Ain crouched down and poked Hibari's shrunken cheek.
Each use of her Return-Return Fruit could "rewind" someone by twelve years. Hibari, who was sixteen this year, had turned into this little tot after being hit.
The child's cheek was as soft as a freshly steamed bun, dimpling under a gentle poke before springing back.
Hibari turned her head to dodge, but this tiny body was nowhere near as coordinated as her normal one.
"Mm... stop poking me... senior."
When that babyish voice came out of her little mouth, even Hibari froze. She opened her mouth, then closed it again, her cheeks flushing bright red. Ain couldn't resist giving them another pinch.
Zephyr had stopped serving as chief instructor after the incident with the twenty-fourth class. But the Marine training camp itself hadn't closed, so Hibari still counted as Ain's junior.
The two Knights were still frozen in place, their hands and feet encased in ice. Pink flames rose from Ain's hands, and she went over to give them two solid taps. The result was a pair of boys around fifteen years old.
"Children and teenagers are less likely to raise suspicion."
As Ain spoke, she snapped her fingers.
Kuzan raised his eyes slightly. The frost around the Knights' ankles shattered into tiny ice crystals, scattered across the floor, and quickly vanished.
The two stumbled a step before steadying themselves, then looked down at their smaller bodies.
"This is Admiral Kuzan."
Hibari explained to the two Knights, using his most recognizable title.
"Ah, well... I've already resigned..."
The youthful Kuzan rubbed his chin. Just then, his Observation Haki detected that someone would be coming in about seven or eight minutes.
"Let's find somewhere else to talk."
Kuzan gave them a reminder.
"All right, let's go."
Ain pulled Hibari to her feet.