Taro left elegantly without looking back, but the members of CP9 were all dumbfounded on the spot.
"Blueno, what on earth is going on?" the werewolf holding Lucci asked impatiently.
"Jabra, I don't know either. When I went out, I saw him protecting Lucci, so..."
Blueno also looked like he couldn't figure out the situation.
At this time, Kalifa spoke. From the moment Taro looked her over, she had been tightly clutching the cloth on her body, extremely nervous. She only breathed a sigh of relief after Taro left.
"He said it just now; his name is Taro. Don't you guys understand yet?"
As soon as Kalifa finished speaking, the big-mouthed Fukurou let out a cry of surprise.
"Taro? Is he the light of the marines we've seen in our intelligence?"
Then he looked at the deer-faced man and the long-haired man. "Kaku, Kumadori, I've shown you his intelligence reports!"
The deer-faced man Kaku and the long-haired man Kumadori looked at each other, their faces darkening. "Then what did he mean by his final words?"
The werewolf Jabra's mustache twitched. "Isn't it obvious? He is very dissatisfied with our way of doing things!"
As Jabra spoke, he gently placed Lucci on the ground, then took off his top and threw it to Kalifa.
"He wanted to kill us. Although he hid it well, I could feel it—his smile was full of deception!"
"Jabra, speaking of a smile full of deception, are you talking about yourself?" Fukurou asked with a buzzing voice.
Jabra glared at Fukurou, who quickly zipped up his mouth in fear to signal his silence.
"Don't think so much for now. What he said about Spandam pushing all the responsibility onto us—what do you think about that?"
Kaku thought for a moment. This was the issue that concerned him the most. After all, everyone was injured now, and their captain, Lucci, was still unconscious with serious injuries.
"With Spandam's personality, he will definitely do that," Jabra said immediately.
"We should trust Jabra's judgment. After all, Jabra is very experienced in such things!"
Fukurou quietly unzipped his mouth again and said.
"Otone!" Jabra glared at Fukurou, wishing he could punch him.
"Regardless, Lucci is seriously injured. We should leave this island as soon as possible and find a doctor to treat him."
Kalifa said while putting on the coat Jabra had thrown over.
Eventually, before the Marines searching for them arrived, the group left Enies Lobby along the tracks of the Sea Train... "Rear Admiral Taro, you're back!" Mike followed Taro as he appeared.
"Yeah," Taro nodded. "How is the situation on the ship? Any casualties?"
"None. We've been on the outermost perimeter, and no officers of commander rank or above participated in the battle. Everyone is safe!" After a pause, Mike said with some regret, "Unfortunately, the Straw Hat escaped."
"What? You still want to pursue them?" Taro chuckled upon hearing there were no casualties. "Do the Vice Admirals have any new orders?"
"Whether to pursue or not is up to you, Rear Admiral," Mike gave a dry laugh. "The Vice Admirals are sending people to search Enies Lobby and capture the CP9 members. The only mobile unit right now is our ship."
"Do you think we should...?" At the end, Mike rubbed his hands together, eager to try.
"Should what? If the Vice Admirals aren't pursuing, why should we!" Taro waved his hand dismissively. "It's fine as it is."
Mike actually nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, the fleets of the five Vice Admirals have all suffered damage, and there are Marine Soldier casualties. Only we not only have our formation intact but have also rescued many Marine Soldier, this contribution is not small!"
What? There's credit in such a crushing defeat?
Taro was dumbfounded. Mike seemed to see Taro's confusion and explained:
"Because the Straw Hat closed the Gate of Justice, it caused whirlpool currents. The five Vice Admirals' warships were too close together and collided, all suffering some damage."
"Only we were unharmed because we were at the very edge of the formation, Rear Admiral!"
Taro's mouth twitched. Damn it, out of eleven warships on the mission, only mine is unscathed. Isn't that just telling everyone I was slacking off?
"Pursue! Pursue the Straw Hat immediately! At the same time, send a telegram to the five Vice Admirals and ask for their support!"
Taro hurriedly ordered.
Mike hesitated. "Rear Admiral, I'm afraid the five Vice Admirals won't be able to send any warships for support..."
Taro glared at him. "Just go and send the message!"
No matter what, you have to show the right attitude. Don't you understand that?
When Aokiji arrived at Enies Lobby on his bicycle, Taro's warship had already "pursued" the Straw Hat Pirates.
"I didn't expect you to come personally. Rear Admiral Taro has already gone to pursue the Straw Hat. After we finish regrouping, we will go to support as soon as possible, even if we have to bet our Navy's..."
Vice Admiral Stoloberry bowed to Aokiji and reported somewhat dejectedly.
"Enough. We even used the Buster Call, a national-level combat force. Judging from the crushing defeat of the fleet and the tragic state of Enies Lobby,"
Aokiji interrupted Vice Admiral Stoloberry. "This time, it's our total defeat!"
"But, Admiral Kuzan, regarding Rear Admiral Taro..." Vice Admiral Momonga wanted to say something more, but he was stopped by Aokiji as soon as he spoke.
"Alright, you guys handle the aftermath here. I will personally go to support the Straw Hat there."
After saying that, Aokiji rode his bicycle toward Water Seven.
"Mike, you guys maintain the current speed for the pursuit. I'll go search from the air first!"
After reaching the open sea, Taro left the warship, transformed into a Falcon, and flew high into the sky.
Snow gradually began to fall from the sky. Taro's heart sank; he knew what the falling snow meant.
On the surface of the sea below, billowing columns of smoke rose to this height. Though they had thinned out, they still made Taro's eyes moist.
Vague memories gradually became clear. Taro lowered his altitude and circled in mid-air.
The going merry.
This small ship that carried dreams and the spirit of adventure,
The magical little ship that had crossed endless seas and landed on Sky Island,
Had finally reached the end of its journey here.
"I'm sorry."
"I wanted to carry everyone further."
"I'm sorry."
"I wanted to go on adventures with you forever, but I..."
"But I was very happy."
"Thank you for cherishing me so much until now!"
"I was truly happy because I was with you all!"
Goodbye, going merry!
In the end, Taro did not go down to contact the Straw Hat crew. With the Navy's crushing defeat at Enies Lobby and Aokiji yet to appear, he had to act with caution.
With a flap of his arms, Taro flew back into the sky and headed toward his warship.
"Mike, order the return to base!"
"Rear Admiral, we're not pursuing anymore?"
"No more. I'm tired and need to rest."
"Yes, sir."
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