Before the Old Lady's words even finished, she had already flickered into motion, raising her arm to strike at Taro.
Taro was utterly bewildered. What was going on?
What lesson? And what does it have to do with Momousagi?
However, he had no time to think it through. He slid sideways on the sofa, dodging Vice Admiral Tsuru's attack and moving to the other end.
"Grandma Tsuru, what are you talking about? I don't understand."
Akainu didn't understand Vice Admiral Tsuru's meaning either, but having a perfectly good conversation interrupted turned his face as dark as the bottom of a pot. He roared angrily,
"Stop!"
He glared at Vice Admiral Tsuru with furious eyes, his tone very rude.
"If you want to listen, stay quiet. Otherwise, get out!"
Upon hearing this, Vice Admiral Tsuru surprisingly didn't show dissatisfaction with Akainu's terrible attitude, nor was she angered. She shot Taro a glare, quieted down, and directly found a seat to sit in.
Only then did Akainu realize: this Old Lady wasn't trying to cause trouble for Taro; she clearly just wanted to eavesdrop!
Having been slightly tricked by Vice Admiral Tsuru, Akainu grunted sullenly, turned around, and returned to his commander's seat to sit down.
Taro winked at Vice Admiral Tsuru and grinned mischievously.
Vice Admiral Tsuru glared at Taro again, crossed her legs, and adopted a posture of listening attentively.
After a good while, Akainu finally spoke again,
"Taro, from now on, any actions you take must be reported to me first!"
Taro raised an eyebrow, very dissatisfied.
"Sakazuki, are you trying to restrict my personal freedom?"
Akainu's anger surged as he glared hatefully at Taro.
"You are a Marine. Any action must consider the interests and position of the Marines!"
He paused, a flicker of an inexplicable emotion passing through his eyes.
"Unless... you have some other identity and position, hiding it from me and the entire Marineford, and are engaged in some other scheme!"
The seriousness of these words could be interpreted in many ways. Vice Admiral Tsuru instinctively felt it was very inappropriate for Akainu to say such things!
Although the discord between the Fleet Admiral and the Navy Grand Staff Officer was no secret, there was a fundamental difference between everyone knowing it privately and having it stated openly.
If it were to spread, it could very likely cause turmoil within the Marines.
Immediately after, she remembered that these words were originally part of a secret talk between Akainu and Taro, and it seemed she was the only one who had forced her way in.
So, she only furrowed her brow for a moment and ultimately did not speak.
Taro met Akainu's gaze without a trace of panic, retorting,
"Sakazuki, since I, Taro, joined the Marines, has there been a single incident that didn't ultimately benefit the Marines?"
Akainu looked at Taro for a moment, then lowered his gaze.
After thinking carefully for a while, he realized that Taro indeed didn't have many points worthy of suspicion.
When Sengoku was still Fleet Admiral, Taro, despite everyone's distrust, warned them to be careful of Blackbeard reaping the benefits.
When he succeeded as Fleet Admiral, the situation was turbulent. The World Government repeatedly bypassed the Marines to invite the Warlord of the Sea. It was also Taro who killed White II, preserving the Marines' last shred of dignity.
Furthermore, recommending Fujitora to join the Marines, rebuilding the Marines' combat power.
And the Sicily Island Incident, where he prioritized the greater good, preventing the Marines from splitting.
Although this guy was sometimes very rude to him, towards the Marines... it seemed there really was nothing to criticize?
Akainu pondered for a long time before finally snorting.
"As a Marine, I can naturally trust you. But, I always feel that besides this, you have some other identity!"
Taro's heart skipped a beat. *Damn, this Red Doggy's sense of smell is so sharp?*
His mind raced. He decided to preempt, to seize the moral high ground first.
Then, Taro stood up indignantly, glaring at Akainu.
"Sakazuki, are you trying to burn the bridge after crossing the river?"
Burn the bridge after crossing the river?
Akainu pondered for a moment, understood the meaning of the phrase, and immediately flew into a rage, slamming the table and standing up.
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
Taro stiffened his neck. "Don't you understand what I'm saying?"
Akainu's fist instantly turned to magma, billowing with thick smoke, his face a mix of black and red.
Taro also gripped his sword hilt, glaring at Akainu, not backing down in the slightest.
"What are you two doing!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru couldn't stand it anymore and roared angrily.
"One is the Fleet Admiral, the other is the Navy Grand Staff Officer. Are you two about to fight to the death?"
However, both Akainu and Taro ignored the Old Lady's words. Neither gave way, still locked in a standoff.
Vice Admiral Tsuru's eyebrows twitched violently. She stepped between the two, first glaring at Taro.
"You brat, are you going to draw your sword right in front of me?"
Then she turned to look at Akainu.
"Sakazuki, you're someone who calls yourself 'this old man'. As the Fleet Admiral, don't you have any capacity for tolerance?"
Akainu remained unmoved, and Taro was naturally not one to back down either.
A surge of pure power emanated from Vice Admiral Tsuru, dispelling the hostility from both men's hearts. Her voice also became solemn and dignified.
"Enough! Both of you have the Marines' best interests at heart. Occasional disagreements are harmless. But acting like this today, are you trying to destroy the Marines' promising situation?"
Upon hearing this, Akainu snorted heavily and retracted his magma-covered right arm.
Taro also released his sword hilt and snorted coldly.
Vice Admiral Tsuru narrowed her eyes and glanced at Taro.
"Alright, Taro, you go first!"
Seeing that Taro showed no intention of leaving, Vice Admiral Tsuru helplessly added,
"I heard there are pirates causing trouble in Sabaody Archipelago. You should return as soon as possible to take charge. Go!"
Taro's expression faltered slightly. *What's wrong with that old fellow Mack? Why hasn't he handled it yet?*
And, how did the news even reach Vice Admiral Tsuru's ears?
Feeling anxious, he no longer bothered with Akainu, turned, and left.
Akainu slammed his fist heavily on the commander's desk, fuming with anger.
Vice Admiral Tsuru stared at Akainu for a good while before finally saying leisurely,
"Sakazuki, you... have become selfish."
Akainu sharply turned his head to look at Vice Admiral Tsuru, his eyes icy.
Vice Admiral Tsuru calmly met his gaze.
"What exactly happened?"
Akainu remained silent for a long time before averting his gaze.
"Taro ran into that guy Kuzan during this outing!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru's eyebrow twitched slightly. "That's not such a big deal. They were acquainted, after all."
"But Kuzan helped Taro annihilate the Blackbeard Pirates!"
Akainu's face darkened, his voice almost a growl from his throat.
The Blackbeard Pirates are gone? Isn't that a good thing?
Vice Admiral Tsuru was stunned for a moment. This brat, every time he goes to sea, he stirs up some incredible major event!
Immediately after, she realized what exactly Akainu's selfishness was worrying about.
"Sakazuki, you're overthinking it! The upper echelons of the World Government are dissatisfied with you, with the entire Marines. Taro knows all this!"
"But Taro would never undermine you within the military. He definitely supports you!"
Akainu raised an eyebrow, looking at Vice Admiral Tsuru.
"Kuzan just left the Marines, and Taro immediately goes to make contact. Add Zephyr to that, and you and... Hmph!"
Akainu didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was already clear.
The Marines' network of connections is deeply intertwined. Among the original Three Admirals, aside from Kizaru who had the fewest direct subordinates, Akainu and Aokiji were evenly matched, which was also the foundation for their competition for the Fleet Admiral position.
The remaining Vice Admiral Tsuru, Garp, and if we count Zephyr, are all familiar with Taro. Their influence within the military is also significant.
Add to that the new recruits from the World Conscription, many of whom came attracted by Taro's fame.
Looking around, Akainu saw that aside from his own faction from his time as an Admiral, almost the entire Marine force stood behind Taro.
How could this not make him vigilant?
Only under his leadership could the Marines truly end the Great Pirate Era!
This was what Akainu firmly believed!
No matter what, the Marines must remain under his control. No one could touch that!
Therefore, he had become selfish.
Vice Admiral Tsuru stared at Akainu for a good while before sighing.
"I wanted him to marry Hina..."
"He flatly refused!"
"Sakazuki, you should understand what this means!"
Akainu's eyes widened slightly.
This meant that Taro had voluntarily given up the entire network of connections and resources that Vice Admiral Tsuru held. He might even offend many senior, experienced Marines within the ranks.
Vice Admiral Tsuru sighed again.
"So, he had already anticipated that you would feel so insecure?"
Akainu's breathing instantly became heavy.
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