Marine Headquarters, Marineford's naval harbor.
A flagship belonging to G-10, strikingly different in style from Headquarters' standard warships, slowly docked. As its gangway lowered, the entire harbor seemed to fall silent for a moment!
Gern was the first to descend the gangway, his Justice Coat draped over his shoulders and his steps steady.
To his left was Tesoro, also wearing a Justice Coat. To his right was Lipo, her Marine Cap pulled low over her head.
Behind him stood Douglas Bullet, radiating an oppressive presence at every moment.
The moment Gern's trio appeared, every eye turned toward them.
"Admiral Gern!"
"It's Admiral Gern!!"
Every Marine along the way, regardless of rank, straightened at the sight of Gern and snapped off a firm salute, their voices brimming with excitement.
Though it was rarely emphasized, Gern had always enjoyed the greatest prestige within the Marines, and he was the most famous of the Four Admirals.
Because to them, this man who would nod warmly at them, even smile,
was "Heavenquake" Gern!
He was the legend who had personally arrested the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger!
He was the Calamity who had single-handedly established G-10 in the New World and kept all Four Emperors in check alone!!
His very existence symbolized the Marines' strength and prestige.
As Gern's party walked away beneath countless fervent gazes, two Headquarters Vice Admirals disembarked from another warship nearby, which had just returned from a mission.
"I was wondering who it was! Quite a commotion all of a sudden." Yamakaji exhaled a smoke ring, looking in the direction Gern had gone, his voice tinged with complicated emotions.
"But looking at it this way, whether in strength or prestige, Admiral Gern should be the strongest candidate for the next Fleet Admiral... Almost all the soldiers are behind him."
"Impossible."