Gern left Fish-Man Island aboard a moderately sized boat, traveling in plain clothes.
On board, Gern spread out an exceptionally detailed Military Sea Chart and traced his finger north along the route from Fish-Man Island.
His finger followed the shipping lanes before finally settling on an area deep in the New World, enlarged for emphasis and marked with a thick red circle.
Elbaf, the Giant Kingdom.
Yet even taking the shortest route from Fish-Man Island to Elbaf, he would almost inevitably have to pass several "landmarks" that were impossible to ignore.
First came Hachinosu, the Blackbeard Pirates' home base.
Next, the route would skirt Wano Country, a land encircled by enormous waterfalls, closed to the outside world year-round, and currently being ravaged by Kaido of the Beasts.
At the thought of Wano Country, the corners of Gern's mouth involuntarily curled into an amused smile.
Piecing together fragments of intelligence from various sources, Straw Hat Luffy, Trafalgar Law, and that hotheaded Kid-
Those three most restless forces of the new era seemed to have already stirred up a storm in Wano Country.
Counting the time since the Whole Cake Island incident ended, through their infiltration of Wano Country, their contact with the resistance, and their buildup of strength...
By now, they were probably on the eve of the decisive battle-or already fighting at its height.
"The Beasts Pirates versus the Worst Generation alliance..." Gern murmured, tapping Wano Country's location with his finger.
"Well, well." Gern suddenly laughed and shook his head. "Even if I rush there from Fish-Man Island at this custom-built speedboat's top speed,
"By the time I reach Wano Country, I probably won't even make it to the victory feast..."
Though his words were teasing, Gern knew that the outcome of this battle in Wano Country would have far-reaching