However, just before the two of them entered G-3 Base,
Sakazuki stopped again and turned to face Gern.
Sakazuki was a straightforward man. Although Gern's answer had already been a rejection, he really did like him.
Especially in this era of "gentle justice," when his own justice was considered "iron-fisted."
Being alone would have been one thing, but now Gern had appeared.
It was like suddenly finding a companion with the same ambitions on a lonely road.
So, after a moment's hesitation, Sakazuki decided to try another approach. His tone took on a rare hint of... enthusiasm.
"Captain Gern, since you're interested in learning about G-3 Base, I can give you a detailed introduction to our efficiency here."
"Huh? When did I say I was interested?" Gern froze, then finally asked, "Efficiency?"
Gern is just like me. If I use the system I've built at G-3 Base to draw him in, it might work. With that thought, Sakazuki nodded and said proudly,
"G-3 Base is one of the Marines' most elite strongholds in the New World. Our mission completion rate is as high as 98.7%, far above the other bases."
Gern said, "...Oh?"
"Our daily training time consistently holds at eight hours, and 100% of our soldiers meet the physical fitness standards."
"Eight hours of training every day?!"
"What? You think it's too short too? But I have to follow the soldiers' training manual..."
"It's fine. Keep going!"
"Mm." Sakazuki continued, his tone growing increasingly serious.
"Furthermore, our pirate extermination missions take an average of just 3.2 days, 47% less than the time allotted by Headquarters."
Holy shit, do the soldiers at G-3 have it that bad?
A bead of cold sweat formed on Gern's forehead. "Uh, that's... that's pretty impressive..."
Seeing Gern agree with him, Sakazuki sounded even more at ease.
"In addition, our logistical supply turnover rate is as high as 80%. We're practically in a state of combat readiness at all times!
"What's more, here you can fully indulge your desire to behead pirates.
"Aside from those our orders require us to capture alive, I can turn a blind eye to all the others.
"Even if you cut off the heads of an entire pirate crew, you have my approval..."
"Wait!" Gern hurriedly raised a hand to interrupt him. "Colonel Sakazuki, I'm only here to hand over a prisoner. You don't need to go into so much detail..."
Sakazuki frowned, apparently quite displeased by the interruption. "Efficiency is the foundation of justice.
"If you intend to stay at G-3 Base, you must familiarize yourself with all these figures."
Gern gave a couple of awkward laughs. "Ha, haha... I'll think about it."
"I know you're concerned about Instructor Zephyr's attitude." Sakazuki stared at him for two seconds, then suddenly pulled a thick booklet from inside his coat.
"These are my combat reports and efficiency analyses from nearly three years stationed at G-3 Base. You can study them in advance."
Gern said, "..."
No, don't fall for me! It's never going to work out!!
Several days later, in the waters of the New World, dark clouds filled the sky, and the sea breeze whipped up rolling waves.
The Golden Lion's flagship, the Flying Lion, lay quietly on the sea, surrounded by five or six subordinate pirate ships.
On deck, the crew was silent with fear, not even daring to breathe too loudly.
Golden Lion Shiki, still in his prime, sat on the throne at the bow. His long golden hair danced wildly in the wind, a cigar hung from his mouth, and his expression was grim.
The sake cup in his hand had long since been crushed. Its shards dug deep into his palm, and blood dripped between his fingers, yet he seemed entirely unaware.
"That bastard Newgate..." the Golden Lion cursed under his breath, recalling his brief clash with Whitebeard not long ago.
Although his Flying Pirates held an overwhelming advantage in numbers and strength,
even the Golden Lion had been forced to retreat before Whitebeard in his prime and the world-shattering power of his Tremor-Tremor Fruit.
But what enraged him even more was that the Whitebeard Pirates, despite being nothing but a bunch of newcomers, had actually forced his entire fleet back.
Especially Whitebeard's remark: "Shiki, I don't want to sink you into the sea here."
Those words had practically ground Shiki's face into the dirt!
"Bastard! Aaaaargh!" the Golden Lion roared, hurling away the sake cup he had already crushed.
"A-Admiral..." One of his officers cautiously spoke up, only to be silenced by a single look from the Golden Lion.
Then footsteps sounded from the rear of the deck.
Death Knell Davy, who had just returned, approached with his head lowered, the shadow of his top hat hiding his sinister face.
As soon as he reached the Golden Lion, he dropped to one knee and said hoarsely, "Admiral, sorry I'm late."
The Golden Lion stared coldly at him and exhaled a mouthful of smoke. His voice was chilling. "Davy, you're late."
Davy offered no excuses, only saying in a low voice, "I ran into trouble."
"Oh?" The Golden Lion narrowed his eyes. "What kind of trouble could hold up my Third Division Commander for so long?"
Davy raised his head, a trace of gravity flashing through his eyes. "That newcomer who was joining us, Island-Splitter Doger... was captured by the Marines."
"What?!" The Golden Lion's rage erupted, and his Conqueror's Haki swept out uncontrollably.
The deck planks cracked apart, and several weaker pirates passed out on the spot.
"Useless!" The Golden Lion kicked over the table in front of him, sending fragments flying.
"You couldn't even protect a newcomer! What use are you?!
"I'd just lost to that bastard Newgate, and then someone about to join me gets captured by the Marines right in front of one of my officers.
"What do you take the name of the Flying Pirates for?! You bastard!"
Davy gritted his teeth and endured the Golden Lion's oppressive aura. "Admiral, the Marine who captured Doger... is no ordinary man."
"Heh." The Golden Lion snorted coldly. "He's just a Marine. How strong could he be?"
As the Golden Lion's aura eased slightly, Davy took a deep breath and slowly said, "His power... is the same as Whitebeard's."
The air instantly froze.
The Golden Lion's pupils contracted sharply, and the anger on his face gradually gave way to a dangerous calm.
Then he slowly stood, walked over to Davy, and planted a foot on his shoulder, looking down at him from above.
"Say that again."
Davy looked up, his gaze firm. "That Marine's power can generate tremors and even shatter space.
"Although it manifests a little differently from Whitebeard's, its essence is extremely similar."
"The same as Newgate..." The Golden Lion lifted his foot and fell silent for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter, though a bone-chilling coldness ran through it.
"Interesting. Very interesting! The Marines have been hiding someone like that?"
Then the Golden Lion abruptly stopped laughing, murderous intent filling his eyes. "Tell me. What's that Marine's name?"
"Gern... Gern Reginald Sigma!" Davy answered honestly, then shared the information he had already gathered on his way back.
After all, the information about Gern was his way of shifting the blame for his own failure.
"He's a captain from Marine Headquarters. Until a few days ago, he was Black Arm Zephyr's adjutant. I hear he's Zephyr's personal student."
"Zephyr's student?" The Golden Lion sneered. "No wonder he's so brazen."
"And... and..."
"Hmm? What else?"
"This guy fought Whitebeard in the West Blue three years ago!"
Before you continue