"A demon belonging to the 'Heavenly Calamity,' huh…"
On the smoke-choked battlefield, the sea wind swept past, carrying the scorched, bitter scent of battle.
Barret knelt on one knee, his gaze locked firmly on the man before him—
Gern Reginald Sigmar, the Marine who had once crushed him with a single blow, and who had now driven him into a dead end once again.
Gern's black blade, Bahuang, was already sheathed. The gray-white bandages fluttered gently in the wind, as if the earth-shattering battle just moments ago had never happened.
His expression was calm, yet it carried an authority that allowed no doubt. His outstretched hand hovered in midair, waiting for Barret's answer.
"Join the Marines?" Barret let out a hoarse scoff, his voice thick with ridicule."You think I'd bow my head like those weaklings, submitting to some so-called 'justice'?"
"Heh, justice?" Gern didn't withdraw his hand. Instead, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly."No. I'm not inviting you for the sake of justice."
Barret frowned. "Then for what?"
"So you can witness with your own eyes what a true 'strong one' really is," Gern said, his voice low and resolute."Roger gave you a goal—and then crushed it with his own hands.But now, I can give you a broader world.A world whose summit you will never quite reach… yet one you will be forced to chase for the rest of your life."
Barret's pupils shrank slightly.
He had never met someone like this—no, never even seen such a person.
Especially now. There was no pity in Gern's eyes, no hypocritical persuasion—only an almost arrogant certainty.
As though he had already seen through everything, including the hollow void and resentment buried deep within Barret's heart.
"Ridiculous…" Barret growled, his fists tightening with sharp cracks. "You think a few words can make me submit?"
"Submit?" Gern chuckled softly. "No. I want you to submit to the fact that you cannot defeat me."
Before the words had fully settled, an overwhelming pressure erupted from Gern's body.
Conqueror's Haki surged forth like a tsunami. Purple-black lightning tore through the air as the ground beneath his feet fractured inch by inch.
In that instant, Barret felt as though he were gazing upon a figure standing at the very summit of the world—looking down upon all beings, utterly immovable.
"This is…" Barret's breath caught, his heart pounding violently.
He had felt Roger's Haki. He had endured Whitebeard's pressure. Yet what radiated from Gern now was fundamentally different.
This wasn't just power—it was a kind of entitlement, a qualification to stand above all things.
Even though many possessed Conqueror's Haki, this—
This true [King's Aptitude]—was on an entirely different level.
"Well?" Gern reined in his Haki, his gaze burning bright. "Still want to waste time?"
Barret fell silent.
His pride refused to let him bow his head, yet deep within him, a flame long extinguished was quietly reigniting.
If even a man like this couldn't be defeated—then perhaps following him was the truest form of "challenge."
Finally, Barret split his bloodstained lips into a feral grin. "Interesting."
"HAHAHA… HAHAHAHAHA!!" His wild laughter shook the sky as he threw his head back, battle intent burning brighter than ever in his eyes.
"Fine! Very well!!" He bared his teeth in a savage smile."Since you dare to boast like that… then show me just how far you can take me!!"
Gern's smile widened. His hand remained outstretched.
"I won't disappoint you, Barret."
Barret stared at that hand. After a second of silence—
Smack!
He grabbed it and hauled himself up. His towering frame cast a long shadow. Blood still flowed from his wounds, yet his spine was straight, and the confusion in his eyes was gone.
"Remember your words, Heaven-Shaker," he growled. "If one day I find you unworthy…"
"I'll tear you apart with my own hands!!"
"I'd welcome that," Gern replied with a smile, the two standing face to face at close range.
Then, in that very instant—
Click.
A crisp metallic locking sound rang out.
Barret didn't even have time to react before he felt his strength drain away like a receding tide. His legs gave out, and he slammed back to his knees.
He looked down—and his pupils shrank violently.
Seastone handcuffs.
Pitch-black shackles had somehow already locked around his wrists. The icy Seastone pressed against his skin, completely suppressing his Devil Fruit powers, even causing the flow of his Haki to stagnate.
"Heaven-Shaker!" Barret snapped his head up, fury surging in his eyes."What the hell is this supposed to mean?!"
His voice was low, like the snarl of a beast."So all that just now was you feeding me pretty lies?!"
"Sorry," Gern said calmly, still smiling as he withdrew his hand and looked down at him."But before that, you'll need to spend some time in Impel Down."
Barret's muscles tensed, veins bulging as he tried to break free by brute force—but under Seastone's suppression, even clenching his fists was difficult.
"You—"
"There's no helping it. The World Government is currently purging Roger's remaining influence," Gern cut in, his tone calm yet absolute."And I need time—at the upcoming shifts in power—to seize enough authority."
As he spoke, Gern crouched down until he was level with Barret, Bahuang lightly tapping the ground.
"But don't worry. When the time is right…"
"I'll come get you personally."
Barret stared straight into Gern's eyes, as if trying to peer into his very soul.
After a few seconds, he suddenly grinned—wild and unhinged."Fine! I'll believe you. I'm a loser anyway."
"But if you dare lie to me…" His hoarse voice dripped with naked killing intent."When I get out—"
"Don't worry," Gern said with a light laugh as he stood up. "I always keep my word."
"So…" He turned away, waving his hand over his shoulder."Spend some time recuperating on the sixth level of Impel Down, demon."
Once the area was confirmed secure—
From the distance, Marine soldiers finally dared to approach, cautiously lifting Barret to escort him away.
The "Demon Heir" who had once made the New World tremble was now bound in Seastone—yet his head remained high, defiant fire still blazing in his eyes.
At the same time, Tesoro stepped up beside Gern and murmured,"Is this really okay, Vice Admiral Gern? That guy doesn't look like the type to behave."
"He was never going to behave," Gern replied, watching Barret being taken away, a faint smile on his lips."He's been away from Roger's crew for far too long. He's gone feral."
"And that's exactly why…" His gaze sharpened."…he needs to be tempered."
"The darkness of Impel Down will teach him soon enough…" Gern turned away, the bandages on Bahuang fluttering in the wind,"…that in this world…"
"The only one who can give him a place to belong—"
"Is me."
In the distance, Barret suddenly turned his head back, Seastone chains clanking loudly.
Across the smoke-filled battlefield, their gazes collided—
One still overflowing with untamed arrogance.The other brimming with absolute certainty.