Marineford — The Dawn of a New Era
The moment the Den Den Mushi clicked off, a brief hush fell over Marineford.
Because the broadcast had emanated from Steelbone Sora's high platform, the announcement rippled across the entire plaza. The World Government's concession struck like a thunderclap in every mind present.
Marines exchanged incredulous glances, unable to believe what they had heard.
"The World Government… gave in?" murmured a young soldier, his hands trembling slightly as he gripped his weapon.
"The Celestial Dragons… executed?" another whispered, eyes wide with shock. "Th—this… this can't be real!"
At the center of the plaza, Gern Reginald Sigmar slowly withdrew his gaze, a faint, almost imperceptible smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
He stepped forward toward the magical sigil left behind by Fegalandu Garling Saint's disappearance, each stride measured, deliberate, and heavy with authority.
Squatting before the faintly glowing circle, Gern placed his left hand gently atop it.
In an instant, vibration particles surged from his palm, spreading like a web over the entire sigil. The ground trembled subtly, tiny cracks radiating outward from his hand.
Crack… crack… The sound of splitting earth grew louder, the sigil's light flickering under the intense vibration.
"What is he trying to do?" On the high platform, Sengoku's brows knit tightly, his gaze locked on Gern's every move.
"That kid…" Garp let a rare grin creep across his face, eyes glinting with grudging admiration.
In the next instant, Gern slammed his left hand down. The vibration particles erupted violently.
BOOM!
The ground at the sigil's center fractured violently, stones flying, dust rising in choking clouds. The magical circle was shattered to powder, carried upward by the blast into a gray haze.
Or perhaps it wasn't merely the sigil being destroyed—it was the influence of the World Government embedded within the Marines that Gern had obliterated.
Having finished, Gern rose, his left hand raised high, residual tremors rippling across his palm.
His gaze swept over the plaza, from the stunned soldiers to the commanders on the high platforms, finally resting on Lipo Hope, protected at the center by Sakazuki and the others.
Lipo's rabbit ears stood straight, pink eyes reflecting Gern's figure. She seemed to understand his intentions already. Her small face flushed with excitement, lips curving into an involuntary smile.
As expected, Gern inhaled deeply. His voice cracked like thunder across the plaza:
"Justice—!!!"
Two simple words, yet they ignited the blood of everyone present.
For a heartbeat, the plaza was silent. Then Marineford erupted.
"Justice!!!" Ten thousand Marines shouted in unison, the roar rolling across the plaza like a tidal wave.
"Vice Admiral Gern!!!" Soldiers brandished their weapons, eyes alight with fervent zeal.
"That kid… really knows how to inspire people," Sengoku muttered, shaking his head, though a faint smile tugged at his lips.
Zephyr crossed his arms, eyes glinting behind his sunglasses. Pride radiated from him. "That's my disciple."
And atop the main platform, Steelbone Sora's once-stony expression softened. The rigid lines of his face relaxed, melting into a rare, relieved smile.
For a fleeting moment, the iron-willed admiral's eyes shone with the familiar fire of youth. He had once been that soldier on the battlefield, shouting for justice with pure passion.
"The Navy's new era…" Steelbone Sora murmured, turning to Sengoku.
Sengoku returned the gaze, his own expression reflecting quiet satisfaction. Indeed, during the golden age of the Navy, Sengoku had strategized with masterful precision, Garp had dominated the seas, and Zephyr had trained brilliant successors.
Now, in this era under Sengoku's guidance, a new generation of pillars had risen: Sakazuki's uncompromising justice, Kuzan's passionate drive, Borsalino's calm resilience, and Gern—the man who had shaken the world.
The waves of time never cease, and the torch of justice inevitably passes to brighter stars.
When the next era dawned… when authority would ultimately rest in his hands…
Steelbone Sora's eyes settled on the figure holding the Black Blade, hailed by tens of thousands of Marines. A knowing smile curved his lips.
It was as if he could see the future unfolding before him: when the era shifted again, when power was entrusted to that man…
"By then…" he whispered softly, a hint of hope and reverence in his voice, "the Navy will truly be just the Navy, Gern."
The last rays of the setting sun gilded his profile, casting the old admiral in a golden glow. His presence seemed taller, more imposing against the twilight.
Below, Sakazuki's gaze never left Gern. His heat-filled stare held no trace of envy, only rare excitement.
He saw not a threat, but a man capable of uniting justice itself, a leader who could finally liberate the Navy from the World Government's chains.
"Gern, you have not disappointed me. The justice of the Navy calls out for you!"
Clap, clap, clap! Low, deliberate applause cut through the cheers.
Sakazuki slowly raised his hands, tinged with the glow of Armament Haki, and—astonishingly—applauded.
Even more shocking, the usually cold man tilted his head back and roared:
"JUSTICE!!!"
The cry erupted like a volcanic blast, shaking Kuzan to the point of nearly falling from his seat.
Borsalino's sunglasses had slipped, revealing eyes wide in surprise. "Whoa… Sakazuki feels… different today!"
"Yeah, and he's using Armament Haki to emphasize it!"
They exchanged astonished glances, witnessing a side of their longtime comrade they'd never seen before.
But Sakazuki ignored them entirely, smiling, eyes fixed unwaveringly on Gern—the man he recognized above all else, second only to justice itself.
On the plaza, Gern's figure towered amid the cheers. He turned toward Lipo, each step in rhythm with the Marines' fervent shouts.
Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino quietly stepped aside, giving him a path, eyes reflecting rare acknowledgment.
"Gern!" Lipo ran forward, clutching his arm. "We did it! Justice won!"
Gern ruffled her hair gently, smiling. "Yeah… we won."
Tyzolo stood to the side, taking in the jubilant plaza, a strange new feeling swelling within him. "Vice Admiral Gern… still missing a Marshal's cloak at a moment like this," he muttered under his breath.
From afar, Garp's laughter rang across the clouds: "Hahaha! That's my disciple! Today's a day worth celebrating!"
Steelbone Sora descended from the high platform and approached Gern. The two locked eyes, and for a fleeting moment, time seemed to still.
"You did well, Gern," Steelbone Sora said, his voice low and resonant. "But the path ahead… may be even harder."
Gern's smile deepened slightly, eyes unwavering. "As long as justice exists, I will never stop moving forward."
Steelbone Sora nodded, turning to face the assembled Marines. His voice carried across the plaza:
"Today's events will be recorded in the history of the Navy!The World Government may have made concessions, but our mission remains unchanged—to uphold justice and protect peace!"
"JUSTICE!!!" The Marines' cry thundered once more, echoing across the sky.