Taro's original plan to go to the New World and deal with Edward Weevil was delayed because of his rash reconnaissance of Marijoa's secrets.
He had to stay on Sabaody Archipelago for two days, following Vice Admiral Garp to train the new recruits.
"Vice Admiral Garp, that Red-Haired Kid is actually Kuzan's student."
Leaning on the railing, Taro watched Grant and Sherman sparring and said softly.
"You think I don't know that?" Unlike Taro, who was slouching without a care, Garp remained standing tall and proud.
"Old man, speaking of which, what exactly does Kuzan want to do?" Taro moved closer, wearing a fawning smile as he inquired.
Garp raised his fist and shook it threateningly, "Why are you asking this?"
He paused before continuing, "He just can't see clearly, that's all!"
"Lost his way?" Taro murmured.
Garp shot Taro a glance, and Taro quickly stumbled back a step, "I mean me!"
He gave a dry laugh, "Me! Lost! Completely lost!"
He grumbled inwardly, you people are really not straightforward. Can't we all seek common ground while reserving differences, sit down and have a good talk, and exchange information?
Cooperation for mutual benefit, understand?
If we worked together, we would have changed the color of the heavens and earth long ago!
"Get lost!" Garp cursed under his breath, "Go make an appearance on the island!"
Then he roared at the Marine Soldiers on the training ground, "What are you all staring over here for? Looking for a beating?"
"Vice Admiral, I've been showing my face for two days already. Do I have to go again today?" Taro was somewhat reluctant, "Didn't you say those CP spies have been sent away?"
"Those were the obvious ones. I can't guarantee those new CP0 agents aren't around!" Garp shook his head lightly and said gravely,
"Be careful in everything. Did you forget the warning I just gave you?"
You can't guarantee it, but I dare say they are! It's just people like Rob Lucci and his bunch!
"Sigh, alright then!" Taro pouted.
Sabaody Archipelago, Grove 1.
At the original site of the slave auction house, the auction house manager, Disco, was sitting on the ground drinking gloomily.
On the ground in front of him, bounty posters of Luffy, Zoro, Law, and Kid were each pinned down by a dagger.
In his left hand, he also held an old newspaper with a large photo of Taro prominently displayed.
This was a report from long ago, when Taro had just taken up his post as the garrison commander of Sabaody Archipelago.
"These four pirate bastards, and you, the scum who shut down the auction house. It's all your fault, it's all because of you. Joker, that son of a..."
As he was cursing, a gust of wind and snow swept in, instantly freezing him into a snowman.
Snowflakes drifted down from the air, coalescing into Monet's figure. Her grassy green wavy hair covered her left eye, and a cold glint flashed in her golden right pupil.
"If you utter a single word insulting the Young Lord, I won't mind killing you!"
Another gentle breeze blew past, and the ice and snow covering Disco dissipated. He shivered violently from the cold, his teeth chattering.
"Did... did Joker send you?"
"The Young Lord wants to know what Taro has been up to lately." Monet's tone remained icy as she cast a disdainful glance at Disco.
"But, looking at your pathetic state, asking you is a waste of time!"
Disco hugged his arms, rubbing them to warm himself up, shivering, "You... I... Of course I know!"
Monet let out a contemptuous sneer, "Oh, really?"
"He cleared out several blocks in the Lawless Zone, unified the nobles on the island, and is building a new place called a 'Film City'!"
Disco's arm-rubbing seemed quite effective, as his speech speed returned to normal.
"Tell Joker as soon as possible, stop Taro. This guy will eventually target the entire Lawless Zone. When that happens, Joker's businesses won't have a foothold anywhere!"
Monet chuckled lightly, "No foothold? The Young Lord isn't interested in these 'petty businesses' in the Lawless Zone. Whether you live or die has nothing to do with the Young Lord."
As she spoke, Monet crouched down and picked up the newspaper, "The Young Lord is only interested in Taro! Understand?"
After saying that, her right hand transformed into a large ice pick and stabbed into Taro's neck in the photo.
Grove 25, Sabaody Film City Project Command Center.
Commodore George was reporting on the project's progress. Listening to George's rigid, by-the-book report gave Taro a headache.
"George, you and Mike are my most trusted right-hand men. I have full confidence in your work! You don't need to go into detail with these reports!"
George immediately saluted respectfully, "Thank you for your affirmation, Vice Admiral. I will definitely..."
"Stop, stop!" Taro waved his hand to cut George off. He stood up and patted George on the shoulder, "Keep up the good work, I have high hopes for you!"
These two 'brilliant' brothers under his command, really something else!
"Enough about that. How has Bartholomew Kuma's situation been recently?"
"Not too good!" George replied.
Taro was taken aback for a moment, rubbed his chin, and frowned, "That shouldn't be the case? With his strength, should any pirates on this island be a match for him?"
"Vice Admiral, it's not pirates, it's the Marines?" George shook his head. Seeing Taro's expression of shock and anger, he quickly added:
"Not our people. It's those 'prospective Marines' from the World Conscription."
"Huh? What does this have to do with the World Conscription?" Taro was very surprised.
"Vice Admiral, back then, weren't there many who came drawn by your fame..."
After George explained the whole story from beginning to end, Taro was dumbfounded.
Back then, Taro's battle with Fujitora attracted many civilian experts who wanted to challenge Taro.
And since Taro kept hiding and never showed his face on Sabaody, these civilian experts lost their target?
However, with Taro, the touchstone, absent, there was still a Warlord of the Sea on the island!
And so, Bartholomew Kuma became the whetstone for those so-called 'experts'.
"Has Kuma used his Devil Fruit Ability?" Taro asked, rubbing his forehead in exasperation.
George shook his head, "So far, no."
Taro frowned deeply. Vegapunk had said back then that Kuma was still the same Kuma.
But now, whether from when he saw Kuma without gloves or from the current intelligence, it seemed Kuma had lost his Devil Fruit Ability.
What the hell is going on?
"Vice Admiral, should we stop them?" George inquired.
Taro pondered for a long time, first shaking his head, then nodding.
"Tell that bunch, there are only three slots per month to challenge Kuma. Let them pick their strongest people. Don't let any scum and trash take their turn!"
"Vice Admiral, there are quite a lot of them. Just three slots might be..." George hesitated.
Taro glared at George, "So many people, for so long, still can't handle a Kuma without a Devil Fruit Ability. Doesn't that just prove they're all scum and trash?"
George lowered his head, thinking to himself, Vice Admiral, these people are all going to join the Marines. Calling them scum and trash isn't very appropriate.
Taro, feeling irritable, waved his hand, "Hurry up and go!"
George straightened up, saluted, "Yes, sir."
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