"Like me, I use a sword, so I don't need to learn the offensive techniques of the Six Powers."
"Besides, I'm of the Giant Race; the defensive techniques of the Six Powers don't offer much improvement for me."
"Only the movement speed techniques are of some help to me."
"In the Marine, there are many reasons like this, which is why there are very few people who have completely mastered the Six Powers."
Listening to Vice Admiral John explain the reasons, Taro gradually understood, feeling quite helpless.
The positioning of the Six Powers was indeed quite awkward. As a summary of Marine physical combat experience, it certainly had its unique merits. However, since most people did not rely solely on physical combat and everyone had their differences, it ultimately became what it was now—a means for Marines to compensate for their shortcomings.
"You're Vice Admiral Garp's most valued subordinate; wouldn't it be more convenient to ask him directly?"
Taro was speechless. If I could, I would, but it's too easy to get exposed in front of Garp.
"Is there anyone else who knows them?" Taro asked, still not giving up. "Or is there a group of people who, together, know the complete set of the Six Powers?"
"Well, I heard there's a guy in the spy agency CP9 who knows them. Their missions make it difficult to carry weapons," Vice Admiral John pondered for a moment. "As for here at Marineford, I'm not really sure. After all, people rarely use them."
"Oh, right, and my teacher..." Speaking of this, Vice Admiral John suddenly covered his mouth and looked at Taro with a wary expression.
Taro was nodding as he listened, but Vice Admiral John suddenly went silent. He looked up and saw that Vice Admiral John's expression was a bit off, which he found strange. "Hmm? Keep going. What about your teacher..."
By the end of his sentence, Taro's eyes also widened. He remembered someone. "Your teacher is... the former Marine Admiral..."
"You actually know?!"
Vice Admiral John cried out in surprise, looking at Taro as if he had seen a ghost.
The former Marine Admiral, "Black Arm" Zephyr! The Chief Instructor of the Marine Academy, from the same generation as Garp and Sengoku. Many Marine officers, including Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji, were his students.
In his memory, Zephyr shouldn't have left the Marine yet. Since the Seven Warlords of the Sea were still Mihawk and the others, that guy who claimed to be Whitebeard's son hadn't been nominated yet. Why did Vice Admiral John seem reluctant to mention him?
Taro was a bit puzzled. "Of course I know. Many people in the Marine are his students. Why are you so surprised? You seem like you don't really want to talk about him."
Vice Admiral John also realized his reaction was a bit excessive and gave a dry cough. "Since you know, then I don't need to hide it. Yes, Teacher Zephyr is also one of those who have mastered the Six Powers."
"However, due to some incidents, Teacher Zephyr's personality has changed drastically, and he hasn't returned for a long time."
Vice Admiral John's tone was filled with regret and lamentation.
Taro had a deep impression of Zephyr. He felt great sympathy for the old Marine's misfortunes and had even shed tears for him.
Recalling Zephyr's story, Taro sighed, "Yeah, it's a pity."
But then he thought of Zephyr's final end and felt a sense of reluctance, feeling that he should do something.
Then he raised his head and said to Vice Admiral John, "Vice Admiral, do you know where I can find him?"
"Wh-What do you want to do?" Vice Admiral John looked at Taro in confusion.
"To learn the Six Powers, of course!"
Taro gave a big smile.
"Teacher has formed a 'Pirate Guerrilla Force' over the past two years to hunt pirates. The last message I received said he was at..."
...Marineford, Vice Admiral Tsuru's office.
"What did you say?" Vice Admiral Tsuru slammed her pen onto the desk and glared at Taro, scolding, "Who gave you permission to leave the Training Camp?"
Taro shrank his neck. "I... I'm not leaving. I'm taking a leave of absence. Vice Admiral John already approved it."
Vice Admiral Tsuru stood up from her seat, slowly walked over to Taro, and stared at him. "What do you want to borrow a warship for?"
That's right, Taro had come to Vice Admiral Tsuru to borrow a warship to set sail.
It was unavoidable; in Marineford, only those at the Field Officer rank or above are qualified to have a warship. Taro, who was only a Lieutenant, naturally didn't have his own ship.
Garp wasn't at Marineford right now, and even if he were, he probably wouldn't allow Taro to run around.
So Taro had to find someone who had a warship and might be willing to lend it to him. Most importantly, it had to be someone who could stop Garp when Garp tried to kill him after he returned.
After thinking it over, Vice Admiral Tsuru was the only choice.
And so, he came.
Taro's mind raced, thinking about how to answer. The person in front of him was the Marine's Chief of Staff, a great tactician. She wouldn't be easy to fool, and making up lies probably wouldn't work.
No choice then. Vice Admiral John, better a Fellow Daoist dies than me. Sorry!
"Actually, it's nothing much. I just want to learn the Six Powers, and Vice Admiral John told me the Training Camp doesn't teach them."
"Then he recommended his teacher to me, the former Marine Admiral..."
As Taro was speaking, he suddenly felt Vice Admiral Tsuru's Aura surge, scaring him so much that he couldn't finish his sentence.
Vice Admiral Tsuru looked at Taro with suspicion. This child wants to go see Zephyr?
Given Zephyr's current situation... sigh, forget it. He's just a child. Zephyr has always liked helping the younger generation; it might be good for them to meet.
As for that fellow John, he dares to say anything. I'll have to find an opportunity to give him a good lesson.
Seeing Vice Admiral Tsuru hesitating, Taro thought that one more push might do it.
He gritted his teeth, his cheek twitching, and called out in an extremely syrupy voice: "Grandma Tsuru!"
After saying it, Taro couldn't even stand himself. His body involuntarily shuddered, and he felt nauseous.
Holy crap, I'm about to puke!
To his surprise, Vice Admiral Tsuru seemed to enjoy it. She was snapped out of her thoughts by Taro's "Grandma Tsuru," and with a look of joy in her eyes, she nodded at Taro with satisfaction:
"Good boy,"
"I agree to lend you a warship."
Taro didn't care about the nausea anymore. He broke into a surprised smile and said in a flattering tone, "Thank you, Grandma Tsuru! I knew you were the best to me!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru looked at Taro with even more satisfaction.
She picked up the den den mushi on her desk and said into the receiver, "Hina, come here for a moment."
"Hina understands!" The voice came from the den den mushi.
A moment later, the office door was pushed open, and a tall beauty walked in.
She was almost as tall as Taro, with long pink hair and a pair of deep purple sunglasses used as a headband on her forehead. She had a slender figure, especially her waist, which was incredibly thin, accentuating her impressive bust.
The moment Taro saw the cigarette in her mouth, he remembered who she was.
She was a Marine from the same year as that other heavy Smoker, the Smoke-Smoke Fruit user Smoker.
"Hina, take a warship and accompany Taro out to sea!"
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