A week later, Sabaody Archipelago, G-33 Marine Base.
Sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves of the mangrove trees, scattering across the base's plaza, and the air was filled with a faint scent of resin.
The small warship, the White Gull, was quietly docked in the harbor, and several Marine soldiers were busy conducting final supply checks.
Gern stood on the deck, black blade eight desolations slung diagonally at his waist, his grey-white bandages fluttering lightly in the wind.
At the same time, his gaze was deep as he looked at the shimmering sea in the distance, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Both his posture and his smile presented the image of what a “Marine Legend” should be.
“Vice Admiral Gern, supplies are complete, we can depart at any time,” a Marine soldier quickly walked over, saluting with admiration in his eyes as he reported.
“You’ve worked hard,” Gern nodded, his gaze sweeping over the base’s perimeter wall.
He noticed many Marine soldiers secretly glancing at him, their eyes full of awe and admiration.
“Damn it, I can’t smile,” Seeing this, Gern’s lips couldn’t help but curve upwards, a crazy grin spreading across his face.
It had to be said that Gern’s reputation was truly immense now; the mere news of Heaven Quake’s arrival had plunged the normally bustling Sabaody Archipelago into a temporary silence.
Not only had pirates disappeared without a trace, but even the usually arrogant Celestial Dragons had reined themselves in considerably.
After all, no one wanted to cause trouble in front of the Marine Legend who had arrested the Pirate King.
“Vice Admiral Gern!” A deep voice came from behind him.
Gern turned his head and saw a tall man, covered in Dalmatian fur, striding towards him.
It was the new Chief of the G-33 base, Marineford Rear Admiral Dalmatian (Animal-type Dog-Dog Fruit, Dalmatian ability user).
“Long time no see, Dalmatian,” Gern smiled slightly, “Thank you for lending me the ship this time.”
“Don’t mention it! I am also a student of Teacher Zephyr, and I have received his teachings.
He often mentioned you when he was teaching back then, Vice Admiral Gern,” Dalmatian laughed heartily, his canine teeth glinting in the sunlight.
“Moreover, it is our honor that you can come to Sabaody Archipelago.
It’s just…” He paused, scratching his head with a hint of embarrassment.
“With you leaving, Sabaody Archipelago’s defenses will probably become tense again.”
“Haha,” Gern chuckled, “Don’t worry, those pirates still won’t dare to act rashly for a short while.”
“As expected of Teacher Zephyr’s direct disciple,” Dalmatian said with reverence, nodding solemnly.
“During the days you’ve been here, Sabaody Archipelago has indeed been much more peaceful, especially now in the Great Pirate Era.”
Just as Gern was about to continue chatting idly, Libo poked her head out from the ship’s cabin and shouted,
“Gern, Tesoro said everything is ready, we can depart!”
“Alright,” Gern replied, turning to Dalmatian and saying, “Then, we shall part ways here.”
Dalmatian stood at attention and saluted: “I wish you a smooth journey!”
Gern waved his hand and turned to board the warship.
As the anchor chain was raised, the White Gull slowly left the harbor, heading towards the distant horizon.
...
On the deck, Libo lay by the ship’s rail, excitedly looking at the gradually receding Sabaody Archipelago.
“Gern, are we really going to Sky Island this time?”
“Of course,” Gern leaned against the mast, his gaze profound.
“Since people on the ground can’t find it, we’ll go look for it in the sky.”
Tesoro walked over, a nautical chart spread open in his hand.
“According to the information I’ve gathered, we can go to the sea near Jaya Island, the origin of the story, to determine its location.
As for how to find it, we’ll need further confirmation then.”
“In that case…,” Gern nodded and said,
“Tesoro, adjust the course.”
“Yes, Vice Admiral Gern,” Tesoro lowered his head to examine the nautical chart, “Next, we head towards Jaya Island in the Grand Line…”
“No,” Gern interrupted him, a slight smile on his lips, “We’re going to Amazon Lily.”
“Huh?” Tesoro suddenly looked up, his face bewildered, “Nine Snake Island? Vice Admiral Gern, what are we going there for?”
“Wait, Vice Admiral Gern…” He paused, then suddenly showed a strange expression.
“You wouldn’t… have gotten addicted to being teased by that Snake Princess last time, would you?”
“What, what? What is ‘addicted to being teased’?” Libo bounced between the two, her fluffy bunny ears standing high, her face innocent.
Gern: “…”
Tesoro: “…”
The two tacitly ignored Libo’s question.
“What kind of talk is that?” Gern coughed, feigning seriousness: “What do you think the content of my mission application is?”
“Mission content?” Tesoro looked at him suspiciously, then opened the mission document in his hand and examined it carefully.
A few seconds later, his expression froze.
“‘Recruit Shichibukai’?” He looked up, his voice slightly trembling, “Vice Admiral Gern, this wouldn’t be you…”
“You can’t just say things like that,” Gern held up a finger, lowering his voice.
“Do you think it’s easy for me to come out now?
You haven’t even looked at my past achievements; which time did I come out without causing a major incident?
This time, it was only after I pleaded and persuaded Fleet Admiral Kong that he reluctantly gave me a sortie mission.”
“Heh heh, after all is said and done…” Tesoro’s mouth twitched, his eyes full of suspicion: “Your so-called ‘search for Sky Island’ is actually for…”
“A detour, just a detour,” Gern waved his hand with a righteous expression, the disciplinary button on his military collar meticulously fastened.
“Moreover, from a strategic perspective, the female warriors of Nine Snake Island are exceptionally strong. If they can be incorporated into the Shichibukai system, it would greatly benefit the stability of the first half of the Grand Line.”
He paused, then added: “Of course, the above are Fleet Admiral Kong’s original words; I personally reserve judgment on this.”
Tesoro took a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions: “Then how do you plan to… ‘sleep-suade’…Pah! Persuade them?
As far as I know, the women of Nine Snake Island are always arrogant, and they detest men even more.”
“Well…” Gern stroked his chin, revealing a meaningful smile: “I have my own brilliant plan.”
“Vice Admiral Gern!” Tesoro suddenly said seriously, his eyes filled with the concern of an elder, “Older women are good, but you must maintain your boundaries!
You are still so young, is Libo’s cuteness really not worth mentioning compared to sexiness…”
“Tesoro!”
Gern suddenly straightened his back, his cloak of justice flapping in the wind, his entire being seemingly bathed in holy light, his voice strong and resonant.
“In your eyes, is your superior a man whose soul can be hooked away just by being teased a couple of times?”
Saying that, Gern placed one hand on his chest, his gaze firm as he looked into the distance: “All of this is for ‘Justice’!
Others don’t understand, but no matter what choice I make, in the end, it’s only me who will suffer!
Therefore, you should understand me, not question me.”
Tesoro silently turned his face away, his shoulders shaking suspiciously.
“Gern, did you say something funny?” Libo tilted her head, her carrot hair accessory gently swaying with her movement.
“Why is Tesoro’s face all red?”
Gern: “…”