Taro and his party of three stayed in Elmar for three days. During this time, Taro visited almost every part of the Special Zone to understand the progress of its development.
Hina and Momousagi accompanied Princess Vivi to the school to teach the children how to read and write, and their relationship seemed very close.
The friendship between the three women formed in a mysterious way. Taro was also quite puzzled; how did a combination of an underage girl, an older sister figure, and a "grandmother" become friends?
"Binz, I'm very satisfied with the development of the Special Zone. You've been a huge help!"
Taro smiled and patted Binz on the shoulder, then handed over a stack of papers. "This is what I've organized over the past few days. I wrote it down now for fear of forgetting it later. Take a look when you have time; you can start on the things that are feasible."
After Binz took them, he flipped through and looked a bit excited.
"I'm also very happy to be able to contribute here! Moreover, I've recently had some new ideas for the development of my abilities, and I can just happen to test them out."
Taro nodded. "I'm leaving today. When the teacher and Ain return, give them my regards."
"I will!"
On the other side, Princess Vivi was saying goodbye to her two new friends.
"You must come again; the children all like you very much!"
Hina's cold and elegant expression also showed a hint of a smile. "I will. My station is nearby, so it will be very convenient!"
Momousagi, on the other hand, was somewhat frustrated. "I'll try my best to find the time."
The three of them spoke for a while longer before reluctantly parting ways.
At this point, with less than three days until Ace's public execution, the fleet needed to return to Marineford immediately.
As the fleet left the waters of Alabasta, the excitement brought by the thriving Special Zone gradually faded. Thinking of Ace's ill-fated destiny, Taro began to worry once more.
"Hehehe, little brother, why have you been so gloomy since leaving Alabasta?"
Three lounge chairs were set up on the deck. Momousagi and Hina were lying on them, chatting idly, while Taro sat nearby with a wine glass, lost in thought.
Momousagi's sudden voice startled Taro, and he looked up in confusion. "Hmm?"
Taro couldn't quite understand what was going on with this "grandmother-level" woman. She had been very hostile toward him a few days ago, but suddenly she was acting normal.
Thinking about her relationship with Vivi over the past few days, a bold idea popped into Taro's mind.
Momousagi is a lesbian; she wouldn't have... with Vivi, would she? No way! No way!
Taro was startled by his own thoughts and quickly shook his head.
"I'm not gloomy; I'm just thinking about things."
Gion nudged Hina with her elbow. "Little Hina, I'm telling you, Taro must have been badmouthing me just now. Absolutely!"
Having his thoughts exposed to his face, Taro was a bit embarrassed. He quickly took a sip of wine to calm his nerves and then waved his hand.
"That's not it, don't talk nonsense. I really am just thinking about things."
"Oh?" Gion still didn't believe him, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly. "Then tell me, what are you thinking about?"
Damn, this woman is still so annoying. Just now was an illusion.
"Thinking about the war in a few days. Since you're not participating, don't ask so much, okay?" Taro said irritably.
"You!"
Gion was momentarily choked with anger. After a while, she said in a seductive tone:
"Hehehe, little brother, you really are a petty man. Tell me about it!"
She's flirting with me, right?
As soon as Taro thought of her age, combined with this expression and tone, a chill ran down his spine.
He downed the rest of his wine in one gulp. "I have business with Mike; let's talk next time!"
After saying that, he ran off in a panic, leaving Momousagi with a frozen expression on her face.
Hina looked at Momousagi and suddenly couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Gion, you're fine at seducing pirates, but with Taro's strength, how could he be lured by you?"
Momousagi gritted her teeth, glared at Hina, and said resentfully, "This guy isn't a man; he definitely can't do it!"
Hina laughed even more wildly upon hearing this. "What nonsense are you talking!"
"Saying I'm talking nonsense? Have you tried whether he's a man or not?"
Hina's laughter came to an abrupt halt.
Until the fleet arrived at Marineford, Taro did not appear before Momousagi again.
"Mike, that woman isn't there anymore, right?"
The warship had been docked for a long time, and the Marine Soldiers had all disembarked before Taro showed his face. Only Old Mike, who was loyal to Taro, was still waiting on the ship.
Mike didn't understand why Taro would avoid Momousagi like the plague, especially when she was such a beautiful woman.
"Vice Admiral, now only the two of us are left in the entire fleet who haven't disembarked!"
Taro breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good, that's good. Let's go, we're leaving too!"
Marine Headquarters, Vice Admiral Tsuru's office.
Momousagi sat on the sofa, her long legs crossed, looking at Vice Admiral Tsuru resentfully.
"That kid is nowhere near as outstanding as you said; he's just a guy who has the heart for lust but not the guts!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru looked up with a smile. "Little sister, why are you so angry?"
"That bastard kid deliberately avoided me the whole way!" Momousagi's teeth itched with hatred when she thought of Taro fleeing in panic.
"Pfft."
Vice Admiral Tsuru suddenly burst out laughing. "Is that what you mean by having the heart for lust but not the guts? Hahahaha!"
Momousagi's eyebrows shot up. "Is it that funny?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru stopped laughing. "Being able to resist your temptation is already not simple. I'm even more satisfied with that kid now."
Seeing Momousagi's brow furrow slightly, Vice Admiral Tsuru waved her hand again.
"Alright, let's not talk about that. Are you going straight back to Mary Geoise later?"
Turning to serious business, Momousagi's expression straightened up a bit. "Yeah, why?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru glanced at the clock on the wall; it was almost midnight.
"No, nothing. In a few minutes, it will be a new day. With the great war approaching, I'm just feeling a bit uneasy."
"Would the Marine Headquarters Great Staff Officer, the great tactician — Tsuru, also feel uneasy?" Momousagi's lips curled. "I certainly couldn't tell!"
"Tch, could I let you see that?" Vice Admiral Tsuru chuckled.
"It's just that Taro repeatedly reminded Sengoku and me to watch out for Blackbeard, which really bothers me a bit."
Momousagi's eyes flickered. "Blackbeard? He's currently in Mary Geoise with several other Warlord of the Sea. Do you want me to keep an eye on him?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru seemed a bit tempted. After thinking for a long time, she finally shook her head.
"Forget it. The Warlord of the Sea are also rare combat assets. In times like this, it's better not to cause unnecessary trouble."
Momousagi nodded and stood up. "In that case, I'm leaving."
After opening the door, she turned back and said, "On the ship today, Taro also seemed to be considering this Paramount War. Since you're uneasy, why not go and ask him?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru was stunned for a moment. It wasn't until long after Momousagi had left that she came back to her senses and let out a faint sigh.
"The World Government doesn't care much about Blackbeard, so what's the use of looking for Taro?"
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