Marineford, Tavern

Gern, his face no longer childish, sat at the bar, pouring himself a drink.

No sooner had he filled a glass than a layer of frost appeared on it out of thin air.

"This lonely young man, chilled alcohol tastes better, you know." A familiar, lazy voice came from beside him.

Gern's lips curved slightly, and he didn't even lift his head: "Kuzan, your way of appearing hasn't improved at all."

The tall man, draped in a Marine coat, sat down casually, unceremoniously snatching the bottle to fill his own glass.

"No choice, Mr. Garp only has Roger in his eyes, so I, on a solo mission, am naturally a bit faster."

Kuzan poured himself a drink as he spoke, and then clinked glasses with Gern.

"Gern, your reputation hasn't been so good lately! From 'Quake' Gern back then, to 'Head-Severing Devil' now."

Gern's two years of silence had made people temporarily forget him.

At the same time, there was also Zephyr's reason...

In the four years after the God Valley incident, Rocks's shadow completely dissipated, and the sea entered the Era of Three Legends.

The Whitebeard Pirates, Flying Sky Pirates, and Roger Pirates stood as three great powers.

Among them, Golden Lion's Flying Sky Pirates had the greatest influence, followed by Whitebeard, who dominated one region, while Roger was like a free wind, not occupying an inch of land.

The Marine should have been balanced by the three giants: Sengoku, Zephyr, and Garp, but Zephyr's peak period faded like a retreating tide.

Now, he was unable to directly confront the three strongest individuals on the sea and could only contain the second-tier pirate forces...

"The first stage is promotion to Marineford, the second stage is honing Haki..." Gern gazed at his glass, the frost quietly melting.

"Now that the second stage is over, it's time to take the third step."

And in the third stage, he needed to break free from Zephyr's protection!

That's why he completely disregarded Zephyr's wishes.

Firstly, it was to prevent history from repeating itself and to avoid Zephyr's family being retaliated against by pirates.

Secondly, it was to force Zephyr to personally sever this binding rope...

Or, to put it more bluntly, he needed to end this stepping stone now to advance further!" Thinking this, Gern drained the wine in his glass in one gulp.

"Speaking of which." Gern suddenly changed the subject and refilled his glass, "Among the legendary Three Monsters of the Marine, I only know you.

Sakazuki and Borsalino..."

"Those two are completely opposite people." Kuzan also smiled, "Sakazuki is a fanatical workaholic, directly stationed at the G-3 Base in the New World.

As for Borsalino, you don't even need to ask, you know about the Marine Science Unit, right?"

"I know, it was established in recent years."

"Exactly, that guy went straight there! It's practically a paradise for slacking off." Kuzan said, a hint of jealousy even flashing in his eyes.

"But they have to be ready to be dispatched by the Celestial Dragons at any time." Gern shook his glass, adding.

"Tsk, that's certainly a buzzkill." Kuzan pouted, then suddenly put his arm around Gern's shoulder.

"But now it should be 'Four Monsters'! Including you, the youngest one."

"Me?" Gern raised an eyebrow.

"Otherwise? I heard before I came that you're going to be on an independent mission."

"Independent mission?!" Gern's pupils flashed with a hint of light, "Am I not Zephyr-sensei's adjutant?"

"When I came back to turn in my mission, I saw the Fleet Admiral signed your appointment papers." Kuzan tilted his head back, draining his glass, and as his Adam's apple bobbed, he dropped a bombshell.

"So, from today on, you are a Lieutenant directly under Marineford, no longer Zephyr-sensei's adjutant."

The bottom of the glass clinked heavily against the bar, the echo buzzing in Gern's ears.

"It's done..." Gern muttered to himself.

It should be known that during Kong's era of governance, the Marineford promotion system was as strict as an iron law; every promotion's merits were meticulously calculated, regardless of strength or background.

Even individuals like Kuzan, who had reached Vice Admiral-level strength, still held only the rank of Colonel in Marineford.

To advance further, only independent command missions could build the foundation of reputation and military achievements for one's future.

In the dim yellow light of the tavern, Gern slowly curved his lips.

The ladder of military achievements and reputation had finally laid its first rung beneath his feet.

(Here's a quick note about a certain 'hero' who went from grunt to Marineford Colonel in two years in the future.

You should know, Gern basically took 5 years to reach Lieutenant, and the future Admirals are only Colonels at this time.

As for Zephyr, he even took ten years to get promoted to Petty Officer!)

........

The night was deep, and the streets of Marineford were bathed in the dim, quiet glow of streetlights.

Gern walked slowly along the cobblestone path towards his residence.

The conversation in the tavern still echoed in his mind.

Independent mission, direct subordination to Marineford, breaking free from Zephyr's adjutant status... everything was progressing according to his plan.

However, as Gern turned the last corner, his steps paused slightly.

On the stone steps of his home, a tall figure stood silently, his purple short hair unmoving in the evening breeze, his sunglasses reflecting the cold Moonlight.

"Zephyr... sensei?" Gern blinked, his tone normal, "It's so late, why are you here?"

Zephyr didn't answer immediately, only silently watched him, his gaze sharp as a blade.

After a long moment, he slowly spoke: "Just came back from the tavern?"

"Mhm, I happened to run into Kuzan." Gern smiled, pulling out his keys from his pocket, "That guy still likes to snatch people's food as always."

"Is that so." Zephyr's voice was low, devoid of emotion, "Then he must have already told you."

The sound of the key entering the lock was exceptionally crisp in the quiet street.

Gern pushed the door open, stepping aside to let him pass: "Would you like to come in and sit, Zephyr-sensei?"

Zephyr didn't move, still standing on the steps, the Moonlight stretching his shadow long, almost completely enveloping Gern.

"Gern." Suddenly, Zephyr spoke, his voice heavy as if carrying a mountain, "Why?"

He still wanted to ask his disciple himself.

Gern's hand paused on the doorknob, and he tilted his head slightly: "Why what?"

"Why did you kill them?" Zephyr's fists clenched slightly, "Those surrendered pirates, they could have been locked up in Impel Down, they could have..."

"They could have been kept alive?" Gern interrupted him, his tone so calm it was almost cold.

Zephyr's pupils contracted slightly.

Gern turned around and looked directly into Zephyr's eyes: "Zephyr-sensei, do you still remember the question you asked me in your office three years ago when I first arrived at Marineford?"

"...What question?"

"You asked me why I joined the Marine." Gern's lips curved slightly, "My answer at the time was...

To become stronger, and also... to find an answer."

The night wind swept by, rustling a few fallen leaves.

"What answer?" Zephyr subconsciously repeated his answer from back then.

"My justice."