Taro was dumbfounded. He knew Nico Robin was called the "lamp of revolution" by the Revolutionary Army, but what on earth was the "key of revolution"?
Oh, wait, he said he himself was the "key of revolution"; he's not a "thing".
That doesn't seem right either. Holy crap, what the hell is going on?!
"What are you saying? What 'key of revolution'?"
Taro was stunned for a long while before coming back to his senses.
Dragon looked deeply at Taro for a while before nodding.
"That's true. You're using your identity as a Marine as a cover; some things shouldn't be said too bluntly. I understand!"
Holy crap, what are you even talking about? I'm understanding less and less.
I'm just a Marine, I'm not hiding anything!
"Are you asking about the things in Robin's hands?" Taro frowned. "Didn't she give them to you?"
"Only a small part. Even Nico Robin hasn't fully mastered the script you use."
Dragon reached out and removed his hood, revealing his resolute face.
"However, even that small part has convinced me that you are the 'key of revolution'."
As he spoke, Dragon stood with his hands at his sides and bowed respectfully to Taro.
"Mr. Taro, please teach me how to carry out a revolution correctly?"
Taro was startled by Dragon's solemn attitude and hurriedly stepped aside, not daring to accept such a grand gesture.
"Don't, don't do this!"
Taro quickly waved his hands. "Speak normally, speak normally..."
Dragon remained in a bowing posture. Taro's lips twitched. Dammit, how would I know how to start a revolution?
"Sigh, alright, I promise you. Just get up first."
After a long time, Taro finally gave up and sighed.
The two sat down at the desk. Taro took out two bottles of sherry wine, handed one to Dragon, and opened the other himself, taking a large gulp.
"Let me tell you a story..."
"Once upon a time, there was a country with a vast territory, a large population, and five thousand years of history..."
Taro's face glowed with pride when he spoke of the Celestial Empire's glorious history, but his mood dampened when he spoke of its times of suffering.
Fueled by the alcohol, Taro talked incessantly.
"In the midst of this national crisis, a great man emerged, and a large group of like-minded followers gathered around him..."
"Eventually, they overthrew the Three Great Mountains weighing down on the people..."
"The primary contradiction in current society is..."
"The emergence of class contradictions is accompanied by..."
Unknowingly, he finished one bottle. Taro grabbed several more and continued to drink and talk.
Dragon remained in a listening state throughout, occasionally showing a look of sudden realization.
Several hours later, it wasn't until they arrived at Impel Down and Mike's voice sounded from outside the door that Taro noticed he had been talking for so long.
He glanced at Dragon awkwardly. "Uh, did I say too much?"
Dragon stood up with a solemn expression and bowed to Taro once more.
"Your teachings have benefited me greatly. You are indeed the key that guides us through the fog and opens the correct path!"
"Thank you for your guidance!"
Taro had blathered for hours and had been drinking; he was so dazed he had almost forgotten what he had said. Seeing Dragon like this made him feel even more awkward.
"There's no need to be so polite. I just told a story. I just said it randomly, and you can just listen to it casually."
"I have to get off the ship now, you see..."
Having obtained the information he wanted, Dragon naturally wouldn't force him to stay and nodded.
"Much appreciated. Please, go ahead."
Taro gave him an apologetic smile and prepared to leave. Just as he took a step, Dragon seemed to remember something and said:
"That pirate named Ace, I've sent someone to take him to the Drum Kingdom!"
Dragon's words made Taro pause. He turned back with a look of pleasant surprise.
"Ace is still alive? That's great!"
Looking at Taro's joyful expression, Dragon became even more convinced that his previous judgment was correct.
"Yes, but he was heavily injured. Only someone in the Drum Kingdom can treat his wounds. The Drum Kingdom is a famous medical powerhouse; there is a..."
"Dr. Kureha, I know her!" Taro's eyes sparkled. He rushed to Dragon, grabbed his hand, and shook it vigorously.
"Thank you, thank you so much!"
Dragon didn't expect Taro to react so strongly. It seemed Ace was indeed very important to Taro, and he couldn't help but be curious. "Is Ace very important to you?"
"Yes!" Taro nodded heavily, a smile on his face.
Holy crap, finally some good news. At least my efforts weren't in vain.
Seeing Taro's elated look and seeing that he had no intention of explaining in detail, Dragon assumed Taro didn't want to elaborate and didn't ask further.
However, he secretly rejoiced in his heart. His instructions to Koala and the others not to leak the news that Ace was alive were indeed correct; he hadn't disrupted Taro's plans.
"Vice Admiral, Impel Down's Deputy Warden Domino is already waiting at the pier. You..."
"I'll be right out, tell her to wait a bit longer!" Taro shouted toward the door.
"If you have business, go handle it. I will leave on my own later!" Dragon felt bad about taking up more of Taro's time.
Taro was truly overjoyed now.
"Thank you so much. Thank you for saving Ace, if you ever need anything in the future, you can come to me anytime!"
With these words from Taro, Dragon was also very pleased.
"Although this request might be a bit much, there is an officer in the Revolutionary Army who is very talented at training soldiers and boosting morale."
"I hope you can find time to teach her, specifically the knowledge you mentioned about 'army building and unifying ideology'. I wonder..."
Taro was in high spirits, so naturally, he was ready to grant any request. With a wave of his hand, he said, "No problem, send her over!"
Seeing Taro agree, Dragon was even more delighted. Their first in-depth communication ended in a happy and harmonious atmosphere.
Taro walked onto the pier and quickly approached Domino, apologizing repeatedly.
"Sorry, I drank too much and kept you waiting!"
Domino gave a military salute, her voice filled with gratitude.
"Vice Admiral Taro, there's no need for that. All the guards of Impel Down remember your kindness in supporting us before. It's only right that we wait for you!"
Domino's words resonated with the guards lined up on the pier to welcome him; they all looked at Taro with eyes full of respect.
Taro waved his hand. "It was my duty, no need for that. Let's go, we'll see Warden Magellan first!"
A sudden gust of wind rose, stirring the clouds. Taro knew that was Dragon leaving.
The wind also cleared some of Taro's drunkenness. Hours of continuous talking had made his throat dry. He swallowed a few times, then suddenly paused.
Holy crap, I didn't say anything nonsensical to Dragon, did I?
"Vice Admiral Taro, is something wrong?"
"Oh, no, it's nothing."
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