This G-2 Fortress really is full of things to complain about.
Taro had finally managed to suppress his urge to complain, but it flared up again after he saw the Marine procurement ship.
This ship also perfectly matched the art style of G-2 Base.
Two giant "chopsticks" were stuck in the bow, the hull looked like a large "steamer," and the stern was shaped like a giant pot. The crow's nest on the mast was designed to look like a bowl, and on the giant main sail, the words "Gohan" were written in large characters.
Taro rubbed his stiff cheeks; he now understood the style of this Marine base—they were truly committed to slacking off to the very end!
...The strategy meeting was convened once again.
Taro thought to himself that they were finally starting to do some real work. By the time he reached the meeting room, most of the base's officers had already arrived.
Vice Admiral Gumir sat at the head of the table. On the wall behind him in the meeting room hung a calligraphy scroll that read "Unhurried Justice."
Looking at the scroll, Taro's eyebrows twitched. You guys really are unexpectedly "unhurried"!
Vice Admiral Gumir stood up from his seat, took back the letter written by the little girl from his adjutant, and tore down the photos of two pirates hanging on the briefing board.
He then hung up the photo of the little girl, Moda, with a cow, and placed her letter right next to it.
Vice Admiral Gumir cleared his throat. "The agenda for this meeting is to discuss the long-term procurement of Moda's milk."
Taro's eyes widened; he almost thought he had misheard.
"As everyone knows, the coffee at our base tastes terrible, so making the coffee taste good is a very important matter."
Gumir's tone was very serious, and the base officers all nodded in deep agreement.
Taro felt like he was going crazy. How did this group of unreliable Marines even get together?
Gumir's adjutant stood up at this moment. While gesturing for a Marine Soldier to bring in several cans of milk, he said, "This little girl named Moda is the daughter of the chef and the serving lady at the Marine cafeteria. They haven't seen each other for a long time."
"We only found out about this because we sent out the cafeteria procurement ship this time. So, let's have a taste first. If it's good, we'll finalize the procurement plan."
"Firstly, it will make the coffee taste better, and secondly, it will give Moda more opportunities to see her parents."
The adjutant finished speaking with a serious face before sitting back down. Everyone then began pouring milk into their coffee.
Only then did Taro realize that Ace's infiltration of the G-2 Base might have initially been just to deliver a letter for Moda to her parents; obtaining information on Blackbeard was likely just a stroke of luck.
That passionate and gentle Ace!
Taro was deeply moved, but then he immediately remembered that Ace had now obtained information on Blackbeard and was about to engage in that great battle. His heart felt heavy, as if something was clogging it up.
The coffee with milk indeed tasted much better. The decision for regular procurement was quickly settled, and the meeting ended in a relaxed atmosphere.
Taro felt very suppressed. Mike, who was waiting outside, approached him. "Lieutenant Commander Taro, is the meeting over?"
Taro gave a grunt of affirmation but said nothing.
Only then did Mike notice that Taro's expression was somewhat grim. While he was hesitating, he heard Taro ask, "What is it?"
Mike breathed a sigh of relief. "Warrant Officer Tashigi, under Commodore Smoker's command, just sent a message, hoping to..."
Taro, who was lamenting Ace's fate, was stunned for a moment, then his eyes suddenly lit up. "Let's go, back to the ship!"
"Purupurupuru!"
"Ah, is this Lieutenant Taro? I am..." Tashigi's voice came from the other side of the den den mushi.
Taro quickly interrupted, "Tashigi, I have a favor to ask. Smoker should have received the latest intelligence, right? I want to know..."
"Mhm, mhm, thank you so much. I'll thank you in person when we meet again."
"Click." Taro hung up the den den mushi. "Mike, gather the Marines and prepare to set sail!"
"Lieutenant Commander, Vice Admiral Garp instructed that we shouldn't let you..."
"Hmm?" Mike had barely spoken when he saw Taro glaring at him with bloodshot eyes. Startled, he immediately snapped to attention. "Yes, sir!"
It wasn't until Taro's warship had sailed out of the fortress that Vice Admiral Gumir received the news. He was surprised for a moment before returning to his office.
"Admiral Kuzan, this is Gumir from G-2 Fortress. Lieutenant Commander Taro has..."
"Yeah, I know," Aokiji's lazy voice came from the other end. "Don't worry about it."
Marineford, within the bay.
Aokiji was riding his bicycle on the sea, leisurely leaving Marineford... Taro spread out a map and was hunched over it, carefully studying it based on the information he got from Tashigi combined with his own memories.
"Lieutenant Commander Taro, we have already caught the ocean current. May I ask what our destination is?" Mike asked hesitantly.
Taro tapped the map with his finger. "We're going here, Jaya Island." He paused, then added, "Get there at maximum speed."
"Yes, sir," Mike replied and left to carry out the order.
Taro rubbed his temples in distress. "I shouldn't have remembered incorrectly; Blackbeard should be on this island."
Meanwhile, Ace, having obtained information on Blackbeard, was piloting his flame-propelled Striker, searching island by island where Blackbeard had been reported.
The waters off Jaya Island.
"Mike, you guys wait for me here. Do not approach that island." Taro said with a solemn expression, standing by the ship's railing and looking back to instruct Mike.
"Lieutenant Commander, we're still very far from Jaya Island; it's not even in sight. You..." Mike was startled by Taro's grim expression, and his heart sank further at Taro's tone. "Are you alright?"
Taro shook his head. "I'm fine, don't worry. I'll be back soon."
Stepping on the railing and leaping into the sky, Taro transformed into a Falcon and flew toward Jaya Island.
He felt very dejected. How could he change Ace's fate?
With Ace's personality, no amount of persuasion would work; Taro knew this very well.
The only way was to find a way to prevent Ace from catching up to Blackbeard. As for killing Blackbeard, Taro had no such hopes; it would be good enough if he could just weaken Blackbeard's fighting strength as much as possible.
While Taro was lost in thought, he heard a slight fluctuation in the air from a distance. Immediately alert, he tilted his body in mid-air.
"Swish!"
A bullet whizzed past under Taro's wing. The bullet was incredibly fast but made very little noise. If it weren't for the enhanced hearing and vision of his transformed state, he might not have noticed it.
Taro glanced at the bullet and then looked along its trajectory. On the distant island, a thin man was sitting on a roof, holding a rifle.
He wore a pair of glasses, and the lens over his right eye was special—Taro knew it was a scope. The man's face also showed some surprise, seemingly caught off guard that Taro had dodged his sniper shot.
Taro recognized this man. Although he had forgotten his name, he knew this sniper was a member of the Blackbeard Pirates.
Blackbeard really is on this island.
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