"Reporting, Vice Admiral Garp, Vice Admiral Taro, no sign of 'Disaster' Jack was found on the nearby seabed. In deeper waters, current conditions might make it difficult..."
As the storm began to subside, a Navy Lieutenant Commander from G5 Base came over to report with a face full of shame.
"In other words, not a single pirate was caught?"
Taro frowned, somewhat dissatisfied.
Damn, does this mean I got beaten up so badly for nothing?
"Vice Admiral Taro, we captured several hundred unconscious pirates. After interrogation, we learned they are Jack's subordinates and were washed onto the beach by a massive wave!"
The Navy Lieutenant Commander answered hurriedly.
Taro's brow twitched. Jack had Fishman blood and couldn't drown. In that case, that brute was likely rescued by his subordinates!
"Understood, you're dismissed!"
Taro waved his hand dejectedly. "Oh, and make sure those two tusks are kept safe; those are my spoils of war!"
"Yes, sir."
Garp hadn't spoken during this time. He had already retired from active duty, and theoretically, he could no longer command any combat units other than his direct subordinates.
It wasn't until the Lieutenant Commander left that Garp picked his nose, his brow furrowed.
"I've been thinking... this whole thing has been strange from start to finish, quite suspicious..."
Taro's face stiffened. He quickly rubbed his face and forced a smile.
"Old man, what are you talking about? What's so strange?"
"It's the outcome of this incident; it's very eerie!" Garp's gaze was profound as doubts welled up in his heart.
Taro's heart skipped a beat. He blustered, his tone somewhat dissatisfied.
"Old man, what's wrong with the current outcome? Do you want to see me beaten to death that badly?"
Garp shot Taro a glare.
"You brat, enough talk about dying. What nonsense are you spouting?"
Then, still feeling somewhat puzzled:
"No matter how you look at it, this incident should have been a guaranteed win for those old bastards. Instead, they're the ones with the biggest headache now. I can't help but feel someone played those bastards for fools!"
Taro's breath hitched. He lowered his gaze, pondering how to respond, when his heart suddenly stirred. He turned his head toward the coast.
"Oh, old man, Koby and the others are here!"
Hearing this, Garp temporarily set aside his confusion and looked over as well.
Taro breathed a sigh of relief. Mingo held the secrets of the Celestial Dragons. If he had killed Mingo, it would have been equivalent to removing a ticking time bomb for them; those pig-headed fools would probably wake up laughing.
Taro certainly didn't want the Celestial Dragons to have an easy time, and he hated being used as a pawn even more. So, the current situation was for the best!
If Mingo could step up and head to Marijoa to scare those Celestial Dragons, that would be even better!
As for Taro's enemies—Mingo and Kaido standing behind him—a conflict was inevitable because of Caesar.
As for Katakuri, because of the battles at Fish-Man Island and with Brulee, they were bound to clash sooner or later.
Overall, his enemies hadn't increased in number.
Furthermore, this incident had exposed the conspiracies of the World Government and CP0, allowing him to see clearly exactly how many enemies were lurking in the shadows.
It's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark!
Now that the enemies were out in the open, things would be much easier to handle!
"Vice Admiral Garp, Vice Admiral Taro!"
Koby and Helmeppo saluted loudly, interrupting Taro's thoughts.
Garp gave them a casual glance and grunted in acknowledgment.
Taro returned the salute. Looking at the two who had already been promoted to Navy Majors, he teased with a light chuckle:
"Oh? You two are already wearing field officer cloaks? You're making fast progress!"
Helmeppo looked proud and aloof.
Koby, on the other hand, was a bit shy, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.
"Compared to you, Vice Admiral Taro, we still have a long way to go!"
After saying that, he remembered when he was on the ship and reported the intel sent back by Drake to Inspector General Sengoku.
Sengoku had instructed him not to tell Taro yet, and his expression became conflicted again.
"Koby, do you seem to have something else to say?" Vice Admiral Garp glanced at his Disciple.
"Ah, no, nothing! I'm just... just a bit nervous seeing Vice Admiral Taro!"
Koby acted as if he'd been startled, raising his arms and staggering back slightly.
Taro watched Koby's overreaction and smiled silently. This kid was still the same as ever!
...Sicily Island, Northeast Waters.
Two small pirate ships were rapidly sailing away. "Disaster" Jack lay on the deck, soaking wet and eyes vacant.
His subordinates, Sheepshead and Ginrummy, were kneeling beside him; one held the den den mushi while the other held the receiver to Jack's mouth.
Heavy breathing came from the den den mushi. After a long silence, Kaido finally spoke.
"I know what happened! Go deal with Moria first, Jack!"
Jack's eyes flickered, hatred surging within him as his lips trembled.
"Boss Kaido, I..."
Kaido took a large swig of sake, his emotions suddenly collapsing as tears streamed down his face.
"All these years, sending you out every year to hunt down Oden's followers... it's enough. Let this year's search end here!"
Without waiting for Jack's response:
"Click!"
The den den mushi hung up.
Kaido covered his face, tears gushing from between his fingers.
The next second, his entire face turned grim again. He smashed the sake gourd in his hand onto the ground, shattering it.
Kaido roared in fury:
"Donquixote Doflamingo is too weak, Moria is detestable, and Taro is hateful! You bastards, the New World is no place for playing house!"
In the dim room, the lackeys around Kaido were so terrified they knelt on the ground, silent as cicadas in winter... Sicily Island, West Coast.
Katakuri also held a den den mushi in his palm.
The den den mushi's eyes were blood-red and its expression distorted. The voice coming through carried suppressed rage.
"What did you just say? You couldn't even handle a mere Marine Vice Admiral! You truly are my lovely son, Katakuri!"
Katakuri's face was grim, his brow tightly knit.
"Mama, Taro's strength is not ordinary..."
Big Mom laughed in extreme anger, directly interrupting Katakuri.
"Ma-ma-ma-ma! Hahaha! Katakuri, are you trying to tell me that a 'Sweet Commander' only has this much strength, and it's normal to be defeated? Is that it?"
"Boom! Rumble!"
A loud explosion sounded from the den den mushi, followed by the rumbling sound of something collapsing.
Katakuri's expression grew even darker, his voice cold.
"Mama, I was not defeated by Taro..."
"Oh? Really? My lovely son, then why don't you explain..."
"Garp... the 'marine hero' Garp, he was there too!"
Katakuri spoke the name directly.
This name was like a hand suddenly tightening around Big Mom's throat.
The den den mushi went silent instantly; the air seemed to freeze.
After a long, long time, Big Mom's voice sounded again, much calmer this time.
"I see. Come back."
"Click!"
Katakuri put away the den den mushi and looked back toward the eastern shore of the island, his gaze sharp.
"We will meet again, Taro!"
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