Time flew by, and another two weeks passed…
The morning light sprinkled over the village of Mokomo Dukedom.
Libo hummed a cheerful tune, skipping along the cobblestone path.
Her palm glowed with a soft green light, and whenever she passed an elderly Mink Tribe member,
she would approach them with a smile, "Grandpa/Grandma, let me see if your back still hurts?"
"Oh, little Libo is here again?" an elderly goat Mink Tribe member sat in a rocking chair, smiling kindly.
"Thanks to you, my old leg pain is much better."
"Hehe, of course!" Libo proudly gave a thumbs up, gently placed her palm on the other person's knee, and the green light flickered slightly.
"I'm Gern's partner, I can't let him down!"
Not far away, Gern leaned under the shade of a tree, a smile playing on his lips, watching Libo scurrying around like a busy little bee.
He didn't stop her; instead, he felt this was the best way to familiarize herself with her Devil Fruit ability.
As long as Libo didn't use the "Complete Restoration" ability, which would consume her lifespan, ordinary healing wouldn't be a burden.
"Gern!" Libo suddenly turned around and waved at him, "Look, I healed another one!"
Gern smiled and nodded, "Well done, but don't overexert yourself."
"I won't!" Libo stuck out her tongue, then turned and ran towards another elderly rabbit Mink Tribe member leaning on a cane, "Grandma, is your rheumatism better?"
........
Meanwhile, Marineford.
In the Fleet Admiral's office, the atmosphere was solemn; Kong had just finished a high-level meeting.
He clasped his hands under his chin, his gaze slowly sweeping over everyone, finally resting on Zephyr.
"Zephyr." Kong's voice was deep and authoritative, "News from the New World G-7 base reports that Gern's patrol battleship has been docked there for nearly a month.
Although he recently arrested 'Curse Doctor' Samuel and 'San Juan Wolf' San Juan Wolf,
but, suddenly disappearing for so long, isn't he a bit… too comfortable?"
"Cough, cough, indeed!" Sengoku pushed up his glasses, a slight smile on his lips: "However, that kid sure knows how to pick a place to rest."
"I heard Kuzan say he went to find his Mink Tribe aide." Garp, who had recently flattened Chinjao's head, burst into laughter, throwing a senbei into his mouth.
"Young people, it's good to relax occasionally!"
"Aren't you going to explain, Zephyr?" Tsuru smiled slightly, looking at Zephyr with gentle eyes.
It should be known that Tsuru regarded Gion as her own sister, so their relationship was very good.
Now Gern was abandoning his beautiful and pretty sister to go find a Mink Tribe member, hehe.....
"Tsuru is right, he still has a patrol mission, and staying for a long time is indeed not appropriate."
Facing Tsuru's gaze, Zephyr coughed lightly, awkwardly rubbing his nose.
Then he suddenly slammed the table, his face under his sunglasses terribly grim: "This scoundrel!" He tore off his cloak of justice and threw it on the table.
"Fleet Admiral, please allow me to personally go and bring him back!"
"It's not that serious, not that serious!" Kong waved his hand: "After all, he is your disciple, first call to confirm the situation."
"No problem, I will definitely let him know what responsibilities he still has!" Zephyr pulled out Gern's exclusive Den Den Mushi from his Pregnant, and dialed the communication.
.....
Outside Libo's small house in Mokomo Dukedom.
Gern leaned lazily against a tree trunk, watching Pedro and Wanda practice Armament Haki, sweating profusely.
Their claws glowed with a faint black light, but they couldn't maintain it stably.
It must be said that the Mink Tribe are naturally skilled in physical combat.
"Focus." Gern yawned, "Imagine Haki as flowing armor......"
Suddenly, his exclusive Den Den Mushi in his arms rang "Burururu."
"Who's calling me?" Gern subconsciously pulled out the Den Den Mushi.
As soon as he connected, Zephyr's angry roar came through: "Gern! How long are you going to stay there, you brat?!"
Facing Zephyr's roar, Gern's mouth twitched.
Meanwhile, Wanda, Libo, and Pedro, who were nearby, were startled by the sudden roar, their ears perked up, and they looked at each other.
Gern first looked at the three and put his index finger to his lips, making a shushing gesture.
"Cough, cough." Then he cleared his throat, his tone respectful, "I didn't expect busy Teacher Zephyr to call personally; this disciple is truly flattered."
"Don't be flattered yet! I'm asking now, Gern! Do you still have military discipline in your eyes?!"
"Teacher Zephyr, I......"
"What 'you'?! Last time you asked me to speak for you to have Gion transferred.
Saying it's convenient for you two young people to get along.
But who is Gion?!
She is Tsuru's aide, after all, and she is also a girl with ideals!
Is it worth it for you to be angry with me, your teacher, over this one thing?"
"Huh? Teacher, what are you saying? Is there a misunderstanding...."
"Misunderstanding what?" Zephyr interrupted again, staring at Tsuru, "I know you two have feelings for each other, but now we must prioritize responsibility and missions!"
Sengoku, who knew what act Zephyr was putting on, interjected at the right time: "Zephyr, watch your blood pressure......"
"No, no one will stop me today!" Zephyr tore off his tie and roared into the Den Den Mushi.
"Anyway, you kid are getting more and more arrogant! Hmph! I see I can't control you anymore, you've grown wings."
"No." The Den Den Mushi perfectly replicated Gern's helpless expression: "Teacher, please calm down first......"
"Young people are like this, Zephyr, don't be too serious." At this moment, Tsuru also withdrew her gaze with satisfaction.
Seeing this, Zephyr also breathed a sigh of relief, but still continued: "Teacher? Do you still have me as your teacher in your eyes, Gern?"
On Mokomo Dukedom's side, hearing this, Gern, no matter how foolish, finally realized what act Zephyr was putting on.
So a thought flashed through his mind, his tone paused, and his voice suddenly became solemn.
"A teacher is always my teacher."
"Hmm, then you…" This time Zephyr was interrupted.
"This disciple was promoted to Marineford in sea circle calendar 1486. The first rank was given by Teacher Zephyr. If I were to speak of a benevolent teacher, you are my benevolent teacher."
Zephyr on the other end of the Den Den Mushi was visibly stunned, and the air in the conference room seemed to freeze.
Sengoku pushed up his glasses, Garp's mouth twitched, and Tsuru gave Zephyr a meaningful look.
Gern's voice continued: "In sea circle calendar 1488, I served as Teacher's aide from Warrant Officer, then as Lieutenant, then as Lieutenant, then as Lieutenant!
Until sea circle calendar 1491, I was specially approved to skip four ranks, becoming the fastest promoted Admiral in Marineford history!
Every step during this period was a promotion from Teacher, from Warrant Officer to Admiral, twelve Fleet Admiral appointment documents, every step was stamped by Teacher personally!!"
"I am Teacher's student, his disciple!" Gern's tone grew firmer, "If I were to speak of a backer, Teacher is my backer.
If I were to speak of an accomplice, I can only be Teacher's accomplice.
If I were to acknowledge justice, I only know Teacher's justice!!"
This sentence exploded like a bomb in the conference room.
"Clang!" Sengoku's teacup shattered, his pupils behind his glasses contracting violently.
"Cough, cough... That kid really dares to speak!" Garp's senbei got stuck in his throat, making him cough and pat his chest.
Then he took the opportunity to lean closer to Sengoku and whispered: "Even a political idiot like me can see that if you want to launch a coup and overthrow Fleet Admiral Kong, Zephyr must....."
Garp's words were cut short by Sengoku, who used a senbei to cover his mouth.
And Tsuru at this moment also had her mouth slightly agape, looking at Zephyr with disbelief.
In an instant, the expressions of everyone in the conference room changed drastically, and Kong's gaze, even sharper, swept towards Zephyr, as if questioning,
Zephyr, what the hell are you trying to do?
It should be known that Zephyr's current position in the Marine is not ordinary: Admiral of Marineford, Chief Instructor of the Navy School, and Chief Teacher of the Elite Training Camp.
In other words, as long as Zephyr doesn't betray them in the future, he will surely have disciples everywhere…
Cold sweat seeped from Zephyr's forehead, and he quickly roared into the Den Den Mushi: "Gern, what nonsense are you talking about?!"
Gern seemed to have anticipated Zephyr's reaction and chuckled softly: "Teacher, don't be nervous, I'm just telling the truth.
Don't worry, I will continue the patrol mission, but…" He glanced at Libo, "I need to delay a few more days; there are some things that must be handled."
Zephyr took a deep breath, suppressing his helplessness: "As soon as possible, don't make Marineford look bad."
"Yes, Teacher." Gern readily agreed, then hung up the phone.
In the Fleet Admiral's office, Zephyr straightened his collar, instantly resuming his steady Admiral demeanor: "I apologize for making you all laugh."
"It's nothing." Sengoku and the other two stared at Zephyr, as if saying, 'You're the one who's been hiding the deepest!'
And our Fleet Admiral Kong rubbed his brow.
"Everyone else can leave." Kong's voice was low, "But Zephyr, you stay."
Zephyr: "........"