Clearly, it was a flavor he was proud of, recommending they try it, but the reactions of these two fellows before him made Sakazuki feel a bit unable to keep face.
His dark-red lava large hands formed claws, blocking the ice spear and light sword from the left and right. Remembering this was a joint sanction from the sweet party and the savory party, several more blue veins popped on the spicy party's face: "This General kindly invited you to taste delicious food, to feel the beauty of food. Is this the attitude of gratitude?"
"You heretic! Nobody puts hot pot base in Tofu Pudding!!" Facing the explosion on their taste buds, Kizaru and Aokiji gave Akainu absolutely no face.
The Legion Commander sneered upon hearing this. He turned his head to look at the other side, at the dining table surrounded by young marines: "That might not be true."
Unlike the high-ranking officers seated separately, the marines crowded around one side of the dining tables impenetrably. These young men, full of vigor, held their own trays but stared intently at the center of the dining table.
A young girl wearing a Navy uniform was holding a small bowl of Tofu Pudding, savoring it carefully. It seemed the crowd of men packed three layers deep around her didn't interfere with her dining at all. She easily and gracefully scooped up a small spoonful of Tofu Pudding mixed with deep-red dipping sauce and put it into her mouth, completely ignoring the surroundings.
Little did she know that her unaffected, natural, and decent actions caused the marines present to let out waves of embarrassing low shouts.
"Oh-hoo, I really like this young lady."
"Oh-hoo, Corporal Robin is still so cute."
It should be known that in the vast Navy ranks where the male-to-female ratio is 100,000:1, even a girl with a 70-point appearance could be praised to the skies, hence the military legend of "three years in the army."
Not to mention, this little beauty with extremely high looks was also a multi-talented person. From emergency repairs on warships to enemy combat planning, gunnery, observation, navigation, medical bandaging, island customs and traditions, cultural history, and even Rokushiki physical arts far exceeding most male soldiers.
It seemed there was nothing she couldn't do. Such a girl, integrating beauty and talent, also had an exceptionally gentle and considerate personality, never arrogant or proud because of her looks.
This kind of full-marks level beautiful girl made the male marine beasts collectively treat her like a goddess, although the latter didn't particularly like this slightly exaggerated way of welcome.
Kuzan's expression was somewhat stiff. Taking advantage of the three's far-above-average height, his good field of vision allowed him to silently look at the girl not far away who seemed to be eating the same dipping sauce as Sakazuki.
Then he turned his head expressionlessly to stare at Sakazuki: "Senior Brother, I think letting you raise the child was a mistake."
"Sengoku and Madam Tsuru have both been helping with teaching. Gion and I also take turns taking care of the little girl's daily life, don't randomly throw accusations." Speaking of this, Sakazuki seemed to remember something. "You are the least qualified person to accuse me of not raising Robin well."
He slowly leaned closer to Kuzan: "You, this legal guardian, have completely neglected the child's life and studies these past few years. Have you been living quite freely and happily under the sea?"
"Freely and happily?" Kuzan pressed closer to Sakazuki, not willing to show weakness: "Fish-Man Island's development and prosperity these years, I've been cleaning up the mess for someone who smashed a large area of Fish-Man Island to pieces and then just clapped his hands and left!"
Borsalino, who hadn't managed to interject, had an exceptionally strange expression. Don't look at Sakazuki and Kuzan unconsciously standing in opposition, but in the eyes of the experienced and sophisticated Kizaru, it clearly presented a different picture.
This scene with a strong sense of déjà vu made Borsalino, who had overthought it, couldn't help but shake his head, trying to forget the terrifying scene imagined just now.
So, what's with this sense of déjà vu of a couple blaming each other over child education issues?
He pointed towards the crowd ahead, diverting the mutual attack between the two: "Looks like the first brave hero has been born!"
A young marine mustered his courage, overcoming the potential danger of being poisoned, buried alive, beaten severely, burned, and flicked on the 'little chicken' by numerous single male colleagues, and plopped down opposite the goddess's dining table: "Uh, hello, first time meeting, I belong to the Sanctuary Watcher Legion under Vice Admiral Borsalino's command."
"Hello, I am Robin, belonging to the Burning Legion's reserve force. Please take care of me," the girl's reply seemed conventional, but the young man opposite was greatly encouraged.
"Oh-hoo, Miss Robin, may I ask if you are still single? If possible..."
Sakazuki and Kuzan exchanged a glance, only then discovering a fatal problem—the skinny dark girl picked up out of soft-heartedness back then had already grown into a graceful and beautiful young lady. And she was right at the age of 15 when romantic feelings first bloom!! And on the warship...
The two didn't stop the surrounding marines. After all, it was a rare time for rest and relaxation; no need to make everyone very awkward.
Besides, the three Legion Commanders themselves were also slacking off quite informally.
The two very considerately did not disturb the young marine's confession, just gently squeezed into the crowd, sitting on the left and right sides of the young man, eating Tofu Pudding.
Two mountain-like shadows loomed over the brave hero's head, like an eternally un-dispersible dark cloud.
The brave hero who dared to challenge only then discovered that storybooks were true. Before winning the princess, what awaited him was an invincible dragon, or a lord commanding demons.
"....Please... please... and... uh... nothing, please enjoy your meal." Under the benevolent gazes of the two Legion Commanders, the marine trembled and finally managed to speak.
Immediately after encountering unspeakable horror, the marine fled the dining table as if escaping.
Now, the two facing Robin could only make small talk, but the problem was... what to say.
Kuzan glanced at Sakazuki's hat, making silent communication: Ask if she's accustomed to being a marine yet? How is it?
She's been a soldier for several years, you ask such a stupid question. Sakazuki shook his head, fixing his gaze on his adoptive daughter's tray and signaling Kuzan with his eyes: Asking if the meal suits her taste is most appropriate for the occasion.
The Ice Fruit user rolled his eyes irritably. Robin eating Tofu Pudding without batting an eyelid, doesn't that already answer the question?
So, what answer is universal and suitable as an opening remark for a child?
The Navy Admiral candidates looked at each other and asked the girl opposite in unison: "Is your military pay (pocket money) still enough?"
Borsalino, watching the battle from afar, heard this, slapped his own face, vowing to draw a clear line from those two steel-straight men.
"Mmm, Vice Admiral Kuzan, I haven't really used my military pay much... Vice Admiral Sakazuki, you know I'm not very interested in shopping or clothes." Because they were on a warship, the girl also didn't address them so casually, adding their titles after their names.
The girl looked somewhat amusedly at the instinctive reaction of the two "parents," but then felt a little happy. This feeling of being cared for was what gave her the warmth of a family.
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki, is Rear Admiral Gion doing well?" A certain black-bellied girl stared at her adoptive father sitting stiffly upright before her, suddenly smiling like a cat.
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