Amid the smoke-filled town, marine soldiers once again risked their lives to search for possible survivors.

Whenever survivors were discovered, the rescue squad led by the captain would immediately call for artillery support.

Under the cover of canons and mortar fire, batch after batch of survivors were found and swiftly evacuated to the port.

Two of the warships docked at the port were already packed with evacuated civilians.

To prevent further casualties from overcrowding, the two ships promptly set sail, slowly departing the harbor.

As the warships left the port, the noisy crowds on deck gradually quieted down.

On the deck of one ship, a young woman clutching a three year-old girl stood at the bow, gazing fearfully at the fire-engulfed town.

Boom! Boom! Boom!—Suddenly, the warships anchored in the harbor unleashed another round of long-range canon fire.

With a series of piercing whistles, canon balls trailing long streaks soared into the sky at astonishing speed, raining down upon the areas of the town most densely infested with frenzied beast.

Two seconds later, deafening explosions erupted, followed immediately by thick columns of smoke billowing upward.

The continuous roar of marine canons and exploding shells startled the little girl who had just fallen asleep in her mother's arms.

As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw the soaring artillery shells, the thick plumes of smoke, and the flames rising above the city.

Too young to understand what was happening to their hometown, the little girl exclaimed in her sweet, childish voice.

"Mommy, look! Such pretty fireworks!"

At her words, the men and women around them turned their heads.

Seeing the innocent little girl, they could only shake their heads with bitter smiles.

The young mother ignored the gazes directed at them.

Instead, she lovingly cradled her daughter's head against her chest and whispered, "Those aren't fireworks, sweetheart. Someone is fighting through fire and water for us."

As she spoke, her eyes remained fixed on the town's main street, watching the figures clad in Marine uniforms darting through the smoke in the distance.

Among them, some were locked in fierce combat with rampaging beasts, while others, under the cover of their comrades, erected protective barriers for terrified survivors, guiding them towards the port.

Having lived in this town all her life, she had grown up hearing countless legends about the Marines—how they were the righteous force that maintained order across the seas.

In particular, the deeds of Vice Admiral Garp from the Marine Headquarters, who hailed from the East Blue, were so well-known in this town.

Yet, even after she married and had a daughter, she had never seen this great hero appear in their town.

She had resigned herself to the idea that she would never lay eyes on a so-called Marine hero—until now, when they needed one most.

Not only did she witness heroes before her very eyes, but she also heard the echoes of justice.

*****

Meanwhile, in the town…

A Marine captain and his squad, who had ventured deep into the streets and alleys to rescue survivors, successfully evacuated everyone from a collapsing building and swiftly retreated under covering fire.

"Help! Please!"

"Marine-sama, save me!"

No sooner had they escorted the survivors onto the main street than a desperate cry for help rang out from another alley.

"You few—escort them to the port!"

The Marine captain, who had stayed behind to cover their retreat, didn't hesitate.

He shoved the rookie beside him forward and pointed at the seasoned soldiers.

"The rest of you, with me!"

"Captain Hothard!"

The rookie, once again brushed aside by the captain, nearly exploded on the spot.

Dropping all formalities, he yelled in frustration, "Do you have something against me?!"

"Oho, the kid's got a temper!"

One of the veterans glanced back at the rookie and chuckled.

"The captain's looking out for you, idiot. Now hurry up and—"

Before he could finish the word "go," a massive mantis lunged with lightning speed, its razor-sharp forelimbs piercing straight through the veteran's chest.

At the same time, seven enormous black scorpions surged from the opposite street, charging through the smoke straight towards Captain Hothard and his men.

"Damn it!"

With no time to check on the fallen veteran, Captain Hothard immediately raised his rifle and unleashed a barrage of bullets at the scorpions.

Seizing the opportunity, the rookie not only didn't retreat but charged at the veteran at top speed.

With an astonishing leap, he soared into the air, grabbed the mantis by its neck and slammed it hard onto the ground.

Before the mantis could react, he immediately drew his military knife from his waist and plunged it fiercely into the mantis's chest.

After swiftly dispatching the mantis, the rookie quickly returned to the veteran's side.

"Don't... worry about me!"

With his last ounce of strength, the veteran pointed at the building across the street where a distress signal was being sent and shouted with all his might.

"Save them!"

Seeing this, the rookie didn't hesitate for a second.

He immediately saluted the veteran, then turned and dashed off.

Thanks to the covering fire from Captain Hothard and others, the rookie soon reached the base of a building.

Inside, seven women and children were huddled beneath a table, trembling from the sudden onslaught of frenzied beasts.

"Everyone, follow me!"

"Hurry!"

As he spoke, the rookie rushed over in a flash, scooped up the youngest child, and led the way.

By the time the rookie led the group of women and children out of the building, Captain Hothard and his men had also arrived.

"Quick, escort them to safety!"

Captain Hothard had no time to scold the rookie for repeatedly disobeying orders.

He grabbed two children and ran.

They hadn't gone far when the streets around them suddenly teemed with swarms of frenzied beasts, surging towards them like a tidal wave.

"You go!"

"I'll hold them off!"

Captain Hothard handed the children in his arms to two veterans beside him and fixed his gaze on the rookie.

"You go too! That's an order!"

"Yes!"

Surprisingly, the rookie didn't disobey him this time.

Holding a child, he retreated quickly with the other soldiers.

"They really are endless!"

"Just how many frenzied beasts have flooded this island?"

Left alone, Captain Hothard checked his magazine and finding it empty, he shook his head with a wry smile.

Resolutely, he drew his sword and stood proudly in the middle of the street, facing the overwhelming tide of monsters—a one-man army.

Though he was a Marine Captain, standing alone against the relentless horde of frenzied beasts, even he felt the grip of death tighten around his throat, his heart pounding with tension.

As he saw the frenzied beasts gathering in ever greater numbers, a flicker of fear rose unbidden in his eyes.

Fear is indeed the instinct of all living creatures.

But courage is humanity's eternal anthem.

Facing the staggering, surging tide of frenzied beasts, Hothard took a deep breath and raised his sword high, its blade trembling with the fierce rhythm of his heartbeat.

--------------------------------

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