From outside came explosions from bombardments, gunfire, and clashing blades, but the ship housing Marine prisoners remained largely unaffected.
Occasional vibrations from the roar—not enough to cause anxiety.
Some soldiers even felt relieved they weren't participating in the acts producing those sounds.
"Hey, you."
Among these prisoners, naturally some maintained vigilance.
Master Sergeant Dole—distinctive for her flower-petal tattoos on both biceps and spiked choker—addresses a younger boy soldier.
"You came with Smoker, right?"
"Y-yes."
The boy soldier, unable to eat until recently and worrying even his pirate enemies, nods while stammering.
Having done little beyond basic physical training and cargo hauling, he rubs his blister-covered hands—from firing unfamiliar rifles—prompting her question with "Yes?"
"I'd heard Ensign Smoker was excellent in combat training but impudent and reckless. Hard to believe he'd lose control engaging in combat or try allying with pirates—even to stop fighting."
Completely unbelievable would be a lie, Dole admits to herself.
Despite the incident of prisoner abuse—or rather, the accident of peer brawling—their treatment had been extremely good.
Meals provided, hostile fish-men kept away, cared for by Marines who'd followed Kuro.
Quarters were cramped, but Captain Kuro personally bowed apologizing and requesting understanding.
Ironically, they could rest bodies and minds better than while participating in military operations under direct Celestial Dragon orders.
(Black Cat's skill at repeated interrogations disguised as casual conversation to win them over is impressive too...)
From Dole's perspective, at least a third of soldiers already trusted Kuro.
At minimum, they believed he wouldn't commit atrocities.
"If you were in the same unit with him—can I ask what happened?"
Honestly, Dole didn't want to voice this question.
The soldier beside her—wrapped in a blanket, refusing to speak except when Kuro visited—regrets killing many people during combat with rioters attempting food reclamation from forced requisitions. Meaning civilians.
Others have kidnapping mission complaints still clinging—called "labor force requisition"—while some were pelted with stones and bottles by civilians during ordinary patrol stops.
"I... I..."
"Don't force yourself if it's too hard. My hands are also filthy... terribly filthy. I won't pressure you."
Dole had also helped set fires to towns with residents still present—on direct Celestial Dragon orders.
After capture in the previous battle, she'd tried acting tough to avoid showing pirates weakness, but Black Cat noticed her trembling hands and has been considerate since.
Some soldiers are recovering, but those fighting outside now all drag pain from hell before arriving at Fish-Man Island.
"...He was crushed."
The boy soldier covers his face with both hands—remembering that hell.
"Before Smoker and everyone—"
"He was crushed..."
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
"The enemy's ringleader and maximum force—Captain Kuro—cannot easily move from his base ship. While we must watch for his high-power, long-range kick technique, I believe our current forces can handle the enemy rebel forces in this environment."
That girl's words decided Marine movements.
"Pirate Kuro is using Celestial Dragons for political resolution while making them oppose each other, so nothing can happen to the Celestial Dragons on their side. Therefore he must remain attached to the ship. Many fish-men harbor anxiety and dissatisfaction toward Celestial Dragons equal to murderous intent."
And as she predicted, Kuro didn't move from the main ship, focusing on defense.
Every soldier—even officers—felt fear.
If he appeared before them, instant death.
Though barely a year since raising his flag, Kuro had already reached that level as a pirate.
"We'll exploit that gap to eliminate soldiers serving as Kuro's limbs. Primary target: the high-threat blind swordsman. Ideally capture or defeat him, but even delaying him significantly burdens the enemy."
Thus combat began.
Enemy actions matched the girl's predictions—charging toward the main ship carrying Celestial Dragons.
(—But the most important prediction missed.)
Desperately stemming enemy advance, Marines fought long.
Placing personnel with high individual combat power on predicted routes succeeded—somehow holding against assault units centered on two terrifyingly skilled fish-men, retreating gradually but maintaining defense.
"Corporal Mercedes, the battle situation differs somewhat from expectations—"
"Yes. Once fish-man forces rampaged, I thought they'd have to attack centered on that blind swordsman and his apparent direct disciple girl to reliably capture Celestial Dragons, but..."
The battlefield spreading below Mercedes remained a fight between Marine forces—primarily human—and rebel forces primarily fish-men, like before.
The most-feared enemy human forces operated as skirmishers, systematically crushing encirclement points they tried tightening.
Threat level extremely high, yet moving forces to stop them would weaken defenses against enemy main forces.
(Actually collapsing and letting them take Celestial Dragons could serve as reason to end this war...)
In that case, what orders higher government levels issue remains completely unclear.
Already unreasonable requisitions and kidnappings have spread worldwide.
While this battle—worsened by Celestial Dragon rampages—provides cards the Marines can use, mishandling could trigger world-dividing war.
(Even if Marine-government conflict and war itself can't be avoided, we must calm the situation once and minimize civilian damage. No—we must, or hell's lid truly opens. That said—)
She sees a shark-like fish-man particularly skilled at wide-area attacks trying to leave formation.
Probably planning to lead a separate unit capturing defensive strongholds obstructing breakthrough.
The neighboring officer apparently judges similarly, immediately sending flag signals moving separate units.
Seems he'll intercept using T Bone's sword-skilled officer unit.
(With Marines stopping maximum forces' main strength, perhaps the fish-man side might consider abandoning the island...)
They'd regained cohesion unthinkable for a group that rampaged recently.
Not quite military-level, but avoiding excessive advancement while maintaining some formation, each fulfilling roles.
Supporting this movement: pirate Kuro performing the feat of kicking shells from distant main ships.
Not hitting fish-men or Marines directly, yet exploiting disrupted barrages from impact smokescreens—breaking through even the second line.
(This is Kuro... Sir Kuro.)
Fortunately, no further attacks came after battle lines exceeded kick bombardment range.
But she'd learned: fighting this man seriously requires accepting considerable sacrifice.
(The war god who performed Holy Land's miracle.)
That man—a pirate already featured in tactical textbooks.
Mercedes renewed her admiration for this man who'd become an enemy.
His tactical and strategic vision organizing this chaotic battlefield exceeded her reach entirely.
(Vice Admiral Tsuru's attempt to absorb him through reckless adoption despite punishment risk is understandable. If Sir were a Marine officer, he could've grasped the reins of Marines, nations, and Celestial Dragons before reaching this state.)
Mercedes glances at those pointing rifles from behind.
Officials and soldiers maintaining this hell from fear, self-preservation, and—abandonment of thought.
While understanding this is unavoidable, it also infuriates her.
"Corporal, given the emergency, shouldn't you accept temporary promotion?"
"Indeed, having that woman as responsible party won't satisfy troops."
"Even provisional rank increase would stabilize the command structure."
Flanking veteran officers begin saying this.
Almost all officers had told Mercedes this since the previous battle ended.
Suppressing her twitching mouth, as Mercedes tries voicing appropriate refusal—
"Stop saying stupid things while fighting continues!!"
The woman officers despise like snakes screams at them.
"Lady Moira."
"Mercedes, what's the current situation?!"
"We're somehow holding the enemy assault unit, but two separate units are terrifyingly formidable. ...At this rate we'll be overrun."
"You have countermeasures?!"
"—Yes."
Foul-mouthed, discriminatory, looking down on Marines—a typical government person.
Yet currently, Mercedes could rely on this woman above all others.
"Ignore enemy separate units. Contract battle lines and focus on defending flanks of formations intercepting enemy main forces—at minimum we won't suddenly lose catastrophically."
"Can't we win?!"
"...If you'd entrust Saints Pluming and others' safety and protection to divine providence."
Winning strategies existed.
Just have all remaining forces gradually tightening encirclement charge.
Probably they'd win this battle.
But—
"...The Celestial Dragons desperately want to order full army assault."
"Doing that would finally move Captain Kuro. I don't want to imagine how many soldiers would sacrifice, and even then the possibility of rescuing Saints Pluming and others or prisoners on the enemy main ship is extremely low."
Ordering full army attack would defeat fish-man forces.
Could win, but couldn't continue beyond.
This miracle of exploiting situational gaps to seal Kuro's movements.
If Kuro moved now, all Celestial Dragons would fall into enemy hands, utterly crushing not just Marines but government prestige. Possibilities exist.
From a world already off its hinges, potential deterrents would vanish.
"...There's a limit to stalling time."
"Yes."
Mercedes quietly observes Lady Moira's body—hidden by clothing, but beautiful skin visible at sleeves shows spreading bruises.
Sniffing slightly, definitely from somewhere on Lady Moira's body comes faint blood scent.
"...Can't we just rescue the Celestial Dragons?"
"Unfortunately not. To rescue them, we'd need soldiers charging to tear Black Cat from the main ship, but if many soldiers are eliminated then, we risk annihilation afterward."
Moreover, the Celestial Dragons over there are beginning to trust Kuro—as Mercedes concludes, Moira scratches her sea-sticky, disheveled hair and glares at surrounding officers.
"Fortunately, Fish-Man Island is directly beneath the Holy Land. Geographically a terrifying natural fortress, but being so close to Holy Land and Marine Headquarters means reinforcements will definitely come."
"If Celestial Dragons move, they should bring proper officers from the start..."
"...I apologize for not meeting expectations—"
"Not you!!"
Moira screams while gently pressing her painful arm with her other palm.
"I'll try stalling somehow, but probably two days... three at most. Beyond that, assault orders will issue."
"...Meaning win by then."
"You can't, right?"
At Moira's words, officers glare at her resentfully.
Conversely, Mercedes looks up at Moira in surprise.
"So make the situation as decent as possible."
"Please."
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
"Marines withdrew battle lines drastically? Hina! Pull back skirmishers! Advancing carelessly means gunfire from two directions! You'll be lured into a kill zone!!"
"Sorry, but facing skilled opponents—can't retreat!"
"—Tch, then maintain position! Even if enemies flee, no pursuit! Don't forget original objectives!"
"Major Stainless has engaged enemy separate units!"
"Being few, they'll definitely fear encirclement and panic. Keep them stalemated, buy time to change formation."
"Their aim is stalling. Jinbei, blow one abandoned Marine ship toward enemy lines! Anywhere! Scatter enemy soldiers, break formation! Then charge!"
"Understood!"
"Corporal Mercedes! The enemy's using a ship as projectile—"
"—Quickly get Colonel Maynard's unit forward! Enemy assault coming again! Route probably grazing the thrown ship's port side. Send messengers to nearby units, fortify defenses!"
"No good! Marine defenses tougher than expected! Arlong... if Big Brother and others stay like this—"
"...Aladdin! Lead five hundred kingdom soldiers and Willy's unit to support Hina's unit—free them to move! Without pressure from flanks, those defenses won't break!"
"Once scattered soldiers regroup, sally forth again. Over-defending lets them reorganize the board. If we don't somewhat reduce enemy breakthrough power, they'll instantly collapse us."
...
...
"Never imagined I couldn't finish by sunset!"
"Calm down, Kuro. Unusual seeing you lose composure before royalty."
Never thought I'd fail! Never thought I'd fail!
Fortunately casualties were light beyond injured, but never thought they'd stop us before reaching the ship!!!
"Indeed, numerical differences remain insurmountable."
That's not it, Your Majesty Neptune! This is completely my fault!
Also sorry about these rags for improvised curtains outside the ship! There were no rooms inside where His Majesty could stay!
Couldn't hold meetings decorating the deck considering sniper possibilities!!
"Purely reflects command disparity. My power insufficient—I cannot apologize enough..."
"Opposite. Without you, worst case all citizens might've been enslaved. Your efforts—I don't know how to repay them adequately."
His Majesty says this, but frustration remains frustrating.
Hina and others who'd eagerly anticipated being decisive went far but couldn't break defense networks—they look frustrated too.
Seriously, who's commanding? Was there anyone like this in the original?! Only Hina's level!!
Getting dodged at such thin margins reminds me of playing shogi betting expensive yokan with Tsuru!
How deep are Marine layers?!
Please share some personnel! Especially mid-level officers!!
Also, give me the current commander!!
"So what now? Attack again tomorrow? We may have reduced Marine numbers, but successfully defending raised morale somewhat. Their defenses are tougher."
Also, Smoker! You're a prisoner, right?!
Why are you here so naturally?!
"Your Majesty, we should move toward abandoning the island once."
"Mm...ugh. So it comes to that."
Having reached this point, complete victory is difficult.
In attrition terms, Marines suffered more, so attacking again tomorrow might achieve objectives—not zero possibility.
Not zero, but not certain with that troublesome commander present.
Probably next battle they'll have higher authority.
Depending on how that authority is granted, could be seriously troublesome.
"After watching battle progression, I spoke with citizens and influential people..."
"Objections?"
"Indeed. ...Some wealthy hesitate. Moreover, Fish-Man District residents and poor people who know nothing of outside..."
Even now they can't abandon it.
Their birthplace plus outside meaning human seas—understandable but...
Ugh, what to do?
Honestly I consider abandonment unavoidable, but then King Neptune will insist on remaining.
If Queen Otohime and young princes were here, maybe we could persuade from there.
"Kuro."
"Yes."
I kneel, bowing my head again.
Since Jinbei and others value such formalities, many soldiers trust me.
If information about me flows from soldiers to other citizens, maybe I can spread retreat arguments more.
...The problem remains isolated poor people.
"One thing completely agreed upon with citizens: entrusting women and children's lives to you."
"Yes. ...What?"
"Load wives and children of warriors currently fighting onto this ship—everyone says they want you taking them outside if needed."
How many do you think there are, idiots?!
Wait, everyone calm down—even if we could take everyone, where would we house them?
We're a pirate crew barely past our first year!!
We don't have enough food or land to support—shut up, those drums are too loud!!
"Should I interpret that as escorting them to Whitebeard's territory?"
"...Indeed."
That pause!! Is!! What?!
Even with expectations, we seriously can't!
We'd collapse in the first week, not even a month—massive refugees obvious!!
Even if we safely arrive, accepting evacuees including Princess Otohime in West Blue already causes considerable strain!
"Then Your Majesty should escape together and negotiate with Whitebeard forces. Speaking frankly, my honest opinion is attach Issho, Hina and others so you escape with our Celestial Dragons immediately."
"...Forgive me, I cannot abandon them. If even one citizen remains. I—"
I glance at Arlong and Jinbei—both nod simultaneously.
Guess if needed, we'll knock out King Neptune and take him.
I'm really the only one who can do that.
"Issho, can you move several ships together?"
"Probably possible... Let's see, at current capacity I could handle one more Marine warship."
"Sufficient. Prepare."
Should barely suffice for prioritizing civilian mermaids and wounded until entering the sea.
Then tomorrow's attack: pretend targeting Celestial Dragons while focusing everything on securing ships.
They're probably cornered too, but we're also short on time.
Must bring change to Saint Pluming's current environment soon or the "poison" might reach us.
"Kuro, I understand island abandonment strategy itself. So I want time somehow persuading everyone."
Exercising absolute authority would help... no, impossible.
For fish-men, this island weighs heavier than homelands for humans.
Probably close to Holy Land in my perception.
Even monarchs with royal authority can't ignore those emotions.
"...Yes, understood. But I must repeatedly state time is limited."
"Indeed. ...Sorry for being selfish."
"No."
Besides, according to fish-men and mermaids, His Majesty Neptune assumed the throne just years ago.
Even in crisis—precisely because of crisis—exercising absolute authority is somewhat premature.
(Pulled around by position and situation. ...I can't talk, but still.)
Above all, currently neither winning nor losing.
Atmosphere of anger overcoming fear toward Marines spreads, pulling many people.
If only Whitebeard's fleet arrived in time, that'd suffice—but government definitely planted something.
Considerable confidence in delaying Whitebeard forces' arrival.
Otherwise they wouldn't use such delaying tactics.
If rushing, they'd have used Fish-Man District units tightening encirclement.
(Supporting these numbers while stalling. Considering escort to Whitebeard territory post-escape, fuel and medicine aside, food supplies are genuinely concerning. Now what—??)
Suddenly, Observation Haki caught something.
Somewhat distant—above?
Something in the sea.
Quite strong presence... spreading?
—...Wait.
From far away: crack sound.
(Wait wait wait wait just wait!)
I stand involuntarily.
Hina—noticed. Keeping composure is too reliable.
Issho same.
Gripping his staff-cane, standing—
"Mr. Kuro. This presence—"
I know!!
Also Smoker, you okay?! You're pale!!
(You idiot!! You can't come here now!!!!)
From overhead, something huge fell near the no-man's-land trenches—shattered.
That massive thing—frozen Sea King remains—everyone silences momentarily, but next instant enormous cheers erupt from Marine side reversing all prior atmosphere.
(Why are you coming at this timing?!)
Through this darkness, leading ships probably forced passage using abilities, with multiple warships following behind descending toward Fish-Man Island.
"Kuzan."
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
"—Well yeah, figured I'd quickly finish unpleasant work. So I rushed departure."
The cheap liquor bottle he'd been drinking slipped from the man's hand.
In darkness, cold air drifts from his left hand that froze attacking Sea Kings drawn to their lights.
The man stands stunned at the bow.
"But why?"
Before him: Fish-Man Island turned battlefield hell—different from expected hell.
Massive bonfires blazed where sunlight doesn't reach, illuminating two opposed formations.
"Why is that flag there?"
One side. At positions assembled around a massive galleon, among Ryugu Kingdom flags, familiar flags were raised.
"Don't tell me you came?"
Never forgettable—the three-clawed cat flag.
"Of all people you, of all times this scene..."
"Kuro..."
***
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