Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters in New Marineford, in the Fleet Admiral's Office.
After finishing his conversation with Dragon, Gern returned to his office.
The moment he pushed open the door, he saw Tesoro standing before the enormous world map, his brow furrowed.
His fingers tapped unconsciously against the desk, confusion written all over his face.
As soon as Gern entered, Tesoro turned and hurried forward, asking urgently,
"Fleet Admiral Gern! That phone call just now, I... I really don't understand!
Why... why would you have the Revolutionary Army attack the Holy Land, Mary Geoise?!
This move, I... I can't make sense of it at all! The risk is too great!
And it's completely unnecessary! Our momentum is stronger than ever. The Marines could easily..."
"Tesoro."
Gern calmly cut off Tesoro's barrage of questions.
He walked behind his desk, sat down, and looked up at his loyal yet somewhat agitated Chief of Staff, asking evenly,
"Do you remember... how Blackbeard came to attend the Reverie a while back, claiming to be the 'King of Hachinosu'?"
Tesoro froze, clearly not expecting Gern to bring this up, but quickly nodded.
"I remember. That arrogant bastard ended up getting... taught a lesson by you."
"Yes." Gern nodded and continued guiding him. "After he left..."
"Didn't I ask you to investigate the Blackbeard Pirates' recent movements in depth, especially the whereabouts of their core officers?"
"Yes..." Tesoro nodded again, but then his expression abruptly stiffened!
"Fleet Admiral Gern! Don't tell me..." Tesoro's voice faltered as realization struck.
"Exactly." The corners of Gern's mouth lifted as he confirmed his suspicion.
"Just now, along with the urgent report that the Straw Hat Pirates had landed on Egghead Island... we received another confirmed report through our covert channels."
Gern leaned forward slightly. "Blackbeard, Marshall D. Teach, has taken