Gern first put on a look of "sudden realization," as though he had only just confirmed some vital piece of information.
Then an exceptionally "gentle" smile appeared on his face, even carrying a hint of "encouragement."
He bent down slightly and looked at Momonosuke, asking softly, "I see... so you really aren't a pirate.
Then, Momonosuke, what would you like me to help you with?"
At Gern's almost "kind" response, Momonosuke's eyes instantly lit up!
He could hardly wait to make his request. "I..."
"Momo!!"
A hoarse shout, brimming with urgency, abruptly cut Momonosuke off!
It was Luffy, lying amid the rubble!
He stared fixedly at Momonosuke and shouted with all his strength, "Don't trust him! Don't trust that weird old guy!!"
Luffy's raw instincts were screaming warnings!
He did not understand Gern, but even someone as simple and single-minded as him could tell.
Behind Gern's smile, there was anything but simple goodwill!
Luffy's shout startled Momonosuke into freezing, and a flicker of hesitation and confusion crossed his face.
Meanwhile, as though Luffy's words had "reminded" him of something, Gern adopted a thoughtful expression.
He rubbed his chin and continued, "That's right, Momonosuke. Look at me, I almost forgot."
Gern's tone remained "gentle," but his words began to take a subtle turn.
"You're the future shogun of Wano Country. You have a noble status and a limitless future."
Then he changed tack, sweeping his gaze over the gravely wounded Luffy, the dying Law, and the intimidated Zoro, Sanji, and others, before speaking clearly.
"And right now, the Straw Hat Pirates, along with Trafalgar Law, who has close ties to them,
are, legally speaking, pirates who have either been 'arrested' by me, a Marine Admiral, or are about to be 'dealt with.'"
He paused briefly, watching Momonosuke's little face suddenly tense