Taro wished he could punch this guy to death. He said through gritted teeth, "It really is quite good, so good I want to die!"
The excited Old Mike didn't catch the abnormality in Taro's tone. Instead, he turned back and raised an eyebrow at the group of Marine Soldiers, as if saying,'See? I told you the Vice Admiral approved it!'
The Marine Soldiers naturally didn't know Taro's true feelings. They felt more and more that this flag was Taro's original intention, and their gazes toward him became even more reverent.
Taro felt his scalp go numb. He waved his hand, shooing those guys off the ship, and then fixed his stare on Mike.
"Mike, I think this flag is a bit too flashy. First..."
Taro was only halfway through when Mike excitedly interrupted him.
"No, it's not flashy at all! Vice Admiral, you are a Vice Admiral now. With the achievements you've made, no one can say anything even if it's flashier!"
Holy crap, I've already stepped on the 'Four Emperors.' How much flashier does it need to be?
"What I mean is, this flag will cause trouble for Marineford. The Fleet Admiral..."
Taro still wanted to reason with Mike, but once again, Mike cut him off.
"It won't! This design has already been reported to the Fleet Admiral for review. The Fleet Admiral was very satisfied and ordered me to hang it up immediately!"
What did you just say? Has Sengoku gone mad?
Taro was dumbfounded... In the Fleet Admiral's Office.
As soon as Taro pushed the door open, Sengoku waved him over and smiled, "Taro, you did a very good job this time!"
Huh? What?
Taro was a bit dazed, then heard Sengoku continue.
"That flag you designed has not only united the hearts of hundreds of thousands of Marines but also demonstrated our Marine determination to not fear pirates. This is very good!"
Taro was bewildered. He glanced at Vice Admiral Tsuru and Akainu, who were also in the office.
Because Vice Admiral Tsuru had learned about the relationship between her beloved subordinate and Taro yesterday, she was already very satisfied with him. Now, she was beaming with joy.
Even the cold-blooded Akainu gave Taro a rare nod today as a sign of approval.
"Fleet Admiral, I came to ask if that flag could be changed?" Taro asked cautiously.
"Change it? Why change it?" Sengoku asked with a smile, then became even more delighted. "Do you have an even better idea?"
Taro's mouth twitched. "No, it's not that."
"Then don't change it. This is the one." Sengoku declared with a wave of his hand!
Taro wanted to cry but had no tears. Composing himself, he tried to persuade Sengoku again. "But that flag wasn't designed by me. It was designed by my subordinate, Ensign Mike, so..."
Sengoku paused, looking as if he had realized something. "I see. You want to share the credit with your subordinates, right?"
"You are a Vice Admiral now. You can handle promotions for those below the rank of Major yourself; there's no need to be so cautious!"
"However, since you've spoken up, how about this? We'll promote Mike to Major at Headquarters. Are you satisfied now?"
Sengoku was clearly in a very good mood. Mike was promoted three ranks just like that, while Taro wanted to die even more.
Just as he was about to say something else, the "Wooo wooo wooo..." sound of alarms echoed throughout Marineford.
Sengoku's expression froze as he grabbed a den den mushi. "What's going on? Why was the alarm sounded?"
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, an emergency report just came from the Sabaody Archipelago."
"Speak!"
"The World Nobles, Rosward Saint's family, were attacked and taken hostage by the Straw Hat boy at the Sabaody Archipelago. The World Government is furious!"
Sengoku stood there in shock. It took him a while to snap out of it. He then scanned the people in the room and said into the den den mushi in a heavy voice, "Have Borsalino and Kuzan come here."
Taro was also stunned. Luffy and his crew had just defeated Moria the night before last, and they had already arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago and given a Celestial Dragon a beatdown!
Recalling Luffy's incredibly satisfying punch, a faint smile appeared on Taro's lips. He almost couldn't help laughing out loud.
Next up would be the slack-off master Kizaru. Taro figured Sengoku probably didn't have time to deal with him now, so he intended to take his leave. To his surprise, Sengoku spoke up and stopped him.
"Taro, stay for a moment!"
Huh?
Taro was confused. When a Celestial Dragon is attacked, Marine Headquarters must send an Admiral to suppress the situation. What does that have to do with me? I'm not one of Kizaru's subordinates!
Soon, Kizaru and Aokiji arrived. Now all the Marine big shots were present. The situation was urgent and allowed for no delay.
Aokiji, however, sat carelessly in a chair, pulled down his sleep mask, and said, "I just went out for the Enies Lobby incident. I won't be going this time."
Hearing Aokiji say this, Sengoku stopped looking at him and turned toward Akainu and Kizaru.
"The news of Ace's execution will be announced soon. I can't leave!" Akainu said in a deep voice, crossing his arms over his chest.
Now only Kizaru was left.
Kizaru also understood that he couldn't slack off anymore. So as soon as Akainu finished speaking, he stood up.
"How scary, the Straw Hat boy. Well then, let this old man go and take care of them this time!"
Taro's mouth twitched a few times. You're going there to take it easy, aren't you!
Sengoku nodded. "Borsalino, I'll leave it to you this time. Also, take Bartholomew Kuma with you."
"He failed to finish off the Straw Hat Pirates crew at Thriller Bark. He can't fail again this time!"
Taro almost couldn't hold it in. Fleet Admiral, you really know how to pick people. Excellent choice!
However, in the next second, he heard Sengoku continue, "Taro, you go along too."
Taro was shocked. Holy crap, what does this have to do with me?
I freaking don't want to stick my neck out for that bunch of parasites!
He looked blankly at Vice Admiral Tsuru, wanting to know the intention behind sending him.
Vice Admiral Tsuru also saw Taro's expression. Thinking that Taro wanted to pick up Hina and thus didn't want to go to Sabaody, she comforted him softly.
"It's okay. Carry out the order first. I'll explain it to Hina for you."
Hina? What does this have to do with Hina?
Taro was even more confused.
Sengoku also saw that Taro didn't want to go and explained patiently.
"Sail your warship over there and give those lawless pieces of sea trash a good scare!"
Holy crap, you all freaking want to drive me to my death!
Taro knew that a group of pirate 'Supernovas' was currently gathered at the Sabaody Archipelago. Although they combined were no match for Kizaru, there was a big shot living in seclusion on that island!
"How scary. The Marine's Supernova against the pirate Supernovas. Things are getting interesting!"
Kizaru's sarcastic remarks from the side further solidified Sengoku's determination to send Taro.
Damn it, you old sarcastic man!
Fine, if I have to go, I'll go. It's just a competition of acting skills. Who's afraid of whom!
"Fine, I'll go." Taro raised an eyebrow, glanced at Kizaru, and said through gritted teeth.
Hearing Taro agree to go, Sengoku's expression finally brightened, and he said with a smile, "Very good!"
At this moment, Sengoku would never have imagined that the three main forces he had carefully selected were all freaking actors.
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