Marineford, the center of world justice, the location of Marineford, a place symbolizing world peace.
But today, the port of this world justice center was exceptionally lively...
The morning sun cast its rays on the iconic giant 'Justice' characters and the Marine symbol on the headquarters building.
This was the safest place in the world, so everything seemed warm, and the sea was sparkling.
However, the Marine soldiers on duty at the port were not in the mood to enjoy this beautiful scenery.
Their gazes frequently fell upon the two tall figures standing at the very front:
Black Arm Zephyr and Garp.
“Hey, what day is it today?” a Marineford Ensign preparing for a mission asked in a low voice, his eyes constantly darting towards the two Vice Admirals.
“I don’t know either?!” the Lieutenant next to him was equally puzzled.
“But, the only people who could make Black Arm and Garp come to the port to greet them at the same time might be Vice Admiral Sengoku or Warrant Officer Tsuru, right?”
“Could it be that Vice Admiral Sengoku has returned from the New World?”
“Impossible, Vice Admiral Sengoku’s battleship just left yesterday for G-1 Branch and took Warrant Officer Tsuru with him to deal with Golden Lion Shiki!”
For a time, whispers spread throughout the port, and everyone was curious about the approaching figure.
In front of the Marineford military port, Zephyr stood with his arms crossed, his posture as straight as a pine tree.
His iconic purple short hair remained motionless in the sea breeze, his eyes fixed on the distant horizon, his expression so serious that the surrounding Marines dared not approach him.
“Hey, Zephyr, don’t be so serious!” Garp suddenly broke the silence by putting his arm around Zephyr’s shoulder.
“That kid did something incredible!”
Seeing Garp’s carefree demeanor, Zephyr frowned slightly, but he didn’t push his arm away, instead saying in a deep voice,
“Garp, watch your image. This is the port, not your office.”
“Hahaha!” Garp’s laughter grew louder, causing the surrounding Marines to turn their heads.
“What does it matter! That guy you asked Fleet Admiral Kong for last time is amazing!
He’s even stronger than those three monsters who graduated from the Navy School!
I secretly saw the documents on Sengoku’s desk a few days ago, and I didn’t expect him to dare to attack Whitebeard, and even clash with him!
And... he actually made Whitebeard use Haki Infusion. What a bold young man!”
Garp’s voice was so loud that almost the entire port could hear it, and the surrounding whispers instantly turned into exclamations.
“Whitebeard?!”
“Haki Infusion?!”
“Could it be that Warrant Officer Gern from West Blue?
Among the recently promoted personnel to Marineford, the most famous is Gern Reginald Sigma from West Blue.”
Watching the Marines at the port whispering, Zephyr’s brows furrowed even more, and he couldn’t help but lower his voice: “Garp, you’re too loud.”
“Oh, what does it matter!” Garp waved his hand nonchalantly.
“Everyone will know anyway later.
That kid survived under Whitebeard! Haha!
This is much stronger than Sakazuki and them! They were still in school at 16!”
“Sigh.” Zephyr finally couldn’t help but sigh. He turned to Garp, his expression serious.
“Although the three of Sakazuki have graduated, their transformation after gaining Devil Fruit abilities has made them too reliant on their Devil Fruit!
Gern is the same. I am very clear about his Devil Fruit ability. This time, he completely relied on his Devil Fruit ability!”
“Hey, hey, don’t be so harsh.” Garp’s smile lessened a bit, but the admiration in his eyes remained undiminished.
“To not back down in front of Whitebeard, that’s not something you can do with just Devil Fruit ability, but with courage!”
“Courage?” Zephyr snorted, “That’s recklessness.”
“He was lucky this time to encounter Whitebeard. If he had met Golden Lion Shiki, he might have already perished in the great sea!”
“You and I both know! The New World is not a place where you can run rampant relying solely on Devil Fruit abilities.
Haki is the true path of the strong.”
“Alright, alright! You’re right!” Garp suddenly burst into laughter again, patting Zephyr’s back forcefully.
“So isn’t that precisely your duty as a Vice Admiral?
Otherwise, why would you specifically argue with the Fleet Admiral to keep him by your side?!
Train that kid named Gern well and make him a true strong one!”
Garp’s strength was great, and Zephyr was slapped forward a step.
He subconsciously looked back at him, his tone filled with helplessness: “Garp, you...”
Just then, the sentry on the watchtower shouted loudly: “Warship entering port! It’s the West Blue Marine’s warship escorting from G-14 Branch!”
“They’re here.” Everyone’s gaze immediately turned to the sea.
In the distance, a scarred warship was slowly approaching, the obvious cracks on its hull silently telling of the fierce battles it had endured.
“Tsk tsk tsk!” Garp whistled: “It seems the battle was even more intense than the report said!”
Zephyr didn’t respond, his gaze fixed on the warship’s deck.
“Gern...” Zephyr whispered the name, his tone complex.
Garp glanced at Zephyr, then suddenly grinned: “What? Regretting asking Fleet Admiral Kong for him? I think that guy is better than my son!”
“No.” Zephyr shook his head, his voice firm, “Precisely because of this, it is even more necessary to correct his Concept .
Devil Fruit abilities are only auxiliary; true power comes from oneself.”
“You’re still the same!” Garp laughed and shook his head, “But that kid can make you care so much, it seems he’s really not simple!
Zephyr, although you often give lectures at the Navy School and have many students, you don’t have any true disciples!”
“Sigh, indeed...” Zephyr sighed, not replying.
For a moment, his thoughts returned to the moment he saw the battle report three days ago.
When the report describing Gern’s direct confrontation with Whitebeard was placed on his desk, he could hardly believe his eyes.
A young man who had just joined the Marine not long ago actually dared to challenge the man who “possessed the power to destroy the world.”
After the shock came deep worry.
Zephyr knew too well the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, and he also knew too well the consequences of over-relying on Devil Fruit abilities.
And now, a Tremor-Tremor Fruit even more powerful than the Tremor-Tremor Fruit...
And this power just happened to appear in the hands of a Marine rookie, which could easily make a person arrogant and conceited.
“Zephyr, he’s here.” Garp’s voice interrupted Zephyr’s thoughts.
The warship had already docked, and the gangway was slowly lowered.
The Marines on the port subconsciously held their breath, waiting for the appearance of that legendary rookie.
First to disembark were ordinary soldiers and low-ranking officers, their faces still showing signs of lingering shock.
Next was the Marineford Ensign, the commanding officer of this warship’s mission. As soon as he disembarked, he noticed the two Vice Admirals standing at the front and immediately saluted.
Finally, a slender figure with short black hair and bandages appeared at the top of the gangway.
Gern Reginald Sigma!
Gern’s injuries had not yet healed, so the bandages on his body were particularly conspicuous in the sunlight, but his steps were unusually steady.
black blade eight desolations was wrapped in white cloth and carried on his back, the blade itself seemed to be vibrating slightly, emitting an almost inaudible hum.
When Gern’s gaze met that of the two Vice Admirals, the port instantly became so quiet that only the sound of waves lapping against the shore could be heard.
“Marineford, I, Gern, have arrived.”