Taro was speechless for a moment. Back then, Aokiji participated in the Ohara Buster Call, Akainu destroyed the refugee ship, and he himself killed his Giant Race friend Haguar D. Sauro.
These events caused his belief in "Burning Justice" to gradually transform into "Lazy Justice."
Ultimately, Aokiji began to reflect on how "justice" changes for different people and from different perspectives.
Seeing that Taro remained silent for a long time, Aokiji continued, "Whitebeard's death has broken the balance held by pirate forces for many years. The New World and even the entire ocean will undergo a reshuffling."
"If he is allowed to succeed as Fleet Admiral, the world will surely be covered in scorched earth and endless war. This is not the future I want to see!"
Aokiji said a lot, and seeing that Taro was still silent, he finally asked, "Do you also think he is more suitable than me?"
Taro sighed inwardly. Being an Admiral was not a good job, and being the Fleet Admiral was an even deeper pit.
The new Fleet Admiral would not only have to face an even more chaotic situation but also deal with the new pirate forces of the "Worst Generation," and even more so, act as a dog for the World Government, trying to maintain the "peace" of the world.
Wouldn't it be fine to let Akainu be the one to take the fall?
Anyway, he can't do anything to us. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we undermined him in private and chipped away at the World Government's foundation?
Look at Old Man Kizaru, he's very shrewd!
Aokiji waited for a long time but still didn't receive an answer from Taro. He raised his head, finished the rest of his wine in one gulp, and stood up.
"I understand."
Then he walked toward the door.
"Admiral Kuzan, I really don't think your decision will be a good choice!"
Only then did Taro snap back to his senses and quickly spoke up.
Aokiji let out a faint sneer upon hearing this, not even turning his head. "There are some things you don't understand!"
Taro was stunned. What did that mean?
You duel Akainu for the position of Fleet Admiral and then leave the Marines—is there more to it than meets the eye?
Like Drake, going undercover?
But losing a leg directly, isn't that too ruthless?
In an instant, Taro's mind raced, thinking of various possibilities.
Aokiji opened the door, his footsteps faltering for a moment before he turned back to look at Taro with an unreadable expression.
"Taro, I'll leave that kid Grant to you. In exchange, I'll tell you one thing..."
"Be careful of CP0. The World Government has already noticed your secret, and they are very wary of you now!"
My secret?
Taro was stunned. Does he mean my connections with pirates and the Revolutionary Army?
That shouldn't be it. If that were the case, wouldn't they just send someone to kill me?
Aokiji's words plunged Taro into deep thought. It couldn't be that my identity as a transmigrator has been exposed, right?
By the time Taro came back to his senses and chased after him, Aokiji was nowhere to be seen.
Damn it, you guy, being so cryptic is really annoying!
Taro felt irritated and curled his lips speechlessly.
"Vice Admiral, Admiral Kuzan just left Sabaody." Mike popped up from somewhere again and approached Taro.
"Mhm." Taro gave a faint response without saying much. Aokiji's words had left a lump in his heart, making him feel particularly uneasy.
"Vice Admiral, did he come to see you because he wanted you to support him in succeeding as Fleet Admiral?" Mike hesitated for a moment before asking.
Taro looked at Mike in surprise. "Old Mike, you know about this?"
Mike puffed out his chest and said proudly, "Of course! When Fleet Admiral Sengoku stepped down, he proposed to the Fleet Admiral that Admiral Aokiji should take over, but the government higher-ups are more inclined toward Admiral Akainu."
Holy crap, shouldn't this kind of thing only be circulating among the Marine high-ranking officers?
"Where did this news come from?"
This was something that should have been kept secret, but now even Mike knows. Someone must be behind this.
Mike scratched his head. "Uh, I'm not sure about that, but I heard about it shortly after returning to Sabaody yesterday. Now, almost the entire Sabaody base should know."
Taro's face darkened upon hearing this. As expected, someone was deliberately spreading this matter in the Sabaody Archipelago.
"Mike, immediately notify George and strictly forbid all Marine Soldiers from discussing this."
Mike was stunned for a moment, then heard Taro shout angrily, "Go now!"
After Mike left, Taro frowned. Someone who knew this news must have a high status in the Marines or the World Government.
Did the other party choose to spread this news in Sabaody to test my reaction?
Was it done by the CP0 members Aokiji told me to be careful of?
Or were Aokiji's words just now also part of this test?
Taro smelled a conspiracy!
Bulu bulu bulu...
Taro's private den den mushi suddenly rang.
"Is this Taro? It's me, Hina!"
"Uh, Hina, how have you been lately? You're back at the G4 Base, right?" Taro was a bit surprised to receive Hina's call.
"I'm fine, I just got back to the base three days ago. What about you, are you okay?"
"I'm doing pretty well too, haha!" Taro gave a couple of awkward chuckles.
Sigh, the misunderstanding with Hina seems to be getting more and more troublesome. It would have been better to clear it up sooner.
After greeting each other, both fell silent. After a while, Taro rubbed his stiff face. "Hina, did you call me for something?"
"Can't I call you if there's nothing?" This time, Princess Vivi's voice came from the other end of the den den mushi.
Taro was stunned. "Vivi? Why are you with Hina?"
"Ain asked me to tell you to come back as soon as possible." Vivi seemed very dissatisfied with Taro, and her tone was not very friendly.
"Hina, I've said what I needed to say. Thank you, I'm heading back now!"
"Hey, Vivi, wait, make yourself clear!" Taro hurriedly shouted at the den den mushi.
"She's already gone. I heard her mention that it seems to be about Teacher Zephyr."
Taro was startled. Teacher Zephyr is about to set out to sea!
"Mhm, I understand. I'll settle the matters at the Sabaody Archipelago and head back immediately!"
...Sabaody Archipelago, nearby waters, the sea surface.
Aokiji stopped his bicycle and was also on a call, holding a den den mushi.
"Taro didn't support me; he supports Sakazuki to succeed as Fleet Admiral."
"Understood, Kuzan!"
On the other end of the den den mushi, after a long silence, Sengoku's voice came through. He gave a disdainful snort.
"Tch, those bastards. To think that a Taro like this would still arouse their suspicion—they really are a bunch of senile old fools!"
Since stepping down from that position, this former Fleet Admiral's personality seemed to have become increasingly erratic, and his speech more daring.
"Kuzan, what are your plans?" Sengoku asked after finishing his complaint.
"Sengoku, you're just a semi-reclusive retired old man now, so don't worry too much." Aokiji responded lazily and hung up with a "click."
Then he got on his bicycle and headed toward the open sea.
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