Marineford War: I Will Stand in the Sky

"Lieutenant General Yann, I absolutely agree with your qualifications to serve as the commander of the G-9 branch base, but it would be more appropriate for you to return to Marineford to recuperate first due to your health condition."

“That’s right. Moreover, Vice Admiral Yann, you are now one of the mainstays of the Navy. Staying in Marineford might just be a greater deterrent to the pirates across the entire sea.”

"Lieutenant General Yann, the defense of the G-9 branch may be very important, but it is also extremely dangerous, and a major battle could break out at any time..."

……

Hearing the voices around him, Yann felt utterly helpless.

Under normal circumstances, Yann would not have stayed in Wano Country. In fact, he had long been prepared to return to Marineford and continue his paid fishing life.

However, there's a very high chance that those two unsettling little rascals, Sora and Hikari, are heading towards Wano Country.

Only if Aon himself remains in Wano Country can he fully ensure that when Sora and Luminosity arrive, he can promptly eliminate any potentially damaging information that might be leaked.

Otherwise, in Wano Country, a chaotic territory filled with the Revolutionary Army, pirates, the Navy, and the World Government, if Sora and Luminous were to cause trouble, it would inevitably become a significant problem.

Putting everything else aside, just the fact that it was a technologically advanced submarine was something that Arn found quite difficult to explain.

"Everyone, please hear me out, cough cough..."

As Yann spoke, he coughed lightly for several breaths before stopping and then speaking.

"The establishment of the G-9 branch here by the Navy Headquarters is naturally a good thing for the Navy's future. If the G-9 branch can be stabilized, it will be enough to greatly deter pirates in the New World."

"However, the situation in Wano Country is quite complicated, Dragon is extremely dangerous, and there's also a dangerous figure like Corazon stirring things up... cough cough..."

Yaen covered his cough with his hand, then pushed up his glasses, looking like he was still recovering from a serious illness, and began to speak.

"Furthermore, Wano Country is located deep in the New World Ocean, so the G-9 branch is always on the edge of danger and could be overthrown at any time."

"Although this idea is somewhat disrespectful, I believe that only by remaining in the G-9 branch can I deter Dragon and the other enemies who are eyeing the Navy."

After a pause, Yann gave a slight smile and said.

"As for my injuries, you don't need to worry. I will never fall before the Navy ends the so-called 'Great Pirate Era'."

For a moment, the naval officers present couldn't help but stare at Arn in silence. Even Borsalino, who had been indifferent, couldn't help but look at Arn with a sense of awe.

Lieutenant General Yann was not unaware of the danger posed by the G-9 branch!

This man was acutely aware of the dangers posed by the G-9 branch, which is why he was determined to shoulder that danger himself!

Equally moved, Lieutenant General Tsuru asked earnestly, "Lieutenant General Yann, are you... serious?"

"That's right!"

Yaen nodded, then spoke. "I wonder who among those present agrees? Who disagrees?"

"I have always been a strong supporter of Brother Yan!"

Immediately, as Kake spoke up almost without hesitation, the other naval officers followed suit and expressed their opinions.

“How can I object to Lieutenant General Yann’s irresistible resolve? I agree,” said Lieutenant General Doberman, his expression cold.

“If Lieutenant General Yann is willing to serve as the base commander of the G-9 branch, that would indeed be a perfect outcome, and I agree,” Lieutenant General Flying Squirrel nodded.

“If Lieutenant General Yann recovers quickly from his injuries, I agree,” said the gentle-natured Lieutenant General Fire Mountain.

……

[Chapter 564. The New G-9 Branch Base Chief]

With the naval officers of Wano Country expressing their approval of Yann's appointment as the commander of the "G-9 Branch" base, the matter was practically settled.

After all, it was an opinion unanimously agreed upon by the vast majority of the Navy's powerful vice admirals, and even Fleet Admiral Sengoku had to consider it carefully.

Moreover, in terms of strength, qualifications, and status, Yann is actually the best candidate for the G-9 branch base leader.

The only thing that's worrying is Yann's injury.

……

Several days later, at a simple port in the Jiuli area.

"Hey, kid Yann, are you sure you don't need me to stay here and keep an eye on things for a while?" Lieutenant General Garp said casually.

"No need, Vice Admiral Garp, my injuries have almost fully healed," Yann said, his face pale.

"Tsk, alright then. You refused, so don't blame me for not asking you to stay," Vice Admiral Garp said, then turned and boarded the naval warship.

Now, with Vice Admiral Garp arriving in the Kuri region and leading a considerable number of naval warships that were stationed outside the Wano Country waters into Wano Country.

Many naval officers will also leave this newly established G-9 branch and begin their return journey to Marineford.

After all, most of the naval commanders who participated in this war still had heavy military duties, and many of them were base commanders guarding various branches along the Grand Line. They had to return as soon as possible to prevent the Navy Headquarters and other naval branches from being attacked while their forces were weakened.

With the order to set sail issued, except for five naval warships temporarily reserved for the G-9 branch, the remaining naval warships began to depart from Wano Country.

For the navy, after nearly half a month, they have roughly figured out the harsh weather conditions in the waters surrounding Wano Country.

Even though the level of danger remains high, we have roughly figured out the timeframe and ocean currents that will allow us to leave Wano Country's waters smoothly, which is enough to guarantee the fleet's success rate.

On the flagship of the naval fleet that had left Wano Country, Vice Admiral Garp noticed that Vice Admiral Tsuru was still looking in the direction of Wano Country with a solemn expression, and couldn't help but casually comfort him.

"Xiao He, don't worry. If even that kid Yann can't hold the G-9 branch, then even if I were to become the base commander, it probably wouldn't make much of a difference."

“No, I’m not worried about Lieutenant General Yann’s combat strength, but about other things,” Lieutenant General Tsuru replied.

"What is it?" Lieutenant General Karp asked.

Lieutenant General Tsuru sighed helplessly and began to speak.

"I'm afraid that the disappearance of Sora and Hikari will cause Lieutenant General Aon extremely serious shock. Perhaps Lieutenant General Aon's decision to stay at the G-9 branch is also because he is unwilling to return to Marineford and face Sengoku."

"Probably not... right? Yann doesn't seem like the kind of man who's easily swayed by emotions," Lieutenant General Garp said dismissively.

"Ugh……"

Lieutenant General Tsuru sighed deeply again and said nothing more.

Standing beside Vice Admiral Tsuru, gazing intently at the shrinking Wano Country within his sight, Gion suddenly spoke.

"Sister He, I plan to try to become the base leader of the G-5 branch."

"Ok?"

Lieutenant General Tsuru looked at Gion with a hint of surprise.

Lieutenant General Garp went even further, making a blunt guess: "Gion, you wouldn't simply want to get closer to that kid Yan, would you?"

Gion did not refute Vice Admiral Garp, but her five fingers gripping the "Famous Sword Kinpira" tightened involuntarily before she spoke.

"My strength is too weak. If I want to make my blade sharper, serving as a base commander in the New World Ocean to continue honing my skills is one of the best ways."

By the end, Gion's eyes were filled with unwavering determination.

too weak!

Standing before Dragon, Gion deeply understood that she was still significantly behind the true elites of the sea.

I... seem even further away from becoming Lieutenant General Yann!

Gion had not forgotten the battle she had promised to fight under the moon, but even though that battle had not yet begun, Gion already knew that she was doomed to lose!

Despite never slacking off in his swordsmanship training over the past ten years, the gap between them has become increasingly apparent.

A sense of powerlessness...

The helplessness of being unable to help Lieutenant General Yann, the helplessness of only being able to watch Lieutenant General Yann's back, the helplessness of feeling as deeply as ever that Lieutenant General Yann was drifting away from him.

We must...be stronger!

He hadn't finished saying what he wanted to say to Lieutenant General Yann yet!

Lieutenant General Tsuru gazed intently into Gion's eyes, as if sensing her resolve, then nodded and spoke.

"In that case, Vice Admiral Gion, please be prepared for a difficult journey. Even though the G-5 branch is much less dangerous than the G-9 branch, and is closer to the G-1 branch and Marine Headquarters, allowing for faster reinforcements, the pirates in the New World are incredibly ruthless!"

Gion gripped the "famous sword, Kinpira" tightly in her hand, answering each word slowly and deliberately. "That... is exactly what I desired!"

……

Unlike most of the departing naval fleet who were filled with emotion and melancholy, after seeing off his colleagues, Arn briefly dealt with the military affairs of the G-9 branch before returning to the office of the G-9 branch naval base, which is still under construction.

As Yann opened the office door, a figure wearing a gray cloak appeared inside.

Without changing his movements, Yann walked into the office, closed the door, and locked it from the inside before finally letting out a laugh and a curse.

"Dorag, what are you doing? It's broad daylight!"

In front of his close friend and comrade, Yarne, with his fierce, tattooed face, grinned in a smile almost identical to that of Vice Admiral Garp, weighed the lunchbox in his hand, and said.

"Congratulations on your promotion to G-9 branch base commander, so I brought you some Wano Country sweets to congratulate you. They taste pretty good."

"Who's in the mood for snacks? Sora and Ying haven't had any yet..."

As Dorrag opened the lunchbox and saw the appetizing aroma and color, Yann paused in his speech, then pointed to the desk and said.

"let it go."

Dorrag shrugged, then casually took out the snacks from the lunchbox and arranged them neatly on the desk before speaking.

"Don't worry too much about Sora and Hotaru. Their Vivre Cards show they're in good condition, right? With our control over Wano Country, we'll know as soon as Sora and Hotaru arrive."

After a pause, Dragon patted Yern on the shoulder, offering words of comfort.

"Besides, sons and daughters naturally have their own paths to follow, and worrying too much is useless. Instead of wasting energy on them, we should think more about our future."

------------

P.S.: I've caught another cold. My head is spinning, so I'll rest early today. Only two updates.

[Chapter 565. Daily Schedule]

???

Ya'en.

Yann paused in his snacking and looked at Dorag beside him in surprise.

"what happened?"

Seeing this, Dragon asked, puzzled, "Isn't this dessert delicious?"

"The taste is good, but it's suddenly a little hard to swallow..."

Yern wiped his mouth, looked at Dragon speechlessly, and asked, "What nonsense are you talking about? What future?"