Three days later, in the New World, Egghead Island.
Gern's warship slowly docked at the temporary port on the edge of the island.
He stood on the deck, looking at the technological island under construction, a hint of awe flashing in his eyes.
Towering mechanical structures pierced the sky, massive steel bridges connected various areas, and countless automated machines shuttled through the construction site, emitting a rhythmic hum.
The air was filled with the scent of oil and metal, and occasionally, the muffled thud of experimental explosions could be heard from afar.
"That Vegapunk… he really did create an incredible place," Gern murmured to himself. Just as he stepped onto the island, his Observation Haki suddenly detected movement.
"Stop! Who are you? Why are you here!" A childish yet fierce voice came from the side.
Gern turned his head and saw a short, stocky little boy glaring at him.
The boy was shirtless, with a large rope knot around his waist, red shorts, and a wooden axe in his hand, looking as if he were facing a formidable enemy.
"Sentomaru?" Gern raised an eyebrow, recognizing the young boy who would one day become the "Captain of the Science Unit."
"How do you know my name?!" Little Sentomaru cautiously took half a step back, holding his axe across his chest.
"Quick! Are you a pirate?!"
"Pirates wouldn't dare come here!" Gern chuckled, deliberately turning to the side to fully reveal the "Justice" cloak on his back.
"So, who do you think I am, Sentomaru-kun?"
Little Sentomaru stared at the word "Justice" on the cloak, blinked, and then carefully looked at Gern's sleeve cuffs.
The black trim was different from Kizaru's yellow.
"A Marine, just like my uncle?" he asked, tilting his head.
"Smart." Gern, who already had the average height of an Admiral, squatted down, trying to keep his gaze level with Sentomaru.
"So, can you tell me… where your uncle is?"
"I'm the tightest-lipped man in the world!" Little Sentomaru immediately puffed out his chest, a proud look on his face.
"I definitely won't tell you that my uncle is slacking off and taking a nap!"
Gern: "…"
"Haha!" Gern couldn't help but burst out laughing, reaching out to ruffle Sentomaru's head: "Indeed, the tightest-lipped man in the world."
"Of course!" Sentomaru snorted smugly, completely unaware that he had already revealed information.
"So, besides slacking off, what else does your uncle usually like to do?" Gern continued to probe.
"Of course, it's getting custom suits and glasses!" Sentomaru answered without hesitation.
"And complaining to Uncle Punk about how little he gets paid, saying that Marineford is full of black-hearted bosses!"
"That's true. Can you believe that as a Marine Rear Admiral, I only get twenty million Berries?"
Gern barely suppressed a laugh, almost choking. That truly was Kizaru's style.
"Hey! What are you laughing at!" Sentomaru belatedly realized he had slipped up again and stomped his foot in anger, "Darn it! You tricked me!"
Gern waved his hand: "No, no, you said it yourself."
Sentomaru's face flushed red, and he was about to retort when a lazy voice suddenly came from behind.
"Oh my, oh my~ Isn't this Rear Admiral Gern, who was just promoted not long ago? Why have you come to my workplace?"
Gern turned around and saw Kizaru standing not far away, he didn't know when Kizaru had appeared.
He wore a purple vest with a "Justice" coat draped over it, his hands in his pockets, a light green knit cap on his head, and his eyes slightly narrowed behind his sunglasses, a characteristic mocking smile on his lips.
"Uncle! This Marine brother is looking for you…" Sentomaru exclaimed in surprise, then clapped a hand over his mouth.
"Oh no! I slipped up!"
"I'm only a few years older than Gern, so why is he 'brother' and I'm 'uncle'?!"
Kizaru walked over and patted Sentomaru's head: "You, you're still so 'tight-lipped.'"
Sentomaru hung his head dejectedly: "I'm clearly the tightest-lipped man in the world…"
Gern stood up and looked at Kizaru: "Borsalino-senpai, long time no see."
"It has indeed been a long time since you almost made me gasp for air with a single move~" Kizaru pushed up his sunglasses.
"I heard you were promoted to Rear Admiral? That's truly terrifying~"
Gern, already accustomed to Kizaru's personality and tone, shrugged: "I can't compare to your leisure, being able to nap on Egghead Island."
Kizaru's smile remained unchanged: "With such low pay, you have to find opportunities to slack off, you know~"
Sentomaru: "…" (Uncle! Why did you just say that yourself!)
Gern stifled a laugh, but quickly became serious: "Actually, I came this time to ask about the matter I inquired about via Den Den Mushi last time."
Kizaru raised an eyebrow: "Oh?"
…
Egghead Island, sunlight spilled over an open grassy area. Kizaru lay lazily on a folding chair, wearing sunglasses, with a glass of iced juice in his hand.
"So." He took a sip of his drink and asked slowly, "You came all the way to this place just to ask me something?"
Gern sat on the grass beside him, flipping through the documents Kizaru had just handed him—information about Gild Tesoro.
"Yes, after all, only you, Senpai, in the entire Marineford, find it easier to look things up."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Don't say things that could be misunderstood! I'm a Marine!" Kizaru pouted.
"However, is an ordinary gambler and performer worth so much of your attention?"
Gern closed the file, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Ordinary now doesn't mean ordinary in the future."
Kizaru pushed up his sunglasses and didn't ask any more questions.
A few months ago, Gern, who was still at G-3 Base, had contacted him, hoping he could help retrieve information about Tesoro from within the Marine.
Although he didn't know what this guy was planning, Kizaru still helped him get it.
"Speaking of which~" Kizaru changed the topic, "You didn't just come to Egghead Island to find me, did you?"
"Otherwise?" Gern frowned and was about to continue when he was interrupted by an excited voice.
"Oh, oh, oh! Isn't this Heaven Quake?!"
The two turned to look and saw a man with a large apple-shaped head, wearing a white lab coat, walking quickly towards them, followed by several floating mechanical assistants.
Vegapunk.
"Dr. Vegapunk." Gern stood up and nodded slightly in greeting.
Vegapunk pushed up his glasses, scrutinizing Gern from head to toe, his eyes gleaming with fanaticism: "What a rare guest!
I was just about to study Kizaru's light properties, and then you showed up.
Your vibration particles are much more interesting than his light!"
Kizaru: "…" (Hey, hey, saying that right in front of me?)
Gern smiled: "You flatter me, Doctor. My ability isn't as 'shining' as Kizaru-senpai's."
Vegapunk waved his hand: "No, no, no! Vibration is very powerful. If I could completely analyze your ability, it might even overturn some existing scientific laws!"
As he spoke, he suddenly leaned close to Gern, his eyes almost touching his face: "How about it? Would you like to cooperate with me for a few small experiments?
Just a blood draw, a vibration frequency test, and a full-body scan…"
"Doctor." Kizaru interjected lazily, "You're scaring him~"
Vegapunk then took a step back and coughed twice: "Cough, cough, occupational hazard, occupational hazard."
Gern also smiled slightly and said: "I don't have a habit of being studied, I'm afraid."
"Is that so? What a pity." Vegapunk saw Gern refuse and didn't press further.
.......
The sunset over Egghead Island dyed the entire coastline red. Gern stood on the warship's deck, looking back at the gradually receding technological island.
The dinner before his departure was unexpectedly warm.
Vegapunk enthusiastically discussed his research, Sentomaru, like a little adult, refilled everyone's plates.
Kizaru, meanwhile, leaned lazily against the back of his chair, occasionally interjecting with teasing remarks.
At that moment, they were like ordinary family and friends.
But Gern knew that someday in the future, the always-smiling Kizaru would personally destroy all of this.
The sea breeze rustled his cloak, and Gern suddenly remembered what Zephyr-sensei had once said to Kizaru:
"Borsalino, you rely too much on your Devil Fruit ability."
This sentence never seemed to be about Kizaru's strength.
Instead, it was telling him—no one can catch up to light.
Kizaru, like his Glint-Glint Fruit, was always one step ahead, always at ease, yet always alone.
He could illuminate others with his light and heat, but he was destined to have no one walk alongside him.
Perhaps that was why he could strike down former comrades without hesitation.
Because from the very beginning, he stood in a place no one could reach.