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

"My goodness, former marshal of the Warring States period, what time is it now?"

The situation at sea is constantly changing, and the navy is in dire need of rebuilding. Are you really going to shirk your responsibilities and go on vacation now? Who would believe that?

He paused, a knowing smile flashing in his eyes, and slowly added, "Oh, I understand."

You've also seen the information about the Blackbeard Pirates' core members' unusual movements, seemingly heading towards Egghead Island, right?

When Gern saw through his thoughts, Sengoku's "angry" expression froze for a moment, then he snorted and simply stopped pretending.

He straightened up, crossed his arms, gazed at the deep night outside the window, and lowered his voice.

"So what if it is? Gern, I know you have your own plans, and the Navy is under your command."

"But that old bastard Garp..." Sengoku's tone was indignant.

"Zefa, Xiaohe, and I have discussed it, and we've also added two general candidates..."

We old guys are going to Beehive Island to drag that bastard who's faking his death out of there!

"I'll ask him how long he's going to 'die'! He's Monkey D. Garp! Not some fragile Devil Fruit user!"

I don't believe that Blackbeard's rabble can be trapped in a mere Seastone cage forever!

Even if he's old, his bones should be harder than the rocks of Beehive Island!

Sengoku suddenly turned around, staring intently at Gern: "But he's been hiding there and won't come out, what's going on?!"

We have to get to the bottom of this! Give him a couple of slaps to wake him up!

Seeing Sengoku's resolute expression, as if he were about to rush to Beehive Island to demand an explanation, Gern's smile deepened. Everything was exactly as he had predicted.

This former marshal, the chief inspector of the entire army, may seem to have retired to the second line, but in reality, he cares deeply about his old friend and has an unwavering drive to act.

His "vacation" perfectly fills another piece of the puzzle in Gern's grand strategy.

As long as I personally lead people to get involved in this murky water of Egghead Island...

So, in Mary Geoise, Doraga's revolutionary army went to draw fire and create chaos.

Blackbeard's stronghold on Beehive Island was visited by three naval legends: Sengoku, Zephyr, and Staff Officer Tsuru, along with two admiral candidates...

This leaves both the World Government and the Blackbeard Pirates with a "backup plan" and a "base of operations."

They were all "poached" by the navy (or forces related to the navy) in some overt or covert way.

Regardless of the outcome of the battle for Egghead Island, the navy will be the biggest potential beneficiary.

Moreover, Blackbeard Marshall D. Teach was never a suitable "one-on-one opponent" in Gern's eyes.

That guy is cunning, patient, and adept at using rules and chaos to deal with him.

The best approach is not a straightforward confrontation, but rather to use a more ingenious strategy to checkmate him from outside the chessboard.

This is a perfect opportunity to completely disrupt the seemingly solid, but actually ulterior, "cooperation" between the World Government and Blackbeard.

If the Blackbeard Pirates' core forces are damaged on Egghead Island, or if their stronghold Beehive Island is turned upside down by Sengoku and his crew...

The fragile bond between the World Government and Blackbeard is bound to crack.

even……

A cold glint flashed in Gern's eyes.

Then you can see for yourself what the World Government will do when the Blackbeard Pirates, this pawn, are on the verge of destruction…

Or rather, what was Im's real purpose in contacting him so urgently and promising him such great benefits?

"I see." Realizing this, Gern's smile faded, and he nodded, his tone becoming more serious.

"I cannot stop Sengoku-senpai from going to 'rescue' Lieutenant General Garp, whether for public or private reasons."

After all, Vice Admiral Garp is also a significant asset to the Navy.

He stood up and walked to Sengoku's side. "Go ahead. I'll take care of things at headquarters."

Sakazuki and Barrett will be back soon to take charge; there won't be any trouble.

"You guys... be careful. Beehive Island is, after all, the stronghold of one of the Four Emperors. Blackbeard himself may not be there, but the forces remaining there should not be underestimated."

Sengoku gave Gern a deep look, as if trying to read more information from his calm eyes, but in the end he just gave a heavy "hmm".

"You over here..." Sengoku glanced meaningfully at the possible traces of a transfer order on the table.

"Don't make any big movements."

"The current navy can't withstand too much wind and waves."

"Don't worry," Gern smiled. "I know what I'm doing."

Zhan Guo said no more, turned around, and strode out of the office.

Gern walked back to the window and then picked up his marshal's cloak.

"The chessboard is set up, and the pieces are in their places."

"Don't let me down."

Chapter 645 A Lively Atmosphere Creates Opportunities

The New World, the sea, the edge of the doldrums, the night as dark as ink.

The "Sword of Gibeck," converted from a giant wooden raft, rose and fell gently with the waves.

The wooden structure occasionally emitted a low creak, which sounded particularly clear in this silent sea where even sea kings slept.

On the deck, there was none of the usual noise and chaos of a pirate ship.

Six figures were scattered along the ship's side, in the shadows of the mast, or beside piles of supply crates, each occupying a corner.

This creates a delicate balance where people are wary of each other yet have no choice but to coexist.

Blackbeard Marshall D. Teach sat on a heavy wooden barrel that had been temporarily moved under the mainmast, his massive body almost completely covering the barrel.

Clutching a brand-new wanted poster, his rough fingers rubbed the edge of the paper, his eyes fixed on the center of the image.

That boy with snow-white hair and eyebrows, surrounded by cheerful white steam, and whose smile was so bright it was almost eerie.

Monkey D. Luffy, bounty 30 billion Berries, fate unknown.

"Zehahaha..." Blackbeard grinned, revealing his signature toothless smile, his laughter sounding unusually greedy on the silent deck.

He raised the bounty poster in his hand and waved it at "Fighting Champion" Gizzas Burgess, who was exercising with a huge stone dumbbell not far away.

"Hey! Burgess! What do you think of Straw Hat's Devil Fruit...?" Blackbeard's eyes gleamed eerily in the dim light.

"It looks like it's quite an amazing mythical beast!"

On our ship, besides that nine-tailed fox, Chomei, there isn't another Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit user, right? Hmm?

Hearing the captain's words, Bages put down the dumbbells, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and laughed gruffly, "Hahaha! Captain!"

"That's a Devil Fruit from one of the Four Emperors! It must be top-tier quality!"

Meanwhile, the other people on the boat

Van Augur, leaning against the ship's railing with a sniper rifle; Shiryu of the Rain, silently wiping away "Thunderstorm" in the shadows.

Kuzan, leaning against a cargo box with his eyes closed, resting, and Samuel Kronos, the "cursed doctor," squatting beside him, fiddling with the mycelium in his palm.

Upon hearing Blackbeard's undisguised words of ambition, they all frowned in unison.

Since their secret departure from Beehive Island, apart from Blackbeard himself, the other five have been unclear about the ultimate purpose of this mission.

All we know is that it's about heading to a specific coordinate in the New World, possibly related to a deal with the World Government.

However, Blackbeard has remained vague about what he intends to do.

At this moment, he suddenly steered the conversation toward Straw Hat Luffy and his Devil Fruit ability, which inevitably aroused suspicion among these powerful individuals with different intentions.

“Teach”.

A cool, clear voice broke the brief silence.

Kuzan opened his eyes, exhaled a breath of cold air, and calmly looked at Blackbeard.

"You've gathered us all here," Kuzan's voice was flat, but went straight to the point, "to prepare for... hunting the Straw Hat Boy?"

The word "hunting" made the air on the deck freeze slightly.

The Blackbeard Pirates do indeed have a "tradition" of hunting powerful Devil Fruit users and stealing their fruits.

The recent operation by Beehive Island against the Heart Pirates (Trafalgar Law) is clear evidence of this.

"Straw Hat Boy?" Shiryu sneered, taking the cigar from his lips and slowly running his fingers over "Thunderstorm," his tone playful.

"We just arrested that man's grandfather not long ago, and almost killed that 'naval hero'..."

"Now they're turning around and targeting their grandson? Tsk, interesting."

He seemed to be joking, but his sharp eyes swept over Blackbeard, clearly assessing the madness of the operation and the intentions behind it.

“Captain Teach.” Samuel Kronos also looked up, his eerie green eyes gleaming behind his mask.

His voice carried its usual worried tone, but a closer listen revealed a hint of relief and even anticipation.

"The Straw Hat Boy is now one of the Four Emperors... He has a bounty of 3 billion, and he just defeated Kaido and Big Mom. He's riding high."

"Although we have a strong lineup, isn't it... a bit too risky to hunt down an 'Emperor' head-on?"

His words, which at first glance sounded like dissuasion, were actually more like an affirmation of the target's "value" and his own side's "chances of winning."

After all, the six people gathered on the ship at this moment

Blackbeard, who possesses two Devil Fruit abilities; Van Augur, the sniper with teleportation skills; and Shiryu, the great swordsman and serial killer.

Former Admiral Kuzan, the incredibly strong Burgess, and this enigmatic "cursed doctor"...

With such a lineup, if they were to launch a full-scale attack, even a single admiral would likely struggle to gain the upper hand.

Hunting a "newly crowned Yonko" is not impossible, judging from their strength on paper.

Blackbeard did not immediately answer anyone's questions or probes.

Instead, he slowly swept his gaze across the crowd, finally fixing it on Kuzan.

“Kuzan.” Blackbeard’s voice deepened, carrying a tone different from usual, almost like a “consultation.”

"You... will help me, right?"

He didn't ask "you all," but instead specifically mentioned Kuzan's name.

This sudden "calling out" instantly drew the attention of the others to Kuzan.

Kuzan's position was always the most unique and sensitive on the ship.

Would he confront another one of the "Four Emperors" head-on, driven by Blackbeard's ambitions?

The fact that Straw Hat Luffy, who has a close relationship with Garp, is an enemy is a question that lingers in everyone's mind.

Despite Blackbeard's direct gaze and the silent stares of the crowd, Kuzan remained expressionless.

He exhaled another long, cold breath, and the white icy mist slowly dissipated into the air.

"The Four Emperors...that's all."

He uttered four words in a flat tone, neither affirming nor denying, as if stating a fact unrelated to himself.

But then, looking directly at Blackbeard, he added, his tone leaving no room for evasion.

"However, I need to know our final destination."

Kuzan's questioning brought silence back down on deck.

Van Oka's dead fish eyes seemed to shift slightly, Shiliu paused in his knife-wiping motion, and Samuel also stopped what he was doing.

Blackbeard and Kuzan stared at each other for a moment, then Blackbeard suddenly grinned. His smile contained a hint of calculation, but also a touch of indifference at being seen through.

"Aigherd".

“Aigherd…” Kuzan repeated the name in a low voice, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes.

As a former high-ranking naval officer, he understood all too well the significance of this place.

The laboratory of Vegapunk, the world government's top scientist, is the heart of naval technology and a breeding ground for top-secret research.

The Blackbeard Pirates sent out such elite forces; their trip there was definitely not for sightseeing.