Sabaody Archipelago — Grove No. 23
The Grove No. 23 area of the Sabaody Archipelago fell into an eerie, suffocating silence, as if even the air itself had frozen in place.
The kneeling civilians were the first to snap out of their shock. One scream after another erupted, tearing the harbor's stillness to shreds.
"A—A Celestial Dragon's been hit!!!"
That single cry was like a detonator, instantly plunging the entire port into chaos.
Marine soldiers jolted awake as if from a dream, scrambling toward the fallen Celestial Dragon—only to slam to a halt halfway there, almost in unison.
Because they had recognized the figure standing not far from the spreading pool of blood.
"Quick! Contact Headquarters immediately!"
"Th—This is huge trouble…!"
"Filthy commoners! How dare you lay hands on us!"Rosward Saint's shrill scream pierced the sky as his trembling finger pointed at Gern and the other two. Beneath the cracked bubble helmet, his face was twisted beyond recognition."Where's the Admiral?! Call one here right now! Charlos is my only son!I wouldn't even let myself touch a single hair on his head!"
The Marine soldiers stood frozen, their gazes flickering back and forth between Gern and the Celestial Dragon, cold sweat soaking through their uniforms.
They recognized him—"Heaven-Shaking" Gern Reginald Sigmar, a vice admiral renowned even at Marine Headquarters. For a moment, none of them knew whether to advance or retreat.
"Kadar Kempo! You useless trash, what are you doing?!"Rosward Saint roared hysterically, spittle splattering across his shattered bubble helmet."Hurry up and notify an Admiral! Execute these lowly worms immediately! I want them torn to pieces!"
Yet Kadar Kempo, commander of G-33 Base, stood rooted in place, clutching the Den Den Mushi in his hand. From the receiver came urgent questions from Headquarters—but not a single complete syllable would come out of his mouth.
At the same time, on Gern's side—
"Gern! How did I do?"Lipo hopped back to his side, a few glaring crimson drops splashed across her short-sleeved top. Despite that, she was smiling as brightly and innocently as ever.
Gern dropped to one knee, gently wiping the bloodstains from the hem of her clothes with a handkerchief."Excellent. But…"
He pointed at her favorite shirt."Next time, try to avoid getting hit there. Didn't you save three months' pay to buy this?"
"Ah! It really got dirty!"Lipo hurriedly brushed at her clothes, her little face falling as her rabbit ears drooped dejectedly.
Gern chuckled and pinched her cheek."Next time we're in the New World, I'll buy you an even better one."
Then he slowly stood and walked toward Kadar Kempo—each step feeling as though it stomped directly on everyone's heart.
"V–Vice Admiral Gern…"Kadar Kempo's voice trembled so badly it was barely audible."H–How could it be you…? If that's the case, then the one who attacked just now was your…"
"She's mine," Gern replied calmly—terrifyingly so."My subordinate. Marine Headquarters Ensign Lipo Hope."
At that moment, the emergency line from Headquarters crackled urgently through the Den Den Mushi.
"Hello?! What's going on?! Who attacked the Celestial Dragons at Sabaody?!"
Gern reached out and took the Den Den Mushi directly from Kadar Kempo's hands.
"Attacked?" he asked mildly.
The other end fell instantly silent. Then a voice spoke again, disbelief thick in its tone."V–Vice Admiral Gern? Is that you?"
"It is."
"You're at Sabaody Archipelago? That's perfect—reports say a Celestial Dragon was attacked. Please secure the situation immediately. I'll notify an Admiral right away—"
"That wasn't an attack," Gern interrupted calmly. "It was…"
His gaze swept across the harbor—over the sprawled corpses of the agents, and the sight of Charlos Saint's head crushed down into his neck.
"…self-defense."
"Self-defense?!"Rosward Saint, watching the Marines' incompetence, screamed at Gern."You lowly trash actually dare—!"
"Shut up."
Gern didn't even turn his head.
A tidal wave of Conqueror's Haki burst forth, slamming down on Rosward Saint and crushing him to his knees. His oxygen helmet cracked with a sharp crack.
Marine soldiers staggered back in unison, cold sweat beading on their foreheads. None of them had ever felt pressure this horrifying.
"Self-defense…?" the Den Den Mushi hesitated. "What exactly do you mean?"
"Hm."Gern stepped toward Rosward Saint, his tone almost casual."If someone attempted to assault a Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters, wouldn't it be reasonable for me to retaliate?"
"If someone attacked Vice Admiral Gern, then there's absolutely no issue!"
"Exactly."
In the next instant, Gern appeared directly in front of Rosward Saint. His right hand clamped around the man's throat like an iron vise, lifting his entire body off the ground.
The sudden suffocation forced Rosward Saint to snap awake in terror, his face flushing red as he clawed uselessly at Gern's arm.
"Y–You dare… you dare…!"Rosward Saint kicked wildly, even pulling out a handgun and firing several shots at point-blank range.
The bullets passed straight through Gern's body, leaving only ripples behind—as if striking water.
"Vice Admiral Gern! Why are there gunshots?! What's happening?!"The Den Den Mushi shouted nervously.
"I'm being attacked," Gern replied calmly. "Am I allowed to respond?"
"No problem."
"Vice Admiral Gern…"Kadar Kempo finally mustered the courage to speak again."Have you really thought this through? This could—"
"Could what?"Gern cut him off with a sideways glance, his eyes sharp as blades."Court-martial me? Strip my rank? Or… execute me on the spot?"
Kadar Kempo swallowed hard, unable to answer.
"Listen."Gern's voice softened—but the chill within it deepened."I want today's events reported exactly as they happened.If anyone adds even a single embellishment…"
His gaze swept across every Marine present."…I won't mind personally paying them a visit."
The soldiers took a collective step back, nodding frantically.
"In that case…"Gern grinned.
A shockwave erupted from his palm.
In an instant, the air shattered around Rosward Saint's head, rippling outward. When the pressure wave passed, Rosward Saint's body went limp, collapsing bonelessly to the ground.
The harbor fell silent once more.
Beating one wasn't enough—now he had outright crippled another.
The Marine soldiers stood dumbfounded, forgetting even how to move. Only the Den Den Mushi's voice echoed faintly through the stillness.
"Vice Admiral Gern… may I ask who the attacker was?"
"Listen carefully,"Gern leaned close to the Den Den Mushi, his voice icy."At Giant Mangrove Grove No. 23, Sabaody Archipelago, two Celestial Dragons attempted to assault a Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters, a Headquarters Ensign, and a Headquarters Warrant Officer.I have responded under the principle of 'legitimate self-defense.'"
"V–Vice Admiral Gern…?"The Den Den Mushi suddenly realized something."What exactly are you implying?"
"To put it simply…"Gern said flatly."I did it."
...
Much later, as Gern and the others boarded the Marine warship and gradually disappeared into the distance, the Marines left behind at the port exchanged stunned looks.
"Did we…" one young Marine whispered, "just witness something unbelievable?"
"Silence!"Kadar Kempo barked sharply."Today's events are strictly confidential! Await orders from Headquarters!"
But everyone knew—this was far from over.
A Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral and his subordinate openly beating Celestial Dragons in public, leaving one crippled and one incapacitated—this was unprecedented in the history of the seas.
Onboard the warship, Lipo leaned over the railing, gazing at the shrinking silhouette of the Sabaody Archipelago.
"Gern…" she asked quietly, "did I cause trouble?"
"No,"Gern stood beside her, the sea breeze stirring his black hair."You did very well."
"But…"Lipo lowered her head.
"That Celestial Dragon said they're World Nobles…"
"World Nobles?"Gern scoffed."They're nothing more than parasites hiding behind privilege."
Standing nearby, Tesoro looked at Gern with a complicated expression."Vice Admiral Gern… if we return to Headquarters now, won't the World Government—"
"That's exactly why we're going back," Gern said coolly."Because only at Marine Headquarters is the World Government unable to touch me."
"The Seven Warlords system was only just established. The World Government wants to move against me at Headquarters?"
He let out a cold laugh.
"They're not qualified."
"And besides…"His smile widened slightly, dangerous and sharp.
"The bigger this gets—the better I like it."