Three days later.
With his injuries recovered by fifty to sixty percent, Taro really couldn't find any new excuses, so he finally got off the ship.
The Sabaody Garrison were Taro's "old friends"; his title of "ink dragon" had originated from the mouths of the garrison here.
"Vice Admiral Taro, good morning!"
The commander of the garrison was that Navy Captain from the previous Celestial Dragons incident, named George. He gave Taro a respectful military salute and greeted him.
However, because Taro had arrived, George became the former commander.
So it's you guys who have been gossiping about me behind my back?
Taro scanned the Sabaody Garrison, his mouth twitching. For a place as important as the Sabaody Archipelago, the commander was actually only a Captain. It would be a miracle if things weren't a mess!
"Captain George, good morning to you too."
Taro waved his hand. "There's no need to be so formal in the future, just relax a bit."
George was a typical Navy officer; hearing Taro say this, he hesitated slightly.
Taro didn't want to hear him ramble and urged, "Let's go, we're going to see that 'Tyrant.' He's at 41GR, right?"
"Yes, Vice Admiral, the Straw Hat Pirates pirates' ship, the 'sunny,' is docked there!"
"Mm," Taro nodded. After taking a couple of steps and hearing the synchronized footsteps behind him, he turned back again.
"Why bring so many people? George, Mike, each of you just bring one squad. The other Marine Soldiers should return to their duties. Dismissed."
Mike hesitated a bit. "Vice Admiral, I heard from Captain George that Kuma is not easy to deal with!"
"Yes, Vice Admiral. Before you arrived, we attacked for half a day and only caused some superficial wounds. His body is entirely made of modifications!" George added.
Taro didn't care much and said casually, "Yeah, I know all that. You guys, don't always think about fighting and killing. You should convince people with virtue!"
Mike, George: "..."
41GR.
"Tyrant" Bartholomew Kuma sat by the shore. Sensing someone approaching, he looked up and then slowly stood up.
There was a sword wound on his left shoulder. Beneath the torn flesh, some mechanical structures were exposed, looking somewhat gruesome.
Even though his modified eyes had already scanned the newcomers' identities as Navy, the programmed ultimate mission of "Protect the sunny" still kept Kuma wary of Taro and the others.
Seeing this, Taro waved to Mike and George. "You guys wait here, don't get close. I'll go over alone."
Mike and the others knew Taro's strength well, so they naturally wouldn't hold him back and obeyed the order to wait on the perimeter.
Taro walked forward another ten meters or so, only stopping when Kuma assumed an attacking stance.
At this time, Kuma was no longer wearing gloves, and only that book was still held in his hand.
Taro felt some doubt in his heart. Did Vegapunk's modifications cause Kuma to lose his Devil Fruit Ability?
"Uh, you don't have your own consciousness anymore, right?" Taro looked up at Kuma's mountain-like, massive body.
"Then I'll talk, and you listen!"
Taro sat down cross-legged, his voice somewhat low.
"I know guarding this ship is an agreement between you and Dr. Vegapunk. I have no ill will toward you or this ship."
"Now I am the commander here. This ship is too conspicuous here, and I can't explain it to my superiors."
"How about this: you sail the ship away to the Lawless Zone, and I'll pretend I don't know about it. I also guarantee the Navy won't attack this ship again. What do you think?"
After finishing, Taro waited for Kuma's response. He wasn't sure if Kuma could still process the information he heard.
After waiting for a long time, Kuma still had no reaction.
Taro sighed. "Go on. Isn't your final mission to guard this ship? Staying here is not a good choice!"
Then, after a long time, just as Taro was about to give up, Kuma slowly turned around and walked onto the sunny.
Immediately afterward, the sunny slowly sailed away from the coast.
"Vice Admiral, this..."
Mike slowly approached Taro, his face full of conflict. "Is this what you meant by 'convincing people with virtue'?"
Taro was also stunned. This actually worked?
"Isn't the fact obvious? Kuma has been driven away! Peace has returned to the Sabaody Archipelago. Very good, the mission is perfectly completed!"
Seeing Mike and George's bewildered faces, Taro clapped his hands with a smile.
"Report back to Headquarters and say this matter involves Dr. Vegapunk. If Headquarters has any objections, let them communicate with the World Government."
"Now, fall back!"
After saying that, Taro took the lead in walking back, leaving Mike and George looking at each other in silence.
40GR.
Looking at the security warning sign at the entrance of the amusement park, Taro felt a pain in his chest.
"Did you do this?"
He pointed to the red cross over the Whitebeard Pirates' flag and asked, turning back.
Mike's back instantly straightened, his face full of pride. "Yes, Vice Admiral! Although I acted on my own initiative, the deterrent effect was unexpectedly good!"
Damn, you guy, you're really a freaking genius at this kind of thing!
"The pirates were scared by this thing?" Taro rubbed his chin, his gaze deep.
Mike gave a fawning smile. "How could that be? It's mainly because of your great reputation, Vice Admiral!"
Taro raised an eyebrow and praised: "If it's useful, then make more of them. The Navy should protect the borders and bring peace to the people. Mike, you did very well. I'm very satisfied!"
Rare indeed, Old Mike. You handled this beautifully, it's exactly what I wanted!
"Since the mission is finished, let's continue slacking off—oh, no, I mean, let's take another day off. Everyone come to the amusement park. Today, we'll share the joy with the people!"
Mm, I'm in a very good mood today!
...East Blue, Foosha Village.
Garp returned to his hometown. Greeting him, besides the cheers of the villagers, was a beating from the mountain bandit Dadan.
Facing this woman who was like a mother to Ace, who was questioning him with a face full of tears, Garp had no answer and was beaten until his head was bleeding.
In the end, Makino stopped Dadan, her own tears falling as well.
In the bar, Makino suppressed the grief in her heart as she bandaged Garp's wounds.
When the news of Ace's death came, she had also nearly collapsed. Her mind was full of that gentle young man who had asked her "how to greet someone politely."
"Makino, there's something I want to ask you about..." Garp spoke suddenly in a low voice.
Makino was stunned for a moment, and her movements stopped.
"Regarding Taro, how much do you know? His origin, full name, anything at all," Garp asked.
Makino frowned and thought carefully for a while.
"Taro seemed to come from a big city. I remember when I first saw him, the clothes he wore were very special, both in style and fabric..."
Makino told Garp everything she knew about Taro.
"As for his full name, he seemed to have mentioned it. I'll have to think..."
Makino carefully searched her memories, and then her eyes suddenly lit up.
"I remember now. Dai D. Zhou Ze. Yes, that's the name. He said it."
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