Early morning, the Marineford docks.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, why are you here?"
Taro, who was preparing to leave port to meet Tina, froze when he saw Vice Admiral Tsuru, then immediately brightened. "Does this mean I don't have to go out to sea?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru looked at Taro skeptically. "You seem very happy about not having to go out to sea?"
"Uh, no, impossible, that's not true." Taro quickly denied it, but his eyes were still full of anticipation.
But Vice Admiral Tsuru clearly didn't intend to grant Taro's wish. She chuckled softly, "Don't overthink it. I just came to see you off."
Taro immediately pulled a long face, then heard Vice Admiral Tsuru ask, "I heard you had a fight with Old Garp last night?"
What fight? I clearly just got beaten up.
Taro curled his lips, ready to deny it, but seeing Vice Admiral Tsuru staring intently at him, his heart tightened. This Old Lady has a hidden meaning in her words.
"We just sparred a bit," Taro replied cautiously.
"I thought you might have discussed something and had a falling out," Vice Admiral Tsuru sighed, her gaze still fixed on Taro.
Taro instantly grew wary. The Old Lady is trying to trick information out of me!
His eyes shifted slightly, and he put on a smiling face, feigning relaxation.
"We didn't talk about anything. That old man tries to beat me up every time he comes back. Yesterday I was asleep and caught off guard, which is why he succeeded. Hmph, next time I'll definitely beat him back."
Vice Admiral Tsuru stared at Taro for a long time, seemingly judging how credible his words were, before finally nodding.
"Alright, then it's fine. You should set sail. After picking up Tina, there's no need to rush back. Just make sure you return to Marineford before the execution."
Taro was filled with doubts, wondering what Vice Admiral Tsuru meant by this. Was she intentionally sending him away?
Although Vice Admiral Tsuru noticed Taro's confusion, she didn't intend to say anything more. She waved her hand and turned to leave.
Stepping onto the warship, Major Mike immediately came forward. "Vice Admiral, should we depart immediately?"
Taro was still contemplating Vice Admiral Tsuru's intentions. He nodded casually, "Let's go!"
Mike immediately started shouting orders. Taro thought for a moment, called Mike back, and asked, "Mike, has anything happened recently?"
Mike asked curiously, "Vice Admiral, are you referring to...?"
"The World Government, Marineford, pirates—tell me any news you have."
Taro didn't know exactly which part was problematic, so he could only let this gossip expert speak freely.
Mike pondered for a moment. "You already know everything related to you, Vice Admiral, so you must not be asking about that. Let me think..."
Taro was not anxious and waited patiently.
After a while longer, Mike finally organized his thoughts and slowly began to speak:
"The CP9 group, originally defeated by Straw Hat at Enies Lobby, is recently rumored to have appeared on St. Poplar Island. Marine Colonel Very Good is currently pursuing them."
After speaking, he watched Taro's reaction. Seeing that Taro merely nodded slightly, he continued, "Also, the Revolutionary Army defeated the army of the Santa Luia Kingdom in the South Blue."
Taro finally looked up. "When did this happen? Why hasn't Marineford taken any action?"
"Just a few days ago. Because all the Marine elites have been transferred to Marineford, the forces in the Four Blues Branches are currently very depleted, and Marineford doesn't seem planning to intervene, so..."
The Revolutionary Army's current actions aren't too significant, and while the imminent Marineford War is an opportunity for them, their scale and strength are temporarily insufficient to shake the World Government's Foundation.
"Is there anything else happening?" Taro thought for a moment and pressed further.
"Uh, also, in the New World, the Whitebeard Pirates have broken away from surveillance, and it's rumored that Kaido of the Beasts Pirates is also making a move!"
After hearing Major Mike's report, Taro still didn't understand Vice Admiral Tsuru's intention. Was she merely worried that Garp and he might conspire to rescue Ace?
That couldn't be right. Based on their decades of understanding, it was obvious Garp wouldn't betray the Marine stance!
Taro was completely baffled.
As for Kaido, in the original plot, Red Hair Shanks would go stop him, so there was no need to worry.
"Vice Admiral, that's all I can think of," Mike finally said.
"Mhm, alright, you can go get busy."
...Grand Line, the sea near Alabasta.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, Taro is..." Tina said nervously, holding the den den mushi.
Vice Admiral Tsuru on the other end of the den den mushi chuckled softly. "Don't worry, that kid has already set off. Just wait patiently."
Tina's nervous expression immediately relaxed, revealing a hint of joy. Then, realizing someone was next to her, she quickly straightened her face. "Tina understands!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru laughed heartily a few times and hung up the den den mushi.
Tina waited a long time before putting down the receiver, then comfortably lit a cigarette and took a drag.
Then, seeing the person next to her looking at her strangely, her expression immediately stiffened. "Gion, why are you looking at me like that?"
The woman called Gion chuckled softly. "Little Tina, have you figured out what you're going to tell Smoker?"
Tina frowned. "Smoker? What am I supposed to tell him?"
Gion chuckled again. "Hehehe, Little Tina, how sad Smoker would be if he heard you say that!"
Tina remained silent, her expression slightly strained. Gion put her hands on her hips.
"I want to see who exactly has captivated our Little Tina to this extent."
Tina's face tightened. "Gion, don't mess around. Taro is..."
Gion waved her hand and teased, "Relax, I won't do anything to him. He's the 'ink dragon,' the strongest rookie the Marine has seen in years. How could I possibly do anything to him! Hehehe!"
Tina knew Gion's character well and couldn't do anything about her. She let out a small huff and changed the subject.
"Speaking of which, Gion, haven't you been stationed at Mary Geoise all this time? Why did you suddenly come out this time?"
Gion winked playfully at Tina, smiling. "I just got interested in that little brother you're constantly thinking about, so I took some time off to check him out!"
Annoyed by her repeated teasing, Tina said slightly angrily, "If you want to be interested, go be interested in your person! Why come look at Taro?"
Now it was Gion's turn to stiffen. She waved her hand helplessly.
"Don't even mention it. That guy is driving me crazy. I just happened to hear Tsuru mention you, so I came over to clear my head."
Tina won that round, and her expression improved significantly. She scoffed.
"It's been over 70 times now, hasn't it? I think he's quite persistent. Are you really not going to consider it?"
Gion glared at Tina, then became even more irritated. "It's already 80 times. It's so annoying."
Hearing this, Tina burst out laughing, and Gion angrily reached out to grab her.
"Buri-buri-buri."
Tina stopped her and picked up the den den mushi.
"Tina? It's Taro. I'm almost there!"
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