As soon as Sengoku finished speaking, all the Marine generals turned to look at Sengoku, then repeatedly glanced back and forth at the Three Admirals.
Everyone was clearly aware that one of the Three Admirals would inevitably succeed Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
Sengoku raised his hand in a pressing gesture, stopping the generals who wanted to speak.
"Don't rush, let me finish!"
He then continued, saying: "For now, I am still the Fleet Admiral, and the following orders must be executed immediately!"
"All wounded personnel must be treated as quickly as possible, and the funerals for the deceased must also be handled promptly."
"Immediately begin the repair work on Marineford."
"Forces in the Grand Line's fortress bases and the Four Seas branches that are still combat-capable must return to their posts immediately after three days of rest."
"All outpost bases must closely monitor pirate activities and report any anomalies immediately!"
"..."
After Sengoku issued his orders one by one, he scanned the room again, then waved his hand, signaling the generals to execute the commands.
Then, Sengoku finally looked at Taro. "Taro, you are quite displeased with me, aren't you?"
Taro sighed. "Things are already this way; saying anything more won't help."
Sengoku nodded and looked at Momousagi. "Gion."
Momousagi took over the conversation and said:
"After Marijoa received the news, His Excellency the Fleet Admiral led the garrison and CP0 to provide support, but they encountered Red Hair on the way."
The Fleet Admiral refers to Kong. Taro knew this person; he was the Fleet Admiral before Sengoku.
"We had some conflicts, and CP0 sustained some losses. Ultimately, the Gorosei agreed to let Red Hair mediate the war."
What Momousagi said was very brief. Taro pondered for a while before understanding the hidden meaning.
CP is the spy agency directly subordinate to the World Government, constantly fighting the Revolutionary Army.
It was the appearance of Revolutionary Dragon at Marineford that prompted the World Government to send out CP0.
As for CP0 sustaining some losses, that wording was too subtle; the losses must have been severe. Now, it would probably be easier for those guys from CP9 to join CP0.
While Taro was deep in thought, he heard Momousagi say another sentence: "Red Hair will be heading to Marijoa soon to meet the Gorosei."
Upon hearing this, Akainu angrily slammed the table and sneered, "Utterly arrogant!"
"No, you misunderstood, Sakazuki!" Momousagi shook her head. "This is an agreement between Red Hair and the Gorosei. However, I don't know what they will be discussing."
"Hmph, those old fellows are truly senile, compromising with a pirate..."
Akainu, chewing on a cigar and acting like he was the greatest, completely forgot how badly Dragon had beaten him previously.
"Cough."
Vice Admiral Tsuru coughed heavily, interrupting Akainu.
"Alright, Sakazuki, let's first think about how we should announce the results of this war to the world."
Everyone looked solemn upon hearing this, while Taro had been puzzled since the meeting began.
That Military Doctor told him Ace had died, but during Sengoku's meeting, he only mentioned defeating Whitebeard and didn't mention Ace. Furthermore, he hadn't actually seen Ace's body.
However, Red Hair had said he would handle the funerals for Whitebeard and Ace.
What the hell is going on? Where is Ace?
"Wait for the Blue Masira jailers from Impel Down to arrive, and search the entire sea area overnight. If he is still not found by dawn tomorrow, assume he is dead and announce it to the world!"
After a long silence, Sengoku finally spoke.
Akainu's face was gloomy. "What if he is still alive? The Marine's reputation would be completely ruined!"
Sengoku rubbed his forehead, looking tired and annoyed.
"I will bear the consequences myself. This war has already been broadcast to the entire world via video. How much reputation do you think the Marine has left?"
Thinking of the Video den den mushi stolen by the criminals under Buggy, Sengoku cursed angrily,
"That hateful Buggy The Clown!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru pondered for a moment and suggested, "How about we classify him as missing instead?"
Sengoku ultimately shook his head, rejecting Vice Admiral Tsuru's suggestion.
"No. A Devil Fruit User falling into the sea has almost no chance of survival. We also need to give confidence to the civilians. You know how much panic Roger's son being alive would cause."
Taro only half-understood what he heard, and even after following Vice Admiral Tsuru and Garp to her temporary office, he still didn't grasp what exactly happened to Ace.
"Taro, what are you thinking about?" Vice Admiral Tsuru asked.
Taro secretly glanced at Garp beside him. "Vice Admiral Tsuru, what exactly happened while I was unconscious?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru recounted the situation to Taro. Taro's eyes lit up—so, Ace might not necessarily be dead?
"Revolutionary Dragon mentioned that you seemed to have given Nico Robin something? What was it?" Vice Admiral Tsuru suddenly asked.
Taro was still contemplating the possibility of Ace being alive. Hearing Vice Admiral Tsuru's question, he didn't think much of it, waved his hand, and casually said,
"Nothing much, just some precious seeds."
After Taro spoke, he resumed his previous thoughts, completely oblivious to the fact that the air in the room seemed to have solidified.
Then, the next second, he felt a sharp pain on his head, and his entire body crashed into the office desk.
"Ouch!"
Taro covered his head, turned his gaze, and saw Garp clenching his fist and glaring furiously at him.
"You wretched brat! How dare you touch that woman?"
Taro was dumbfounded. "Old man Garp, what are you talking about?"
He then looked blankly at Vice Admiral Tsuru, only to see the Old Lady also wearing a gloomy expression.
"I told you this kid was a pervert!" Momousagi spat, looking at Taro with disgust. "Little Garp, good hit!"
What is going on? Taro rubbed his head.
"Didn't I tell you that after the war, I would let you have what you wished for?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru was rarely angry, looking disappointed. "Is your self-control that weak?"
"No, what are you all talking about?" Taro vigorously rubbed his cheeks.
"You bastard! You dare to do it but not admit it?" Garp grew angrier upon hearing this and raised his fist again.
"And you still claim you only gave her some precious seeds! Ptooey! I really misjudged you!"
Taro froze for a moment, thought carefully for a while, and then stared dumbfounded.
Seeing Taro's reaction, Garp became even more furious.
"Out of all the women, why did you have to touch Nico Robin? Now she and the child in her belly have fallen into the hands of the Revolutionary Army. What are you going to do?"
Taro was flabbergasted. "Holy crap! What the hell? Where did a child come from?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru nodded. "Now, it seems this is the only possibility. This explains why Dragon wasn't angry at all when Taro refused his recruitment!"
"He is so fearless because he holds the trump card of Nico Robin and her child!"
Then she glared at Taro. "Look at the mess you made! Let's see how you explain this to Hina!"
Taro: "..."
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