After Prody explained the whole situation, Garp thought for a while.
"Go and prepare the things he wants!"
Prody's eyes widened, and his entire face contorted again.
"Garp, you should know, I... towards him..."
Garp interrupted Prody.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm well aware. Back then, when I told you old fellows about some of Taro's ideas, I never expected you to support him. I just wanted to remind you not to get in his way!"
Upon hearing this, Prody instantly lost his composure.
"old fellow, are you saying that we are stumbling blocks?"
"Hahahaha, those are your words, I didn't say that!" Garp laughed for a while.
Then, he reined in his laughter and said solemnly,
"Officially, that kid is now the Great Staff Officer. It wouldn't be improper for you to treat his words as orders!"
"Personally, I know his character very well. Unless you were intentionally making things difficult for him, he has always respected his Seniors and would never speak that way!"
"Old friend, even if you wanted to test him, you chose the wrong method!"
Prody's breath hitched, and he gave a soft snort.
"Do I have to apologize to him?"
"That won't be necessary. Just prepare what he asked for. He won't dwell on such small matters," Garp comforted him.
But to Prody's ears, this comfort sounded more like mockery.
He snorted again.
"Wait a moment, I'll go give the orders first, then we can continue."
...As Taro was about to leave, the Major who had led him there was actually waiting at the door.
"Great Staff Officer, Vice Admiral Prody isn't really that kind of person..."
Taro glanced at him and waved his hand dismissively.
"It's fine, I didn't care to begin with!"
Hearing Taro's tone, the Major's expression became even more awkward. For a moment, he didn't know what to say, then he heard Taro ask,
"In which direction is Totto Land?"
The Major was stunned, pointed a finger, and then hesitated.
"Great Staff Officer, I think you should wait a bit longer. Vice Admiral Prody isn't usually like this, he must..."
Taro didn't want to wait any longer and was about to stop him from continuing.
Just then, a Quartermaster ran out from the Marine dining hall.
"Lord Great Staff Officer! Lord Great Staff Officer!"
Taro looked back. "That's me."
The Quartermaster gave a military salute.
"By order of Vice Admiral Prody, the Doughnuts and black tea you requested have been prepared!"
Taro was stunned for a moment before breaking into a smile.
"Thank you, I appreciate the hard work! Pack them in a bag for me, I'll come pick them up in a moment!"
The Major was also stunned, but soon became overjoyed. It seemed Vice Admiral Prody had also realized he couldn't afford to be on bad terms with the Great Staff Officer.
"Great Staff Officer, please wait. I'll go get the map right away!"
Totto Land, Wheat Island.
Under the cover of night, Taro went deep into the sea area controlled by the Big Mom Pirates.
The cloyingly sweet scent permeating the air almost knocked him out of the sky.
Holy crap, living in a place like this, aren't they afraid of getting diabetes?
No wonder these guys all seem to be not quite right in the head!
Is this a place where a normal person can stay?
Taro had come to find Katakuri. He couldn't rely on the Marine intelligence System, the Whitebeard Pirates Remnants couldn't find anyone, and Red Hair was enjoying his honeymoon in the East Blue.
He could only hope that the Big Mom Pirates' intelligence would be more effective!
Conveniently, he had said before that he would come to find Katakuri anyway.
This was an island full of wheat and flour themes. The largest building on the island was a white castle shaped like a grain of wheat, appearing as if it were piled up with flour.
After circling in the air a few times, Taro landed.
His Internal Energy surged and quickly spread out. Every living being inside the castle was within his perception.
Almost at the same time, Katakuri's eyes turned cold, his gaze moving past Charlotte Brulee, who was chattering in front of him.
Swish!
Katakuri suddenly stood up, his Aura intensifying.
"Brother Katakuri, what's wrong?" Brulee asked, confused.
"Brulee, go back!" Katakuri said in a cold tone without looking at her.
Brulee stood dazed for a moment, not moving.
Katakuri walked to her side, grabbed her shoulder, and threw her toward the mirror hanging on the wall.
"Ah! Brother Katakuri...!"
The moment Katakuri reacted, Taro also locked onto his position. With a light tap of his feet, he approached rapidly.
Clink... clink...
Katakuri slowly walked to the center of the hall. With every step, the metal spurs on his boots jingled.
Taro pushed open the heavy doors and walked in!
"You, you...! Taro, you dare break into Totto Land, into Mama's territory!"
Brulee poked half her body out from the mirror on the wall, shouting at Taro with a face full of terror and rage.
"Are you tired of living? Do you know where you are?"
Taro glanced at the loudmouthed old witch and ignored her.
"Katakuri, I brought you something, and while I'm here, I want to ask you about a few things!"
He smiled amiably and casually tossed the large cloth bag he was carrying over.
Katakuri reached out and caught it. He took a quick look inside, his expression shifted slightly, and then he looked coldly at Taro.
"The work of a Marine chef, taste it and see how it is," Taro said with a smile.
"Of course, if you want to fight first, that's fine too!"
Katakuri casually tossed the bag aside. With a flick of his wrist, the Trident tsuchiryū was in his hand.
"Back on Sicily Island, there were always some messy people interrupting. This time, it's time to reach a final conclusion!"
Taro smiled at his words.
"Isn't that a coincidence? The thing I want to ask you about is also related to a 'conclusion'!"
"Let's fight inside. If the commotion is too big and draws others to interfere, you won't be satisfied either, right?"
He pointed to the mirror where Brulee was hiding.
"In your dreams! You think you can just break in alone... Brother Katakuri!"
Brulee began to wail, but then she saw Katakuri himself walking toward her and let out a startled cry.
Taro also walked toward her at the same time.
"Brulee, take us in," Katakuri said in a low voice.
Brulee's expression changed several times, and she glared hatefully at Taro.
She reached out both hands, lightly touched the two of them,
And then retreated into the Mirror World.
Taro only felt his body become light. The mirror surface, like the surface of a lake, shimmered with ripples.
The next second, he was already inside the mirror.
After the two entered, they didn't say much, each backing away a distance.
Katakuri stared at Brulee for a moment, and she only then realized she should retreat far away.
Taro glanced at Brulee, then looked back at Katakuri.
"We both know each other's strength pretty well. There's no need for further testing. How about we go all out?"
Katakuri's head lowered slightly, his nose almost buried in his scarf. He didn't answer.
However, the ground beneath his feet instantly turned into mochi, entering the state of Fruit Awakening.
Taro didn't hesitate either. He drew thunderstorm, and his entire body's Internal Energy surged frantically.
"Mochi-Mochi Fruit Awakening!"
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