"Teacher, you might not know this, but Vivi and I didn't actually meet when the Elmarl Special District was established. It was before that, during the Crocodile incident..."
Taro didn't notice Zephyr's abnormality and continued talking to himself.
"A while ago, before the Sicily Island incident, Vivi... and I agreed!"
Zephyr suddenly spoke up, interrupting Taro, "Taro, what did Garp and Tsuru say?"
Taro was stunned for a moment, the smile on his face fading slightly.
Only then did he notice that Zephyr's tone was very solemn, not as joyful as he had imagined.
"Teacher Zephyr, do you also think I should be with Hina..."
Zephyr held the wine bottle and took a gulp, "So, they don't agree?"
After a pause, he continued, "That's normal. Hina is Tsuru's student and her subordinate. Having served in the military for many years, she has an extremely wide network among the Commissioned Officers. Marrying Hina would be very beneficial for what you want to do!"
Taro shook his head and was about to speak, but Zephyr waved his hand to stop him.
"I understand what you want to say," Zephyr said.
As he spoke, Zephyr filled Taro's glass. This student, who valued emotions and promises so highly, was different from the vast majority of people in this world.
"However, the reason I don't support your decision this time isn't because of that!"
Grandma Tsuru had clearly expressed her opposition, and Old Man Garp had hidden away in the East Blue, obviously not supporting him either. Now, even Zephyr didn't favor it... With the three elders closest to Taro all more or less opposed, Taro's heart sank.
"Teacher, why is that?"
Zephyr held the wine bottle, staring at the clear amber liquid inside for a moment before speaking softly.
"I was a Marine Admiral for decades and know some things that Tsuru and Garp can't access. Alabasta is not as simple as you think. Behind it hides a very deep... 'taboo'!"
Taro raised an eyebrow. Zephyr knew some secrets too?
"Teacher, what is this 'taboo' you're referring to...?"
Zephyr's expression became more formal than ever. He stared straight at Taro for a long while.
"The Alabasta Royal Family is called 'traitors' by those people! Once the world undergoes a massive change, to eliminate hidden dangers, those guys will not hesitate to choose to destroy this royal family!"
Taro had thought of these things before, so he wasn't particularly surprised.
"Teacher, the things I'm doing will sooner or later lead to a massive change in the world. I'm mentally prepared for that!"
"Are you also prepared for 'uranus'?" Zephyr asked in a heavy voice.
Taro nodded heavily, "I am!"
Seeing the look of surprise on Zephyr's face, Taro smiled.
"Teacher, I'm not completely ignorant of what I'll face in the future. I know Marijoa possesses that thing, and I even know that behind the Gorosei, there's actually another person standing there!"
Zephyr stood up in shock, his face changing drastically. "You, how do you know that!?"
Taro's expression also changed slightly. Zephyr's reaction made him realize something.
Zephyr actually knew of Imu's existence!
In all this time, this was the first person he had met who knew of Imu's existence!
After thinking for a moment, Taro said, "uranus, I got confirmation from Old Man Garp. As for the person behind the Gorosei..."
"I once tried to scout Marijoa from the air. 'That person' detected my prying and launched a counterattack with incredible speed. I don't believe the Gorosei would have that kind of strength!"
"So... that's how I know there's actually another person behind the Gorosei!"
Zephyr's expression shifted several times upon hearing this, and then he slowly sat back down, sighing with emotion.
"Taro, you surprise me more and more! Everything you've learned in a few months is more than what many people learn in decades!"
Taro lowered his gaze slightly. No, no, no, it actually took me over a dozen years to find out!
Zephyr paused before continuing.
"As ancient weapons, the key to countering uranus lies with Dark King and Poseidon! I don't know about Poseidon, but I do know that Dark King is deeply involved with Alabasta!"
Taro nodded. ancient weapons possessed the power to destroy the world.
Moreover, this world-destroying power was clearly much more direct and straightforward than using something like the Tremor-Tremor Fruit to subvert the world through Devil Fruit abilities!
"Teacher, what exactly is uranus?" Taro thought for a moment and asked.
Zephyr pondered for a bit and shook his head, "I don't know! However, what's certain is that it's the 'natural enemy' of all Devil Fruit users! Once it's activated, ability users won't have the slightest chance to resist!"
Natural enemy?
It was common knowledge that the most effective way to counter ability users was water, or Sea Stone which possessed the power of the sea!
So, uranus's power was related to water?
As soon as this thought occurred to Taro, he dismissed it. It certainly wouldn't be that simple!
It could leave ability users completely powerless... After a moment of silence, Taro thought of the Celestial Dragons, Roger's crew, Red Hair's crew, and Alabasta's ancestral teachings. None of them ate Devil Fruits. Was it because of this?
That at a certain moment, they would be controlled by others!
Was this the biggest side effect and the fundamental reason they didn't eat Devil Fruits?
"Teacher, the reason you and Vice Admiral Garp don't eat Devil Fruits is because you knew this all along?"
Taro wanted to confirm his suspicion.
Zephyr hummed in affirmation, then shook his head. "I can't say for sure why Garp doesn't eat one, but I certainly didn't eat one because I knew these things!"
Garp probably didn't eat one because he was part of the d clan. Not just him, but even Luffy and Ace weren't ability users while they were under Garp's protection!
Taro thought for a while and looked up.
"Teacher, how did you know all this?"
Zephyr didn't intend to hide it and answered without a moment's hesitation.
"It was Vegapunk! Back then, when he organized an illegal research team overseas, I was the one who arrested him!"
"Regardless of his purpose for revealing this to me at the time, my relationship with him today is quite good!"
More than just good?
He even gave you a squad of pacifists!
Taro's eyes flickered.
Vegapunk again. This scientific giant really knows many secrets!
Had his 'ideas and career' actually begun their layout decades ago?
"Teacher, what exactly does Dr. Vegapunk want to do?"
"His thoughts... no one in this world will understand them!" Zephyr looked up, his gaze somewhat profound.
Taro felt quite helpless; this indeed seemed like that big shot's style!
To a god who possessed technology 500 years ahead of the world, everyone else in the world probably looked no different from natives!
You guys just stay over there; I'm just not going to play with you!
The two were silent for a long time before Zephyr tilted his head.
"Now, are you still going to marry Vivi?"
Taro didn't hesitate and smiled, "Of course!"
"Haha, that's exactly who you are! Taro!"
Zephyr laughed heartily!
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