Sorbet Kingdom's military harbor.
A South Blue branch warship had already docked in advance to receive him.
"Captain Gern, the South Blue branch—"
Gern didn't bother responding to the soldier's greeting.
He took his Justice coat, draped it over his shoulders, and slowly stepped onto the gangplank.
"It's the year 1487 of the Sea Circle Calendar…"
He murmured to himself, fingers lightly brushing the hilt of the Black Blade Eight Desolations at his waist.
Three years from now, the seventeen-year-old Kuma would become a priest, overthrow King Bekori, and ascend the throne of Sorbet Kingdom.
Then Dragon would leave the Marines and form a volunteer force.
Soon after, the Ohara Incident would erupt, and Dragon would formally establish the Revolutionary Army.
Then Bekori would return.
Kuma would personally kill him—and leave Sorbet with Ginny to join the revolution.
And after that…
Ginny would be abducted.
A strange glint flashed through Gern's eyes.
"That moment… when Ginny is taken—that's the true decisive point where Kuma will belong to me."
Even if Kuma agreed to follow him now, Gern couldn't take him back to Marineford.
Not yet.
He didn't have the authority to challenge the World Government's rules.
"This time," Gern stepped onto the deck,
"I'm only planting a seed."
By the time that seed truly sprouted—
Roger's era would already be over.
The Great Pirate Era would be in full eruption.
The Golden Lion incident had earned Gern fame, yes—
But the move that would truly propel him into the core of Marine power had nothing to do with Shiki.
It was—
Using his foreknowledge that Roger would turn himself in—
And turning that surrender into an arrest.
Arresting the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.
"To turn 'turning himself in'… into 'being arrested'…"
A dangerous smile curved at the corner of Gern's mouth.
This plan had already taken shape in his mind.
Because compared to repelling Golden Lion—or any other feat—
Arresting the Pirate King would cement his status in the Marines beyond question.
Once that happened, his reputation would become untouchable.
Compared to Garp's title of Hero of the Marines—
"The Man Who Ended an Era" carried far greater symbolic weight.
That title alone would grant Gern enormous influence.
By then, Sengoku would take over as Fleet Admiral.
The Three Admiral system would be established.
And Gern—
Using the merit of arresting the Pirate King—
Would demand autonomous authority over officers under his command.
Through that authority, he would cultivate his own powerful Justice faction, slowly absorbing and dominating Marine power from within.
"When that day comes…"
The warship cut through the waves as Gern gazed at the receding coastline of Sorbet Kingdom, his smile deepening.
"The right to define 'justice'… won't necessarily belong to the World Government anymore."
Two weeks later.
Marineford. Military harbor.
As busy as ever.
Warships came and went.
Soldiers moved supplies back and forth.
Seagulls cried above the crashing waves.
Standing on the gangplank, Gern took a deep breath of the salty air. His gaze swept across the port—then stopped on a nearby warship.
On its deck, a tall figure was slowly walking down.
Sunlight reflected sharply off a very noticeable green knitted cap.
Gern narrowed his eyes, his lips twitching.
…So it was him.
"Didn't expect Kizaru to have such… unique taste when he was younger," Gern muttered.
As if sensing his gaze, Kizaru turned his head. When he saw Gern, he paused briefly—then broke into his trademark lazy smile.
"Oh~? Isn't that Captain Gern?"
He drawled as he strolled over.
"Didn't expect you to come back this late too. I thought I was the only one who liked cutting it close~"
Gern shrugged and stepped down.
"I took my leave to travel to the East Blue with Vice Admiral Garp. Then I went sightseeing in the South Blue. I was already rushing back."
He glanced at Kizaru.
"But you, Senior Polsalino—weren't you on a mission? Why are you so relaxed?"
"How I envy people on leave~"
Kizaru spread his hands lazily.
"Missions get done eventually. No need to rush, right~?"
He adjusted the green knitted cap, eyes narrowing slightly beneath the brim as he studied Gern.
Gern's gaze drifted back to the hat.
"…That hat of yours," he clicked his tongue, "really stands out."
Kizaru's eyes lit up—as if he'd found a kindred spirit.
He immediately pulled out another identical green knitted cap and offered it forward.
"Like it? I've got extras. Want one~?"
"No, no, absolutely not!"
Gern waved frantically.
"I don't have a habit of wearing green hats."
"Tsk, tsk~"
Kizaru shook his head regretfully, stuffing the hat away.
"Young people these days—no sense of fashion at all~"
Gern rolled his eyes and didn't bother responding.
The two walked side by side toward headquarters, drawing plenty of sideways glances.
After all—
One was the recently famous "Sky-Shattering" Gern.
The other was Marineford's legendary "King of Slacking."
Not exactly a common pairing.
"I heard you slashed Golden Lion and forced him to retreat," Kizaru said casually.
Gern nodded.
"Just luck. He underestimated me."
"Oh~? Is that so~?"
Kizaru dragged out the sound, smiling faintly.
"That slash earned quite a bit of praise from Sengoku."
Gern only smiled, saying nothing.
"Oh right," Kizaru suddenly changed topics,
"Have you seen the matchups for the Elite Training Camp?"
"I have," Gern replied.
"I'm paired against you for the exhibition match."
"How terrifying~"
Kizaru sighed dramatically.
"I'd rather not be shaken apart by your vibration ability."
"Likewise," Gern glanced at him.
"Your Glint-Glint Fruit isn't exactly friendly either."
They exchanged a look—
Then both laughed.
At the entrance to headquarters, Kizaru stopped and stretched lazily.
"Well then, I'd better go report in. If I'm any later, Sengoku will start nagging again."
Gern nodded.
"See you."
Kizaru waved and headed inside, his green knitted cap glaringly bright in the sunlight.
Gern watched his back and shook his head.
"What is that guy even thinking…"
He turned to leave—
Then suddenly felt a gaze on him.
Gern looked over.
As expected, not far away stood a familiar figure—
Sakazuki.
And at this very moment, Akainu was looking at him…
wearing what he clearly believed was a friendly smile.
No, brother.
We really, truly—
Will never work out.
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