Sunlight streamed through the windows of Marine Headquarters' corridors.
For once, the corner of Sakazuki's mouth lifted into a faint curve as he held a thick document in his hands—The G-3 Base Five-Year Development Plan.
"Gern," Sakazuki called in a low voice.
"The reconstruction of G-3 Base is nearly complete."
He stepped closer, his tone firm and resolute, leaving no room for refusal.
"Our last battle side by side left a deep impression on me.
I sincerely hope you'll consider transferring to G-3 Base and guarding the front lines of the New World together with me."
His eyes burned with conviction.
"If the two of us join forces, what pirate on the seas could possibly stand against us?"
"Haha, is that so? Colonel Sakazuki."
Gern waved his hand lightly, smiling.
"But my experience is still lacking. I've barely even carried out solo patrol missions.
If I accepted your promotion like this, wouldn't it be unfair to the other Marines?"
"…That's true."
Sakazuki nodded after a moment. He respected rules and order.
More importantly, Gern hadn't outright rejected him—he was worried about fairness, not ambition.
Disciplined. Strong. A sense of justice aligned with his own.
A perfect comrade.
Sakazuki's opinion of Gern rose even higher.
"I've said this many times, but you truly suit my temperament."
He spoke solemnly.
"Once the exhibition match ends and the promotion to general-grade officer is finalized, complete the necessary procedures as soon as possible."
"I look forward to the day we work together."
"As for that exhibition match…"
Sakazuki didn't oppose promotion through it.
His own military achievements were more than enough to secure advancement. Whether he fought or not hardly mattered.
The only reason he had returned at all was because Fleet Admiral Kong had personally ordered it.
Hearing this, Gern raised an eyebrow.
"Then I'd just be… taking advantage of the situation."
"You're different."
Sakazuki cut him off sharply.
"You're not exploiting anything.
You're simply going where you belong."
Gern: "!!!"
So this was what double standards looked like when someone genuinely liked you.
Just as Gern was about to respond, a lazy voice suddenly cut in.
"Hey, hey, Sakazuki. Saying things like that is pretty embarrassing, you know?"
Kuzan strolled over with his hands in his pockets, a faint smile on his face. His gaze flicked between the two before settling on Sakazuki's rigid expression.
"Hmph."
Sakazuki snorted coldly, the warmth in his eyes vanishing instantly.
"Kuzan, this has nothing to do with you."
Kuzan shrugged and casually stepped closer to Gern—deliberately edging nearer to Sakazuki.
"I was just passing by. But…"
He dragged out his words, looking at Sakazuki provocatively.
"Forcing someone to accept your invitation isn't very gentlemanly."
Sakazuki's brow twitched. The air around them seemed to heat up with his irritation.
He shot Kuzan a cold glance, then nodded once to Gern.
"Come find me when you've made your decision."
As he turned and strode away, he added without looking back:
"I won't hold back in the exhibition match."
Kuzan chuckled softly, a breath of cold air escaping his lips.
"Perfect."
When Sakazuki disappeared around the corner, Gern finally laughed.
"If someone didn't know better, they'd think you two were about to fight to the death."
Kuzan spread his hands helplessly.
"Can't help it. I don't really like cold-blooded guys like him."
Then he slung an arm around Gern's shoulder, his grin widening.
"Hey! You're the impressive one here.
I was out patrolling for a few months, and you went and did something this huge!"
"'The Man Who Shattered the Sky'—now that's a flashy title."
Gern sighed and shook his head.
"That was only because Teacher Zephyr, Sakazuki, and I worked together to barely drive Golden Lion away.
I didn't expect the paper to only print my photo."
"Hahaha!"
Kuzan laughed loudly.
"That's Morgans for you—he loves eye-catching headlines. And besides…"
He winked teasingly.
"That photo of you slashing Golden Lion really did turn out great. Even I'm tempted to keep a copy."
Gern rolled his eyes, uninterested.
Kuzan leaned closer and lowered his voice.
"Seriously though, isn't Sakazuki unusually fixated on you?
I heard he even wanted you to help write G-3 Base's logistics reports."
"Being too charming is a burden," Gern sighed, rubbing his forehead.
"Hahaha! You bastard."
Kuzan laughed even louder, drawing glances from passing soldiers.
He clapped Gern on the back.
"Come on. Let's grab a drink. It's rare we get to meet like this.
And while we're at it…"
He grinned.
"You can tell me how you cut Golden Lion down so badly."
Gern shook his head helplessly, though the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
Outside a tavern in Marineford, Kuzan enthusiastically reached for the door—only for Gern to grab his shoulder.
"Wait," Gern said, his expression turning serious.
"Kuzan, the thing I asked you to look into last time—any news?"
Kuzan paused, frowning as he thought.
"You mean the Mokomo Dukedom?"
He turned back, puzzled.
"Why are you interested in a place like that? Read it in a book or something?
It's a nation on the back of Zunesha—always moving. I paid attention during my patrols, but found nothing."
"So that's how it is…"
Gern didn't answer directly, instead rubbing the hilt of Black Blade Eight Desolations thoughtfully.
"Looks like it's harder to find than I expected."
"Hey, don't tell me you're thinking of going there for sightseeing?"
Kuzan stared at him, then laughed.
"That's a place even the World Government struggles to reach."
"No."
Gern lifted his gaze, a meaningful smile forming.
"When I'm promoted to general, won't I be allowed to choose my own vice-captain?"
"Ah, yeah."
Kuzan shrugged, already opening a bottle of liquor.
"By tradition, you'd pick someone outstanding from the Marine Academy—"
He froze mid-sentence, eyes widening.
"W-Wait!!!"
Kuzan took a step back, his expression growing strange.
"Gern… don't tell me you're thinking of picking a Mink as your vice-captain?!"
Gern only smiled.
Kuzan sucked in a sharp breath and pointed at him.
"Are you insane?! Forget whether they'd even join the Marines—finding them alone is practically impossible!
Zunesha is always moving, and I've heard Minks are extremely wary of outsiders—and even eat people!"
"That last part is definitely something you read in a book."
Gern shot him a look.
"In any case," Gern cut him off cheerfully,
"You're already 'patrolling' on Vice Admiral Garp's behalf. Just keep an eye out for me. No extra trouble."
Kuzan rubbed his forehead and sighed deeply.
"You really know how to make things difficult."
Gern patted his shoulder lightly.
"Relax. If we really find them, I'll treat you to a month of drinks."
Kuzan squinted at him.
"…The most expensive kind."
"Deal."
The two exchanged smiles as Kuzan shook his head in helpless amusement.
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