Year 1499 of the Sea Circle Calendar — A Shift Within the Marines
That year marked a series of major personnel changes within Marine Headquarters.
Marine Headquarters Lieutenant Colonel "White Rabbit" Lipo Hope was successfully promoted to Brigadier General.
In the same month, Marine Headquarters Major "Golden" Gild Tesoro advanced to the rank of Colonel.
Soon after, a former officer of the Kuja Pirates—the swordmaster known as "Snake Princess" Toritoma, once bearing a bounty as high as 925,000,000 Beli—
Under the joint guarantee of Marine Hero "Iron Fist" Garp, former Admiral "Black Arm" Zephyr, and "Heaven-Shaker" Gern,
Forced the World Government—despite its extreme reluctance—
To revoke her bounty and induct her into the Marines, granting her the rank of Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral, with the sole condition that she would answer only to Gern's direct command.
At the same time, through Gern's recommendation, Enel, whose background was deemed completely clean, successfully entered the Marine Elite Training Camp.
What shocked everyone was that this man needed only one week.
Relying purely on the overwhelming power of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit and his innate Mantra-like Observation Haki,
Without even using Armament Haki—
He slaughtered his way through and utterly swept every trainee of his generation!
His dazzling performance immediately earned him the title of "The Marines' Strongest Rookie."
Becoming, after Sakazuki, Kuzan, Borsalino, and Gern,
Yet another Marine prodigy crowned with the name "Monster."
However, Enel's arrogant and unrestrained temperament meant that he stayed in the training camp for only one month before Zephyr personally took him under his wing for special training.
Even more astonishing—
Possessing innate, top-tier Observation Haki, and later awakening Conqueror's Haki under Gern's stimulation—
Under Zephyr's harsh guidance, Enel mastered the fundamentals of Armament Haki in just four months.
He then graduated ahead of schedule and, due to his strength alone, was directly granted the rank of Marine Headquarters Lieutenant Colonel.
That same year, in June, while the World Government was purging the remnants of the Roger Pirates, it successfully uncovered information suggesting that—
"Pirate King" Gol D. Roger might have left bloodline descendants in the world.
Based on timeline deductions,
The World Government organized a joint operation between the Marines and CP0, sealing off twenty-four islands in the first half of the Grand Line that Roger might have visited.
All pregnant women were screened by date—All children were to be exterminated without exception.
And the person placed in charge of this operation—
Was none other than the Marine legend who had personally captured the Pirate King himself:
"Heaven-Shaker" Gern Reginald Sigmar.
The First Half of the Grand Line — Snyo Island
Marine warships and World Government vessels sealed off every harbor on the island.
As the ships docked, Marine soldiers immediately disembarked and formed two neat lines, standing straight and rigid—
Their eyes filled with reverence as they stared at the figure about to step ashore.
Moments later, cloaked in the fluttering mantle of Justice, dressed in black, with the black blade Eight Desolations resting at his waist—
Gern descended the gangplank at an unhurried pace.
In his hand was the latest newspaper, pinched lazily between his fingers, a faint trace of mockery tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Tch, tch, tch… Moonlight Moria really got wrecked," Gern muttered as he skimmed the headline."Wiped out completely by Kaido in Wano, huh?"
"Gern!"Behind him, Enel, still bare-chested as ever, followed while gnawing on an apple, speaking through a mouthful of bites."I heard you're gonna throw down with some guy named Kuzan? Is that for real?"
Despite having joined Marine Headquarters for less than half a year, Enel had already become the center of attention due to his overwhelming strength and unchecked arrogance.
Still just as insufferably conceited.Still calling himself "God."
"Looks like you're settling in just fine," Gern glanced sideways at him, smiling faintly."Zephyr must've beaten the attitude into you pretty good, huh? You actually remembered someone's name."
"Don't look down on me!" Enel snorted.He flicked the apple core away—it sailed cleanly through the air and dropped straight into a distant trash bin.
"The weaklings are calling me a 'monster' now, you know!""And what does that mean?""It means God's growth rate is far beyond what you mortals can imagine!"
"Then keep growing," Gern sighed, rubbing his temples.
Lipo had been borrowed by Vice Admiral Garp.Tesoro was on leave because of Stella.The Snake Princess found this kind of meaningless mission distasteful.
And so—
He was left with nothing but an arrogant, naked lunatic following him around.
"…What's with that look?!"Seeing Gern's expression, Enel immediately bristled."Bastard—don't you dare look down on God!"
As Gern and Enel walked away, the Marines at the harbor finally let out the breaths they'd been holding.
"Hey… that guy following Vice Admiral Gern," a young Marine recruit whispered, awe clear in his eyes."That's the 'God' Enel everyone's been talking about, right?"
"Who else could it be?" an older Marine squinted toward the distance."That guy got personally recommended by Vice Admiral Gern on his first day and sent straight into the elite camp."
"Hah—joined for one week and solo'd the entire camp of his generation."
"That strong?!"
"A brand-new Marine monster, no doubt."
"I heard he used to rule a Sky Island and called himself God… until Vice Admiral Gern beat him into submission and dragged him back."
"What? Gern took him down personally?!"
"Absolutely. A buddy of mine from G-62 said the sky was completely swallowed by thunder that day—Even the warships' communications went dead."
Another Marine leaned in, lowering his voice."And that's not all. Three months ago, Admiral Zephyr personally tested the elite camp."
"That guy rewrote the terrain of the entire training island with lightning."
"Even the Admiral said his potential rivaled Sakazuki's in his prime."
"…Another Logia monster."
"And did you notice?""He's only just joined, yet he's already accompanying Vice Admiral Gern on missions."
"Obviously. You think anyone gets that kind of treatment?""The last one was Brigadier General Lipo."
"Still… that personality's insane.""Calling himself God all day, even daring to mouth off to Vice Admiral Sakazuki."
"Heh. Arrogant, sure—but he's got the strength to back it up.""You know how he got promoted straight to Lieutenant Colonel after graduation?"
"During Zephyr's pre-graduation field mission, they ran into a Big Mom Pirates ship.""Before the Admiral could even speak—"
"He dropped a single move: 'Ten Thousand Thunders.'""The ship was vaporized. Even the Big Mom Pirates officer onboard—"
The sea breeze carried their hushed voices away.
Their gazes drifted back toward the distance—
To the bare-chested man swaggering behind the youngest legendary Vice Admiral in Marine history,Radiating arrogance as though the world itself existed beneath his feet.
Snyo Island — Town Square
In the town plaza, eighty-nine pregnant women and twenty-two infants were gathered together.
Beyond the perimeter, island residents were held back by Marine soldiers.
Some wept quietly.Some clenched their fists in fury.
But not a single person dared step forward.
CP agents, dressed in immaculate black suits, moved through the crowd with ledgers in hand, their faces expressionless as they verified the information of every woman and child.
Elsewhere, in the Marines' temporary rest area—
Gern lay reclined in a chair, a newspaper covering most of his face.The chair rocked gently, as if the scene unfolding outside had nothing to do with him.
Enel sprawled sideways on a long sofa dragged over by the Marines, one hand propping his head up.
With the other, he idly tossed an apple into the air, irritation flashing in his eyes.
"This is unbearably boring…""A mission this trivial—and they expect God to supervise it?""I heard there's a man in the Blue Sea called the 'Strongest Man in the World'—Whitebeard, right?"
"Gern, let's go kill him.""We're gods, after all."
Enel droned on, completely unaware that Gern had stuffed earplugs into his ears.
"Sir, the registrations are complete."A CP agent handed over the documents.
The official coordinating this mission alongside Gern was the current commander of CP9—
Spandam.
"I know! I'm watching!" Spandam snapped."No need to tell me!"
He wiped the sweat from his brow, fingers trembling as he clutched the completed list.
"Damn it… why did it have to be this guy leading the Marines this time?!"
Swallowing hard, Spandam's eyes darted between Gern and Enel, instinctively judging which one was more dangerous.
The answer was obvious.
Gern Reginald Sigmar—The youngest legendary Vice Admiral in Marine Headquarters history.The monster who had personally captured the Pirate King.
And, in the eyes of the World Government's upper echelons—
Their most uncontrollable thorn in the flesh.
Spandam knew this man's history well.Feigning compliance while undermining orders.Publicly humiliating Celestial Dragons.Even provoking the mobilization of the God's Knights—
Only for the World Government to lose face and be forced into compromise.
Among CP agents, Gern was nothing short of a walking calamity.
"V-Vice Admiral Gern…"After hesitating, Spandam shuffled forward half a step, his voice barely above a whisper."We… we've finished the registration."
"Hm?"The newspaper lowered slightly, revealing a pair of icy eyes.
Gern propped himself up."Well? Any irregularities?"
"Uh…"Spandam's Adam's apple bobbed.
He understood the subtext perfectly.
If he said yes, Gern might exploit it.If he said no…
Then the order that followed would tear everything apart.
But the World Government's mission had to be carried out.
After all—he ate the Government's rice, not the Marines'.
Gritting his teeth, Spandam forced a smile.
"They… all meet the criteria."He paused, then added,"Therefore, under World Government orders…"
"What orders?"
"…Leave none alive."
The moment the last four words fell, the air in the plaza froze.
From the guarded crowd, quiet sobs began to rise.Infants' cries echoed faintly.
Marine soldiers unconsciously turned their gazes toward Gern, waiting.
Gern slowly folded the newspaper and set it aside on the table.
The motion was light—
Yet sweat instantly soaked through the back of Spandam's shirt.
"Oh?"Gern's voice was calm, almost lazy."You're certain there's been no… misjudgment?"
"Or should I ask—Spandam, are you sure nothing was overlooked?"
"O-Of course!"Spandam wiped his brow frantically."CP9's screenings never make mistakes!"
Gern didn't answer.
He simply stood up—
And Spandam instinctively took a step back.
"Then proceed," Gern said flatly.
"R-Really?! No—understood! I'll give the order immediately!"
Spandam turned in relief, waving urgently to the CP agents.
Weapons were drawn.Cold gun barrels leveled at the unarmed women and children.
At that very instant—
BOOM!!!
A blinding bolt of lightning crashed down from the sky, striking the ground between the agents and the crowd!
The earth scorched black.Smoke billowed.The agents staggered back in terror.
"Shut up already!!"
Enel's furious voice rang out.
At some point, he was already standing beside Gern, a golden staff slung over his shoulder.
"A bunch of chattering insects, disturbing God's peace!"
"V-Vice Admiral Gern…!"Spandam collapsed to the ground, stammering in panic."Y-You said… didn't you say to execute the order?!"
"Hm?"Gern frowned, then smiled.
He crouched down.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk."
He reached out, pinched Spandam's cheek, then patted it lightly.
"You didn't seriously think I meant you, did you?"
Spandam: "..."
"This is a World Government order!"Spandam shouted, forcing his courage."You'd both better think this through!"
"Sorry," Enel sneered, the golden staff pointing straight at Spandam's nose."God answers to no one. Speak again—and I'll strike you down too."
Gern glanced at Enel, the corner of his mouth lifting.
He didn't stop him.
Instead, he walked toward the crowd.
The pregnant women clutched their children tightly, eyes filled with terror and desperate pleas.
"Sir…"A young mother trembled as she spoke."Please… my child is only three months old. He couldn't possibly be the Pirate King's child. I don't even know—"
Gern raised a hand, cutting her off.
He turned, facing the assembled Marines.
"All units," he said calmly, leaving no room for doubt.
The Marines snapped to attention.
"Escort these women and children back to their homes," Gern ordered."Mission complete."
"Vice Admiral Gern!!"Spandam shrieked, eyes bulging."You're defying the World Government! You're trampling its authority!"
"Sorry," Gern replied evenly."There are no World Government orders here."
He glanced toward the flag fluttering above the plaza.
"Because what flies over this island…"
"…is the Marines' Justice."
"Y-You…"Spandam's throat worked as sweat poured down his back."You… aren't you afraid at all…?"
"Afraid?"Gern laughed.
The sound plunged Spandam into icy despair.
"On this sea," Gern said softly,"I am the authority."
"Or if you think otherwise…"His right hand rested casually on the hilt of Eight Desolations, his tone turning cold—
"Then let that useless trash, Saint Gringard, come try again."
The words exploded like thunder.
The entire plaza fell dead silent.
Marine soldiers straightened unconsciously, fire blazing in their eyes.
Spandam stumbled back, his face drained of all color.
"This is too much trouble!"Enel burst into manic laughter."Gern, you need arguments for your justice—me?"
"I say we just—"
He raised the golden staff, the heavens instantly roiling.
"Let the thunder answer!!"
BOOM!!!
Dozens of lightning bolts crashed down, striking every CP agent with unerring precision.
In the blinding flash, Spandam's collapsed, pitiful figure was illuminated in stark white.
Enel gazed down at the charred bodies with contempt, lightning dancing dangerously in his eyes.
"Kneel… or turn to ash.""This is the 'freedom' God grants you."
At this moment, Enel didn't care about the Marines' reverence for Gern.
In his twisted worldview—
Gern and he were both gods.
And one day, when he defeated Gern—
All of this legendary Marine's power, status, and authority—
Would belong to God.
"Look carefully, Spandam."
"What flies here—"
"—will always be the Marines' Justice."
..
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