"Marineford transmits to the Marineford base: All Marine officers at the rank of Vice Admiral and above, please proceed to the headquarters Meeting Hall immediately!"
"Repeating, Marineford..."
Taro was stunned when he heard this broadcast echoing throughout all of Marineford. He certainly knew what this broadcast signified; he just hadn't expected Sengoku to move so quickly.
"Bulu bulu bulu..."
"This is Taro, who is this?"
Taro was startled by the sudden ringing of the den den mushi and answered with a heavy heart.
"Taro, did you hear the broadcast? You come as well!" Vice Admiral Tsuru's voice came through the den den mushi.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, isn't it for Vice Admirals and above..."
"If I tell you to come, then come. Don't say another word!"
Click
Taro held the hung-up den den mushi, took a deep breath, composed himself, and pushed open the door to leave.
When he arrived at the Meeting Hall, about twenty Marine Vice Admirals had already gathered inside, most of whom Taro did not recognize.
Among the few people he did know, Vice Admiral Momonga seemed to hold the highest status, sitting near the front of the Vice Admiral section.
Then there were Doberman, Onigumo, Yamakaji, and Stoloberry. Taro even spotted the Training Camp instructor, John Jaennd, in the crowd; his massive frame was simply too conspicuous.
When the crowd saw Taro appear, they were all slightly taken aback, surprised that a Rear Admiral like Taro would show up here.
However, they quickly looked away. They knew it was impossible for Taro to have barged in without permission, and since everyone generally acknowledged Taro's strength, no one raised any questions despite their surprise.
John Jaennd also saw Taro. Because Taro had tricked him before, resulting in him being disciplined by Vice Admiral Tsuru, he didn't give Taro a good look this time.
Taro gave him an awkward smile, but John Jaennd merely gave a cold snort and turned his head away.
My social standing is truly ridiculously poor; in this room full of people, not a single person is willing to give me a smile.
Taro curled his lip and quietly sat down cross-legged at the very end of the row.
After a long time, just as a slight commotion began to stir within the hall, there was finally movement outside the Meeting Hall.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Great Staff Officer Tsuru, and the three headquarters Admirals have arrived!"
The atmosphere in the Meeting Hall suddenly became solemn. The Vice Admirals straightened their bodies and sat up tall.
Taro knew what was about to be discussed, and his heart felt heavy, making him appear listless.
Sengoku sat at the head of the table with Vice Admiral Tsuru beside him, while the Three Admirals took their seats at the very front below them.
Taro noticed several empty seats between the Three Admirals and the Vice Admiral section. Thinking about it, those were likely for Garp and other Vice Admirals.
For instance, the future Admiral Candidates 'Tokikake' and 'Momousagi' were said to be permanently stationed at Mary Geoise, and Taro had not met them yet.
Ahem
Sengoku cleared his throat to draw everyone's attention, then scanned the room and spoke:
"Today's meeting is a top secret of Marineford!"
"No one is permitted to leak anything I am about to say!"
"Otherwise, it will be treated as rebellion!"
Sengoku's stern voice made everyone present shudder.
"Yes!"
The crowd responded in unison.
Taro hesitated, his brow furrowed deeply, and his lips trembled slightly.
Sengoku nodded with satisfaction and was about to speak, but Vice Admiral Tsuru spoke first. She looked at Taro with a strange expression.
"Rear Admiral Taro, do you seem to have something you wish to say?"
Swish
Everyone's eyes simultaneously snapped toward Taro. Taro stood there stunned, and Sengoku also noticed Taro's deep frown, becoming somewhat dissatisfied.
"What do you want to say?"
Taro's gaze first swept over the group of Marine Vice Admirals, then passed over the Three Admirals one by one, then Vice Admiral Tsuru, and finally landed on Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
Sengoku was greatly annoyed by Taro's reaction, and the Aura on his body surged. "What exactly do you want to say? If you won't speak, then..."
Taro slowly stood up, his own Aura also erupting violently, interrupting Sengoku's words.
"Oh, how scary, young man!" Kizaru muttered.
Akainu stared at Taro with a sharp gaze, while Aokiji pushed his eye mask up slightly.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I request a recess. I have some words I wish to speak with you!"
As soon as Taro's request for a recess left his mouth, the hall instantly fell into chaos. The meeting had only just begun, and the agenda hadn't even been revealed yet—what kind of recess was this!
Hearing Taro's words, Sengoku became even more infuriated. He slammed the table and stood up.
"Do you know what you are saying?"
Taro stood his ground. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, do you know what you want to say?"
Gasp
The Vice Admirals cried out in a low, collective gasp. This was incredible; Rear Admiral Taro was going head-to-head with Fleet Admiral Sengoku again.
Vice Admiral Tsuru stood up at this moment. "Silence!"
She glanced at Taro, then at Sengoku, and finally exchanged looks with the Three Admirals.
"Two-hour recess!"
After saying this, she was the first to walk out of the Meeting Hall. At the door, she turned back and shouted at Taro, who was still in a standoff with Sengoku, "What are you still standing there for? Get over here!"
Hearing Vice Admiral Tsuru's urge, Taro's Aura instantly deflated. He felt grateful toward this Old Lady who had helped him many times and had secured this opportunity for him.
The Fleet Admirals Office.
Sengoku stared at Taro in a rage. "Speak. If you cannot give a reasonable explanation, you will..."
"Ahem," Vice Admiral Tsuru coughed heavily, stopping Sengoku from continuing, and then looked at Taro. "Alright, now that it's just us, you can speak!"
"Fleet Admiral, do you really believe your plan can bring peace back to the seas?"
From the moment he left the Meeting Hall, Taro had been thinking about how to persuade Sengoku. He remained silent for a long time before finally speaking.
Vice Admiral Tsuru glanced at Sengoku.
"We have already considered this question. This is an opportunity, and if handled well enough..."
Taro shook his head. "Vice Admiral Tsuru, it won't. This will only make things worse."
"You know my plan?" Sengoku suddenly spoke up. "Where did you learn of it?"
From the moment Taro requested a recess, Sengoku had judged that Taro seemed to know what he intended to do. Could the news have leaked?
Clarifying this point was the ultimate reason Sengoku had agreed to the recess. As for canceling the plan, Sengoku had never considered it, nor would the World Government agree.
Taro was silent for a good while. "Yes. From the moment I saw Ace on Banaro Island, I thought of this possibility!"
"How scary, such sharp insight!" Kizaru spoke slowly.
Taro ignored Kizaru and continued to stare at Sengoku. "Fleet Admiral, this will ultimately only result in a lose-lose situation."
"If we can deal a heavy blow to those lawless pirates, what does it matter if both sides suffer?"
Sengoku's hair and beard bristled. "This era has been chaotic for long enough. It is time to end it!"
"When the snipe and the clam fight, it is the fisherman who benefits, Fleet Admiral!" Taro said urgently.
---------------------------------
I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! If the story has you hooked and you can't wait to see what happens next, you can unlock 30 chapters in advance over on my Patreon: patreon.com/TLHimejima1
Every bit of support means the world to me so if you're loving the ride, don't forget to drop a Power Stone and let me know.