Above Fish-Man Island, the royal convoy, drawn by giant seahorses, moved slowly through the island's colorful coral forests.
Lipo leaned over the edge of the carriage, her pink eyes sparkling with excitement and her rabbit ears twitching with every movement.
"Gern! Look over there!" She pointed at a cluster of glowing jellyfish in the distant Sea Forest, her voice brimming with delight. "They change colors! Like a rainbow!"
Gern smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping across this dreamlike world beneath the sea.
Tesoro sat quietly nearby, his camera constantly capturing the scenery along the way.
His eyes were gentle, as though he was already picturing himself touring the island with Stella.
"Tesoro, how are the pictures coming along?" Gern asked, turning toward him.
Tesoro nodded lightly, the corners of his mouth lifting. "Stella will definitely love it here."
"Really?! Let me see!" At that, Lipo immediately leaned over and pointed at the camera screen.
"This one! You have to print this one! And I want a picture at Mermaid Bay over there, too!"
"Stella bought this camera exclusively for me. You're not allowed to touch it!"
"Don't be so stingy~"
Gern chuckled at the sight, then reached out and grabbed Lipo by the back of her collar.
He lifted her back onto his lap, rubbed her head, and said with a smile, "Once we're done talking business, we'll have plenty of time.
"And didn't you want the biggest, shiniest Pearl Carrot? I'll mention it to Neptune later."
"That's right! My Pearl Carrot!" Lipo's eyes lit up, and her smile never faded.
Hearing this, Tesoro pursed his lips, wanting to get Stella a set of jewelry unique to Fish-Man Island as well.
After all, Stella was simply a military family member, and she often chatted with the other military families at Marineford.