After Momousagi left, Taro also jumped down from the rooftop and strolled aimlessly with his hands in his pockets.
Along the way, the civilians greeted him warmly, and he responded with a smile.
In fact, he hadn't stayed on the island for long, but every time he showed his face in front of the civilians, he looked completely harmless.
Adding to that, the casual clothes he had been wearing for the past few days made the civilians feel much less apprehensive.
Taro enjoyed the current feeling, a sense of accomplishment welling up in his heart; this was how a normal society should look!
Except, there were too many Marine Soldiers along the way, which was a bit of a mood killer!
"Hey, Sergeant Major, come over here for a moment!" Taro stopped at a duty post and waved to the Sergeant Major.
"Vice Admiral Taro, do you have anyth...?" The Sergeant Major trotted over and was about to salute.
Taro waved his hand. "I'm in plain clothes, no need for a military salute!"
"I'm asking you, why are there more Marine Soldiers on the street? Is it just my imagination?"
He had been personally handling the island's affairs these past few days, and he didn't remember arranging for so many Marine Soldiers to be on duty.
"Vice Admiral, it's because the number of people landing on the island has suddenly increased over the past two days, so Commanders Sherman and Grant ordered increased security!" the Sergeant Major responded quickly.
"Are there more pirates?" Taro frowned.
"Ah, no, no, just ordinary people." The Sergeant Major shook his head repeatedly.
"Vice Admiral, after the news of the Mermaid Princess visiting Sabaody Archipelago was reported, many people came upon hearing the news. After all, she possesses a legendary peerless beauty that is said to be no less than that of the 'Pirate Empress,' so..."
Taro's brow furrowed tightly, making the Sergeant Major not dare to say any more.
"At the Bubble Dock at the foot of the Red Line, are there intelligence personnel there?"
"Yes, Vice Admiral!" the Sergeant Major said respectfully.
Taro thought about how he hadn't received word when Momousagi arrived, and said in a solemn tone:
"Pass on my order: for all ships, as long as they come down from the Red Line, I must be notified immediately!"
The Sergeant Major hesitated for a moment. "Vice Admiral, that is a hub after all, and there are many ships coming and going every day..."
Taro waved his hand. "Until the Fish-Man Island delegation leaves, execute it this way. Go pass the order!"
"Yes!" The Sergeant Major said no more and turned to run back to the duty post... Marijoa.
"Sister, sister, many merfolk have come to Sabaody Archipelago, including the Mermaid Princess. Let's go catch the Mermaid Princess and make her a slave!"
Looking like an imbecile, Saint Charlos sniffled and jumped around, waving his hands and feet.
This idiot's injuries had just healed, and he had already forgotten the experience of almost being beaten to death in Sabaody.
Saint Shalria, however, remembered it vividly. She shook her head. "I have no interest in merfolk or whatever!"
"Well, in that case, I'll go by myself, sister!" Saint Charlos said, turning to leave.
"Brother Charlos, the garrison commander of Sabaody Archipelago is that guy named Taro. I think it's better not to go, and you've only just woken up from your coma; you still need to rest!"
Saint Shalria tried to persuade him; she still felt a lingering fear over the killing intent Taro had radiated back then.
It wasn't that she feared a lowly Marine like Taro, but rather she believed her life was far more precious than his.
The incident last time made her realize one thing: some desperate people really do dare to take action against the Celestial Dragons.
If she were to die in an accident, no matter how the murderer was punished, she wouldn't come back to life. It wasn't worth it.
"Taro? Who is Taro?" Saint Charlos had been recovering from his injuries for the past few months, so he was unaware of many things.
"A Marine Vice Admiral!" Rosward Saint walked in.
"Father, Lord Father!" The siblings saluted together.
Afterward, Saint Charlos jumped again. "What's the big deal about a Marine Vice Admiral? I'm going! I'm missing a mermaid in my fish tank!"
Rosward Saint reached out to stop him. "Charlos, do not go!"
His expression was somewhat somber. "Taro is not that simple. Don't go out for now; wait a bit longer!"
Seeing that both siblings were somewhat confused, Rosward Saint continued,
"That traitor from the Donquixote family might have a conflict with him soon. We just need to wait!"
"If that traitor wins, you can catch as many merfolk as you want. If Taro wins, then don't go to Sabaody anymore!"
"Lord Father, how...?" Saint Shalria opened her mouth in surprise.
"That traitor dares to threaten us Celestial Dragons; he should have died long ago like his useless father, Homing. If Taro can kill him, what's wrong with giving him a little reward? Just treat it like tossing a bone to a dog!"
Rosward Saint snorted, full of disdain.
"Dog eat dog. The dog that survives always needs a reward, doesn't it?"
"But, my Mermaid Princess..." Saint Charlos really was an idiot, still obsessing over it.
Rosward Saint sighed helplessly and looked at Saint Shalria.
"Shalria, watch your brother. Do not let him leave Marijoa!"
Then, he ordered the attendants behind him in a cold tone, "If anyone dares to descend to the Lower Realm without permission, execute them on the spot!"
The attendant immediately knelt on the ground. "Yes!"
...Sabaody Archipelago, Garrison Base.
Two days later, Taro held another banquet to welcome the arrival of Momousagi and Hina.
Vivi, who had been filming all day, was very pleasantly surprised to see Hina and Gion, and they soon gathered to whisper among themselves.
Shirahoshi didn't seem very interested in their topic, so she leaned closer to Taro.
"Lord Taro, I've been very happy these past few days. The surface world is indeed very interesting. I really hope my people can all live on the surface!"
Shirahoshi's expression was a bit sorrowful yet full of anticipation.
"Shirahoshi, that day will surely come. Don't be in a hurry."
The two royal brothers, fearing this question would cause trouble for Taro, spoke up before he could.
Taro glanced at Vivi and the other two, then lowered his eyelids and thought for a long time before showing a smiling face.
"I heard Hina invited you to visit the G4 Base, is that right?"
Seeing Taro in deep thought, the two princes felt a bit awkward. Hearing Taro ask such a question with a smile now, they were startled.
"Taro, Shirahoshi is still young; she can't go too far away!"
Shirahoshi was originally a bit pleasantly surprised, but hearing her brothers say this, tears instantly welled up in her eyes.
"No, princes, I just remembered there's an island in G4's jurisdiction that doesn't have many people. If Fish-Man Island is interested, you can go inspect it and use it as a temporary immigration point!"
Taro leaped up lightly and sat on Shirahoshi's shoulder.
"The only problem is that there are two giants on the island fighting every day, and there are many strange insects on the island, so quite a lot of medical supplies might be needed!"
Fukaboshi and Ryuboshi looked at each other, overjoyed. However, they soon calmed down again.
"This matter is of great importance. We need to report it to our father!"
"Of course!" Taro nodded.
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