The moment the opponent's Sword Qi appeared, Taro received a system prompt. Before he could get excited, that overwhelmingly domineering Sword Qi was already before his eyes.
"It's over, I went too far."
Taro thought in despair.
"Bang!"
A fist suddenly appeared and violently struck that Sword Qi. The Sword Qi deviated slightly, grazing past Taro's ear and flying toward the distant sky, only managing to slice off a few stray hairs near his temple.
The high-speed slicing Sword Qi tore through the air, exploding near Taro's ear, causing a ringing in his head where he could hear nothing.
It was Garp!
Taro was so moved he almost shed tears. Old Man Garp, you are too kind; you saved my life at this critical moment.
Taro saw Garp's mouth move a few times, saying something, but Taro was temporarily deaf and couldn't hear anything.
He looked back towards Hawkeye; Mihawk's lips were also moving slightly, seemingly speaking as well.
Taro raised his hand, covered his ears with his palm, and rubbed them; his hearing finally recovered a little.
"I am Dracule Mihawk. Marine, state your name!"
Just as his hearing recovered a bit, he heard Hawkeye asking questions. Taro subconsciously replied, "Taro."
Hawkeye stared at Taro, observing him carefully for a while,
"I remember you!"
The small boat beneath his feet began to move again, slowly drifting into the distance.
It wasn't until Hawkeye's small boat, which looked like a coffin lid, disappeared that Garp laughed heartily and clapped Taro heavily on the shoulder, "Haha, you are quite good!"
After speaking, he turned and returned to the cabin.
The Marine Soldiers on deck instantly erupted in cheers, one wave higher than the last.
"Taro is too strong!"
"He absolutely has the strength of an Admiral!"
"Facing the slash of the World's Strongest Swordsman without changing expression and standing firm—too powerful!"
"This is probably strength surpassing an Admiral; even an Admiral wouldn't dare to take Hawkeye's slash head-on!"
Taro was stunned. Hey, did you guys misunderstand something? How could I have the strength of an Admiral? When did I stand firm without changing expression? When did I take it head-on? Are you all blind?
I was scared stiff, okay?
"When Mihawk finally asked for Taro's name, I nearly died of fright!"
"Yes, the tone and expression Taro used when stating his name were simply unmatched!"
"That's right, when we get back to headquarters, I must tell everyone how powerful Taro is!"
"Exactly, Taro is the light of the marines for us Marines; his story must be known by more people!"
"light of the marines!"
"light of the marines!"
"light of the marines!"
"..."
Taro opened his mouth silently. Damn it, what are you guys trying to do? What do you mean 'tell everyone,' and 'light of the marines'?
You guys want me dead!
Looking at the Marines surrounding him, gazing at him with worshipful eyes and cheering excitedly, Taro felt like crying but had no tears. He raised his right hand and waved weakly:
"Hey, stop for a moment, listen to me, things aren't what you think!"
"Let me explain!"
"You don't need to explain!" Sergeant Mike appeared out of nowhere. "We saw everything. You faced such a powerful existence as Hawkeye Mihawk without a trace of fear, bravely stepping forward for the honor of our Marines,"
As Sergeant Mike spoke, tears welled up in his eyes, "You are a true Marine, worthy of the glorious title, light of the marines."
"When you finally brushed your temple and stated your name in a calm and solemn tone, even Mihawk was stunned. We witnessed all of this!"
Taro looked at Mike, who was immersed in his own imagined world, and his lips moved as he was about to speak.
Sergeant Mike held out his hand to stop Taro, looking at him with adoration, "Vice Admiral Garp also told Mihawk at that time that you are the most promising person in our Marines. If Mihawk continued to attack you, the Marines would go to war with him!"
Taro was completely speechless. This must have been the conversation between Garp and Mihawk during the time he was deaf.
Is this old man Garp senile? Can't you see my true capabilities?
...Captain's Lounge.
Garp held the den den mushi, his expression serious. "How is it, Sengoku, have you made up your mind?"
"I believe what you said, Garp." Sengoku's voice came from the other end of the den den mushi. "Taro indeed has great potential." After a moment of thought, he continued, "I agree to promote Taro to Marine Warrant Officer. As for your suggestion to directly promote him to Major, neither I nor Marineford agrees."
"This suggestion is too much. You yourself said he only possesses the potential of an Admiral. Even though he dared to face Hawkeye, his current strength is not strong. Promoting him directly to Major would make him a laughingstock of the entire Marine force."
Garp snorted, "Are you and those old fellows in the World Government both confused? He absolutely can become an existence that equals or even surpasses an Admiral! I can guarantee it!"
"That is not for now," Sengoku's voice didn't change much, remaining very calm. "Abruptly rising to a high position will not be good for him."
"Old friend, the matter of him clashing with Mihawk will spread throughout the world sooner or later. By then, countless people will seek him out for fame..."
"Bring him back to Marineford. The new term of the Marine training camp..."
While Sengoku was rambling on, Garp snorted in dissatisfaction and hung up the den den mushi... On a lounge chair at the stern of the warship, Taro squinted his eyes, trying hard to recall the plot of Pirate King.
"When I arrived in this world, the protagonist Luffy had just set sail. About 20 days have passed now; I wonder where the plot is up to?"
"I remember Luffy met Sanji, and Mihawk also appeared then. Since I encountered Hawkeye today, does that mean the plot is currently around the Baratie Restaurant?"
"Who's next? Arlong?"
"I need to pay more attention to intelligence..."
"Sigh, the world is getting more chaotic. Right now, besides some street-fighting moves, I only have Garp's Fist of Rock Meteor and the Mihawk Slash I just learned."
"If this continues, it's dangerous. I could be killed at any moment."
"I can't take risks like today again."
"Stay steady, develop cautiously first."
Just as Taro was lost in thought, a shadow fell over him.
"Taro..."
A voice full of vigor sounded near his ear.
Taro opened his eyes and hurriedly stood up from the lounge chair. "Ah, Vice Admiral Garp, I haven't thanked you..."
Garp waved his big hand, stopping Taro from continuing, "You are a member of the Marines, and he is a pirate after all. There's no need for thanks."
"I came to find you to tell you that starting now, you are a Marine Warrant Officer."
"Your name is already known at Headquarters; I believe it will soon spread throughout the entire world!"
Garp actually burst out laughing at the end.
Taro was dumbfounded.
You all want me dead!