New World, G-3 Marine Base.
Ever since Golden Lion attacked and destroyed it, then it was rebuilt, it looked even more magnificent and formidable, like a true stronghold on the sea!
At the naval port dock, the sea breeze, carrying a salty scent, assailed them.
The warship slowly docked, the dull thud of the anchor sinking into the seabed accompanied by the lapping of waves.
Gern stood at the bow, his gaze sweeping over the neatly arrayed Marine soldiers on the dock, finally settling on the figure as straight as a spear.
Sakazuki stood with his arms crossed, his cloak of justice flapping in the wind, his stern face devoid of any emotion.
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki actually came to the dock to greet him personally?" A G-3 soldier whispered, his tone filled with disbelief.
"Shh! Don't talk nonsense!" Another soldier nervously glanced at Sakazuki's back.
"But... it is indeed strange. Usually, even if an Admiral from headquarters visits, the Vice Admiral just waits in his office..."
"Heh, don't you know that Vice Admiral Sakazuki has only personally greeted two people at G-3 Base?"
"Two?!"
"That's right, and they were both the same person!"
As the conversation ended, the warship docked, the gangway lowered, and Gern stepped down, followed by a bouncing Lippo.
Seeing this, Sakazuki immediately strode forward, a rare hint of a smile appearing at the corners of his stern mouth under his military cap, his voice deep.
"Gern, welcome once again to G-3."
"It's been a while." Gern smiled slightly. Since Akainu was giving him so much face, he couldn't be arrogant.
He then raised his hand in a salute: "Vice Admiral Sakazuki, I am here to report."
The moment the words "report" fell into Sakazuki's ears, it seemed to touch a nerve.
His eyes lit up slightly, and an indescribable sense of satisfaction welled up from the bottom of his heart.
This sound... was even more pleasant than the wails of pirates.
Thus, Sakazuki's lips curled up uncontrollably, and he heavily patted Gern's shoulder.
"Excellent!" Sakazuki's tone rarely carried a hint of warmth, "I've been looking forward to this day."
Gern raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Is the Vice Admiral so eager for my arrival?"
Sakazuki snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping towards the distant sea, and he said flatly: "Ever since I was promoted to Chief of G-3 Base,
basically every week, or whenever there was an opportunity to submit anything to Headquarters,
I would submit an additional transfer request to Headquarters, asking for you to be transferred here."
"Ah?!" Gern was stunned: "Every... once a week? Then that's not..."
"That's right!" Sakazuki's tone carried a hint of pride.
"Back then, due to non-compliant procedures, you were worried about other generals gossiping, but now you don't have to worry at all!"
"I don't have to worry..." Gern suddenly paused, then reacted, "Wait, the reason you were promoted to Vice Admiral!"
Incidentally, Sakazuki, by rights, when he was promoted back then,
Kong, in order to let young people mature more, should have prepared to promote Kuzan and the other two to Rear Admiral first.
But our Comrade Sakazuki, in order to legitimately possess Gern one day, worked his life off to earn merits!
The overwhelming amount of merit and the vastness of its content led to Kong having no choice but to make him a Vice Admiral!
"That's right!" Looking at Gern's astonished expression, Sakazuki smiled confidently.
As if saying, "See? It's all my doing!"
"Now everything is good." Sakazuki sighed deeply.
"The pirates of this New World need to be completely eliminated. Relying on me alone, the efficiency is too low."
After speaking, he looked directly into Gern's eyes, his tone carrying an unquestionable firmness.
"But with you, Gern, everything will be different."
"Heh heh..." Gern gave two dry laughs, silently complaining in his heart.
"I admit it, you, Sakazuki, are the true God of Pure Love!"
Sakazuki seemed not to notice Gern's subtle expression and continued: "Now, we are, as per the Fleet Admiral's command—'Strong forces unite to forge the iron wall of the New World'."
And when Sakazuki spoke of "forging the iron wall," his tone revealed an almost fanatical obsession.
As if he had already seen the future scene of the New World pirates being thoroughly purged by the two of them.
Just as Sakazuki was fantasizing, Lippo, who was beside him, blinked and leaned into Gern's ear, asking in a low voice,
"Gern, why does this red-clothed uncle look even fiercer than Teacher Zephyr?"
Hearing the voice, Sakazuki's ears twitched slightly, and his gaze instantly locked onto Lippo.
Seeing this, Gern quickly cleared his throat and introduced: "Vice Admiral Sakazuki, this is my subordinate, Warrant Officer Lippo."
Sakazuki looked Lippo up and down, frowning slightly: "Mink Tribe?"
"Yes!" Lippo puffed out her chest and said with a cheerful smile, "I am Gern's partner in justice!"
"Partner in justice?!" Sakazuki was silent for a moment, not knowing if it was because of his affection for Gern.
He found that sentence very pleasant to hear!
However, as a cold person, he seemed unaccustomed to such a naive and innocent style.
So Sakazuki merely nodded coldly: "Since you are Gern's subordinate, then fulfill your duties well.
A partner in justice needs to always stand on the side of justice."
"Yes!" Facing the serious Sakazuki, Lippo also gave a standard salute.
"Mm." Nodding in acknowledgment, Sakazuki turned and strode forward, his cloak sweeping up in a sharp arc.
"Follow me, Gern. We need to formulate a battle plan as soon as possible."
Gern glanced at Lippo, shrugging helplessly, signaling her to follow.
Lippo bounced along behind, muttering softly: "Gern, does this uncle not like me?"
Gern lowered his voice: "He doesn't dislike you, he just... dislikes everyone."
Sakazuki's steps suddenly halted, and he said without turning his head: "I heard that."
Gern: "..."
Lippo covered her mouth, stifling a laugh.
The soldiers of G-3 Base looked at this scene, exchanging glances.
"I didn't see wrong, did I? Vice Admiral Sakazuki actually... is having a casual chat with someone?"
"And Rear Admiral Gern dares to joke? Anyone else would have been warned by Hellhound already!"
"Could this be the legendary... 'strong forces unite'?"
Amidst the soldiers' whispers, Sakazuki had already led Gern and Lippo into the interior of the base.
The corridor lights cast long shadows of the three, and Sakazuki's voice echoed in the empty passage:
"Gern, from today onwards, the 'iron wall' of G-3 will be forged by us together."
"Not a single pirate in the New World will escape."
His tone was cold and cruel, as if he had already pronounced the death sentence for those pirates.
"Of course, Vice Admiral." Gern's lips curved slightly, a deep light flashing in his eyes.
"After all..."
"Everything is for 'Justice'."