Cobra stared at Taro for a moment before nodding and whispering softly,
"Is that so?"
Taro nodded, "That's right, exactly!"
Cobra laughed, "Taro, how about this? Let's stick to the original plan for October 10th, and your engagement with Vivi will proceed as scheduled...!"
Taro frowned, "King Cobra, I believe I made myself quite clear just now...!"
Cobra waved his hand and glanced at Vivi.
"Listen to me, I understand your concerns perfectly well! I also know you probably wouldn't agree to my previous proposal!"
"So, Vivi came up with another proposal...!"
Taro tilted his head back slightly, raising an eyebrow, trying to see Vivi's expression. However, this movement caused his head to first bump into something soft.
He froze for a second before realizing he had just led with his head into a 'ball'. Instantly embarrassed, he leaned forward.
Then, he heard Cobra say,
"How about you marry both Vivi and Hina?"
"Thump!"
Taro's head hit the desk, then bounced back up. He stared at Cobra, dumbfounded.
"What did you just say?"
After a moment, he shot up and looked at Vivi.
"Wait, no. You're the one who proposed this. What did you just say?"
Taro was stunned.
Holy crap, the blessing of having two wives?
And it was proposed by Vivi?
Is Vivi that virtuous and magnanimous?
Vivi only glanced at Taro, who was staring intently at her, then averted her gaze and said calmly,
"I told you, what I care about more is Alabasta. So, what happens between you and Hina doesn't concern me."
Vivi's cold tone made Taro's frown deepen. He fell silent for a moment before saying,
"I believe I also told you that even if it weren't with you, I wouldn't be with Hina...!"
Seeing the tension rising between them, Cobra quickly interjected,
"Taro, the essence of an engagement is actually a promise. If you're resistant to the idea, just treat it as a promise!"
"Even if you get engaged, it won't change anything about what you plan to do in the future. Since you just rejected my proposal by citing the prevention of the World Conference, you must believe the world order will undergo a major shift within two years!"
"In that case, why are you so resistant to Vivi's proposal? If you succeed in what you want to accomplish within two years, your concern about dragging Hina into this will naturally disappear!"
"At that time, whether it's Vivi or Hina, you'll be free to choose whoever you want!"
"Vivi's proposal is simply giving both of them a chance, that's all!"
At this point, Cobra frowned.
"You don't agree with Vivi's proposal either? Does that mean the reasons you gave for rejecting my proposal earlier were just excuses?"
Taro opened his mouth, momentarily at a loss for how to respond.
The main issue was he didn't know what Vegapunk was up to. If Vegapunk weren't a variable, given his current rate of Internal Energy cultivation and physical training, he was confident he could face Imu in two years.
As for Cobra's proposal, if Vivi were a bit older, even just 18, Taro might have agreed. But Vivi at 16... he really couldn't bring himself to do it.
After a long contemplation, Taro finally looked at Cobra.
"It's not that I lack confidence, it's just... Hina..."
"Hina agreed to this proposal! And she promised not to tell anyone about it for two years!"
Vivi interrupted Taro.
"Now, we just need your agreement! As long as none of us talk, this matter won't be known to the outside world, and you won't have to worry about it affecting your future actions!"
Taro's eyes widened.
"You... you've already discussed this beforehand...?"
Cobra looked at Zhou Chen and smiled faintly.
"I'm already here, what do you think?"
Taro rubbed his face. "There are no walls that don't let sound through. Once something is done, it will be discovered sooner or later."
Cobra's smile widened.
"You said it yourself, sooner or later! Do you plan to keep it a secret for 800 years?"
Taro understood Cobra's meaning. Keeping a secret for just a year or two... seemed indeed possible.
Seeing Taro's expression soften a little, Cobra chuckled softly.
"This engagement, or rather this promise, will only involve the four of us! As long as we don't talk, two years will pass quickly!"
Taro thought for another moment.
"If that's the case, I'd like to invite one more person."
Cobra raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Taro looked between Vivi and Cobra.
"Since it's an engagement, you, as Vivi's father, being present is natural. Hina agreed not to tell anyone, but it wouldn't be appropriate for her to have no one present."
"Moreover, I'm also alone. Not having an elder witness would be improper."
"I will invite Teacher Zephyr."
Cobra thought for a moment, then nodded. "Of course!"
Although he didn't know exactly what role Zephyr played in Taro's plans, since Taro trusted Zephyr so much, he must be reliable.
Taro finally grunted in agreement.
"In that case, I can accept this proposal. However, let's be clear upfront: marriage will be discussed two years from now. During this period, you must not mention things like 'heir' anymore!"
"Hahahaha!" Cobra laughed heartily. "You really leave me speechless!"
The old king glanced at Vivi and teased, "Is my precious daughter not beautiful enough?"
Vivi glared at Cobra angrily. "Dad, what are you saying?"
Taro's mouth twitched. She was beautiful, alright, just too young!
Then, he recalled the wonderful sensation from earlier... Hmm... maybe not that small!
"Ahem!" Taro cleared his throat, pushing away the improper thoughts.
"Since you discussed this with Tashibi beforehand before coming to me, where is she now?"
Cobra couldn't answer this, but Vivi knew.
"She returned to G4 Base. It seems something happened in the Marine."
Taro's brow furrowed deeply.
Holy crap, can't this Marine job just give me a break for a while?
"Then I'll head back now. I'll talk to Hina about today's events."
Taro stretched his limbs and walked towards the door.
G4 Base.
Hina held the den den mushi, her face expressionless as she listened to the roar from the other end.
"I entrusted G4 Base to him, and he's been away from his post for several days in a row. Is this how he acts as a Base Commander?"
"Bastard...!"
The den den mushi mimicked Akainu's furious expression. Only after a long pause did Hina get a chance to speak.
"Marshal Sakazuki, if you have urgent business with Vice Admiral Taro, Hina can relay the message."
"Tell him to call me back immediately upon his return! That's all!"
Akainu roared angrily and hung up.
Hina frowned. Three days ago, Akainu had been looking for Taro but wouldn't say why. Even when she asked Vice Admiral Tsuru, Tsuru remained tight-lipped.
This made Hina very worried. Had Taro gotten himself into trouble again?
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