"Mike, come over here for a second!"
When Taro found Mike, the guy was acting like a storyteller, bragging loudly about Taro's "great achievements" to a group of children, spinning tales that made them gasp in amazement.
"Vice Admiral, you were looking for me?"
Mike scurried up to the roof of the building where Taro was, acting in a sycophantic manner.
Taro's mouth twitched helplessly. "Old Mike, who did you learn this habit from? I remember you weren't like this before!"
"Hehe, isn't this all from you, Vice Admiral..." Mike chuckled, cheeky remarks slipping out before he realized and covered his mouth, looking embarrassed.
Taro gave him a hard kick. "Cut the crap, I have serious business with you."
Leaning against the roof railing, Taro watched the civilians in the playground below with happy smiles, feeling a lot more peaceful.
"Mike, I need to leave Sabaody Archipelago for a while. During this time, I'm leaving the archipelago to you and George."
"Vice Admiral, you..." Mike was startled and about to speak.
Taro shook his head to stop him. "It's fine. My warship will stay on the island to deter any troublemakers. The work schedule is already laid out on my desk; just follow it step by step."
"Also, handle the matters regarding Fish-Man Island for now. Don't wait for me to return."
"Understood, Vice Admiral!" Mike replied.
"Mm." Taro nodded.
After a moment, Taro added leisurely:
"Mike, look at the people below. See how happily they're smiling? Protecting those smiles is just as significant for us Marines."
"Yeah, it's huge!" Mike agreed, sighing.
Hmm? Why did that tone sound weird?
Taro glanced at Mike and saw him looking downstairs with a lecherous expression.
Taro followed his gaze and saw a woman talking to a patrolling Marine Soldier.
The woman wore a red top hat, had short purple hair, and wore sunglasses.
But her personality seemed very bold; she had a cigarette in her mouth, her top was wide open without any underwear, revealing most of her impressive peaks.
Yeah, they really were huge!
Then Taro froze; the style of the coat she was wearing looked very familiar.
Holy crap, isn't this the standard attire for the Revolutionary Army?!
Taro was stunned and slapped the pervert Mike awake. "Stop staring! Get back to the base and prepare a warship for me!"
With that, he jumped down and flew toward the woman.
As soon as Taro approached, the woman noticed. She looked a bit arrogant and asked bluntly:
"You're Taro?"
Her attitude snapped the Marine Soldier out of his daze. "You..."
Taro waved his hand to stop the Marine Soldier. "Go back to your duties!"
Then he looked at the woman. "Follow me!"
Taro led her to a more secluded spot, frowning. "You're too bold. Are you trying to get killed by coming straight to Sabaody Archipelago?"
The woman didn't seem to care. "What are you afraid of?"
Taro rubbed his forehead; he wasn't afraid, it was just too troublesome. Aokiji had said the World Government was already wary of him.
He just got that news, and now the Revolutionary Army shows up at his doorstep. Can't they give me a break!
"Who are you? Did Dragon send you?" Taro raised an eyebrow.
"My name is Belo Betty. The leader told me to come and learn some things from you."
Taro remembered he had indeed promised Dragon this. He sighed. "There was no need to be in such a hurry!"
Betty hummed. "I think so too! What could our revolutionary cause possibly learn from a Marine?"
"However, it's the leader's order. No matter how reluctant I am, I had to come."
Betty's speaking style was exactly like her fashion sense—completely uninhibited.
Taro's mouth twitched. "Let's leave Sabaody Archipelago first. I promised Dragon I would teach you, so I will. As for whether you want to learn or if it's useful, you can judge for yourself."
The cigarette in Betty's mouth bobbed as she complained:
"Better make it quick. I have a lot to do. By coming to see you, I've already missed a high-level meeting."
Taro nodded. "Follow me!" After taking two steps, he stopped.
Betty became even more dissatisfied. "What are you dawdling for? Let's go!"
Taro turned back and pointed at Betty's chest. "Can you tie that up first? Entering a Marine base like that is too eye-catching; it's better if we avoid causing a scene."
This made Betty feel even more that the man in front of her was fussy and indecisive.
Glaring at Taro, Betty reluctantly pulled her coat together and tied a knot over her chest.
Taro's cheek twitched. He really couldn't understand the mindset of these pirate natives; this was way too damn wild!
66GR, Marine Base.
"Vice Admiral, the ship is ready and can depart at any time!"
Mike came forward, first glancing at the woman behind Taro and recognizing her as the one from before.
Although the scenery on her chest was temporarily covered, her overall wild aura was still obvious.
Mike looked at Taro with pure admiration. In just this short time, he had already won over this beauty!
He muttered, "As expected of the Vice Admiral, you're really fast!"
Taro frowned. "What do you mean 'really fast'?"
Then he noticed Mike's suggestive and lecherous expression. After a moment's thought, he realized what the pervert was thinking.
You old geezer, badmouthing me behind my back all day!
Fuck, you're the one who's fast!
"Get lost!" Taro snapped, kicking Mike.
Mike wasn't angry; instead, his smile became even more lecherous as he chuckled. "I get it, I get it."
You don't understand squat!
Taro's mouth twitched. Seeing Betty's expression turn sour, he quickly said:
"The work plan is on my desk. Go get it yourself. Now, get out of my sight immediately!"
"To Alabasta!" Taro ordered the Marine Soldiers on board after boarding with Betty,
"Unless there's an emergency on the way, do not disturb me!"
After saying that, he walked straight into the captain's quarters, and Betty followed him in.
The Marine Soldiers on board exchanged glances, wearing knowing, mischievous grins, and then let out a rowdy cheer,
"Fire the... I mean, set sail!"
Taro paused. These bastards, I've been too nice to them lately. Are they itching for a beating?
He was considering whether to find an opportunity to teach these lawless guys a lesson when Betty snorted with disdain,
"These are the soldiers you trained? I'm starting to seriously doubt your identity as the 'key of revolution'!"
Taro turned back and closed the door with a sigh,
"Sigh, I never said I was one in the first place; it's just that communicating with you guys is such a pain!"
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