Snap!
A crisp sound echoed through the luxurious palace. Under the shrinking pupils of the black-clad man kneeling on the ground, Saint Charlos crumbled into a pile of ashes, scattering onto the floor.
"Saint Charlos!!"
Prostrate on the floor, the black-clad man wailed in anguish, scrambling toward the drifting ashes.
"You bastard!"
Fury contorted the man's face as he clenched his fists and sprang to his feet.
Snap!
Another crisp sound rang out. Hiroshi waved his hand through the drifting ashes, looking unimpressed.
Turning to the armed Navy soldiers behind him, Hiroshi pointed toward the interior of the palace.
"Get everyone out of there now. We can't let miracles happen here later."
"Yes, Sir Hiroshi!"
Standing at attention, a Navy soldier with a small mustache saluted Hiroshi before gesturing for his team to move. The soldiers rushed into the Celestial Dragon's mansion.
Skilled at searching every corner, the soldiers escorted captured civilians to safety, their eyes filled with anger at the atrocities they uncovered.
Hiroshi strode into a dimly lit room. His gaze fell on a mutilated woman and a trembling three-headed dog in the corner. With a wave of his hand, a soft breeze filled the room, scattering dandelion fluff in its wake.
The woman, barely clinging to life, opened her one remaining eye to see a young man standing before her. Draped in a justice cape, he exuded an aura of righteousness.
"My child… Is my daughter safe?" the woman asked weakly. "Marine officer, I beg you, spare my daughter. I promise I won't make a sound to displease the Celestial Dragons."
"She's safe. Rest assured, ma'am. Your daughter has already been rescued," Hiroshi replied with a gentle smile, though his fists clenched tightly. Despite having witnessed countless tragedies in this so-called Holy Land, he still struggled to accept such cruelty.
As the woman's wounds began to heal, Hiroshi summoned a five-colored glow to aid her recovery. Glancing at the three-headed dog attempting to sneak away, he smirked.
"Marine officer! Please don't kill me! I didn't mean to…" the creature pleaded.
"Oh? You seemed to be enjoying your meal quite a lot," Hiroshi said softly, his eyes glancing toward the ash pile near the doorway.
"Thank you, sir! Can you tell me where my daughter is?!"
A voice filled with gratitude and urgency came from the now fully healed woman. Hiroshi turned and pointed toward the door.
"Go ahead. She's right outside."
"Thank you, thank you so much!"
The woman bowed deeply before rushing out of the room. Her eyes darted around until they found the figure she had yearned to see. Kneeling at the mansion's entrance was her daughter, scanning the crowd with wide eyes.
"Xiaomei!"
The woman sprinted toward her daughter, collapsing to her knees and pulling the child into a tight embrace.
"Xiaomei, thank goodness you're safe!"
Tears streamed down her face as she held her daughter's small face in her hands, joy and relief washing over her.
"Mama!"
The little girl's eyes lit up as she wiped away her mother's tears. Pointing outside, she said, "Mama, we're safe now. Marines like Papa came to save us."
"They said there will be no more demons. From now on, we'll live in a peaceful world."
The blazing inferno reflected in the girl's eyes as her mother turned to see the once-dubbed Holy Land, Mariejois, now engulfed in flames.
The demons who had committed countless atrocities were either executed on the spot or turned to ash by the relentless storms and lightning raining from above.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Footsteps approached from behind. The woman turned to see the young Marine who had saved her. Hiroshi walked toward the entrance, his justice cape billowing in the breeze.
"Sir Hiroshi, all civilians in the mansion have been rescued," reported the mustached soldier.
"Good."
Hiroshi nodded and gazed at the inferno consuming Mariejois.
"What's the situation outside?"
The mustached Marine followed Hiroshi's gaze, his faith in their new justice growing stronger.
Standing at attention, he replied, "According to the Den Den Mushi transmissions, Vice Admirals Kamijou and Garp are leading troops to sweep the Sabaody Archipelago. Admirals Aokiji, Akainu, Aqua, Lisa, Emiya, and Zhongli are dividing forces to suppress the Grand Line's first half. Admirals Kizaru, Banir, and Venti are leading operations in the New World."
"Vice Admirals Kazuma, Megumin, and Xiao Hei are securing Sky Island. Admirals Zhongli, Hiroshi, Lumine, and Keqing are handling Mariejois. Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admirals Riku, Shuvi, and Crane are overseeing operations globally."
"Based on intelligence, most tasks are near completion. Only our mission remains unfinished."
"I see."
Hiroshi murmured, his eyes lifting to the sky. There, two figures wielding a gun and sword exuded immense power, suppressing an entity attempting to rise from the Red Line.
"Inform everyone: the final battle is approaching. Tell them to prepare for a new era."
"Sir, may I know your name? I want to remember my savior forever!"
The woman, holding her daughter tightly, stood before Hiroshi.
"No need to remember my name."
Hiroshi smiled, shaking his head as he stepped outside, his justice cape fluttering in the wind.
"Just remember the symbol on my back. It's they who are changing the world; I'm just a passing Marine."
"I believe you'll be satisfied with the new life ahead."
The little girl, Xiaomei, clung tightly to her mother's neck, her eyes shining brightly.
"Mama, I want to be a Marine when I grow up!"
"Yes, Xiaomei, you can do it. Mama will support you all the way."