At Gern's words, Koby's face flushed crimson beneath his bandages.
He first looked frantically around at his SWORD teammates gathered around his bed.
He tried to find support or agreement from them, but all he saw were complicated, evasive, even embarrassed looks.
Helmeppo looked as though he wanted to say something, but lowered his head instead.
Seeing no chance of drawing anyone else into this, Koby abruptly turned his head.
"N-no... that's not it!"
He tried to defend himself, grasping at that seemingly reasonable lifeline.
"I... I was only following Vice Admiral Garp's teachings!
Hasn't Vice Admiral Garp... hasn't he always taught us
to have hope in the new era, to dare to question the older generation's outdated rules and authority,
and even... even to 'abandon' them when necessary?!
I wanted to stop Mr. Luffy's dream because, if it came true, it could cause even greater chaos!
Isn't that taking responsibility for the future?!"
He forcibly tied his motives to Garp's rough, unrestrained teaching philosophy of encouraging them to break with convention, trying to justify his actions.
As Gern listened to Koby's defense, the sneer on his lips grew more pronounced, taking on undisguised mockery.
"Are you really that obedient, my dear Captain Koby?" Gern's voice was quiet, yet it pierced like an icicle.
"Garp taught you to question rules and value the new era.
He never taught you to abandon your post, act on your own authority, and gamble your subordinates' lives and the Marines' collective interests on your laughable 'personal heroics'!"
At that, Gern's tone suddenly sharpened. He stepped forward, his gaze like a blade, fixing Koby's panicked eyes in place.
"Don't forget! You yourself... were the spark that set off this entire tragedy!!"
"!!" Koby's body jolted violently.
Gern gave Koby no chance to catch his breath.