Akainu's mood seemed much better than Taro had imagined, as he answered almost without hesitation,
"This old man only heard it was a Devil Fruit; I'm not clear on what specific fruit it was!"
He paused, pondered for a moment, then added nonchalantly,
"However, this old man reckons it couldn't have been any powerful fruit! Otherwise, they would have just killed Who's-Who on the spot, why bother imprisoning him?"
Akainu spoke lightly, but Taro's expression was one of extreme shock. He almost immediately confirmed that the fruit Who's-Who had been escorting was the Gomu Gomu no Mi that Luffy ate!
In the original story, the Red Hair Pirates mentioned that they stole that Gomu Gomu no Mi from an enemy ship!
Holy shit, is the Gomu Gomu no Mi ability some kind of Heaven-Defying, chosen power?
Taro's shocked expression was accurately mimicked by the den den mushi and transmitted over. Akainu frowned.
"Taro, why that look on your face? Did you think of something again?"
Taro rubbed his face, calming his emotions a bit.
"No, I'm just a bit shocked hearing about these past events, that's all!"
"So, how did Who's-Who end up becoming one of Kaido's Tobi Roppo?"
Akainu snorted coldly. "Hmph, what else could it be? That guy escaped from prison!"
As he spoke, his tone grew even more disdainful.
"A mere CP spy actually managed to escape from a prison in Marijoa. Those old fellows, the Gorosei, really are...!"
At this point, Akainu realized it wasn't good to say such things and promptly shut his mouth.
However, his inner contempt was genuine.
In terms of Devil Fruit abilities, the Magu Magu no Mi possesses the strongest offensive power.
In terms of physical techniques, the Six Powers, Akainu is also somewhat proficient.
Swordsmanship is even his old specialty!
He is confident that in this world, there are few who could fight him to a draw!
He, Akainu, is number one under heaven!
Therefore, someone like Who's-Who simply doesn't even enter his field of vision!
Taro, however, began to ponder. From Akainu's meaning, he truly didn't know that Who's-Who was escorting the Gomu Gomu no Mi.
Moreover, the fact that Luffy is a rubber man is hardly a secret.
That kid basically says 'I'm a rubber man who ate the Gomu Gomu no Mi' every time he fights someone.
All his Moves are 'Gomu Gomu no [Something]'; it's hard for others not to know.
Yet, the attitude of everyone in the Marine towards Luffy is solely because he is a pirate and the 'evil' deeds he's done, not because of his identity as a Gomu Gomu no Mi user!
This indicates that the entire Marine is unaware of any special significance the Gomu Gomu no Mi might have!
Back then, when Luffy had only just defeated Crocodile with a bounty of 100 million Berries, his wanted poster was placed on the Gorosei's desk. Looking at it now, that speaks volumes!
Back then, did Who's-Who obtain this fruit in the East Blue and was about to escort it back? Or was he escorting it from somewhere to the East Blue, only to be intercepted by Shanks in the end?
Shanks stayed in Foosha Village for a full year back then. During that time, he went to sea multiple times. Was he searching for the Gomu Gomu no Mi?
Then, how did he know the approximate time and location where the Gomu Gomu no Mi would appear?
Taro pondered for a while but still felt that the inherent strength of the Gomu Gomu no Mi's ability wasn't the key point.
The key should be some kind of'symbolic meaning' it possesses!
Furthermore, regarding this'symbolic meaning,' perhaps only Imu on the World Government's side knows about it. The Gorosei most likely just follow orders.
On the pirate side, probably only those like the Roger Pirates, who have reached the final island Laugh Tale, would know.
Joy Boy?
After all, in Taro's view, when you get down to it, the Gomu Gomu no Mi is just an ordinary Paramecia-type fruit.
He really couldn't think of any damn use for the Gomu Gomu no Mi.
Hmm... if it were Shirahoshi, it might be a bit useful?
"Pah, pah!"
What am I thinking?
Taro spat twice.
Hearing Taro spit twice, Akainu on the other end of the den den mushi instantly darkened his expression.
"Taro, are you looking down on what I just said?"
"Huh?" Taro was momentarily stunned. He recalled what Akainu had just said, then suddenly understood.
"Hey, I say Sakazuki, don't be so sensitive. I wasn't spitting at you just now!"
Taro was speechless. What's wrong with the Marines these days? From top to bottom, they all seem to have some psychological issues?
"I was thinking, those old fellows above had something stolen, and they just threw Who's-Who in prison? No other reaction?"
Hearing Taro refer to the Gorosei as 'old fellows' just like he did, Akainu's expression improved.
"Those old fellows, even after Donquixote Doflamingo stole the Celestial Dragons' Tribute, they still invited him to become a Warlord of the Sea. What other reaction could you expect?"
"What, are they going to make the pirate who stole that fruit a 'Four Emperor'?"
The truth is out, my dog!
That guy really did become a Four Emperor!
Taro gave a thumbs-up and laughed out loud.
"Haha, yeah, you're absolutely right!"
The two Marine bigwigs openly complained about the Gorosei for a while.
Akainu seemed to have unburdened his heart and, surprisingly, chatted with Taro for quite some time, his tone calm.
Seeing the conversation was about done, Taro then spoke up.
"Sakazuki, there's something I need to tell you!"
"Speak!" Akainu waved his hand grandly, very magnanimous.
Taro said very casually,
"Teacher Zephyr is getting on in years now and is also ill. I'm going to bring the teacher back to G4 Base for a while!"
Akainu's breath hitched, and he was silent for a moment.
Taro raised an eyebrow, his tone hardening.
"What? Sakazuki, you were the one who said a few days ago that I should inform you of any actions first. Now I'm telling you, and you're not planning to agree?"
Upon hearing this, Akainu's breathing grew even heavier, choked into speechlessness.
"Bastard, did this old man say I disagree?" Akainu roared angrily.
"This old man was just thinking of a pretext to let Zephyr's fleet pass through Marijoa! You should know Zephyr has resigned from the Marine. Any application he makes to the World Government will definitely not be approved!"
Taro waved his hand, his tone softening.
"Don't trouble yourself with that. Only Teacher Zephyr himself will come. His forces will abide by the agreement and will not enter the Grand Line again!"
Akainu let out a heavy sigh and said gravely,
"If you've already made arrangements, why are you telling this old man? Such trivial matters need not be discussed with me in the future!"
"I wasn't discussing it with you in the first place! I was just notifying you!" Taro curled his lip.
"Taro!"
Akainu slammed his fist on the admiral's desk. He was practically driven mad with anger by Taro.
No matter the atmosphere, in the end, it always made him so angry he wanted to smash Taro against a wall.
This bastard!
"Well, if there's nothing else, that's all for today!" Taro paid no mind to Akainu's anger.
"Oh, right, one more thing. I'll be staying at G4 for a while. I'm taking a vacation! Don't bother me unless it's important!"
"You...!" Akainu cursed furiously.
However, before he could finish, Taro had already hung up the den den mushi.
Akainu held the receiver, stunned for a long moment. Feeling the words left unsaid was unbearable, he finally gritted his teeth after a good while and spat out,
"Bastard!"
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