Four days later.
The "ink dragon" flagship rode the descending current, swiftly diving into the deep sea.
On the deck, Princess Vivi, dressed in thick winter clothes, watched the underwater scenery with curiosity, the various magical deep-sea creatures opening her eyes to a new world.
Beside Vivi, Pell, one of the Guardian Deities of Alabasta, looked worried.
"Your Highness, His Majesty the King repeatedly exhorted that this is a non-governmental activity and you cannot make any promises to the Ryugu Royal Family. Regarding this, please..."
Vivi turned back to look at Pell. "Pell, stop calling me 'Your Highness.' You're acting like you're reminding me to remember my status as a princess!"
Then, she said with a look of helplessness, "I know all of Father's concerns. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing! As for you, I've said it many times: just call me by my name!"
Pell was suddenly at a loss for words. Since Princess Vivi went to the Elmal District, she seemed less and less like a princess in terms of private etiquette.
"Everyone, Fish-Man Island will be here soon!"
Just then, Mike approached and gave a military salute.
"Vice Admiral Taro has received the news. He said he will be waiting at the entrance!"
Fish-Man Island Entrance.
Taro waited at the entrance of Fish-Man Island accompanied by the Neptune Royal Family. After thinking carefully, he turned his head and said solemnly:
"King Neptune, I must remind you again that Princess Vivi's arrival is not an official act. Please be sure not to..."
Neptune waved his hand and interrupted Taro. "Ho ho ho ho, I understand, Taro!"
He looked back at his children. "They also know that this is a non-governmental exchange and there won't be any political contact. Rest assured!"
Hearing this, Taro felt a bit more relieved and looked up at the deep sea again.
"They're here!"
The Neptune Royal Family also looked up.
"Hum~ Clank!"
After the warship stopped, Taro quickly stepped forward, his face full of pleasant surprise.
"Vivi, welcome to Fish-Man Island!"
Vivi's expression turned cold, and she turned her head away, ignoring Taro.
Taro wasn't angry either. He chuckled and then looked at Pell. "Pell, long time no see!"
Pell nodded in greeting. "Long time no see, grand administrator Taro!"
"Hey, Pell, you can just call me by my name too!" Taro waved his hand.
Then he stepped aside and pointed his palm towards Neptune and the others, saying:
"Let me introduce you. This is the Neptune Family, the main investors for this 'movie' project!"
He then pointed at Vivi and Pell. "This is Vivi, the 'movie's' female lead, and this is Pell, uh, Vivi's bodyguard!"
"Welcome to Fish-Man Island, everyone!" The tall Neptune said with a smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you both!"
Shark Star and the others also saluted, while Vivi and Pell returned the greetings one by one.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Neptune invited Vivi to a banquet, intending to fulfill his duties as a host and hold a welcoming feast for her.
"Vice Admiral!" Mike approached Taro and gently tugged at his sleeve.
Taro was about to follow when he saw this. The smile on his face froze, and he asked in a low voice, "What? Those nobles at the Sabaody Archipelago aren't paying?"
"No, no, the Film City has already started construction!"
Mike quickly shook his head. "It's Marineford!"
Taro's heart stirred, and he pulled Mike aside. "Is the meeting over? Is there something related to me?"
It shouldn't be? Surely they wouldn't have me preside over the World Conscription?
"Vice Admiral, you've taken over Vice Admiral Tsuru's position!" With no one around, Mike appeared very excited, his eyes full of spirit.
Taro's eyes widened. "Great Staff Officer? No way?"
Holy crap, then what is Vice Admiral Tsuru going to do?
"Ah? No, Vice Admiral, it's taking over the position of G4 Base Commander!"
Mike waved his hands repeatedly, thinking to himself: The Vice Admiral doesn't want to be an Admiral, but is eyeing the Great Staff Officer position? Hmm... that seems pretty good too!
"G4 Base?" Taro was stunned. "Is that Hina's base?"
Mike nodded. "Yes, the position of Base Commander was previously held concurrently by Vice Admiral Tsuru. Now, Fleet Admiral Sakasuki has ordered you to take over!"
Something's not right. Repaying a grudge with kindness? Is Akainu really that magnanimous? Taro frowned.
Mike assumed Taro was worried about the ownership of the Sabaody Archipelago and continued,
"You don't need to worry, Vice Admiral. The Sabaody Archipelago is still under your station!"
Taro was even more astonished. Did Akainu take the wrong medicine?
He was filled with doubt and suspicion, pondering for a while.
"I remember the jurisdiction of G4 Base and Sabaody are separated, right? In that case, Sabaody has become an enclave?"
"Yes, the jurisdiction of G-2 Fortress is in between!" Mike nodded, still looking joyful.
"An enclave doesn't matter, Vice Admiral. The key is that this shows Fleet Admiral Sakasuki still trusts you!"
Taro's face instantly darkened. This was too strange!
From Mike's surprised expression, one could tell that Mike was worried that the conflict between Taro and Akainu would affect Taro's future.
If Mike thought so, what about everyone else?
Now that Akainu had become Fleet Admiral, Taro was actually promoted to G4 Base Commander. One must know that there were only eight fortress bases in total in the Grand Line.
Furthermore, a vital place like the Sabaody Archipelago was still in Taro's hands!
"Is there anything else?" Taro asked with a frown.
"Uh, all the Marine Soldiers who participated in the Marineford War have been promoted by one rank!" Mike seemed very happy.
"And I also heard that after the World Conscription ends, there will be another promotion!"
This means Major Mike is now Lieutenant Colonel Mike!
Akainu's move to win people's hearts is quite smooth!
Taro nodded, then thought about his own promotion and sighed inwardly, "Is Akainu 'buying a dead horse's bones for a thousand gold pieces'?"
Everyone knew that Taro and Akainu didn't get along. Taro even missed the first meeting after Akainu's promotion to Fleet Admiral.
Under such circumstances, Akainu still promoted Taro. Tsk tsk!
Taro's prestige in the military was not low. Akainu's generous treatment of Taro solidified the morale of the Marines in one fell swoop.
With Aokiji leaving the Marines, his former subordinates would surely be in a state of panic. If Taro made any further moves, Akainu's position as Fleet Admiral might become unstable.
One's position determines one's perspective. I underestimated Akainu. After this Red Doggy became Fleet Admiral, his brain has become quite flexible!
Taro believed it was impossible for Vice Admiral Tsuru to have given Akainu this idea.
This Navy Grand Staff Officer was much more senior than Akainu. She might not care who became Fleet Admiral, but she cared about the stability of the Marines.
If Akainu couldn't even stabilize the hearts of the Marines, then he wouldn't be fit to be the Fleet Admiral.
Therefore, the Old Lady Tsuru wouldn't help Akainu in such matters and might even take the opportunity to observe him.
"Vice Admiral, what's wrong?" Seeing Taro frowning and remaining silent for a long long time, Mike restrained his smile and asked somewhat uneasily.
"No, nothing. Is there any other news?" Taro snapped out of it.
"Hmm, Admiral Kizaru is in charge of handling the World Conscription!" Mike thought for a moment.
Taro almost burst out laughing. Haha, our master of slacking off is going to be busy now.
There's no other way, who told him to be the only Admiral left in the Marines!
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