Promotion to Headquarters

Meanwhile, at the West Blue 133rd Branch training ground.

Gern stood in the center of the training ground, Black Blade: Eight Desolations strapped to his back, with over thirty recruits seated around him in a fan.

Sweat trickled down their young faces, but none dared raise a hand to wipe it away.

Every gaze was fixed on the figure in the center of the field.

"Watch closely." Gern slowly raised his right hand, palm up.

The air suddenly warped. Countless fine particles of vibration emerged from thin air, dancing above his palm as they condensed into a pure white orb.

The recruits held their breath in unison. Some even leaned back without realizing it.

"The essence of vibration is..." The orb abruptly collapsed.

In an instant, the ground around Gern rippled like ocean waves, and the wooden training posts silently crumbled to dust.

What was terrifying was that the flying splinters stopped just short of the recruits' noses, as though supported by invisible hands.

"Control." As Gern closed his fist, the airborne splinters fell together.

Dead silence lasted three seconds before deafening cheers erupted.

"That was incredible!"

"Is this the power of a Logia?"

"Warrant Officer Gern, please take me as your disciple!"

The corners of Gern's mouth lifted. He was about to reply when, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted someone in the shadows at the edge of the training ground.

Branch Commander Asahi was frantically waving his short, chubby arms, looking like a beached seal.

"Keep training." Gern waved to the recruits, his smile fading as he turned.

When he reached the shadows, Asahi suddenly rushed forward, his rotund body nearly colliding with Gern's chest.

"Gern. It worked! It really worked!" Asahi kept his voice low, but could not suppress its trembling.

"Fleet Admiral Kong signed the transfer order himself!" His fingers shook as he pulled out a gold-embossed document. "Look at this!"

Marine Headquarters Special Recruitment Order

Recruited individual: Gern Reginald Sigma

Confirmed rank: Headquarters Warrant Officer

Direct superior: Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral Zephyr

Gern's pupils contracted slightly. The bright red Fleet Admiral's seal in the document's lower-right corner looked like a drop of congealed blood.

"It went through." Gern could not help feeling delighted.

Seeing his reaction, Asahi put on a solemn expression and saluted. "Greetings, Headquarters Warrant Officer Gern, our 'Rising Star of the West Blue'!

I am Asahi, commander of the West Blue 133rd Branch!"

"Hahaha! You rascal." Looking at the little plump man, Gern could not help patting his shoulder before continuing.

"My rank hasn't changed?"

"No, but that's because those people at Headquarters look down on us in the West Blue. They actually said anyone born in the West Blue must have no sense of justice.

They even wanted to send you to the Marine academy for a year of justice theory."

"Academy theory?!" Gern's pupils contracted.

"That was the original plan, but Vice Admiral Zephyr personally argued with the Fleet Admiral and slammed the table, saying..." Asahi deliberately lowered his voice to imitate Zephyr's deep tone.

"Those bureaucratic nonsense courses will only destroy real warriors!"

Gern raised an eyebrow. "Would Vice Admiral Zephyr really say that?"

"Absolutely! An old classmate of mine at a South Blue branch heard it himself! You're even being placed directly under Vice Admiral Zephyr's command!"

At this point, Asahi himself looked a little puzzled. "But Gern, since when have you had any connection with Vice Admiral Zephyr?!

I heard Vice Admiral Zephyr isn't married yet. Don't tell me you're his illegitimate son from the West Blue!"

"Illegitimate son?" Gern gave a cold laugh, brushing his fingers over the bandages wrapped around the Black Blade. "I wish I were!"

"Haha." Asahi laughed awkwardly and retreated half a step, then suddenly straightened and saluted. "Anyway, congratulations on your promotion to Marine Headquarters Warrant Officer, Gern!"

His voice suddenly rose an octave, drawing glances from the recruits in the distance. "The West Blue is finally going to produce a Headquarters admiral!"

Gern did not return the salute.

His gaze passed over Asahi's rounded shoulder toward Marineford.

Three days later, at the West Blue 133rd Branch harbor.

The sea breeze blew gently, carrying the scent of salt and moisture. The harbor was packed with Marines who had come to see him off.

Branch Commander Asahi stood at the front, exaggerated tears streaming down his plump face. He clutched a crumpled handkerchief, blowing his nose into it from time to time.

"Gern! Make sure you come back to the West Blue often!" Asahi shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice catching slightly.

"Branch 133 will always be your home! Show them what a man from the West Blue can do!!!"

Gern stood on the warship's deck with his back to the harbor, Black Blade: Eight Desolations still securely strapped to his back.

He did not turn around, only raising a hand slightly and waving in acknowledgment.

The warship slowly left the harbor, and the cheers from shore gradually faded into the distance.

Gern's gaze settled on the distant horizon. Rather than dwelling on the sadness of parting, his heart was filled with anticipation for the future.

"Marine Headquarters. This is where it truly begins..." he murmured, his fingertips lightly brushing the Black Blade's hilt.

Two days later, somewhere in the West Blue.

The warship sailed steadily across the azure sea. Gern stood at the bow, eyes closed as he felt the sea breeze against him.

Suddenly, his brow furrowed slightly, and a strange feeling rose within him.

"Hm?" He opened his eyes, his sharp gaze sweeping over the distant sea.

Where sea met sky, a rugged-looking ship slowly approached.

Its hull was not particularly large, but its lines were sturdy and its bow plain.

Most striking of all, the ship flew no flag.

Neither a pirate flag nor the markings of a merchant vessel or warship.

The commander of the warship escorting Gern to Marineford was a Headquarters ensign, and they were following a designated route reserved for the Marines.

The lookout therefore spotted the anomaly immediately.

"Report!" A Marine hurried over to the Headquarters ensign and spoke.

"An unidentified vessel has been sighted ahead. Should we intercept it for inspection?"

The Headquarters ensign did not answer immediately. Both he and Gern kept their binoculars trained on the ship.

Two men stood at its bow.

One was almost absurdly tall, seemingly over five meters in height. His knotted muscles made him resemble a moving mountain.

He wore an open white captain's coat, with several vicious scars faintly visible across his chest.

Long golden hair hung loose, and his chin sported a distinctive crescent-shaped white beard. Yet his eyes were surprisingly calm, even a little languid.

Beside him stood a slender young man with golden, pineapple-shaped hair and a sharp gaze.

"That's...!" Gern's pupils abruptly contracted.

Even without a flag, even before the other man gave his name, Gern instantly recognized him.

A young man in his prime, with invincibility written all over his face!!

The supreme powerhouse who stood shoulder to shoulder with Roger after the Rocks era ended...

"Whitebeard," Edward Newgate!!