A few days later, the returning warship slowly sailed into the port of Marineford.
Gern stood on the deck, black blade eight desolations still quietly hanging at his waist, wrapped in white bandages.
His gaze calmly watched the approaching Marineford.
At this time, Marineford's port was already crowded with countless Marine soldiers, standing or waiting, their eyes fixed on the warship where Gern was located.
Low whispers and exclamations came from the crowd, and curiosity filled everyone's eyes.
After all, in this legendary era, the man who could heavily injure Golden Lion Shiki with a single strike now stood before them.
"Your blade is recognized by those who know it, and truly not by those who don't. Why bother keeping it wrapped in bandages?" Zephyr frowned, looking at black blade eight desolations at Gern's waist.
"Teacher Zephyr, you don't understand." Gern slightly turned his gaze, his expression serious, and slowly uttered a sentence.
"Because... it's cool!"
Zephyr: "..."
Slowly, as the warship docked, Gern stepped down the gangway with steady steps and a calm demeanor, silently maintaining his persona, completely disregarding the fervent gazes.
However, just as he stepped onto the port ground, a tall figure suddenly rushed out from the crowd and blocked his path.
"Are you Heavenly Tremor Gern?" A clear female voice rang out. Gern looked up and saw a young female Marine staring intently at him.
Black hair, tall, wearing shorts, with a slender blade at her waist.
Behind her, several young generals followed, and Onigumo, Momonga, and others also gathered around.
Gern nodded slightly: "It's me."
"I am Gion, a Sergeant under Vice Admiral Tsuru." Gion introduced herself, her tone carrying a hint of fanaticism.
"Lieutenant Gern, I heard you heavily injured Golden Lion Shiki with one strike, is that true?"
Before Gern could answer, Onigumo, unable to contain himself, stepped forward and asked,
"Golden Lion Shiki is a great pirate on par with Whitebeard and Roger, how did you do it?"
Although Momonga did not speak, the passion in his eyes, unique to young people for heroic deeds, could not be faked.
These individuals, who had watched the battles from the training grounds back then, were now just beginning their Marine careers.
Therefore, they were filled with awe for the legendary great pirate powerhouses, and Gern's "achievement" undoubtedly shocked them.
"Heh heh." Gern chuckled, his gaze sweeping over each of their faces, a slight smile on the corner of his lips: "If the newspaper didn't get it wrong, then yes."
Gern's reply was calm, yet it exuded an undeniable confidence.
That's right, just maintain your persona and demeanor like that.
At this moment, Gion frowned, seemingly wanting to ask something else, but Gern had already walked past her, heading straight towards the Marineford building.
"If you want an autograph, I'll need some time to prepare, so bye-bye!"
Gion was stunned for a moment, then turned and shouted: "Hey! Wait!"
"Also!" Gern didn't turn back, just waved his hand: "If you want to verify, you can go find Colonel Sakazuki in a few days! He witnessed that strike with his own eyes."
Upon hearing Akainu's name, Gion and Onigumo, among others, instantly froze.
Wouldn't finding Akainu be equivalent to asking for a scolding?!
At the same time, Zephyr stood not far away, watching Gern, who was surrounded by young generals yet easily extricated himself, a relieved smile on his face.
He did not go forward to disturb him, but instead turned and walked towards the conference room of Marineford.
After all, the matter of G-3 Base was not just about Gern gaining fame.
.......
Marineford Conference Room.
The heavy wooden door was pushed open, and Zephyr stepped inside.
Inside the conference room, Fleet Admiral Kong was seated at the head, with Sengoku, Garp, Tsuru, and other high-ranking Marine officials arranged on either side, and several Marineford Vice Admirals also standing solemnly.
A serious atmosphere permeated the air, and everyone's gaze focused on Zephyr as he entered.
"Zephyr, your good disciple, did something big on his first independent mission!" Fleet Admiral Kong picked up the newspaper on the table, his tone carrying a hint of teasing, but his eyes were incredibly sharp.
"Fleet Admiral Kong." Zephyr walked to his seat and shrugged helplessly: "No one could have predicted Golden Lion Shiki's sudden attack.
After all, his Devil Fruit ability allows him to soar through the sky, and the fact that we were able to fortunately block him this time is already the best outcome."
"But well done!" Garp interjected: "You must have seen the photo in the newspaper, right?"
He then slapped the table: "That arrogant Shiki finally got his comeuppance today! This kid Gern, he really didn't disappoint me!"
"Garp, quiet down! This is not the time for jokes." Sengoku pushed up his glasses and calmly analyzed,
"Golden Lion Shiki will not give up easily. The Flying Sky Pirates are a powerful force, and the Marine may face their furious retaliation next.
We need to deploy in advance and allocate resources to deal with it."
"I agree with Sengoku's suggestion." At this moment, Tsuru, whose hair was already starting to turn white, nodded and added: "Especially G-3 Base is very likely to be attacked again.
Although Sakazuki is strong, facing the full assault of the Flying Sky Pirates, he might not be able to hold out alone."
Listening to everyone's opinions, Fleet Admiral Kong interlaced his fingers under his chin, his gaze slowly sweeping across every face in the conference room, finally settling on Zephyr.
"Zephyr." Fleet Admiral Kong's voice was low and powerful, "What is Gern's current condition assessment?" He paused slightly, his eyes becoming even sharper.
"Also, I need you, as an eyewitness, to assess Golden Lion Shiki's combat power level after taking that strike."
Fleet Admiral Kong's fingertips tapped rhythmically on the table.
After all, as a legendary pirate on par with Roger and Whitebeard, Golden Lion Shiki's threat level was self-evident.
Even with Gern's full power, how much could he ensure?
If Golden Lion Shiki wasn't seriously injured, then the Float-Float Fruit's unpredictable high-altitude projectile attack ability could force the Marine to carefully re-evaluate its combat deployment.
Facing Fleet Admiral Kong's questioning, Zephyr straightened his back, his Admiral's cloak swaying slightly behind him.
"Gern is just severely exhausted. Given the current situation, I suggest granting him a period of rest."
Then, his gaze suddenly became as sharp as a blade, and he said calmly: "As for Golden Lion Shiki..."
Everyone in the conference room held their breath.
"I swear on the honor of a Marine Admiral." Zephyr said, word by word, "That guy was indeed heavily wounded.
Gern's final strike..." Zephyr unconsciously clenched his fist, "...indeed changed the tide of the entire battle."
When the conclusion "heavily injured Golden Lion Shiki" was confirmed by one of the Marine's top combat forces, the air in the conference room seemed to instantly solidify.
The generals of the General Staff Department exchanged glances, and several Vice Admirals even unconsciously leaned forward, their faces filled with disbelief.
Fleet Admiral Kong's pupils constricted slightly, and his fingers, which had been tapping the table, suddenly stopped in mid-air.
"Another monster." Sengoku took over the conversation: "In short, the appearance of that strike has now attracted the attention of the World Government.
They might give Gern special attention, or even... conscript him."
Everyone understood what being "specially noticed" by the World Government meant.
"Heh." Zephyr's eyes turned cold: "Gern is a Marine, his future should be decided by the Marine."
Fleet Admiral Kong raised his hand to signal for silence: "It's too early to discuss these things now.
The immediate priority is to deal with Golden Lion Shiki's retaliation.
Sengoku, you are responsible for coordinating the defenses of each base.
Tsuru, the intelligence work is entrusted to you.
Garp, for this period, you will temporarily take over the patrol missions in the New World, stop chasing after Roger's tail."
"Yes." Everyone nodded in agreement.