Marineford—the center of world justice, the headquarters of the Navy, the symbol of global peace.
Yet today, the harbor of this sacred place was unusually lively.
Morning sunlight reflected off the massive "Justice" kanji and the Navy insignia engraved on the headquarters buildings.
This was the safest place in the world—everything felt calm and warm, the sea shimmering with gentle waves.
However, the Marines on harbor duty had no mood to enjoy the scenery.
Their gazes kept drifting toward the two towering figures standing at the very front.
"Black Arm" Zephyr and "Iron Fist" Garp.
"Hey… what day is it today?"
A Navy lieutenant about to depart on a mission whispered, stealing glances toward the two Vice Admirals.
"I have no idea either!" the commander beside him replied, equally confused.
"But someone who can make both 'Black Arm' and 'Iron Fist' come personally to the harbor…
Could it be Vice Admiral Sengoku? Or maybe Rear Admiral Tsuru?"
"Did Sengoku come back from the New World?"
"Impossible. Sengoku's ship left yesterday for G-1 Branch, and he even took Tsuru with him to deal with Golden Lion!"
Whispers spread across the harbor.
Everyone was curious about who was arriving.
At the military port, Zephyr stood with arms crossed, posture straight as a pine tree.
His signature purple hair did not move at all in the sea breeze, his eyes fixed on the distant horizon.
His expression was so stern that nearby Marines dared not approach.
"Hey, Zephyr, don't be so stiff!"
Garp suddenly threw an arm around Zephyr's shoulders, breaking the silence.
"That kid did something incredible!"
Seeing Garp's carefree behavior, Zephyr frowned slightly but did not shake him off.
"Garp, watch your conduct. This is the harbor, not your office."
"Hahaha!" Garp laughed even louder, drawing glances from all around.
"What's the big deal! The guy you snatched from Fleet Admiral Kong last time is insane!
Stronger than those three monsters who graduated from the Academy!
I even sneaked a look at Sengoku's report—
Can you believe it? That brat actually attacked Whitebeard and even exchanged blows with him!
And he even forced Whitebeard to use Conqueror's Haki coating!
Youth really is fearless!"
His booming voice echoed across the harbor.
"Whitebeard?!"
"Conqueror's coating?!"
"Could it be that Ensign from the West Blue—
Gern Reginald Sigma?"
Zephyr's frown deepened. He lowered his voice.
"Garp. You're too loud."
"Ah, whatever!" Garp waved his hand.
"They'll find out soon anyway. That kid survived Whitebeard, hahahaha!
That's way more impressive than Sakazuki and the others—
they were still in school at sixteen!"
Zephyr sighed and turned to Garp, expression serious.
"Sakazuki and the others are graduates, but after obtaining Devil Fruits, they rely too much on them.
Gern is the same. I know his ability well—
this time, he depended entirely on his fruit."
"Hey, don't be so harsh," Garp said, smiling, admiration still in his eyes.
"Standing his ground in front of Whitebeard isn't something fruit power alone can do.
That takes guts."
"Guts?" Zephyr snorted.
"That was recklessness."
"If he had met Golden Lion Shiki instead, he'd already be dead."
"You know it as well as I do—
in the New World, Devil Fruits alone won't carry you far.
Haki is the true path of the strong."
"All right, all right, you're right!"
Garp laughed again and slapped Zephyr's back hard.
"So isn't this exactly your job, Vice Admiral?
Otherwise why would you argue with the Fleet Admiral just to keep him by your side?
Train that kid properly—
make him a real powerhouse!"
Garp's strength was immense.
Zephyr stumbled a step forward and glanced back helplessly.
"Garp, you…"
At that moment, a lookout shouted from the tower:
"Warship entering port!
It's the West Blue escort vessel from G-14 Branch!"
"They're here."
All eyes turned to the sea.
A battered warship slowly approached, deep cracks along its hull silently telling the story of a brutal battle.
"Wow," Garp whistled.
"Looks worse than what the report said."
Zephyr didn't answer.
His eyes were locked on the deck.
"…Gern."
He spoke the name quietly, his tone complex.
Garp grinned.
"What, regretting taking him from Kong? I think he's better than my son!"
"No."
Zephyr shook his head firmly.
"That's exactly why he needs his mindset corrected.
Devil Fruits are tools.
True strength comes from oneself."
"You never change," Garp laughed.
"But for you to care this much… that kid must really be special.
You've taught many students at the Academy, but never had a true disciple, have you?"
"…That's true," Zephyr muttered.
His thoughts returned to three days ago, when he read the battle report.
A young Marine, barely enlisted, daring to challenge a man known as 'the power to destroy the world.'
Shock—
then deep concern.
Zephyr knew better than anyone how terrifying the Quake-Quake Fruit was.
And now, something even more dangerous—
A Logia-type vibration fruit—
in the hands of a rookie Marine.
That kind of power could easily breed arrogance.
"Zephyr, they're here," Garp said.
The ship docked. The gangplank lowered.
The harbor fell silent.
Soldiers disembarked first—faces pale, still shaken.
Then the ship's commanding lieutenant saluted Zephyr and Garp.
Finally—
A tall, slender figure with short black hair and bandages stepped onto the gangplank.
Gern Reginald Sigma.
His injuries had not fully healed, bandages stark in the sunlight, yet his steps were steady.
The black blade Eight Desolations, wrapped in white cloth, rested on his back—
the sword faintly humming.
When Gern's gaze met the two Vice Admirals', the harbor became utterly silent.
Only waves against the shore remained.
"Marine Headquarters—
I, Gern, have arrived."
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