Time flew by, and another two weeks passed...
The light of dawn spilled over the villages of the Mokomo Dukedom.
Humming a cheerful tune, Lipo skipped along the stone-paved paths.
A soft green glow shone in her palm, and whenever she passed an elderly mink,
she would approach with a grin. "Grandpa, Grandma, let me check if your back still hurts!"
"Oh my, little Lipo's here again?" An elderly goat mink sat in a rocking chair, smiling kindly.
"Thanks to you, these old aching legs of mine are much better."
"Hehe, of course!" Lipo proudly gave a thumbs-up, then gently pressed her palm against the elder's knee. Green light flickered faintly.
"I'm Gern's companion. I can't let him down!"
Not far away, Gern leaned in the shade of a tree, a smile on his lips as he watched Lipo bustle about like a hardworking little bee.
He made no attempt to stop her. Instead, he thought this was the best way for her to familiarize herself with her Devil Fruit powers.
As long as Lipo didn't use Complete Restoration, which consumed her lifespan, ordinary healing wouldn't place any burden on her.
"Gern!" Lipo suddenly turned and waved at him. "Look, I've healed another one!"
Gern smiled and nodded. "Good work, but don't push yourself too hard."
"I won't!" Lipo stuck out her tongue, then ran toward another elderly woman from the Rabbit Tribe who leaned on a cane. "Grandma, is your rheumatism any better?"
Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters in Marineford.
The atmosphere in the Fleet Admiral's Office was solemn. Kong had just concluded a meeting of the senior officers.
He clasped his hands beneath his chin, slowly sweeping his gaze over everyone before finally settling on Zephyr.
"Zephyr." Kong's voice was low and commanding. "Word from G-7 Base in