Inside the Marineford strategy conference room, the air seemed to solidify.
Kong's question was like a giant rock thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples.
Gern's answer made a hint of approval flash in Sakazuki's eyes, but Garp's fierce rebuttal suddenly made the atmosphere tense.
"Vice Admiral Garp." Gern slightly turned his head, looking calmly at the Marine hero.
"I am not questioning Roger's backbone.
But Golden Lion is no ordinary pirate; his ambition is enough to swallow the entire New World.
If Roger is forced to compromise... even if it's only temporary, it would be the worst outcome for us."
"Hmph! You're clearly trying to take this opportunity to get a new assignment!"
Garp knew exactly what Gern was thinking by speaking up at this moment.
After all, Gern had been punished the previous year for acting without authorization regarding Roger, which resulted in him being assigned to a year of escort missions with new recruits.
Thinking of this, Garp let out a heavy snort, slamming his fist on the table, making the teacup jump.
"You underestimate Roger too much! That guy will never bow down!"
"Gern, Garp is right." Sengoku pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting cold light.
"After so many years of fighting, we all know Roger's character very well.
But your concerns are not unfounded.
After all, the current Golden Lion does have the ability to force anyone to submit." Sengoku chose to remain neutral, acknowledging both sides' points.
After all, besides Gern, who knew the plot and understood the final outcome of the Edwal Sea Battle from a god's perspective, everyone else couldn't make a judgment and could only speculate. But if judged by speculation, Golden Lion's Flying Sky Pirates' grand fleet was truly overwhelmingly powerful.
And it was true... if not for that tsunami, the Roger Pirates would definitely have had a different ending.
For a moment, the conference room fell into a brief silence.
Kuzan leaned lazily against the back of his chair, frowning: "So... are we going to Edwal or not?"
"Go, of course we're going!" Sakazuki suddenly stood up, the magma fruit ability making his right arm glow with a dark red light.
"This is an excellent opportunity to annihilate two legendary pirate crews!"
"Oh my~" Kizaru drew out his words, tilting his head to look at Sakazuki.
"Sakazuki, if the Marine moves out, Roger and Golden Lion aren't fools; they'll definitely get intelligence first!
At that time, it'll be the Marine dealing with Roger plus Golden Lion... Hmm, how scary~"
"Although the risk is a bit high, this opportunity..." Sakazuki gritted his teeth.
"Enough." Kong's deep voice interrupted the impending quarrel.
Then, his gaze swept over every general, finally resting on Vice Admiral Tsuru, "Tsuru, your opinion?"
Tsuru gently put down her teacup, her voice calm yet full of power: "I believe we should adopt a 'fisherman's strategy'.
Let the two great pirate crews consume each other first. If there's really an opportunity, it won't be too late to act when they're both gravely wounded.
But the premise is that the Marine must be fully prepared—including for the worst-case scenario."
"Worst-case scenario?" Kuzan raised an eyebrow.
"It's what Gern said." Tsuru looked at the young Rear Admiral, "The possibility of Roger and Golden Lion joining forces.
Although the probability is very low, if it happens, it will be a devastating blow to the balance of the New World."
Gern noticed that when Tsuru mentioned "joining forces," Zephyr's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
The Black Arm Admiral had always detested any form of compromise, whether from enemies or allies.
"I propose." Gern knew his chance to end his punishment had come, so he suddenly spoke, his voice clear and firm.
"The Marine should divide into three routes.
The main fleet, personally commanded by Fleet Admiral Kong, will observe from a safe distance.
A rapid response unit, led by Vice Admiral Garp, will be ready to intervene at any time.
And another elite small team will infiltrate the battlefield to monitor the situation in real-time."
"Elite small team?" Kong narrowed his eyes, "You mean?"
Gern's lips curled slightly: "Me..."
"No!" Zephyr suddenly spoke, his gaze behind his sunglasses sharp as a knife, "Too dangerous!
You alone facing two legendary pirate crews, I disagree! Don't even think about it!"
Zephyr's answer made everyone nod, and even Akainu shook his head at Gern.
Seeing this, Gern smiled slightly, "Teacher Zephyr, let me finish speaking first. Of course, I can't go alone!"
"Then what do you mean?"
"What I mean is, me and Borsalino.
After all, both of us have extremely strong mobility, and we work well together, so even if we encounter an accident, we can retreat safely."
Kizaru, who was preparing to fish in troubled waters, heard his name, his pupils contracted, and he instantly turned his head.
"Oh my? Gern, you little brat, you're looking all innocent, but now you're playing dirty tricks on me here!?"
"Teacher Zephyr." Gern didn't pay attention to the fishing king and gently interrupted, his eyes firm.
"Precisely because it's dangerous, it requires us Marine 'monsters' to go."
The conference room fell silent again.
Everyone understood the meaning behind Gern's words.
The 'monsters' of the Marine's new generation were the only ones capable of surviving such a high-level conflict and bringing back intelligence.
Gern possessed his own 'Quake Flash', developed by imitating Kizaru, which could even achieve molecular-level displacement that Observation Haki couldn't predict.
As for Borsalino? There's even less to say; he's definitely a quick-witted man!
Kong pondered for a long time, finally nodding slowly: "The plan is feasible.
But you two must remain strictly concealed and not act without authorization.
Especially you, Gern, you're too reckless.
So I will give all executive authority to Borsalino. Do you have any objections?"
"None at all." Gern responded solemnly.
Gern, who had been escorting new recruits from the Elite Training Camp for a year, was truly bored out of his mind.
Can you imagine a group of chattering students constantly surrounding you and asking questions?
The main point was that Zephyr was also nearby most of the time, so Gern couldn't even refuse to answer!
It was simply the strictest punishment.
"Then..." Kong stood up, the meeting concluded.
"All units, begin preparations immediately.
Remember—this operation will determine the future landscape of the New World for several years to come.
Justice, must not be lost!"
"Yes!" The generals responded in unison.
As the meeting ended, the generals left one after another.
Gern was about to get up when Zephyr stopped him.
"Gern." Zephyr's voice was very low, "You bastard disciple, I knew you couldn't stand still."
"Teacher Zephyr, how can you think of me that way?" Gern looked at Zephyr's face, feigning seriousness.
"I am a Marine of the new era; some things must be witnessed firsthand to be understood."
"You..." Zephyr stared at his disciple for a long time, finally just patting his shoulder heavily.
"I don't want to see you fished out from the bottom of the sea a second time!?
"There will never be a second time."
...
After Zephyr left, Gern smiled, turned, and walked towards the door, Libo and Tesoro immediately following.
In the corridor, Sakazuki was waiting for the elevator.
Seeing Gern approach, he uncharacteristically spoke first: "Your proposal is very reasonable."
"Likewise." Gern shrugged, "After all, we both want to personally end the era of those pirates."
"But you are still too extreme." Sakazuki looked at Gern with a serious tone.
"Sometimes, you can't act too impulsively; everything needs to be carefully considered before making a decision.
Do you know how I felt when I heard you were preparing to go alone?"
"No, Sakazuki, are you lecturing me now?"
"In short, don't be too absolute." Sakazuki uncharacteristically raised his hand and patted Gern's shoulder, a slight smile on his lips.
"After this operation, if there's a chance, come to my place for a drink!"
This was almost the highest recognition he could express.
Gern was stunned for a moment, then smiled: "No problem."
The elevator doors opened, and Kuzan and Borsalino were already inside.
The four exchanged glances, no words needed.
A storm was coming, and they would face this world-changing upheaval together.
Libo tugged on Gern's sleeve, whispering: "Gern, I want to go too..."
"No." Gern flatly refused, rubbing her head, "You and Tesoro stay at Marineford with Teacher Zephyr; that's an order."
Tesoro opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he just nodded silently.
He understood that a scene of this magnitude was not something he could participate in yet.
Walking out of the Marine building, Gern looked up at the sky.
"Edwal..." he murmured softly, "Now, I too must face the turning point of history!"
The sea breeze swept across Marineford's flag, the word 'Justice' flapping loudly in the wind.
"Unknowingly, the 'Legendary Era' belonging solely to you three is also coming to an end!"