"Sigh, it's Aokiji, he also entrusted one of his students to me!" Taro's brow twitched wildly as he sighed.
Fujitora nodded, "Your strength is more than sufficient, your swordsmanship and physical skills are both excellent, the Marine Soldiers under your command have almost no casualties, and on top of Aokiji's choice, this old man is now even more convinced that entrusting Sherman to you is the most appropriate course of action!"
Taro felt his head swelling. This is practically turning into a daycare center, dammit!
"I beg of you!"
Seeing Taro's troubled expression, Fujitora placed both hands on his sword and bowed deeply.
"Sigh, I'll agree then!" Taro sighed again, raising his hands to support Fujitora's arms.
So, after a whole day of busywork, fighting someone for nothing, watching some drama, I end up having to babysit for others too.
There's no such thing as a free big drama to watch. Taro truly felt like crying but had no tears.
"The sky is growing late, this old man will take his leave!"
Having achieved all his objectives for coming to Sabaody Archipelago, Fujitora didn't hesitate and directly bid farewell to leave.
Taro felt tricked again and was speechless for a moment. Only when Fujitora had walked onto the street did he rub his face, look towards Fujitora, and say softly:
"The Marines will soon hold a World Conscription. You can wait a few more days before joining the Marines."
Fujitora's steps halted. He lowered his eyelids, seeming to ponder something, but ultimately did not look back and strode away.
66GR.
"Vice Admiral, you're back?" Mack was waiting at the entrance to the residential area and greeted Taro the moment he saw him.
"What's the matter?" Taro, having been played by Fujitora, wasn't in high spirits. He grunted in acknowledgment and asked casually.
Mack also sensed Taro's mood wasn't quite right and his tone became much more formal.
"We received a message from G-5 Base this evening. Sherman's application to be transferred under your command has already been approved by G-5 Base. What is your opinion?"
Taro had another headache. Damn it, another case of acting first and reporting later! "Was it approved by Vergo?"
Taro remembered Sherman mentioning that the base commander of G-5 was Vice Admiral Vergo—that mole sent by Doflamingo.
This guy agreeing to Sherman's transfer, could there be some scheme?
Taro now had a feeling that everyone was targeting him.
"It was Commodore Smoker. He was recently transferred to G-5 Base as the Deputy Base Commander!" Mack replied.
Oh? It's Smoker. That's fine then!
Taro breathed a sigh of relief. "Accept him."
Mack was stunned for a moment. Wasn't the Vice Admiral quite opposed to this before?
"What? Does this matter need to be reported to Marineford?" Seeing Mack dazed, Taro asked.
Mack snapped back to reality and shook his head repeatedly. "Ah, no. Sherman is only a lieutenant officer. His transfer doesn't need to be reported to headquarters!"
Taro nodded, preparing to return to his room to rest. Seeing Mack follow him again, his heart skipped a beat.
"Something else?"
A slight smile appeared on Mack's face, his eyes gleaming. "Vice Admiral, just as you predicted, Fish-Man Island can't hold back any longer!"
Taro was slightly taken aback. "Huh?"
He then reacted. "Fish-Man Island sent someone?"
Mack nodded excitedly. "Yes, Vice Admiral, they..."
Before Mack could finish, Taro transformed into a Falcon and shot into the sky.
Mack opened his mouth, dumbfounded for a long moment. Does the Vice Admiral mean to keep stringing them along?
After thinking for a bit, Mack pulled out a den den mushi. "Hey, George, you're at the shore, right?"
"The Vice Admiral won't see them now. Yes, the meaning is clear: continue to whet their appetite."
"That won't do. We mustn't lose our manners. Losing manners would disgrace our Vice Admiral. Treat them well with good food, drinks, and entertainment!"
"However, the pace of negotiations needs to be controlled!"
"How to control it? Hmm..." Mack said, pulling out a small notebook from his chest, appearing full of confidence.
"Don't worry. The Vice Admiral is far-sighted and has already arranged a plan."
"Yes, this was personally given to me by the Vice Admiral. It absolutely cannot go wrong like last time!"
"Ah, just listen to me, be completely assured, it's definitely right. I've been with the Vice Admiral for so long, do you think I'm like you?"
Taro, flying in the air, circled once over Sabaody Archipelago.
60GR. Near the government and Marine port, a dragon turtle ship floated half-submerged.
Shark Star, the First Prince of Fish-Man Island, stood imposingly at the ship's bow, looking majestic. In the surrounding seawater, a group of Palace Guards were on alert.
They come with ill intentions!
With the enhanced vision of the Falcon, Taro took in every subtle expression of the Fish-Man Island envoys.
Can't stay on Sabaody Archipelago anymore. Need to go out and hide!
Taro's mind raced. He turned in the air and sped towards Marineford.
"First Prince, the Marines' notification is taking too long!" The Guard Commander who accompanied Shark Star emerged from the water. "Could they have changed their minds?"
Shark Star shot a sidelong glare at this captain, immediately resuming a solemn expression.
"Don't speak nonsense. Mind your demeanor. We must not lose the dignity of the Ryugu Kingdom and let humans look down on us!"
"Yes!" The Guard Commander accepted the order with a serious face.
Not long after, Mack led a Ceremonial Guard, with gongs and drums, appearing at the shore... Marineford.
The Marineford War destroyed the entire Marineford headquarters. Even though they've been trying hard to repair it recently, the results are still very limited.
The office of Navy Grand Staff Officer Vice Admiral Tsuru, the side facing the square, remained completely open, with no cover at all.
Taro flew directly in through this 'air wall', landed, grabbed Vice Admiral Tsuru's teapot, and gulped down several mouthfuls.
Vice Admiral Tsuru rested her chin on her hands. Although surprised by Taro's sudden appearance, her expression remained unchanged.
"Taro, why are you in such a state? Did something happen on Sabaody Archipelago? Did those nobles riot because you cleared out the slave auction houses before?"
Taro drank until more than half of Vice Admiral Tsuru's teapot was empty, then wiped the water from his mouth and answered casually:
"Everything's normal on Sabaody. Those nobles wouldn't dare provoke me."
Hearing this, Vice Admiral Tsuru relaxed slightly, leaning back in her chair. "Then what's with this look of yours, like you've seen a ghost?"
"Uh, this, well..." Taro was momentarily speechless. He couldn't very well say he was scared off by a group of Fishmen with average combat power!
Even if he said it, Vice Admiral Tsuru probably wouldn't believe him.
"I just missed you, Grandma Tsuru!" Taro's eyes darted around.
"Go on, get out of here! Stop feeding me sweet talk!" Vice Admiral Tsuru lightly tapped her finger, looking disdainful, but the smile in her eyes couldn't be hidden.
Then, she thought of Garp and couldn't help but wonder, 'The d clan, are they all this shameless and unreliable type?'
"It's not sweet talk, I really came to visit you!" Taro understood the Old Lady's attitude wasn't genuine disdain and said earnestly:
"I've heard. Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Vice Admiral Garp have retired, the two Admirals are... Now, you're the only one holding up Marineford. Just thinking about it, I know you're the most hardworking!"
Uh, seems there's still that Old Man Kizaru.
But given that 'Oscar-winning actor's' habit of clocking in on time and slacking off at work, just thinking about it, you know he's unreliable!
---------------------------------
I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! If the story has you hooked and you can't wait to see what happens next, you can unlock 30 chapters in advance over on my Patreon: patreon.com/TLHimejima1
Every bit of support means the world to me so if you're loving the ride, don't forget to drop a Power Stone and let me know.