Time flew by like a white steed, and in the blink of an eye, it was early spring of sea circle calendar 1495.

This seemingly ordinary year was destined to leave a significant mark on the history of navigation.

The long-standing conflict between the Roger Pirates and the Flying Sky Pirates had finally reached an irreconcilable point.

Although Roger still tried to avoid battle, Golden Lion could no longer suppress his ambition…

Within just a few days, cadres of the Flying Sky Pirates in the New World with bounties exceeding 500 million berries began to gather from all sea areas.

The news that the two legendary pirate crews were about to clash head-on was like a brewing world-ending storm, causing the entire New World to tremble.

And the Marine, like a hunter lurking on the edge of the storm, was coldly watching all of this…

…

New World Sea, Observation Ship

“Fleet Admiral Kong! Fleet Admiral Kong!” The intelligence officer’s voice trembled as he shouted through the Den Den Mushi, looking at the large pirate fleet not far away.

“Urgent military intelligence! The Flying Sky Pirates seem to have located the Roger Pirates.

There is a high probability that both sides will make contact in the Ed War Sea, and a full-scale war conflict may even break out!!!”

…

At the same time, Marineford, Marineford

Kong slowly hung up the Den Den Mushi, the sound of his knuckles tapping on the table particularly clear in the empty room.

His gaze swept across the nautical chart on the wall, the Ed War Sea heavily circled in red pen.

“Edwal, huh…” Kong was silent for a long time, then suddenly pressed the specific communication button on the table, his majestic voice echoing throughout Marineford.

“All Marineford flag officers, immediately proceed to the strategic conference room for a Level 1 operational meeting!”

…

Marineford conference room, the heavy oak door was pushed open, and the older generation of generals stepped in first.

Sengoku, wearing his Admiral’s cloak, looked grim, “Will Golden Lion and Roger really fight?”

“If they were going to fight, they would have fought long ago…” Garp mumbled, biting a senbei, “That bastard Roger has always been avoiding war!”

“Golden Lion is not a man who compromises.” Zephyr pulled out a chair, crossed his arms, and his gaze behind his sunglasses swept over the empty seat, seemingly waiting for someone.

“That bastard should be back by now…” Zephyr muttered inwardly.

Ever since he lost to Roger last year, Gern had truly calmed down.

He even requested Garp, the only one who could force Roger into dire straits multiple times, to retrain him and strengthen his physical combat skills.

Then, in the second half of the year, he took Libo and Tesoro, or new recruits from the Elite Training Camp, and constantly swept through pirate crews in the New World, acting as escorts…

“Zephyr, this is another restless year!” Tsuru said, seeing Zephyr lost in thought, and pushed a cup of tea in front of him.

Hearing Tsuru’s words, Zephyr also reacted, quickly picked up the teacup, took a sip, and replied, “Indeed.”

“You don’t have to worry about your disciple.” Tsuru naturally saw Zephyr’s concerns, so she continued,

“People often only see more clearly after failing once!”

“I hope so!” Zephyr sighed.

As the two conversed, the powerhouses of the Marine’s new era successively entered the conference room.

The first to enter was Sakazuki, who had just been transferred back to Marineford from G-3 Base, walking with steady, powerful strides, wearing a hat and looking serious.

He was followed by the languid-looking Borsalino and Kuzan, and the three almost simultaneously took their seats, but unexpectedly found a fourth empty chair in the front row.

“Excuse me, everyone, I’m not late, am I?” As a clear voice sounded, the conference room door was fully pushed open.

Gern entered calmly, followed on either side by Libo and Tesoro.

Libo’s pink eyes deftly scanned the room, her drooping ears gently swaying with her movements.

When she saw Garp and Zephyr, she immediately waved her arms excitedly: “Teacher Zephyr! Mr. Garp!”

“Oh! It’s little Libo!” Garp laughed, holding up the senbei in his hand, “Want to try a new flavor? Though it’s not carrot-flavored.”

“No way!” Libo wrinkled her nose and decisively refused, then her eyes lit up as she looked at Gion behind Tsuru, “I’m going shopping with Sister Gion later!”

In stark contrast to the lively Libo, Tesoro maintained a stern expression throughout.

His hands, wearing golden gloves, were clasped in front of him, standing still like a statue beside Gern.

【Marine Warrant Officer ‘Rabbit’ Lippo Hope】 【Marine Warrant Officer ‘Golden’ Gild Tesoro】

Coupled with Gern, who was seated at the head of the table—the appearance of this combination instantly solidified the air in the conference room.

“The direct forces of ‘Heavenly Calamity Justice’…” Sengoku narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the three, thinking to himself,

This is truly a direct lineage, entirely absorbed from external sources.

It has no ties to other Marine factions, a core force loyal only to Gern, and it will expand further!

Not only Sengoku, but even Kong’s gaze, from his seat at the head, lingered on Gern for a moment, his brow imperceptibly furrowing.

Zephyr’s direct disciple, the link of the Elite Training Camp, Gern’s network of connections had long exceeded mere personal strength, even subtly showing the prototype of a faction.

But now was not the time to dwell on that.

“Everyone. A battle that could change the era is about to erupt in the Ed War Sea.” Kong tapped the table, drawing everyone’s attention back.

“Roger and Golden Lion, what these two names mean, I don’t need to say more.”

“Do we need to intervene?” Vice Admiral Tsuru asked calmly, “Or rather… can we intervene?”

“Intervene?” Sakazuki snorted, dark red flames burning in his fist.

“Two pirates killing each other is the best time to execute justice!”

“Oh my~” Borsalino drew out his words, “Sakazuki, you wouldn’t want to face two ‘legends’ at the same time, would you? How scary~”

“Shut up, Borsalino!” Sakazuki glared.

“Enough.” Sengoku interrupted their quarrel, his gaze turning to Kong, “Fleet Admiral, what do you mean?”

Kong was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke: “Observe, record, but… do not intervene.”

“What?!” Sakazuki stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor with a harsh sound, “This is condoning!”

“This is strategy.” Kong gave him a cold glance.

“No matter who wins or loses between Roger and Golden Lion, they will be severely weakened.

And the Marine… needs to preserve its strength.”

His gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on Gern.

“Gern.”

“Present.” Gern looked up, his eyes calm.

“Do you have any thoughts or opinions?”

“Thoughts?” Gern, who of course knew that Golden Lion would lose, outwardly appeared calm and composed as he slowly said, “I agree with Sakazuki.”

Upon hearing Gern’s first sentence, Sakazuki’s expression brightened, almost giving him a thumbs up and saying, “Nice! Gern, brother in heart!”

“After all, have you ever considered what if Roger compromises? What if Golden Lion and Roger cooperate…”

“Impossible! Absolutely impossible!” Garp shouted loudly.

“No matter what, Roger would never submit to Shiki, a guy like him…

If he were to submit to power, then he wouldn’t be a man!”