I'll Lead the Charge

Boom!

The chain shot that had sliced two pirates in half continued its path, smashing into the side of the pirate ship before plunging into the sea. The deck was now stained with blood.

Moments ago, the pirates had been shouting and brandishing their weapons in excitement, but now their comrades lay in pieces, their faces twisted in a mix of initial thrill and final agony.

No one in Sam's Grand Fleet wasn't afraid of death. The pirates' arrogance vanished instantly, replaced by spreading fear.

Boom!

Crack!

Another cannon shot echoed from the approaching warship. The whistling chain shot flew over the pirates' heads, severing the main mast of the largest pirate ship in an instant. This was not a precision rifle; it was a chain shot!

If the first hit could be attributed to luck, the second demonstrated the gunner's skill beyond any doubt.

"Return fire! Open fire, all of you!"

"Ship Two and Ship Three, get close to that warship as fast as you can! We need to board them!"

"Ship One, bring out the big guns and provide cover for the other ships with fixed and mobile cannons!"

"Captain, the warship is already closing in!"

"What did you say? Hahaha... Excellent! This Marine major has guts, bringing the fight to us. Kill them all!"

Boom!

Another cannon shot and Hailan's precise chain shot also severed the mast of Ship Two.

Simultaneously, the warship had closed in on Ship Three.

"Soldiers, follow me and charge!"

Ensign Wagner, wielding a steel sword, was the first to jump onto the pirate ship. In the past month, he had begun to master "Shave," reaching a level comparable to Kuro's "Silent Step." His "Iron Body" training had also shown results, with his muscles becoming significantly tougher, though unable to withstand bullets or blades.

"Shave!"

Lieutenant Bellemere vanished from the warship in civilian clothes, reappearing on the pirate ship's deck. She swiftly took down a pirate hiding in a corner, ready to snipe at the Marines.

Bellemere pinned the pirate to the ground and pressed her rifle into his mouth.

Bang!

Without hesitation, she pulled the trigger, ending the pirate's life before he could even plead.

Unlike Ensign Wagner, who had focused on two techniques, Lieutenant Bellemere had dedicated all her energy to mastering "Shave." Though Hailan saw her improvement as just running faster, to these common pirates, she was a blur.

"Die!"

Wagner cut down a pirate, leaving only Marines standing on the deck. Ignoring the cannon fire splashing into the sea, Wagner saluted Hailan.

"Report, sir! The pirate ship is cleared. Awaiting orders!"

"Lieutenant, you and the second squad stay here. Ensign, you and the first squad will continue with me to deal with the remaining pirates!"

"Yes, sir!"

The second squad, already in civilian clothes as per the plan, took control of Ship Three, while the first squad, led by Wagner, cleared the remaining pirates on the other two ships. Hailan quickly took out any pirates trying to flee with pinpoint headshots.

…

On the top floor of a luxurious club, "Admiral" Sam smashed a table in front of "Admiral" Roy.

"Captain Roy! All my men are dead. When did the Loguetown Marines get this strong? Are you hiding something from me?"

"Calm down, Brother Sam," Captain Roy said leisurely, sipping his tea before handing the cup to a maid.

"If they weren't strong, why would I need you, Brother Sam?"

Sam pointed at Roy's bodyguard, "Whirlwind" Eric. "You said this guy would help us ambush the major, but now he's not going!"

"Well…"

Captain Roy opened his fan. "But you contacted the treasure hunter Mad Treasure, right? With him, you're still worried about a mere Marine major?"

Sam calmed down. "How do you know this?"

"You think I got to be a Marine admiral by luck? My abilities are beyond your imagination."

"You…"

"Brother Sam, don't worry. Here..."

Roy brought in five briefcases. "Here's five billion Berries to compensate for your losses. I will send Eric to support you now. If you kill that major, I'll give you half of Victoria Kingdom's shipping business."

Sam had the money checked, finding it genuine.

"Deal?"

"Have I ever lied?"

"Good. It's a deal!"

Admiral Sam left the club with his men and the money. Not long after, Colonel Hoffman emerged from the shadows.

"Admiral Nelson never lies… because he kills anyone he deceives."

"Hahaha… Colonel Hoffman, you know me so well!"

Meanwhile, Eric, walking beside Sam, remembered Captain Roy's words.

"Once Sam's Grand Fleet engages Major Hailan, you'll have a chance to kill them all. The five billion Berries will be yours."

Eric was a mercenary, fighting only for money. But to claim the five billion, he needed Sam's fleet to engage the Loguetown Marines first, as he wasn't confident he could defeat Sam and his men alone.

Meanwhile, Bellemere and her squad had landed on another part of the island. Pirates had looted a small village.

The sight of burning houses, blood, and corpses, including children, filled the soldiers with rage.

"Damn these pirates, they're nothing but beasts!"

"Lieutenant, over here! Someone's alive!"

Bellemere rushed over and found a little girl hiding in the ruins. Due to the angle, a small, stable cave had formed, providing the girl shelter.

Looking around two or three years old, the girl asked timidly, "Are you good people?"

"Of course we are. We are…"

Bellemere stopped the soldier from speaking further. "We are passing hunters."

From more profound in the ruins, an infant's laughter echoed.

Bellemere gently asked, "What's your name? Is that your brother or sister?"

"My name is Nojiko."

Nojiko struggled to bring out the infant. "I don't know her. I found her."