While Taro and Smoker were heading to Marineford to attend the meeting,
In the Ryugu of Fish-Man Island, King Neptune and the "Knight of the Sea" Jinbe were also holding a meeting.
"Ho ho ho ho, Neptune! What did I tell you? I said Taro wouldn't get into trouble so easily! Jinbe!"
Neptune pulled a newspaper out of his beard and waved it around with a look of pride.
Jinbe had also seen this newspaper, and its contents had shocked him so much his jaw nearly dropped.
Seeing Neptune's joyful appearance, Jinbe said calmly:
"Ever since I brought back news from Totto Land that Katakuri had gone out to sea, Your Majesty has been restless for days, haven't you?"
Neptune's expression stiffened, and he glared at Jinbe with some annoyance before waving his hand listlessly.
"Let's not talk about that, Jinbe. You've already seen the 'video' playing continuously at Gyoncorde Plaza, right? Ho ho ho ho, that's a rare treasure not seen in a thousand years!"
Jinbe sat cross-legged on the ground and nodded with a solemn expression.
"Yes, I've seen it. Just like all our people, I've watched it countless times!"
"It is indeed a rare sight in a hundred years!"
Neptune swam down from his throne and sat opposite Jinbe, coiling his massive fish tail.
"Ho ho ho ho, that's Taro for you. Something Queen Otohime couldn't achieve in her entire life, he actually resolved so easily!"
"I believe that before the next World Conference begins, we will definitely be able to collect enough signatures!"
"Of course, I have no doubt about that either!" Jinbe nodded, but then became a bit worried.
"However, while we may no longer hold our past grudges against the human race, given the vast population of humans, trying to reverse their impression of us might be..."
Neptune folded his arms across his chest, appearing full of confidence.
"The world is vast, and the human race and its population are even more numerous. Racial prejudice cannot be eliminated overnight! Taro foresaw this long ago; he said it might take several generations, or even dozens of generations, of continuous effort!"
"We have already waited for thousands of years; what does waiting another hundred years matter! Jinbe!"
Hearing this, Jinbe gave a solemn nod of agreement.
Neptune looked at Jinbe, his bulbous nose twitching.
"Jinbe, this matter requires the joint efforts of many people. If you could..."
Jinbe understood what Neptune meant.
He raised his head to stare at Neptune, but ultimately shook his head.
"Your Majesty, he is a Marine, and I am a pirate. My identity would only bring trouble to him and Fish-Man Island now."
As he spoke, he pulled a red sake cup from his robes.
"I have already drunk the pledge of brotherhood with the Big Mom Pirates. As a pirate, joining or leaving a crew is not such a simple matter!"
Neptune stared solemnly at the sake cup before finally sighing helplessly.
"Sigh, I understand! Jinbe, if Big Mom wants more sweets in the future, just come back and get them; don't have any reservations!"
Jinbe put the sake cup away, tucking it back into his robes, and shook his head.
"Just this once! Having repaid the debt of gratitude for Katakuri's introduction, I won't return to Fish-Man Island for such matters again."
"If others come to demand them, Your Majesty can handle it yourself; there's no need to worry about my situation!"
With that, Jinbe stood up and bowed to Neptune.
"Seeing the current state of Fish-Man Island, I am relieved! Your Majesty, Katakuri should have returned by now, so I must also head back to Totto Land immediately. Farewell!"
The Blue Fatty's cloak fluttered as he turned to leave with quite a chivalrous air.
This display of grace made Neptune nod secretly in approval.
Then he suddenly remembered something and spoke up.
"Jinbe, among the Ryugu treasures stolen by Vander Decken and given to the Big Mom Pirates, there's a tamatebako box. Inside is a super bomb that will explode as soon as it's opened. Find a way to get it back..."
Jinbe, who was striding away, suddenly stumbled and nearly fell, his chivalrous air vanishing instantly!
The Blue Fatty stiffly turned his head to stare at Neptune, his eyes bloodshot.
"Uh... Jinbe, are you okay?" Neptune asked apprehensively, his eyes darting away guiltily.
Jinbe turned back around, facing away from Neptune, took a deep breath, and said in a low voice:
"It's nothing, just a broken tooth on my geta!"
After saying that, he left with flying steps... Marineford, New Marineford.
The news that Taro was about to take over as the Navy Grand Staff Officer had spread like wildfire after a night of fermentation.
At this moment, the pier was packed with numerous Marines.
Accompanied by Smoker, Taro walked down the bow. A path opened up among the spectating Marines, and Vice Admiral Tsuru, surrounded by several female Marines, came to meet them.
Taro gave a proper military salute and whispered,
"Grandma Tsuru, how could I dare trouble you to come and meet me personally?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru looked Taro up and down, then glanced at the surrounding Marines and chuckled.
"See these people around here? They're all here to see you!"
Before disembarking, Taro had already noticed these Marines with their peculiar styles.
Most of them had exaggerated hairstyles and clothing, as if they had been swept up by a "bring your own cement, meet at the village entrance" Shamate whirlwind.
"Are these the ones recruited from the World Conscription?"
Taro glanced around calmly, leaned closer to Vice Admiral Tsuru, and his lips moved slightly.
Vice Admiral Tsuru gave Taro a look and nodded slightly.
"Yes, let's go. We'll talk inside."
Taro's lip twitched. These recruits really fit Kizaru's style; it was like a joke.
After a period of reconstruction, the main fortress of New Marineford was majestic and solemn, finally looking like a proper Marineford.
As soon as Taro and Vice Admiral Tsuru entered the conference room, Akainu's face darkened.
"Taro, you are a dignified Marine Vice Admiral, what on earth are you wearing?"
Taro was wearing a casual set and flip-flops, which was very comfortable.
He curled his lip and thought to himself.
You're just a Fleet Admiral, and you're wearing a pink floral shirt; how do you have the nerve to talk about me?
"My uniform is still at the Sabaody Archipelago. How about I go back and change before coming back?"
Akainu's breath suddenly hitched, and his face grew even darker.
Vice Admiral Tsuru coughed and spoke softly.
"Alright, sit down. Time is of the essence; let's begin immediately!"
Just as Taro sat cross-legged in his seat, Kizaru's sunglasses flashed on the opposite side, and he cast an inexplicable gaze.
Sensing something, he winked at Kizaru and forced a smile.
The wrinkles on Kizaru's forehead tightened, and he looked away.
"Sentomaru, Captain of the Marine Science Unit, has officially joined the Marines as a Headquarters Vice Admiral. He will be stationed at the Sabaody Archipelago as the guard for the 60GR government entry/exit zone."
After Vice Admiral Tsuru finished the first piece of news, she looked at Taro.
Taro, however, was staring at Kizaru with a faint gaze.
Sentomaru is this old actor's subordinate. If he goes to my place, he's not planning to play me, is he?
Kizaru noticed Taro's gaze, and the wrinkles on his forehead deepened further.
"Vice Admiral Taro, you're looking at me like that. Do you have any objections to this?"
"Cough, Taro, do you have something to say?" Vice Admiral Tsuru also noticed Taro's look.
Akainu and the other Vice Admirals in the conference room immediately looked over.
Taro withdrew his gaze and waved his hand casually.
"No, it's just been a while since I've seen Admiral Borsalino, and I've missed him quite a bit!"
Akainu's cheek twitched, and he slammed the table, shouting angrily.
"If you have nothing to say, then shut up and be serious!"
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