Sengoku marveled in his heart. Taro's tactic of pestering relentlessly was truly effective against Vice Admiral Tsuru!
The Old Lady wasn't wrong; this kid really was learning from Garp in every way.
This kind of'shameless' behavior was indeed something Garp did frequently!
In fact, as a youth of five virtues, how could Taro have so many bad intentions?
He simply remembered that dealing with women was nothing more than...
Being bold, being attentive, and being thick-skinned!
First, go head-to-head to lower the other party's expectations.
Then, take the opportunity to admit defeat and coax them a bit.
No matter how big the problem, it would be settled!
Seeing that Vice Admiral Tsuru was indeed not as angry as before, Taro decided to redouble his efforts.
He moved even closer, the fawning smile on his face deepening, looking every bit like a sycophant.
"Grandma Tsuru, you have no idea how much I've missed you these past few days..."
"Of course, how could I be lying?..."
"..."
After a round of sweet talk, the previous rift between the two seemed to vanish into thin air.
Sengoku: "..."
The old man was completely speechless. Between the old and the young beside him,
one actually dared to say it, and the other actually dared to believe it.
He felt insulted!
Someone was repeatedly trampling his IQ into the ground!
After chatting idly for a while longer, Vice Admiral Tsuru's gaze finally softened.
"Taro, earlier I shouldn't have..."
Taro waved his hand dismissively with a smile on his face.
Then, Internal Energy surged from his body, and a cyan-white cyclone almost solidified.
"Grandma Tsuru, look, this is my protective ability. That hit from you just now didn't hurt me..."
Vice Admiral Tsuru raised an eyebrow. "So, you were actually faking it?"
The smile on Taro's face suddenly stiffened and then gradually disappeared.
"Uh, not... entirely. You at least hit my Divine Protective Skill!"
The Old Lady instantly flew into a rage. "Taro!"
Taro shrunk his neck and dodged away, not daring to provoke the Old Lady any further!
Vice Admiral Tsuru glared at Taro in annoyance and shouted,
"Get out! Get back to G4 and explain everything to Hina in person. Without my permission, you are not allowed to cross the Red Line!"
Taro's face immediately fell. "Ah?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru frowned. "What? You have an objection?"
Taro's Aura weakened further as he muttered in a low voice,
"How would I dare... no, how could I! I'm going, I'll go right now!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru's expression softened slightly, and she gave a soft grunt of approval.
"Go then!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Taro responded, greeted Sengoku, and backed out.
Once Taro had left again, Sengoku finally couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Vice Admiral Tsuru glanced at him indifferently.
"Is it funny?"
"No, not funny!"
Sengoku's expression turned solemn as he shook his head repeatedly.
"Grandma Tsuru, this move of yours is masterful. It sends Taro away without raising his suspicions!"
"Brilliant! Truly brilliant!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru looked toward the door and gave a somewhat self-satisfied hum.
"Did you think I was that easy to fool? Just because that kid said a few nice things, I wouldn't know what to do?"
Sengoku lowered his eyelids, his mouth twitching. Was it not?
After leaving Marineford, Taro's head cleared a bit as the sharp sea breeze of the New World blew on him.
Before, he had only cared about making the Old Lady happy, but now he realized something was off.
He was the Navy Grand Staff Officer after all, so why was he inexplicably banned from the New World?
He pondered for a moment and stopped a Headquarters Lieutenant Commander.
"Lieutenant Commander, is there any news in the New World waters recently?"
The Navy Lieutenant Commander was startled for a moment and saluted respectfully.
"Greetings, Chief Staff Officer. May I ask specifically what you are inquiring about...?"
Taro frowned and waved his hand. "Anything. Just tell me what you know!"
"Yes!"
The Lieutenant Commander saluted again and thought for a while.
"Intelligence was sent back from Furen Island not long ago. The main cadres of the Big Mom Pirates have gathered on Cake Island. It's unknown what happened!"
"Furen Island?" Taro was stunned for a moment.
"It's the frontline base in the New World for monitoring Big Mom's Cake Island!" the Lieutenant Commander answered quickly.
"Oh, is there anything else?"
The Lieutenant Commander hesitated, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"This... I'm sorry, Lord Chief Staff Officer. I am a new Marine recruit and don't know much. How about... I go and ask around?"
Only then did Taro notice that the person in front of him had a flashy hairstyle; it seemed he was a newcomer from the World Conscription.
"No need, I was just asking casually! Thank you!"
"You are too kind, Chief Staff Officer!" The Lieutenant Commander quickly saluted again.
Taro returned the salute and nodded.
"Don't be nervous. Since you've joined the Navy, we are comrades-in-arms. Be more at ease!"
"Comrades-in-arms?" the Lieutenant Commander murmured.
Then, realizing Taro was still in front of him, his expression turned solemn. "Yes!"
Taro patted his shoulder and smiled. "Go back to your work!"
With that, he left first.
The Lieutenant Commander watched Taro's back, his eyes shining with excitement.
Chief Staff Officer Zhou Ze was truly just like the rumors said.
Kind, approachable, and powerful, yet without any air of arrogance at all!
...Alabasta, Elmar.
The construction of the Special Zone's First Middle School was nearing completion.
Only the final landscaping work remained, which relied on Benz's ability.
"Benz, you've noted all the places I just mentioned, right?"
Vivi confirmed with Benz once again.
Benz helplessly rubbed his forehead.
"I say, Lord Minister of Education, you've already taken me around three times. You've repeated which vegetation to plant where nearly ten times. I really have remembered it!"
As he spoke, the corners of his mouth twitched twice.
"If you had let me go back earlier, Ain and I might have already prepared all the seedlings!"
Vivi was a bit embarrassed by Benz's words and gave an awkward smile.
"School starts on October 1st, so I'm just too anxious!"
"Besides, you are the Kingdom's Minister of Environment. So much landscaping work needs you; I was just afraid you'd be too busy!"
Benz wiped his face with his hand.
"I was previously only the Special Zone's Environment Director. You're the one who forced the Minister of Environment title on me!"
Vivi felt even more awkward and let out a sheepish laugh.
"Doesn't Taro often say that those who are capable should do more work?"
Benz curled his lip and whispered softly,
"Taro also said, more work, more pay!"
Vivi laughed a bit more easily upon hearing that. "Well then, I'll have my father give you a raise later!"
Benz also started laughing. "That would be great! Thanks in advance!"
After laughing for a bit, Benz became curious again.
"By the way, Vivi, Taro didn't request such a tight schedule. Why are you in such a hurry? Do you have other things to be busy with next month?"
Vivi's expression stiffened for a moment. "Um... when you see Taro, go ask him!"
Benz was stunned, a flash of doubt crossing his eyes. "Ah? This matter is related to Taro?"
Vivi's expression became even more unnatural. She gave a soft hum and walked quickly toward the school gate.
Outside the gate, Pell, Karoo the Super Spot-Billed Duck, and Matsuge the perverted camel were waiting there.
Pell came forward, looking very hesitant and conflicted.
"Princess Vivi, His Majesty the King is still waiting..."
Vivi raised her head slightly and smiled.
"Tell Father the date is set for half a month from now, October 10th!"
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