"This is truly outrageous!"
After the meeting, inside the Fleet Admiral's Office.
Akainu slammed his fist onto the desk and let out a furious roar.
"Is Taro trying to embarrass me on purpose?"
Kizaru leaned back leisurely on the sofa, fiddling with his fingers, his heart completely undisturbed.
Vice Admiral Tsuru glanced at Kizaru first. Seeing that he had no intention of speaking, she thought for a moment and comforted Akainu, "Sakazuki, calm down!"
"His subordinates reported that he has important matters to attend to and cannot get away!"
Hearing Vice Admiral Tsuru say this, Akainu grew even more enraged, his eyes practically spitting fire.
Vice Admiral Tsuru waved her hand.
"I can understand your feelings, but with the recent turmoil among the Navy's high-ranking officials, it's understandable that a young man like Taro would have some resentment in his heart!"
"Besides, you saw the atmosphere at the meeting today!"
Kizaru stopped his movements, his eyes flickering slightly as he spoke slowly.
"Indeed, regardless of anything else, Taro is a member of the Navy. If he doesn't give you Face, that's still an internal Navy matter!"
"Borsalino, what exactly are you trying to say?" Akainu stared at Kizaru, feeling that Kizaru's tone was somewhat sarcastic.
"How scary, your gaze!" The corners of Kizaru's mouth curled downwards, making a sorrowful expression.
"Compared to Taro's absence, the fact that the World Government bypassed you, the Navy Fleet Admiral, to determine the candidates for the Warlord of the Sea is even more of a blow to your Face!"
Kizaru spoke these heart-piercing words in a nonchalant tone. Akainu was about to explode with rage. He stood up from the Fleet Admiral's seat and roared, "Borsalino!"
Kizaru spread his hands in a gesture of surrender and looked at the furious Akainu, saying, "Alright, alright, I'll stop. I'll listen to whatever you say!"
Akainu took several heavy breaths to suppress the anger in his heart. "Hmph, you will be in charge of the World Conscription!"
Kizaru lowered his hands and shrugged, not refusing.
Vice Admiral Tsuru pondered for a long while before suddenly speaking.
"Sakazuki, after Base G1 is moved here, how do you plan to arrange Momonga?"
Akainu's Face was grim. For a moment, he didn't understand Vice Admiral Tsuru's meaning.
"Hmm?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru's eyes flickered.
"I mean, Marineford and the Sabaody Archipelago are so close to each other. Both Momonga and Taro are Vice Admirals; who will report to whom?"
Anger surged within Akainu at the mention of Taro's name. After a long while, he said through gritted teeth:
"They will not be subordinate to each other. Momonga's jurisdiction will be the rest of the original headquarters' sea area, excluding the Sabaody Archipelago."
After a pause, he let out another angry snort. "Grandma Tsuru, you will be following me to the New World soon. Give your concurrent post as G4 Base Commander to Taro as well!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru's expression froze in surprise. She hadn't expected that instead of taking back the Sabaody Archipelago, Akainu would actually give the G4 Base jurisdiction to Taro as well.
Even Kizaru's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
However, both were shrewd individuals and quickly understood Akainu's intention.
Sensing their gazes, Akainu snorted again.
"Hmph, not just Taro. All Marine Soldiers who participated in the Marineford War will be promoted by one rank according to their military merits!"
Akainu wasn't stupid; he knew that a new official taking office needed to build morale.
A look of admiration flashed in Vice Admiral Tsuru's eyes. Sengoku hadn't done this before leaving his post precisely to leave it for his successor, even though the successor wasn't the person Sengoku had hoped for.
"That's fine. It has indeed been a long time since I've seen those girls under my command!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru nodded. Although she held the concurrent post of G4 Base Commander, her primary role was Navy Grand Staff Officer. The G4 Base had always been managed by several female subordinates led by Hina.
Akainu clenched his fists, his eyes resolute and his voice low.
"Momonga at G1, Gumir at G2, and Taro at G4. The first half of the Grand Line is in their hands. If a large number of pirates still break into the New World, don't blame me for being merciless, hmph!"
...Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
"Gorosei, we have discovered that 'Nuke Nuke no Mi' ability user."
A man in a white uniform with a mask covering his Face knelt on one knee and reported to the Gorosei.
His attire revealed his identity as a CP0 agent.
"Hmm, and the alloy?" the Old Man with a Crutch asked.
"That person opened a toy shop and is selling some alloy toys."
The CP0 member lowered his head and responded respectfully, "Stussy reported that she has already found scientists locally to study it, and it is indeed a..."
The spy paused for a moment, seemingly considering his wording, "...an incredible metal!"
The man with short blonde hair among the Gorosei stood up. "And the person? Has he agreed to cooperate?"
"The ability user is named Wapol, the former King of the Drum Kingdom. He demands to be restored to his throne!" the spy said after a moment's hesitation.
"Restoration to the throne is impossible. The Drum Kingdom has changed its king and been renamed the Sakura Kingdom; the World Government has already approved this!"
The bald old man holding a sword shook his head slightly.
"Select another island for him to establish a kingdom. If he is sensible enough, we will allow his new nation to become a World Government member state!"
"Yes!" The spy lowered his head and accepted the order.
After the CP0 agent left, the old man with the mustache, who hadn't spoken, had a sharp glint in his eyes.
"It seems Vegapunk didn't lie to us. This way, the development progress of those things will be greatly improved!"
The Old Man with a Crutch nodded. "The 100 pirate hearts have already been sent. Now we're just missing those alloys!"
The bald man with the sword adjusted his glasses. "Speaking of which, how did Vegapunk know about this?"
"He's been researching suitable replacement metals for quite some time. Why did he suddenly say directly this time that we need to find the Nuke Nuke no Mi ability user?"
"You mean, Taro?" The blonde man's Face darkened... "Hiss!"
Taro rubbed his shoulder and let out a sharp breath.
"Lord Taro, is your wound hurting again?" Shirahoshi looked at Taro with concern, then said in a somewhat annoyed tone, "Don't carry those heavy objects until your injuries are healed!"
At the demolition site, Taro had helped carry a few logs when his shoulder suddenly felt heavy, and a chill ran down his back.
What the hell? Is someone attacking?
Taro scanned the surroundings but found nothing unusual. He felt a bit strange. "Oh, no, my wound is already healed. It's just a bit itchy from the scabbing!"
"That's still not okay, Lord Taro. You need to rest well!"
"Uh, alright." Seeing Shirahoshi's rare firm tone, Taro smiled and stopped insisting.
Sitting on a giant coral, he watched the children in the Fish-Man District with smiles on their Faces. Their longing for sunlight transformed into laughter that reached his ears.
"Shirahoshi, look how happy the children are!" Taro, encased in a bubble, pointed at the children.
"Everyone yearns for sunlight. I believe that one day, everyone will be able to bathe in real sunlight and live happily!"
"This is my conviction! Shirahoshi!" Taro appeared full of confidence.
"This is my conviction too, Lord Taro!" Tears shimmered in Shirahoshi's eyes as she nodded heavily. "This fills my whole body with strength!"
Taro turned his head to look at Shirahoshi and smiled. "Me too!"
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