"Hiss..." After walking a long distance, Taro clutched the wound on his chest, grimacing in pain. "Holy crap, this hurts like hell! Others acting cool find it satisfying, but when I damn well act cool, it's just pure suffering!"
Despite saying that, Taro really did have things to do. He hadn't forgotten his promise to teach Robin Chinese language.
By now, Luffy should have rescued Robin. As for where she was currently, Taro didn't know. Regardless, she would end up on the ship eventually, so he could only go to East Port Tamariisk to wait for her.
Meanwhile, the waters off Alabasta were in complete chaos. Dozens of Marine warships had blockaded the nearby sea, sinking any suspicious vessels.
"Captain Smoker, Captain Hina's orders..." a Marine Soldier hesitantly asked Smoker.
"Follow the orders. This sea area is Captain Hina's jurisdiction." Smoker exhaled a puff of smoke. "Besides, a large number of pirates from Baroque Works are trying to escape. As Marines, is there any problem with us arresting them?"
"No, none at all! Yes, sir!"
As the Marine ran off to deliver the command, Smoker looked at Captain Hina standing frostily at the bow and curled his lip. "That woman..."
"Captain Smoker, I'm back." Tashigi's dejected voice came from beside him.
"Ah, Tashigi. Good work!" Smoker responded.
"I'm so sorry. Not only was I of no help, but I also let the dying Straw Hat crew go. As a Marine, this is shameful behavior," Tashigi said with her head bowed.
"I know about the Straw Hat crew. There's no need to apologize for that!"
"But, Captain..."
Tashigi wanted to say more. "Reporting to Captain Smoker, there's a message from Marineford." At that moment, a Marine ran out of the cabin and handed over a den den mushi.
"Is this Captain Smoker? This is Marineford. Regarding the campaign against Crocodile, the government's top brass has decided to award medals to you and Sergeant Tashigi, and promote you by one rank..."
"Hey, wait. The one who defeated Crocodile wasn't..." Smoker interrupted.
But the person on the other end of the den den mushi ignored him. "In addition..."
Veins popped on Smoker's forehead. "We lost Lieutenant Taro! Did you even read my report?"
"Please prepare to attend the award ceremony!" the other side continued.
Smoker finally couldn't take it anymore. "Hey, you! Pass a message to those old geezers at the top of the government for me—tell them to go to hell!"
Captain Hina, standing at the bow, suddenly turned around. Her tone was cold. "I want to set up a grave for Taro."
Smoker exhaled another puff of smoke and didn't speak. Tashigi pulled herself together and nodded. "It should be so. Lieutenant Taro was a great Marine!"
Soon, a grave was erected on a sandy hill near the port of Nanohana. To be precise, it was a cenotaph. Buried inside was Taro's Marine uniform. A Lieutenant's saber was planted at the head of the grave, with Taro's Marine cap hanging from the hilt.
The scene was solemn and sorrowful. At the command, all the Marines present raised their rifles and fired a shot into the sky.
Many Marines could no longer hold back their tears. Captain Hina silently stroked Taro's Marine cap, then turned around and shouted sternly, "What are you crying for? Now, immediately strengthen the coastal blockade. Do not allow a single pirate to escape!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
The Marines responded in unison.
At the same time, on his way to East Port, Taro felt he couldn't hold on any longer. He found an abandoned house in a small town to rest. He was completely unaware of the fact that he was considered killed in action... Marineford, Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office.
"Regarding this incident, this is the final decision from the government's high-ranking officials." Vice Admiral Tsuru put down the documents in her hand and spoke softly.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku sat in his chair with a deep frown. Admiral Akainu stood by the window looking out at the sea. Vice Admiral Garp was lying on the sofa, fast asleep and snoring. Besides them, there were two other people in the room.
A man with short black curly hair, wearing a yellow and white striped suit and sunglasses, spoke. "My, my, how scary. A Marine Lieutenant who died in battle isn't even mentioned."
He spoke very slowly, and with his distinctive mouth shape, he looked a bit comical when he talked.
"The government's top brass doesn't think a dead person has much value left." Another person, wearing a white suit vest and a dark blue shirt with a green sleep mask over his eyes, was leaning against the wall sleeping.
"Hey, Garp!" Sengoku tapped the table. Seeing no reaction, he slammed the desk hard and roared, "Garp!"
This time Garp finally reacted. He rolled over and muttered, "That kid won't die. On this point, Smoker's report isn't trustworthy."
After saying that, he fell back asleep.
Akainu moved slightly and crossed his arms... Taro slept for a very long time. When he woke up, it was already three days later. It was only after he gorged himself that he realized he had slept for so long.
Fortunately, while eating, he heard that Princess Vivi was about to give a nationwide speech. He breathed a sigh of relief; he hadn't missed it.
Transforming into a Falcon and soaring through the sky, the coastline soon appeared in his vision. Taro accelerated his flight, glanced down at the sea, spotted the going merry, and then landed on a nearby sand dune.
"Everyone!"
Just as Taro sat down on top of the dune, he saw Princess Vivi in front and to the side, accompanied by Karoo the Super Spot-Billed Duck, waving toward the sea.
"I'm here to say goodbye. I can't go with you..."
Out on the sea in the distance, a Marine sentry was looking through binoculars. "Is that the princess of this country?..."
"How is that possible? The princess should be holding the ceremony in Alabasta," another Marine dismissed.
"Wait, on that sand dune nearby, there seems to be someone. Is that... Lieutenant Taro?"
He had just finished speaking when his companion smacked him on the head. "Do you want to die? Don't you know Captain Hina has been in a bad mood these past few days? How dare you mention..."
"Oh..." The Marine responded aggrievedly, then muttered under his breath, "But it really does look like him!"
On Princess Vivi's side, she finally spoke those touching words.
"Even though I have to stay here, if we ever meet again one day, will you call me 'comrade' once more?"
As Vivi's face was covered in tears, the Straw Hat crew on the going merry raised their left hands high, revealing the 'X' on their arms.
Vivi and Karoo also held their arms high, showing the mark that represented their partnership.
Taro's eyes grew a bit moist.
A classic is something that, no matter how much time passes, still touches the heart.
Tears!
Not until the going merry had sailed far away and Princess Vivi had returned did Taro stand up from the sand dune, transform into a Falcon, and fly toward the ocean!
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