Time flew by, and a year had passed. The Marine training camp finally took a long-awaited break, allowing the cadets to relax.
Hera asked Kuina, "Is it really okay for you not to go back?"
Kuina replied, "It's fine. I've only been gone for a year. On the other hand, don't you miss those two little friends of yours? Why don't you go back and see them during the break?"
Hera thought of Luffy and Ace. "I'm not going back," she said. "Ace might have already set out to sea, and Luffy has his own dreams. We'll meet again on the ocean."
Soon, Garp's hearty voice rang out, "Hey, you two little ones, how about spending the New Year with this old man?"
Just as Hera and Kuina were about to agree, two more people approached. They were Vice Admiral Tsuru and Vice Admiral Momousagi.
Vice Admiral Tsuru said, "What's the fun in hanging out with a senile old man like you? Let Momousagi take them around. All three of them are swordsmen and girls; they'll definitely get along better than with you."
Vice Admiral Momousagi wore a pink top and ultra-short shorts, draped in a Marine cape. At her waist hung the famous blade, Konpira. Her ample chest was particularly prominent in this outfit, but her most striking feature was her pair of long, straight, beautiful legs. The spider tattoo on her leg added a mysterious and dangerous sense of beauty. Her thighs were almost as long as Hera was tall.
Hera looked at Momousagi's massive 'treasure chest' in disbelief, then looked down at her own 'hills.' Her expression became incredibly dejected. "I'm... I'm not jealous at all," she muttered, gritting her teeth.
Momousagi noticed Hera's expression and smiled. "You're still growing. You'll get taller and bigger."
Seeing Hera's envious gaze, Kuina couldn't help but think, 'Does Hera really like them that big? Won't that interfere with swinging a sword?' Her expression became conflicted for a moment.
Seeing the two children's straying thoughts, Momousagi shook her head helplessly and gave each of them a flick on the forehead to snap them out of it. "I'm Vice Admiral Gion, codename Momousagi. You can just call me Big Sister Gion."
Gion continued, "I'm usually stationed at the Sabaody Archipelago. If you ever need anything near there, just look for me." She pulled out a den den mushi from somewhere and tossed it to Hera, who stored it in her Shadow Space alongside those from Garp and Aokiji.
Gion's eyes lit up when she saw this ability. "What a convenient power! Come on, I'll take you two shopping and show you another side of the Marine Base. My treat for whatever you want."
Gion loved shopping in her daily life, but carrying many items was truly inconvenient. Seeing that Hera could store things, her eyes naturally sparkled.
Vice Admiral Tsuru held back Garp, who wanted to say more. "Let the girls bond. It'll be good for Hera too."
Garp nodded. "Make sure to come back tonight! There's a banquet planned by the shore, and I personally hunted some Sea Kings for the barbecue. Remember to save room in your stomachs."
Hera nodded, but her body had already been picked up by Gion as they headed toward the shopping street.
Inside a women's clothing store on the shopping street, Hera looked utterly soul-crushed. Gion and Kuina were excitedly holding up outfits against her, making her try them on. The generous Gion simply waved her hand and bought everything that fit, leaving the shop assistant ecstatic as they brought out even more clothes for Hera to change into.
Drowning in a sea of clothes, Hera raised a weak protest. "Why are you only picking clothes for me? Don't Big Sister Gion and Kuina want any? Besides, my spirit dress can change forms; I don't need this many clothes."
Kuina's eyes were shining. "That's different! Besides, you're always so hesitant when I ask you to change your spirit dress into something specific. Hurry up and try on this maid outfit for me."
Gion nodded, agreeing with Kuina. After getting close, she realized Hera's skin was smooth and delicate, with invisible pores. With her exquisite face and petite frame, she was incredibly cute—especially her blushing cheeks when she put on certain outfits, which only fueled the desire to tease her.
Time passed quickly while shopping. Hera deeply felt that girls had far too much energy when it came to shopping; she felt more exhausted than she did after her sparring match with Zephyr. Soon, evening arrived. After dropping off Gion's purchases at her residence, the group headed to the beach for the barbecue.
Garp was already there, mingling with a crowd of Marines. When Kuzan saw Gion and the others arrive with Hera, he came over to greet them.
A beam of light descended beside Kuzan, and a somewhat sleazy voice drifted over. "Is this the little girl Teacher Zephyr mentioned? The youngest one in the training camp to awaken Dual-Type Haki? How scary~"
Seeing him, Kuzan introduced him to Hera and Kuina. "This is another Marine Admiral, Borsalino, codename Kizaru. He's a user of the Glint-Glint Fruit."
Hera and Kuina quickly bowed and greeted him, "Hello, Admiral Kizaru."
Kizaru stepped aside, avoiding their bow. He also pulled out a den den mushi from somewhere and handed it to Hera. "Contact me whenever you need. Although I'm usually at the Holy Land, I'm the fastest. Remember to call me in an emergency."
As Hera put away the den den mushi, she realized that without even knowing it, she now had the contact info for two Marine Admirals and one of the future Four Emperors, Shanks. She certainly had quite the background now.
With a roar from Garp, the massive barbecue grill began to turn. The banquet had begun.
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