the energy."
Gern caught it but didn't take a bite, just held it in his hand.
"The gap does exist," Kuzan finally said, his tone uncharacteristically serious."But it's not something that can't be crossed."
"Oh?" Gern looked up.
"Roger stands at the apex of this era. His strength is unquestionable," Kuzan said slowly."You didn't lose because you lack ability—you lost because you don't have enough time."
"…Time, huh?" Gern echoed quietly.
Kuzan stood and walked to the window, gazing at the darkening sky.
"Vice Admiral Garp is right—you need time to think. But…"He turned back, a faint smile curving his lips."I believe you'll catch up sooner or later."
Gern stared at his back for a moment—then suddenly laughed.
"Didn't expect you to say something like that."
"Sometimes," Kuzan replied lazily, stretching."After all, you're the only one among us who's actually fought Roger."
Gern tightened his grip on the apple, his eyes gradually sharpening.
"But this time… I was taken down in one slash—"
"But…" Kuzan turned back, his smile widening,"Isn't that exactly how it should be? If you could cut down Roger already, that would be a problem."
Outside the ward, night fully descended.
Under the moonlight, Sabaody's bubbles drifted upward—bursting, and then being born again.