South Blue, Sorbet Kingdom, the harbor.
Sorbet Kingdom was deeply divided. Half its territory belonged to the World Government Member States, where nobles lived in luxury and flags flew high.
The other half was a lawless land, where chaos and poverty intertwined, and even the World Government could not be bothered to extend its reach.
Gern had arrived aboard a warship from an East Blue branch, so naturally, he disembarked at the harbor on the World Government-affiliated side.
The officials of Sorbet Kingdom thought nothing of it. Marine warships often stopped briefly to resupply.
As long as they did not interfere in internal affairs, the officials were happy to turn a blind eye.
"Captain Gern, we'll be heading back now." The chief petty officer aboard the warship saluted Gern, who was dressed in black civilian clothes.
"Go ahead!" Gern smiled and waved. "When I'm ready to leave, I'll contact a South Blue branch directly."
Watching the warship slowly pull away from the harbor, Gern took a deep breath, savoring the humid heat unique to the South Blue.
Then he tugged down the brim of his hat, hiding half his face, and headed deeper into town.
Four years earlier, amid the chaos at God Valley, the young Bartholomew Kuma and Ginny had escaped in the confusion and eventually returned to Kuma's homeland-Sorbet Kingdom.
According to his hazy memories, they should have been sheltering in an abandoned church somewhere.
Four years already! Kuma should be fourteen now, and Ginny seventeen.
I wonder how they're doing... The corners of Gern's mouth lifted, anticipation flickering in his eyes.
Sorbet Kingdom's lawless territory was far more desolate than he had imagined.
Dilapidated houses, cracked earth, residents dressed in rags... It was as though the world had forgotten this place.
Since he did not know