Garp laughed to himself for a while before remembering there was something he hadn't mentioned. "Right, there's a training camp at Marineford. You're going there to study for a while."
Huh? Training camp? Six Powers? Taro's ears immediately perked up, but Luffy's crew was about to fight Arlong, right? That battle seemed way more exciting.
Taro thought about it and shook his head slightly at Garp. "Uh, can I go a bit later? I want to visit a place first..."
"Hmm?" Garp let out a nasal hum. "Where do you want to go?"
What was Nami's hometown called again? Taro couldn't remember. "I heard there's a pirate named Arlong nearby. Apparently, he was a crew member of the famous Fisher Tiger back in the day. I want to go check him out."
"Arlong?" Garp frowned as he thought. "I think there is such a guy. Why are you looking for him?"
"No, it's nothing." Taro was so anxious he was almost sweating. "I'm not looking for him, I just want to watch from a distance."
Garp pondered for a moment and called over a Marine Sergeant. "Go contact the nearby Marine 16th Branch and have them send a warship over."
"Yes, sir."
The Marine Sergeant saluted and quickly ran off.
"Three days at most, then you head straight back to Marineford, do you hear me?"
After giving the order to the Marine Sergeant, Garp shook his fist at Taro and snorted. "If I find out you've been running off recklessly..."
"No, I won't run off, I promise."
Taro shook his head frantically, promising he wouldn't wander off.
He smiled so hard his eyes narrowed into slits, and his mouth bloomed like a flower.
He would be meeting Luffy and his companions soon. Taro couldn't suppress the excitement in his heart. This was a major battle; there would definitely be no shortage of moves to learn. Plus, there was a chance to build a relationship with Luffy and the others. The protagonist's halo, baby—he'd struck gold!
Slurp. Taro sucked back some drool.
Garp was just about to punch the kid in front of him who was smiling more and more ridiculously when the Marine from earlier ran back and gave Garp a military salute:
"Report! The 16th Branch has replied. They've already dispatched a warship our way; it should be here shortly."
The Marine Soldier's loud voice startled Taro, who casually wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth. "That fast?"
The Marine Sergeant, seeing it was Taro asking, felt a bit awkward. He stole a glance at Garp, and seeing that Garp didn't show any dissatisfaction, he straightened up and saluted Taro: "Yes. A Captain from the 16th Branch is currently on a mission nearby."
"Mm, understood," Garp nodded. "Take a squad of soldiers and follow this kid later. Keep an eye on him for me."
Marine Sergeant: "Yes, sir."
Taro scratched his hair. "No need, no... fine, you're the boss."
Taro wanted to refuse, but seeing Garp raise his fist, he decisively backed down... Aboard the 16th Branch warship.
"Sergeant, where are you headed?" A Marine Lieutenant came to greet Taro. His gaze swept back and forth between the Marine Sergeant and Taro. Seeing that Taro wasn't wearing a Marine uniform, he looked at the Marine Sergeant and asked.
The Marine Sergeant looked at Taro. "Second Lieutenant Taro, we..."
"Uh, oh, is there a pirate named Arlong nearby? We're going to his territory." Taro thought for a bit but still couldn't remember the name of Nami's hometown. He decided to wait it out. "Mr. Lieutenant, you know where that is, right?"
The Lieutenant from the 16th Branch was somewhat surprised. This young man in civilian clothes was actually a Marine, and a Second Lieutenant at that? However, he quickly restrained his curious gaze. "Yes, we were just coming from there."
"Oh?" Now it was Taro's turn to be surprised, but he quickly became anxious. "When did you arrive? The fighting hasn't started on the island, has it?"
"We only just arrived, but what do you mean by 'fighting'? Captain Nezumi is just leading us on a routine patrol."
The Marine Lieutenant was somewhat puzzled.
So that wretched Captain's name is Nezumi. Taro finally remembered the Marine who colluded with Arlong and cheated Nami out of her money.
Luckily, Nezumi just landed on the island, so there should still be some time before the fighting starts.
"Oh, it's nothing," Taro shook his head slightly. "Just asking. Let's head out quickly."
The Marine Lieutenant stared at Taro for another moment before nodding. "Set sail! Destination: Cocoyasi Village!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Yes, sir!"
The Marine Soldiers moved upon the command, and the warship soon set off, advancing toward its destination.
Taro's eyes were full of eagerness as he walked to the bow, leaning against the railing and looking ahead... Cocoyasi Village.
As soon as the warship docked, Taro leaped down. He turned back to the accompanying Marine Soldiers who were preparing to disembark and said, "You guys wait for me here. I'll be back soon."
Tasked with the mission given by Garp, the Marine Sergeant was naturally a bit reluctant. "But Vice Admiral Garp requested..."
Taro was in a hurry to get going and had no time to waste words with the Marine Sergeant. He frowned. "I am a Second Lieutenant, Sergeant. Follow orders!"
Stared down by Taro and remembering Taro's terrifying strength, the Marine Sergeant broke into a cold sweat. His legs trembled slightly. "Ye... Yes, sir!"
Taro ignored him and turned to sprint away.
The Marine Lieutenant from the 16th Branch was somewhat puzzled. He turned to the Sergeant beside him. "What's the deal with this Second Lieutenant? You seem very afraid of him."
The Sergeant waited until Taro was far away before letting out a sigh of relief. He said with lingering fear, "You don't know. Second Lieutenant Taro's strength is actually..."
As the Sergeant told the story, the Lieutenant's expression became more and more surprised, until finally, his mouth hung open in shock. "A... A... Admiral?!"
The Sergeant gazed gloomily in the direction Taro had disappeared and sighed. "Maybe even more than that!"
Lieutenant: "..."
...After sprinting all the way into the village, Taro stopped and looked around. There wasn't a soul on the street, and the ground was a mess.
It seemed the residents had already gone to confront Arlong.
Taro sighed. "I was thinking of getting to know Nami's sister and that middle-aged guy first. With them as an introduction, it would be much easier to meet Nami. And through Nami, I'd meet the rest of the protagonist's crew—what a perfect plan."
"I'm late. What a pity."
Taro felt a bit disappointed. Now he didn't know Luffy's crew, and he didn't know Arlong's side either. If he just went to watch them fight like this, wouldn't he get dragged into it too?
If he got dragged into a fight like this, wouldn't it cost him his life?
Just as Taro was hesitating, a loud roar suddenly came from the end of the street:
"OF COURSE I WILL!"
Taro snapped his head up and looked forward. This was...?
Tears began to well up in Taro's eyes as he remembered this part of the plot.
This was,
A legendary scene!
So emotional!
Taro rubbed his eyes, wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes, and sprinted forward.