A month later, at noon, the sunlight over Marineford blazed like fire.
The ground of the Training Ground in the back garden of Gern's House was scorching hot, and the air shimmered faintly in the heat.
The distant sea reflected a blinding glare. The occasional sea breeze carried a hot, briny tang, but did nothing to dispel the summer heat.
At the center of the Training Ground, Lipo and Tesoro stood facing each other, their training clothes already soaked with sweat.
"Tesoro, you're wearing all that in this heat? Aren't you afraid of heatstroke?"
Lipo wiped the sweat from her forehead, her white rabbit ears drooping slightly in the heat.
"That's summer for you, Lipo." Tesoro shook his hands, the gloves formed from gold dust glittering in the sunlight.
"Besides, we can talk about the heat after the fight!"
"Then don't blame me for going all out!" Lipo grinned, and her figure abruptly vanished.
"Soru!" Her speed was astonishing. The heat seemed to have no effect whatsoever on her explosive power.
Tesoro's pupils contracted. He immediately raised a hand, and liquid gold surged from his glove, forming a golden shield in front of him.
Bang! Lipo's kick slammed into the shield, forcing Tesoro back half a step. She even left a shallow dent in its surface.
Her strength's increased again? Tesoro was startled, but his hands never stopped moving.
With a sweep of his left hand, the liquid gold turned into dozens of sharp golden needles that shot at Lipo from every direction.
"Life Rampage!" Lipo gave a sharp cry, raised her left hand as a green healing glow appeared around it, and slapped her chest.
In an instant, the powerful surge of vitality accelerated her cells' division, briefly releasing her body's limits and greatly boosting her fighting power.
Lipo