[Great Eruption successfully learned]
Taro was not happy when he received the System notification; instead, he was confused. It was his first time arriving at Marineford and his first time seeing Akainu, so why did Akainu attack him?
Just as Taro prepared to launch another slash, Garp suddenly appeared, dispersing Akainu's attack with a straight punch.
Garp landed in the arena, first giving Taro a hearty smile before turning to Akainu and saying in a deep voice, "Sakazuki, what are you trying to do? Don't you know that Taro is a Second Lieutenant of Marineford?"
Akainu snorted. The magma dissipated, and his right arm returned to normal. "Does he even deserve to be a Marine? He..."
"Cough, cough."
Suddenly, a slightly aged female voice coughed heavily twice, interrupting Akainu.
"Is this the place to discuss such matters?"
An Old Lady with completely white hair led a group of high-ranking Marine officials out slowly. The nearby Marine Soldiers automatically dispersed, clearing the way.
Her thin face already had many wrinkles, and two strands of Sapphire Earrings hung from her earlobes.
Vice Admiral Tsuru!
Taro recognized the Great Staff Officer of Marineford immediately. In his memory, she was a strategist Admiral.
Vice Admiral Tsuru waved her right hand and said to the surrounding Marine Soldiers, "Disperse, all of you. Go back to what you were doing."
Seeing a large group of high-ranking Marine officials appear, the Marine Soldiers, already extremely nervous, scattered instantly with a "whoosh."
The Marine Sergeant who had delivered the sword and uniform to Taro, along with the two Marine Soldiers, ran a few steps, then suddenly rushed back in front of Taro and bowed deeply.
Seeing this, Taro shifted his body slightly to avoid the deep bow, nodded at them, and offered a smile.
The three Marine Soldiers gave another salute and quickly ran away.
Vice Admiral Tsuru watched Taro's reaction, a flash of appreciation in her eyes. Then she said to the remaining high-ranking Marine officials, "Let's go too. We can discuss anything else back inside."
Akainu snorted heavily, flung his cloak, and turned to leave. The group of high-ranking Marine officials followed suit.
Garp walked up to Taro and slapped him hard on the shoulder. "Good kid! I knew I hadn't misjudged you."
He winked at Vice Admiral Tsuru, flashing an exaggerated grin. "Tsuru, wasn't I right? Aren't you quite satisfied with this kid too?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru glared at Garp's smug, bragging face, ignored him, but softened her gaze when she looked at Taro. She beckoned to him, "Little fellow, come with me."
Taro quickly tidied up his uniform and sword and followed her.
Behind him, Garp burst into loud laughter... Marineford, Fleet Admirals Office.
Taro felt much more relaxed after entering this office. No matter what, Akainu wouldn't attack him here, right?
Therefore, his first reaction upon entering was actually to observe Fleet Admiral Sengoku, or more accurately, the Seagull perched on Sengoku's head. When he watched the anime, he always thought it was a decoration, but now he realized it was actually a live Seagull.
Doesn't he worry about the Seagull suddenly pooping on his head?
Taro found this thought bizarre, and his gaze toward Sengoku became somewhat strange. The Fleet Admiral, who wore Frog Glasses and had his long chin beard braided, had black eyes and black hair, just like Taro.
Although his black hair would turn completely white in a couple of years, it currently made Taro feel a certain familiarity.
"Second Lieutenant Taro, we received intelligence stating that you colluded with pirates. How do you explain yourself?"
Sengoku noticed Taro's strange gaze, felt a little displeasure, and asked in a deep voice.
Taro was stunned for a moment. Pirates? Were they talking about Luffy and the others? I didn't do anything, right?
"Tell us exactly what happened when you went to that island, don't hide anything. Rest assured, we will judge the rights and wrongs; we won't wrong you."
Vice Admiral Tsuru saw Taro spacing out and offered a gentle word of comfort.
Taro finally snapped back to attention, slowly opened his mouth, and recounted the parts he could talk about.
"That's how the matter stands. You can verify what I've said with those Marine Soldiers."
Taro recounted everything that happened in Cocoyasi Village.
"I told you long ago that there must be something hidden behind Taro striking a superior officer. See? How about now?"
Garp, who had been lounging on the sofa, was the first to jump up and speak.
"Even so, the fact that he let pirates go remains true."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku slammed the desk and rose from behind it.
Akainu, who had been standing proudly by the window with his back to everyone, snorted coldly. "They all deserve to die!"
Taro: "..."
Did Akainu eat gunpowder?
Oh, right, he seems to believe in something called "Absolute Justice." Taro then looked at the scroll hanging on the wall behind Sengoku that read "Reigning Justice," suddenly remembering that the Marine Three Admirals all seemed to have a similar piece of calligraphy.
Vice Admiral Tsuru seems to have one too, but does Garp?
Taro was completely oblivious to the change in the atmosphere inside the room, his thoughts wandering as he recalled the various doctrines of justice held by the big shots of the Marine.
Vice Admiral Tsuru had been observing Taro's demeanor. Seeing his completely unconcerned and calm expression, even having the leisure to admire the calligraphy on the wall, she secretly praised him in her heart.
"Second Lieutenant Taro, please go down and rest first. We need to discuss this. Don't worry, everything will be fine."
Vice Admiral Tsuru spoke softly to Taro.
Taro came back to his senses. "Uh, oh, alright." Then he backed out.
After Taro withdrew, Vice Admiral Tsuru clapped her hands lightly. "Alright, the matter should be clear now."
She cleared her throat. "Colonel Nezumi of the 16th Branch is dismissed, imprisoned for three years, then transferred to chore boy, and barred from promotion for life."
"He got off easy."
Garp curled his lips.
Sengoku nodded. "Agreed."
Akainu, standing by the window, gave a slight snort but did not voice any opposition, counting as tacit agreement.
Vice Admiral Tsuru saw that they had no objections and nodded. "As for Taro, there is no solid evidence of collusion with pirates. Coupled with the actions of Colonel Nezumi, I believe this was a frame-up."
"Therefore, no action will be taken."
Garp let out a loud laugh. "That's right, Tsuru!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru glared at Garp. "Furthermore, considering that Taro upheld the Marine's image in front of the civilians of Cocoyasi Village, I propose promoting him to Marine Lieutenant."
"No."
Before Garp and Sengoku could say anything, Akainu suddenly turned around and loudly objected.
"Merits must be rewarded. Why not?"
Garp retorted sharply with an angry shout.
"You..."
"What about me?"
The two glared at each other. Sengoku slammed the desk. "Enough."
"What are you arguing about?"
Sengoku picked up the sword Taro had left on the desk. "Take a look at this first."
Only then did the others notice that the blade of this ordinary Standard-Issue Military Knife was covered in fine cracks.
More surprisingly, these cracks clearly originated from the inside; the blade's surface was still smooth, and the cracks emerged from beneath the remaining thin layer of metal film.
This made the sword still appear to be a single piece.
Sengoku held the sword with one hand, extended a finger with the other, and lightly flicked it.
The entire blade shattered instantly.
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