At dawn the next morning, just as the first ray of sunlight crept over the white walls of Marineford, a frantic knocking erupted at Gern's door.
"Gern! Open up! I know you're in there?!"
Lipo's voice rang through the wooden door, accompanied by a rapid bang bang bang.
"If you don't open it, I'm coming in myself! Even though Sister Gion said I'm not supposed to enter your room whenever I want—"
Before she could finish, there was a heavy thud from inside the room, followed by Gern's sleepy, muffled mumbling.
"Lipo… it's not even light out yet…"
"Liar! The sun's already up!"Lipo shoved the door open and leaned in so close her face was practically pressed against his. Her white rabbit ears stood straight up with excitement."You promised yesterday! You said we're leaving for Fish-Man Island today!"
Half-asleep, Gern instinctively lifted a hand and started rubbing her cheeks. Only after that did he struggle upright, rubbing his own eyes as he glanced at the clock by his bed.
07:30.
"Lipo."The moment he saw the time, his eyes—previously narrowed to slits—opened a little wider.
He had grown far too accustomed to the comfort of administrative leave.
"At this hour, even the mess hall isn't open yet. Let's just… nap a little longer…"
Before he could finish, Lipo was already scooped up in his arms and hugged against his chest. Her head wobbled side to side as she muttered, half-dazed,
"It is open… it's open…"
She wriggled free, straightened up, and then climbed right on top of him, straddling his waist as she tilted her lips into a small pout.
She was wearing a brand-new Marine uniform today. A shiny, fish-shaped badge gleamed on her chest, and a small backpack hung on her back, covered in carrot patterns.
"Gern, hurry up and get up!"
"Look!"She proudly turned halfway around."This is the Fish-Man Island carrot souvenir badge I specially prepared! (Handmade craft from the Marine Headquarters commercial street!)"
"Taizolo told me there are glowing corals there—and seashells that can sing!"As she spoke, she pulled out a crumpled travel guide from her backpack."I even made a plan!"
Gern stared at the guidebook, which had clearly been flipped through countless times. Red circles, stars, and scribbles covered nearly every page. He let out a sigh.
"At least let me wash my face first. And Lipo—my dear Lipo—The people on the Marine Headquarters commercial street have never been to Fish-Man Island. Everything you bought is basically—"
"I don't care, hurry hurry!"Lipo was already spinning in circles around the room.
Gern was just about to say more when she suddenly dashed out like a whirlwind.
"See you at the harbor! Whoever's late has to treat me to carrot cake for a whole month!"
...
By the time Gern finished changing and dragged his still-sleepy body to the harbor, the sight before him jolted him fully awake.
Beside his warship was a small supply vessel. Its deck was piled high with all kinds of bizarre equipment—
Diving suits.Underwater cameras.And even several massive fish tanks.
"…What is all this?"
"Surprise!"Lipo popped out from behind a pile of equipment, her face smeared with engine grease.
"Taizolo helped get it all! Now we can film an underwater documentary!"
Taizolo stood nearby, his golden gloves gleaming in the sunlight."Just some minor modifications. Stella said merfolk songs carry especially well underwater, so we prepared underwater recording equipment too."
Gern opened his mouth, staring at the two of them—and suddenly realized something crucial.
"You don't seriously think that going to Fish-Man Island just means dropping a submarine into the sea, do you?"
"…Isn't that how it works?"Taizolo frowned, then pulled the guidebook straight out of Lipo's backpack.
"You two absolute idiots…"Gern let out a deep sigh.
"Nothing from the Marine Headquarters commercial street is reliable, okay?And hardly any Marines have ever been to Fish-Man Island. If you want gear like this, you're supposed to buy it at Sabaody Archipelago!"
"Then… Lipo's Fish-Man Island carrot souvenir badge…"Lipo's expression collapsed.
"Sea carrots on Fish-Man Island don't look like that."
"…They don't?"Her face instantly crumpled, eyes welling with tears.
Seeing her like this, Gern could only smile helplessly. He stepped forward and gently patted her head.
"It's fine. We're not not going. When we get there, I'll buy you a real one."
"Mhm… mhm…"
"But before that—if I'm remembering correctly—Our ship needs to be coated to reach Fish-Man Island, doesn't it?"
The harbor went dead silent.
Lipo's ears slowly drooped.Taizolo's expression froze solid.
"Coating…?" Lipo repeated softly."You mean… that bubble-like thing?"
Gern pressed a hand to his forehead."I completely forgot about that…"He turned to the petty officer beside him."Do we have any craftsmen at headquarters who can do ship coating?"
The sergeant in charge of Gern's personal warship looked utterly lost."Reporting, Rear Admiral Gern. Marine warships generally don't require coating, so…"
"…Damn it."Gern rubbed his temples."Looks like I'll have to go see Instructor Zephyr."
...
Morning training had just begun at the Elite Training Camp.
Zephyr stood with his back to the gate, roaring at several recruits who were slacking off. Even from a distance, his booming voice echoed across the field.
"Instructor Zephyr!"Gern stepped forward and snapped a salute.
"Gern?"Zephyr turned around, his eyes narrowing slightly behind his sunglasses as his gaze swept over Lipo and Taizolo behind him."Bringing your little followers to train?"
"No, sir."Gern coughed lightly."I wanted to ask—are there any craftsmen within the Marines who can do ship coating?"
"Coating?"Zephyr's voice shot up an octave, drawing glances from nearby recruits.
He grabbed Gern by the arm and dragged him into the shade of a tree.
"You're going to Fish-Man Island?"His voice dropped low, but every word hit like a hammer."Now?"
"That's right."Gern nodded."I already received approval from Fleet Admiral Kong."
Zephyr's expression turned grim.He removed his sunglasses and fixed Gern with a piercing stare.
"Do you know what time it is right now?"
"The Seven Warlords of the Sea system."
"Exactly."The World Government's sudden announcement of the Seven Warlords system had caused massive upheaval within the Marines. Every officer was being forced to take a stance.
He pointed toward the other end of the training ground, where Smoker was drilling."Even these green recruits are talking about it!Kuzan and the others have all made their positions clear. And you want to leave headquarters to go play around at Fish-Man Island?"
(In the eyes of most Marines, Fish-Man Island was nothing more than an exotic tourist attraction.)
Gern didn't answer right away.
In the distance, Lipo was enthusiastically showing Taizolo the "exploration equipment" in her backpack, completely unaware of the heavy atmosphere on this side.
"Instructor Zephyr,"Gern finally said,"Do you really think me staying here would change anything?"
Zephyr frowned."What do you mean?"
"Sakazuki is openly opposed.Kuzan hasn't said much, but his tone and attitude are clearly against it.As for Senior Borsalino… he's joking around as usual, but it's obvious he's leaning toward supporting the World Government for the sake of promotion…"
Gern shrugged."So tell me—when has the World Government ever truly cared about the Marines' opinions?"
"So among the four of you…"Zephyr's fist clenched tightly.
"…you're the one who chose to run away?"