The natural system started off strong, but the navy finally reached its peak!

"Because I've been waiting for someone, someone who can shoulder the future of the Navy."

Sengoku paused for a moment, then realized what he meant: "You mean...Gern?"

“That’s right.” Kong turned around, his eyes blazing. “Now, he has not only arrested Roger, but also suppressed Barrett, so his reputation and strength have reached their peak.”

If he can't become a general, who is qualified?

“But the World Government will not allow it,” Sengoku said in a deep voice.

"Then let them see that the Navy is not their puppet!" Kong's voice suddenly rose, a resolute glint in his eyes.

Sengoku's breath hitched slightly.

"Marshal Kong, are you sure you want to do this?"

“It is necessary.” Kong’s gaze was as firm as iron: “The times have changed. The Warring States period.”

Roger ignited the Great Pirate Era with his death, and we must show the world through our actions.

The Navy's justice will not be trampled on by anyone!

Warring States Period, I know your style (dove).

Things are fine now, but once you're in that position, remember you can't just keep backing down.

Sengoku took a deep breath and slowly nodded: "I understand."

"Go! And while you're at it, tell them that whoever Kuzan or Gern is, they should come looking for me as soon as they return."

……

After Sengoku left, Kong Kong gazed alone at the deepening twilight outside the window.

Gern's sudden emergence was like a boulder thrown into calm water, creating ripples throughout the Navy.

The independent decision-making power that the navy has gradually gained over the years has quietly taken shape amidst this series of changes.

"Warring States is still too young after all..." Kong Kong slumped heavily into his chair.

He knew all too well the schemes of those old foxes in the World Government.

Appointing the dovish Sengoku to the leadership is clearly intended to reverse the current domineering style of the navy.

“One time tough, one time gentle…” Steelbone Kong sneered. He was all too familiar with this kind of balancing act.

But what worried him more at this moment was something else.

He had to pave the way for Gern before he stepped down.

Even if he cannot be promoted to general, he must not be allowed to lose his real power.

Thinking of this, Steel Bone Kong clenched his fist tightly.

"This must not be allowed to happen..." Steelbone muttered to himself, his eyes fixed intently on the window.

Because he knew all too well what kind of people those five old geezers were.

Moreover, his experience of dealing with such situations over the course of his life has taught him that the seemingly absurd actions of world governments are often the last straw that breaks the camel's back.

If someone like Gern, with such combat prowess, were truly forced to the opposite side... just imagining that possibility was enough to send chills down his spine.

After all, others might be joking, but the crazy actions of those five old men could really force Guern to rebel!

This is something that Kong, who has fought the World Government for half his life, knows better than anyone else…

Chapter 215 I am the one "playing chess"

The following day, night quietly fell in Marineford.

The town streets were brightly lit, and people were either hurrying along or leisurely strolling.

At the port, because of Impel Down, Gren, who was the first to return, was urgently summoned here by Steelbone Sky before he could even go home.

"Would Magellan really go and tattle on me?"

As Gern pondered, he secretly plotted how to come up with an excuse to get through this.

And so, in no time we arrived at the main gate, so I took a deep breath.

"Air Marshal, Barrett broke free on his own!"

After all, he was very strong, and it took me a lot of effort to restrain him again!

"Don't believe Magellan's one-sided story..." He was halfway through his sentence when, as Gern opened the door halfway, he immediately sensed a suffocating atmosphere.

Through the crack in the door, he saw Steel Bone Sky's gaze as sharp as a hawk's, fixed intently on him.

Upon seeing this, Gern's heart tightened, and the smile that had been on his face vanished instantly. He then silently pushed open the door and entered.

"I knew they wouldn't call me here so late at night just for something as trivial as Impel Down."

Gern wore his usual flippant smile, but his gaze swept over Steelbone's solemn expression before his smile vanished.

He walked straight to the sofa, plopped down, and spread his hands. "Speak, what is it?"

Steel Bone sat empty behind the desk, his hands crossed and resting on his chin.

"Gern, your application to be promoted to admiral has been rejected by the World Government."

Not only that, they also suggested that Kuzan and you.....

For a moment, only the sound of steel frame and the ticking of the wall clock could be clearly heard in the room.

Before long, Steel Bone Kong slowly explained the whole story.

After hearing the whole story, Gern did not fly into a rage or question as Steelbone Kong had predicted. Instead, he chuckled and tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest of the sofa.

"That's all?" He looked up, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes. "I thought it was some earth-shattering news!"

Steel Bone Kong frowned: "Aren't you angry?"

“Angry? Heh.” Gern scoffed, stood up, and walked to the window, the moonlight casting a long shadow of him.

"If I were the World Government, I wouldn't allow a 'traitor' who threatens the safety of the Celestial Dragons to sit on the position of Admiral."

As he spoke, he turned around, a dangerous smile playing on his lips.

"After all, if something happens to them, my process of protecting them will almost certainly... create an 'accident'."

Seeing Gern's performance, Kong's pupils suddenly contracted.

The reason is simple: Gern's reaction was too calm, even bordering on mocking composure.

Especially that slight tilt of her head, with a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips.

Furthermore, those deep eyes held no anger, no resentment, only a knowing, playful glint...

It was as if everything was exactly as he had predicted!

This attitude made Steelbone Kong suddenly realize

The man before them had probably already seen through the World Government's intentions, and might even have... prepared a countermeasure.

"You knew this would happen all along?" Steelbone asked in a deep voice, his tone tinged with a hint of probing.

"Heh." Gern chuckled softly, walked behind Steelbone's empty chair, and tapped his fingers lightly on the backrest, the rhythm slow.

At the same time, his tone was low, yet it conveyed an undeniable sharpness.

"Marshal Kong, power is never bestowed by others, but rather seized through strength and leverage."

As he spoke, Guern continued exercising, then sat back down on the sofa and leaned back.

"Besides..." He narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of mockery in his smile.

"Does it really make a difference whether I am a general or not?"

"So..." Kong lowered her eyes and frowned, staring intently at him: "You're not planning to fight?"

“Compete? Of course I’ll compete!” Gern suddenly laughed, his laughter low as he continued…

"After all, whether I win or not, Kuzan will definitely be promoted."

As he spoke, he stood up again and slowly walked to the window. The moonlight shone on his profile, outlining a cold and stern face.

“But if I don’t fight this match…” Gern turned his head, his sharp gaze piercing through Steelbone Sky.

"Air Marshal, you can't give the Navy a reasonable explanation, and you certainly can't... give me authority openly, can you?"

The steel skeleton gasped for breath.

"you……"

"Marshal Kong, I know what you're thinking." Gern interrupted him, his tone suddenly turning sharp.

"You are worried that after the Sengoku Emperor succeeds him, his dovish style will allow the World Government to gradually erode the existing naval power."

“After all…” Gern turned around, hands in his pockets, his gaze sharp.

“Professor Zephyr, Lieutenant General Garp, Kuzan, Chief of Staff Tsuru, they are all doves.”

While Sakazuki had a group of hawks under his command, his subservient nature meant he was destined to remain only at the level of questioning in the conference room.

The reality is that he will still carry out what needs to be done.

As he said this, Gern slowly approached, each step feeling like he was stepping on the taut nerves of Steelbone.

"So, you need me." He leaned forward slightly, his voice low and dangerous.

"Because it's only me, 'The Catastrophe' Gern Reginald Sigmar"

Only in this way can the Navy both preserve its existing rights and truly resist the World Government's encroachment. After saying this, Gern straightened up, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"Because there can never be a reconciliation between me and the world government."

My achievements are more than enough to qualify me.

After a pause, Guern said, "But the problem is... you're lacking a reason, a legitimate reason to delegate power."

Steel Bone's breathing became slightly rapid.

Gern's smile deepened, carrying an almost provocative tone: "So, you called me here tonight?"

So you want me to participate in this showdown orchestrated by the world government, right?

Gern spread his hands, his tone flippant yet undeniably certain: "Because you know, Kuzan will definitely be promoted."

"And I..." His gaze suddenly sharpened, "...can use the excuse of 'failing to be selected' to legitimately demand 'compensation'."

“For example…” Gern tilted his head slightly, “…give Gern Reginald Sigmar…autonomy over his subordinates!”

"Subordinate autonomy..." Upon hearing this, Steel Bone Sky suddenly looked up, "You want to break free from the restrictions of the Warring States period?!"

"No, no, no! I still obey orders, okay?"

But... sometimes orders are fatal, and when that happens, some special privileges are always needed, aren't they?

“Gern.” Looking into the eyes of the man in front of him, Steelbone Kong felt for the first time that he didn’t understand him at all, or rather, he couldn’t see through him.

"Let's make a deal, Marshal Kong."

After all, it's all for the navy.

……

After a long while, as Gern's hand touched the office doorknob again, Steelbone Kong suddenly called out to him: "Gern, whose side are you on?"

Gern didn't turn around, but just tilted his head slightly, the moonlight casting a shadow on half of his face.

“I stand on the side of ‘justice,’ Your Excellency Marshal.”

The moment the door closed, Steelbone Kong recalled everything that had just happened, and the so-called "deal".

I glanced at the World Government's Den Den Mushi on the table, and in that instant, it seemed I suddenly realized...

This game of power may have fallen into Gorn's control from the very beginning.

And this man had been waiting for this moment!

Chapter 216 Mini-Training

Three days later, at the Naval Headquarters training ground.

The sun was high in the sky, and the air was filled with a scorching heat.