Having been confessed to by Vivi out of the blue, Taro neither slept nor continued sorting through the Materials all night.
His mind felt like a muddled mess. When it came to beautiful women in the Pirate World, he had always admired them more than desired to possess them.
What's more, honestly, in the Pirate World, everyone is beautiful! If he were to really possess them, even an iron kidney would probably give out!
But now, the sudden ambiguity in his relationship with Vivi left him with mixed feelings, a bit uneasy, and also a little secretly pleased.
Alas, Taro, who had never felt he had a protagonist's fate, was lost.
He slept for half the morning, and only in the afternoon did he regain his composure to continue his previous work, ending up not leaving the room all day.
Vivi still had a small part of her scene left to shoot, so she was also busy during the day.
Pell took advantage of the free time to take out a den den mushi and contact Nefeltari Cobra, who was far away in Alabasta.
In the Royal Palace of Alabasta, Nefeltari Cobra was surprised, then overjoyed. He chuckled to himself for a long time before asking,
"Did Vivi say a specific date?"
Pell shook his head, still feeling a bit dejected.
"Your Highness didn't say. She only said to get engaged first, and then hold the wedding after the next World Conference!"
Nefeltari Cobra nodded solemnly upon hearing the words "World Conference." "That's good too, I understand!"
After hanging up the den den mushi, Nefeltari Cobra looked at the stunned Igaram and Chaka, a smile appearing on his face.
"Haha, I always felt that agreeing to Taro's request would be a good opportunity. You see, good news has indeed come back!"
Igaram and Chaka exchanged glances, still unable to accept Nefeltari Cobra's reaction.
"Your Majesty, why are you so... about Taro?"
Nefeltari Cobra gently waved his hand to stop them from continuing.
"I know your concerns, and I have my own considerations. You don't need to persuade me anymore..."
...New World, Totto Land, Cake Island.
Big Mom Charlotte Linlin was devouring sweets. In between bites, she looked down at Stussy.
"That Marine you mentioned, his name is Taro?"
Stussy sat elegantly to the side, "Yes, Linlin, it's Taro."
Opposite her sat a tall, short-haired man with an arrogant and stern expression. His eyes grew even colder when he heard Taro's name.
"What does it matter to me if Joker and Taro might clash? They're just two youngsters, what big waves can they stir up!"
Big Mom dismissed what Stussy said.
Stussy seemed to have anticipated Big Mom's reaction, her expression unchanged.
"Joker is an intermediary in the Underworld, involved in multiple interests. Asking for your help this time is out of necessity. After it's done, those people are willing to provide 100 tons of various delicious desserts every month."
"Moreover, Taro is no ordinary Marine. Since joining the Marine, his goal has been to defeat the Four Emperors. I'm sure you, Linlin, have heard of the 'black dragon steps on four emperors' flag."
"During the Marineford War, he even contended with Whitebeard!"
When Big Mom heard "100 tons of desserts," her hands stopped, her expression becoming somewhat excited, and stomach acid surged.
When she heard the later words, she lost interest. In her eyes, the few moves Taro exchanged with Whitebeard could hardly be called a contention.
The current Taro was not worthy of being called an opponent.
Stussy observed Big Mom's change, pondered for a moment, and a strange glint flashed in her eyes.
"Linlin, the Fish-Man Island, the origin of your most favored specialty desserts, is now under Taro's protection!"
The tall man sitting opposite Stussy heard this, and his expression became even colder. He could feel Stussy's ill intentions.
However, Big Mom suddenly became furious upon hearing Stussy's words.
"Useless! Those two good-for-nothings! Can't even handle one Fish-Man Island!"
"Katakuri!"
The tall man stood up, "Mama!"
"Bring those two good-for-nothings to me, I want to..." Big Mom's anger surged, and she swallowed sweets even more frantically.
While she was eating, Katakuri's expression became stern. "Mama, I already punished them for their failure. Please calm your anger."
Big Mom was furious. "Katakuri, who gave you the guts to speak to me like that?"
Katakuri still stood proudly. "Mama, Jinbe, the Knight of the Sea of Fish-Man Island, and the Sun Pirates have only recently joined us. He would be very happy to provide the Fish-Man Island desserts you like!"
As he spoke, he remembered his sister Brulee's private sobbing complaints to him, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"As for Taro, let me go this time."
Big Mom glared fiercely at Katakuri for a long time, then waved her hand.
"Go, don't disturb my enjoyment of sweets!"
Katakuri and Stussy left one after the other. After walking a long distance, Katakuri suddenly stopped.
"I don't believe a single word of your rhetoric. If I find out you've schemed against my family, I'll make your life a living hell!"
Katakuri didn't turn around, but his tone was extremely cold.
Stussy was secretly surprised, but maintained her composure. She let out a clear laugh.
"Lord, Minister of Flour, with my relationship with Linlin, how could I possibly..."
Before Stussy could finish, Katakuri was no longer interested in listening and left directly.
At the same time, Onigashima.
A masked CP0 member knelt before Kaido, his voice somewhat indistinct.
"This batch of weapons today will probably be our last transaction!"
Kaido of the Beasts was guzzling sake from a Barrel of Wine. Hearing this, he glanced at the man and slammed the Barrel of Wine heavily onto the table.
"What did you say?"
The man was unconcerned by Kaido's suppressed anger.
"A Marine Vice Admiral named Taro might be detrimental to Joker recently. You should know that losing Joker will not only disrupt our business but also your most important..."
Kaido naturally knew what the man in front of him hadn't said.
His Artificial Devil Fruit army currently only numbered over 100.
"Taro again!"
Kaido's anger surged. Joker's previous message was that this Marine named Taro had destroyed the Artificial Devil Fruit research facility, delaying production.
He thought for a moment, then shook his head disdainfully. "A minor Marine is not worth my personal intervention!"
The man nodded. "I merely mentioned this news in passing. Since that's the case, I shall take my leave!"
He slowly exited the room, sighing in relief after a long while.
Inside the room, Kaido exuded a strong killing intent. After a long time, he roared at the subordinate standing by his side:
"Go, tell Jack about this!"
The subordinate immediately bowed to acknowledge the order. "Yes!" Then he ran out as if fleeing for his life.
The room darkened. On the newspaper spread across the table, a large headline read:
"'ink dragon' Taro Strikes! Edward Weevil Dies!"
Below it was a large photo of Taro, dressed in a Marine uniform, beaming with a wide smile!
"Bang"
A thick black iron club smashed down, shattering the newspaper and the table.
"You too are called a 'Dragon'?"
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