A circle of people stood around the little wooden bed. Kakarot leaned forward, gently wiggling his fingers beside its edge and occasionally poking the plump little Ace with a fingertip.
The little fellow wore a pale yellow onesie. With black hair, black eyes, and cheeks as round as a plump rice dumpling, he waved his chubby little arms and babbled away, sounding full of energy.
"This little guy's put on more weight in just a few days."
"Tut, tut, tut!"
Kakarot smacked his lips, making noises to catch Ace's attention.
But the sounds he made were exactly the sort used to tease a dog.
Lilith had already stretched out a finger beside him, waving it back and forth before Ace's eyes. The little fellow followed it with his gaze, tilting his tiny head this way and that.
Vian pulled a thin cord strung with colorful feathers from behind her and gently dangled it above Ace. As the feathers drifted down, Ace suddenly burst into giggles.
Yingyue could not resist either. The fluffy tip of her tail brushed lightly along the edge of the bed, stirring a gentle breeze. Ace stared curiously at that fluffy tail, waving his little arms even more eagerly, as though he wanted to catch it.
Lina and Rouge, who sat beside the bed, exchanged a helpless glance at the sight, both unable to resist rolling their eyes.
Lina prodded Kakarot's back and chided him, "Kakarot, you're teasing him like a dog! Who plays with a baby like that?"
Kakarot sheepishly ducked his head at her words, scratched his cheek, and muttered:
"How else am I supposed to play with him? He can't understand what I say. It's not like I can discuss how to train Haki with him."
"You..." Lina was momentarily lost for words. Her