The moment the Den Den Mushi was hung up, the entire Marineford fell into a brief silence.
Because Kong's high platform had a broadcasting effect, when the broadcast echoed throughout Marineford,
the World Government's compromise exploded like a thunderclap in everyone's hearts.
The Marine soldiers looked at each other, disbelievingly, as if to confirm whether they had misheard.
"The World Government… compromised?" a young Marine muttered, his weapon trembling slightly in his hand.
"Celestial Dragons executed?" another soldier's eyes widened, his voice filled with unconcealed shock, "How… how is this possible?"
In the center of the plaza, Gern slowly withdrew his gaze, a faint smile playing on his lips.
He stepped towards the magic circle left behind after Gringo Saint disappeared, each step steady and powerful.
Looking at the faintly glowing magic circle, Gern squatted down and gently placed his left hand on it.
Instantly, vibration particles spread from his palm, covering the entire magic circle like a spiderweb.
The ground began to tremble slightly, and tiny cracks spread outwards from his hand.
"Crack—crack—" The sound of shattering gradually became clear, and the magic circle's light flickered erratically amidst the vibrations.
"What does he want to do?" On the high platform, Sengoku frowned, his gaze fixed on Gern's actions.
"This kid…" Garp grinned, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
The next second, Gern's left hand suddenly exerted force, and the vibration particles completely erupted!
"Boom!!!"
The ground centered around the magic circle instantly shattered, sending rocks flying and dust swirling.
The magic circle was forcefully vibrated into dust, rising into the air with the shockwave, turning into a hazy gray mist.
Or rather, what was shattered was not the magic circle, but the World Government's influence remaining within the Marine!
Having done all this, Gern stood up, his left hand raised high, the lingering power of the vibrations still present in his palm.
His gaze swept across the surroundings, from the shocked Marine soldiers to the Admirals on the high platform.
Finally, it settled on Libo, who was protected in the center by Sakazuki and the other two in the distance.
Libo's rabbit ears stood tall, and Gern's figure was reflected in her pink eyes.
She seemed to have already realized what he was going to do!
Her small face was slightly flushed with excitement, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up.
Sure enough, Gern took a deep breath, and his voice thundered like lightning:
"Justice—!!!"
These simple two words seemed to ignite the passion in everyone.
After a brief silence, the entire Marineford erupted!
"Justice!!!" Ten thousand Marines shouted in unison, the sound wave sweeping through every corner like a tsunami.
"Rear Admiral Gern!!!" The soldiers waved their weapons, their eyes gleaming with fanaticism.
"This kid… he really knows how to stir people's hearts." Sengoku shook his head, but the corners of his mouth curved slightly upwards.
Zephyr stood with his arms crossed, his gaze beneath his sunglasses deep and proud: "This is my disciple."
And on the main seat of the high platform, Kong's resolute face melted like ice, his taut lines gradually relaxed, finally turning into a relieved chuckle.
A long-lost spark of passion flashed in the eyes of this iron-blooded Fleet Admiral.
Once upon a time, he too was that passionate soldier shouting for justice on the battlefield.
"The new era of the Marine…" Kong murmured, turning his head to look at Sengoku.
He then found Sengoku looking at Gern with the same look of satisfaction.
Yes! In his golden era of leading the Marine, he had Sengoku strategizing, Garp dominating the seas, and Zephyr cultivating talents.
And in the era when Sengoku took over, a new generation of pillars had already risen.
Sakazuki's Absolute Justice, Kuzan's passion, Borsalino's laid-back attitude, and Gern, who shook the world.
The tide of the era never stops, and the torch of justice will eventually be passed into the hands of even more dazzling new stars.
And when the era changes once again…
When Kong's gaze finally settled on the figure holding the black blade, fanatically cheered by ten thousand Marines,
a meaningful curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.
He seemed to see a future scroll unfolding before his eyes: when the era changes again, when power is finally handed over to that man…
"By then…" Kong murmured softly, his voice carrying a hint of anticipation and emotion.
"The Marine will truly be just the Marine, Gern."
The afterglow of the setting sun gilded his profile, and the figure of this old Fleet Admiral appeared exceptionally tall in the twilight.
........
Below, Sakazuki gazed at Gern, who was fanatically supported by ten thousand Marines, his fervent eyes without a trace of jealousy, but instead burning with rare excitement.
What he saw was not a threat, but a man who could truly unite "justice" into one force.
A leader who could completely free the Marine from the shackles of the World Government!
"Gern, you really didn't disappoint me; the justice of the Marine is shouting for you!"
"Clap, clap, clap!" A low applause suddenly sounded amidst the cheers.
Sakazuki slowly raised his hands, which were wrapped in Armament Haki, and surprisingly, he began to clap.
Even more astonishingly, this man, who was always known for his coldness, suddenly raised his head and roared: "Justice!!!"
This roar was like a volcanic eruption, almost making Kuzan, who was beside him, slide off his seat.
Borsalino's sunglasses were also askew, revealing his rarely widened eyes: "Hey, hey, hey~ Sakazuki is so strange today!"
"That's right, he even clapped with Armament Haki just to emphasize himself!"
The two looked at each other, as if seeing this colleague they had worked with for many years for the first time.
But Sakazuki didn't care about their gazes; he just stared at Gern's figure with a slight smile.
That man, the man Sakazuki recognized the most, besides Justice!!!
In the plaza, Gern's figure appeared exceptionally tall amidst the cheers.
He turned and walked towards Libo, each step accompanied by the shouts of the Marine.
Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino silently made way, their eyes showing rare approval.
"Gern!" Libo excitedly pounced on him, grabbing his arm, "We won! Justice won!"
Gern ruffled her head and chuckled softly: "Yes, we won."
Tesoro stood aside, looking at the boiling Marineford, a feeling he had never experienced before welling up in his heart.
"Rear Admiral Gern is missing a Fleet Admiral's cloak at this moment," he murmured softly.
In the distance, Garp's loud laughter pierced the sky: "Hahaha! As expected of my disciple! Today is a day worth celebrating!"
Kong walked down the high platform and came before Gern.
Their gazes met, and the air seemed to freeze for a moment.
"Gern, you did very well," Kong's voice was low and powerful, "But the road ahead may be even more difficult."
Gern smiled slightly, his gaze firm: "As long as justice remains, I will not stop."
Kong nodded, then turned to face all the Marines and announced loudly: "What happened today will be recorded in Marine history!
The World Government has made concessions, but our mission has never changed—to uphold justice and protect peace!"
"Justice!!!" The shouts of the Marine once again echoed through the sky.