Kake didn't realize that the "idiot" Momousagi was talking about was actually him!
He actually nodded in deep agreement, his eyes narrowing into slits from his smile.
"That's right, Miss Gion! This time, the Celestial Dragons really are stupid beyond help!"
These words made Momousagi's lowered eyelids twitch!
Kake didn't feel anything was wrong; the fleshy mole near his left brow twitched.
He opened his eyes again and looked at Akainu, somewhat hesitant.
"Boss Sakazuki, although we've done our best to demand that the Marijoa garrison not discuss it, those rumors will eventually spread to the Lower Realm. When that happens, I'm afraid..."
Akainu's expression soured for only a moment before returning to normal.
He reached out to take off his hat and smoothed his hair.
"There's no need to worry about that. Grandma Tsuru and... Taro will handle it properly. You just need to buy them some time!"
When Akainu spoke of Taro, he clearly paused for a moment.
"When I came here, Issho had already gone to Sabaody. Taro should already know everything that happened in the Holy Land. With his shrewdness, he won't fail to understand what I intend to do!"
Kake nodded with a smile.
"True. I've long heard that the Great Staff Officer is quick-witted and highly regarded by Old Man Garp. This little matter won't stump him!"
Kake had a good personal relationship with Garp, so he didn't have a bad impression of Taro, who was Garp's Disciple!
As soon as Akainu heard the term "Great Staff Officer," he thought of Taro's "ragtag bunch" comment. His face instantly darkened, and he let out a muffled grunt, no longer wanting to pay attention to Kake.
Kake was completely oblivious, still looking cheerful.
"Boss Sakazuki, it's not often you come to the Holy Land. Let's go eat at the garrison restaurant together! The food at the Red Harbor is a specialty!"
Red Harbor was the canteen for the Marine garrison at Marijoa. The ingredients were all high-quality items from around the world offered to the Celestial Dragons, so the dishes were naturally extraordinary!
Akainu would stay in Marijoa for two more days. On one hand, to show his stance to the Celestial Dragons.
On the other hand, the Marijoa garrison, being the Marine unit most affected by the rumors, also needed him to personally stabilize them!
"Let's go, together!"
Akainu stood up and said in a heavy voice.
Aramaki didn't want to go at all. "Eating is too much trouble. You guys go!"
Momousagi originally didn't want to go either; she wanted to tell Vice Admiral Tsuru about what happened today.
However, now that Aramaki had spoken first, she reconsidered. If she didn't go either, it might cause Sakazuki's dissatisfaction. She said nothing and silently followed.
After they left, Aramaki's eyes gained some spirit. The hair at his temples fluttered for a moment, and his mouth chewed a couple of times.
"Hmm... this taste is definitely not the flavor of a Devil Fruit Ability!"
"Lahahaha, interesting, interesting!"
...New Marineford.
Taro landed at the headquarters square. The Marine Soldiers saluted one after another, and he used the opportunity of returning the salutes to observe their reactions.
Hmm... their behavior was normal. It seemed the rumors hadn't spread widely in the military yet, which put his mind at ease.
Nowadays, the Marines had added the position of vice chief of staff. Since Taro, the Great Staff Officer, didn't work at the headquarters, the Great Staff Officer's office had been changed to the vice chief's office.
Taro had no objection to this. It didn't matter whether he had an office or not; anyway, he hadn't actually worked for more than a few days in total.
"Grandma Tsuru, I'm ba...ck! Uh, Inspector General Sengoku, you're here too?"
Taro pulled open the sliding door and started shouting before he even entered.
When he saw the white-haired and white-bearded Sengoku, the smile on his face froze.
Sengoku was petting his goat while munching on senbei. Seeing Taro enter, he teased:
"Yo, isn't this Marine Great Staff Officer Lord Taro? What's the matter? Can't smile when you see this old man?"
Taro's cheek twitched, and his smile became lively again.
"How could that be? I'm very happy to see you too!"
Watching Taro's change of face, Sengoku suddenly burst into laughter, crushing the senbei in his hand.
"Pfft~ Hahahaha! You...!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru glanced at Sengoku. "Shut up, you senbei old man!"
"Mgh~"
Sengoku covered his mouth, stopping the laughter, but the smile on his face didn't fade.
Vice Admiral Tsuru glared at him before looking at Taro and nodding.
"Sit down! If you want tea, pour it yourself!"
Taro was in no mood for tea. He pulled over a chair and sat next to Vice Admiral Tsuru.
He first glanced at Sengoku before whispering.
"Grandma Tsuru...?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru also glanced at Sengoku.
Sengoku noticed their gazes and silently shrank toward the end of the sofa, indicating he had no intention of interjecting.
Only then did Vice Admiral Tsuru raise an eyebrow and look at Taro.
"Speak."
Taro couldn't care less anymore and said urgently.
"Grandma Tsuru, I can't marry Hina!"
Taro's words made Sengoku turn his head, and Vice Admiral Tsuru was also stunned for a moment.
"You little fellow came back to headquarters just to tell me this?"
Taro was a bit dazed. "Yes, why else?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru slapped her pen onto the desk, her tone serious.
"Why else? As the Great Staff Officer, shouldn't you care about the future of the Marines first? Didn't Issho tell you about the situation the Marines are currently facing?"
The future of the Marines is none of my damn business. At worst, I'll just rebel against them. What's there to fear!
Taro rubbed his face, gave two dry laughs, feeling very helpless.
"Grandma Tsuru, with our relationship, there's no need for these formalities!"
"Didn't Sakazuki go to Marijoa? You've already handled everything, yet you're asking me...!"
"Baa Ding-ding-dong-dong"
Just then, the little goat suddenly bleated, its body twisting a couple of times, causing the gold bell around its neck to make a crisp sound.
Sengoku's hand petting the goat trembled slightly, and his expression showed signs of another burst of laughter.
Vice Admiral Tsuru glared at him fiercely. "Be quiet!"
Sengoku waved his hand with an innocent look.
"It wasn't me just now; it was the goat!"
A tuft of goat hair drifted from his fingers as he waved his hand.
The little goat in front of him tilted its head and looked at Sengoku with a sad expression.
"Grandma Tsuru, I told you just now that with Taro's shrewdness, he would definitely be able to guess!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru didn't want to deal with this retired old man anymore and turned to look at Taro.
"You just said 'can't,' not 'don't want to'?"
Taro was dumbfounded. Old Lady, let's not play word games like this, okay?
His lips had just moved when he heard Vice Admiral Tsuru say another sentence.
"If it's about that woman, don't even say it!"
Taro knew the Old Lady was talking about Nico Robin,
With Sengoku present, he indeed couldn't mention her.
After a moment of silence, he composed himself.
"I promised another girl that I would marry her!"
The air in the office suddenly froze!
Vice Admiral Tsuru, whose state of mind had always been peaceful and undisturbed for many years, also felt a surge of anger in her heart, and her gaze sharpened,
"Who is this girl you're talking about?"
Taro naturally noticed the Old Lady's change and felt a bit intimidated, but he braced himself,
"Her name is Vivi! Nefertari Vivi!"
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