One week later, in the New World, at G-10 Base.
Having been the first to finish clearing and consolidating his assigned route, Gern returned to his headquarters and sat across from the current Fleet Admiral, Sengoku, in Little Garden.
"Heh." Watching Gern calmly brew black tea for him, Sengoku chuckled and spoke first.
"Gern, whatever happens, I'll keep my promise."
"New Marineford will be built in the New World. That won't change."
Then Sengoku shifted to the heart of the matter. "But the first half of the Grand Line-Paradise-and the sea routes connecting the Four Blues
must have enough forces to deter threats and maintain order. We absolutely cannot let them fall into chaos because headquarters has relocated."
"So, on that point... how do you intend to handle it?"
This was both a practical concern and a test of Gern's ability to manage the bigger picture.
Faced with Sengoku's question, Gern merely took a small sip of hot tea, then chuckled and set down his cup.
He gave an answer Sengoku had never expected.
"Sakazuki."
Gern's tone was even. "I intend to have Akainu take sole responsibility for all defenses in the first half of the Grand Line."
Then, meeting Sengoku's incredulous gaze, he slid a cup of tea toward him and continued explaining his plan in detail.
"I'll build him a new, independent G-2 command on the old site of Marineford,
and put him in full command of the overall defenses of Paradise and the entrances to the Four Blues."
"Meanwhile, our G-2 command in the New World will be upgraded and expanded into the new Marine Headquarters-New Marineford."
"..."
"Sakazuki???"
Hearing Gern's earth-shattering idea, Sengoku visibly froze, momentarily forgetting even to pick up his teacup.
Strategically, the arrangement was flawless.
With Akainu's hard-line, cold-blooded style and his belief