What a talent!
In the 16th century of the sea calendar, what is the most important thing? Talent!
A scientific titan like Vegapunk, who is 500 years ahead of the current era, is a talent.
Someone like Mike, who has extraordinary talent in painting and screenwriting besides being a Marine, is even rarer—a multi-talented individual!
Holy crap, I've found a treasure!
Mike looked bewildered and said blankly, "Vice Admiral, are you very satisfied with this story?"
"Satisfied, very satisfied!" Taro was overjoyed.
What is needed now is a simple and easy-to-understand story, something even a child could understand upon seeing it.
A fairy tale! This line of thought made Taro suddenly see the light!
"Come, come, Mike, sit closer. I have some more ideas to tell you..."
Taro pulled Mike down to sit and then went to get a few bottles of wine. "The conflict in this story can be like this..."
"You add an evil stepmother figure for the male lead. Right, she needs to be jealous of the female lead's beauty..."
"Your Comprehension Ability is quite high. Yes, that's the surface level; the key point is that she looks down on the Mermaid race..."
"Then give the female lead seven little Fishmen as followers..."
"As for the male lead, he should be handsome and charming with startling strength..."
The more Mike listened, the more confused he became. Was this still the story he had written before?
Taro's words shocked him so much that he quickly took a few gulps of wine to calm his nerves!
After a long time, Taro's 'Pirate Version of The Mermaid Princess and the Seven Little Fishmen' fairy tale was born!
But why isn't the stepmother the Mermaid Princess's?
Uh, scram, don't be a contrarian!
Mike's jaw had already dropped. After hesitating for a long time, he said somewhat apprehensively:
"Vice Admiral, won't this be too bold?"
Taro froze for a moment. "You think it's too radical?"
Mike nodded.
Taro rubbed his chin. "It shouldn't be. Many people probably haven't seen Mermaids or Fishmen, right?"
After thinking for a while, he decided to follow the advice. "Hmm, since you think it's not quite right, take it back and change it. Don't touch the main framework; you can do whatever you want with the rest!"
Mike finally breathed a sigh of relief and took back his little notebook. "Vice Admiral, this stage play..."
"Stage play?" Taro waved his hand. "No, it's not a stage play. We'll use another method—record it with a Visual Den Den Mushi!"
"Call it a Video Tape!"
...Sabaody Archipelago.
"Young man, excuse me, how do I get to the nearest casino!" A blind swordsman accurately stopped a young man.
The young man who was stopped was momentarily stunned. A blind man going to gamble?
However, seeing the sword in the other's hand, he still tactfully replied,
"Casinos are now only in the Lawless Zones. Those in other areas have been shut down by the Marines. You need to go forward, turn left behind that blue building, and then... uh, sorry, I forgot you can't see!"
The young man suddenly remembered halfway through that giving directions like this to a blind person seemed very stupid, and for a moment he didn't know how to continue.
The blind swordsman, however, nodded slightly to him in greeting. "Are there no casinos here? Thank you!"
After saying that, he walked forward slowly but firmly.
66GR, Marine Base.
"George, where are Vice Admiral Taro and Old Mike?" Sherman slapped George hard on the shoulder.
George rubbed his aching shoulder and said impatiently, "Why are you here again? Didn't you just leave a few days ago?"
Then he added, "The Vice Admiral and the others aren't on the island. I have to handle all the island's affairs now. I'm very busy, don't disturb me if there's nothing!"
Sherman curled his lip. "I've already seen Taro's flagship. Quick, tell me, what did they go to do? Did you guys find someone to fight while I wasn't around?"
"Scram!" George cursed. "The Vice Admiral's movements are military secrets of my unit. Why is an outsider like you asking about this?"
"You!" Sherman's eyes widened in anger, then he snorted, looking somewhat smug. "I'll be transferred here soon!"
George couldn't be bothered with him. "Then wait until you're transferred under the Vice Admiral's command!"
Just then, the base broadcast rang out.
"Base Command Center, please note: Vice Admiral Taro is about to return. Dock, please clear the waterway!"
"Repeat..."
Upon hearing the broadcast, George had already quickly stood up and run toward the dock, with Sherman following close behind.
"Vice Admiral, welcome back!" Seeing Taro walk down the pier, George took a few steps forward and gave a proper military salute.
Behind him, several squads of Marine Soldiers saluted in unison.
Taro was now somewhat immune to this meticulous Marine officer and had given up on reminding him to be more casual. He returned the salute. "Everyone has worked hard!"
"Wahahaha, Taro, are you surprised to see me? Is it a surprise?"
Sherman jumped out and shouted wildly, interrupting George's next formalized reception process.
"Presumptuous, Sherman!" George was furious, glaring at Sherman. "You aren't a Marine of our unit yet. Letting you come here is already an exception. If you dare do this again, you'll be dealt with by military law!"
When Taro saw Sherman, there was only shock and no joy. He first patted George lightly on the shoulder. "Forget it, forget it!"
Then he looked at Sherman somewhat speechlessly. "You fellow, why are you here again?"
Sherman gave a 'hehe' laugh. "It's not just me; my teacher is here too!"
Issho is here too?
Taro was truly surprised this time. "Where is he?"
"Probably in some casino?" Sherman scratched his head and answered casually.
Then, he noticed a red-haired youth behind Taro who was about the same age as him and whom he hadn't seen before.
"Who is this guy?"
Grant was also a wild one, and having forced out 'fifty percent' of Taro's power, his confidence was currently swelling. How could he stand Sherman's contempt?
"And who are you, kid?"
Taro rubbed his forehead and gestured to Mike and George. "Let's go first."
After taking two steps, he looked back at the two who were facing off. "If you want to fight, go to the training ground. If anything here is damaged, you'll pay the original price!"
Their previous standoff was due to being wary of Taro's presence. Now that Taro had spoken, Sherman raised an eyebrow.
"Go? Dare to?"
How could Grant let himself be looked down upon? "Afraid of you?"
After saying that, neither of them moved, remaining in a stalemate for a long time. The Marine Soldiers nearby couldn't stand it anymore and began to mutter,
"What's the situation with you two? Let's go!"
"Exactly, why are you still staying here after talking tough? We still have to clean the floor!"
"These two kids probably don't know the way to the training ground!"
As soon as the last Marine Soldier's words came out, Sherman and Grant's faces both turned black.
"Hahahaha!"
A crowd of Marine Soldiers burst into laughter.
"You're killing me. Come on, you two, we'll lead the way!"
Another squad of Marine Soldiers who had no mission enthusiastically acted as guides.
Ever since the pirates on Sabaody Archipelago became honest and well-behaved, the Marine Soldiers hadn't had any excitement to watch for a long time.
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