"Urgh... ah... ggh..."
Momonosuke felt the vise around his neck tighten, and his vision began to darken.
His arms and legs flailed wildly as he kicked and clawed.
Gern simply watched him struggle in silence, his eyes holding neither murderous intent nor pity.
Kozuki Oden's blood flowed through Momonosuke's veins, giving him considerable physical potential to begin with.
Combined with the artificial mythical zoan Devil Fruit that almost perfectly replicated Kaido's Azure Dragon Form, aside from its color, his potential for future growth was terrifying.
More importantly, his identity as "Kozuki Oden's son"
still held immeasurable symbolic weight and rallying power in the insular, bushido-worshipping Wano Country.
If Gern wanted complete control of Wano Country, to make it his own, this brat with his legitimate claim and immense potential... could not be allowed to live.
With that thought, just as Gern was about to have Momonosuke attempt a Guinness World Record-
"Buru Buru... Buru Buru..."
The small Den Den Mushi in his coat, mimicking Tesoro's glittering golden appearance, suddenly rang urgently.
Gern frowned, slowing slightly, but his grip around Momonosuke's neck did not loosen.
Instead, he took out the Den Den Mushi with his free left hand and answered.
Tesoro's voice came from the other end. He dispensed with all pleasantries and went straight to the point, speaking just one grave sentence.
"Fleet Admiral Gern, the World Government is determined to obtain... the Mother Flame."
The Den Den Mushi fell silent as soon as he finished. Clearly, the situation was urgent, leaving no time for further words.
Gern's gaze instantly sharpened.
The Mother Flame... Vegapunk's ultimate energy source, the key capable of powering an ancient weapon.
Sure enough, the World Government-or rather, Imu-had caught on, and was moving faster and more decisively than he had expected!
His plans for Wano