The Gorosei faced the Void Throne, respectfully kneeling on one knee, cold sweat beading on their foreheads.
"Tap, tap, tap, tap!"
The crisp footsteps seemed to beat like drums in the hearts of the Gorosei, causing them to lower themselves further, not daring to look up.
However, the footsteps stopped quickly, not stepping onto the wide staircase leading to the Void Throne.
"Someone is spying from the air. It is a strange detection ability!"
"Tap, tap, tap, tap!"
As the Maid's clear voice fell, the footsteps gradually faded away, not waiting for the Gorosei's response.
Only when the footsteps completely vanished did the Gorosei finally relax as if deflated. Their tense bodies eased, they let out a long breath, slowly got up from the ground, and then left.
"There aren't many people in this world with the ability to fly!" the Old Man with a Crutch said softly, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
The Sword-wielding Bald Man rested the Shodai Kitetsu on his shoulder. "Indeed, not many. There won't be more than five in this world!"
The Golden Short-Haired Man added, "A strange detection ability... that reminds me of one, no, two people!"
"Wan Luo and Wan Shi, those two freelance writers who always manage to capture secret footage?" The Old Man with a Walrus Mustache knew who he was referring to.
The Skinny Old Man with a Long White Beard shook his head. "The most urgent matter is still determining the location of those with flight capabilities!"
"As for those little thieves from the 'Image Pirates,' hasn't CP0 added a few new hands? Let them handle it!"
The bald man pondered for a moment. "Lafitte, who was under Blackbeard, is dead. Whether his Devil Fruit Ability has a successor is temporarily unknown."
The Old Man with a Crutch said softly, "Marco the 'Phoenix,' King the 'Wildfire,' or that guardian in Alabasta—could it be one of them?"
The Golden Short-Haired Man snorted lightly. "You seem to have forgotten, there is actually one more person!"
The Old Man with a Crutch quickly realized. "'ink dragon' Taro!"
...Grand Line, G4 Base.
Just as Hina picked up the den den mushi, the voice of Vice Admiral Tsuru came through.
"Hina, is Taro at the base?"
Hina couldn't help but feel surprised; she heard a trace of urgency in Vice Admiral Tsuru's tone, which had never happened before.
Did something happen?
"Taro... he went to patrol the shipping routes!" Hina hesitated, planning to cover for Taro. "Vice Admiral Tsuru, is there something urgent you need him for?"
"Hina, you really aren't good at lying!" Vice Admiral Tsuru's voice revealed a hint of disappointment.
"Speak quickly! Where did that bastard go?" The newly appointed Fleet Admiral Akainu snatched the den den mushi from Vice Admiral Tsuru and roared.
New Marineford.
Akainu had completely transformed into magma, steaming hot and emitting thick black smoke.
The worry in Vice Admiral Tsuru's eyes flashed away. "Hina, tell the truth!"
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, I'm very sorry!" Hina seemed to realize the seriousness of the situation and quickly apologized, but she still hid the fact that Taro had gone to the New World.
"I only saw him yesterday. After that, he left. Where he went, I don't know!"
After Taro obtained information on Edward Weevil, he immediately left G4 Base. Hina knew Taro went to the New World to settle the score with the guy who cut off Zephyr's arm.
This matter could be serious or minor. Taro is the G4 Base Commander, and his trip to the New World must have been concealed from Marineford.
Hina understood this, but clearly, she didn't know that Vice Admiral Tsuru and Akainu's inquiry was due to something else.
"Hina, you need to know what you are saying!" Vice Admiral Tsuru's tone grew stricter.
Hina had followed Vice Admiral Tsuru for many years and had never been questioned so severely by her. She almost couldn't hold on, but she clenched her fists and said,
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, Vice Admiral Tsuru, Hina does not know!"
"Hmph, remember what you said!" Akainu snorted angrily and hung up the den den mushi with a click.
"Brii brii brii"
The den den mushi had just been hung up when it rang again immediately.
Vice Admiral Tsuru glanced at Akainu and answered it.
"Tsuru, I absolutely must beat that brat today!" Garp's boisterous voice came through.
Vice Admiral Tsuru's eyes moved, and she said softly, "Is Taro with you?"
"Yes, Grandma Tsuru, I'm here! You have to save me!"
Taro yelled at the top of his lungs, "Vice Admiral Garp told me to go to G4 for the handover, and I already went. I just returned to Sabaody Archipelago, and now he wants to beat me up!"
"I'm the commanding officer of the Marine garrison on Sabaody Archipelago! Is there no justice if I get beaten up in my own jurisdiction?"
Taro spoke a lot in one breath, accompanied by several screams in between, seeming to have been punched a few more times by Garp.
At this time, Akainu had canceled his elemental transformation, but his face was still gloomy.
"Taro, you are a Headquarters Vice Admiral of the Marine. What kind of behavior is this, yelling and shouting?"
"Huh? Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, you're here too?" Taro sounded slightly surprised, then he shouted,
"If Vice Admiral Garp hits you, you'd yell too! Don't believe me? Try it!"
Akainu's face instantly turned black like the bottom of a pot. "Bastard!"
Click
Akainu snatched the receiver from Vice Admiral Tsuru's hand again and immediately hung up the den den mushi.
"Sakazuki, we can now rule out Taro's suspicion, right?" Vice Admiral Tsuru rested her chin on her hands, her tone calm, but her eyes held a mysterious flicker.
Akainu kept a straight face and didn't speak.
Vice Admiral Tsuru said softly, "Are you perhaps preparing to suspect Garp as well? A marine hero and the light of the marines—have you thought clearly about the consequences?"
Akainu's breathing hitched immediately. He gave a cold snort, turned, and left... Sabaody Archipelago, 66GR, Marine Garrison Base.
"Cough!"
Taro coughed up a few traces of blood, his face pale.
Opposite him, Garp's veins were bulging on his forehead, and the bones in his clenched fists crackled.
"You audacious brat! How dare you spy on a place like that! If you want to die so badly, this old man will beat you to death right now!"
The old man glared, his eyes wide, and roared loudly.
Taro regulated his chaotic Internal Energy, a wave of lingering fear washing over him.
Fortunately, he had remained calm at the time and analyzed that his detection had been discovered, and Imu couldn't possibly have no reaction.
That's why he immediately changed direction and flew back to Sabaody Archipelago.
Otherwise, he would have been exposed!
"Old Man, I was just curious." Taro said weakly.
"You weren't curious, you were courting death!"
Garp glared fiercely at Taro, then his voice lowered, "Tell this old man honestly, what exactly are you trying to do?"
Taro lowered his eyes, his thoughts sinking. After a long while, he sighed.
"Old Man, I want to overthrow the World Gov—ow!"
Taro was only halfway through his sentence when Garp smashed an Iron Fist down on his head, knocking Taro straight to the ground.
"Good kid, this old man will kill you right now!" Garp cursed, smashing down another old punch.
Taro frantically dodged the punch, but Garp pursued, raising his fist again.
"Stop! Don't hit me yet!"
Taro stretched out his palm to stop him, then whispered a low phrase,
"Ace is still alive!"
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