At the same time — Naval Headquarters, New Marineford, Fleet Admiral's Office.
Having concluded his conversation with Dragon, Gern Reginald Sigmar returned to his office.
The moment he pushed the door open, he saw Tesoro standing before the massive world map, brows tightly furrowed. His fingers tapped absently against the table, his face etched with confusion.
The instant he noticed Gern, Tesoro turned sharply and strode forward, urgency spilling into his voice:
"Fleet Admiral Gern! That call you just made—I… I truly don't understand it! Why would you have the Revolutionary Army attack the Holy Land, Mariejois?! This move… I can't make sense of it at all! The risk is enormous! And completely unnecessary! Our Navy is at its peak right now—we could—"
"Tesoro."
Gern cut him off calmly.
He walked behind his desk, sat down, and lifted his gaze toward his loyal yet visibly agitated Chief of Staff.
"Do you remember… during the recent Reverie," Gern asked evenly, "when Blackbeard showed up as the 'King of Hachinosu'?"
Tesoro blinked, clearly caught off guard by the sudden shift in topic, but he nodded quickly.
"I remember. That arrogant bastard… you even put him in his place before he left."
"Mm." Gern nodded slightly. "After he left…"
"I had you conduct a deeper investigation into the recent movements of the Blackbeard Pirates. Especially their core members' whereabouts."
"I did…" Tesoro nodded again—then suddenly froze.
His expression stiffened. His pupils contracted.
"Fleet Admiral Gern… don't tell me—"
"That's right." A faint smile curved Gern's lips.
"Just now, alongside the urgent report about the Straw Hat crew landing on Egghead… we received confirmation from our covert channels."
Gern leaned forward slightly.
"Marshall D. Teach has already departed Hachinosu… bringing with him his most trusted—and most essential—five core officers."
"'Supersonic' Van Augur, 'Shiryu of the Rain,' 'Aokiji' Kuzan…"
"'Champion' Jesus Burgess… and 'Plague Doctor' Samuel Cronos."
He let out a low chuckle.
"As for their destination… that hardly needs stating."
"Egghead Island."
"—!!!"
Tesoro's pupils shrank violently.
Blackbeard… mobilizing nearly all of his top combat power… heading straight for Vegapunk's island.
At the same time, CP0 had already infiltrated it. The Straw Hats were there as well…
And as for the World Government—there was no need to even mention it.
Aramaki had already set out openly, emboldened after becoming a "God Knight" through that abyssal contract, flaunting his presence without restraint.
This wasn't a simple clash over technology or a pirate capture operation.
This was a meticulously crafted kill zone.
A coordinated trap laid by the Five Elders—possibly even sanctioned by that one—to eliminate "Nika" and secure Vegapunk.
"I failed…" Tesoro suddenly slammed his fist against his forehead, guilt flooding his face.
"I… I overlooked such a critical movement! I didn't connect Blackbeard's unusual mobilization with the situation on Egghead in time!"
"Ah, come on now!"
To Tesoro's surprise, Gern burst into laughter.
He stood, walked around the desk, and slung an arm over Tesoro's shoulder, pulling him in with an easy, almost casual familiarity.
"That's not on you, Tesoro!"
"After all…" Gern grinned broadly, flashing white teeth, "you ended up serving under a Fleet Admiral like me—someone who hates paperwork and slacks off whenever possible."
"You've been buried under mountains of documents, handling post-Reverie global recruitment—across all races, no less—coordinating training with Zephyr…"
"That's a lot. Missing something? Perfectly normal!"
"Hahaha!"
Then, Gern turned and walked toward the window, his back to Tesoro. His voice settled into calm stillness.
"But looking at it now… Egghead's going to be very, very lively tonight."
"The Straw Hats. CP0. Vegapunk. Possibly 'Green Bull.' And now… a fully armed, ambitious Blackbeard."
He paused slightly.
"Tesoro… don't you think we should add something a little more interesting to this 'feast'?"
Tesoro's brows knitted deeply.
His mind raced.
Vegapunk's database—its value was immeasurable. The Navy could never allow it to fall into others' hands. It was the cornerstone of future technological supremacy.
Meanwhile, Gern had just struck an agreement with Dragon—to have the Revolutionary Army attack Mariejois.
A seemingly insane move… yet in reality, it was a deliberate open play—one that would drag the World Government's full attention toward the Red Line.
So in this complex, interwoven game…
What was still missing?
A move that could seize Egghead's core interests… echo the Revolutionary Army's assault… and completely destabilize the World Government's footing.
A brilliant move.
And that move…
Was the Navy itself.
Or rather—
The piece Gern himself was about to place.
As expected, Gern didn't leave him guessing long.
He turned back. The relaxed humor had vanished completely from his face.
Standing at his desk, he began signing orders.
"Tesoro," Gern said evenly, "prepare to issue a Fleet Admiral's directive."
Tesoro immediately straightened, expression turning solemn.
Gern spoke steadily, each word carrying immense weight as he issued a series of staggering orders:
"First. Recall Admiral Sakazuki from G-2 in the first half of the Grand Line. He is to return to New Marineford immediately and take command of headquarters."
Akainu returning to base.
The Navy's sharpest spear… withdrawn to the center. Headquarters' defensive and deterrent power would reach its absolute peak.
"Second. Reassign Admiral 'Fujitora,' Issho, to G-2. He will assume Sakazuki's role and maintain order across the first half of the Grand Line."
Fujitora's composure, principles, and overwhelming strength would stabilize the region—freeing Sakazuki completely.
"Third. Order 'The Demon' Douglas Bullet to cease his New World deterrence patrol and return to headquarters at once."
With Bullet's return—this war beast—paired with Sakazuki, headquarters would become virtually impregnable.
"Fourth. Deploy 'Tyrant' Bartholomew Kuma and Lippo as a temporary unit. They are to conduct joint patrols across Navy-controlled territories in the New World alongside G-series Vice Admirals."
A dual force of top-tier power—both deterrence and rapid-response capability ensured.
"Fifth. Recall the 'Snake Princess' Toritoma to G-10. She will reinforce the stronghold and ensure mutual support between headquarters and the forward base."
With that, a clear strategic pattern emerged:
Core forces withdrawing inward—fortifying key positions—while maintaining pressure across critical zones.
But Gern wasn't finished.
The next names he spoke made even Tesoro's heartbeat skip.
"Sixth…"
Gern's gaze sharpened.
"Notify the special asset 'Hawk-Eyes' Dracule Mihawk…"
"Admiral 'Thunder God' Enel…"
"And 'Kizaru' Borsalino, who is currently 'recovering'…"
He paused, his tone turning heavier—decisive.
"All three are to return to New Marineford immediately."
"And report directly to me."
Mihawk. Enel. Kizaru.
Recalling all three at once—and demanding they stand before him for orders—
This was no mere repositioning.
This was the prelude… to something far greater.