Dear Readers,
I am beyond grateful and humbled that this story has reached **5,000 collections**! When I first started writing, I never imagined it would resonate with so many of you. Your support, encouragement, and feedback have made this journey truly incredible. Every comment, every review, and every time you've shared your thoughts has inspired me to keep going.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being part of this adventure with me. Here's to many more chapters and shared moments ahead!
With love and gratitude,
[Silent_stiele]
*****
Sorbet Kingdom, South Blue
"Bang... Bang... Bang!"
The sound of gunfire echoed across the shore of the Sorbet Kingdom, where the lifeless bodies of its defenders littered the ground. The remaining forces, few and desperate, hurled themselves at the wall of Marines that had formed a blockade, sealing off the island entirely.
In a horrifying display of power, the World Government forces, in tandem with the Marines, corralled the kingdom's civilians like cattle, herding them into massive cages. Any sign of resistance was ruthlessly crushed.
"You bastards! Aren't you Marines supposed to personify justice? Is this your justice? This is genocide! You'll all rot in hell for this!" a man bellowed, his voice thick with grief and fury as he watched his wife and children being dragged into one of the cages. Desperation fueled his futile attempts to fight back.
"Shigan!"
The cold, efficient voice of a CP agent cut through the chaos as his finger, hardened like iron, pierced the man's throat with deadly precision. The man's breath caught in his throat, blood spilling from his mouth as he choked on his own life. His young daughter screamed in horror and broke free, running towards her father.
"Father!!!" she cried, her voice a mix of terror and heartbreak. Her mother, driven mad by grief, shoved past the Marines, launching herself at the agent who had just murdered her husband.
"Bang!"
The crack of a gunshot rang out, and the mother fell lifeless to the ground, her body collapsing in a heap beside her husband. The Marine who had fired the shot, a Rear Admiral with a cold, unyielding gaze, sneered at the scene before him.
"You rebel bastards! Do you still have the guts to speak of justice after aiding terrorists?" he bellowed, his voice filled with self-righteous fury.
The Rear Admiral's orders were clear—there would be no mercy, no room for doubt. Sengoku had made it explicit: the Marines must not allow these civilians to gain any moral high ground. To maintain the façade of justice, to keep the world's faith in the Marines, they needed to justify this massacre.
The World Government might not care about the Marines' reputation, but Sengoku knew the truth—without their credibility, the Marine structure would crumble. Their entire system was built on one word: "Justice." And if the people began to question that justice, the foundation of the Marines would collapse.
"The spawn of a rebel will end up a rebel," the Rear Admiral muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible as he raised his pistol once more.
"Bang!"
Another shot rang out, and the little girl's cries were silenced forever. The sight of the child's lifeless body sent a shiver down the spines of even the most hardened Marines.
A heavy silence fell over the scene as the reality of what they had just witnessed settled in. Some Marines averted their eyes, unable to bear the sight of what they had become complicit in. Their inner turmoil was etched into their faces—eyes that once held pride in their work now clouded with doubt and guilt.
They had been taught to believe in justice, to believe that they were the righteous protectors of the world. But here, on the shores of the Sorbet Kingdom, they found themselves questioning everything. Was this truly justice? Was this what they had sworn to uphold?
Yet, for many, the only way to cope with the horror was to embrace the lies they had been fed. They told themselves that the entire Sorbet Kingdom was corrupt, that these people, these men, women, and children—were all rebels who would grow up to threaten the peace of the world.
They clung to that belief because the alternative was too horrifying to accept—that they were not heroes, but monsters.
Still, others could not shake the feeling of unease, the gnawing doubt that crept into their minds. They had seen the fear in the eyes of the civilians, the helplessness in their screams. They had heard the cries of children and felt the weight of their own actions pressing down on them like a suffocating fog.
The Rear Admiral, however, showed no such conflict. His bloodshot eyes scanned the crowd of frightened civilians, who, realizing the futility of resistance, resigned themselves to their fate and stepped into the cages.
The Rear Admiral's heart had long since hardened to the suffering around him. To him, this was necessary—an unpleasant but essential part of maintaining order in a chaotic world.
But as the last of the civilians were locked away, the doubts among the ranks of the Marines lingered, festering like a wound that refused to heal. Each Marine carried that doubt with them, a silent question burning in their minds: was this truly the justice they had signed up to protect? And if not, what did that make them?
***
Under the shroud of night, a small group of Marines moved quickly and silently through the darkened streets of the Sorbet Kingdom. The sounds of gunfire and screams from the massacres on the shore still echoed in their ears, but they forced themselves to focus. This was their last chance to save whoever they could.
"Quickly! We don't have much time!" whispered Captain Hiroshi, a young Marine with sharp features and a heart weighed down by guilt. His hands trembled as he guided a group of terrified civilians through the alleyways towards the hidden dock, where they had managed to secure a small Marine ship.
"Please, stay quiet," he urged the group, glancing back at the wide-eyed children clinging to their mothers' skirts. "We're almost there."
"Why are you helping us?" One of the civilians, a frail old man, asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Hiroshi hesitated. "Because… this isn't what the Marines are supposed to do," he finally replied, the words tasting bitter on his tongue. "This isn't justice."
As they reached the hidden dock, the sight of the ship brought a wave of relief to the group. A few other Marines, who had also grown sickened by the slaughter, were already on board, preparing to cast off.
"Get on, quickly," Hiroshi urged, helping the civilians onto the ship. "We'll take you somewhere safe, away from this madness."
The civilians, filled with hope, scrambled aboard, whispering hurried thanks to the Marines. Hiroshi took one last look at the darkened kingdom behind him and felt a pang of sorrow for those he couldn't save. But there was no time to dwell on that now. He had to get these people to safety.
"Captain, we're ready to go," one of the Marines said, giving him a nod.
Hiroshi returned the nod, relief washing over him. "Good, let's—"
"Dai Funka!"
A chilling voice cut through the night, freezing Hiroshi in his tracks. The air suddenly grew hot, and the sea around them began to bubble and steam. Hiroshi's eyes widened in horror as he turned to see a towering figure standing on the dock, his fist engulfed in molten lava. It was Vice Admiral Akainu.
"Vice Admiral Akainu!" Hiroshi gasped, his blood running cold.
"You traitorous scum," Akainu's voice was cold, filled with disgust. "You dare defy the Marines' orders? You dare defy justice?"
"Vice Admiral, please!" Hiroshi pleaded, stepping forward, his hands raised in desperation.
"These people are innocent! They have nothing to do with the rebels! This… this slaughter is wrong!"
"Innocent?" Akainu's lips curled into a sneer. "There are no innocents here. Every one of them is guilty by association, tainted by the filth of rebellion. And you… you have betrayed the very core of justice."
Akainu raised his fist high, the lava swirling and bubbling ominously. The civilians on the ship screamed, clinging to each other in terror.
"Vice Admiral, no!" Hiroshi shouted, throwing himself in front of the ship, his arms spread wide.
"These people are not criminals! We're supposed to protect them, not murder them!"
Akainu's eyes narrowed, his voice dripping with disdain. "Justice cannot tolerate the weak-hearted. You have chosen your side, Captain Hiroshi. And now, you will die with the criminals you sought to protect."
"Ryusei Kazan!"
Akainu's fist came crashing down, and a barrage of molten fists erupted from the sky, slamming into the ship. The wood splintered and cracked, the metal groaned under the heat, and in an instant, the ship was engulfed in flames.
"Noooo!" Hiroshi screamed as the ship began to sink, the terrified cries of the civilians and his fellow Marines filling the air. He tried to rush to the ship, to save anyone he could, but Akainu's hand caught him by the collar and threw him back to the ground.
"You chose this, Hiroshi," Akainu said coldly, watching with unblinking eyes as the ship sank into the boiling sea, the last of the screams fading into silence. "Weakness has no place in the Marines. You betrayed justice, and now, you will pay the price."
Hiroshi struggled to his feet, his eyes filled with tears and fury. "You… you monster! How can you call this justice?"
Akainu stepped forward, his massive form towering over Hiroshi. "This is absolute justice, the only kind that can cleanse this world of filth like you." His voice was unwavering, devoid of any remorse.
With a swift motion, Akainu's molten fist shot forward, piercing through Hiroshi's chest. The Captain's eyes widened in shock, blood spilling from his lips as he crumpled to the ground.
"Justice must be absolute," Akainu muttered, watching Hiroshi's body fall lifeless to the ground. He turned his back on the burning wreckage, the cries of the dead already fading from his mind.
To Akainu, there was no room for weakness, no room for doubt. Those who opposed justice, those who defied the Marines, were enemies of the world, and they all deserved the same fate.
As the last remnants of the ship disappeared beneath the waves, Akainu walked away, leaving behind nothing but destruction and the chilling reminder that in his eyes, there was no mercy, only absolute justice.
***
Inside a dilapidated barn at the edge of the Sorbet Kingdom, the air was thick with despair. The small structure, once filled with the sounds of farm animals and the laughter of children, now housed a family hiding from the horror that had engulfed their homeland.
They had managed to evade the Marines and the World Government forces that were ruthlessly hunting down every last soul in the kingdom, but deep down, they knew their time was running out.
A man, not yet old but worn by the weight of the world, knelt on the cold, dirt floor, his hands trembling as he clutched a rusted knife. His name was Ryuji, and he was a simple farmer, never meant for violence or bloodshed.
But here he was, faced with an unimaginable task. His heart pounded in his chest, and his breaths came in ragged gasps as he looked at his family—his elderly parents, his beloved wife, and his three precious children.
The barn was dimly lit by the moonlight filtering through the cracks in the wooden walls. His children, two boys and a little girl, huddled close to their mother; their faces pale with fear but also with a strange acceptance.
The eldest, Kazuo, only twelve, tried to put on a brave face for his younger siblings, but his trembling hands betrayed him. The little girl, Hana, barely six, clung to her mother's arm, her innocent eyes wide with confusion.
She was too young to fully grasp what was happening, but she knew enough to be terrified. The middle child, Daisuke, ten years old, stared at the ground, his fists clenched in a futile attempt to suppress his tears.
Ryuji's wife, Aiko, knelt beside him, her eyes wet with tears but her voice steady. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, trying to ease the burden that weighed him down. "Ryuji, love, it's the only way. We can't let them take us… we can't let them take the children," she whispered, her voice cracking.
Ryuji squeezed his eyes shut, tears spilling down his cheeks. "I'm so sorry, Aiko… I should have protected you all. I should have found a way out," he choked, his voice thick with grief and self-loathing.
Aiko cupped his face with both hands, forcing him to look at her. "You've done everything you could. This isn't your fault, Ryuji. The world is cruel… We were caught in the crossfire of powers beyond our control. But we can still choose how this ends."
Kazuo stepped forward, his small frame shaking. "Father, please… do it. I don't want them to hurt us. I don't want to see them hurt Mother or Hana." His voice was thin, barely a whisper, but the determination in his eyes was that of someone far older.
Ryuji's heart shattered at his son's words. "Kazuo… my brave boy…"
Hana tugged at Aiko's sleeve, her innocent voice cutting through the silence. "Mama… where are we going? Why is Papa crying?"
Aiko swallowed the lump in her throat, her heart breaking at the sight of her little girl's confusion. "We're going to a better place, Hana. A place where we can be safe together, forever."
Hana blinked, her large eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Will it hurt, Mama? I'm scared."
Aiko pulled her daughter close, hugging her tightly. "No, my love, it won't hurt. You'll just close your eyes, and when you wake up, we'll all be together again. I promise."
Ryuji's mother, who had been silent until now, spoke up. Her voice was frail, but there was a calm acceptance in her tone. "Ryuji… my dear son… you must do this. We cannot let them take us. It's better this way. I have lived my life… I have no regrets. But the children… they should not suffer at the hands of those monsters."
His father, a stoic man who had always been a pillar of strength, nodded in agreement. "End it, Ryuji. For them. For us all."
Ryuji's hand tightened around the knife, his knuckles turning white. His whole body trembled as he fought against the overwhelming despair that threatened to paralyze him. "I can't… I can't do this…" he whispered, his voice breaking.
"You can, Ryuji," Aiko said softly, her eyes filled with an unbearable sadness. "You're the strongest man I know. I love you… and I'm proud of you. Please… do it, for our children."
Ryuji's vision blurred with tears as he nodded, his heart breaking with every beat. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his shaking hands. "I'm so sorry," he whispered again, more to himself than to anyone else.
He moved toward his parents first. His mother gave him a small, reassuring smile, despite the tears streaming down her face. "It's alright, my son. We will be at peace."
Ryuji knelt beside her and gently cupped her face, his hands trembling. With one swift motion, he slid the knife across her throat. Blood poured from the wound, and his mother gasped, her eyes widening before they slowly closed. She slumped to the ground, her life slipping away.
His father watched, his eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and pride. "Go quickly, Ryuji. Don't let us suffer."
Ryuji's hands shook even more violently as he repeated the act, his soul tearing apart with every movement. His father's body crumpled beside his mother's, the life leaving his eyes as he whispered, "Thank you, my son."
Aiko pulled the children close, kissing each of them on the forehead, whispering words of comfort and love. "Be brave, my darlings. We'll be together again soon."
Kazuo stood tall, biting his lip to keep from crying out as he stepped forward. "Do it, Father… please."
Ryuji could barely see through the tears that streamed down his face. His heart felt like it was being ripped from his chest as he approached his eldest son. He knelt in front of Kazuo, his hands shaking so violently he could barely hold the knife.
"I'm sorry, Kazuo… I'm so sorry," Ryuji sobbed as he gently placed a hand on his son's cheek.
Kazuo, with a courage that belied his age, nodded. "I know, Father. I love you."
With a trembling hand, Ryuji brought the knife to his son's throat, and with a sob of utter despair, he drew the blade across. Kazuo's body fell into his arms, the boy's life snuffed out in an instant.
Daisuke stepped forward next, his small frame shaking with fear, but he too found the strength to face his father. "Father… don't cry. It's better this way… better than being their toy."
Ryuji's sobs grew louder as he held his son close, unable to believe what he was doing. He wanted to scream, to curse the world that had brought him to this moment. But there was no other choice. "I love you, Daisuke," he whispered, his voice choked with tears.
"I love you too, Father," Daisuke replied, closing his eyes and waiting for the end.
Ryuji's heart shattered completely as he drew the blade across his son's throat, the boy's body going limp in his arms. He laid Daisuke down beside Kazuo, his vision blurred with tears.
Aiko held Hana close, her hands trembling as she kissed her daughter's forehead. "It's time, Hana. Be brave for Mama, okay?"
Hana looked up at her mother with wide, innocent eyes. "Okay, Mama… I'm scared, but I'll be brave."
Aiko's voice broke as she nodded to Ryuji, who was on his knees, broken and weeping. "Ryuji… it's time."
He looked at his wife and daughter; his vision clouded by tears. He couldn't move, paralyzed by the horror of what he was about to do. But Aiko reached out, taking his hand in hers, steadying him.
"Do it, Ryuji," she whispered, her voice filled with sorrow and love. "Please…"
With a final, heart-wrenching sob, Ryuji raised the knife one last time. He moved forward, kissing Hana's forehead as he gently drew the blade across her throat. The little girl's body fell into her mother's arms, lifeless and still.
Aiko held Hana close, her own tears falling freely. "Thank you, Ryuji. Thank you for sparing her from this world."
Ryuji, now a broken man, could barely hold the knife as he approached his wife. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with nothing but love. "I'll see you on the other side, my love," she whispered, closing her eyes and waiting for the end.
Ryuji's hands shook uncontrollably as he drew the blade across her throat. Aiko's body slumped against the barn wall, her life slipping away in silence. He collapsed to the ground, the knife falling from his hands, his body wracked with sobs.
Ryuji, overcome with despair, reached for the rusted knife, desperate to end his own life before he could be taken. His hands trembled violently as he brought the blade to his own throat, his vision a blur of tears and anguish. He had nothing left, no reason to continue in a world that had ripped everything from him.
As he steeled himself to make the final cut, a heavy boot came down on his wrist, crushing his hand against the dirt floor. The knife clattered to the ground, just inches from his reach. Ryuji looked up, his tear-filled eyes widening in terror as the CP agent loomed over him, his expression devoid of any emotion.
"NOOOO!" Ryuji screamed, his voice raw with desperation. He thrashed against the agent's grip, trying to free his hand, to grab the knife, and finish what he had started. "Let me die! Please, let me die!"
The CP agent remained silent, his face a mask of indifference. With a swift, brutal motion, he twisted Ryuji's arm behind his back, forcing the man to the ground. Ryuji cried out in pain, his struggles growing weaker as the weight of his despair bore down on him.
"Please," Ryuji sobbed, his voice breaking as he pleaded with the agent. "They're all gone… there's nothing left for me… just let me end it…"
But the CP agent didn't respond. His orders were clear—everyone needed to be captured as targets for the upcoming hunt. Everyone had to be brought to the capital, where they would be confined to special cages.
With ruthless efficiency, the agent delivered a sharp blow to the back of Ryuji's head. The world spun around him, and a dull, throbbing pain filled his skull. His vision darkened, and the last thing he saw before losing consciousness was the lifeless bodies of his family, crumpled on the cold ground.
******
Dear Readers,
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story! Your support truly means everything to me, and I appreciate every single one of you who has joined me on this journey. I'm excited to share that for every 500 power stones I receive (weekly), I'll be posting an extra chapter as a token of my gratitude.
Additionally, if you'd like to dive deeper into the world I've created, I invite you to join my Patreon page, where you can access over 60 additional chapters and more exclusive content. Your support not only helps me continue writing but also motivates me to create even better stories for you all.
Thank you once again for your encouragement and enthusiasm. Happy reading, and I can't wait to share more with you!
With heartfelt thanks,
[Silent_stiele]
Patreon : www.patreon.com/Silent_stiele