At the edge of the Mokomo Dukedom, the night wind brushed gently across the land.Starlight spilled over the colossal body of Zunesha, coating the world in a soft silver glow.
Gern stood at the cliff's edge, the sea breeze brushing against him. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he spoke casually—
"So… where's my righteous partner hiding?"
"Didn't think you'd notice~"
A familiar voice answered as Lipo hopped out from the shadows, whistling innocently as if nothing were amiss.
She wore a simple dress, a small carrot-patterned backpack slung over her shoulders. Her long ears swayed gently as she walked.
Moonlight traced the sharp contours of Gern's profile as he looked down at her, crossing his arms and putting on a deliberately stern expression.
"You—"
"I don't care!" Lipo suddenly shouted, her voice ringing through the quiet night.
She was clearly afraid he would reject her—just like he had Pedro.
Before he could react, she leapt forward and grabbed onto him tightly, clutching his clothes as if afraid he'd vanish the next second. Her pink eyes were wide and unblinking.
"You were the one who came to find me first! And we even did a high-five!" she blurted out, words tumbling over each other as her ears flicked wildly with emotion."I'm already your partner in justice! And I'm really easy to take care of!I just need carrots and carrot juice—and I can sleep squeezed in next to you!"
She stomped her foot emphatically.
"Anyway, you're not allowed to ditch me! Hmph!"
Gern froze.
The night wind brushed past them, tugging lightly at their clothes.
Lipo stared at him, chest rising and falling rapidly, fingers still gripping his coat tightly.
Two seconds passed.
Then—
"Pfft."
Gern burst out laughing.
He reached out and gently rubbed her head, smiling at the softness of her drooping ears.
"I never said I was going to leave you behind."
"Eh?" Lipo blinked, her ears snapping upright. "R-Really?"
"Really." Gern nodded, a hint of mischief glinting in his eyes."But I should warn you—what comes next might get a little… exciting."
"Exciting?" Lipo tilted her head in confusion—
And in the next instant, Gern bent down, scooped her up under one arm like a parcel, and leapt straight off the edge of the colossal elephant's back.
"W—WHAAAAAA?!!!"
Lipo's scream tore through the night.
The wind roared past them, flattening her ears against her head as she clung desperately to Gern's arm, eyes squeezed shut, heart pounding wildly.
The sense of weightlessness was overwhelming—
But then—
She cautiously opened one eye.
Beneath Gern's feet, pale shockwaves formed one after another, like invisible steps in the air. They descended smoothly, as though walking down an unseen staircase.
"H-How is this even—?!"
"Well?" Gern looked down at her, grinning. "Exciting enough?"
"Gern—you idiot!!!"
But even as she shouted, her cheeks burned red with excitement, and she threw her arms into the air.
"Again! That was amazing! Do it again!"
"Next time." Gern chuckled, his gaze drifting toward the sea.
A warship waited quietly in the distance, its deck lights glowing against the dark water.
"That's your ship?" Lipo asked, peering curiously.
"Yeah." His tone grew serious. "Where we're headed next… it's a lot more dangerous than Mokomo. Are you sure you want to come?"
Lipo nodded without hesitation, her pink eyes shining with resolve.
"Of course! I'm your partner in justice, remember?"
Warmth stirred in Gern's chest.
Without another word, he carried her down onto the deck of the warship.
A Marine sergeant who had been waiting stepped forward and saluted crisply.
"Rear Admiral Gern! All preparations are complete."
His eyes flicked to Lipo in surprise—but he quickly masked it.
"This is Lipo Hope, my adjutant," Gern said simply.
"Y–Your adjutant?!" the sergeant blurted out before snapping back to attention."W-Welcome aboard, Miss Lipo!"
Lipo waved cheerfully. "Nice to meet you! Let's get along!"
The sergeant forced a stiff smile.
The Rear Admiral's adjutant… is a rabbit?And Lieutenant Gion goes by 'Momousagi' too—this is getting out of hand…
"What are you spacing out for?" Gern patted his shoulder. "Set sail."
"Yes, sir!"
The warship slowly pulled away from Zunesha. The sea breeze brushed against them as Lipo stood at the bow, eyes sparkling as she took in the endless horizon.
"This ocean is huge!" she exclaimed, spreading her arms wide.
"It is," Gern replied softly. "And it's dangerous, too."
Lipo turned to him and smiled brightly."That's okay! You're here—I'm not scared at all!"
Gern smiled faintly, saying nothing as he gazed toward the distant horizon.
"Partner of justice—move out!" Lipo suddenly raised her fist, copying his familiar pose.
The Marines on deck chuckled at her enthusiasm.
Gern shook his head helplessly, though the warmth in his eyes betrayed his amusement.
Meanwhile…
Not far away, after Gern and Lipo had leapt from Zunesha, a rustling sound came from the bushes.
Wanda and Pedro quietly peeked out.
"So… Sister Lipo really went with Gern," Wanda whispered, her fluffy tail swaying gently.Be happy… Lipo.
"It's alright," Pedro said softly.
"Because… a hero of justice would never let their companions come to harm."
He touched the Justice cloak draped over his shoulders, then took out the personal Den Den Mushi Gern had left him, a warm smile forming on his face.
From that moment on, young Pedro carried a new responsibility in his heart.
And because of that—
When Roger later arrived at Mokomo with Oden, Inuarashi, and Nekomamushi, they met resistance.
Thankfully, Roger's charisma and sincerity resolved the misunderstanding peacefully.
But when Nekomamushi and Inuarashi later demanded that the Mink Tribe swear fealty to the Kozuki clan and become their retainers—
The entire Mokomo Dukedom fiercely rejected the idea.
And standing at the forefront of that refusal…
Was Pedro.
Under the banner of Mokomo's Justice.