Time slipped by in the blink of an eye.Two weeks passed in silence.
Morning sunlight poured over the village of the Mink Tribe, bathing the stone paths in warm gold.
Lipo hummed a cheerful tune as she skipped along the road, hopping from stone to stone. A soft green glow shimmered faintly in her palms, and every time she passed an elderly Mink, she would stop with a bright smile.
"Grandpa! Grandma! Let me check—does your back still hurt?"
"Oh hoho, little Lipo's here again?" an elderly goat mink chuckled warmly from his rocking chair."Thanks to you, these old knees don't ache nearly as much anymore."
"Hehe, of course!" Lipo puffed out her chest proudly and pressed her glowing palm gently against his knee."I'm Gern's partner, after all! I can't embarrass him!"
Not far away, Gern leaned lazily against the shade of a tree, a faint smile playing on his lips as he watched her bustle about like a busy little bee.
He didn't stop her.This was the best way for her to grow accustomed to her ability.
As long as she didn't use the kind of healing that consumed her lifespan, ordinary healing posed no real burden.
"Gern!" Lipo suddenly turned and waved enthusiastically."Look! I healed another one!"
Gern nodded approvingly. "Good job. Just don't push yourself too hard."
"I won't!" she stuck out her tongue playfully before skipping off again toward an elderly rabbit woman leaning on a cane."Grandma, how's your rheumatism today?"
Meanwhile — Marine Headquarters, Marineford
Inside the Marshal's Office, the atmosphere was solemn.
Steel Bone Kong had just finished a high-level meeting. With his hands clasped before his face, he slowly lifted his gaze and settled it on Zephyr.
"Zephyr," he said in a deep voice,"Reports from G-7 say Gern's patrol vessel has been docked there for nearly a month now.Granted, he recently captured 'Plague Doctor' Samuel and 'Colossal Battleship' San Juan Wolf… but disappearing for this long is pushing it."
"Cough—well, that is true." Sengoku adjusted his glasses with a faint grin."But that kid certainly knows how to pick a place to relax."
"I heard from Kuzan that he went looking for his Mink adjutant," Garp laughed heartily, tossing a rice cracker into his mouth."Kids need to unwind once in a while!"
"You're not going to explain yourself, Zephyr?" Tsuru asked calmly, her gentle gaze resting on him.
She and Gion were close—like sisters.And now Gern had gone running off to the Mink Tribe instead of staying near her…
"Tsuru's right." Zephyr cleared his throat awkwardly."He still has active patrol duties. Staying away this long isn't appropriate."
Then, suddenly—
BAM!
Zephyr slammed his fist on the table, face dark beneath his sunglasses.
"That damn brat!"He tore off his justice coat and slammed it down."Marshal! I request permission to go drag him back myself!"
"No need to go that far," Kong replied calmly, waving his hand."He's your disciple. Just call him first."
"Fine." Zephyr pulled out Gern's personal Den Den Mushi."I'll remind him exactly what responsibilities he's carrying."
Back in the Mokomo Dukedom
Gern lounged against a tree, lazily watching Pedro and Wanda sweat as they practiced Armament Haki.
Faint black sheen flickered over their claws, unstable and fleeting.
Truth be told, the Mink Tribe truly were natural-born combatants.
"Focus," Gern yawned."Imagine it as armor flowing over your body…"
Suddenly—
Buru buru buru!
His Den Den Mushi rang.
"Hm?" Gern picked it up.
The moment he answered—
"GERN! HOW LONG DO YOU PLAN ON STAYING THERE?!"
Zephyr's roar blasted through the receiver.
Gern winced slightly.Nearby, Lipo, Wanda, and Pedro all jumped, ears snapping upright in shock.
Gern raised a finger to his lips, signaling silence.
"Ahem." He cleared his throat politely."I didn't expect the esteemed Admiral Zephyr to personally contact me. I'm honored."
"DON'T PLAY DUMB!" Zephyr roared."Do you even remember military discipline?!"
"Sir, I—"
"You what?! You asked me to reassign Gion so you two could work more closely!She's Tsuru's protégé—she has her own ambitions!"
"Ah—wait—"
"And now you sulk off like this?! Is this how you repay your teacher?!"
"Sensei, I think there's been a misunder—"
"Misunderstanding?!" Zephyr snapped again, glaring at Tsuru."I know damn well the two of you have feelings for each other, but duty comes first!"
Sengoku coughed loudly."Zephyr… watch your blood pressure."
"NO! Nobody stop me today!" Zephyr yanked his tie loose."This brat's getting out of hand!"
"Sensei…" Gern said helplessly through the Den Den Mushi.
"Do you even still recognize me as your teacher?!"
On the other end, Gern finally understood what was happening.
He paused.
Then spoke slowly and solemnly.
"You will always be my teacher."
Zephyr froze.
"From the moment I joined the Marines in Year 1486… my first rank was granted by you.From Ensign to Lieutenant Commander… to Captain… to Commodore…"
"From 1486 to 1491, every promotion—every document—was personally signed by you."
"You are my mentor.My foundation.If I have a backing, it's you.If I have allegiance, it's to you.If I believe in justice—then it's your justice."
The words hit like a cannon blast.
Sengoku shattered his teacup.
Garp choked violently on his cracker."Cough—! I knew it—this kid's dangerous!"
Tsuru stared at Zephyr, stunned.
Steel Bone Kong's gaze sharpened dangerously as he looked at him.
Zephyr's forehead beaded with cold sweat.
This wasn't trivial.
He held too much influence.Students everywhere.An entire generation shaped by his hand.
One wrong move…
"Gern, what nonsense are you saying?!" Zephyr barked.
Gern chuckled softly."Relax, Sensei. I'm just speaking honestly."
"I'll resume my patrol mission soon. But…"He glanced toward Lipo."I need a few more days. There are things I must take care of."
Zephyr exhaled deeply."…Fine. But don't make headquarters regret this."
"Yes, sir."
The call ended.
Back in the office, Zephyr straightened his coat, regaining his composure.
"Apologies for the display."
Sengoku, Garp, and Tsuru stared at him silently.
The look in their eyes said it all:
You're the most dangerous one here.
Steel Bone Kong rubbed his temples.
"Everyone else may leave.Zephyr—stay."
Zephyr: "..."