Marineford — Residential District
The broadcast echoed high above the training grounds, Kong's thunderous declaration sending ripples of excitement and tension through all of Marineford.
Meanwhile, in the residential district…
Gern Reginald Sigmar sat comfortably between Zephyr and Garp, a faint, unreadable smile tugging at his lips.He slurped noodles with surprising gusto, seemingly unconcerned by the approaching storm.
"Hahaha!" Garp suddenly roared with laughter, slapping Gern heartily on the shoulder."Kong may look serious all the time, but it seems this time he actually stood his ground!"
"Exactly. I have to admit, I'm impressed with Kong," Gern said, a faint amusement in his voice.He had not expected the Fleet Admiral to make this choice—but after years of careful groundwork, it seemed his efforts were finally paying off.
"Hey! Gern, tell me—what does it feel like hitting a Celestial Dragon?!" Garp grinned mischievously, leaning in as if he couldn't wait to hear the answer.
"That's a question for Lipo," Gern replied casually, slurping another bite of noodles as he cast his gaze toward Lipo, who was twirling her pearl-like carrot at the doorway.
"Little Lipo!" Garp darted over in an instant, chatting animatedly with her.
Zephyr rubbed his temple and glanced at Gern, who was still eating as if nothing had happened, and let out an exasperated sigh."You really have no idea, do you? Causing a scandal of this magnitude and acting just like Garp, carefree as ever?"
Gern shrugged, grinning."That's because you've got my back, Sensei."
Zephyr's vein twitched on his forehead. He almost punched him."You brat! Don't think I wouldn't have! But you did the right thing this time—if you'd abandoned Lipo to curry favor with the Celestial Dragons, I swear I would've killed you myself."
"Sensei Zephyr, Lipo isn't just anyone—she's my adjutant," Gern said, teasing.
"She's also my daughter! Hmph." Zephyr muttered under his breath, though the tension eased a bit.
After a moment of banter, Zephyr composed himself, his voice now serious as he analyzed the situation."The Fleet Admiral's intentions are clear. He isn't going to have the Marines act first—he wants to use the weight of the entire Navy to push back Garling Saint."
"Exactly. Whoever strikes first loses the moral high ground," Gern nodded thoughtfully.Then he turned to Garp, who was balancing Lipo on his shoulder, and asked loudly:"By the way, Captain Garp… is that Garling Saint guy strong?"
Garp froze mid-motion at the question, his smile vanishing, replaced by rare seriousness."Yeah… he's strong. But…" He paused, reflecting."He hasn't touched the 'King-class' level yet."
"Really? Figarland Garling Saint isn't King-class?" Gern arched an eyebrow.
"No." Garp's gaze turned distant, recalling the battle on God's Island."Back then, on God's Island, Rocks single-handedly forced the God's Knights to retreat to the second line.It was only with me and Roger fighting together that we barely kept him at bay.
"Garling Saint… he's a star among the Celestial Dragons. Proud as he is… if he were King-class, there's no way he would have run back then." Garp casually picked at his nose."And even before leaving, he said something about protecting the Celestial Dragons. Hah… couldn't even get past Newgate's checkpoint!"
"King-class, huh…" Gern muttered under his breath, a spark of curiosity flickering in his eyes."That… could be interesting."
"Interesting my ass!!" Zephyr suddenly slammed a fist into Gern's head."You little brat! Who told you to cause such a commotion?!"
"Sensei, you just agreed with my approach!" Gern rubbed his head, glancing at Zephyr with a smirk."And you're Black Arm, not Iron Fist…"
Zephyr narrowed his eyes."What? You'd rather have my fist or a lightning strike?"
Gern: "…"
"Hmph!" Zephyr drew a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.He crossed his arms, his eyes behind his sunglasses sharp as blades."Listen carefully. The optimal solution for this incident is…" He pointed directly at Gern."No matter what happens, you must face Garling Saint openly in front of everyone."
Garp, who had just set Lipo down to nibble on a rice cracker, froze mid-bite."Oh?"
"The World Government wants face, the Marines need dignity," Zephyr said seriously."If we confront him head-on, the conflict escalates.But if it's a 'friendly spar'…" He let a small, cold smile play across his lips."We can display the Navy's strength while giving the World Government a graceful out.
"And most importantly…Marineford is our home turf!"
"So…" Gern nodded thoughtfully."That's why the Fleet Admiral called it a 'friendly exchange'…"
"Exactly." Zephyr adjusted his sunglasses."Show him enough strength to make him back down, and this ends gracefully."
Just then, Taizoro swallowed nervously, forcing himself to speak."But… what if… Vice Admiral Gern loses?"
Before he could finish, three piercing gazes struck him like blades.
Zephyr's sunglasses reflected a cold glint, Garp's fists clenched so tight they cracked audibly, and Gern's lips curved into a faint, teasing smile.
"Lose?" Garp suddenly exploded into uproarious laughter, slapping Taizoro on the shoulder so hard he nearly hit the floor."Hahaha! Your superior is the guy who once blocked Roger's blade!"
Zephyr adjusted his sunglasses, letting a cold light flash across the lenses."Taizoro, you need to understand…These 'friendly sparrings' often come with… unexpected circumstances."
"Such as…" Zephyr's smile turned dangerous."…our beloved Vice Admiral Garp here, 'maintaining order' for the sake of the Marines' and World Government's peaceful relations."
Garp instantly caught on, cracking his knuckles."Of course! Someone's gotta keep the peace!"
"And as we all know…" Zephyr waved his hands helplessly."…our upright Garp has zero tolerance for unfair matches.If he sees any 'injustice' happening…"
Garp grinned, revealing his sharp teeth."I couldn't resist. Throwing that Garling Saint brat into the seabed for a little… 'friendly contact'? Totally reasonable!"
Gern chuckled."After all, Vice Admiral Garp's 'submerged drop' technique is praised by both Rocks and Roger as a form of 'friendly exchange.'"
Taizoro's jaw dropped.He suddenly realized—this isn't a fair fight at all.It's a trap for Garling Saint.
If Gern wins, it's a one-on-one duel.If he loses, it's a showdown against the entire Marine Headquarters.
"So, Taizoro…" Gern patted his shoulder, eyes glinting dangerously."Are you still worried that your superior might lose?""And I don't think I can't beat him!"
He slurped another mouthful of noodles.
"Ah~" a lazy voice suddenly came from the doorway."Is this really our respected Sensei Zephyr?"
Everyone turned to see Kuzan leaning against the doorframe, hands in pockets, his trademark lazy smile in place.
Behind him, Sakazuki and Borsalino stood on either side, forming an imposing trio.
"Kuzan!" Zephyr's brow twitched, though his lips quirked upward."When did you learn to eavesdrop?"
"Ever since you told Garp to show off his 'submerged drop,'" Kuzan replied, shrugging as he strolled inside."Gotta say, Sensei Zephyr, you've gotten sly."
"That's called tactical intelligence. I did teach you that once!" Zephyr snorted, scanning the three of them."Good timing, you three."
Gern rose, brushing off his nonexistent dust, eyes sweeping over the trio."Looks like you all know what's going on."
"The whole of Marineford knows," Sakazuki said coldly, fists glowing faintly red."Gern, I've got your back."
Borsalino pushed up his sunglasses lazily."Scary, isn't it? The God's Knights are coming."
Gern stepped in front of the three, expression serious."Since you're all here, I'll be straight. If I face Garling Saint…"
"Lipo won't get hurt," Sakazuki interrupted firmly."By my justice, no one will take her."
"Don't worry," Kuzan added, unusually upright, the lazy aura gone."Marine Headquarters isn't Mariejois' Celestial Dragons' backyard."
"Ah~" Borsalino spread his hands, glancing at Lipo."Troublesome as it is, if she's not around, no one can help me fake medical records with Devil Fruit powers. That would be a problem for me~"
Gern looked at the three, lips twitching into a small smile.He knew this wasn't just protecting Lipo—it was the new generation of Marines sending a collective message to the World Government.
"Thank you," he said softly, then turned to Zephyr."Sensei, looks like our 'welcome ceremony' is going to be one hell of a show."
Zephyr crossed his arms, nodding in approval."That's more like it." His gaze swept over everyone."Remember, the key to this 'friendly exchange' is…"
"To fight with skill, and with dignity." Garp suddenly chimed in, grinning.
"Sensei Garp…" Gern rubbed his temple helplessly."Are you sure that's a good example?"
"Hahaha!" Garp laughed heartily."Either way, Garling Saint is going to see exactly what Marine Headquarters is made of!And none of us think you'll lose, you idiot!"
Taizoro finally understood, murmuring,"No wonder Vice Admiral Gern said the World Government has no right to touch us inside Marine Headquarters."
He looked around at Zephyr, Garp, Sakazuki, and the others standing beside Gern, awestruck.
His superior's foundation and influence within the Marines… was far deeper than he had ever imagined.