Chapter 388 - 227

Chapter 227: The Late Warship and the Unending Wails!A certain sea area in the "Paradise" section of the Grand Line.The clouds hung low, looking as if they might crash into the sea at any moment.The Marineford warship, "Heavy Mountain," was cutting through the heavy waves.This was a specialized large battleship; its hull was one-third wider than a standard warship, and the deck was even paved with fine gravel.In the center of the deck, Admiral Fujitora Isshostood still like an ancient pine tree.He wore a slightly worn, pale purple yukata, the fabric rippling gently in the sea breeze, his black-purple sash tied meticulously around his waist.The knuckles of the hand gripping the Cane Sword, [Gokudō Fireline], were slightly white.Vice Admiral Yamakaji stood three steps behind him and to the side, the nautical chart in his hand flapping loudly in the sea breeze.This Vice Admiral, known for his gentleness, now had tightly furrowed brows, and his voice was three degrees lower than usual:"Admiral Fujitora, based on our speed and the ocean currents, we should arrive at the territorial sea boundary of the Walm Affiliated Nation in about half an hour."He paused, then added:"That sea area has seventeen inhabited islands and over thirty reef clusters. The terrain... is very complex."Fujitora did not respond immediately.He tilted his head slightly. Although his eyes were tightly shut, he seemed to be "gazing" at the lead-gray sky.The sea breeze carried the scent of distant storm clouds, the fluctuations of deep-sea currents, and a certain... more ominous premonition.A few seconds later, he slowly opened his eyes.What was revealed in his eye sockets was not pupils, but murky whites.A hideous 'X'-shaped scar ran across both eyes, as if some sharp object had violently torn open the channel connecting sight and the world."Golden Lion Shiki..."Fujitora's voice was low like an earth tremor, every word carrying the texture of gravity:"He could tear through the clouds and descend at any moment. Command the entire ship to exit silent running mode and enter Level One combat readiness."He paused, then added a sentence rarely tinged with emotion:"That is a guest... who doesn't announce his arrival."Yamakaji sighed silently and turned to relay the order.On the other side of the deck, Vice AdmiralOnigumo took a deep drag from his cigar, smoke hissing out between his teeth.He paced restlessly, his military boots making an irritating crunching sound on the gravel."Just spinning around aimlessly on the sea like headless flies...""It's already the third day! We haven't even caught a shadow of the Flying Pirates!""But we have practically drained 70% of the Marines' mobile combat power outside the New World...""This damned sea is too vast!""Communication relies on den den mushi, intelligence relies on human transmission, and sailing relies on wind and rudder...""By the time we receive the message and rush to the scene, the pirates will have finished looting and be partying on the next island!"Just as the oppressive atmosphere was about to solidify into substance—"Report!"The observer on the lookout post's voice suddenly rose, trembling with disbelief:"Ten o'clock position ahead! In the white mist... an island silhouette has appeared!""What?!"Several officers rushed to the ship's rail simultaneously.Onigumo even drew his personal sword, the tip pointing directly at the sea area shrouded in thick fog.Fujitora suddenly turned and "looked" in that direction.Although he was blind, the Cane Sword in his hand trembled slightly.Yamakaji had already raised his binoculars.The lens passed through the thin sea mist, faintly outlining the silhouette of an island.The island's shape was normal, but... "There is a large amount of black smoke above it."Yamakaji's voice tightened,"It's not cooking smoke, it's... thick smoke from burning. It's massive."Onigumo snatched the binoculars. After just one look, his expression changed:"Accelerate! Full speed toward the island!!"The warship's engine let out a savage roar, the bow sliced through the waves, and its speed instantly reached its limit.The gravel deck rattled and crunched during the vibration, and several soldiers nearly fell over.As the distance closed, they could see clearly even without binoculars.It was a medium-sized island with a gentle shoreline. The area that should have held docks and fishing boats was currently empty.The silhouette of a town was visible in the center of the island, but multiple buildings were burning, and black smoke writhed like a giant python ascending toward the sky.What was most chilling was—Blood!!The strong, fresh, sweet, and metallic smell of blood.The odor was so heavy that it overpowered the saltiness of the sea breeze and the acrid smell of burning, like an invisible hand seizing everyone's throat.Fujitora stood at the bow, the hem of his yukata lifted by the blood-tinged wind.The knuckles of the hand gripping the Cane Swordmade a slight "kaka" sound from the excessive force.Those blind eyes "gazed" at the smoking island, and deep within the murky whites, something dark seemed to be churning."Are we too late..."He murmured, his voice as soft as a sigh.But the next second, the Cane Sword violently struck the deck!"Clang!"The scabbard shattered the deck gravel, and a circle of invisible gravity waves spread out from him.The entire warship's speed increased yet again, the hull even lifting slightly off the surface of the sea."All hands—"Fujitora's voice boomed like thunder, completely devoid of his usual gentleness:"Prepare to land! Medical teams forward! Combat units disperse in squads and search!""No matter what is left on the island..."He opened those blind eyes, the X-shaped scar looking monstrous like a fiend under the blood-colored light:"Take it all back for me!"The warship, like an arrow released from a bow, charged toward the island engulfed in blood and fire... As far as the eye could see, the island town had become a purgatory.Dismembered limbs were scattered among the collapsing civilian buildings. Viscous fresh blood soaked every inch of scorched earth, staining the ruins a dark, dull ochre.The air was filled with a metallic, rusty stench, mixed with the smell of dust and death.One, two, ten... hundreds of shocking slash marks were deeply imprinted on the ground like the claw marks of a demon.Residences, shops, clock towers... all buildings had been sliced in half by some terrifying force. The cut surfaces were smooth as mirrors, reflecting a blinding light under the pale sky.Those were marks only a top Great Swordsmancould leave: precise, ruthless, and possessing a destructive beauty."Damn it... it's Golden Lion!! We... are too late!!"Vice Admiral Onigumo's teeth ground together, and his knuckles turned white from clenching his fists too hard.The Fire of Ignorance burned in his chest; his killing intent toward the pirates nearly solidified.He surveyed this human hell, his military boots stepping through pools of still-wet blood, splashing dark red ripples.Thump, thump, thump.Fujitora Issho leaned on his Cane Sword, his Wooden Clogs clacking softly as he slowly walked toward the town center.Although his eyes were blind, his Observation Hakispread out like an invisible tide, enveloping the entire island.In the world of his perception, the candles of life were being extinguished one after another.Desperate wails, dying gasps, the final beats of hearts... countless sounds merged into a silent lament, weighing on his heart, heavier than a thousand jun."Report!! A survivor has been found here!!"A hurried shout came from the ruins on the east side. Vice Admiral Yamakaji immediately turned and rushed over, his heavy footsteps crushing the debris.It was a man around forty years old.His face was ashen white as paper, his breathing shallow and rapid, each inhalation causing his chest to heave with difficulty.Yamakaji knelt down and took off his Justice Coat, placing it under the man's head.The man struggled to open his eyes, his unfocused gaze slowly settling on the Sweet Commander and rank insignia on Yamakaji's shoulder."Ma... rine..."He croaked the word, and a faint smile actually tugged at the corner of his mouth.There was no relief in that smile, only bottomless sorrow and disappointment."You... came too late..."His voice was soft, yet it struck the heart of every Marine like a whip."When that golden-haired devil... descended from the sky... we were all praying... praying that a white warship would appear...""We paid the money... we paid it every year... we thought that would buy us peace..."Yamakaji's throat tightened: "I am sorry.""Sorry?"Tears welled up in the man's cloudy eyes, tracing paths down his stiff cheeks and washing away the bloodstains."We... woke up before dawn every day to work... didn't dare call a doctor when our children had a fever... saved every single copper coin... all for that damned Heavenly Tribute!!"His voice suddenly rose, carrying the final strength of a dying man:"And what was the result? When the pirates' swords came down... where were you!?""Is this the Marines' 'Justice'? You took our hard-earned money... is this how you protect us!?"The surrounding soldiers stopped moving and lowered their heads in unison.Some clenched their fists, some turned their faces away, and some had red eyes.No one spoke. There was only the wind whining through the ruins and the man's increasingly rapid gasps."My wife... when she died... I called her name... and she answered me..."The man mumbled, tears flowing incessantly,"My little daughter... only six years old... she loved to rush over to me when I came home... now she's lying there... so small... so cold..."He suddenly laughed, a sound more heartbreaking than crying:"You came... that's good... so timely... after I've lost everything... Did you come here to hear me say 'thank you'?"Yamakaji opened his mouth, but all the words of explanation were stuck in his throat.He wanted to say that most of the Heavenly Tribute flowed into Mary Geoise,He wanted to say that the Marine fleets were scattered, and the Four Seas and the New Worldwere constantly reporting emergencies,He wanted to say that they hadn't closed their eyes for three days and three nights, rushing here at full speed.But these words were ridiculously pale in front of the corpses strewn everywhere, in front of a husband, a father, a man who had lost everything."We..." Yamakaji's voice was hoarse,"We truly..."The man did not let him finish."We just wanted to live..."He looked at the gray, misty sky, his eyes gradually losing focus,"To live peacefully... ordinarily... Why... is it so hard..."His chest rose and fell one last time, then became eternally still.The medic checked his carotid artery and silently shook his head.Yamakaji remained in a squatting position, motionless for a long time.He gently closed the man's eyes and covered the face, frozen in anger and sorrow, with his coat.In the distance, Fujitora's Cane Sword struck the ground heavily, and cracks spread out like a spider web.Onigumo drew his sword, the blade humming in the deadly silent air.And all the Marines remained standing where they were, heads bowed, silently contemplating amidst the pervasive smell of blood.How heavy was the "Justice" they carried on their backs?And exactly what should they be fighting for?