Vivi's retort made Taro feel that things weren't that simple!
This is so wrong, okay?
I only left for a few days, so what's with this "best friends" act?
But in the end, he gave up on getting to the bottom of it; forget it, it's better not to get involved in women's business.
"Uh, no, nothing's wrong!"
After entering the room, Betty returned to her bold style of dress and unfastened the constraints on her chest.
She seemed full of energy, walking straight to Taro's desk, opening a drawer, and taking out a stack of documents.
"What are you taking?" Taro asked.
Betty looked down through the information in her hand. "Some Materials I've organized over the past few days. They're some insights I gained from visiting here, and I've recorded them all!"
"You've been treating this as your office these past few days?" Taro didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Betty pulled out a small notebook and placed it on the table, preparing to add today's insights. "Yeah, I borrowed it while you were away."
"Just sit and do it!" Taro stood up and gave up his seat.
Betty wasn't polite either. She sat on the desk, twisted her waist, and turned to sit in Taro's spot, continuing to organize her things.
Taro walked over to Vivi and sat down on the long sofa. "How did the relationship between you two suddenly become so good?"
Vivi rolled her eyes at Taro. "Betty told me you wouldn't do anything to disadvantage Luffy and the others. Taro, what exactly are you trying to do?"
Taro was stunned and looked at Betty. Did this girl tell Vivi about her identity in the Revolutionary Army? She shouldn't have.
"Does she look good?" Vivi saw Taro staring at Betty and felt a bit annoyed.
"What?" Taro was puzzled and didn't understand, so he asked back reflexively.
Vivi got even angrier and raised her voice. "I'm asking you a question. Why are you staring at Betty?"
Betty also looked up and noticed Taro watching her. A hint of mischief flashed in her eyes as she grabbed her collar with both hands and pulled it outward, revealing a large area of snowy white scenery.
"Ah~ it's really too hot in here!"
Taro shuddered. Holy crap, this crazy woman!
He suddenly stood up and grabbed Vivi's wrist. "Come on, let's talk outside!"
As he spoke, he pulled her out of the office regardless of whether Vivi was willing or not.
When they reached the roof of the Government Hall, Taro leaned against the wall and looked at Vivi. "What do you want to know?"
"What exactly do you want to do to Luffy and the others?" Vivi was very confused. "Why did Betty say so certainly that you wouldn't do anything to disadvantage them? Aren't you Marine?"
When Vivi first met Betty, Betty was also wearing a Marine uniform, so she thought Betty was also a Marine.
Betty knew Luffy was Dragon's son and also knew Taro's identity as the "key of revolution" and Robin's as the "lamp of revolution," so she could naturally be certain that Taro wouldn't harm Luffy.
So that was it! Taro looked at the bewildered Vivi and laughed inwardly. With a glint in his eye, he said:
"Want to know? Come here, get closer, and I'll tell you!"
Taro beckoned with his finger, a strange smile on his face.
Vivi frowned, feeling that Taro's expression was a bit lecherous. However, out of concern for her companions, she still unconsciously leaned closer.
Taro grabbed Vivi's waist and pulled her into his arms.
"Because this is also one of the deals I made with your father. The reward, of course, is you! Hahahaha!"
Taro laughed heartily, his mischievous streak satisfied.
However, Vivi didn't panic as Taro had imagined. She simply struggled to break free, backed away a few steps, and then stared intently at Taro.
She thought to herself: No wonder Father has been hinting to me lately about how excellent Taro is, and how he's getting older and his health isn't so good. It turns out it's because of this!
As she thought about it, Vivi's expression gradually became solemn.
Taro was dumbfounded. This little girl's reaction wasn't right!
"Hey, you don't actually believe that, do you? I was just talking nonsense, it was just a joke!"
Vivi, however, had the look of a martyr ready to sacrifice herself heroically. "Taro, I hope you keep your promise!"
After saying that, she turned and ran.
Holy crap, the joke went too far!
Taro flickered and blocked Vivi's path. "Wait a minute, let me explain. I really was joking..."
"What are you explaining to me?" Vivi looked at him with disdain. "Hina is your fiancée. If you want to marry me now, shouldn't you be explaining it to her?"
"Fi... fiancée?" Taro was dumbstruck.
Vivi tried to push Taro away but failed, so she went around him and prepared to continue running downstairs.
"This side of you is truly disgusting!"
Taro grabbed Vivi. "Don't leave yet. No one is leaving until we clear this up today!"
He hadn't expected that a single joke would lead to a fiancée.
Damn it, how did things get so complicated!
Vivi couldn't win against Taro, so she simply stopped running. She shook off Taro's arm, crossed her arms over her chest, and stood there quietly, waiting for Taro to speak.
Taro scratched his hair in frustration. "I'll speak first. After I'm done, you tell me what you know!"
Seeing Vivi's attentive look, Taro sighed.
"I knew Luffy and the others much earlier than you did. That was in Nami's hometown..."
Taro clearly explained to Vivi the process of meeting the Straw Hat Pirates and his attitude toward them.
After Vivi heard this, she was a bit incredulous. "You're a Marine. Why would you do this? What are you after?"
I'm not after anything, I'm just an idiot!
"I don't have any ulterior motives!" Taro spread his hands. "That's the truth. Don't disbelieve it!"
Vivi still looked skeptical. "I still think what you said before sounded more like the truth!"
Holy crap, no one believes the truth. There's no justice!
Taro practically wanted to die. Being a good person who doesn't seek reward is just too hard!
"Could a lie be made up so completely? Didn't I say it? I think the Straw Hat Pirates are good people among pirates. Besides, they are the heroes who saved this country!"
Taro was very helpless. "There are bad people in the Marine, and there can be good people among pirates. That's just how I think!"
When Vivi heard Taro mention saving Alabasta, she suddenly remembered that the Taro in front of her was also one of the heroes who saved her country.
Moreover, he was currently putting a lot of heart and soul into the reconstruction of the Elmal District.
Thinking of this, Vivi's gaze toward Taro softened a bit. "Thank you, Taro!"
Taro was momentarily stunned. You woman, your attitude changed way too fast!
"Given your contributions, it's not impossible for me to marry you!" Vivi continued, "But you have to make things clear with Hina. You can't hurt her!"
Taro was stunned silly by Vivi, his jaw nearly dropping. "Wha—what are you talking about!"
Holy crap, why is my heart beating so fast!
In his memory, the 18-year-old Vivi did indeed seem very okay!
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