The circular waterfall of Enies Lobby.
After another prolonged fall, Taro finally broke through that 'membrane' that served as an identification System.
The place was still the same as before, littered with debris. Taro quickly found that 500-year-old newspaper. The information recorded on it, aside from 'Oars the Demon Ogre has fallen', didn't even specify the cause of death or the location where it happened.
Looking at it, it was either fake news or deliberately concealing something.
The messages on the other sections of the newspaper were much more chaotic. There were reports of pirates ravaging towns and various strange tales and oddities,
mostly accounts from adventurers, indistinguishable between truth and fiction. Taro hadn't even heard of many of the place names mentioned.
Taro carefully read through the entire newspaper, then meticulously folded it. After searching the area once more and finding nothing new, he immediately flew upwards.
"Whoosh!"
A soft rustling sound. The moment Taro passed through the membrane, before he could even react, the newspaper in his hand instantly decayed, turning into dust!
Taro was dumbfounded.
Holy crap, doesn't this 'membrane' have a preservative effect?
This... has it turned into an archaeology show?
He stood there stunned for a good while before scratching his head and sighing inwardly. Ah, I was too careless!
However, on second thought, this newspaper revealed more about the function of that 'membrane'. The actual content wasn't that important.
It's gone, so be it! It's better to return to G4 Base first... Alabasta, Elmarl Special District.
Taro had asked the Marine Soldiers at G4 Base and, upon learning that Hina was in Elmarl, hurried here.
By now, Taro also understood why Hina was so anxious for him to rush back. He felt troubled in his heart.
The huge pit he dug back when he first transmigrated, being so hesitant and indecisive, had finally been detonated. Now, the retribution was here!
In the grand administrator's office within the Government Hall, the atmosphere was oppressive and heavy, without a single sound.
The three women, Hina, Vivi, and Ain, were clearly divided into two camps.
On the sofa, Ain held Hina's hand, gently patting it, seemingly trying to give Hina some confidence.
Vivi sat somewhat awkwardly alone on the armchair opposite.
Benz stood by the door, his gaze shifting restlessly between the three women.
He was very puzzled. Why would a man as powerful as Taro be in such a hurry to get married?
In the mind of a native pirate like Benz, a man's dream was the most important thing.
What use are women besides affecting the speed at which one draws their sword?
Like his most admired Teacher Zephyr, who didn't marry until he was 38. Taro is only 20, what's the rush!
What should be done now?
Just thinking about it gave Benz a headache. Looking at the three women, he couldn't help but sigh.
"Sigh!"
This sigh immediately stirred some ripples in the office, which had been so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Ain glared at Benz angrily.
"What are you sighing for? Is it your turn to sigh?"
Ain, like an angry lioness, her red pupils filled with coldness, made Benz shrink his neck.
"I...!"
"You what? If you don't want to stay here, then get out!" Ain was even more displeased.
Hearing this, Benz felt as if granted amnesty. He quickly made his escape, pulled open the door, and tried to leave.
However, the moment he opened the door, he saw Taro standing awkwardly outside, his movements suggesting he had been trying to hide against the wall.
"Taro, when did you get back?"
Taro's hunched, evasive posture froze. After stiffening for a moment, he straightened up and forced a dry laugh.
"Heh, heh, I just arrived... not long ago!"
Benz looked at Taro with a skeptical expression for a while, then gave him a pitying look and said flatly,
"Oh, just arrived, huh? Well, go on in!"
"Okay, okay!" Taro's cheek twitched as he walked into the office.
The moment he entered, the gazes of the three women locked onto him simultaneously, making him shudder and freeze in place, not daring to move.
Benz stealthily peeked inside, immediately sensing the murderous intent permeating the room. He quickly pulled his head back and, very thoughtfully, closed the door for Taro.
Taro hung his head, his face a picture of constipation. After a long, contemplative silence, he felt he absolutely had to say something.
"Ahem, um, Ain, could you step outside for a moment?"
Upon hearing this, Ain patted Hina's arm again, comforting her,
"Don't be afraid. If he dares bully you, I'll ask Teacher Zephyr to deal with him!"
After saying that, she stood up and walked towards the door. As she passed Taro, she snorted coldly at him.
Taro's mouth twitched. After Ain left, he rubbed his face, forcing out an ugly smile.
"Hina, I went to G4. The Marines told me you came here..."
Before he could finish, he saw tears glistening in Hina's eyes and immediately fell silent.
Seeing Taro at a loss for words, Hina couldn't hold back her tears any longer.
"Taro, don't you have anything to say to Hina?"
Taro lowered his head, his voice low. "Hina, I'm sorry!"
Hearing this, Hina's tears immediately poured forth like a spring.
Vivi's body shifted slightly, as if wanting to go over and comfort her, but then she paused, frozen in place.
Hina was a very rational, decisive, and confident woman. To cry like this, she was clearly truly heartbroken and had lost her composure.
Taro's heart trembled, his lips quivering.
"Hina, please don't cry first, I...!"
Hina lifted her head, trying to stop the falling tears, but couldn't.
"Hina is crying because this news didn't come from you first. Do you understand, Taro?"
Taro felt even more guilty and hated his own past indecisiveness even more, which had led to this current situation.
Looking at the downcast Taro, Hina felt even more sorrowful.
"Hina has been waiting for you. No matter what it was, Hina wanted to hear it from you first. But now...!"
Hearing this, tears also welled up in Vivi's eyes.
"I'm sorry, Hina! I'm really, really sorry!"
She hadn't expected that mentioning her engagement to Taro a few days ago, when everyone went to Hot Spring Island to soak in the hot springs, would lead to such a mess.
Back during Vivi and Hina's first meeting, Momousagi was also present. Momousagi had said then that Hina was Taro's fiancée.
However, later, Hina had repeatedly said that Momousagi was just talking nonsense back then and there was no such thing.
Vivi had only thought there was nothing between Hina and Taro, which is why she confessed to Taro on Sabaody Archipelago.
How should this be resolved now?
Thinking of this, Vivi glared angrily at Taro.
"Taro, don't you have anything to say?"
Taro had a terrible headache. He bore more than half the responsibility for things ending up like this with Hina.
But with Vivi, he had made a promise.
How should this be resolved now?
Only children make choices, I want it all?
I'd probably get beaten to death, right?
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