As Laien turned, his mother saw the same light in his eyes that she had seen when he was ten years old and said he would protect the village.
It was a pure and determined light, silently telling her that he had made up his mind and wouldn't waver again.
She suddenly remembered the video that the fishmongers in the market had been talking about that morning.
The establishment of the Neo Marines had become the hottest topic across the South Blue.
She understood. That video had ignited something in Laien's heart, and nothing she said now could stop him from chasing his dream.
"Mama…" Laien's voice carried both hope and a hint of unease.
He looked at her, silently begging for her understanding.
She was silent for a moment, then let out a soft sigh. Her eyes revealed a trace of helplessness. "Go, child. Just remember, no matter where you go, home will always be your harbor."
Her voice was tender, but her eyes held a quiet firmness.
Laien nodded, gratitude flashing in his eyes.
He knew that although she was reluctant, she still supported his decision.
He took a deep breath, slung his luggage over his shoulder, and walked toward the door.
The sunlight spilled across his back, as if illuminating the path ahead.
"Laien, wait." His mother called out to him. She pulled a bracelet from her pocket and gently fastened it around his wrist. "This is Mama's amulet. I hope it keeps you safe."
Laien held her hand tightly, eyes welling with emotion. "Thank you, Mama. I'll come back."
His mother nodded silently, watching him walk out the door, praying in her heart. She knew his journey had just begun—and all she could do now was support him from behind.
…
Somewhere on the Sea
Aboard the Red Crab Pirates' ship, the sea wind howled and the waves surged.
Pirate Blue Crab nervously swallowed, his fingers trembling slightly. On his phone screen was a video of the Neo Marines taking down a group of slave traders.
When Zephyr's punch shattered the auction house in the video, the surrounding pirates collectively let out restrained gasps.
That powerful strike had shattered something inside them too.
"Red Crab Boss…" Blue Crab's voice was barely louder than the wind. His eyes carried both anticipation and anxiety. "My sister... was sold by traffickers like them…"
His voice caught in his throat, a painful memory flashing behind his eyes.
Captain Red Crab Hammer's metal prosthetic leg scraped against the ship's railing, making a shrill sound.
The light from the video reflected off his scarred face. Those old wounds seemed to sting again.
A complex emotion flickered in his gaze, as though the scene had touched something buried deep inside.
He remembered—twenty years ago, his hometown had also been wiped out in one of the Celestial Dragons' "games."
That disaster had cost him his family—and turned him into a pirate.
Now, as he watched the Neo Marines in action, he felt something flicker again. A glimmer of hope.
"Take down my pirate flag…" Red Crab suddenly turned, his shark-like teeth grinding together. "Replace it with the Neo Marines' white flag!"
Under the shocked gazes of his crew, he snatched Blue Crab's phone. The video continued to play.
He looked at the freed slaves onscreen, that flicker in his eyes intensifying.
"Damn it. I've been a pirate all my life…" Red Crab's hand crushed the railing, the screech of metal against wood echoing in the wind. "Maybe it's time to see what being a hero feels like."
The crew exchanged looks. None of them had expected this.
But as they saw the determination in Red Crab's eyes, they knew—this ship, this crew, was about to sail a completely different course.
"Boss… you're really serious?" Blue Crab's voice trembled, eyes full of emotion.
Red Crab nodded, resolute. "Yeah. From now on, we're with the Neo Marines."
"We're heading out to find Admiral Zephyr—and enlist!"
"AYE!"
The sea wind howled, the waves surged, and the Red Crab pushed forward through the surf.
…
Marineford – Marshal's Office
SLAM!
Sengoku's fist crashed onto the desk, sending the teacup rattling.
His face was tense, jaw clenched with barely contained frustration.
Outside the window, the faint sound of a new batch of recruits taking their oath drifted through the air, only making his headache worse.
At the top of the towering pile of reports on his desk sat an urgent one:
"South Blue Branch Recruitment Numbers Hit Historic Low"
Sengoku yanked the newly arrived telegram from the stack. His fingers squeezed it tightly, leaving deep creases in the paper.
It was a joint report from sixteen branches in the North Blue.
The total number of applicants this week… less than a third of normal.
This was a heavy blow.
The Marines' recruitment was being completely crushed by the Neo Marines.
Across from him, Tsuru silently slid her phone across the desk. It was playing the latest training video from the Neo Marines.
In the video, Zephyr led thousands of recruits under the rising sun. Stirring background music swelled behind them. The energy was contagious.
The fresh faces of the recruits beamed with resolve and hope, as if declaring that a new era had arrived.
SNAP!
Sengoku's steel pen broke in half, black ink splattering across the pristine white of his Marshal's cloak.
He abruptly stood up. The sudden movement sent documents flying, his cloak billowing like a stormfront.
His eyes narrowed with a flash of clarity. A decision had been made.
"If they want to play this game…" Sengoku removed his glasses. The Den Den Mushi's screen reflected rising view counts and swarms of likes.
His voice was low and cold. "Issue the order. Gather all officers and enlisted personnel with good public image at Headquarters!"
Tsuru nodded and quickly moved to carry out the order.
Sengoku stood at the window, staring out over the sea, deep in thought.
The Neo Marines' rise had shaken the very foundations of the Marines. If he didn't act, the whole institution could collapse.
"The Marines will not be shaken so easily."
…
Three Days Later
Marineford. Marine Headquarters. Central Plaza.
The entire plaza was filled with a chaotic yet festive energy.
The normally solemn square had been transformed into a massive outdoor photo shoot. Giant ring lights over ten meters tall had been erected around the Statue of Justice, lighting up the plaza as if it were midday.
Technicians scurried about, adjusting angles. Dozens of phones disguised as cameras were rigged around the square, their lenses gleaming ominously in the sunlight.
"Admiral Akainu… please, uh… could you maybe… smile a little?" a young makeup artist asked, voice barely louder than a mosquito.
(To be continued.)
***
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