The broadcast echoed over the training ground, and Fleet Admiral Kong's powerful declaration made all of Marineford boil.
At the same time, in Marineford's family quarters...
Rear Admiral Gern sat beside Zephyr and Garp, a faint smile playing on his lips.
He was slurping noodles with gusto, seemingly unconcerned about the approaching storm.
“Hahaha!” Garp suddenly burst out laughing, patting Rear Admiral Gern vigorously on the shoulder.
“Fleet Admiral Kong usually seems so serious, but I didn't expect him to be so tough this time!”
“That's right, I'm really impressed with Fleet Admiral Kong!” Rear Admiral Gern was also surprised by Fleet Admiral Kong's choice, but it seemed that his groundwork over the years was finally beginning to take shape.
“Hey! Rear Admiral Gern, tell me what it feels like to punch a Celestial Dragon!?” Garp leaned forward with a mischievous grin.
“You'll have to ask Libo about that.” Rear Admiral Gern slurped another mouthful of noodles, his gaze turning to Libo, who was swinging her pearl carrot by the room's window.
“Little Libo!” Seeing this, Garp instantly flashed in front of Libo and started chatting with her.
Watching the mischievous Garp, Zephyr rubbed his temples, glanced at the relaxed and carefree Rear Admiral Gern, and couldn't help but sigh.
“You've caused such a big fuss, why are you as heartless as Garp?”
“Haha.” Rear Admiral Gern shrugged, smiling, and said, “That's because I have my teacher backing me up!”
A vein throbbed on Zephyr's forehead, and he almost couldn't resist punching him: “You brat!
However, you did the right thing this time. If you had dared to abandon Libo and curry favor with the Celestial Dragons, I would have killed you myself.”
“Teacher Zephyr, Libo is my subordinate.”
“She's also my adopted daughter! Hmph.”
After some casual chatting, Zephyr calmed down again and analyzed in a deep voice:
“In short, Fleet Admiral Kong's attitude this time is very clear. He doesn't intend for the Marine to take the initiative, but rather to use the entire Marine's prestige to force Gringo Saint to retreat.”
“After all, whoever strikes first will be in the wrong.” Rear Admiral Gern nodded, then turned to look at Garp, who was carrying Libo on his shoulder not far away, and shouted,
“Oh, by the way, Mr. Garp, that Gringo Saint fellow... is he strong?”
Hearing Rear Admiral Gern's shout, Garp paused, his smile fading, revealing a rare serious expression.
“Hmm, he's a capable fellow, but...” He paused, “He hasn't touched the 'King-level'.”
“Oh? Is Figaland Garland not King-level?” Rear Admiral Gern raised an eyebrow.
“No.” Garp's gaze was distant, seemingly recalling the battle on God Island.
“Back then on God Island, Rocks' single strike scared their God's Knights into retreating to the second line.
In the end, it was only by me and Roger teaming up that we barely managed to suppress Rocks.
That guy is a celebrity among the Celestial Dragons, and he's such a proud person.
If he were King-level, how could he have run away then?” Garp picked his nose.
“He even told me something before leaving? That it was to protect the Celestial Dragons.
Haha, but he couldn't even get past Newgate!”
“Around Emperor-level, then...” After listening to Garp, Rear Admiral Gern muttered to himself, “That's interesting.”
“Interesting my foot!!” Zephyr suddenly punched Rear Admiral Gern on the head: “You brat, who told you to make such a big fuss this time!”
“Teacher, didn't you just agree with my actions this time?” Rear Admiral Gern covered his head, pouting at Zephyr.
“Besides, you're Black Arm, not Iron Fist...”
“What? Instead of a punch, do you want to eat a Rankyaku?”
Rear Admiral Gern: “...”
“Hmph!” Zephyr took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
He crossed his arms, and the gaze behind his sunglasses sharpened.
“Listen up, the optimal solution for this incident is...” He pointed at Rear Admiral Gern.
“No matter what, you must step forward and have a proper, dignified fight with Gringo Saint in front of everyone.”
Garp, who had just put Libo down and was munching on senbei, paused: “Oh?”
“The World Government needs face, and the Marine needs substance,” Zephyr said in a deep voice.
“Direct confrontation will only escalate the conflict.
But if it's a 'spar'...” A cold smile played on his lips.
“It can both display the Marine's strength and give the World Government a way out.
And, most importantly...”
Marineford is our home turf!!”
“So...” Rear Admiral Gern nodded thoughtfully, “Fleet Admiral Kong would say 'friendly exchange'...”
“Exactly.” Zephyr pushed up his sunglasses, “As long as you show enough strength to make Gringo Saint retreat, this matter can end gracefully.”
At this moment, Tesoro suddenly swallowed, and asked hesitantly, “But what if... Rear Admiral Gern loses?”
Before he finished speaking, three sharp gazes pierced him like swords.
Zephyr's sunglasses reflected a cold light, Garp's fists cracked, and Rear Admiral Gern showed a half-smile.
“Lose?” Garp suddenly burst into thunderous laughter, slapping Tesoro on the shoulder so hard he almost knocked him into the ground.
“Hahaha! Your superior is a madman who even dared to take Roger's blade!”
Zephyr pushed up his sunglasses, a cold glint flashing in the lenses: “Tesoro, you must understand.
These 'friendly spars' often have many... unexpected situations.” He deliberately emphasized the last four words.
“For example...” Zephyr suddenly showed a dangerous smile, “To promote peaceful relations between the Marine and the World Government...
Our esteemed Vice Admiral Garp...”
At this, Garp immediately understood, rubbing his hands together and interjecting, “Of course, I'll have to 'maintain order' on the side!”
“And as everyone knows...” Zephyr spread his hands helplessly, “Our esteemed Vice Admiral Garp is always straightforward, so if he sees any 'unfair' competition...”
“I just couldn't help myself.” Garp grinned, revealing his stark white teeth.
“Grabbing that Gringo Saint kid and holding him down for a 'close encounter' of the 'Ocean Drop' kind would be a perfectly reasonable thing, wouldn't it?”
Rear Admiral Gern couldn't help but add with a chuckle, “After all, Vice Admiral Garp's 'Ocean Drop'...
is a 'friendly exchange' method that even Rocks and Roger have praised.”
Tesoro stared dumbfounded as the three big shots sang in unison, suddenly realizing:
What the hell kind of fair duel was this? It was clearly a trap set for Gringo Saint!
If he could win, it would be a one-on-one with him and Rear Admiral Gern; if he couldn't, it would be a one-on-one with him and Marineford.
“So, Tesoro...” Rear Admiral Gern patted his shoulder, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
“Are you still worried that your superior, me, will lose?
And I don't think I can't beat him!” After saying that, Rear Admiral Gern continued to slurp his noodles.
“Oh dear~” At this moment, a lazy voice suddenly came from the doorway.
“Is that still our respected Teacher Zephyr?”
Everyone turned to see Kuzan leaning against the doorframe, hands in his pockets, a characteristic lazy smile on his face.
Behind him, Sakazuki and Borsalino stood on his left and right, the three forming an imposing presence.
“Kuzan!” Zephyr frowned, but the corners of his mouth curved slightly, “When did you learn to eavesdrop, you rascal?”
“Since you said you'd let Mr. Garp perform the 'Ocean Drop'.” Kuzan shrugged, walking into the room.
“I must say, Teacher Zephyr, you've become cunning.”
“That's called tactical wisdom, I used to teach you guys that!” Zephyr snorted, his gaze sweeping over the three.
“However, it's good that you three are here.”
Rear Admiral Gern stood up, brushing off non-existent dust from his clothes, his gaze sweeping over the three: “It seems you all know.”
“All of Marineford knows.” Sakazuki snorted coldly, his fist igniting with a dark red glow, “Rear Admiral Gern, I support you.”
Borsalino pushed up his sunglasses, his tone still drawn out: “How scary~ Even the God's Knights have been dispatched~”
Rear Admiral Gern walked in front of the three, his expression becoming serious: “Since you're all here, I'll be direct.
If I clash with Gringo Saint...”
“Libo will be fine.” Sakazuki interrupted him directly, his voice low and firm.
“I, Sakazuki, swear by my justice, no one will take her away.”
“Don't worry!” Kuzan rarely stood up straight, his lazy aura completely gone, “Marineford is not the Celestial Dragons' backyard in Mary Geoise.”
“Ah~” Borsalino spread his hands, looking at Libo, “Although it's very troublesome, if Libo isn't here...
Then there'll be no one with a Devil Fruit ability to help me fake medical records! That would be very troublesome for me~”
Rear Admiral Gern looked at the three, a slight smile on his lips.
He knew that this was not just protection for Libo, but also a collective statement from the Marine's new generation to the World Government.
“Thank you.” Rear Admiral Gern said softly, then turned to Zephyr.
“Teacher, it seems our 'welcome ceremony' will be very exciting!”
Zephyr crossed his arms and nodded with satisfaction: “That's more like it.” His gaze sharply swept over everyone.
“Remember, the key to this 'friendly exchange' is...”
“To fight both beautifully and gracefully.” Garp suddenly interjected, grinning.
“Mr. Garp...” Rear Admiral Gern rubbed his temples helplessly, “Are you sure that's a good example?”
“Hahaha!” Garp burst out laughing, “In short, let that Gringo Saint kid see the confidence of Marineford!
And we guys don't believe you'll lose, you idiot!!!”
Tesoro, standing nearby, suddenly realized, muttering softly, “So that's it... No wonder Rear Admiral Gern said the World Government had no right to touch us in Marineford.”
He looked around, seeing Zephyr, Garp, Sakazuki, and others standing beside Rear Admiral Gern, his heart filled with shock.
His superior's foundation and network within the Marine were far deeper than he had imagined!!!