Sabaody Archipelago.
Taro flew directly back to the Garrison Base to rest. Vegapunk's move today had completely baffled him; he needed to take it easy and recover.
Counting the days, it had been about four months since he transmigrated into the pirate world on May 20th of the sea calendar year 1520.
Hmm... it's almost time for the National Day long holiday!
Pah! What nonsense! What am I thinking? There's no such thing as a National Day holiday here!
Taro shook his head, throwing the chaotic thoughts out of his mind, and his consciousness cleared a bit.
Vice Admiral Garp was up to something in the East Blue, even delaying his visit to see Ace.
Vegapunk had also given clues about Blackbeard's connection to the Drum Kingdom and Wapol.
Next, the main tasks were to figure out these two things.
After four months of continuous tempering by Internal Energy, his body had reached roughly the level of an ordinary Yonko Commander.
Plus, with thunderstorm, who had now eaten the 'Internal Energy Fruit', he had likely surpassed the Yonko Commander level?
With only about two years left before being able to challenge Imu-sama, he wondered if it would be enough time!
Hmm... My strength isn't sufficient now, so I'll let you off for the time being.
When the time is ripe, I'll let you properly experience what it means to be,
"When poor, use tactical infiltration; when rich, just blow the hell out of everything!"
"Knock, knock, knock~"
Just as Taro was happily imagining the wonderful scene of 'I can take on ten Imus', the door to his room was knocked.
"Come in!"
Interrupted in his thoughts, Taro felt somewhat annoyed.
"Haha, Vice Admiral, congratulations..." Mike pushed the door open with a beaming smile.
In a flash, Taro appeared in front of Mike, grabbing him by the collar.
"You scoundrel, you've got some nerve showing your face in front of me!"
This backstabbing expert, stabbing me left and right, and still so happy about it?
"Ah... Vice Admiral, wha... what's wrong?" Mike was baffled; he couldn't see any joy on Taro's face.
Taro, with an angry expression, shouted loudly,
"Stop playing dumb! That whole 'justice that honors the true heart' thing was your doing, wasn't it?"
"Uh... That wasn't me, Vice Admiral! It was Sherman and Grant. They said it after returning from Fish-Man Island, and then, somehow, it spread!"
Mike shook his head frantically in denial. "Vice Admiral, I wasn't even there when you said that!"
Taro thought back; it seemed this old guy had stayed behind on Sabaody at the time.
So it was those two little rascals, Sherman and Grant!
"Oh, I wronged you!" Taro let go of Mike's collar and casually smoothed out the wrinkles.
Just as he finished smoothing it out, he remembered something and grabbed him again.
"But the rumor about me wanting to be the Great Staff Officer must have been spread by you, right?"
"Huh? Tha... that's a rumor? But you are the Great Staff Officer," Mike said, having just relaxed before becoming anxious again.
Seeing his reaction, Taro was furious and raised his fist.
"I knew it was you!"
"Vice Admiral, wait, don't hit me!"
Mike leaned his head back, looking quite wronged. "Back when I reported to you that you had taken over Vice Admiral Tsuru's position, it was you who asked me in return if it was the Great Staff Officer position..."
Taro's eyes widened, finding this guy's logic hard to comprehend.
"Are you saying it's my fault?"
"Heh, hehe... How would I dare, sir!" Mike's eyes darted around. Though he said he didn't dare, he was probably complaining in his heart.
Seeing Taro's fist getting closer, Mike shouted loudly,
"Vice Admiral, there's a beautiful woman outside looking for you. She's been waiting for several days!"
Taro was taken aback. "A beautiful woman?"
Mike stared warily at the fist stopped right in front of his eyes, swallowed, and nodded frantically.
"Yes, yes, a very beautiful woman. George said she was someone you previously flirted with... er... courted... well, someone you've met!"
These scoundrels! Just from their words, you could tell they've been gossiping about me behind my back!
Taro's face darkened, and his cheek twitched. "What does she look like?"
Mike hurriedly described her.
Taro's heart stirred. Oh, it's Monet!
He released Mike's collar and asked in a low voice:
"Are Vivi, Hina, Shirahoshi, yes, and Gion, are they still on the island?"
Mike shot Taro a meaningful glance, quickly averted his gaze, and said seriously:
"They left several days ago!"
Taro breathed a sigh of relief, then remembered something else.
"Eh, Vivi left too? Is the movie finished?"
"Yes, Vice Admiral. It's been showing for three days now!" Mentioning the movie made Mike happy again.
"The island's residents have already watched it several times. The response has been good!"
Seeing that Mike's joyful expression seemed genuine, Taro nodded.
"That's finally some good news! Speed up preparations for the new script, and get the mutual visits between the two places going as well!"
"Yes, sir!" Mike saluted in acknowledgment, then paused and whispered,
"Vice Admiral, shall I have that woman sent over to you?"
Taro instantly became furious and raised his fist again.
"What kind of nonsense are you talking? What do you mean'sent over'? Bring her..."
As he spoke, he spat again.
"Pah! Why bring her to my room? I'll go out to see her!"
Just thinking about bringing Monet into his room, and within two hours new gossip would be flying everywhere, Taro ultimately chickened out!
He pulled open the door, took two steps out, then turned back and said seriously:
"Also, regarding Wapol, the former king of the Drum Kingdom, have George compile all the intelligence on this person. I want to see it later!"
"Yes, sir!" Mike didn't dare to delay and respectfully saluted.
66GR, at the entrance to the Garrison Base.
Monet had appeared here two days ago, waiting for Taro.
At first, the Marine Soldiers were very interested in this suddenly appearing beautiful girl.
But soon, rumors spread that this woman had an unusual relationship with Vice Admiral Taro.
After that, the Marine Soldiers didn't dare to have any other ideas.
For several days, Monet's face had been covered in a frosty expression. Even when the soldiers earlier praised her for being cute and charming, she hadn't shown a shy expression.
Her natural personality was such that she would blush even at compliments from enemies.
Monet, who had been like an ice sculpture, finally moved. Snowflakes drifted from her face.
She looked up at Taro walking towards her, and her neat teeth instantly sharpened.
Taro, with his hands in his pockets and shuffling in flip-flops, looked like a street loafer.
"Doflamingo isn't even a match for me, so you're even less of one. Save your energy!"
"Eeeeyaah~"
With a sharp screech, Monet's entire face was covered in snow, and she bared her teeth as she lunged at Taro.
"Bam!"
Taro's left hand instantly turned bluish-black, and he grabbed Monet by the throat, slamming her to the ground.
Then, leaning down and pressing on her, he whispered close to Monet's ear,
"If you dare cause trouble again, my agreement with Doflamingo is void. Coincidentally, I've just acquired a 40-meter-long greatsword. I'll go test its edge on Caesar!"
Monet struggled fiercely a couple of times. "You're truly despicable!"
Taro chuckled lightly, completely unfazed.
He reached out, removed the thick glasses from Monet's face, and leaned in even closer, almost pressing against her face.
"I'm also quite lecherous. Want to give it a try?"
The Marine Soldiers on duty at the entrance watched this scene, thinking to themselves,
Does Vice Admiral Taro play this wildly even with his lover?
---------------------------------
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.