Inside an office at the Marine G-3 Base in the New World.
The night was deep, and the sea outside the window was as black as ink, with only the occasional surging waves reflecting the faint Moonlight.
Sakazuki sat at the table, his hands propped in front of him.
"The intelligence has been confirmed," Sakazuki's voice was low and cold, as he looked at the documents on the table.
"The main pirate crews of the Gold Lion Flying Pirates' Third Division are dispersed along these two routes."
"So, to wipe them all out, next..." He raised his eyes, his gaze fixed on Gern.
"We'll split up."
"Split up?" Gern leaned against the office desk, his fingertips lightly tapping the surface.
He then glanced at the markings on the document, a slight smile playing on his lips: "I have no objections."
"Is that so...?" Sakazuki's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Gern's reaction was too calm, even carrying a hint of that familiar, unsettling casualness.
Whenever that scoundrel showed such an expression, it meant he was trying to stir up trouble!
"But I have a suggestion!" As expected, Gern's tone shifted, and he continued: "If this plan is confirmed, then one more thing must be done."
"What thing?" Sakazuki took off his hat and ran a hand through his hair.
Gern raised his hand, took out an exquisite Transponder Snail from his pocket, and gently placed it on the table.
The Transponder Snail's shell was engraved with the Marineford emblem, and it was currently sleeping with its eyes closed.
"Turn off all private Transponder Snails directly commanded by Marineford," Gern said, his voice as calm as if discussing tomorrow's weather.
"Our operation isn't just about clearing out other pirates; we're targeting the Flying Sky Pirates, and this will quickly draw Marineford's attention.
You know full well that the order from above is 'handle with low profile, avoid escalation.'" At this, Gern grinned, revealing a smile.
"Besides, since we've already come this far, why not go all out? Don't you agree?"
The air in the office instantly solidified.
Sakazuki's pupils slightly constricted; shutting down private communication meant completely severing direct ties with Marineford.
This was no longer just disobeying orders, but openly – going rogue.
"Do you know what you're saying?" Sakazuki's voice was deep, "This is a complete communication blackout."
Gern didn't answer; instead, he stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the pitch-black sea.
"Sakazuki." He suddenly spoke, his voice so soft it was almost drowned out by the sound of the waves.
"Don't you believe in 'Absolute Justice'?"
There it was again; the familiar tone made Sakazuki's breathing hitch.
"Damn it, we represent justice!" Gern turned around, once again trying to provoke him.
"Every minute we delay, another village could turn into a living hell." He slowly walked towards Sakazuki.
"Absolute Justice. Since we've come this far, we cannot give the pirates any chance.
What if Marineford suddenly issues a direct order to retreat then?
Or rather, should Marineford's retreat order become the prologue to the next tragedy, Sakazuki?"
"But, you know that once we do this..." Sakazuki interrupted Gern, saying, "The administrative punishment will be very severe."
"Administrative punishment?" Gern suddenly laughed, reaching out to pat Sakazuki's shoulder.
"It should be administrative leave!" Gern tilted his head, "And besides!
From the day you agreed to deploy when I was transferred here... we could already be preparing for administrative leave."
"So, choose. Will you choose sudden restraint then, or thoroughly execute your 'Absolute Justice'?"
Silence spread through the office.
The sound of waves crashing in the distance was like a countdown.
Sakazuki's gaze shifted between the two Transponder Snails, finally settling on the pitch-black sea outside the window.
"Bang!" A fist wrapped in magma suddenly slammed down, and the Marineford Transponder Snail instantly vaporized in the high heat.
"You scoundrel." Sakazuki looked up, "I'll set the route first."
"Of course, you're the superior, after all."
Their shadows intertwined on the wall, like two drawn blades.
Outside the window, dark clouds quietly obscured the Moonlight, and the sea breeze carried the scent of gunpowder.
Under the New World night sky, two warships quietly left port, sailing in different directions.
All communication channels fell silent, with only the sea wind wailing, like a death knell for someone.
In the following days, Sakazuki's and Gern's fleets swept through pirate strongholds along their routes like a raging fire, showing no mercy.
Both knew that this operation had completely crossed the line, but since they had chosen this path, they had to make the enemy pay the most painful price.
Thus, after defeating the enemy, they would intentionally leave Marine flags, as if announcing to the world—this hunt had just begun.
In short, with no interruptions, they had a blast and became addicted to killing on their routes!
.......
Days later, New World, World Economic News Headquarters.
"Big news! Sensational big news!!!"
Morgans flapped his wings, excitedly pacing back and forth in the office, the photos and news drafts in his hands exuding the scent of ink.
His eyes gleamed with fanaticism, as if he could already see the sensation the newspaper would cause upon release.
"Two monsters from Marine G-3 Base... Gern and Sakazuki, are carrying out an indiscriminate sweep in the New World!
The pirate crews under Golden Lion suffered heavy losses, and the forces under his Third Division were completely routed!"
He suddenly snatched a photo, showing the burning wreckage of a pirate ship and pirate flags floating on the sea.
The Flying Sky Pirates' emblem was engulfed by flames, symbolizing the collapse of Golden Lion's power.
"Hahahaha! This is real news!" Morgans laughed wildly, his feathers slightly ruffled with excitement.
"Such radical actions have appeared within the Marine, without even informing Marineford in advance!
Now, the World Government probably won't be able to sit still!"
Thinking of this, Morgans quickly grabbed the Transponder Snail and dialed the printing factory's number.
"Print more immediately! Front page! All channels!"
"The headline will be — 'Justice Strikes! New World Pirates Face the Most Devastating Purge in History!'"