As Gern and the other three returned to Marineford, Kong made the rare move of directly announcing that the Elite Training Camp would soon begin.
For a time, all of headquarters was enveloped in a tense yet excited atmosphere.
Soldiers gathered in small groups, discussing the upcoming exhibition matches in hushed voices.
"Have you heard? They picked two deserted islands for the exhibition matches!" a young Marine said excitedly.
"Two uninhabited islands as battlefields?" Another man's eyes widened. "Looks like the Fleet Admiral means business."
"Of course! This is the 'monster quartet's' first public showdown!" An officer wearing glasses pushed up his frames, a hint of fervor in his voice.
"Kuzan versus Sakazuki, Gern versus Borsalino... We've never seen a lineup like this!"
Meanwhile, in a corner of the Marine mess hall, a group of young Marine officers who had only recently graduated were fiercely debating the upcoming exhibition matches.
"Hahaha." Doberman spoke gruffly, a cigar clenched between his teeth.
"Captain Sakazuki's Magma-Magma Fruit has unrivaled destructive power! Kuzan's ice doesn't stand a chance against him!"
"Exactly!" Yamakaji nodded with a smile. "And Captain Sakazuki's fighting style is clean and decisive.
"He'd never drag things out like certain people." He cast a pointed glance at Kuzan's supporters.
"What a ridiculous bunch." Onigumo snorted, the six swords at his waist swaying slightly.
"What do you know? Captain Kuzan is the disciple of Navy Hero Vice Admiral Garp.
"He's mastered both forms of haki, especially Observation Haki. No matter how powerful Sakazuki's magma is, it's useless if he can't land a hit!"
"And another thing!" Stainless folded his arms and added calmly, "Don't forget, Captain Kuzan's Ice Age can freeze an entire stretch of sea in an instant.
"No matter how fierce Sakazuki's magma is, he'll have to melt through the