Having'slept with' someone's daughter in an unconventional way, Taro felt extremely guilty.
If he stayed on Fish-Man Island any longer and King Neptune found out about this, he was afraid he'd be castrated for good.
Thinking of this, Taro instantly felt a chill in a certain area, and his face stiffened.
"Vice Admiral, didn't King Neptune agree? Why are we leaving in such a hurry?" Mike moved closer and asked softly, somewhat apprehensively.
Taro's expression shifted uncertainly. After a long while, he forced a look of indifference.
"Since they've agreed, what's the point of us lingering there?"
Mike was taken aback. "But, Vice Admiral, we haven't even set up the Security Markers yet!"
Taro: "..."
Taro sighed. "Come back in a few days to take care of it. For now, everyone stays on Sabaody Archipelago. Don't go anywhere!"
Although puzzled, Mike obeyed the order and went to relay the command.
Only when the warship accelerated away from Fish-Man Island's vicinity using the rising ocean current did Taro relax somewhat, and his thoughts gradually cleared.
Damn, isn't running off like this after getting up a bit of a scumbag move?
Taro realized this belatedly, his eyebrows twitching violently a few times. Ah, whatever. Since he's already run, preserving his bodily integrity is what matters!
Fish-Man Island Palace.
"What did you say? Taro has already left?" the First Prince demanded loudly from the guard. "When did he leave? Why wasn't anyone informed?"
The guard at the palace's main entrance shrank his neck. "That gentleman left in a great hurry, early in the morning. He seemed not to want to disturb His Majesty the King and the princes, and specifically instructed us not to!"
Neptune waved his hand, dismissing the guard. Then, looking at The Three Princes and the Grand Right and Left Ministers, he felt somewhat awkward.
"Sigh, how terribly impolite. We haven't even properly thanked our benefactor. This is truly most discourteous!"
The Grand Right Minister offered comfort. "He will return. His Security Markers haven't been established yet, and there are still details to discuss. Next time he comes, we'll host him properly."
"Indeed, Father. I don't think Taro minds such formalities either. Otherwise, he wouldn't have deliberately left without letting us know!" the Third Prince also voiced his opinion.
Neptune was quite moved. "Bestowing favors without expecting anything in return. What an outstanding young man."
Thinking back to last night, when he had asked the benefactor if he was a dead man, his sense of guilt deepened even further.
"We can't just keep waiting for Taro. We must also show our sincerity. Very well, Shark Star, make the arrangements. Go to Sabaody for a return visit!"
"Yes."
... Upon returning to Sabaody Archipelago, Taro hid in the residential area and once again emphasized to Mike that for the next few days, the Marines were not to act rashly.
"Especially if anyone comes looking for me, tell them I'm not here!" Taro stressed.
"Vice Admiral, then what should the Marines do next?"
"What should they do? Let me think..." Taro tapped his forehead, pondered for a moment, and said:
"Have all the pirates on Sabaody been captured? If not, keep capturing them. If you're done, then launch an industry rectification campaign. Understand? A Disciplinary Movement!"
"Industry rectification? Disciplinary Movement?"
"Yeah, I mean places like Human Auction Houses, Slave Trading Posts... shut them all down!"
"But, Vice Admiral, that's probably not within the Marines' purview. Isn't that..."
"No buts! I suspect those places are harboring pirates. Anyone who objects, arrest them first, then we'll talk!"
"This, this..."
"Execute the order!"
"Bam!" The door closed.
Mike looked utterly bewildered, feeling something was off about the Vice Admiral today.
However, only a day later, the door was knocked on. Taro angrily pulled it open.
"Didn't I say I'm not seeing anyone for the next few days, you old bastard... Huh? Admiral Kuzan?"
Taro was fuming and cursing at Mike, only then noticing someone standing behind Mike.
Aokiji was leaning his arms on the corridor railing, gazing into the distance. Seeing Taro come out, Aokiji waved his hand, signaling Mike to leave.
Then he asked softly, "The reason you don't want to go out these days... is it to avoid seeing those people?"
Those people? Taro panicked a little. Had Neptune come after him?
He slowly shuffled his feet, moving closer to the railing. Then he saw a large group of ornately dressed people gathered at the entrance of the Marine residential area, with guards lined up in defensive positions.
"Who are these people?" Taro was first puzzled, then furious. "How dare they! Blockading a Marine base?"
Aokiji glanced at him and said flatly, "Those are the behind-the-scenes owners of the Human Auction Houses you ordered to be shut down. They're all powerful nobles."
Taro was taken aback. That old guy Mike works pretty fast. Good!
Then he chuckled lightly. "So that's what it is!"
"Mike! Mike!" Taro leaned out and called down to Mike, who had just reached the bottom of the stairs.
"Tell those people at the gate: Celestial Dragons were attacked at the auction houses. The Marines' crackdown on these establishments is imperative. If they cause any more trouble, arrest them and charge them as accomplices!"
Mike accepted the order and left. Soon, the nobles gathered at the entrance scattered in a rush.
Taro nodded, quite satisfied with Mike's work efficiency.
Then he curled his lip disdainfully. Even Donquixote Doflamingo isn't in the human trafficking business anymore. You small-time nobles really have low ambitions.
Watching Taro's series of actions, Aokiji fell into deep thought. After a long while, he slowly spoke, "Taro, I understand you less and less."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Taro was very confused.
"No, it's nothing." Aokiji straightened up, his expression turning somewhat serious. "I have something I want to tell you."
Taro's eyes flickered. He gestured with his hand. "Then come in and talk!"
After they sat down, Taro held his wine glass, staring blankly at the clear liquid, waiting for Aokiji to speak.
Only after drinking half a bottle did Aokiji speak softly: "I have a subordinate, also something of a Disciple, whom I'd like to transfer under your command."
Taro was momentarily confused. Why transfer your subordinate to me?
"Who?"
"A young man named Grant."
"If he's your Disciple, wouldn't it be better to keep him by your side? Why..."
Before Taro could finish, Aokiji took over.
"Sengoku has resigned, and the Fleet Admiral has approved it!"
Taro nodded at first, then his eyes widened suddenly. Damn, are you entrusting him to my care?
Aokiji naturally noticed the change in Taro's expression. "Taro, your insight is truly sharp. You figured it out that quickly?"
"Why?" Taro asked.
"Originally, I wanted to ask Vice Admiral Garp, but in the end, I decided to have him come to you," Aokiji replied casually.
Taro sighed. "No, that's not what I meant. You should know... the upper echelons of the World Government won't support you. Why still..."
Aokiji's gaze sharpened. "I cannot let this world fall into a trap of violence!"
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