After Zephyr left, Gern remained in the office, fingers idly tapping his desk.
Outside the window came the rhythmic shouts of Naval Academy trainees—
but farther away, an unusual disturbance was spreading.
Then—
Garp's thunderous voice echoed across Headquarters.
"HEY! THIS AFTERNOON—TRAINING GROUND ONE!
GERN'S FIGHTING ZEPHYR!!!"
"…That fast?"
Gern raised an eyebrow and walked to the window.
Sure enough—
on the training field below, Zephyr stood helplessly beside an overly excited Garp.
Even Marines in the corridor were gathering.
Though distant, Gern could clearly sense the buzzing excitement.
"Vice Admiral Zephyr vs the newcomer Gern!"
"The Heavenly Quake user who fought Whitebeard?!"
"Teacher Zephyr's going to show him true power!"
Gern twitched.
"Teach my ass. I'm clearly being used as a punching bag."
The sunlight was perfect.
Gern stretched lazily and decided to hit the cafeteria first.
Can't get beaten on an empty stomach.
Marineford Cafeteria
Always packed.
Gern sat down with a tray piled half his height in food.
Instantly, nearby conversations dropped to a hush.
"Am I that scary?"
He speared a steak and glanced sideways.
Several young Marines immediately lowered their heads.
Others whispered excitedly.
"That's Ensign Gern!"
"The one who blocked Whitebeard's attack!"
"They say his Heavenly Quake is even stronger than Whitebeard's!"
"No way—Whitebeard's a monster!"
"I saw it with my own eyes on the warship!"
"Stop talking—this afternoon we'll see it ourselves!"
Gern shook his head.
The gossip fire burns strong.
Just as he lifted his soup—
A tall figure sat across from him.
"Mind if I sit here?"
A lazy voice asked.
Gern looked up.
Messy black curls. A relaxed smile.
"…Captain Kuzan?" he asked tentatively.
Graduates of the Naval Academy started at Captain rank—
and climbed absurdly fast.
Right now, Kuzan was still passionate about justice.
Very different from the future.
"Just call me Kuzan."
The future Admiral grinned and casually grabbed bread from Gern's tray.
"Heard you're getting beaten up by Teacher Zephyr this afternoon?"
"Guided," Gern corrected.
"Not beaten."
"Same thing."
Kuzan shrugged and leaned closer.
"I'm telling you—bring some steel plates.
Teacher Zephyr's fists are almost as bad as Mr. Garp's…"
"…Seriously?"
Gern's fork paused.
"Haha!"
Kuzan laughed.
"Just kidding. But he is strict."
He casually stole a fried fish.
"By the way—can your Heavenly Quake really block Whitebeard's tremors?"
Watching his food vanish, Gern calmly pulled the tray closer.
"Captain Kuzan, if you're that curious, why not test Whitebeard yourself?"
"Don't be stingy~"
Kuzan reached for the steak again.
"I'm on break, and besides—"
Clink.
Gern's fork shot out like lightning, pinning the table just short of Kuzan's fingers.
"Whoa."
Kuzan whistled.
"Nice reflexes."
"Thanks," Gern replied calmly.
"But I'd prefer compliments on my table manners—not self-defense."
Kuzan burst out laughing, drawing attention.
"I like you, Gern.
Most rookies freeze when they see me."
"Probably because they haven't seen you stealing food."
"Sharing is a virtue."
Kuzan said proudly, sampling the soup.
"Hmm. Creamy mushroom soup's good today."
Gern sighed and pushed the bowl over.
"Please. It's clearly our lunch now."
"That's the spirit."
Kuzan nodded.
"As repayment—some insider info.
Teacher Zephyr's in a bad mood today.
He argued with the Fleet Admiral over recruit training."
Gern raised a brow.
"Good news or bad?"
"Depends."
Kuzan licked the spoon clean.
"Bad news—he'll be harsher.
Good news—he'll take you seriously. No holding back."
"Fantastic," Gern deadpanned.
Kuzan suddenly grew serious.
"Don't underestimate yourself.
Not many people can block Whitebeard even once."
Gern was about to say it was luck—
But Kuzan instantly returned to his lazy grin.
"Still—want those steel plates? I can lend you some."
"No need."
Gern waved him off, then glanced at Kuzan's bandaged hands.
"I think you need them more."
"…Eh?"
"HAHAHAHA!"
Kuzan roared.
"Interesting. I'll watch this afternoon. Don't disappoint me, friend."
Gern looked at his nearly empty tray, then Kuzan's departing back.
"At least leave the spoon…"
Without turning around, Kuzan waved.
The spoon flew back from his sleeve, spinning neatly into Gern's tray.
Gern stared.
Only then did he notice a thin layer of frost forming on his water cup.
"…Interesting."
He smiled, stood up to get more food—
and realized the cafeteria atmosphere had changed again.
Now the looks held not just awe, but curiosity and envy.
Clearly, casually chatting with Kuzan—
one of the Navy's current "three monster rookies"—
had elevated his mystique even further.
"Tch… looks like this afternoon's audience will be bigger than expected."
Gern muttered—
and went to refill his plate.