Taro was interrupted by Yamakaji again, but he didn't get angry. He stared at Yamakaji for a while before nodding, "I understand."
Yamakaji felt a bit uneasy under Taro's gaze. He was naturally aware of Akainu destroying the refugee ship back then and had been very dissatisfied, but the government never held Akainu accountable afterward.
Moreover, Akainu had now been promoted to one of the Three Admirals of Marineford.
The conflict between Taro and Akainu was no secret in Marineford, but Yamakaji did not want to get involved in it.
Taro understood Yamakaji's tight-lipped attitude and stopped pushing further.
"Vice Admiral, it was a pleasure meeting you. Now, please excuse me, I shall take my leave!"
Yamakaji hadn't expected their first meeting to turn out like this. Who could have known Taro would speak so candidly on their first encounter?
With a sigh, Yamakaji ultimately didn't try to make him stay and let Taro depart.
Back on his ship, Taro's brow was furrowed. He still hadn't figured out Aokiji's intention for ordering him here, nor did he know if Aokiji was currently hiding somewhere nearby, observing in secret.
In his memory, the Marineford only dispatched warships after CP9's Spandam pressed the golden den den mushi for the Buster Call. Now, however, they had assembled in advance.
These changes made Taro afraid to act rashly. He had originally planned to join in the fun of the Battle of Enies Lobby!
"Rear Admiral Taro, the fleets of several Vice Admirals are advancing toward Enies Lobby!"
Mike suddenly pointed at the nearby fleet, urgently alerting Taro.
"Oh?" Taro stood up from his lounge chair. "Quick, follow them!"
Five Vice Admirals and one Rear Admiral, totaling 11 warships, arrived in the waters near Enies Lobby and lined up in a row.
Taro's warship was on the outermost edge. He stood at the bow, leaning slightly to look at the other warships. The Marine Soldiers were standing by, seemingly prepared for a bombardment.
"Mike, deploy all the lifeboats on the ship and evacuate the Marine families from the island first!"
Mike was stunned for a moment upon hearing Taro's command. "Rear Admiral, our ship can't accommodate that many..."
"I know that!" Taro turned around. "Save as many as we can. For those who can't get on the ship, distribute lifebuoys to them."
"If there aren't enough lifebuoys..." Taro paused. "Then let them find their own way to survive!"
"Yes, sir!"
A moment later, several lifeboats were lowered from Taro's ship, heading toward the Enies Lobby docks.
Seeing this, Vice Admiral Yamakaji frowned, but he soon issued a similar order.
"Vice Admiral Doberman, should we also send out..." the adjutant asked cautiously.
Like Akainu, Vice Admiral Doberman wore a red uniform and a red cloak. The scars on his face twisted slightly as he let out a snort, finally waving his hand.
The adjutant immediately left to carry out the order.
"Rear Admiral Taro, Rear Admiral Taro!" Mike ran out of the command room, panting.
Taro looked back and saw Mike's nervous face. "Hmm?"
"Rear Admiral, the silver den den mushi of Marineford received a request. Admiral Aokiji just ordered the activation of the 'Buster Call'. The target... the target is Enies Lobby!"
"I see. Go and prepare. Don't fire just yet; launch the attack in 15 minutes!"
Taro knew the Buster Call would inevitably be launched, so he wasn't surprised and simply gave the order calmly.
His calm demeanor also influenced Mike. Mike's nervous mood settled slightly, but he said with some hesitation:
"Rear Admiral, if we delay the bombardment and those Vice Admirals or Admiral Aokiji ask about it, how should we explain?"
Taro glanced at him sideways. "Do I need to explain to them?"
After a pause, he waved his hand again. "Forget it. Send a message to the Vice Admirals saying we should give the soldiers and civilians on the island 15 minutes to evacuate, and ask for their opinions!"
Mike finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes, sir!"
Soon, except for Doberman and Onigumo, the other three Vice Admirals expressed their agreement. Thus, four out of the six officers involved in the operation agreed to delay the bombardment. No matter how unwilling Doberman and Onigumo were, they could only comply.
"After 15 minutes, begin the bombardment immediately!"
The new order was quickly relayed. The Marine Soldiers on the 11 warships reacted swiftly, busying themselves at their respective posts to prepare for the bombardment.
Taro stood at the bow, staring blankly at the Enies Lobby Courthouse building, half of which had already been cut away.
"Bombardment begins in one minute!"
The shout of the messenger snapped Taro out of his daze. He turned his gaze toward the Bridge of Hesitation. A light mist had risen over the sea, obstructing his vision and making it difficult to see clearly.
Just then, with a loud "Boom," a tower near the start of the Bridge of Hesitation collapsed.
A massive fist smashed through the solid wall, appearing before the Marines with an overwhelming Aura.
The Marine Soldiers' eyes widened in surprise as they watched this scene.
"Thud,"
Something seemed to crash onto the deck of the warship next to Taro, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Taro looked sideways. As the dust cleared, a figure appeared—it was Lucci from CP9.
As members of a spy agency, the ordinary Marine Soldiers didn't recognize Lucci, so they all raised their guns and aimed at him. Fortunately, the commander of that warship, a Navy Lieutenant Commander, had some knowledge and stopped his subordinates.
"Since you've already arrived, why haven't you started firing?" Lucci patted the dust off his clothes, staring at the warship commander with cold eyes.
"This..." As the Navy Lieutenant Commander was about to speak, Taro landed on the deck in a flash.
"When we fire is none of your business; you just mind your own affairs."
Taro reached out to stop the Lieutenant Commander and spoke to Lucci lazily.
Killing intent flashed in Lucci's eyes, but seeing Taro in a Rear Admiral uniform, he was slightly surprised. The killing intent quickly faded as he scrutinized Taro again.
"Tch, what?" Taro didn't care about Lucci's gaze at all, his tone remaining indifferent. "Before defeating the pirates, do you want to go a few rounds with me?"
Lucci wished he could tear Taro to pieces right now, but remembering his battle wasn't over yet, he gave a cold snort.
Just then, a chubby figure launched toward the warship, transforming into a giant foot in mid-air.
"Boom!"
The warship was snapped in half at the middle.
"All Marines on board, evacuate immediately! Move!" Taro shouted.
"Wah, ahhh!"
The ship was in chaos. Luffy's attack was beyond the comprehension of these ordinary Marine Soldiers. Taro had no choice but to kick and shove the stunned soldiers onto nearby warships.
Slowly, the other Marine Soldiers also came to their senses and began to flee for their lives!
Taro had originally wanted to stay and watch the battle, but he was worried that doing so under the watchful eyes of everyone would arouse Aokiji's suspicion. He had no choice but to retreat to his own warship, intending to observe the situation further.
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