Coming out from Sengoku's office, Vice Admiral Tsuru called Taro to walk with her. She looked at Taro kindly, becoming more satisfied the more she looked.
"You little rascal, your prestige in the military is growing higher and higher now."
Taro was stunned for a moment. "Huh?"
"Right now, Marine elites from all over the world are gathering at Marineford. Do you know how they're evaluating you?"
Taro became even more confused. It was probably nothing more than "light of the marines" or something like that.
Vice Admiral Tsuru looked at Taro's reaction and gave a soft snort. "Hmph, 'ink dragon' Taro. You've only just been promoted to Vice Admiral, and someone has already come up with an Admiral title for you!"
Taro jumped in place in shock. Holy crap, what "ink dragon"? What are you talking about?
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, what 'ink dragon'? I don't know anything about it." Taro looked completely bewildered.
Vice Admiral Tsuru glanced at him and waved her hand dismissively. "Still acting out of line in front of me. Fine, get lost, you brat!"
Having said that, she ignored Taro, who was left stunned on the spot, and walked straight away.
Taro stood there for a long while before it finally clicked. "Holy crap, Old Mike! It must be that guy backstabbing me again!"
By the time Taro reached the dock, he found that the deck of his flagship was already crowded with people. There was even a massive throng of people queuing on the pier, waiting to board for a tour.
"Line up properly, one by one. I'm talking to you! If you keep pushing, your tour privileges will be revoked." Taro's Marine Soldiers were maintaining order on the dock.
Taro walked over and lightly patted him on the shoulder. The Marine Soldier turned around dissatisfied, about to scold him, but was startled to find it was his own Vice Admiral and was about to salute.
Taro quickly stopped him and whispered, "Don't blow my cover. Let me ask you, what's going on here?"
The Marine Soldier's eyes lit up. "Vice Admiral, these people all came here because of your reputation. Some are from the headquarters, but most are from the Four Seas branches and various fortresses."
Taro's mouth twitched. "Do you know about 'ink dragon'?"
The Marine Soldier became even more excited. "Of course, Vice Admiral! 'ink dragon' is you! Our flag, the 'black dragon steps on four emperors' flag—that's where the name comes from."
Taro felt a bit uneasy. "Isn't this a bit too high-profile? Isn't it a bit much?"
"Not at all, Vice Admiral! Everyone says that with your strength and military achievements, being promoted to Admiral is only a matter of time."
"Everyone is completely convinced by this title!"
Taro frowned and asked suspiciously, "Is this really not something Old Mike and you guys cooked up?"
The Marine Soldier quickly shook his head. "No, Vice Admiral, it's the Sabaody Garrison."
Taro was stunned. What did the Sabaody Garrison have to do with this?
Seeing Taro's confusion, the Marine Soldier explained, "They are grateful to you for saving their lives. After they toured our warship, this title started spreading."
Holy crap, those bastards. I saved you, and you repay my kindness by backstabbing me!
Taro instantly felt like dying. He pointed at the crowd. "How long has this been going on?"
The Marine Soldier immediately smiled. "It's been like this since after dinner. Looking at it now, it'll probably last until the middle of the night. After all, a lot of new people have arrived at Marineford recently."
Taro: "..."
"Vice Admiral, are you alright?" the Marine Soldier asked, seeing Taro's silence.
A glint of tears flashed in Taro's eyes as he shook his head. "No, it's nothing. I just want some peace and quiet!"
He turned and left. After a moment, the Marine Soldier's shouting reached his ears again.
"Vice Admiral Taro was just here! He's very satisfied with our work. I saw that the Vice Admiral was moved to tears. Everyone, stay sharp and keep up the good work!"
Taro's legs went weak, and he almost tripped. He suppressed the urge to go back and smack that Marine Soldier to death... "Oh, 'ink dragon', why have you come running back to me again?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru chuckled and teased Taro when he appeared before her again.
Taro felt a massive headache coming on. "Vice Admiral Tsuru, please stop teasing me. I'm having trouble even getting back to my own ship right now."
"Hahahaha!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru laughed out loud, a rare occurrence. It took a while for her to suppress it, and she said with a smile, "Don't worry, this is a good thing. At a time like this, we need to boost morale. No one will gossip."
Seeing Taro looking at her suspiciously, Vice Admiral Tsuru threw the pen in her hand at him and feigned anger.
"I said it's fine, so it's fine. Just look at yourself!"
Taro caught the quill and handed it back to Vice Admiral Tsuru. "Really fine?"
"It's fine," Vice Admiral Tsuru said as she took the pen, glancing at Taro. "How many times do I have to say it?"
Only then did Taro feel relieved. He straightened up and said seriously, "Boosting Marine morale is my duty as a Headquarters Vice Admiral!"
"Bah, you thick-skinned brat!" Vice Admiral Tsuru laughed and scolded him again. "Hurry back and rest. Go pick up Hina tomorrow morning!"
"Huh?" Taro was stunned for a moment. He then remembered the nonsense he had blurted out in a moment of desperation. He hadn't expected Vice Admiral Tsuru to take it seriously. He quickly waved his hand and changed the subject.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, Vice Admiral Garp went straight to Impel Down as soon as he returned..."
Vice Admiral Tsuru thought Taro was trying to pry into Vice Admiral Garp's purpose for going to Impel Down. She put on a stern face and gave a soft snort.
"Don't pry into things you shouldn't. Go on!"
I wasn't trying to pry; I know he went to see Ace.
Taro muttered to himself as he saw Vice Admiral Tsuru waving him out with a look of disdain. He could only say helplessly, "Alright."
Seeing Hina is fine too; it's a good chance to clear up the previous misunderstanding.
Emerging from the main headquarters building again, the Marines he encountered along the way all perked up at the sight of Taro, their eyes filled with respect.
Taro sighed helplessly. "This joke has gone too far!"
The Great Prison, Impel Down.
"A joke?" Garp looked at the Blue Fatty Fishman imprisoned in the same cell as Ace and said in a heavy voice, "Do you think Marineford is joking?"
The Blue Fatty Fishman had his hair in a topknot, a short thick beard, and two large teeth protruding from the sides of his lower jaw. He wore a patterned yukata.
More importantly, he wore a pair of Japanese-style geta sandals from his previous life.
Those who wear flip-flops are experts—that's the first law of the pirate world. Naturally, this Blue Fatty was also an expert!
One of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the whale shark fishman, "Knight of the Sea"—Jinbe!
He had been thrown into Impel Down this afternoon because he refused the World Government's summons.
After all, Fish-Man Island was located near Marineford!
Jinbe looked at Garp in shock. "But if this happens, Marineford will inevitably go to war with the Whitebeard Pirates. At that time, Kaido of the Beasts and the Revolutionary Army will all be waiting for an opportunity. You..."
Garp burst into laughter, laughing until tears almost came out. After a long while, he looked at Ace with a complex gaze.
"What could the World Government care about more than executing the Bloodline of Pirate King Roger!"
Before Garp could finish his sentence, Jinbe's eyes widened in disbelief!
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