The next day, night quietly descended over Marineford.
The streets of the city glowed beneath rows of lanterns and streetlights. Some people hurried along with purpose, while others strolled leisurely, savoring the calm.
At the harbor, Gern Reginald Sigmar—who had been the first to return due to the events at Impel Down—didn't even have time to go home before receiving an urgent summons from Steel Bone Kong.
Magellan wouldn't really stoop to filing a petty report, would he…?
As he walked, Gern mulled it over, already scheming how he might casually brush it off with a few improvised excuses.
Before long, he reached the gates. He took a deep breath.
"Fleet Admiral Kong, Bullet broke free on his own, you know!I mean, the guy's strength is no joke. I had to go all out to restrain him again afterward!As for Magellan, you really shouldn't trust just his side of the story—"
He was only halfway through pushing the door open when he felt it.
A suffocating pressure.
Peering through the gap, he met Steel Bone Kong's gaze—sharp as a hawk's, locked firmly onto him.
Gern's heart tightened. The carefree grin that usually hung on his face vanished instantly. He pushed the door open the rest of the way and stepped inside in silence.
"I knew it," he muttered lightly. "Calling me in the middle of the night—there's no way it's just about that little thing at Impel Down."
The familiar frivolous smile returned to his lips, but the moment his eyes swept over Kong's grave expression, it faded again.
He walked straight to the sofa and dropped onto it, spreading his hands."Alright. What is it?"
Steel Bone Kong sat behind his desk, fingers interlaced beneath his chin.
"Gern… your promotion to Admiral has been rejected by the World Government.Not only that—they've proposed that Kuzan and you…"
For a time, the only sounds in the room were Kong's voice and the steady ticking of the wall clock.
Slowly, thoroughly, Kong laid out everything—the World Government's decision, their intentions, and the situation surrounding the remaining Admiral seat.
Yet when it was over, Gern reacted nothing like Kong had expected.
No anger. No outrage. No sharp questioning.
Instead, Gern let out a soft chuckle, his fingers tapping lightly against the sofa's armrest.
"That's it?"He lifted his gaze, a trace of mockery flickering in his eyes."I thought it was going to be something earth-shattering."
Kong frowned deeply."You're not angry?"
"Angry?" Gern scoffed and rose to his feet, walking toward the window. Moonlight stretched his shadow long across the floor."If I were the World Government, I wouldn't allow a 'rebel' who threatens the safety of the Celestial Dragons to sit in the Admiral's seat either."
As he spoke, he turned back, the corner of his mouth curling into a dangerous arc.
"After all, if something were to happen to them… the process of me 'protecting' them would very likely result in… an accident."
Steel Bone Kong's pupils contracted sharply.
Not because of what Gern said—but because of how he said it.
His composure was unsettling. Calm to the point of amusement.
The slight tilt of his head.The faint, inscrutable smile at his lips.And those deep eyes—devoid of anger, devoid of resentment—holding only a knowing, playful clarity.
As if everything unfolding now had already been foreseen.
That attitude made Kong suddenly realize—
The man standing before him had likely seen through the World Government's intentions long ago… and may have already prepared his response.
"You knew this would happen?" Kong asked in a low voice, probing.
"Heh."Gern chuckled softly as he walked behind Kong's chair, tapping the backrest with his fingers—slow, deliberate beats.
His tone was low, but edged with undeniable sharpness.
"Fleet Admiral, power has never been something granted by others.""It's taken—with strength and leverage."
He continued moving, then leaned back into the sofa again.
"Besides…"His eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of derision in his smile."Does it really make a difference whether I'm officially an Admiral right now or not?"
"Then…" Kong lowered his gaze, brows knotted tight, eyes locked on him."You don't plan to fight for it?"
"Fight? Of course I'll fight."Gern suddenly laughed, his voice low as he continued,"Because whether I win or lose—Kuzan is going to be promoted regardless."
He stood once more and slowly walked to the window, the moonlight tracing a cold, sharp outline along his profile.
"But if I don't fight this battle…"Gern turned his head, his gaze stabbing toward Kong like a blade."Fleet Admiral, then you'd have no way to explain things to the Marines."
"And even less of a way to openly grant me authority—would you?"
Kong's breath caught.
"You—"
"Fleet Admiral, I know exactly what you're thinking."Gern cut him off, his voice suddenly razor-sharp.
"You're worried that once Admiral Sengoku takes over, his dove-like approach will allow the World Government to slowly erode the Marines' existing authority."
"After all…"Gern turned fully around, hands in his pockets, eyes blazing.
"Instructor Zephyr. Vice Admiral Garp. Kuzan. Chief of Staff Tsuru. They're all doves."
"And Sakazuki—while he commands a group of hawks—is obedient by nature.At most, he'll rage and question decisions in meetings. But when it comes time to act…""He'll still carry out the orders."
As he spoke, Gern stepped closer. Each step felt like it landed directly on Steel Bone Kong's taut nerves.
"So you need me."He leaned forward slightly, his voice low and dangerous.
"Because only I—'Natural Disaster' Gern Reginald Sigmar—can both preserve the Marines' current authority and truly resist the World Government's encroachment."
Straightening, he let out a cold laugh.
"Because there will never be reconciliation between the World Government and me."
"And my achievements are already enough to give me the qualification."
He paused for a single beat.
"But the problem is… you're missing a reason."
"A reason you can use—openly and legitimately—to delegate power."
Steel Bone Kong's breathing grew faintly unsteady.
Gern's smile deepened, tinged with near-provocation.
"So that's why you summoned me tonight," he said lightly."You want me to take part in this duel the World Government has arranged—don't you?"
He spread his hands, his tone casual yet utterly certain.
"Because you know Kuzan will definitely be promoted."
"And I…"His eyes sharpened in an instant."Can use my 'failure' as justification to demand compensation."
"For example…"Gern tilted his head slightly."Granting Gern Reginald Sigmar… autonomous command over his subordinates."
"Autonomous command…"Kong jerked his head up."You want independence from Sengoku's constraints?!"
"No, no."Gern waved it off casually."I still follow orders. Really."
"It's just that… sometimes orders are deadly."
"And when that moment comes—some privileges are necessary, aren't they?"
"Gern…"Looking into the man's eyes, Steel Bone Kong realized—for the first time—that he truly didn't understand him. Or rather, he couldn't see through him at all.
"Let's make a deal," Gern said calmly."Fleet Admiral."
"After all—everything is for the sake of the Marines."
...
Much later, as Gern's hand once again rested on the office door handle, Steel Bone Kong suddenly spoke.
"Gern… whose side are you really on?"
Gern didn't turn around. He merely tilted his head slightly, moonlight casting half his face into shadow.
"I stand on the side of 'justice,' Fleet Admiral."
The moment the door closed, Steel Bone Kong replayed everything that had just transpired—the conversation, the so-called deal.
His gaze drifted to the World Government's Den Den Mushi on his desk.
And in that instant, it struck him—
This game of power…
Might have fallen into Gern's rhythm from the very beginning.
And this man—
Had been waiting for this exact moment.
..
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