Explaining the source of his intelligence to these pirate natives had always been Taro's biggest headache.
Although he was somewhat mentally prepared, Neptune's question still made Taro's smile freeze on his face.
Taro rubbed his face vigorously twice with both hands before smiling again, feigning relaxation and saying:
"I gathered all this information diligently! You don't need to worry about it!"
Neptune naturally didn't believe Taro's explanation and looked at him meaningfully.
"Taro, the conjecture you just made—that 'that person' has multiple identities—I think it makes a lot of sense!"
Taro was stunned for a moment, raising his head, "Huh? His Majesty Neptune, did something else come to mind?"
Neptune didn't rush to answer. Instead, he straightened his body, swam back to the throne, and sat down.
"Hoh hoh hoh hoh, no, nothing came to mind! I just simply think that this kind of conjecture, coming from your mouth, is surprisingly logical and reasonable!"
Taro looked utterly confused, not understanding why Neptune had suddenly become so "Yin and Yang."
"Your Majesty, what exactly do you... mean by that?"
Neptune merely thought Taro was still playing dumb, and he almost couldn't resist laying his cards on the table. A hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes.
He complained internally, *Taro, are you treating me like an idiot?*
You are the Marine's most promising rookie in decades!
The youngest Great Staff Officer in history!
The current leader of the d clan!
The current Joy Boy!
The guide of the Mermaid Princess!
Your identity, Taro, is the most multifaceted one, alright?
If you weren't a person with multiple identities yourself, how could you possibly connect the dots regarding "that person's" multiple identities?
This is called judging others by oneself and empathizing!
Setting aside the opposition of good and evil and differing standpoints, Taro and "that person" are practically the same kind of being!
More critically, Taro is also the "dead man" in Shirley's prophecy!
If one were to speculate even more boldly,
Taro likely shares a certain kind of Legacy with the Joy Boy from 800 years ago!
The path of "multiple identities" he is currently walking might be based on lessons learned from 800 years ago!
Use his own methods against him!
Neptune stared straight at Taro, his expression changing dramatically.
The more he thought about it, the more terrifying it became, until he was finally startled by his own speculation!
Taro watched Neptune fall into deep thought, his expression shifting several times, eventually turning into one of sheer dread.
His heart immediately tightened, and he quickly asked,
"His Majesty Neptune, did you recall any oversight that needs to be supplemented?"
Neptune snapped out of it, looked at Taro again, and shook his head.
"No, everything I needed to say has been said. I was just thinking about something else."
Taro frowned tightly, "But, your expression just now...!"
Neptune quickly waved his hand, stopping him from continuing.
"No, no, no, you really are overthinking things!"
Then, without waiting for Taro to press the issue, he continued,
"Let's go out. It's getting late, and Shark Star and the others are probably getting anxious waiting!"
Ugh, it's like this again. Always saying a little and hiding a little!
Taro's mouth twitched.
Outside the palace, the princes were calming Shirahoshi down.
This Mermaid Princess had hurried back after seeing Taro fly through the air while she was playing in the Fish-Man District earlier.
However, after waiting for a long time without Taro emerging, she gradually became anxious!
"Creak~"
The heavy palace gate opened, and Neptune walked out first.
Taro followed behind. Just as he moved away from Neptune's massive figure, he was enveloped by Shirahoshi's form.
"Ha, Shirahoshi, you're here?"
Taro raised his head and greeted her with a smile.
Shirahoshi bent down and extended her palm. Taro only moved slightly before stopping his evasion, allowing Shirahoshi to cradle him in her hand.
"Lord Taro, what were you and Father talking about? Why did it take so long!"
Shirahoshi brought Taro up to her face, her eyes showing some confusion and dissatisfaction.
Taro saw faint traces of tears in her eyes, knowing the girl was probably worried sick and close to crying earlier.
"It's nothing much, just about strengthening the ongoing exchanges between Fish-Man Island and Sabaody Archipelago!"
Taro simply sat down and reached out to scratch Shirahoshi's palm.
"Haha, was Sabaody Archipelago fun, Shirahoshi?"
Shirahoshi was pure-hearted and didn't suspect Taro was deceiving her at all. She nodded vigorously and said happily,
"Yes, I had a lot of fun!"
"Lord George said that the amusement facilities there were all modified under your instruction. Lord Taro, you truly are a good person!"
This girl gives out 'good person' cards when complimenting people?
Taro's cheek twitched, and he waved his hand.
"The original facilities were a bit too small for the size of the Fish-Man Race. The ones you played on were only temporary modifications; we will build specialized new ones later!"
While Taro and Shirahoshi were catching up, Shark Star and the others gathered around Neptune.
"Father, you and Taro...?"
Neptune raised his hand in a light pressing gesture, chuckled, and said casually,
"Just as Taro said, we were discussing the subsequent development of the two locations!"
Shark Star and the others naturally knew that this couldn't have been the sole topic of discussion.
However, they realized that the content of the conversation might be classified.
After exchanging glances, they tacitly refrained from asking further questions, though the worry in their eyes remained.
"Hoh hoh hoh hoh, don't worry, it wasn't bad news!"
Neptune offered reassurance, laughing even more heartily!
Through this in-depth conversation, Neptune became even more certain that Taro was the current Joy Boy.
Moreover, it allowed him to perceive some clues regarding the "things" Taro was currently doing.
This put him in a great mood!
Just then, the Royal Palace Guard Commander walked over quickly.
"Your Majesty, the Sabaody Archipelago Liaison Officer, entrusted by Director Mike, has sent a message requesting Mr. Taro...!"
Shirahoshi was chattering away, telling Taro everything she had done and the interesting things she had encountered over the past few days.
Taro sat cross-legged, listening patiently, occasionally interjecting with a smile as a response.
Hearing the Guard Commander's report, Shirahoshi obediently stopped.
"Lord Taro, it seems someone is looking for you!"
Taro hummed in acknowledgment, leaned half his body out from the edge of Shirahoshi's palm, and shouted down to the Royal Palace Guard Commander,
"Did Mike say what he needed me for?"
The Royal Palace Guard Commander looked at Neptune first before raising his head to report to Taro.
"Director Mike said that if you are on Fish-Man Island, please return as soon as possible! He didn't say anything else!"
Taro was stunned for a moment, furrowed his brow slightly, and nodded.
"Understood!"
Saying this, he turned his head to Neptune and said,
"Your Majesty, please arrange a ship to take me."
Neptune naturally wouldn't refuse and nodded in agreement.
Shirahoshi, however, was curious and tilted her head.
"Lord Taro, I heard my Royal Brother say earlier that when you entered the country, you were alone, and no ship docked..."
"Did you swim all the way to Fish-Man Island? I thought only the Fish-Man Race could do that! You are truly strong!"
Taro raised an eyebrow and laughed heartily.
"Of course! Haven't you known how strong I am for a long time, Shirahoshi?"
Shirahoshi nodded repeatedly, her eyes curving into crescents with her smile.
"Mhm, mhm, I've known Lord Taro is the strongest for a long time!"
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