Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
"The high-level government officials have decided to accept Blackbeard, Marshall D. Teach, as the successor to the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
"The formal appointment will be announced to the public within five days, after the candidate hands over a pirate with a bounty of over 100 million Berries to the Marines."
"Once the new Shichibukai is confirmed, personnel will be dispatched to convey the information of the new member to the other Warlords."
"That concludes all the contents of this meeting between Marine Headquarters and the Shichibukai."
In the grand meeting hall of Marine Headquarters, a Headquarters Vice Admiral relayed the meeting results to all high-ranking Marine officers present.
For a moment, the meeting hall was in a bit of a commotion.
"Who is Blackbeard? Do you know?"
"I've heard of him; seems like he was a crew member of the Whitebeard Pirates?"
"Can a guy without a bounty even become a candidate for the Seven Warlords of the Sea?"
"Quiet!"
From the head seat, Fleet Admiral Sengoku let out a low, muffled shout. The bustling meeting hall instantly fell silent, and all the high-ranking Marine officers shifted their gaze toward Sengoku.
"I have one more matter to announce. It concerns a new appointment for Lieutenant Commander Taro."
Sengoku picked up a document from the desk in front of him and read in a heavy voice:
"In view of the strength displayed by Lieutenant Commander Taro and his demonstrated determination in wiping out pirates, Marine Headquarters has decided to promote Lieutenant Commander Taro to Rear Admiral Zhou Ze. Take note of this!"
Whoosh
As soon as Sengoku finished speaking, the gazes of the Marine generals in the entire hall first scanned Sengoku's face for a while, then simultaneously turned to look at Akainu, who was sitting in the first seat below.
However, they saw that Admiral Akainu's expression did not change in the slightest, showing not even a hint of dissatisfaction.
What's the situation?
Weren't there rumors that Taro and the Fleet Admiral had a conflict during the Shichibukai meeting?
Why did he get promoted instead?
Weren't there rumors of a conflict because Admiral Akainu had obstructed Taro's promotion multiple times?
Why didn't he object this time?
Could those all be rumors?
Akainu took in everyone's gazes and said in a deep voice, "Does anyone have an objection?"
The scene remained quiet. Finally, it was Fleet Admiral Sengoku who stood up.
"Since no one has raised an objection, then that will be all for today!"
After both Sengoku and Akainu had left, the meeting hall, which had been silent for a good while, suddenly erupted in heated discussion.
In the corridor, Sengoku turned his head to look at Akainu beside him.
"Sakazuki, Taro's appointment this time was an order directly issued by the government high-levels. I hope you..."
Akainu shook his head, looking straight ahead, and said in a resolute tone:
"As long as he is truly focused on dealing with pirates, there is no reason he couldn't be promoted to Vice Admiral or even Admiral. I naturally won't object!"
Sengoku nodded, thinking of Taro's attitude toward Lafitte at the meeting. "He is naturally hostile toward pirates; I am very certain of that."
Then he sighed, "It's just that regarding the Shichibukai..."
"The Shichibukai are also pirates!" Akainu's blunt tone interrupted Sengoku again. "On this point, this old man's attitude is the same as his."
"Keeping them around is somewhat useful for now. Once Vegapunk..."
At this point, Akainu finally restrained himself and did not continue.
Sengoku's eyes flickered, he let out a silent sigh, and didn't speak further... "What did you say?"
Taro, who had finally managed to get a day off, was currently sitting on the ship's gunwale fishing. Caught off guard, the news Mike brought almost made him fall off the ship.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku has decided to promote you to Headquarters Rear Admiral. The order has already come down!"
Mike looked at Taro with a face full of joy, the look of admiration in his eyes impossible to suppress.
What the hell!
Repaying a grudge with kindness?
"Did you find out anything?" Taro's brows were tightly knit; this didn't make sense.
"I looked into it. I heard it was a direct decision by the government high-levels." Mike replied immediately:
"Not long ago, a Rear Admiral of the Marine Headquarters, X Drake, left the Marines. It's said he has now become a pirate."
"This incident caused the Marine Headquarters to lose a lot of face, so your promotion this time might also have considerations in that regard!"
Government high-levels? The Gorosei? And X Drake?
Taro thought for a moment and remembered that there was indeed such a person. He seemed to be a Marine undercover agent.
Tsk tsk, Sengoku is quite the old schemer, using this promotion as cover for Drake as well?
Thinking of this, Taro looked at Mike with bright eyes, "Old Mike, you're quite well-informed. You even know about this!"
"Well, we usually hang out together..."
Mike lifted his head with a face full of smiles, but halfway through he realized he almost let something slip and quickly changed his words,
"Hang out together for training, and occasionally hear some news."
Taro's mouth twitched. Among those who usually gossip about me behind my back, you're the most active one. You think I don't know?
But, seeing as you gave some useful information this time, I'll let it slide.
"Koby, let's go back. If we just come looking for him like this, Rear Admiral Zhou Ze won't see us."
Just then, an urgent voice came from the direction of the pier.
"Helmeppo, how will we know if we don't try? If you won't go, I'll go by myself."
Another voice sounded.
Hearing these two voices, Taro's heart stirred. He crossed the deck, walked to the other side of the gunwale, and looked down at the pier.
It was indeed the two people from his memory. He sighed inwardly; the military really does train people. These two guys' appearances had actually changed drastically.
The round-faced, simple-looking Koby from his memory had actually turned into a handsome young man so quickly.
And while Helmeppo's dress was still flamboyant, that air of idiocy had diminished significantly.
Taro leaned on the gunwale with a smile on his face, watching the two who were still pulling at each other,
"Are you two looking for me?"
The sudden voice startled Koby and Helmeppo. They looked up, stunned for a moment, then quickly separated and gave a military salute:
"Marine Sergeant Koby and Petty Officer Helmeppo, reporting to Rear Admiral Zhou Ze!"
Taro returned the salute and then beckoned, "Come up."
"Tell me, what are you looking for me for?"
Looking at the two standing on the deck somewhat timidly, Taro's smile deepened.
"Re-reporting, Rear Admiral Zhou Ze, I don't have any specific matter," Koby hesitated for a long time before saluting again,
"You are a role model for me to learn from. I just wanted to come and see you. Everyone says you are the light of the marines..."
"I also want to be an excellent Marine like you."
Taro nodded and then looked at Helmeppo, "And you?"
"I, I," Helmeppo appeared somewhat hesitant and stammered, "Me too."
Taro pulled back his smile and said solemnly, "An excellent Marine?"
Seeing the change in Taro's expression, the two became even more nervous.
"Ye-yes."
Taro nodded, "Then work hard. I believe you can do it!"
Having received Taro's affirmation, the two's tension eased considerably. Feeling even more invigorated by their idol's encouragement, they heard Taro slowly ask:
"What has Vice Admiral Garp been busy with lately?"
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