This world is truly unreasonable; everyone is a lunatic!
What does your World Conscription have to do with me? How did I get dragged into this?
Taro was sweating with anxiety. First, Fujitora inexplicably showed up at the Sabaody Archipelago and started a fight with him over a disagreement.
Now, it has even sparked the idea of a World Conscription among the Marine big shots.
If those so-called masters want to join the Marines, they should come on their own. Why involve me?
"Which..." Taro barely restrained himself from blurting out "bastard,"
He gritted his teeth in hatred. "Who spread this rumor?"
If I find out it was the Sabaody Garrison that backstabbed me, I'll show them what's what later!
"Perhaps it was the people from the Lawless Zone of the Sabaody Archipelago!" Vice Admiral Tsuru said casually.
"Weren't there many people watching your battle? What's with that expression?"
Holy crap! Does that mean the culprit can't even be found?
In his memory of the World Conscription, only Fujitora and Aramaki were strong enough to be Admirals.
If Aramaki came, even if they fought, he could still learn something. But if it was all small fry, wouldn't it be a complete waste of time?
Taro was speechless. The current situation was very unfavorable. He had to think of something; if all else failed, he could just find a place to hide.
"Grandma Tsuru, I'm very busy. I can't just fight every random person who shows up!"
Taro scratched his head in frustration.
Vice Admiral Tsuru rested her chin on her hands and gave a soft hum. "That is indeed a problem. I'll have to think about it!"
Old Lady, you better think fast!
Taro looked at Vice Admiral Tsuru expectantly, but after a long silence, she showed no intention of speaking again.
Sengoku and Garp were munching on senbei nearby, seemingly having no intention of getting further involved in Marine affairs. For a moment, the office fell silent.
After an unknown amount of time, Vice Admiral Tsuru snapped out of it and glanced at Taro.
"Alright, I have some ideas. Wipe that dejected look off your face; act professional!"
Taro's face lit up instantly. "Grandma Tsuru, what is it?"
"You'll find out after I've discussed it with Sakazuki and Borsalino." Vice Admiral Tsuru shook her head. "For now, just stay in Marineford."
Taro's eyes darted around. "Grandma Tsuru, I want to meet Dr. Vegapunk!"
As soon as Taro spoke, the office fell into a dead silence. Even the sound of the two old men munching on senbei stopped.
Vice Admiral Tsuru looked even more serious. "Why do you want to see him?"
Taro was taken aback, thinking he had violated some taboo. He shrank back and asked tentatively, "Uh, is this... inappropriate?"
The old folks said nothing, just staring at Taro until his scalp tingled.
He rubbed his cheeks, taking the opportunity to think quickly, then said:
"Wasn't it not long ago that I went to wipe out pirates with Teacher Zephyr? He went to see Dr. Vegapunk, so I want to check on Teacher Zephyr's situation!"
This reason obviously couldn't convince the three shrewd veterans. Seeing their suspicious expressions,
Taro's expression turned serious, and his voice grew louder, forcing himself to sound much more righteous.
"Since Teacher went out to sea, he's been unreachable. The last person he saw was Dr. Vegapunk. What's the harm in me meeting him!"
"Besides, I'm already a Headquarters Vice Admiral, yet I don't even know where Vegapunk is. Isn't he a scientist affiliated with Marineford?"
As he spoke, he put on a suspicious look. "Marineford isn't keeping this from me on purpose, is it?"
Taro's questioning made Vice Admiral Tsuru's breath hitch slightly. She exchanged a subtle glance with Sengoku and Garp, her brow furrowing slightly.
Sengoku's eyes flickered, and he said in a heavy voice, "The Marine Science Unit is under Borsalino's command. If you want to see Vegapunk, go talk to him."
Taro didn't suspect anything. He stood up immediately and said with a grin, "Alright, I'll go find him right now!"
After Taro left, the three of them exchanged solemn looks. Vice Admiral Tsuru cleared her throat.
"Did that kid's words just now mean he's already noticed something?"
Sengoku nodded slightly. "With his meticulous mind, it's only normal for him to sense the wariness Marineford and the World Government have toward him."
Garp picked his nose, pretending not to care. "This old man thinks he just said it offhandedly. It shouldn't be that."
"Do you really think so?" Sengoku raised an eyebrow.
"With the upheaval in the Marineford top brass, Taro has many achievements and extremely high prestige in the military. Yet, neither his jurisdiction nor his direct units have increased, and he's not even an Admiral Candidate. Is that normal?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru nodded in deep agreement. "I asked him about these things before, and he seemed quite indifferent. But the more he acts that way, the more I feel he's not being sincere. His reaction to these matters isn't as sharp as usual!"
Garp frowned. "Haven't I always been a Vice Admiral too? Tsuru, I think you guys are overthinking it!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru rolled her eyes at him. "You're just a senbei-munching old man; how can you be the same as Taro?"
Garp's eyes widened in speechlessness... "Well, it's truly strange that you would come to me for this matter?"
Kizaru turned his chair around, crossed his legs, looking like he was slacking off while leisurely clipping his nails.
Taro's lip twitched. Was a side effect of the Glint-Glint Fruit that fingernails grew really fast?
Every time he saw this slacking expert, he was clipping his nails!
"Admiral, what I just said..." Taro suppressed the weirdness in his heart and spoke.
Kizaru blew away some nail clippings and shook his head slowly. "You couldn't possibly be unaware of the conflict between Teacher Zephyr and me, right?"
Kizaru was smooth in his dealings but remained rational, never hesitating when it was time to act.
Since his youth, he had scoffed at Zephyr's "No-Kill" policy.
He believed that Zephyr's adherence to the "No-Kill" philosophy even for heinous pirates would lead to more innocent civilians suffering.
As Kizaru's teacher, Zephyr had also repeatedly warned him not to rely too heavily on his Devil Fruit Ability.
Later, Zephyr's family was killed, and he was further attacked by Edward Weevil, leading to the death of all his Trainee Marines and the loss of his own arm. Over the decades, the two had finally drifted apart on their paths of "Justice."
Thinking of this, Taro's face darkened as he calculated how to convince this "ordinary office worker."
Maybe test him using the Revolutionary Army?
But if he wasn't a Revolutionary Army undercover agent, wouldn't he be acting like a suicide bomber?
The risk was too high; no way!
"Admiral, no matter what..." Taro thought for a while before finally speaking again.
Kizaru, however, fished out a den den mushi and tossed it over. "No matter what, Zephyr is still my teacher."
He picked up the thread. "Use this to contact Sentomaru; he'll take you there!"
Taro instinctively caught the den den mushi, looking dazed.
He agreed just like that?
Holy crap, then what was with that act you were just putting on?
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