In the end, Vice Admiral Tsuru exchanged a few pleasantries, then ordered the guards to arrange the Empress's accommodations before taking her leave.
After following Vice Admiral Tsuru for a while, Taro finally snapped out of it.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, you said you'd introduce the Empress to me, but it seems you didn't actually do it?"
On second thought, he was mainly there to feast his eyes anyway. Even if the Empress didn't know him, it didn't stop him from looking at her.
Thinking this, Taro felt at ease and whispered to himself, "Luffy, I'm just taking a look, you won't be angry, right?"
"Hmm? Taro, what are you muttering about?" Vice Admiral Tsuru looked back curiously.
Taro stumbled, hurriedly straightened up, and shook his head repeatedly. "No, it's nothing."
Vice Admiral Tsuru nodded. "You look quite disappointed. Are you blaming me for not introducing you?"
"How could I?" Taro waved his hand dismissively. "I never really intended to meet her; I was just speaking casually last time. Please don't take it seriously!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru was very satisfied with Taro's stance. She nodded and said, "Good. Once this matter is settled, I will..."
At this point, Vice Admiral Tsuru suddenly stopped. Taro looked at her in confusion. "What?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru glared at him. "Don't ask so much for now. In short, you won't be treated unfairly."
"Oh," Taro responded softly.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, Vice Admiral Taro!" A Marine Soldier ran toward them. "The Fleet Admiral requests your immediate return!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru and Taro exchanged a glance. Taro's heart sank. What had happened now?
"Oh, you're back?" Sengoku's voice sounded a bit weary when he saw the two return. "Is that woman settled in?"
"Yes. Has something else happened?" Vice Admiral Tsuru asked.
Sengoku rubbed his forehead and said helplessly, "Shanks has caused some trouble in the New World."
"Shanks? Could there be a mistake? Does he want to get involved in this major incident too?"
"No, it's involving that 'Beasts' Kaido."
"It's actually Kaido!" Vice Admiral Tsuru was somewhat surprised.
Taro knew about this. Shanks only appeared at the final moment of the Marineford War because he went to stop Kaido.
But then again, it was currently 2 PM, and there were only 25 hours left until Ace's execution. Furthermore, according to the original plot, Sengoku would order the execution to be moved forward by an hour and a half.
For Shanks to rush from the New World to Marineford in a single day—that marching speed alone was not to be underestimated.
"According to intelligence, Shanks intends to stop Kaido from taking the opportunity to attack Whitebeard," Sengoku continued.
Vice Admiral Tsuru clearly didn't think the situation was that optimistic. She shook her head.
"Whether Kaido's movements are aimed at Whitebeard or at our various fortresses in the New World while our forces are depleted is uncertain!"
Kizaru put down his nail clippers and grumbled, "How could such a thing happen? It's so scary. It really is an unstable sea, isn't it?"
Akainu sat cross-legged, leaning back casually on the sofa while smoking a cigar.
"There's no need to worry about the other 'Four Emperors' of the New World right now. All we need to do is fight this battle against Whitebeard well."
Sengoku nodded heavily at those words and said in a deep voice, "Indeed. This has inevitably become an all-out war!"
"Regardless of success or failure, this battle will change the landscape of the entire world!"
"Everyone, let us strive together!"
The Fleet Admiral had set the tone, and Taro followed suit, though he felt increasingly uneasy about Blackbeard becoming the biggest winner... "Hey, Marine, I ask you, who was that young Vice Admiral just now?" Hancock called out to the Marine leading the way.
The Marine Soldier responsible for leading Hancock to the guest rooms was a Headquarters Captain. His body stiffened, and he turned around slowly, saying nervously:
"Your Highness Hancock, that was Marineford Vice Admiral, Taro."
"Taro?" Hancock frowned.
Amazon Lily was located in the Calm Belt, so information was scarce. Coupled with her inherent dislike for the Marines, she had no idea who this Taro was.
"Yes, Vice Admiral Taro is the most outstanding Marine in decades..." The Marine Captain began to introduce Taro's formidable strength to Hancock, inevitably adding some artistic embellishments.
Of course, he personally felt he was telling the truth without any exaggeration.
"'ink dragon'?"
"Yes, that is Vice Admiral Taro's title. His flag is the 'black dragon steps on four emperors' flag. I heard from Major Mike that after this incident, Vice Admiral Taro's flagship will also undergo modifications."
"Oh, Major Mike is Vice Admiral Taro's adjutant. His words are absolutely credible."
Hancock's heart sank further upon hearing this. With the Marines suddenly producing someone whose strength rivaled an Admiral, she hoped Luffy could successfully rescue his brother and prayed he wouldn't come to Marineford.
"Lead the way. I want to go see Taro's flagship." Hancock's tone brooked no argument.
"This... Yes!" The Marine Ensign hesitated for a moment, but seeing a hint of charm in Hancock's expression, his heart trembled, and he immediately agreed... "Fleet Admiral, the Seven Warlords of the Sea have arrived at Marineford!" Vice Admiral Stoloberry entered to report. "They are currently arranged to rest in the guest rooms."
"Hmm, very good. Thank you for your hard work!" Sengoku nodded.
Taro lifted his eyelids, glanced at Sengoku, and then asked softly, "How many came?"
Sengoku was taken aback, but seeing the strange look on Stoloberry's face, he immediately sensed something was wrong. "Speak!"
"Four Warlord of the Sea have arrived: Mihawk, Donquixote Doflamingo, Kuma, and Moria."
Sengoku's expression softened considerably upon hearing that four had arrived. "What about Blackbeard? Wasn't he also at Marijoa?"
"Blackbeard made excuses saying he would arrive a bit late. I left a warship behind to wait for him!"
"Tch," Taro let out a disdainful chuckle, glanced at the sky outside the window, and closed his eyes again.
Sengoku waved his hand to dismiss Vice Admiral Stoloberry, his brow furrowed as if he were weighing something.
"Taro!"
After a long silence, Sengoku suddenly spoke. Taro opened his eyes and looked at him in confusion, only to hear Sengoku say:
"It seems you were right. This Blackbeard is indeed plotting something."
Akainu suddenly spoke up, his voice deep. "We never expected pirates to be of one mind with us anyway. Combat power is precious right now. We can deal with them after this incident is over."
Sengoku glanced at Akainu. He had intended to say more to Taro, but now he hesitated.
"Forget it. He hasn't taken any concrete action yet. If we rush to deal with him, the other Warlord of the Sea might feel resentful."
Sengoku finally waved his hand, sat back in his chair, and began to ponder again.
Taro had thought Sengoku would order him to deal with Blackbeard, but with Akainu's interruption, the chance was gone. He felt slightly disappointed.
However, he soon stopped caring. It was only a matter of time.
The Marineford War was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Blackbeard, but it was also Taro's opportunity to deal with the Blackbeard Pirates.
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