The next day—New World, G-10 Base, Commanding Officer's Office.
Gern Reginald Sigmar picked up another Den Den Mushi on his desk—one used exclusively for receiving encrypted documents. From its mouth slid several thin sheets of paper, densely filled with classified text.
They detailed the core contents of the undercover operation concerning "Rosinante", as well as the operative known by the codename "Corazon."
Gern skimmed through them rapidly, his fingers lightly tapping against the desktop in a steady rhythm.
"North Blue… the Donquixote Family… Doflamingo…" he murmured, repeating the names under his breath. An inscrutable smile slowly curved his lips."Tch. The old man Sengoku really went and saddled himself with a problem the size of the heavens."
He leaned back in his chair, idly rotating it a few degrees.
"Though to be fair… that Flamingo bastard is still holed up in some corner of the North Blue, playing his little 'family make-believe' game, isn't he?"
With a casual motion, Gern fed the documents into the shredder.
Although Dressrosa had not yet fallen under that mad Heavenly Yaksha's control, given Doflamingo's ambition—and the unique conveniences granted by his Celestial Dragon bloodline—seizing a nation as a base of operations was practically inevitable.
"Being a Celestial Dragon…" Gern chuckled softly, shaking his head."Such a disgusting yet absurdly useful talisman. No wonder Sengoku's headaches have gotten bad enough that he's already trying to set up a contingency through me."
The North Blue lay far from the New World, and Doflamingo's current power was still nowhere near enough to warrant immediate eradication in Gern's eyes.
At best, this was a spare move on the board—a favor Sengoku had buried early, just in case.
Still, that phone call had sparked a certain interest in Gern.
He pressed the internal communications Den Den Mushi.
"Have Snake Princess and Tesoro come to my office."
Not long after—
Bang!The office door was thrown open with force.
A tall, graceful figure swept in like a whirlwind, trailing a wave of sweet, intoxicating fragrance.
She wore a form-fitting dress that perfectly accentuated her curves, with a Marine coat draped casually over her shoulders.
The moment she stepped inside, Snake Princess's sultry eyes locked onto Gern with pinpoint accuracy, instantly igniting into a blaze hot enough to melt steel.
"Geeern~~" Her voice was syrupy sweet, completely ignoring the fact that this was a solemn commanding officer's office.She lunged forward in a flying tackle toward Gern behind the desk, her face flushed with bliss.
"So? What is it, what is it~? Calling me over so suddenly, right in the middle of the day—Did you finally come to your senses and decide you want to play some… exciting office games with me?"
She leaned in closer as she spoke, already starting to move around the desk to grab his arm.
"The soundproofing here is really good, you know! Today I can play the role of a secretary who had no choice but to—"
Gern: "..."
Just as the corner of Gern's mouth twitched and he prepared to physically remove this lovestruck menace—
"Ahem! Ahem—COUGH COUGH!"
An extremely deliberate, exaggerated coughing fit erupted from the doorway, loud enough to sound like someone was about to cough out a lung.
"Admiral Gern."Tesoro stepped in a moment later, his expression screaming I can't watch this and Boss, please survive.
Hearing his voice, Snake Princess froze mid-motion. She clicked her tongue irritably and shot Tesoro a sharp glare over her shoulder.
"Tesoro, do you seriously have the nerve to interrupt me at a time like this?"
"Admiral Gern summoned me," Tesoro replied with a helpless sigh.
"…Is that so?" Snake Princess glanced at Gern. Seeing him nod, she reluctantly withdrew a little, swinging her long legs back down—though she still stood pressed close against him.
Gern looked at the two "highly unconventional" powerhouses under his command and smiled faintly.
"It's nothing urgent. I just wanted to inform you that I'll be leaving G-10 for a while—heading back to Paradise."
"The first half of the Grand Line?" Snake Princess frowned slightly."What requires you to go back personally?"
"Just… some personal business," Gern replied casually, deliberately omitting Sengoku's request."I'll be taking Mihawk with me when I go."
He continued calmly, "While I'm gone, I'll be relying on the two of you to keep G-10 running smoothly."
"The cake in the New World is only so big, and our expansion has been rather… high-profile.""Which means plenty of overconfident newcomers are bound to show up, thinking G-10 is an easy stepping stone to fame."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"Keep an eye on arrogant rookies coming in from other seas—especially idiots who think they can challenge for the title of 'Emperor of the Sea.'"
"Leave it to me, Admiral Gern," Tesoro replied seriously, nodding."With me here, everything will be handled."
Seeing Tesoro's expression, Gern allowed himself a genuinely relieved smile.
After all—among the people under his command…
Lipo was a mascot.Snake Princess had little interest in administration.Bullet was a pure battle maniac.Enel was an arrogant lightning lunatic.Mihawk went without saying—when nothing was happening, he was the very image of a quiet, aristocratic swordsman.
But Golden Emperor Tesoro was different.
Administration, logistics, coordination, finances, resource management—every last one of them was SSS-rank, top-tier.
With Tesoro around, Gern could be a carefree hands-off commander without a single worry.
More importantly, aside from Gern himself, Tesoro was the only one who truly understood the personalities of everyone else.
Which was why everyone had long since gotten used to one rule:
When Gern isn't around, they listen to Tesoro.
"For routine defense and patrols, coordinate with Lipo and just keep the base secure," Gern continued."As for going out to clear out trash—dealing with those blind little fry…"
He wore a helpless but amused expression.
"Leave that to Enel. He's fast, his lightning wipes the field clean efficiently, and he seems to enjoy those 'divine punishment' jobs."
"As for Bullet—forget it. He's not interested in small fry. Let him stay here to guard the base."
"With him stationed at G-10, his deterrence alone is almost the same as me being here in person. The first three 'Emperors of the Sea' won't dare approach lightly, let alone start a war."
"Understood, Admiral Gern," Tesoro said, nodding again."Go without worry. I guarantee the funding chains and supply lines of G-10 will remain perfectly stable."
Snake Princess, though clearly displeased about Gern leaving, understood the priorities. She gave a small nod.
"I understand. I'll keep the base under control as well."
"Good." Gern nodded in satisfaction."Then that's settled. I'll go find Mihawk and prepare to depart. G-10 is in your hands for now."
With that, he stood up, took the admiral's coat from the rack, and draped it casually over his shoulders before walking out of the office.
Snake Princess and Tesoro exchanged a glance, then departed in opposite directions, already beginning preparations for the period of Gern's absence.
Above G-10, the flag of the Marines continued to snap in the wind—unaware that the currents of fate were already beginning to shift.