Betty left the Dock Area and went further downstream to visit the Industrial Zone along the wide avenue.
What she saw along the way shocked her deeply; like Dragon and most of the Revolutionary Army, her goal had previously been to overthrow the rule of the Celestial Dragons.
But she was unclear about where the world should go after that, or what kind of life it could offer the people.
She only knew that the people needed freedom, but what should true freedom look like?
Like everyone in the Revolutionary Army, she lived in this era and had never experienced what true freedom really meant.
Now, the mist before her eyes had finally cleared a bit, allowing her to see the path ahead slightly more clearly.
Is this the "key of revolution"?
Betty took a deep breath, feeling the energy within her body surge violently once more; this state had actually been persisting for a long time.
After each surge, her abilities would grow slightly, and her control over them became increasingly precise.
Finally, she walked into Elmar and arrived at the Government Hall.
Betty was eager to see Taro; she had too many doubts and questions in her heart, and she needed answers.
"Oh? Send her in!" Taro was taken aback for a moment when he heard a staff member report that a woman calling herself Betty wanted to see him.
He was about to set out to sea with Zephyr, so time was tight. There was a lot of new work to be arranged, and he was currently writing some Materials.
"Uh, I thought you'd be waiting at Nanohana Port!"
Taro glanced at Betty, stood up, and poured her a cup of tea. "This is a place of business, no drinking allowed, so just have this."
Betty took off her cloak and unbuttoned her shirt, her chest heaving violently.
"Were all the changes here brought about by you?"
Taro really had a bit of a headache dealing with this woman who started undressing as soon as they were in private. He paused for a moment.
"What?"
Betty took a few steps to Taro's desk, propped her hands on it, and leaned half her body forward. "The order and lifestyle here!"
Taro's heart skipped a few beats, and his mouth instantly went dry. This scene looked a bit familiar!
Office.avi?
Pah, pah, what am I thinking?
Taro shook his head, tossing out the nonsensical thoughts, and then said:
"This? It is indeed my idea, but it's still in the Elementary stages, far from what I envisioned!"
"Then what will it eventually look like? What else needs to be done?" Betty leaned in even closer, so much so that Taro could not avoid the magnificent view before his eyes.
"This still needs..."
Just as Taro started to speak, the office door was suddenly pushed open.
"Taro, you bastard, you dare come back—" Princess Vivi rushed straight in, her tone very unfriendly, and then she froze.
Betty turned her head toward the door and was also stunned for a moment.
Taro was also dazed. You're a princess of a country, at least knock before coming in!
"Ah—!" Princess Vivi let out a scream. "Taro, you bastard! In broad daylight, you're actually..."
Taro reacted quickly, lunging forward to cover Vivi's mouth while kicking the office door shut.
"Listen to me, it's not as filthy as you think. This is just her style of dressing!"
After saying that, he stared into Vivi's eyes. "I'm going to let go. Don't scream, understand?"
"Hina, hurry—" As soon as Taro let go of Vivi, the little girl started shouting at the top of her lungs again. Helpless, Taro had to cover her mouth once more.
"I'm telling the truth, she really is like this. Betty, say something!"
Betty turned around and sat on the desk, looking at Vivi with great interest.
"Princess Vivi, I heard you're the Minister of Education. I happen to have some questions for you!"
Then she looked at Taro, her brow furrowing slightly. "Hina? That female Marine from before? It seems the relationship between you two is quite unusual!"
Taro ignored Betty and only released Princess Vivi after warning her again with his eyes.
Vivi scanned Taro and Betty warily, finally glaring at Taro and letting out a cold snort.
"Hmph, you can explain it to Hina yourself later!"
Then she said resentfully, "You bastard, I've been working so hard for you here, and you actually beat Luffy up like that!"
"I didn't beat him up. And even if I did, I'm a Marine and he's a pirate; it would only be natural." Taro curled his lip.
"Besides, isn't that kid still alive and well?"
At the mention of this, Taro got angry. I put in so much effort in that war and was seriously injured myself. It's one thing that no one is grateful, but to be hated by everyone? What a load of crap!
"You really are a terrible person!" Vivi said with a look of contempt.
Feeling frustrated, Taro's tone became very impatient. He waved his hand. "Are you done? If you're done, get out. I have things to do!"
"You!" Vivi was furious, pointing at Taro, unable to speak for a long while. Finally, she glanced at the half-exposed Betty, glared at Taro, and said through gritted teeth:
"Fine, then go ahead and be busy. Have fun being 'busy'!"
With that, she slammed the door and left.
Taro was slow to realize, and only after a long while did he understand. He cursed inwardly, Shit, when I said I was busy, I meant actually busy, not 'busy' in that way!
Betty sat with her long legs crossed, a look on her face that suggested she was enjoying the drama. She said leisurely:
"It seems some of the things you've done as a Marine are quite misunderstood. If you ask me, you should just join our Revolutionary Army!"
Betty knew a bit more than Vivi—Taro's identity as the "key of revolution" and the fact that he seemed to be plotting something using his Marine identity.
Taro got a headache just hearing her talk about it.
I was doing just fine, clocking in at the Marines, collecting a salary, and living an easy life, until you guys came along and ruined it.
Taro tapped his forehead helplessly, feeling a bit of a headache. "I told Dragon I wouldn't join you. Don't bring this up again!"
Then he gave Betty a resentful glare.
"And you, even if you like keeping your chest open, could you at least wear some underwear!"
Hearing this, Betty frowned. "I was already very uncomfortable like that before. Don't push it!"
Taro's mouth twitched, completely speechless at this bold girl.
"Fine, I give up. Do whatever makes you happy!"
Only then did the corners of Betty's mouth lift slightly into a smug smile.
Then her expression turned serious. "Now, let's continue our previous topic. I still have many questions to ask!"
"Ask later. Read through these first!"
Taro sat back down and handed Betty a stack of documents. They were the Government Hall's recent work reports and the "Administrative Outline for the First Five-Year Plan" of the Special Zone he had written earlier.
Then he picked up his pen again and began to organize the details for the next phase of the Special Zone's development plan.
In the office, for a time, only the sound of Betty flipping through documents and the scratching of Taro's pen remained.
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