The sea breeze brushed lightly across Marineford, the flags snapping sharply as they danced in the wind.
Standing outside the Marine headquarters, Gern gazed up at those banners and let out a helpless chuckle.
"Gern."A low voice sounded from behind him—Sakazuki, who had just exited the elevator as well.
A heavy palm landed solidly on Gern's shoulder."Don't forget our promise. I'm heading off to prepare."
Gern turned around and met Sakazuki's face—stern as ever, utterly devoid of a smile.
"Of course."Gern nodded.
Sakazuki said nothing more, merely letting out a cold snort in response.
His gaze then swept over Kuzan and Borsalino, who were still standing by the elevator doors. His brow creased ever so slightly before he turned and strode away.
Once Sakazuki's figure had receded into the distance, Kuzan finally let out a breath of relief. Stretching lazily, he stepped forward and threw an arm around Gern's shoulders, a grin spreading across his face.
"Hahaha! Borsalino looks absolutely miserable!""I didn't think you had this trick up your sleeve. Next time, don't drag me into it, you bastard!"
He winked at Gern, then turned and headed toward the training camp, waving casually at Lipo and Tesoro as he went.
"Come on, fluffy rabbit and golden brat! Teacher Zephyr can't wait to put you through hell."
"Afro-head."Lipo pouted, clearly unwilling, but followed along anyway. Before leaving, she turned back and pumped her little fist at Gern."Gern! Be careful, okay?!"
Tesoro simply nodded in silence, a trace of frustration flickering in his eyes before he followed Kuzan away.
As Kuzan's figure gradually disappeared from sight, Gern suddenly felt the air around him shift, turning strangely oppressive.
He slowly turned his head—and met a pair of eyes filled with pure resentment.
That's right.
The salted-fish king himself, Borsalino, was staring straight at him.
The corners of Borsalino's mouth drooped slightly, his entire body radiating the unmistakable aura of a man who had completely given up on life.
"Geeern…"Borsalino dragged out the syllables, his tone overflowing with grievance."Setting up your seniors like this… that's very rude, you know~"
The corner of Gern's mouth twitched."Senior, this is for justice."
"Justice?"Borsalino adjusted his sunglasses, his voice growing even more mournful."Right now, I should be lying on the beach at Egghead Island, sipping an ice-cold juice and enjoying my hard-earned paid vacation~"
"Senior Borsalino, you're on paid leave while executing a mission," Gern replied, sighing helplessly as he turned toward the harbor."Come on. The mission comes first."
But Borsalino's resentment clearly wasn't about to fade so easily.
All along the way, Gern's ears were assaulted by the endless muttering of a certain master slacker…
"Ahhh~ the weather in the New World is terrible, you know~ My skin's going to get sunburned~"
"I hear Golden Lion has a terrible temper. What if he doesn't like the look of me? So scary~"
"Gern, do you have any idea how low my salary is? For missions this dangerous, they really ought to raise my pay~"
Gern: "..."
He finally understood why Kuzan had run off so quickly.
...
Three days later.
Under the blazing sun, the deep-blue sea shimmered with countless points of reflected light.
A Marine special reconnaissance vessel cut cleanly through the waves, advancing steadily toward the Edd War Sea.
On the deck, Gern lounged lazily against the main mast. The sea wind lifted his white Justice coat with black sleeves, revealing the Black Blade Bahuang resting casually at his side.
Cradling a teacup in both hands, he took occasional sips, letting out contented sighs—looking every bit like a retired old man enjoying his afternoon.
"Ahhh~"Borsalino leaned just as languidly against the railing, eyes half-lidded behind his sunglasses. Steam curled gently from the hot tea in his hands."Gern, back at headquarters, who was it that gave that passionate speech about 'justice,' huh?"
"Oh my, Senior Borsalino."Gern flashed a harmless smile and casually picked up a piece of daifuku."That was right after the meeting, and right in front of headquarters. You've got to maintain appearances, you know."
"Hahahaha!"Borsalino burst into laughter, his sunglasses slipping halfway down his nose.
Only now did he truly realize that this junior of his was an even higher-level "salted fish" than himself.
"If Sakazuki saw you like this… tsk tsk tsk…"Borsalino dragged out the words meaningfully.
"Can't help it. My punishment period had to end eventually."Gern shrugged and took another bite of daifuku."I really don't want to keep escorting rookies anymore."
"Besides, they're not even fighting yet. We're just here to 'take a look.'"
"That makes sense!"Borsalino nodded, picking up a daifuku of his own and savoring it slowly."Mmm… the specialty from Ruyā Island really is excellent.After this mission, I should bring some back for Vegapunk and Sentomaru."
"Senior, don't relax too much."Gern shot him a sideways glance."If they really do start fighting, we'll need first-hand intelligence. Otherwise, Fleet Admiral Kong won't let us off the hook."
"Intelligence?"Borsalino pursed his lips."I think when they start fighting, staying as far away as possible is the smartest plan~"
"If you do that, Fleet Admiral Kong will dock your quarterly bonus."
"Tch. How much could this quarter's bonus even be? I don't care abou—"
"About fifty million Beli or so."
"…Then maybe we should be a bit more 'just,' Gern."
"..."
The reconnaissance ship slipped silently into the outer edge of the Edd War Sea.
To remain concealed, the engines were shut down, and the vessel drifted forward under the push of the wind alone.
"We're here."Gern suddenly lowered his voice, eyes locking onto the silhouettes of ships gradually sharpening on the distant horizon.
It was the Flying Pirates.
Countless vessels packed together like a rolling storm cloud, their overwhelming presence blotting out the sky and pressing down with suffocating force.
Borsalino finally discarded his lazy demeanor. He set down his teacup, and a sharp glint appeared behind his sunglasses.
"Tsk tsk tsk… Looks like almost all the executives are here.""Golden Lion's really going all out this time."
"And judging by this formation…"Gern narrowed his eyes."They're lying in wait. An early interception.""It looks like the Roger Pirates are expected to pass through this route."
"So?"Borsalino spread his hands."We're not actually going over there to say hello, are we?"
His expression abruptly froze.
Because someone was staring straight at him—intently—and wearing a deeply unsettling smile.
"H-Hey, hey, hey!"Borsalino's voice shot up an octave."You're not seriously thinking—"
"I'm warning you! I was just joking!Don't even think about it."