"I can't do this!"
Taro didn't hesitate at all, waving his hands repeatedly and speaking very quickly,
"Issho, don't you know how strong Redfield is?"
"He was covered in blood and looked frail back then, yet he still almost killed Doflamingo!"
"You want me to bring him back? Do you want me dead?"
Fujitora looked distressed upon hearing this, and his voice lowered,
"I certainly know his strength, but besides you, I can't think of anyone else who could do it!"
Taro hopped away, getting a bit further from Fujitora,
"You two were childhood friends... uh, friends who grew up together. If you want to see him, just go yourself! Why go through me?"
"I'm not close to him, and I can't beat him. How am I supposed to bring him back?"
Fujitora took a step closer to Taro and lowered his head,
"Everyone knows the Navy Grand Staff Officer is accustomed to winning people over with virtue. If you can even persuade someone who lost their mind like Bartholomew Kuma, why not Redfield?"
Holy crap! Those bastards under me spread the 'winning people over with virtue' thing too!
If I freaking had that ability, I'd carve the word 'Virtue' on my blade, you believe that?
Taro's mouth twitched as he shook his head firmly,
"Right now, he only has eyes for that Mythical Zoan Vampire Form Fruit. He won't come back!"
After thinking for a moment, he added another sentence,
"Even if I tell him Sherman is his grandson, it might not make him change his mind!"
In the Pirate World, those with obsessions can give up anything!
The longer Taro stayed in the Pirate World, the deeper his understanding of this became!
Against such people, ordinary talk-no-jutsu is completely useless!
Of course, except for Luffy's plot-armor talk-no-jutsu!
Even now, before Redfield has obtained that fruit, he isn't someone Taro can handle.
Once he restores his 'youth' and adds the little raccoon Pato, he'll be virtually invincible!
Fujitora's request was a hot potato; Taro didn't want to touch it at all.
Fujitora sensed Taro's firm attitude, and the wrinkles on his face deepened,
"There's no need to make a special effort. Just, if there's an opportunity, please do what little you can!"
"I'm counting on you!"
As he spoke, Fujitora bowed, his tall frame bending until he was almost level with Taro.
Damn! Moral kidnapping?
Taro stepped aside, refusing to accept the gesture,
However, Fujitora didn't intend to give up easily and remained in his bowing posture.
Taro felt quite helpless,
"Don't be like this, get up first!"
He raised his arms to support Fujitora's elbows, trying to help him up,
Unfortunately, he didn't succeed and sighed,
"Sigh, I'll agree to it then!"
"But let's get one thing straight: I don't guarantee success, and don't rush me!"
Only then did Fujitora straighten up, a gentle smile returning to his face,
"Of course! You don't need to feel pressured!"
Taro nodded. "That's good then!"
Immediately after, his expression froze,
"Wait? Did you set me up?"
The smile remained on Fujitora's face. "Set you up? What kind of talk is that? I don't understand!"
Taro stared at Fujitora's smiling face, his voice turning a bit colder,
"You clearly know I'm a Marine and he's a pirate, yet you entrusted this to me... Are you trying to test my attitude towards pirates?"
Fujitora leaned on his cane sword and 'looked' down at Taro for a moment, smiling kindly,
"No, I don't care about your attitude towards pirates!"
"Besides, I heard you believe in 'justice that honors the true heart,' where right and wrong aren't determined by one's position!"
"Even if it really is towards a pirate... so what?"
At this point, Fujitora's voice grew much louder and his tone more firm,
"I believe that even among pirates, there are those who possess benevolence and righteousness!"
Taro's brow twitched. He quickly scanned the surroundings and noticed curious glances coming their way. He coughed,
"Ahem, Issho, don't say such things in public!"
Fujitora's solemn expression suddenly froze,
"Uh, pretend I didn't say that just now!"
You big shots, when you act like idiots, it's like a joke!
Taro rubbed his forehead speechlessly,
"Then what about Sherman? You should take him back, shouldn't you? He hasn't learned a single bit of swordsmanship here with me!"
At the mention of Sherman, the smile on Fujitora's face became even more cheerful,
"Let him stay with you. I haven't taught him swordsmanship either. You should have noticed that his sword techniques mostly stem from his own Bloodline Legacy!"
That was true. Aside from holding his sword in a reverse grip just like Fujitora, Sherman's sword techniques were clearly in Redfield's style.
However, Sherman and Grant used to just be a bit arrogant, but now they seemed inclined to inherit Mike's backstabbing trait. Taro really didn't want to keep them!
"Issho, I think you should reconsider. He's wasting his time here. If Redfield finds out later, the hope for your request will be even slimmer!"
And I'll be in danger too!
Taro added in his heart.
Fujitora didn't think so. He shook his head and smiled:
"Taro, you needn't worry! Those insights on the Way of the Sword you shared with Sherman are enough to benefit him for a lifetime. That is a teaching far more profound than just passing on sword techniques!"
Taro was dumbfounded,
Holy crap, those words are exactly what I'm most worried about!
If Redfield finds out his grandson was ruined because of a few words from me, would he ever let me off?
He panicked inwardly and quickly waved his hands,
"If you put it that way, then I have nothing left to teach him! As an Admiral, you also need some reliable people. Just take him back!"
Fujitora didn't want to dwell on this topic anymore and shook his head again,
"We'll talk about Sherman's matter later!"
"I have something else to tell you!"
Taro frowned. "Good news or bad news?"
Fujitora was chuckling with a strange smile on his face,
"Good news!"
Good news with that look on your face?
Taro had a faint bad premonition!
"Vice Admiral Tsuru is looking for you," Fujitora said. "It's about what you mentioned regarding strengthening the mental quality construction of the Marine Soldiers!"
Hearing this, Taro wished he could slap himself,
Damn! I shouldn't have opened my big mouth; I'm just making trouble for myself!
Right now, I'm still thinking about rushing back to Enies Lobby to dig through trash for newspapers!
"Tell Vice Admiral Tsuru to prepare first; there's no rush!" Taro thought for a moment and decided to stall for a while.
Fujitora nodded. "Yes, Vice Admiral Tsuru also said she would discuss it with you first! However, another matter cannot be delayed!"
"Huh? Something else?" Taro was stunned.
"Haha, yes!" Fujitora laughed heartily for the first time,
"Your happy day is near! Taro, congratulations!"
Taro was stunned,
Congratulations? That sounds a bit familiar?
Oh, right! I just said that to Makino and Red Hair!
Wait, how would the Old Lady know I'm getting engaged to Vivi?
Then, he suddenly realized and cried out,
"Holy crap!"
He swallowed hard,
"Are you saying Vice Admiral Tsuru is planning for me and...?"
Fujitora nodded heavily, his whole face wrinkling with laughter,
"Yes, with Rear Admiral Hina!"
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