Outside the restaurant in Crescent Moon Village, sunlight filtered through the canopy of trees, scattering dappled patterns across the ground.
Pedro pulled Wanda and Li Bo aside beneath a large tree, his expression tense as he lowered his voice.
"Listen to me. The Marines aren't heroes," he said firmly."They're the military force of the World Government. Their job is to hunt pirates."
"Pirates?" Wanda tilted her head, her fluffy tail swaying slightly. "What are pirates?"
"They're bad people!" Pedro clenched his fists, trying to recall everything Nekomamushi and Inuarashi had once told him."They burn, steal, and do all kinds of terrible things!"
"Then… if Marines catch bad people," Li Bo blinked her pink eyes innocently, "doesn't that make them heroes?"
Pedro froze. His ears twitched involuntarily."Uh… well… I heard that even adventurers sometimes get—"
"Hey, Pedro," Wanda interrupted, her tone sharpening. "You don't like bad people who burn things and hurt others, do you?"
"N-No! Of course not!" Pedro waved his hands in panic. "I just—I—"
He tangled himself up in his own words.
"But Gern paid for the food even though I invited him!" Li Bo crossed her arms confidently."That means he's a good person! You even said the Marines were supposed to be just!"
"Li Bo, it's not that simple!" Pedro scratched his head in frustration."Boss Cat Viper said the Marines might—"
"Might what?" Wanda pressed, narrowing her eyes.
Pedro opened his mouth… then closed it again.
In the end, all he could mutter was,"They're… not good people."
"Hmph!" Li Bo puffed out her cheeks and smacked him lightly on the head."Cat Viper and Dogstorm ran off on adventures themselves! Nobody knows if they're even alive!"
She planted her hands on her hips.
"And you're still listening to them? What, you want to sneak off too?"
"I—I…" Pedro clutched his head, utterly defeated.
"And besides!" Li Bo suddenly lit up, eyes sparkling."Gern can make carrots jump out of the ground by themselves!"
"WHAT?!"Wanda and Pedro shouted in perfect unison.
"It's true!" Li Bo gestured wildly. "He just went like this—whoosh!—and all the carrots popped right out!"
"On their own?!" Wanda's tail wagged furiously.
"That sounds like a trick…" Pedro muttered, though curiosity crept into his voice.
"Nope! It wasn't a trick at all!" Li Bo insisted."He didn't even prepare anything—it just happened!"
Seeing her absolute certainty, Pedro hesitated before sighing.
"…Fine. But if he does anything suspicious, we tell the elders immediately."
"Relax!" Li Bo patted her chest proudly. "I'm great at judging people!"
Inside the restaurant, Gern leaned against the window, quietly observing the trio outside.A faint smile touched his lips, while a calculating gleam flickered deep in his eyes.
"So this is the Mokomo Dukedom…" he thought."Just as the rumors said—pure, innocent, unguarded."
If a nation like this became his ally…
With their raw strength, unwavering loyalty, and especially the terrifying potential of Sulong forms—They were born warriors.
Far better than letting them be misled by Kozuki Oden's foolish legacy.
Oden's already serving on Whitebeard's ship…Gern tapped the table lightly.
Which means Momonosuke will be born in a few years.
A useless child.
Did nothing. Achieved nothing.Left everything to others.
Even Kin'emon had more dignity—at least he had the shame to kneel before Luffy and beg.
Momonosuke?He did nothing but hide behind others until the very end.
If Luffy hadn't nearly died unlocking Gear Fifth to liberate Wano—
Gern scoffed inwardly.
You didn't deserve that salvation.
His gaze sharpened.
No. If the Minks are to choose someone… it should be me.
At that moment, the restaurant door burst open.
Li Bo bounded inside, followed by Wanda and a still-wary Pedro.
"Gern!" Li Bo shouted happily. "Pedro and Wanda want to see how you made the carrots jump!"
Gern chuckled and stood."Of course."
He extended his hand, faint vibration particles gathering in his palm. Then he gently pressed it against a potted plant near the window.
In an instant—
Pop!
The roots loosened, and several green shoots sprang cleanly out of the soil, landing neatly in Li Bo's hands.
"Waaah!" Li Bo and Wanda gasped in unison.
"So cool!!" Wanda bounced excitedly.
Even Pedro couldn't hide his shock—his ears twitching wildly.
"That… that's incredible…"
"And I can do more than that," Gern said calmly.
He turned his gaze to a water glass on the table and sent a precise vibration through the air.
Without a sound, the glass shattered—Yet the water inside remained suspended, perfectly intact.
Everyone froze.
"That's…"Their eyes widened.
"That's way stronger than the carrot thing!"
Gern smiled modestly. "Just a small trick."
Then, his arms darkened as Armament Haki coated them in obsidian sheen.
Li Bo grabbed his arm excitedly."It's like iron! Teach me! Teach me!"
"Li Bo!" Pedro finally snapped back to himself. "Wait!"
But she was already completely mesmerized.
Gern turned to Pedro calmly."I know you're wary of the Marines. That's understandable."
Pedro met his gaze, searching for deception—but found none.
"I swear, I didn't come here to harm anyone. I just want to make friends."
After a long pause, Pedro nodded.
"…I believe you."
Gern smiled and extended his hand.
"Then let's start there."
Pedro hesitated—then shook it firmly.
"And, uh… also…" he leaned in and whispered,"I kinda want to learn that trick too."
Before long, other Mink villagers began gathering.
"Um… could you help my potato field?""And my carrots!""My cabbages!""My onions!"
Li Bo was shoved aside, stomping in protest.
"Hey! I met him first!"
Gern laughed, raising his hands to calm everyone.
"One at a time, everyone."
"I'll pay!" a sheep mink offered coins.
"I'll trade carrots!" an elderly rabbit woman said eagerly.
Gern shook his head with a gentle smile.
"No need. This is nothing for me."
Perhaps… in this innocent land, sincerity mattered more than ambition.
And perhaps—
This was where something far greater could begin.