A wooden sailing ship appeared in view, sailing upstream against the current. Taro immediately spotted Binz at the bow, waving his arms at him.
After the group boarded the ship, Taro eagerly asked, "How is the teacher? Is he in good health?"
Hearing Taro mention Zephyr, Binz smiled and said:
"The teacher is doing well. He and Ain just went to Little Garden Island yesterday and probably won't be back for a few days."
Taro felt a slight regret, "Missed him, then."
He paused for a moment before continuing with a smile, "But it's good that the teacher is fine. How is Elmar?"
"Elmar is also doing great. It's changed a lot now; you'll be amazed when you see it later!"
Momousagi, who had been left aside, complained with dissatisfaction, "Taro, aren't you going to introduce us?"
In high spirits now, Taro decided not to dwell on her earlier teasing. "This is Binz, a student of Teacher Zephyr."
He then turned to introduce the others to Binz: "This is Vice Admiral Gion, and this is Colonel Tashigi!"
Momousagi exclaimed in surprise, "You're also Zephyr's student?"
Taro nodded, "Yes, it was actually Tashigi who sent me there, that's how I found Teacher Zephyr." He then gave Tashigi a grateful smile.
The small boat sailed downstream and soon reached its destination.
In the Elmal District, lush, vibrant trees had already grown along the banks of the St. Dora River.
Taro looked at Binz with an appreciative gaze, "Binz, well done!"
Binz chuckled, "Further downstream, the seawater desalination factory area is also under construction. Once it's finished, we'll have plenty of fresh water."
Taro nodded, "Good, excellent!"
Everyone disembarked and was met with a scene of bustling activity along the way.
There were burly men quarrying stones to build houses, women planting trees, and even more people heading downstream towards the currently most crucial seawater desalination factory construction project.
Momousagi and Tashigi looked at the various banners hanging around, utterly bewildered.
"More children, more trees, a happy life with ease!"
"To stop the sand, first fix the sand; building our home relies on everyone's hand!"
"Cherish the trees, protect the oasis on which we depend!"
"..."
They could read the words on the banners, but they felt strangely awkward, and the underlying meaning seemed odd.
Momousagi couldn't contain her curiosity any longer, "What do these banners mean?"
Delighted by the changes in Elmar, Taro casually replied, "They're slogans, propaganda banners!"
"Slogans?"
"You wouldn't understand even if I explained," Taro couldn't be bothered explaining concepts like 'propaganda banners', 'unity', or 'cohesion' to this native pirate-world dweller. He waved his hand dismissively, very perfunctory.
Momousagi instantly felt her breath catch, anger rising. Tashigi tugged at her sleeve, "Taro, did you come up with these?"
Looking at these slogans, Taro felt a touch of his past life's atmosphere and became somewhat carried away with pride.
"Of course..."
The moment the words left his mouth, he realized his mistake. He was still a Marine, and these two women were also Marines. This wasn't something to admit casually. So he quickly corrected himself,
"Of course not! Why would I, a Marine, get involved in such things? Haha!"
Binz looked puzzled, but seeing Taro frantically signaling him with his eyes, he didn't say anything more.
Momousagi's eyes held a contemplative look, clearly unconvinced. Just as she was about to say something, a beautiful girl with long blue hair walked towards them.
It was Princess Vivi.
The moment Princess Vivi appeared, Momousagi became alert, forgetting her previous suspicion. Her eyes darted back and forth between Vivi and Taro.
I knew it! Last time this guy came, he must have been here to meet a pretty girl.
She then glanced at Tashigi, only to see her expression hadn't changed at all. She felt even more helpless inwardly—Oh, this silly girl!
Finally, her gaze towards Vivi held a trace of hostility.
Princess Vivi had thought Taro was coming alone and was prepared to demand an explanation.
Now, seeing two tall, beautiful women by Taro's side, she felt even more resentful.
Here I am, eating sand in the desert every day, and you're living the easy life as an absentee boss, accompanied by beauties. How pleasant for you!
Her face immediately darkened, and her gaze towards Taro turned colder.
How could Taro possibly understand a woman's thoughts? He was still immersed in the excitement of the booming infrastructure project.
So much so that when he introduced both parties, he didn't even notice that neither side was giving him a friendly look.
The planning of Elmar's new urban area followed the design blueprint Taro had left behind.
The houses in the residential area were all built to a unified standard, looking neat and aesthetically pleasing. The streets were paved with crushed stones compacted flat, lined with street trees that Binz had accelerated with his ability.
The more Taro looked, the more satisfied he was, nodding frequently.
The largest building in the town was undoubtedly the 'Elmar First Experimental Primary School'.
It currently operated a nursery for children aged 3-5 and offered general education primary school courses for children aged 5-10.
In the future, there would be middle and high schools for ages 11-16. Taro even planned to include a university in the blueprint, but it was too early to discuss that now; it could be part of the next 'Five-Year Plan'.
"Ten years to grow a tree, a hundred years to nurture a person!"
After the inspection, Taro, the Grand Administrator of Elmar, declared thus.
"Um, Taro, trees don't need ten years. With me here, it's done in an instant!"
Binz reminded him in a low voice.
Taro glared at him. His well-prepared, inspiring speech was abruptly stifled.
It instantly killed his mood to continue.
Damn, are Devil Fruit abilities so amazing (amazing)?
Looking around at the lush vegetation flourishing in the desert, Taro sighed,
Well, okay, they Truly remarkable (are indeed amazing)!
...The Special Zone's development was proceeding as expected. Feeling invigorated, Taro returned to his room and started writing again.
The three women had remained silent throughout, and only now did they have a chance to interact.
Momousagi stared at Vivi and asked gravely, "Your Highness, what is your relationship with Taro?"
Tashigi tugged at Momousagi's arm, seemingly a bit reproachful, but her eyes unconsciously drifted towards Princess Vivi.
Vivi was taken aback. What relationship could I possibly have with him? What a baffling (bizarre) question.
"I have no relationship with him. If there's any connection, it's because he helped Alabasta during the Crocodile incident."
"And you two? What's your relationship with him?"
The two were in civilian clothes, and Taro had only introduced their names earlier, so Vivi didn't know they were also Marines.
Hearing this, Momousagi's mind raced. If you have no relationship with Taro, why do you care about this?
Trying to cover it up!
Momousagi gave a soft hum, then pulled Tashigi closer, putting on a bright smile.
"Hehehe, this little Tashigi here is Taro's fiancée!"
Princess Vivi was stunned.
Tashigi's eyes instantly widened in shock, the cigarette at the corner of her mouth slipping and falling to the ground.
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