Crackle! Crackle!
Amidst the intense sound of burning, the once-holy land of Mariejois had completely turned into ruins, engulfed in blazing flames that consumed the former hell on earth.
In the roaring firestorm, a bolt of lightning erupted from the sky, landing beside Hiroshi, followed by a streaking flash of light.
"Are you alright, Keqing, Lumine?" Hiroshi turned to the two women, their faces etched with anger. Sighing, he said, "You've already avenged the innocent victims. Leave the rest to these righteous Marines."
"They will undoubtedly build a peaceful world in this new era."
"Yes, that's true…" Lumine murmured, her voice heavy. She looked at the inferno consuming the land, haunted by the horrors she had witnessed here—atrocities unlike anything she had seen across countless worlds.
Running her hand over the justice cape draped around her shoulders, Lumine turned her gaze to the Navy soldiers tirelessly rescuing the captives.
"So, this is why Riku asked us to wear these justice capes and join the Marines in this world," she reflected. "In the end, we are but passersby. We can only topple oppressors alongside them, while the vital tasks of rebuilding and safeguarding will fall to these brave and conscientious people."
Looking toward the Sabaody Archipelago, now touched by flames, Lumine reached out to hold Keqing's trembling hands tightly.
"Lumine, it's over now. The root of all evil will soon be destroyed. This place will recover," Keqing said with a reassuring smile, pulling Lumine's hand.
"Yes."
"Let's go. If this anger in our hearts still lingers, we can vent it on the remaining scum hiding in the Sabaody Archipelago," Lumine declared with determination. "Pirates and slavers born from the evil of this place—let's hunt them all down."
"Even if they die in the ensuing battle, I won't let them go so easily!" Lumine clenched her fists, dragging Keqing toward the archipelago.
"These two didn't even invite me," Hiroshi muttered, shaking his head. Watching the storm of lightning and wind erupting above the massive island below, he turned toward the Navy soldiers evacuating the last group of captives.
A white cloud appeared beneath the evacuees' feet, gently lifting them into the sky. Amid soft gasps of surprise, the cloud transformed into a streak of light heading for the Navy fleet at the port.
"Everyone, look!"
In front of a Den Den Mushi broadcasting to the world, a passionate young woman shouted excitedly.
"Look, Vice Admiral Hiroshi is leading the last group of captives back!"
"In previous broadcasts, viewers saw the immense power of Vice Admiral Hiroshi, who defeated Kaido, one of the former Four Emperors, with a single punch!"
"And just now, viewers witnessed Admirals Zhongli, Infinity, and Vice Admiral Hiroshi liberating the hellish Mariejois alongside rising stars like Vice Admirals Keqing and Lumine."
"The Navy has fully exposed the World Government's crimes to the people worldwide. Under their new directives, they are gathering strength to liberate the world from this dark era."
"I truly look forward to the Navy's vision of a new world—one free from pirate invasions, unified in peace. A land where everyone can thrive, where education is free for all, and strangers will come together as family."
Her eyes sparkled with hope as she watched Hiroshi descend with the rescued captives and gazed at the figures standing tall in the sky. Her face lit with joy and excitement.
"I believe in that beautiful future because we have them—these people who fight tirelessly for justice and peace. Despite past infiltrations by rogues among their ranks, they are now saving the world. I trust they will continue to grow and build that wonderful home with us."
Smiling, Hiroshi waved at the enthusiastic young woman before turning toward the gathering of rescued captives.
"Big sister, little one, are you okay?" Klee asked, holding a large box of bandages as she carefully tended to a woman and her daughter.
Her big eyes glared at the injuries before her, her small face filled with indignation.
"Those bad guys are so evil! If Brother Hiroshi hadn't forbidden me from going up there, I would have blasted them with my strongest bombs!"
"It's okay, little one," the weary woman said gently, patting Klee's head as the child fumed over the injustice. She looked around at the Navy soldiers and this caring little girl tending to the wounded.
For the first time since being captured by the Celestial Dragons, she felt hope.
Recognizing a familiar sound, she hugged her daughter Xiaomei tightly and turned to see Hiroshi crouching beside her.
"Klee, I'm back," Hiroshi said, ruffling her hair. He addressed the rescued woman.
"Are you holding up okay? Once Ruri finishes healing the fleet, she'll come over to help. She's more skilled than I am."
"Yes. Thank you… thank you for saving me and my daughter!" the woman said, bowing deeply as she held her child close.
"No need for thanks. This is what I do as a Marine," Hiroshi replied with a smile. He patted Xiaomei's head as her eyes sparkled with admiration.
"Little one, I hear your dream is to become a Marine. Work hard, okay? I'll look forward to the day you join us."
A blue light flickered in Hiroshi's palm before vanishing. Smiling, he waved as he turned toward Ruri and the others approaching.
"You've worked hard, Ruri," Hiroshi said, grasping her hand and sensing her lingering anger. He gently squeezed it.
"Let's finish off that thing beneath Mariejois. Don't worry—this won't happen again."
"Yes!" Ruri said firmly, her voice resolute. "I, the Fallen Saint Black Cat, will drag it into the deepest darkness, where it will sink forever!"
"I'll heal the remaining injured first. With the innocents of Mariejois and the Sabaody Archipelago safe, we can unleash our full strength without hesitation!"