Gern Reginald Sigmar leaned back against the broad chair, watching the man across from him—Kizaru—who was practically swallowed by the sofa, wearing that ever-present, lazy expression.
"So, after going around in such a big circle…"Gern's voice was calm, not loud, yet every word landed crisply in the silent room.
"What Fleet Admiral Sengoku is really worried about—what he truly believes needs to be 'kept under watch'—isn't pirates at all…"
"It's me. Isn't that right?"
Kizaru smiled but said nothing. Behind the amber-tinted sunglasses, his expression was impossible to read.
When Kizaru remained silent, Gern leaned forward. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the polished surface of the desk—
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Like a countdown.Or like a hammer striking a nail.
"He's worried that I—a 'problem admiral' who just finished fighting Whitebeard, still reeking of killing intent—"
A faint, mocking curve formed at the corner of Gern's lips.
"—might take one look at that shipment of wealth beyond imagination known as the 'Heavenly Tribute'…"
"And suddenly decide the funding for rebuilding G-10 has been secured."
"Or worse—decide to deliberately give the World Government a headache, and do something… utterly lawless."
He paused briefly.
"So what does he do? He sends you."
"Rather than 'escorting' the Heavenly Tribute, you're here to watch me."
"To make sure I don't truly lose my mind and sink that treasure ship—along with the World Government's dignity—straight into the sea."
"Heh."A soft, cold chuckle escaped him.
"Am I right?""Senior Borsalino?"
Faced with words that all but tore away every layer of pretense and struck straight at the core—
Kizaru neither confirmed nor denied them.
Instead, he slowly reached out, picked up the elegant teapot on the desk, and calmly poured himself a cup.
He lifted the cup, blew gently across the surface, took a sip—
—and let out a satisfied sigh.
"Mm~ what fine tea.Marineford's spring blend—hard to find this flavor anywhere else."
Only after a moment did Kizaru raise his eyelids, peering at Gern through the thin steam rising from the cup.
"You're still as straightforward as ever, Gern-kun~"
"But then again…"He paused, as if choosing his words—or perhaps simply indulging in his habit of dragging things out.
"Among the four Admirals of Marine Headquarters, you're the only one who can be so… hmm…"
"'Free-spirited.'"
"Someone who can almost ignore the unspoken intentions of the World Government itself…"
"…and still boldly strike at a sea-dominating existence like Whitebeard—causing a battle of such terrifying scale."
(At this point in history, the term "Yonko" had not yet become widespread.)
Kizaru gently set the teacup down. His hands rested together on his lap, his body leaning forward by a nearly imperceptible degree.
"So, Gern-kun…"The smile remained, but a faint thread of seriousness had woven itself into his tone.
"Can you allow me to finish this 'mission' quietly… and smoothly?"
There was no overt threat in his words.No command.It even sounded like a friendly request.
But Gern understood.
This was the stance of Marine Headquarters—and behind it, the World Government itself.
A reminder.A warning.And a clearly drawn line.
After all, the Heavenly Tribute was directly tied to the interests of the Celestial Dragons in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise.
Looking at Kizaru's seemingly lazy posture—every step calculated beneath the surface—
The cold curve of Gern's smile deepened.
"And if…"He spoke softly.
"…I say I refuse?"
The moment the words fell—
The temperature in the office seemed to plunge to absolute zero.
Even the air felt frozen.
"Refuse…?"The playful grin on Kizaru's face stiffened, just slightly.
Behind the sunglasses, the laziness vanished in an instant.
"Ah~"He let out a gentle sigh, sounding genuinely troubled.
"That would… make things very difficult for me, you know~"
"And honestly…"His voice slowed, each word crisp and deliberate.
"I really don't want to fight you again."
"Gern."
He placed just a hint of emphasis on the name.
"A warning."
"Difficult?"Gern snorted.
"Then don't do it."
"Is that really an option~?"Kizaru chuckled, dragging out the ending.
And in that very instant—
A minuscule movement rippled through Kizaru's body.
So subtle it was nearly an illusion.
The surrounding light began to distort—
—as if countless photons were about to leap into motion the very next second.
But in that lightning-fast moment—
BOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!
The office door and the entire side wall detonated outward!
Wood splinters, shattered stone, and dust exploded inward like a violent storm!
Three figures, wrapped in overwhelming killing intent, burst into the room at speeds beyond visual perception—
—instantly sealing every possible route of movement.
Directly ahead—
Snake Empress Torritoma stood tall, her long figure radiating icy menace.
Her blade was fully drawn, humming ominously as deep, jet-black Armament Haki condensed along its edge.
The tip of the sword gleamed coldly, aimed precisely at Kizaru's brow—murderous intent solidified into form.
Above and to the side—
Enel hovered amid raging azure lightning, his golden staff crackling violently.
At its tip, an extremely compressed sphere of lightning blazed with blinding white brilliance, mercilessly locking onto Kizaru's temple.
And most suffocating of all—
Behind him.
Douglas Bullet's towering form loomed silently, like a living fortress.
He bared his teeth in a near-maniacal grin, eyes burning with anticipation—
—as if he were hoping Kizaru would make the slightest move.
A perfect triangular formation.
Their killing intent intertwined flawlessly, forming a merciless, inescapable execution array.
Kizaru's barely perceptible motion halted instantly.
"A-ah~"The muscles in his face twitched ever so slightly.
Then, without hesitation—smoothly and cleanly—
He raised both hands in a textbook surrender.
As if that dangerous flicker of intent had never existed at all.
He even tilted his head casually, his voice slipping back into that lazy drawl—
Though this time, it carried genuine amazement… and helpless amusement.
"Truly… terrifying~"
"Gern's subordinates are so alert it makes my scalp tingle~"
His gaze swept over the three of them.
"I only leaked the tiniest bit of intent…"
"Is it really necessary to gang up on a poor old man like this~?"