The appearance of Koby and Helmeppo interrupted Garp's train of thought.
After sizing Taro up one last time, he said loudly:
"Then it's settled. This old man has other business to attend to, so I'll be leaving first!"
Taro was stunned for a moment, feeling somewhat confused.
"Old man, such a big thing happened to me, and you're not going back with me?"
Garp picked his nose with an impatient look, saying with disdain:
"You have arms and legs, how is that a 'big thing'? If you want to go back, go back yourself!"
Taro's mouth twitched. So, it only counts as a big thing if I'm missing limbs?
"You're a retired old... er, old man, why do you seem busier than me?"
Facing Garp's raised fist, Taro decisively backed down.
Garp looked at Taro with contempt, thought for a moment, and then said, "This old man will be staying in the East Blue for a while."
Taro frowned slightly. Why is this old man running off to the East Blue instead of going to see Ace?
"East Blue... did something happen at home?"
Garp didn't seem to want to talk much. With an even more impatient expression, he waved his hand.
"Don't meddle in this old man's business!"
"No, old man, the East Blue is my home too... Ouch!"
As Taro was speaking, he was struck on the head by a fist. He immediately clutched his head and glared at Garp.
The old man raised his fist threateningly again, flicked his coat, and strode away.
Taro watched Garp's receding figure, his brow furrowed.
There's a problem; something's not right!
This old man is hiding something from me!
Koby and Helmeppo also saluted Taro, preparing to leave.
Taro's figure flashed as he grabbed Koby.
"Koby, what has Vice Admiral Garp been busy with in the East Blue lately?"
Being suddenly grabbed by Taro, Koby's body actually trembled, and he looked somewhat panicked.
"Ah, that, Vice Admiral Taro, I don't know!"
Taro stared straight at him. "You really don't know?"
"I really don't know. Since Vice Admiral Garp resigned, we've been staying at Marineford for training. He only brought us along this time. If you don't believe me, you can ask Helmeppo!"
As Koby spoke, he turned his gaze toward Helmeppo.
Before Taro could even ask, Helmeppo was already nodding like a chicken pecking at grain.
"Yeah, everything Koby said is true!"
Taro's eyes flickered with suspicion as he released Koby's hand.
"But I still feel like you're hiding something from me!"
Koby's expression turned solemn as he gave another military salute.
"Absolutely not!"
"Vice Admiral Taro, if there's nothing else, we'll be going now!"
With that, he fled in a frantic rush.
Seeing Koby like this, Taro became even more suspicious, thinking to himself,
"Hmm, it seems I still owe Makino some money for drinks."
"It's been a few months; it's about time to head back to the East Blue and take a look!"
"Wait, who else do I owe money for drinks? Who was it?"
While Taro was lost in thought, the Marine Soldiers of G5 Base finished their search of Sicily Island.
Smoker walked up to Taro, his voice somewhat raspy.
"Taro, the search on the island is over. We didn't catch any high-profile pirates. We're preparing to return to base. You...?"
Taro snapped out of it and smiled.
"Oh, Smoker, I'll go stay at your G-2 Fortress for a few days! Is that okay?"
Smoker hesitated and didn't respond immediately.
This incident was very complicated and involved many parties. He wasn't sure if Taro had some deep intention behind this decision.
However, Tashigi, who was behind him, couldn't wait to give a military salute and said loudly:
"Vice Admiral Taro, it is our honor to have you come to our G5 Branch! Welcome!"
Smoker's cheek twitched, and the cigar in his mouth almost fell out.
Taro laughed and waved his hand modestly.
"No need for that, I'm just going there for a visit!"
Smoker gave Taro a meaningful look.
"Then, let's go!"
...On the second-floor deck of Smoker's flagship.
He was sunk into a large sofa, while Taro leaned against the railing, looking at Tashigi practicing her sword below with a face full of shame.
This girl had just had a 'sword-obsessed' fit and wanted to borrow Taro's sword, thunderstorm, to take a look, but was refused.
Taro's Armament Haki couldn't 'refine the blade.' If Tashigi borrowed it, she might discover this.
He didn't want any unnecessary complications; it would be too troublesome to explain.
Although Tashigi was a bit disappointed, she understood and didn't insist.
Smoker took a deep drag of his cigar and exhaled smoke.
"Taro, instead of returning to Marineford, why are you coming to my place? What are you trying to do?"
Taro turned around, leaned back against the railing, and shrugged.
"Look at me now, all bruised and swollen. What would I do back at headquarters? Don't overthink it, I'm just going to recover from my injuries!"
Smoker frowned, his tone somewhat blunt.
"Taro, I was the one who reported what happened on Sicily Island. Are you treating me like a fool by saying that now?"
Taro's expression turned more serious, and he nodded.
"Yes, thank you very much!"
Smoker reached out to take the cigar from his mouth, his temple throbbing as he cursed,
"Is that what I wanted to hear from you? You bastard!"
"Then what do you want to hear?" Taro's tone was relaxed.
Smoker stared at Taro for a good while before saying, "Are you putting pressure on headquarters? Forcing them to give you an explanation?"
Taro's lips curled slightly into a smile, but he didn't speak.
Smoker's brow furrowed tightly into a knot.
After thinking for a moment, his expression suddenly relaxed, and his tone was surprised.
"You're pressuring the World... those old fellows?"
Taro's smile grew even more brilliant.
"Some people wanted me dead so badly. Now that I've survived, it's not too much to ask them to show some sincerity, is it?"
Hearing this, Smoker nodded solemnly. "I see, you're testing their bottom line!"
Taro didn't comment on Smoker's words.
The World Government plotted against so many people at once. If I were in a hurry to state my position, wouldn't I seem too cheap?
...On the dog-headed warship.
Garp held a den den mushi in one hand while stuffing senbei into his mouth with the other, making a crisp crunching sound.
"Tsuru, Taro was very seriously injured this time. Not only was he beaten until his head was covered in lumps, but his left eye was also swollen shut, and many bones in his body were broken. In short, he won't be getting better anytime soon!"
The den den mushi in his hand mimicked Vice Admiral Tsuru's reaction. Her forehead was covered in black lines as she suddenly opened her mouth and roared, her saliva almost spraying out,
"Shut up, you retired old man! You're chewing senbei, aren't you? If that little fellow Taro were really that seriously injured, would you still be in the mood to eat senbei?"
"Mmm~"
Garp immediately covered his mouth, chewed quietly a few times, and after swallowing, said in a dissatisfied tone,
"This old man wasn't eating senbei. Everything I said is true. Smoker and his Marine Soldiers can all testify to it."
"Taro was beaten so badly he was crawling on the ground and couldn't get up. They saw it with their own eyes! It's absolutely the truth!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru suppressed her anger and snorted. Then, her tone softened slightly.
"I see. Tell me, how did your talk with him go?"
Garp curled his lip in dissatisfaction. "You're really gentle when it comes to that kid!"
Then, he pulled out another senbei, stuffed the whole thing in his mouth, and swallowed it with effort.
"He made two requests. He wants G-4 and the Sabaody Archipelago to be connected..."
"Also, Zephyr..."
---------------------------------
I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! If the story has you hooked and you can't wait to see what happens next, you can unlock 30 chapters in advance over on my Patreon: patreon.com/TLHimejima1
Every bit of support means the world to me so if you're loving the ride, don't forget to drop a Power Stone and let me know.