Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
"Gern, you bastard! Even on leave, you'd better behave yourself, got it?!"
Gern walked out of the Fleet Admiral's Office, holding a document bearing Kong's seal-approval for three months of leave.
"You make it sound like I'm some kind of troublemaker." Gern let out a soft breath, the corners of his mouth lifting.
His nonstop work could finally come to a temporary end. He needed to unwind and take care of some personal business while he was at it.
Sunlight fell across the headquarters plaza, and synchronized shouts rang out from the distant Elite Training Camp.
Gern paused, his attention drawn toward them.
On the training grounds, a group of Marine recruits was conducting combat drills.
Among them, a silver-haired boy stood out. His eyes were sharp, white smoke swirled around him, and he was defeating his opponents with overwhelming strength.
Gern leaned against the railing, watching with interest.
"That's Smoker, a Logia-type Smoke-Smoke Fruit user. He's one of the best in this class," a female voice said beside him.
Gern turned to see a young Tina standing beside him with her arms folded, her long pink hair hanging over a burgundy uniform.
"Oh? You're in this class too?" Gern raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, but unlike that brute Smoker, Tina prefers strategy." Her lips curled slightly as she spoke.
Having finished his fight, Smoker seemed to notice their gaze and turned toward them.
When his eyes landed on Gern, his pupils abruptly contracted, and he nearly dropped the cup of water in his hand.
"Heavenquake Gern?" There was a hint of disbelief in his voice.
Gern smiled and waved to him.
Smoker immediately abandoned his sparring partner and hurried over, his eyes burning with excitement. "It really is you! I've watched your combat footage over a