Taro looked at Vice Admiral Tsuru with surprise.
Wait a minute! Have you all misunderstood something?
He wants to see me. Shouldn't you be asking for my consent?
Seeing Taro's expression of shock and doubt, Vice Admiral Tsuru comforted him again, "Don't worry. He said he wouldn't fight you. On that point, he is trustworthy."
Only after Vice Admiral Tsuru said this did Taro feel slightly reassured.
Putting aside that little incident between Taro and Hawkeye, Hawkeye was actually a decent person.
In the entire world of pirates, he likely belonged to the Lawful Neutral faction.
Taro then nodded, "Alright, I'll meet him."
"However, Vice Admiral Tsuru, I still want to say that you and Fleet Admiral Sengoku are underestimating Blackbeard. I hope you remain sufficiently vigilant."
Seeing Taro bring this up again, Vice Admiral Tsuru gave a solemn "Hmm" and then waved her hand, "Go on."
Taro sighed and took his leave.
At this time, with the conclusion of the Marineford and Shichibukai meeting, the news from the meeting began to spread rapidly.
However, what spread fastest was not the information about the new Shichibukai, but the formidable strength Taro displayed during the meeting.
First, he easily neutralized Donquixote Doflamingo's String-String Fruit ability.
Then, there was his direct confrontation with the world's acknowledged greatest swordsman, 'Hawkeye' Mihawk.
Finally, there was the minor verbal clash with Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
Of course, the knowledgeable sources who leaked the information repeatedly cautioned that the last point was just a rumor and shouldn't be taken seriously. However, the first two pieces of news were confirmed to be true, having come from the mouths of the Marine Vice Admirals present.
When Taro returned to his own warship, he found all his Marine subordinates gathered on the dock.
"Lieutenant Commander Taro, you're back!" Seeing Taro return, Mike hurried over.
"What are you all doing here?" Taro asked casually, then realized another possibility, "Did Hawkeye kick you off?"
Mike looked somewhat embarrassed, "He said he had an appointment to meet with you and needed a quieter environment, so he politely asked us to wait down here."
Taro speechlessly tapped his forehead. Old Mike, even if you put it that way, do you think I'd believe it?
Taro chuckled lightly before nodding, "Then you all wait here for a while."
As soon as he boarded the ship, he saw Hawkeye Mihawk standing by the opposite side of the gunwale, his back to Taro, gazing at the distant sea. The man resembled a blade, sharp and imposing.
Taro walked over to him, rested his arms on the gunwale, also looked into the distance, and said softly, "Need something from me?"
"Taro, do you want to abolish the Shichibukai system?" Mihawk didn't state his purpose but instead asked Taro a question.
Taro was slightly taken aback, then smiled, "Would you care about the title of a Shichibukai?"
Mihawk didn't speak. Taro continued, "Actually, whether I want to or not, it definitely can't be abolished right now. Some folks are still counting on you all to contribute to maintaining peace on the seas!"
Taro sneered, "What a ridiculous notion. Even a gentle breeze, by the time it reaches the shore, can stir up towering waves."
"Especially in an era like this!"
Only then did Mihawk turn his head to look directly at Taro, "You truly impress me."
Taro laughed heartily, "Thanks for the praise!"
Then he quickly entered the cabin and soon ran back out, holding two bottles of liquor.
"For that compliment just now, I'll treat you to a drink. However, I don't have the red wine you like. This is my favorite Sherry; make do with it."
Taro offered one bottle. Mihawk didn't take it immediately, so Taro shoved it into his hand.
Then he opened his own bottle, tilted his head back, and took a big gulp, "Also, thank you for going easy on me today."
Mihawk's hawk-like sharp eyes contracted slightly, "You know?"
Taro held his bottle, clinked it against the air in a toasting gesture towards Mihawk,
"I know exactly how much my swordsmanship is worth. It's like showing off one's skill before an expert."
Mihawk's gaze returned to the sea, "So, that slash you performed earlier was indeed..."
"Yes, it was the same slash you made when we first met."
Taro said leisurely.
"Then this one bottle of liquor isn't enough." Mihawk suddenly extended his bottle and said.
Taro was startled for a moment, then clinked bottles with him, "Hahahaha, I'll treat you again next time we meet."
Hawkeye also curled the corner of his mouth, revealing a barely perceptible smile, and raised his head to drink.
"During that trip to the East Blue, besides you, I met another young man. His dedication to the way of the sword was astonishing."
Mihawk took a sip of liquor and suddenly said.
Taro, of course, knew who Hawkeye was talking about. A strange smile appeared on his face as he turned his head to look at Hawkeye, "I think you two will have a special connection."
Hawkeye was slightly taken aback but quickly returned to normal, "You are very wary of Blackbeard?"
Taro didn't expect him to change the topic so quickly. He was stunned for a moment before nodding,
"He lay low on Whitebeard's ship for decades to obtain the Dark-Dark Fruit."
"He managed to leave a scar on the eye of one of the Four Emperors, Red Hair."
"He seized the opportunity when a position among the Seven Warlords of the Sea became vacant and sent someone to infiltrate Mary Geoise to recommend himself."
"How could one not be wary of a man like that?"
Taro said all this in one breath, then took another big gulp of liquor.
Hawkeye also raised his head and took a big drink, "Red Hair said something similar."
Taro knew Hawkeye had recently met Shanks and they had even sparred with their swords, so he wasn't surprised to hear Hawkeye mention him now.
"Red Hair sent someone to contact Whitebeard. Marineford must have been quite tense for a while, right?"
Taro was stunned. Had Shanks already sent that rookie to deliver a letter to Whitebeard?
Hawkeye saw that Taro seemed unaware of this and gently shook his head, "Right, you're only a Lieutenant Commander after all."
Taro gave a bitter smile. It wasn't a matter of rank; Taro simply hadn't been paying attention.
"Is Red Hair planning to meet Whitebeard in person?" Taro frowned.
"Oh? You're quite sharp... Probably." Hawkeye raised an eyebrow, then downed the remaining liquor in one go, "I should go. You owe me a drink."
"I'll remember!"
With that, he "whooshed" and leaped off the ship.
Soon, Hawkeye's iconic coffin-shaped boat appeared on the distant sea.
"Tch, really..." Taro curled his lip, then a look of envy flashed in his eyes, "So cool!"
On the dock, Mike and the other Marines' eyes sparkled like stars.
"As expected of Lieutenant Commander Taro, the light of the marines, chatting and laughing with Hawkeye!"
"That's right! Lieutenant Commander Taro even dared to draw his sword at a meeting at Marineford with the Shichibukai!"
"Ensign Mike, you're closest to the Lieutenant Commander. Find a chance to get the details, please!"
"Yes, yes, Ensign Mike."
Just as Old Mike, swelling with pride, was about to make a promise, Taro's voice rang out from the gunwale.
"What are you all huddled together for again? Set sail, we're leaving!"
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