Time flew by, and in sea circle calendar 1494, Gern's career reached a turning point.
Over the past two years, he had successively wiped out twenty-four well-known pirate crews, arresting or killing notorious pirates such as ‘Curse Doctor,’ ‘San Juan Wolf,’ ‘Death Knell,’ and ‘Big Drunkard.’
Furthermore, his feat of single-handedly defeating ‘Samurai’ Kozuki Oden, the commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' second division, shook the entire sea.
After completing his one-year term at G-3 Base with Sakazuki, he was recalled to Marineford and promoted to Marineford Rear Admiral, with no specific duties assigned yet.
At the same time, the tide of the era surged relentlessly during these two years.
In sea circle calendar 1492, news of Gern's victory over Kozuki Oden spread throughout the four seas via the World Economic Journal.
Gol D. Roger, who was sailing at the time, caught wind of this samurai from Wano Country from the newspaper, and the gears of fate began to turn.
In the latter half of the same year, 15-year-old Douglas Bullet encountered the Roger Pirates.
After failing to challenge Roger, he chose to join his pirate crew, continuing to pursue his dream of surpassing his Captain as a crew member.
Meanwhile, Golden Lion Shiki's repeated attempts to recruit Roger were unsuccessful, and the conflict between the two legendary pirate crews gradually intensified.
Golden Lion even temporarily put aside his grievances with the Marine, and for a time, the two sides engaged in multiple fierce clashes in the New World.
At this moment, no one knew that there were still three years counting down until the Battle of Edd War, which would change the era, broke out.
sea circle calendar 1493 became a year of turning points.
Roger suddenly fell ill after a fierce battle with Golden Lion, and no one in the New World could diagnose or cure him.
Thus, facing the threat of Golden Lion Shiki's Flying Pirates, the Roger Pirates were forced to withdraw from the New World due to the intensity of the conflict.
They returned to the Grand Line to rest, and at the same time, Roger began his journey to visit famous doctors for treatment…
In the latter half of the same year, the Whitebeard Pirates received good news: Kozuki Oden and Toki Amatsuki held their wedding on the Moby Dick, and their son Momonosuke was born the following year (1494).
Also, the following month, a wandering youth named Marshall D. Teach was taken in by Whitebeard.
Of course, sea circle calendar 1494 not only saw Gern's promotion to Rear Admiral but also witnessed the tragic expedition of the scholars of Ohara.
To pursue the Poneglyphs and uncover the Void Century, Nico Olvia led an expedition team of archaeologists and set sail.
Little did they know that this academic sanctuary, which had stood for eight hundred years, had already entered its countdown to destruction…
........
Marineford, Marineford, Commercial Street Tavern.
The lingering glow of the setting sun streamed through the glass window onto the wooden bar, casting an amber halo around the wine glasses.
Gern sat alone in the corner, his fingertips lightly tapping the table, his gaze fixed on the swirling wine in his glass.
News of his promotion to Rear Admiral had spread throughout Marineford, but rather than a noisy celebration, he preferred to find a quiet place for a drink.
Just then, the tavern door opened, and the wind chimes jingled crisply.
“Looks like the furry adjutant isn’t here, huh?”
A familiar voice sounded, and Gern looked up to see Kuzan lazily leaning against the doorframe, a hint of teasing in his eyes behind his sunglasses.
He was dressed in casual clothes, his cloak draped casually over his shoulder, and he was carrying an unopened bottle of wine.
“Libo went to train with Zephyr-sensei.” Gern smiled helplessly, pushing over a full glass of wine. “Want a drink?”
“Of course!” Kuzan walked over, took the glass, and leaned against the bar, taking a sip, a slight smile playing on his lips.
“Congratulations, you young man from the West Blue, your rank has already caught up to mine.”
“Don’t even mention it.” Gern rubbed his temples, a hint of weariness in his tone.
“Do you know how I spent this year at G-3 Base?”
“Haha, don’t pretend, you guy. Everyone in Marineford knows Sakazuki approves of you the most.
Every time his proposal is rejected, he’ll say, ‘If it were Gern, he’d agree with me.’
That’s almost become his catchphrase!”
“That’s not the same!” Gern tilted his head back, took a gulp of wine, and sighed deeply: “Sakazuki just approves of me too much!”
Kuzan raised an eyebrow, waiting for the rest with interest.
“It was pretty good at first.” Gern tilted his head back and took another gulp of wine.
“Sakazuki and I swept the pirates in the nearby sea clean, but sometimes you can’t complete your work too thoroughly.
Later, there wasn’t even a small pirate with a bounty just over a hundred million to be found in the patrol area.”
“Isn’t that good? You can relax for a while.”
“Relax? Hahaha!” Gern gave a desperate smile, “That’s where the problem is, you bastard.
Ever since there were no pirates left to fight, Sakazuki started focusing on base construction—and the key is, he dragged me along!”
“It can’t be that bad.” Kuzan’s mouth twitched slightly: “It’s just some paperwork…”
“Not that bad? Paperwork? I can now recite every single military expenditure of G-3 Base for the past two years!” Gern gritted his teeth.
“And, do you know how terrifying Sakazuki is?
He actually moved his desk into my office, calling it ‘improving efficiency.’
Then every morning when I open my eyes, I see that serious face, and I don’t even have a chance to slack off!”
“Pfft haha!” Hearing this, combined with Gern’s expression, Kuzan’s shoulders began to shake: “I didn’t expect that.”
“Don’t laugh!” Gern gritted his teeth, “Do you know what it feels like to be looked at by him with that ‘I believe in you, Gern’ look?
It’s like your soul is shackled by justice!
Before, I could be righteous when I made mistakes, but now, seeing his expectant gaze, I don’t even dare to submit a document a minute late!”
Gern had a look of indignation, “I’m too perfect in his eyes.
Now that he trusts me so much, I don’t even feel good about slacking off!”
Kuzan wiped away the tears from laughing: “It seems Sakazuki has found a way to deal with you.”
Gern didn’t reply, just silently poured another glass of wine and drank it in one go.
Seeing this, Kuzan stopped pressing and changed the topic: “By the way, what are your plans next?
After being promoted to Rear Admiral, Marineford should arrange new tasks for you, right?”
“Who knows, I’m on administrative leave now.” Gern shrugged.
“Also, Fleet Admiral Kong looks at me now as if I’m a bomb that could explode at any moment.”
“After all, you and Sakazuki teamed up and almost flipped the New World.” Kuzan teased.
“Mr. Garp privately told me last time that if you two stayed a little longer,
G-3 Base could become the new Marineford (it’s so safe).”
“That’s true!”
The two exchanged a smile, their glasses clinking softly.
Just then, the tavern door opened again, and a familiar scent drifted in.
“Gern! So you’re here!”
Libo’s voice was clear and pleasant, followed by a small white figure trotting in, her pink eyes sparkling, her floppy ears gently swaying with her movements.
Her cheeks were slightly flushed from training, and fine beads of sweat dotted her forehead.
Gern raised an eyebrow: “Training’s over?”
“Mm!” Libo nodded, then saw Kuzan, her eyes lighting up, “Mr. Kuzan! Are you here for a drink too?”
Kuzan smiled and raised his glass in a salute: “Here to congratulate your superior on his promotion.”
Libo giggled and sidled up to Gern, pulling a carrot out of her pocket and taking a bite.
“Zephyr-sensei praised me today! He said my Armament Haki improved super—duper fast!”
Gern ruffled her head: “Good, next time you encounter a Supernova with a bounty over a hundred million, you’ll at least be able to hold on a bit longer.”
Libo puffed out her cheeks: “I don’t want to just ‘hold on’! I want to get stronger!”
“Tsk tsk tsk.” Kuzan looked at the two of them, then suddenly smiled meaningfully.
“It seems your ‘adjutant’ is even more troublesome than Sakazuki.”
Gern hadn’t spoken yet, but Libo was already glaring at Kuzan: “Mr. Kuzan, what do you mean by that?”
Kuzan raised his hands, feigning innocence: “Nothing, I just think… you two are a good match.”
Libo froze, her ear tips slightly red, then she indignantly tugged on Gern’s sleeve: “Gern! Mr. Kuzan is bullying me!”
Gern gave Kuzan a helpless look, the latter already shaking with laughter.
“Alright, stop teasing her.” Gern stood up, picking up his jacket, “Let’s go, it’s time to head back.”
Libo nodded, skipping along, and before leaving the door, she didn’t forget to turn back and make a face at Kuzan.
Kuzan smiled as he watched them leave, finishing the last sip of wine in his glass, and muttering to himself:
“Youth is truly wonderful… No! How old am I?!
I’m also very young, damn it, it must be from spending too much time with Mr. Garp.”