A week later, in the New World, on Sphinx Island.
Waves lapped gently against the crude dock, and the salty sea breeze carried a sense of peace.
Gern's little wreck of a ship, the Wilderness, slipped quietly into port, and he stepped onto the island alone.
Originally, Big Mom's tea party had been the destination of this spur-of-the-moment trip, but he had glanced at his nautical chart along the way.
Oh, hey, it was on the way! So he changed course and came here instead.
He had also considered calling Enel and Bartholomew Kuma over to join him, since they were patrolling the waters along the edges of Big Mom's and Kaido's territories as a deterrent.
But the thought only flickered through his mind before he dismissed it.
The reason was simple: Marines were not pirates, after all.
Pirates could do as they pleased, gathering and scattering at will.
But Gern was now the Marines' Grand Commander of the New World, controlling an unprecedented expanse of territory.
His every move put countless people on edge.
Especially now, with his territory expanding rapidly, everything needing to be built up, and powerful enemies lurking on every side, every member of his Direct Forces bore important deterrence and defense duties.
Enel needed to flex his muscles in sensitive waters, warning Big Mom and Kaido against making any rash moves.
Kuma's ability was irreplaceable for strategic support and regional control, making it just as difficult for him to leave his post for long.
With more territory and more enemies, every capable fighter under him was a pillar holding things steady. Each had a post to fill, and none could simply move elsewhere.
For the time being, almost all his Calamity officers had defense zones or missions they could not easily leave.
Ironically, he, their