"Your Highness Princess, do you have a dream?"
Taro's voice was very strange, making Vivi wary. She frowned,
"What crooked idea are you up to now?"
"Cough, cough!" Taro coughed twice. His failed recruitment attempt made him a bit embarrassed. Clearing his throat, he continued to try:
"Well, I'm actually a talent scout. I noticed you have great potential. There's an audition opportunity here now, and I think you..."
Vivi suddenly interrupted Taro,
"Taro, I'm not here to listen to strange nonsense like 'I think you.' If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up!"
Her face was flushed crimson, and even her neck was slightly pink.
Is he crazy? Saying something like that suddenly!
Upon hearing this, Taro almost spat out a mouthful of old blood. Are you crazy?!
When listening to someone, you have to focus on the main point! That wasn't the main point of what I just said!
He quickly spoke up, "No, don't hang up! I mean, I want to invite you to be an actress!"
"Huh? Actress? A stage play? What would I be acting?" Those three words from earlier still made Vivi's heart flutter, and she rapidly fired off several questions.
Taro shook his head, "Not a stage play. It's another form of performance, a film. You will play a princess!"
"I play myself?" Vivi was stunned for a moment.
"Wonderful!" Taro clapped his hands. This girl is quite insightful! "Exactly, you play yourself!"
Speaking of royal demeanor, as one of the original twenty nations of the World Government, a superpower in the first half of the Grand Line with a population of ten million, Alabasta is absolutely second to none.
Having Princess Vivi play the "human princess" in a fairy tale would be effortless.
Furthermore, Vivi once infiltrated Baroque Works for two years and understands the suffering of the common people, meaning she can certainly portray the "human princess" living a commoner's life vividly.
Baroque Works truly is the "Arkham" of the pirate world—a place blessed with talent, constantly producing heroes!
Taro was now utterly impressed with Crocodile. His thoughts drifted for a moment, wondering if he should try to bring back the former members of Baroque Works.
After all, talent is hard to come by!
"Hey, I'm asking you a question! What exactly are you talking about?" Vivi called Taro several times, getting increasingly angry.
"Oh, right, business!" Taro snapped back to reality. "I want to film a..."
Next, Taro explained his idea and the story, finally asking softly, "Vivi, is that okay?"
Hearing the somewhat pleading tone in Taro's voice, Vivi felt a sudden softening in her heart.
"This matter is indeed very meaningful, but our First Middle School..."
When Taro heard there was a chance, his spirits instantly lifted.
"Isn't it still under construction? Let Ain help watch over it. Filming will be quick; it won't delay things much."
Vivi hesitated for a while longer, finally nodding, "Alright, I agree!"
Taro was overjoyed. "Vivi, thank you so much! I'll immediately send someone to pick you up!"
"No need. I'll just have Pell take me to Sabaody Archipelago!"
Vivi thought about it and still refused. "Didn't you say you still have a lot of preparatory work to do?"
Taro was so moved he nearly cried. This girl is truly understanding. "Then I'll wait for you!"
Vivi's breath hitched upon hearing that. "Hmph, that's all!"
"Click"
The call was hung up, and a blush still lingered on Vivi's face... Fish-Man Island's largest migration effort in history was proceeding in full swing.
Moving millions of people is no small project, but fortunately, with Taro—the cheat who had experienced the Heavenly Dynasty's "Slum Renovation"—and the Fish-Man Race's strong adaptability to the environment, everything was proceeding in an orderly fashion.
The relocation work was carried out in batches. Large areas of useless structures previously in the Fish-Man District were dismantled as much as possible, and the vacated space would be re-zoned for housing.
Inside the captain's cabin of the Ink Dragon Flagship, Taro carefully checked the "Fish-Man District Demolition and Resettlement Plan" that he had written over several hours before tucking it away. He would hand it to Neptune later.
Next, he picked up several other papers from the table titled "Sabaody Archipelago Film City Construction Plan" and walked onto the deck.
"You will return to Sabaody Archipelago immediately and hand this over to George. Tell him to execute it right away!"
Sherman took it, glanced at the title, and exchanged a look with Grant.
"Vice Admiral, this... I'm afraid we don't have that much money. This year's military budget..."
Taro waved his hand, interrupting him. "Don't worry about the funding. The fundraising plan is all inside."
As for money, the Marine doesn't have it, the common people don't have it, but those nobles have plenty.
Since their slave auction house and casinos were banned, they need new businesses. If they have foresight, they should know what to do.
Taro gave a disdainful smile. Robbing the rich to help the poor is nothing to be ashamed of!
"Go. Oh, right, also, after you pick up the people coming from Alabasta, return to Fish-Man Island immediately!"
After thinking for a moment, he added, "Have Mike come too!"
Mike's artistic accomplishments cannot be wasted. When making a movie, how can you not have a director!
The ink dragon soon left Fish-Man Island, surfacing towards the sea... Marineford.
The Marine High-Level Meeting was presided over by Vice Admiral Tsuru, but the atmosphere was very tense.
The newly appointed Fleet Admiral Akainu kept a dark expression the entire time. The scar running from his cheek to his neck was still slightly red, making him look even more ruthless.
The Marine Vice Admirals sat upright. Except for Akainu's direct subordinates like Onigumo and Doberman, whose expressions were relatively normal, everyone else was slightly apprehensive.
Because of this, almost only Vice Admiral Tsuru spoke during the meeting, which felt more like an announcement than a discussion.
"Base G1, located in the New World, will swap locations with Marineford and be renamed 'New Marineford' to serve as the Marine Headquarters!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru rested her chin on her hand and spoke slowly, her gaze sweeping over everyone present as she delivered the statement.
The Marine Vice Admirals avoided looking at the face of Vice Admiral Momonga, the commander of Base G1. They kept their eyes down, pretending to listen intently.
"The Seven Warlords of the Sea currently consist of four individuals: Boa Hancock, Dracule Mihawk, Donquixote Doflamingo, and Bartholomew Kuma."
Vice Admiral Tsuru paused for a while, and only when no one spoke did she continue,
"After the Great Event, the World Government invited 'Thousand-Piece Clown' Buggy and Trafalgar Law to join the Warlord of the Sea!"
"The Marine will now closely monitor pirate forces, especially in the New World, to quickly select the last Warlord of the Sea candidate."
Vice Admiral Tsuru finished speaking and paused again, yet still, no one spoke.
"Finally, during the Great Event, the Marine suffered heavy losses among its elite forces. To cope with the increasingly complex situation, restoring the Marine's combat strength is imminent!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru's voice became slightly louder,
"Therefore, following a proposal by Vice Admiral Taro, and after discussion with Sakazuki and Borsalino, we have decided!"
"To recruit civilian experts worldwide to join the Marine!"
"This is called the 'World Conscription'!"
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