Taro's words made Akainu's face darken, and he snorted coldly.
"Hmph, those old fellows are truly a bunch of muddle-heads."
Red Doggy was certain that CP0 had brought the invitation letter; otherwise, it couldn't have been such a coincidence for Taro to run into them.
Then, he nodded to Taro, "When you killed him, he wasn't a Warlord of the Sea yet. Since he was a pirate, your killing him is beyond reproach. No need to worry."
Vice Admiral Tsuru also nodded with a smile, "That's right, leave this matter to Marineford to handle."
Hearing this, Taro hesitated for a moment, "Then his body..."
"Leave it at Marineford, I have other uses for it!" Sakazuki interrupted Taro.
Damn, I was going to send it to Vegapunk for research!
He was about to speak, but saw Vice Admiral Tsuru shaking her head slightly at him, signaling him not to argue.
Frowning, Taro finally stopped talking.
Great Staff Officer's Office.
"Grandma Tsuru, that guy's body is a bit strange. I wanted to send it to Dr. Vegapunk. Why did you...?"
As soon as Taro entered the room, he couldn't wait to ask Vice Admiral Tsuru.
Vice Admiral Tsuru unhurriedly poured a cup of tea for Taro and said slowly, "Taro, seven years have passed since that incident. It has indeed been too long. This time, I should also thank you!"
Taro was stunned for a moment, then his tone was somewhat reproachful, "Grandma Tsuru, I am Teacher Zephyr's student. Avenging my teacher is only natural. Why are you thanking me!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru nodded with relief, then her expression became more serious.
"This matter didn't just affect Zephyr; it also had an extremely bad impact within the Marines. Your slaying him is a great opportunity to rally Marine morale. Sakazuki made this decision with that in mind as well. Don't hold a grudge against him!"
Taro lowered his eyelids and thought for a while, "I naturally have no objection to boosting morale, but I'm still very concerned about the abnormalities in Weevil's body!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru considered it intently for a moment, "Well, since that's the case, I will send someone to deliver some samples over."
Taro felt a bit more relieved and took a sip of tea, "Grandma Tsuru, what about CP0...?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru shook her head, "Don't worry, Sakazuki will help you withstand the pressure."
Can Red Doggy really withstand it?
In the original story, this guy was disrespected to his face by CP0, and he didn't seem to be able to do anything about it, only able to engage in some trash talk.
Taro looked at Vice Admiral Tsuru with a face full of doubt. The Old Lady's lips curled up, revealing a slight smile.
"The position of Fleet Admiral is not an easy one to sit in, especially with Sakazuki's personality. If the Marines do nothing, he naturally lacks confidence. This time is different; what you did has earned his deep approval. Rest assured."
What's the use of approval from someone who can't get things done? Taro curled his lip.
Noticing Taro's disdain, Vice Admiral Tsuru shook her head and gave a light laugh.
"You brat, I know you two don't see eye to eye, but you must remember, Sakazuki always prioritizes the interests of the Marines! That will never change!"
Taro felt helpless and nodded, "Alright."
After a while, Vice Admiral Tsuru asked again, "Do you really have no recommendations for the Warlord of the Sea position?"
Now, all the capable pirates have established their own territories. Where would there be any suitable candidates!
Besides, this system is about to stop working anyway. Just find someone to make up the numbers.
Taro thought for a moment and tentatively suggested, "How about just changing it to the Six Warlords of the Sea?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru threw the pen in her hand directly at him... Fleet Admiral's Office.
Akainu's entire left arm had turned into magma, with billowing black smoke rising. His right hand held the receiver, almost crushing it, and his entire face was twisted in anger.
"Sakazuki, it's a fact that Taro killed a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Are you planning to protect him?" A questioning voice came from the receiver.
Akainu's face grew even more furious as he roared into the receiver, "What kind of Warlord of the Sea was Edward Weevil? Who knew? This was just a Marine operation to wipe out a pirate!"
"Ask those old fellows, from now on, whenever the Marines encounter a pirate, do they have to first ask if the World Government intends to invite him to be a Warlord of the Sea before deciding whether to act?"
The other end of the line was silent for a moment, then the voice of the Old Man with a Crutch from the Gorosei came through.
"Sakazuki, don't be too presumptuous just because you've become the Fleet Admiral."
"Now, the position of Warlord of the Sea is still vacant. You must take responsibility."
Akainu snorted and said with suppressed anger, "The Marines will naturally recommend a candidate!"
The Gorosei were silent for a long while before asking again, "Intelligence says there were other pirates present, yet Taro, as a Marine, did not act. Aren't you going to give us an explanation?"
Akainu actually retorted very firmly, "CP0, as an espionage agency against the Revolutionary Army, appeared on the same island as a pirate where Taro, a Marine, was. Aren't you going to give me an explanation?"
Akainu's words were implying that the World Government had issued an invitation to Weevil without notifying him.
"Sakazuki, you are too insolent!" The Blond Man among the Gorosei spoke up.
Akainu remained unmoved and said in a deep voice, "Is there anything else?"
"Click."
The Gorosei hung up the phone directly.
Marijoa.
"Insolent!" The Old Man with a Crutch stamped his cane on the floor, his tone displeased.
The Bald Man rested his sword at his side, "We chose him to succeed as Fleet Admiral because of his resolute character. Now it seems he's turned that toughness on us first?"
After the Bald Man finished speaking, the Gorosei all fell silent. After a long time, the man with the long beard shook his head.
"Forget it, the timing isn't right yet. Let's set this matter aside for now and recall CP0!"
The Old Man with a Crutch frowned.
"Stussy's investigation in Fish-Man Island regarding that Guardian of Alabasta hasn't sent back definite intelligence yet. Moreover, she said she seems to have sensed some abnormalities in Fish-Man Island. Isn't it a bit hasty to recall them now?"
The Blond Man thought for a moment, shook his head, and spoke in a deep voice.
"Our urgent task is to find that Peeper. Since Spandam's report has already confirmed it was the work of Wan Luo and Wan Shi, let CP0 concentrate their manpower and handle this matter first!"
This was a task personally assigned by Lord Imu. The Gorosei were also apprehensive and dared not be negligent. From then on, no one had any other opinions.
At this time, Taro didn't know that the former CP9 chief he had almost lost his memory of—Spandam—had unintentionally helped him out with his first move after joining CP0.
In the mission report Spandam submitted to the World Government, he confirmed that Wan Luo and Wan Shi were the culprits behind the surveillance of Marijoa.
And he greatly exaggerated the strength of the two, suggesting that the World Government send more manpower to support Rob Lucci.
This report ultimately influenced the Gorosei's judgment.
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