After all, Aokiji had only recently resigned from the Marine, and his friendship with Taro wasn't too bad. In their previous battle, despite having the chance, he had ultimately spared Taro.
For both public and private reasons, Taro couldn't help but care about this current battle!
There were many mysteries in his heart. Even if he squeezed every secret out of Marco and the others today, it would be impossible to perfectly piece together the truth of that year.
There would be other opportunities in the future!
However, if Aokiji died now, he would be gone for good!
Taro skimmed rapidly across the sea's surface. The frosty air rushing toward him could be felt even from dozens of kilometers away.
Yet another faint energy felt indescribably strange to him!
To be able to push Aokiji to the point of unleashing such extreme cold frost, this person must be an expert. But this strange ability... what exactly is it?
Taro grew even more anxious. He surged his Internal Energy to the limit, instantly carving a deep trench across the surface of the sea.
The battle between Aokiji and Aramaki was not as deadlocked as imagined.
Both had their special effects dialed to the max; blue-white frost and green wave-like power entangled together, surging between heaven and earth like a descending curtain.
However, this was merely a contest of pure consumption, without any substantial attacks!
On the ship behind Aramaki, several CP0 members gradually realized something was wrong. Their strength was far inferior to an Admiral's, and they were initially intimidated by the duo's display.
But after so much time, even a fool could see something was amiss!
One of them couldn't hold back and roared,
"Aramaki, what are you doing? Didn't you say you were looking for the true target? What are you doing now? Defeat him quickly!"
Lucci's gaze turned cold, looking at that person with utter disdain.
What a fool. This isn't Marijoa. Are you serious about talking to a Marine Admiral like that?
Sure enough, in the next second, amidst a shrill cry that sounded like the wailing of the sea, a strand of Aramaki's dancing hair suddenly jolted.
A dense beam of green light appeared out of thin air, like a spear, piercing toward that CP0 member with lightning speed.
Puchi!
In the instant before Lucci and the others could even react, that green light had already struck the CP0 member's shoulder, instantly passing through his body.
Rumble!
A violent explosion rang out, and the entire second floor of the warship collapsed.
That CP0 member looked back with lingering fear, and then felt as if his arm had lost consciousness. He looked down, and his Soul nearly left his body!
At the wound on his shoulder, large patches of moss-like plants grew out, quickly continuing to grow until they resembled a thicket of grass.
Then, they grew even larger.
Eventually, a plant resembling a small tree actually sprouted from the wound, stopping its growth once it reached over half a meter in height.
The branches and leaves unfurled, a flower bud formed, and the stem straightened from its bent position.
A brilliant red flower bloomed!
"Ah!"
The CP0 member screamed in horror. Lucci and the others, who had originally thought the flower was bright and beautiful, were startled by the scream.
Only then did they realize how creepy this scene was!
Lucci glanced sideways at the collapsed second-floor structure, his gaze even more terrified. The broken wooden planks were covered in moss and vines!
It was as if these ruins had been abandoned for many years!
What kind of ability is this?
Lucci's mind was shaken, and his brow trembled violently!
The CP0 member was even more terrified. He could feel the things growing from his wound draining his blood, moisture, physical strength, and even his Soul!
These damn things were using him as fertilizer!
"Ah!"
The man let out an even more horrific cry, then his body went limp, and he collapsed onto the deck, unconscious!
The other two jumped aside in fright, their backs feeling a chill. After hesitating for a long time, they finally spoke up respectfully with forced courage,
"Lord Admiral Aramaki, why did you do this...?"
"Oh, so you guys actually know how to speak properly!"
Aramaki grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth, without even turning his head.
"Don't worry, it's just a little lesson for him. He won't die!"
Aokiji saw Aramaki's methods, and a strange look flashed in his eyes. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly noticed something and glanced behind him out of the corner of his eye.
Almost simultaneously, Aramaki's gaze also shifted over. Then, he whispered at a very fast pace,
"Mr. Kuzan, I have some history with Uncle Vegapunk!"
Aokiji was stunned, and the frost covering his body instantly thawed.
In the next second, Taro ended his Transformation State and landed less than a hundred meters away from the two.
Aramaki's hair seemed to be blown by the wind, dancing toward Taro. His flowing long hair covered half his mouth as he chewed a couple of times, seemingly talking to himself,
"Hmm... it's this taste. It still doesn't taste good at all!"
As he spoke, he spat twice, though it was unclear whether the bad taste was stuck in his teeth or if hair had gotten into his mouth.
After landing, Taro's attention was immediately drawn to the handsome middle-aged man fighting Aokiji.
No matter how much Taro, who had already reached the position of Navy Grand Staff Officer, slacked off, he still recognized an Admiral's uniform.
He raised an eyebrow and said in a puzzled tone,
"Midorik?"
Aramaki burst into a fit of loud laughter,
"Rahahaha, it's me! Lord Great Staff Officer Taro, a pleasure to meet you!"
Taro couldn't figure out for a moment why Admiral Midorik would be fighting Aokiji, and he frowned,
"Admiral Midorik, aren't you stationed at Marijoa? Why would you be here?"
Was the World Government hunting Aokiji?
That shouldn't be right. Aokiji hadn't done anything. Even if they wanted to arrest him, why the rush?
Taro was very puzzled.
"Rahahaha, I've long heard that the Navy Grand Staff Officer is a 'problem' staff officer..."
Aramaki's wildly dancing hair gradually calmed down as he laughed again,
"No matter who Mr. Taro meets, he always has many questions to ask. Seeing you today, you truly live up to the reputation!"
Taro's mouth twitched. Damn, who's spreading rumors about me again?
If I find out, I'll definitely skin them alive!
Hmm... it seems I really do have quite a few questions?
Fine, let me clarify—it's not a rumor!
Aramaki didn't know Taro had so much internal monologue. After teasing Taro with a recent Marine meme, he responded,
"I was ordered to assist CP0 in pursuing Wanluos Group. As for why I'm here..."
At this point, the smile on Aramaki's face appeared somewhat profound,
"That's because I discovered that Wanluos Group were not the masterminds of that incident; they were just scapegoats for someone else!"
As he spoke, his gaze had already firmly locked onto Taro, observing any slight change in his expression.
Taro's heart jolted, and his brow twitched slightly.
However, he reacted quickly, letting his brow twitch even more as he put on a curious expression,
"Oh, really? Then, does Admiral Midorik know who the true mastermind is?"
Aramaki stared at Taro for a while, then shook his head slightly,
"I'm not certain yet!"
"However, Mr. Taro, I only mentioned Wanluos Group and didn't specify which incident..."
"But your reaction tells me that you seem to be very clear about why Wanluos Group is being pursued!"
"May I ask, why is that?"
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