Across the Sabaody Archipelago, sunlight filtered through the enormous mangroves, casting dappled light and shadow.
Bubbles drifted gently through the air, reflecting rainbow-colored light.
The harbor at Tree No. 34 bustled with noise. Vendors' cries mingled with tourists' exclamations, creating a lively scene.
Gern's warship slowly docked at the Marine pier. On deck,
Lipo could no longer contain her excitement. Her rabbit ears stood straight up, and her pink eyes shone with anticipation.
She wore a lightweight Marine uniform, with a pair of specially made carrot-shaped daggers at her waist. She looked adorable.
"Gern! We're here!" Lipo cheered. Before the warship had fully stopped, she leaped off and landed lightly on the pier.
Her rabbit Mink traits made her movements lightning-fast, drawing glances from the passersby.
Tesoro followed close behind. "So this is the Sabaody Archipelago, the halfway point of the Grand Line?"
He looked around, carefully folding the shopping list Stella had given him and slipping it into his breast pocket.
Gern was the last to leave the warship. The Black Blade: Eight Desolations hung casually at his waist, and his cloak fluttered gently in the sea breeze.
"I'll leave the coating of my warship to you. Thanks for your hard work." Gern smiled at the coating shipwright whom the Sabaody Archipelago's G-33 base had arranged for him in advance.
"It's no trouble! It's all for the Marines. Serving Rear Admiral Gern is my duty!"
Looking at the shipwright, Gern said nothing more. Instead, he took a bag of Beli from his pocket and handed it over.
After all, paying him was the only truly practical thing to do at a time like this!
By the time Gern had finished making arrangements for the warship, Lipo and Tesoro had already darted off to who knew where.
He could only