A giant Falcon streaked across the sky as Taro contemplated how to handle Weevil's corpse.
The simplest way, of course, was to throw it directly into the sea.
However, he was still somewhat curious about what technology had been used to create Weevil.
After all, in his view, Weevil's flesh and blood were the same as a pacifist's; he hadn't yet seen a Germa 66 clone with his own eyes, so he wasn't sure how much of a connection there was between the three.
Taro believed they were all based on Vegapunk's "Lineage Factor" theory.
However, Weevil was a Devil Fruit Ability user; it was truly unbelievable that Miss. Bakkin could have surpassed her master in such a way.
Should he take the corpse to Vegapunk to have a look?
"Bulu bulu bulu..."
The den den mushi in his arms rang. Startled, Taro descended from the sky.
"Ice Age!"
Internal Energy surged out, transforming into extreme frost that froze a patch of the sea's surface for Taro to land on.
"Mike? Did something happen with the movie?"
Taro was very surprised to receive a call from Mike.
"Vice Admiral, I don't know how to put this..."
Mike's voice sounded hesitant over the den den mushi.
Taro's brow furrowed. "Speak, what exactly happened?"
"Vice Admiral, while filming these past few days, I noticed a strange woman who always appears in the crowd of onlookers..."
Mike recounted the strange occurrence he had encountered. At first, Taro thought this pervert was just lusting after her.
After listening, his heart tightened. "You're saying that woman isn't interested in the movie, but is only focusing on Vivi?"
"Yes, Vice Admiral! She didn't pay much attention to what we were doing, but she was very concerned with Princess Vivi!"
"What does she look like?"
"She's a very charming woman with blonde hair and very fashionable clothes..."
As Mike described her, the woman's image gradually became clearer.
Stussy!
CP0 again!
Why was this woman suddenly investigating Vivi?
Taro recalled the final scenes of the original plot in his mind: Lord Imu holding Vivi's photo, and the Gorosei asking which "light should be extinguished."
What had happened for Lord Imu to move against Princess Vivi ahead of schedule?
"Mike, don't tell anyone about this, and don't act rashly. Wait for me to get back!"
Taro pondered for a long time before giving serious instructions.
Worried that Mike would be under too much pressure, he let out a small laugh after speaking.
"It's fine, Mike. Just focus on filming the movie; I'll handle this!"
Mike had absolute confidence in Taro. Hearing his words, he nodded heavily.
"I understand, Vice Admiral!"
Click.
The den den mushi hung up. Taro's brow remained furrowed, and after a long while, he sighed.
The development of the plot had been messed up by him. This was going off-script!
He transformed again, preparing to take flight, but the den den mushi rang once more.
"Taro, where are you?"
"Grandma Tsuru? Do you need something?" Taro raised an eyebrow, picking up an inexplicable tone in Vice Admiral Tsuru's voice.
Vice Admiral Tsuru's voice grew more serious. "Can't I call you if nothing's wrong?"
The Old Lady's sudden change in attitude left Taro bewildered. "Uh, that's not what I meant. I'm preparing to head back now!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru's tone changed again, sounding much more relaxed. "Is that so? Then come to New Marineford first tomorrow!"
Taro was stunned for a moment, then his gaze turned cold.
Did those CP0 guys report my killing of White II to the World Government, and now the World Government is putting pressure on Marineford to cause trouble for me?
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, did something happen at Headquarters?" Taro's tone grew colder.
Vice Admiral Tsuru was silent for a moment. "Just come when you're told. Why ask so many questions?"
Click. The den den mushi hung up immediately.
The coldness in Taro's heart intensified. Lucci, you've got some nerve!
...On the merchant ship.
A World Government special Black Crow Messenger landed on Lucci's shoulder, startling the pigeon on the other side into flapping its wings.
Lucci removed the small pouch from the black crow's back; inside was a letter.
"To: Edward Weevil."
The sender was the World Government.
Lucci's expression changed instantly. After a moment's hesitation, he tore open the envelope. After a quick read, his face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.
"Captain, what happened? That doesn't look like a letter for us. Why would the Black Crow Messenger fly to us?" Kaku hesitated before asking.
Lucci seemed not to hear, standing in a daze for a while before finally shaking his head slightly.
"This is an invitation to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea issued by the World Government."
He paused. "It's just that the recipient of this invitation will never receive this letter!"
Kaku was stunned, then his face changed drastically as he stammered, "This... this letter is... is for..."
Lucci nodded with a grim face.
The tallest man in the trio also realized what was happening, a hint of panic flashing in his eyes.
"Edward Weevil?"
The three fell into an abrupt silence. After a long time, the tall man tentatively suggested:
"Now that the mission to arrest Wan Luo and Wan Shi has failed, and we're stuck with Edward Weevil's death... I... I think it's better to let Taro..."
Lucci understood his meaning and turned his head coldly to look at the tall man, as if looking at a dead person.
The tall man felt a chill in his heart, but the thought of how to appease the anger and punishment for the potential mission failure outweighed his fear of Lucci. He pursed his lips.
"Captain Lucci, is it because of what Taro once did to you that you're unwilling to..."
Before he could finish, Lucci instantly transformed into his Leopard-man form. His thick, powerful leopard tail suddenly wrapped around the tall man's neck, pulling him to his knees.
After not seeing him for a while, Lucci's strength seemed to have increased significantly. His leopard tail, which should have been yellow fur with black spots, was now coated in Armament Haki, making it look like black fur with yellow spots.
"Although I am also very dissatisfied with Taro..."
Lucci's leopard tail gradually tightened. His tone was extremely cold, and his murderous gaze was fixed on the tall man kneeling before him.
"There's one thing he said that I deeply agree with."
"I also hate others telling me what to do!"
As soon as he finished speaking, his leopard tail whipped upward, lifting the man high before slamming him down heavily.
Boom!
With a loud bang, a large hole instantly cracked open in the merchant ship's deck. The man, already being throttled, nearly rolled his eyes and fainted after the heavy impact.
Lucci leaped down through the hole, stepping on the man's chest with his sharp claws digging into the flesh. His thick tail swept back and forth as he quickly slapped the man several times.
"Now, do you know who to listen to for this operation?"
The man regained some clarity after the slaps. His lips moved, but he couldn't speak, only pleading for Lucci's forgiveness with his eyes.
Lucci gave the man one last look before deactivating his transformation. He pulled a den den mushi from his robes.
"Spandam, the mission failed. I don't care what method you use, you're the one who's going to explain it..."
"Also, about Edward Weevil..."
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