The rescued Marines were still immersed in joy when Taro waved them over.
"Don't just stand there, get to work. Drag that 'pacifist' back to the dock."
"Think of the cost of a single warship; it can still be used if we drag it back and fix it!"
The Marines responded in unison and got busy.
Taro then headed deep into the Lawless Zone, wondering how things were on Kizaru's side. The "Best Actor"—"Tyrant" Kuma—should have already started his performance!
"Vice Admiral, Vice Admiral Taro!"
Taro looked back to see Old Mike catching up with hundreds of Marines.
"Mike, what are you guys doing here? This is the Lawless Zone, it's very dangerous!"
Mike saluted first, then smiled, "Vice Admiral, Admiral Kizaru has already defeated several 'Supernovas.' Now the pirates are fleeing for their lives, and we've been ordered to come and apprehend them."
Taro was stunned for a moment. Didn't Old Man Kizaru go straight after the Straw Hat Pirates crew?
Did the famous scene of saying 'How scary' while taking down a Supernova with every kick still happen?
"Oh, I see. Then go ahead!" Taro nodded. "Don't forget what I told you!"
Mike saluted again. "Vice Admiral, please rest assured. We only catch small-time pirates; we won't steal any credit!"
I'm afraid you'll be beaten to death by the big-name pirates!
Taro's lip twitched as he waved his hand. "Go on then!"
...Grove 27.
When Taro arrived, there was only a mess left, and he didn't see any sign of Luffy's group.
Kizaru was confronting "Tyrant" Kuma, while Sentomaru, wearing a red bellyband and carrying a huge battle-axe, stood to the side looking conflicted.
Rayleigh wasn't there either; it seemed he had already retreated.
The play is over. Are they now selecting the Best Actor?
Taro instinctively wanted to turn around and leave.
"Oh, Taro, you're here!"
Kizaru noticed Taro at that moment and turned his head to greet him.
Taro's feet stalled. He turned around and forced a smile, "Ah, Admiral, what are you all doing?"
"This fellow slapped away the Straw Hat Pirates crew, causing my mission to fail. Join me, let's take him down together." Kizaru gestured toward "Tyrant" Kuma.
Kuma remained calm, showing no reaction.
"Admiral, is this appropriate?" Taro hesitated. "We came out to perform the mission together. Isn't doing this now..."
"Yeah, Old Man, let's hear what Lord Kuma has to say first," Sentomaru quickly chimed in from the side. "Lord Kuma, just say what's on your mind."
"Everyone here is one of our own; no rumors will be spread."
"Especially me, the man with the tightest lips in the world. I will absolutely not tell anyone that you let the Straw Hat Pirates crew escape."
Taro nodded along to Sentomaru's earlier words, but the last sentence made him stumble.
Are you kidding? Aren't you just saying Kuma did it on purpose?
Sure enough, after Sentomaru finished speaking, Kizaru had already raised a leg, preparing to attack.
The Straw Hat Pirates crew has been sent flying. Why are you still acting, Old Man Kizaru? Too deep into the role?
"Hey, hey, Admiral, don't move yet!"
The situation was urgent. Taro didn't have time to think and quickly spoke up to stop him. Seeing Kizaru look at him, Taro's mind raced.
"Let's talk about this after we get back. We've caught a lot of pirates this time; it's enough to report back to the higher-ups!"
Hearing Taro say this, Kizaru frowned. "Oh? Does that mean you caught Kid and Law's crews?"
"In that case, I must take this fellow down even more!"
Taro quickly shook his head. "No, no, no, my mission failed too. They all escaped!"
Hearing this, Kizaru finally lowered his leg, his tone revealing a hint of amusement. "So you failed too!"
Hmm? That tone sounds very wrong. Gloating?
"Yes, Admiral. Now that the main culprits who attacked the Celestial Dragons have all escaped, if we have internal strife, where will the Marine's face be?"
As soon as Taro finished speaking, Kizaru nodded in agreement. "You have a point. We'll do as you say!"
Taro looked at Kizaru in dumbfounded shock. Holy crap, you old schemer, are you setting me up?
Kizaru put his hands in his pockets with a calm expression. "Sentomaru, withdraw!"
Taro: "..."
...Marineford.
Sengoku slammed the table hard, roaring in anger:
"What exactly does Bartholomew Kuma want? At Thriller Bark, he said he had dealt with the Straw Hat Pirates crew, and now again..."
Vice Admiral Tsuru reached out and tugged at him. "After this, Vegapunk will perform the final modification on him. There's no point in saying these things now."
Sengoku took several deep breaths, calmed down a bit, and looked at Taro again. "And you, the Celestial Dragons say you were disrespectful to them and even wanted to kill them?"
Taro looked surprised and shouted exaggeratedly, "How is that possible? You know my strength. If I wanted to kill them, would they still be alive?"
Sengoku stared at Taro for a while and said in a low voice, "Then with your strength, how could you let those pirates escape?"
Taro shrugged helplessly. "There was nothing I could do. The Sabaody Garrison were all taken hostage. My hands were tied during the fight..."
"What are you worried about? As long as we can defeat the pirates, what do a few deaths matter!" Akainu shouted in a muffled voice, his face grim.
"If the Marines fear sacrifice, who will protect the peace of this sea?"
Yes, yes, yes, whatever you say is right.
Taro raised an eyebrow, too lazy to pay him any mind. Looking at Kizaru, who acted as if none of this concerned him, he felt even more irritated.
Vice Admiral Tsuru spoke softly, "Alright, the most important thing now is the impending war. As for the Celestial Dragons, the Fleet Admiral and I will find a way to appease them."
Taro's expression finally softened a bit.
Dammit, they're all actors. It's a miracle if any work gets done properly!
"Report, Fleet Admiral!"
A Vice Admiral rushed in frantically.
Sengoku's face darkened. "What is it now?"
"Fleet Admiral, Vice Admiral Garp is back!" the Vice Admiral responded.
Sengoku rubbed his forehead, somewhat helpless. "If he's back, he's back. We were going to notify him anyway."
"But Fleet Admiral, just as Vice Admiral Garp left, all 23 surveillance ships responsible for monitoring the Whitebeard Pirates' 'Moby Dick' lost contact!"
"What did you say!" Sengoku shouted in shock. After a long time, he sighed.
"Fine, we already expected Whitebeard would take action. Where is Garp?"
"Vice Admiral Garp went to Impel Down as soon as he returned!"
Sengoku frowned. "Let him go. Order all fortress bases in the New World to find the whereabouts of the Whitebeard Pirates as quickly as possible!"
"Yes!"
After the Vice Admiral left, Sengoku scanned the office and said solemnly:
"Everyone, the war between the Marines and Whitebeard is now inevitable. Please work together with one heart. The Marines will prevail!"
"We will prevail!"
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