Gern led Tesoro down the long corridor. Just as they reached the end, they came upon a sight that was rather comical, yet full of childish delight.
Bored, Lipo was using the motionless Bullet as a giant slide, gleefully sliding down his muscular back with a "whoosh."
Then she clambered back up on all fours, repeating the process over and over.
Bullet remained expressionless, but he did not stop her. He simply stood steady.
At the strangely incongruous yet harmonious scene, a faint, helpless smile appeared on Gern's face, and he shook his head.
He had just raised his hand, about to call Lipo and Bullet over so they could leave...
But then he froze.
His raised hand slowly dropped.
His gaze passed over the playing Lipo and the silent Bullet, settling on the shadows around a corner on the other side of the corridor.
A figure stood there.
He wore that familiar dog-head hat, but beneath its brim, his face held none of its usual exuberance or hearty cheer, only an unshakable sorrow.
He simply stood there in silence, his deep gaze crossing the corridor and fixing firmly on Gern.
It was Garp.
Gern's eyes met Garp's. Neither spoke.
After their eyes met, the faint smile vanished completely from Gern's face, replaced by his usual composure. He tilted his head slightly and gave Tesoro a look.
Tesoro understood at once. First, he nodded respectfully toward Garp and greeted him. "Vice Admiral Garp."
Then, without another word, he strode toward Lipo and Bullet, who were still playing.
Clearly, he intended to take them away for a while and leave Gern and Garp somewhere to speak alone.
Before long, only Gern and Garp remained at the end of the corridor, facing each other in silence across the distance, Garp still standing