Holy Land Mary Geoise.
Akainu's right face was wrapped in gauze, and his body was covered in bandages. He sat carelessly on the sofa, puffing on a cigar.
"Sakazuki, why didn't you bring him back?" Kong looked at the injured Akainu, his tone still filled with dissatisfaction.
Akainu didn't care at all. Whether it was the attitude of this Fleet Admiral or his own injuries, he seemed completely indifferent.
"The moment he fell, he was no longer a Marine! He can go wherever he wants!"
Kong crossed his arms and stared at Akainu for a long time. "Did Taro want to destroy that place too?"
Akainu took a drag of his cigar and exhaled smoke. "I don't know!"
"You don't know?" Kong was clearly very dissatisfied with Akainu's answer. "You were right there at the scene, and you're telling me you don't know?"
"Hmph, since those bastards from CP knew Taro had been to that island, they must have had people there as well!"
Akainu snorted coldly, looking disdainful. "Just ask them directly. Why bother asking me?"
Kong's face darkened. "Sakazuki, remember, you are not the Marine Fleet Admiral yet! And I am the Fleet Admiral! I am your superior!"
Hearing this, Akainu actually crossed his legs. "In my eyes, there is only justice—the justice of the Marines!"
As he spoke, his expression grew darker. "Whether it's CP0 or the Gorosei, how you judge Taro is your business. I only care whether he has done anything that goes against Marine justice."
The two were at loggerheads, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.
After a long time, Kong turned his chair to the side, looking at the huge aquarium that took up an entire wall, and said leisurely:
"After the Paramount War, the World Government has already conscripted 'Star Clown' Buggy to take over as a Warlord of the Sea. A few days ago, Trafalgar Law also reached a Warlord of the Sea agreement with the government. It will be announced to the world once the mission is completed!"
Akainu frowned, his face grim. "Two Warlord of the Sea... those old fellows are bypassing the Marines. If this continues, where will the Marines' dignity be?"
"I'm telling you this now to preserve the Marines' dignity, Sakazuki!" Kong's arms were crossed, his fists clenched.
"After you take office as Fleet Admiral, you must as soon as possible..."
Akainu took the cigar out of his mouth, crushed it on the table, stood up, and walked out.
"I know very well what the Marines should do. If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now!"
Kong's breath hitched for a moment... Marineford, Marineford.
Taro returned here and immediately sought out Vice Admiral Tsuru. Several days had passed, but the Old Lady's office was still just an Air Wall.
With this kind of construction progress, it was no wonder that Akainu's first order after taking office was to move.
"Yo, you brat, you finally decided to come back?"
Just as he flew through the Air Wall, Vice Admiral Garp's voice rang out, followed by a fist the size of a sandbag growing larger before Taro's eyes.
Taro dodged Garp's "Fist of Love" and looked surprised.
"Vice Admiral Garp, you're back?"
Garp didn't pursue after missing. After a grunt, he pulled out a senbei and tossed it into his mouth.
He chewed twice with a "crunch, crunch," then roared again.
"You brat, what's with that look in your eyes?"
Taro was carefully observing Garp's face, trying to find any trace of being beaten up by Dadan. Hearing Garp's roar, he immediately straightened his expression.
"It's just that I haven't seen you in so long, I was worried about your health!"
"This kid is lying to you, Garp!" Sengoku's voice rang out, accompanied by the exaggerated sound of chewing senbei.
Taro tilted his head and looked at Sengoku behind Garp, showing a smile.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I'm telling the truth! I suspect you're maliciously trying to drive a wedge between me and Vice Admiral Garp!"
Sengoku laughed loudly and turned his body to show the large characters for "Retired" on the back of his Marine Greatcoat.
"I'm no longer the Fleet Admiral. I'm Retired!"
Garp also turned around, showing his own greatcoat. "Me too!"
"You two senbei-munching old men, get out of the way!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru rolled her eyes at the two old men and then looked at Taro.
"Taro, come sit here!"
Taro chuckled and leaned over, sitting down beside Vice Admiral Tsuru.
"Grandma Tsuru, when I first arrived, they hadn't fought much yet. How did Sakazuki suddenly..."
"Mhm," Vice Admiral Tsuru stopped Taro from continuing, her gaze mysterious. "The winner was decided yesterday. Let's not discuss this matter anymore!"
Taro felt an itch in his heart. This battle for the position of Fleet Admiral had ended in eight days. Akainu won, but what about Aokiji? Was his leg still severed like in the original story?
"What about Aokiji..." Taro hesitated for a moment but asked anyway.
"He has already left the Marines!" Vice Admiral Tsuru said softly, then shook her head.
"You have plenty of your own troubles to deal with, so don't worry about so much!"
"I have plenty of troubles?"
Taro was stunned for a moment, then his face suddenly tensed. Had something else been exposed?
"What are you nervous about?" Tsuru glanced at him.
Then she looked at Garp and Sengoku across from her. "I heard that a few days ago, you had a big fight with a Blind Swordsman at Sabaody Archipelago?"
Taro nodded and uttered two words. "That's right!"
After waiting for a while and seeing that Taro had no intention of continuing, Tsuru lightly tapped Taro's forehead.
"Do I have to ask you every single thing before you speak? Out with it!"
Taro chuckled. "His name is Issho. He's a Master from the Populace, and his strength is incredible..."
Taro praised Fujitora profusely. Anyway, World Conscription was about to begin. Fujitora was powerful and would soon come to their attention. Mentioning him now was only a few days early.
After listening, Vice Admiral Tsuru exchanged glances with the two old men across from her and then said leisurely, "That is indeed a good idea!"
Sengoku nodded. "Logically, I shouldn't interfere in Marine affairs anymore, but this idea is indeed feasible!"
Taro was a bit confused. What were they talking about?
"Masters are among the populace. This brat's battle further proves this point. Since the Marines' strength has been damaged, conducting a World Conscription is indeed a good idea to quickly restore combat power!"
Garp agreed while chewing on senbei, then walked over to Taro and heavily patted his shoulder.
Holy crap, what are you guys imagining? World Conscription was your own idea!
"No, it's not like that, this has nothing to do with me..." Taro's cheek twitched as he hastily denied it.
Vice Admiral Tsuru interrupted Taro again. "No need to say more. The news of you inviting Issho to join the Marines has already spread from Sabaody Archipelago to the whole world!"
She paused. "Now, masters from all over the world are flocking here, wanting to challenge you in hopes of getting a chance to be personally recommended by you to join the Marines!"
"You should prepare yourself well!"
Holy crap! Taro was dumbfounded!
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