Garp was dumbstruck and stood up in shock.
"Is what you're saying true?"
Makino didn't expect Garp to have such a big reaction and was startled. After a while, she nodded firmly.
"Yes, that was the first time I met him. Since it was his first time at my bar and he was a new customer, I asked him how I should address him."
"His expression was a bit strange at the time. First, he looked surprised, then he became a bit... well... a bit lecherous, and told me to call him Dai D..."
"Halfway through, he seemed to think of something else. Anyway, he froze for a long time before saying his name was Taro and telling me to forget what he had just said..."
"So, I think Mr. Taro's full name should be Dai D. Zhou Ze!"
Makino rubbed her chin with her finger as memories flooded back, and finally, she nodded heavily, confirming she hadn't remembered incorrectly.
Garp's eyes widened, and he stood there in a daze as if he had lost his mind.
"Mr. Garp, are you alright?" Makino asked, looking at Garp's reaction with concern.
After a long time, Garp came to his senses and looked at Makino solemnly, "Never mention this to anyone ever again, do you understand?"
Makino had never seen Garp speak in such a serious tone and nodded blankly.
Back on the ship, Garp went straight to the captain's quarters.
"Buri buri buri"
"Is that Tsuru? It's me! Garp."
The den den mushi connected, and Garp relayed the information he had just received to Vice Admiral Tsuru.
Vice Admiral Tsuru also told Garp the information she had gathered from Taro.
After they finished speaking, the two were quiet for a long time. Finally, Vice Admiral Tsuru broke the silence.
"That bar owner named Makino doesn't look bad, does she?"
Garp gave an "en" sound. "What do you mean by that?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru chuckled, "Nobles, their heads are full of such filth. Even Taro can't help but be influenced a bit."
Then her tone became more serious.
"This way, the information we both obtained can be cross-referenced."
Garp nodded in deep agreement, "He's a young man, it's only natural to like beautiful women. Otherwise, he wouldn't be with Nico Robin..."
"What did you say? Natural?" Vice Admiral Tsuru's voice suddenly rose, interrupting Garp.
Garp shrunk his neck. "No, I mean, I didn't expect Taro to also be a member of the D..."
"Cough, cough."
Vice Admiral Tsuru coughed twice to interrupt Garp again. "Don't talk about this anymore. Taro's full name cannot be known by more people."
"I naturally know this, it's just..." Garp nodded, a bit hesitant.
Vice Admiral Tsuru shook her head and said softly, "It's fine, don't worry, CP0 won't be able to find anything either."
"You should know better than I what those nobles of the Goa Kingdom are like. They have long sought the favor of the Celestial Dragons. How could they expose the'stain' of their country? Taro's actions are the'shame of the nobility'!"
Garp finally breathed a sigh of relief. "If you say so, then I'm relieved."
Currently, Taro was at the amusement park experiencing the roller coaster, Ferris wheel, and other rides.
He was completely unaware that because of his momentary cheekiness when he asked Makino to call him daddy, it had evolved into another version.
His hesitation at the time was only because he remembered that in the two years after the Marineford War, Makino had a child with someone unknown.
In his previous life, most one piece fan speculated it was Red-Haired Shanks' child, which made Taro not dare to continue teasing this woman who might be Red Hair's wife.
He was afraid that if Shanks found out, he would beat him to death.
The amusement facilities at Area 40 made Taro feel like a lifetime had passed, as the happiness of this moment overlapped with memories of his previous life.
He could feel himself gradually integrating into this pirate world.
"Vice Admiral, Vice Admiral!"
Mike suddenly waved his arms and shouted loudly, looking a bit anxious.
Taro flew down from the Ferris wheel. "What? What happened?"
"It's Admiral Sakazuki, he's looking for you!" Mike handed over a den den mushi.
Hmm? Why is Red Doggy looking for me?
Taro took the den den mushi in confusion, walked to a quieter place, and picked up the receiver.
"Taro? It's me."
"Yes, Admiral, what is it?"
"The New World, do you want to come?"
"Huh?"
"Blackbeard..."
"Understood, I'll be right there."
"Kacha." Hanging up the den den mushi, Taro spoke rapidly.
"Mike, I'm leaving for a while and will be back soon. I'll leave this place to you and George."
Mike had also heard the conversation between Taro and Akainu just now and quickly obeyed.
Taro patted his shoulder, walked quickly into the shadows, and then transformed into a Falcon, soaring into the sky.
Holy Land Mary Geoise.
There are only two ways for a ship to cross the Red Line. The first is like the pirates, coating the ship at Sabaody Archipelago and then diving ten thousand meters deep to pass through the seabed.
The second is through the World Government's lifting docks, where the entire ship is lifted onto the Red Line to cross over land.
This method saves the time of coating the ship and avoids the risk of encountering Sea Kings, making it safe and fast.
As the powerful force through which the World Government controls the Four Seas and the Grand Line, the Marine naturally uses the second method.
Taro landed at the Marine-exclusive dock at the foot of the Red Line, and the dock guards came to meet him.
"Vice Admiral Taro, Admiral Sakazuki is waiting for you!" A Marine Major saluted.
"Yes, lead the way!" Taro returned the salute. "Is the warship lifted yet?"
"Yes, Vice Admiral, only the last one is left."
Taro was anxious and quickened his pace upon hearing this.
"Taro, you're here. Let's go, we'll talk after we board the ship." Akainu greeted Taro and was the first to board.
After everyone boarded, the lifting began, and the warship slowly rose.
"Admiral Sakazuki, did you agree to Blackbeard's request to exchange Jewelry Bonney for one of our warships?" Taro asked.
Akainu's gloomy face was terrifyingly dark, and he snorted angrily.
"In this Major incident, the entire Marineford was played by that bastard Blackbeard, making him the ultimate winner. How could I agree to a pirate's terms!"
"Taro, don't you understand why I called you here?"
After speaking, Akainu stared intently at Taro.
Dealing with Blackbeard was Taro's duty. He nodded, "I understand. Since you called me along, I owe you a favor. In the future..."
Before Taro could finish, he was interrupted by Akainu's sharp shout.
"Exterminating pirates is my lifelong wish and your duty as a Marine. What do I need your favor for?"
Taro's mouth twitched, and he said no more.
The warship soon rose onto the Red Line, was transported to the other side via a conveyor belt, and then lowered down.
Taro arrived in the New World for the first time, the sea where the 'Four Emperors' reign supreme!
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