In the blink of an eye, two years had passed since Gern was promoted to Marineford.

It was sea circle calendar 1488, Gern was 18 years old, and it had been four years since he obtained the Tremor-Tremor Fruit from God Valley…

Over these two years, under the tutelage of Zephyr and Garp, Gern’s Armament Haki had begun to take shape, but it was still far from its true peak.

After all, Armament Haki cannot reach its peak instantly; this power requires a long period of tenacious will and accumulated training, and it cannot be rushed.

However, Gern’s Observation Haki was completely different, almost abnormally sharp.

Perhaps it was a gift from the superposition of two souls, combined with the Devil Fruit “Heaven Quake” which granted him the ability to perceive subtle vibrations.

Whether it was the flow of air, an enemy's breathing, or the momentary vibrations of blades and everything else breaking through the air, he could capture them all clearly.

This led to Gern's almost top-tier Observation Haki talent, which even Zephyr and Garp couldn't help but praise.

At the same time, this talent also made Gern’s Nature Type ability even more formidable, allowing him to almost instantly transform into an element just before an attack hit, perfectly evading it.

As for Haoshoku, Gern decided to let it happen naturally, after all, he didn't have a system to complete missions or sign in for free…

Just Armament Haki and Observation Haki had taken him two years, especially under the daily tutelage of two of the Marine's strongest individuals.

At the same time, Marineford underwent personnel changes in these two years.

In the first year, Zephyr and Sengoku were promoted to Admiral of Marineford, while Garp refused the promotion, continuing to act freely as a Vice Admiral.

Soon after, Zephyr married his fiancée Lina, and almost all Marine officers attended the wedding.

At the wedding, the “Black Arm,” known for his strictness, rarely showed a gentle smile.

After this, as Zephyr's subordinate, Gern began to follow him on various missions, and his rank was promoted all the way from Warrant Officer to Lieutenant at Marineford.

However, it wasn't all smooth sailing.

Over these two years, Zephyr quickly began to notice something unusual…

He discovered that this direct disciple, whom he believed had a very high sense of awareness, displayed a completely different style on the battlefield.

Especially when on missions with him, regardless of whether the pirates surrendered, Gern’s blade never hesitated, and he would even deliver a fatal blow after the battle, even severing heads.

Zephyr had reprimanded him multiple times, but each time he arrived at the pirate ship,

Gern was already sitting somewhere, wrapping bandages around his black blade eight desolations, while the pirate's head rested quietly nearby.

This was also the first time Zephyr smelled a so-called “Cruel Justice” from this direct disciple, which was contrary to his “Non-Lethal Justice.”

......

Marineford, Sengoku's office.

The sunlight from outside cast fragmented shadows on the desk through the blinds.

Zephyr sat on the sofa, his knuckles gently tapping the armrest, his brows tightly furrowed.

Sengoku sat opposite him, holding a cup of hot tea, the wisps of white steam blurring his glasses.

“Sengoku…” Zephyr remained silent for a moment, then finally spoke.

“That kid Gern, lately he's been reminding me more and more of someone.”

Sengoku blew on the surface of his tea, his tone calm: “Sakazuki?”

Zephyr’s fist clenched slightly, then slowly loosened.

He did not deny it.

“The same stubbornness, the same… leaving no room for negotiation,” Zephyr whispered, “But at least Sakazuki still adheres to 'Absolute Justice' (obeying orders).

But Gern… sometimes in his eyes, you can’t even see conviction, only pure killing intent.”

Recalling every time Gern went on a mission with him, whether it was the target of the mission or someone they occasionally encountered,

As long as it was a pirate, and he himself decided not to kill them… Gern would definitely offer them a complimentary head-separation blessing package.

Hearing Zephyr’s words, Sengoku put down his teacup, “Regarding Gern’s matter…”

Zephyr didn't turn around, only nodded slightly: “I know what you want to say.”

Sengoku sighed and closed the file: “In these two years, Gern’s performance has indeed been outstanding; whether in terms of strength or mission completion, he is impeccable.

But his style… goes against your 'Non-Lethal Justice'.”

Zephyr’s back stiffened slightly, and after a moment of silence, he turned around, his eyes complex: “I thought he could understand my philosophy.”

“Zephyr, everyone has a different understanding of justice.” Sengoku looked directly into Zephyr’s eyes.

“Just like Sakazuki, his 'Absolute Justice,' though extreme, is undeniably effective in certain situations.”

Hearing Sakazuki’s name, Zephyr’s brows furrowed even tighter.

“So I don’t want Gern to become a second Sakazuki,” Zephyr said in a deep voice.

“The potential he has shown in these two years… he can go further than me.”

“Then Zephyr, have you ever considered that perhaps it’s precisely because you’ve kept him by your side that he hasn’t found his own ‘Justice’?”

At Sengoku’s words, Zephyr was stunned for a moment, then frowned: “What do you mean?”

“In these two years, although Gern has achieved many merits under your command, he has always been just your subordinate, without a real opportunity to stand on his own.

Zephyr, I know you think highly of Gern, but… you cannot decide his path.”

Zephyr remained silent.

Seeing this, Sengoku continued slowly: “Gern is already 18 years old, and he has the right to choose his own justice.

Moreover, Kuzan, Sakazuki, and the others were already standing on their own at this age.

Yet Gern has always been kept by your side, without an opportunity for independent command.”

Zephyr walked to the desk, leaning his hands on the surface, a hint of reluctance in his tone.

“I just want him to understand that the meaning of power lies in protection, not slaughter.”

“I understand your painstaking efforts.” Sengoku’s voice softened slightly, “But some things, he must experience and comprehend on his own.”

Zephyr straightened up, taking a deep breath: “So, your meaning is?”

“Kuzan, Borsalino, and even Sakazuki,

They had already begun independently commanding missions during this period, exploring their own paths in actual combat.

But what about Gern? He hasn't even had a single mission where he made his own decisions.”

“So… let him execute missions independently.” Sengoku said decisively.

“Give him a chance to see how he will define his own justice.”

“…Perhaps you are right.” After a long time, Zephyr finally spoke, his voice low, “It’s time to let him walk on his own.”

Sengoku smiled slightly, picking up his teacup: “Then it’s settled.

I’ll speak with Fleet Admiral Kong and arrange for him to be in charge of the next independent mission.”

“Wait, how did you arrange this so smoothly?” Zephyr, suddenly realizing, turned his gaze back to Sengoku.

“Haha.” Sengoku chuckled, “Because I have a troublesome fellow here that needs to be dealt with!”

With that, Sengoku pulled out a piece of intelligence from his files.

“Recently, a troublesome pirate crew has emerged from the Grand Line!”

Zephyr took the file and began to read it:

【Pirate Crew Name: Broken Pirates

Captain's Title: “Island-Splitter” Doge

Paramecia Type · Retsu Retsu Fruit user, when touching non-living objects (such as weapons, buildings, ground), he can instantly split them into multiple fragments or smaller units.

Bounty: 300,000,000 Berries (named for having destroyed three Marine branches in the South Sea and three warships in fierce battles in the Grand Line)

Age: 33 years old

Origin: Son of a fisherman from an unnamed small town in the South Sea.】