"It's fine, Betty! If necessary, I'll send Crow to find you!"
Click
After hanging up the den den mushi, Koala, who was sitting on the balcony railing, jumped down. "Leader, does the story you just mentioned refer to...?"
Dragon's expression was incredibly solemn. "Taro once told me a story, a story of a great kingdom with a Legacy spanning 5,000 years."
As he spoke, he looked at Koala. "Notify the East Blue, make sure to invite the 'lamp of revolution' Nico Robin to Baltigo! There are some things I want to confirm."
"Also, tell Sabo to go to the East Blue to take over Betty's command of the Eastern Army!"
Koala hesitated for a moment. "Leader, Sabo just regained his memories. Can we tell him about Ace's matter as well?"
Dragon thought about it and shook his head. "We aren't clear about Taro's plan yet, so let's wait a bit longer. Don't tell Sabo that Ace is still alive for now."
"Yes, Leader!" Koala took the order and left... One day later, Alabasta, Nanohana Port.
Hina looked at Taro getting off the ship with a face full of joy and walked up quickly to meet him.
"Taro, you're back!"
Taro revealed a slight smile. "Hina, hello!"
Hina nodded with a smile, then pointed at the Marine Soldiers following behind Taro with some confusion.
"Why do they have those expressions when they see me? Hina doesn't understand!"
Taro looked back at the group of Marine Soldiers with strange looks in their eyes, his mouth twitching as he gritted his teeth and said:
"These guys have been neglecting their training. I'll arrange for them to undergo desert combat training in a bit!"
The Marine Soldiers were looking at their Vice Admiral with gossip-filled faces, wondering how Taro would explain the 'Vice Admiral's Wife' staying in the cabin to Hina.
Suddenly hearing Taro's words, they no longer had the leisure to admire the green grassland on top of Hina's head, and they immediately broke into a chorus of wails.
Think you can stab me in the back? As if I can't deal with you lot.
Hina didn't think much of it; after all, they were Taro's subordinates. She turned to speak of another matter.
"Yesterday, Marineford was invaded by the Straw Hat boy again. You know about it, right?"
Oh? Luffy is awake?
Seeing Taro's confusion, Hina took a newspaper from her adjutant.
"Straw Hat Luffy, Silvers Rayleigh, and the Fishman Jinbe—the three of them did it..."
Taro took the newspaper and immediately saw Luffy on the front-page photo with '3D2Y' on his arm, then said casually:
"Right now, the main forces of Marineford have been dispatched to various branches for support. With the strength of those three, invading Marineford is nothing. At most, the Marines just lose some face."
Hina nodded. "True. Fleet Admiral Sengoku has stepped down, Vice Admiral Garp has resigned, and the Marine high command is in turmoil. They really can't manage that much."
"Alright, Hina, let's go. How has Teacher Zephyr been lately?" Compared to the Marines' reputation and Luffy's activities, Taro cared more about those related to him.
"You should have noticed on your way back that there are very few pirates. This is all thanks to Teacher Zephyr; he has helped Alabasta repel several pirate attacks."
Hina's eyes showed respect and pride. "Afterward, we conducted several more expeditions and cleared the entire route. This should be the most peaceful sea area now."
Hearing this, Taro's heart sank. "In other words, there are no pirates left around here?"
Hina naturally understood Taro's meaning. While there were no pirates nearby, there were plenty in the Four Seas and other parts of the Grand Line.
"Yes, Teacher Zephyr has mentioned several times that he wants to lead a fleet on an expedition. We don't know how to persuade him. Hina is very sorry!" Hina frowned slightly and said guiltily.
Taro waved his hand. "No, it's not your fault. Let's go. I'll go see Teacher Zephyr first."
The two then headed toward the mouth of the St. Dora River.
On the warship, Betty, dressed in a Marine uniform, stood by the ship's railing, gazing at their retreating figures.
"Hey, I'm asking you, who is that?" Betty gestured with the cigarette in her mouth and asked the Marine Soldier on guard next to her.
The Marine Soldier nervously gave a military salute. "Reporting to the Vice Admiral's Wife, that is Colonel Hina of Marineford!"
"Oh? What's their relationship?" Betty took a puff of smoke and followed up with interest, a hint of a smile appearing on her lips.
It's over, it's over. Vice Admiral Taro, your backyard grapevine has fallen! Danger!
The Marine Soldier immediately broke into a cold sweat, looking at his companions with a pleading gaze.
The surrounding Marine Soldiers scattered the moment Betty showed that mysterious smile, pretending they hadn't heard a thing.
"This, this..." The Marine Soldier stammered for a while before finally crying out, "Vice Admiral's Wife, we're going to do desert training now!"
After saying that, he dashed off the bow of the ship.
The other Marines also reacted quickly, shouting and running off the warship.
"Hey, don't you need to stay on the ship? Do you know you're deserting your posts?"
Betty shouted down from the ship.
The Marine Soldiers' footsteps faltered for a moment, then they ran away even faster.
Betty frowned. What was wrong with Taro's troops? They switched between being unreliable and extremely reliable far too casually.
Then, she returned to the lounge to pack her luggage and also jumped off the bow to follow them.
Elmal District.
From a great distance, he could see Zephyr's burly figure. Taro felt anxious and flew over.
"Teacher Zephyr, I'm back! Are you doing well?" After landing at the pier, Taro walked quickly to Zephyr's side and supported his teacher's arm.
"Hahaha, you brat, you're finally back. You've been making quite a stir lately. I'm doing fine!"
Zephyr seemed very happy to see his favorite Disciple, his huge mechanical arm making "clack, clack" sounds as he clenched his fist.
Taro scratched his head. "Hehe!"
Then, he looked at Benz and Ain. "Are you two doing well too?"
The two nodded in affirmation. Seeing Benz's hesitant expression and knowing what he wanted to say, Taro waved his hand to stop him.
"Let's go back first before talking!"
The current Elmar had already built several wide avenues connecting the town, the pier, and the industrial area.
Benz and Ain's abilities were twice as effective at sand prevention and soil stabilization. Taro was very satisfied looking at the dense forests on both sides of the road. It wouldn't be long before Elmar became the largest oasis in this kingdom.
"Taro, Whitebeard is dead, and the Four Seas are in an uproar. Now that you're back, I'm going to continue hunting pirates."
Inside the newly built Elmal District Administrative Hall, Zephyr immediately voiced his thoughts.
Taro glanced at Benz and Ain, thought for a moment, and nodded. "Yes, Teacher Zephyr, I support your idea."
Before Taro could even finish speaking, Hina and Ain were already looking astonished, Benz could hardly hide the disappointment in his eyes, and even Zephyr was stunned for a moment.
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