A year has passed since Shakky was kidnapped on Hachinosu Island.
The waves of the world did not cease because of an individual's absence; instead, an even more terrifying storm was brewing within the undercurrents.
'God Valley' of the West Blue.
Surrounded by blue ripples, the island was tranquil. God Valley was like a piece of jade embedded in a cerulean canvas, indifferent to the world.
However, this tranquility was shattered by the arrival of an uninvited guest.
A woman with fiery Red Hair, a happy smile on her face, lovingly pushed a stroller containing two red-haired infants.
At that moment, a figure pushed open the courtyard gate and walked in.
When the red-haired woman saw the tall, cold-looking figure in uniform walking along the path, an uncontrollable brilliance burst from her eyes.
'Galin!!' She pushed the stroller quickly toward him. 'I'm so happy! I always believed you would come back!'
Galin Saint looked indifferently at the excited red-haired woman, his handsome face showing none of the warmth expected after a long separation.
He stepped closer, his gaze falling upon the two children in the stroller.
Unable to hide her excitement, the red-haired woman leaned over and softly introduced the boys in the stroller, 'Look, Shamrock, Shanks, this is your father!'
As if sensing their mother's joy, Shamrock and Shanks in the stroller waved their tiny hands excitedly, making tender babbling sounds.
Galin Saint's gaze lingered on the two infants for a moment, his tone flat and emotionless. 'Twins... how cute...'
'That's right, they are your sons!' The woman looked up, her eyes bright and full of hope.
'Please, Galin, can you stay with me and live on this island?'
'No,' Galin Saint replied plainly. 'Even if we were to live together, it wouldn't be here.'
He looked up, scanning the vibrant island as if inspecting an object about to be discarded.
'This island will soon disappear.'
'What?!' The woman's movement with the stroller paused as she looked at the handsome man in confusion.
Galin Saint's expression didn't change at all, as if he were merely stating a fact:
'I have already chosen and "reserved" a suitable wife for myself, paying a vast sum for her. If I win the tournament that is about to be held here, I will officially marry her.'
'Tournament?' The woman grew even more confused. A chill rose from her heart, and she instinctively felt uneasy, wanting to ask for details.
But what responded to her was not an explanation.
Click!
A dull sound of a sharp blade piercing flesh interrupted all her unspoken words.
The woman slowly lowered her head, looking at the ornately decorated long sword piercing through her abdomen—the blade was bright, but now it was being stained red by her blood.
Intense pain seized her instantly, and her strength drained away like a receding tide.
'Wh... y... Galin...'
She struggled to look up at the man she loved and had borne children for, her eyes filled with pain and confusion.
Galin Saint coldly withdrew the long sword, which had turned into a red blade, letting the woman's body collapse to the ground as blood quickly spread beneath her.
The children in the stroller seemed to sense their mother's misfortune and suddenly burst into tears.
He ignored the woman's dying question, calmly pulling out a transponder snail and saying to the other side, 'Complete the preparations.'
The children cried because their mother had fallen; the ruthless white blade began today's crimson slaughter.
Meanwhile, on the coastline of God Valley.
The massive Marine fleet, like a forest of steel, completely blockaded all exits from the island.
Warship after warship lowered their gangways, and countless Marine Soldiers, like a swarm of white ants, surged onto the beach swiftly and orderly, their footsteps so dense they made the heart race.
The town's residents were startled by this sudden display of force, coming out of their homes or peeking out of windows, their faces filled with suspicion and fear.
'Are those World Government Marine warships...?'
'Oh my god, they've surrounded the entire island!'
'What's going on? Is there some heinous criminal hiding on our island?'
'Quick! Get the children inside! Don't come out!' Alert adults shouted, attempting to maintain Order, but panic began to spread like a plague.
Within the landing Marine forces.
An officer whose epaulettes identified him as a Major shouted Orders: 'The operation begins! Note, only anesthetic bullets are allowed in the first phase! Prioritize capturing targets that are unable to resist!'
In the ranks, a young Marine with heavy dark circles under his eyes watched the military action against civilians, his sense of justice and confusion clashing violently within him.
Unable to restrain himself any longer, he rushed out of the line and questioned loudly, 'Major! Please tell me, what is the true purpose of this operation? Why are we attacking ordinary civilians?!'
The Major's face darkened as he scolded harshly, 'This is a top-level military exercise! All actions must follow Orders! You arrogant recruit, you're ten years too early to be questioning me!'
The young Marine retorted excitedly, 'But, sir! They just look like innocent civilians!'
'Hey! Squad Leader!' The Major turned angrily to the other side. 'Who's in charge of this noisy recruit?! Get him under control!'
A non-commissioned officer hurried over, saluted, and grabbed Dragon. 'I am very sorry! I will discipline him!'
Then he turned to the young Marine and scolded in a low voice, 'Dragon! Obey Orders! Personal thoughts on the battlefield only hinder the "will of the army"! Focus on completing your mission!'
'Um, can you tell us...'
Bang!
Just then, a middle-aged civilian who tried to step forward and ask about the situation was knocked down without hesitation by a Marine with an anesthetic gun; the man's body twitched a few times and then stopped moving.
'Do not resist! Put your hands on your head and crouch down!'
The Marine Soldiers pointed their guns at the unarmed, panicked people, their cold threats further intensifying the chaos.
'They're serious! Run!'
'Why? What did we do wrong?!'
Cries, shouts, and the sound of running echoed through the streets.
Dragon was forcibly pushed back into the ranks by his squad leader; his resistance seemed so pale and powerless before the massive military machine.
Forced to raise the special anesthetic gun in his hand, he aimed at a fleeing civilian, constantly reassuring himself: 'It's okay... it's just an anesthetic bullet... it won't kill anyone...'
He spoke with difficulty to the terrified civilians, 'I'm sorry... if you're willing to surrender, I won't fire...'
The man leading them shielded his wife and child behind him, pleading desperately, 'We don't know what's happening! We just want to leave this island! Please, move out of the way!!!'
Bang bang bang!
With a few shots, Dragon pulled the trigger, and the anesthetic bullets accurately hit the family of three.
Watching their slumped figures, something in Dragon's heart seemed to shatter as well.
His "justice," his "conviction," shook violently and collapsed in this inexplicable and unjust operation.
—Boom!!!
Suddenly, a massive explosion sounded from the direction of the town center, followed immediately by the rapid spread of purple hypnotic gas.
A cold command came over the broadcast: 'Attention all personnel, put on your gas masks immediately! Repeat, put on your gas masks immediately!'
Dragon watched in shock as the area was enveloped in the strange purple smoke; the original commotion and cries quickly faded under the gas's effect, eventually falling into a dead silence.
His "naivety," his remaining sliver of hope, was completely submerged in the rampaging power of the machine known as the Marine.
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