Two days later, Holy Land Mary Geoise.
"Rebellion, this is rebellion!"
The Old Man with a Crutch slammed his cane on the ground, his tone cold.
"Sakazuki, is Taro planning to rebel? His wild ambitions are plain for all to see! What do you have to say for yourself now?"
Akainu had a dark expression, tilting his head slightly as he spoke in a deep voice.
"Taro has always been fighting pirates. First Blackbeard, then Whitebeard during the Marineford War, and now Kaido and Big Mom. He has stood against almost all the Great Pirates!"
"And yet, some people turned around and colluded with those pirates in a conspiracy to get rid of him!"
"Taro is still fighting to the death, while someone else defected to the enemy first. What kind of logic is that?"
Akainu said a lot in one breath, making the Old Man with a Crutch fume with rage.
"You...!"
Akainu's Marine mantle fluttered without wind, and the cigar in his mouth tilted up.
"Now the entire Marine is in an uproar, with rumors flying everywhere. Zephyr is about to quit the Marine, and morale is wavering..."
"That is your responsibility, Sakazuki!"
The Blond Man interrupted Akainu. "If you can't handle the unrest in the Marine, then what do we need you as Fleet Admiral for?"
Akainu reached out to take the cigar from his mouth and roared loudly.
"There's always someone undermining my Marine from behind. Under these circumstances, if you're dissatisfied with me, then please find someone more capable!"
"Sakazuki!" the Blond Man shouted angrily, his face darkening.
The others also turned their gazes toward Akainu, staring at him.
Akainu didn't feel a hint of panic, staring back with a dark expression.
After a long while, the Old Man with a Birthmark on His Head snorted and spoke calmly.
"Sakazuki, you must understand the responsibility of the Marine!"
"I certainly do, but the premise for that is the stability of the Marine!" Akainu's tone softened as well.
After the Gorosei exchanged glances, the Bald Man with a Sword spoke up.
"Zephyr's departure from the Marine should be handled discreetly. As for other internal Marine matters, as Fleet Admiral, you are duty-bound. That is all. You may go!"
Hearing this, Akainu looked at the expressions of the others before turning to leave.
After a while, the Gorosei withdrew their gazes from Akainu's back and shifted them to the newspaper on the desk.
The Old Man with a Sword had a strange look in his eyes, his tone cold. "At the age of 20, he managed to survive the successive attacks of Donquixote Doflamingo, Charlotte Katakuri, and Jack. Hmph!"
"After the Marineford War ended, Red Hair met with us and brought news of that pirate. That person is also a hidden danger!"
The Thin Old Man with a Long White Beard suddenly mentioned this.
"Aren't Taro and he mortal enemies? Leak the news! Of course, this still needs the right timing!"
The Blond Man, who had been furious at Akainu just now, sneered.
"Today's newspaper should make those guys take Taro seriously! Next time, Taro won't be so lucky!"
Once the Blond Man spoke, the atmosphere among the Gorosei relaxed significantly.
After a while, the Old Man with a Crutch brought up another matter.
"As for the whereabouts of that fruit, have Donquixote Doflamingo step up his investigation. Don't let it ruin our plans!"
The Old Man with a Sword adjusted his glasses, his tone relaxed.
"Naturally. He's more desperate than anyone right now. Intelligence shows his subordinates are searching everywhere for traces! We just have to wait!"
"Furthermore, since Sakazuki is so fired up, the news of 'the solitary red' setting sail again should cool him down!"
The atmosphere in the room became even more relaxed... G5 Branch.
"You brat, now that all your demands have been met, it's time to come back, isn't it?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru's gentle voice came through the den den mushi.
CP0's Spandam was handed over to Marineford for disposal.
Zephyr quit the Marine.
The entire route from G4 Base to Sabaody Archipelago was placed under Taro's jurisdiction.
Vice Admiral Tsuru transferred to vice chief of staff, and Taro took over as the Great Staff Officer of the headquarters.
The previous points were fine, but the last piece of information left Taro dumbfounded.
"Grandma Tsuru, there must be a mistake. I'm taking over as Great Staff Officer? You were doing just fine, why...?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru's mood wasn't as gloomy as one might imagine; she spoke with a hint of a smile.
"Rumors in the military say that you didn't want to be an Admiral because you had your eye on my position! Sengoku and Garp have both retired..."
Taro hurriedly interrupted Vice Admiral Tsuru's words.
"Rumors! Grandma Tsuru, those are just rumors! You must believe me, I never thought...!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru laughed even more heartily. "Those 'rumors' seem to have originated from within your own unit!"
Taro was instantly stunned!
Damn it, who's backstabbing me now?
Thinking of the traitors among his subordinates, Taro was very angry.
"Grandma Tsuru, I've found that some Marines have serious ideological problems! Catching at shadows and spreading rumors is very bad. I think it's necessary to strengthen their education!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru chuckled. "Once you take over as Great Staff Officer, you can do whatever you want!"
Taro's forehead was covered in black lines, his cheek twitching.
"I really didn't want to be the Great Staff Officer, Grandma Tsuru! Who wants to set up a makeshift team with Sakazuki..."
Before Taro could finish, Akainu's furious voice suddenly came through.
"Bastard, do you think I want to set up... with you? You brat, are you saying the Fleet Admiral and the Great Staff Officer are a makeshift team?"
Taro was shocked. Why was Red Doggy there too?
He chuckled awkwardly. "Uh... Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, you're here too? What a coincidence! Heh... heh-heh!"
"Alright, you two will be working together for a long time. What's with all this bickering?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru's voice became much softer, seemingly directed at Akainu.
Through the den den mushi, Taro could almost imagine Red Doggy's face turning as black as the bottom of a pot.
The annoyance he felt earlier turned into secret satisfaction.
Come on, let's hurt each other!
But on second thought, the Great Staff Officer has to stay at Marineford most of the time, facing Akainu's grumpy face every day without freedom. It didn't seem that great after all.
"Grandma Tsuru, the idea of me wanting to be the Great Staff Officer is definitely a rumor! How about we swap? You stay as Great Staff Officer, and I'll be the vice chief of staff?"
Before Vice Admiral Tsuru could speak, Akainu roared loudly again.
"What do you think Marineford is? Do you think military orders are open for negotiation?"
Taro curled his lip. You Red Doggy, we both find each other disgusting, and yet you insist on sticking together to suffer?
After a while, Vice Admiral Tsuru's voice came through.
"Sakazuki, how about this? I'll stay at Marineford as the vice chief of staff to assist you."
"Taro, you will still take over as Great Staff Officer. Under normal circumstances, you won't be called upon. How does that sound?"
Taro's eyebrows shot up, his face full of joy.
Being a hands-off manager? That sounds great!
"I have no objection. Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, you..."
"Come back immediately!"
Click!
Akainu snorted angrily and hung up the den den mushi.
Taro held the receiver, his face full of smiles.
Later that day, the notice for a high-level meeting at Marineford was issued!
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