The next morning at G-3 Base, the sea breeze swept across the terrace, carrying the salty scent of the ocean.
Gern strolled out of his room and stood on the terrace, his gaze passing over the Marine soldiers drilling below.
Sengoku stood beside him, likewise wearing a Justice Coat. Bandages were faintly visible beneath it; clearly, his battle with Whitebeard had been anything but easy.
"If you're recovering, you shouldn't be out..." Sengoku glanced sideways at Gern, but before he could finish, surprise flashed in his eyes.
"Hm? That recovery of yours... it's even more ridiculous than Garp's!"
Seeing Sengoku's astonishment, Gern shrugged, the corners of his mouth lifting. "Good luck."
"Luck?" Sengoku snorted, clearly unconvinced. "Taking down the 'samurai' Kozuki Oden takes more than luck."
As the man responsible for monitoring the Whitebeard Pirates, Sengoku knew perfectly well how strong Kozuki Oden was.
Gern's single-handed victory had already proven one thing: his strength had now officially reached General-Class!
After a moment, Gern changed the subject. "Admiral Sengoku, why did you and Fleet Admiral Kong come to G-3?"
At Gern's question, Sengoku looked at him and suddenly smiled. "I'm responsible for the Whitebeard Pirates. If they make a move, naturally, I head out."
He paused there, then added meaningfully,
"As for why Fleet Admiral Kong came... wasn't that because of you?"
"Me?" Gern looked innocent.
"Don't play dumb." Sengoku glanced at him, sounding somewhat exasperated.
"You and Sakazuki cut off communications and acted on your own. Fleet Admiral Kong was so furious he nearly tore his office apart."
Then Sengoku fixed his eyes on Gern and teased, "I think you're even more extreme than Sakazuki, kid."
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki has always exercised his own judgment."
"Really?" Sengoku narrowed his eyes. "Then why did I hear that you were the one