Taro was so focused on instilling his Marine philosophy into Zephyr that he forgot the ultimate reason why Zephyr left the Marine to form the "NEO" Marine.
Seeing Taro's expression change drastically, Zephyr asked, "What's wrong? Is there a flaw in the plan?"
Taro took a deep breath and quickly waved his hand. "No, I just drank too much and feel a bit nauseous."
Zephyr stared at Taro suspiciously for a long while. "Are you really okay?"
"Yeah!"
Taro nodded heavily, but in his heart, he thought that he must find an opportunity to resolve this hidden danger; he couldn't let that guy provoke Zephyr.
In the original story, it was when that guy was appointed as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea that Zephyr came to believe the World Government had no bottom line and became completely disillusioned with the Marine under the government, thus embarking on an extreme path.
"Alright then, you should get some rest!"
Zephyr stood up, preparing to leave, his voice suddenly becoming low and deep.
"Taro, taking you as my student was the best decision of my life!"
Taro quickly stood up and bowed to Zephyr, feeling somewhat moved. "Teacher..."
Zephyr waved his hand to interrupt Taro. "No need for words. Leave once you've rested well!"
Seeing Taro's hesitation, Zephyr laughed heartily. "You brat, now that we're done talking, why are you still lingering by my side?"
"I don't even care about these small-time pirates nowadays!"
As he spoke, he swung his Sea Stone mechanical prosthetic arm a few times.
Taro felt guilty; having already left Ain and Benz behind, if he were to leave as well, Zephyr would be the only high-level combatant in the entire fleet.
"Teacher, please let me accompany you for a while longer!"
Zephyr stared at Taro for a long time before finally ceasing his opposition, a slight smile appearing on his face. "Rest first!"
Three days later, Grand Line, Spring Island.
Zephyr barked at Taro, who was standing beside him, "You brat, get lost already!"
"Huh?"
"It's been three days. Every time a pirate ship appears, you slash it to pieces. How are we supposed to train the Marine Soldiers like this? Look at them, they've been idle all day. Get out of here now!"
Seeing Taro's innocent look, Zephyr grew even more annoyed.
For three days, the fleet had been crisscrossing the seven routes of the first half of the Grand Line (Paradise). They had encountered many pirate ships, but they were always sunk by a single strike from Taro; he gave the fleet no chance to open fire at all.
"This... Teacher Zephyr, I'm just trying to avoid unnecessary casualties!"
Taro shrunk his neck and muttered softly.
Zephyr snorted and said sternly, "If they neglect their training, there will be even more deaths and injuries in future major battles. You're harming them!"
Then he gave Taro a push. "Leave quickly and get on with your business!"
Taro tilted his body to dodge, but his feet didn't move.
Seeing this, Zephyr's tone softened a bit as he sighed.
"I know what's on your mind. Go on. You've seen it these past few days; the sea is full of insignificant small fries. Could they possibly threaten me? Don't worry, I'll be fine!"
Taro remained silent for a long time before finally nodding. "Alright, Teacher, please take care of yourself!"
Zephyr gave a solemn "Mm."
Taro felt a bit more at ease. He called over the Sergeant Major and gave him a thousand instructions before finally deciding to leave.
"Stop nagging! I've roamed the seas for decades; do I need your advice?"
Hearing Taro's instructions, Zephyr voiced his dissatisfaction, but his eyes were full of gratification.
Taro scratched his hair and chuckled. "Then, Teacher, I'm off!"
Zephyr waved his hand impatiently. "Scram!"
Only then did Taro transform into a Falcon and soar into the sky.
Zephyr watched Taro's receding figure until he could no longer see it, then stepped back from the bow... White Earth Island, Baltigo.
Nico Robin, who was originally in the Bridge Kingdom of the East Blue, had interpreted the Captain's meaning immediately after seeing Luffy's photo in the newspaper.
Coincidentally, the Revolutionary Army leader Dragon sent a message, so Robin gave up her plan to go to the Sabaody Archipelago and followed the Revolutionary Army warriors to arrive at this Revolutionary Army base.
This island was covered in white desert, and the white dust flying all over the sky made it difficult to discover amidst the blue sea and sky.
Robin wore the iconic dark green cloak of the Revolutionary Army to shield herself from the wind and sand. Looking at the Revolutionary Army leader before her, a strange emotion welled up in her heart.
This was the second meeting between two of the world's most heinous criminals. Last time in the East Blue, they had parted in a hurry, leaving Robin full of curiosity about this Revolutionary Army leader.
"We meet again, lamp of revolution, Nico Robin!"
Dragon turned around, his voice somewhat raspy as it was blown by the sea breeze.
"What is it you want to confirm with me?" Robin took a few steps forward, walked to Dragon's side, and leaned against the balcony railing, looking into the distance.
"I want to know some of the history of that Giant Kingdom that Ohara studied!"
When Dragon said this, the sea breeze suddenly turned into a gale, making their cloaks flap loudly.
Robin pondered for a long while before asking, "Why?"
"Because of Taro!"
When Dragon mentioned this name, Robin appeared somewhat surprised. "Taro? What does this have to do with him?"
"I heard a segment of the long history of the Giant Kingdom from him, a history spanning 5,000 years!" Dragon's tone was very solemn.
After a moment's thought, Robin understood Dragon's meaning. "Are you trying to say that Taro is a descendant of that Giant Kingdom?"
Dragon nodded. "It's just a suspicion, so I want to confirm it. Can you tell me some of Ohara's research findings?"
Sensing Robin's hesitation, Dragon added, "I'm sorry, this request might be a bit much!"
"No, I just think it's unlikely. The script and language Taro uses are not the characters found on the poneglyphs!"
Robin recovered from her shock and shook her head gently.
"Moreover, the history of the Giant Kingdom's existence is not 5,000 years; perhaps it was only the 100 years of the blank period in history!"
"Is that so?" Dragon remained noncommittal.
"Alright, I can tell you some of what I know." Robin finally nodded. "You might understand once I've finished!"
Robin's voice rang out periodically in the gale as she began to recount the history of the Giant Kingdom as she knew it.
Dragon's expression became increasingly serious until he finally asked one question.
"In other words, while the World Government ostensibly worries about the revival of the three ancient weapons, in reality, it is the suppressed history of the Giant Kingdom—its existence and ideology—that the World Government considers the greatest threat?"
A look of reminiscence flashed in Robin's eyes, along with some sorrow.
"That was indeed Professor Clover's conclusion! It is also the history of that blank 100 years."
Dragon nodded and sighed after a long while. "The 100 years of suffering that began in 1840 AD... so that's how it is?"
"1840 AD? What is that?" Robin asked in confusion.
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