We Are All Sharpshooters

The baby girl, rescued from the rubble by Nojiko, had amber-like orange eyes and sparse orange hair. Due to the prolonged lack of sunlight, she tightly closed her eyes. When she finally adapted to the light and saw the group of strangers around her, the baby didn't cry but instead gave a pure and innocent smile.

"Look, she's actually smiling..."

Seeing this, the soldiers, who were feeling heavy-hearted, felt relief. At least not everyone in this village was dead—there was still a glimmer of hope.

"Nojiko, it's dangerous here. Let this uncle take you and the baby away from here, okay?"

"Okay!"

Bellemere picked a soldier with a fitting personality and ordered him to escort Nojiko and the baby away.

"Big sister, be careful. It's very dangerous here!"

The perceptive Nojiko sensed that these "hunters" were different. Ordinary hunters and fishermen wouldn't have such a sharp aura. These people must be from an extraordinary place.

A soldier approached Bellemere and whispered, "Lieutenant, should we search for more survivors?"

"No, Major Hailan ordered us to ambush the pirates, and we've already delayed a bit. We can't afford to waste more time."

However, Bellemere assigned two soldiers to continue searching for survivors while the rest followed her to the ambush site.

"The more pirates we eliminate, the fewer innocent people will suffer the same fate. We need to protect as many lives as possible from these pirate massacres!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

Meanwhile, Ensign Wagner and his soldiers had wiped out the pirates on the remaining two ships near the passenger vessel.

"Report, Major. All pirates have been eliminated with no casualties on our side!"

Hailan gathered the soldiers together.

"Good job. Now you understand the importance of our training, right?"

"Train hard in peacetime to bleed less in war!"

"War is about killing. You must kill the enemy before they kill you!"

"If you sweat an extra pint during training, you'll bleed a gallon less in battle!"

"Today's results are the best proof!"

"Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir!"

Though their numbers were few, the unified roar of the soldiers was imposing. Even the survivors on the passenger ship felt a sense of awe.

"It's great to have such brave Marines protecting us. We're saved!"

"Yes, indeed..."

"Who is that officer?"

"I think they called him Major Hailan."

Hailan didn't order his soldiers to comfort the passengers because he knew these three pirate ships were just the appetizer. The calm now was merely the lull before the storm.

"Soldiers, check your weapons!"

A well-dressed passenger approached Hailan with a smile.

"Excuse me, sir, can we leave now?"

"If you think you have the strength to break through, I won't stop you."

The passenger was startled. "What do you mean, sir?"

"If I'm not mistaken, the ships attacking you were just three from Sam's Grand Fleet. The main fleet is likely blocking this area now."

"I suggest you hide back on the passenger ship."

"Sir, you must protect me. I'm a businessman. If you ensure my safety, I will..."

Before he could finish, Hailan had him escorted back to the ship.

"Report, sir! The pirate fleet is within sight, flying the flag of Sam's Grand Fleet!"

"Everyone, get ready to respond to attacks from the island first!"

Boom!

Sam's flagship roared with cannon fire. Giant cannonballs whistled through the air, hitting the water near the island and sending plumes of water skyward, asserting Sam's fleet's dominance.

The Marines' ambush was already in place as they approached the island.

Boom!

On the water, Sam's pirate ships suffered heavy damage. Lieutenant Bellemere led the Marines, using "Shave" to rapidly move through the water and plant timed bombs on the pirate ships' hulls. The wooden vessels couldn't withstand the blasts.

Though only Bellemere initially mastered "Shave," it didn't stop other soldiers from using the technique to swim faster. Kuro acquired the timed bombs from the black market.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the island, a horde of pirates wielding a mix of weapons charged at the Marines' hastily constructed defensive positions.

Dozens of pirate ships, hundreds of pirates!

The passengers on the ship were already trembling with fear. Even Hailan's soldiers felt the immense pressure.

Can we hold the line with just a few dozen soldiers against so many pirates?

But seeing their commanding officer, Major Hailan, who defeated all the recruits in 30 seconds with one "Shave," gave them confidence.

Major Hailan said, "Shave" is the simplest of the Six Powers.

What will it look like when Major Hailan uses all Six Powers?

Bang!

Hailan was the first to pull the trigger on his sniper rifle. With his precise computation, the bullet perfectly hit a pirate's forehead, the powerful sniper bullet blowing his head off.

Bang! Bang! Bang...

One shot after another, Hailan never missed, each bullet taking down an enemy. The relentless bloodshed shattered the pirates' morale while boosting the Marines' spirits.

Standing at the front, Hailan's Navy Justice Coat, with the bold "Justice" on the back, was like an unyielding belief in every soldier's heart.

"Within range, all soldiers, fire!"

The Marines in Loguetown were equipped with repeat flintlock rifles. With Hailan's command, simultaneous shots rang out from behind rocks, on trees, and in trenches. Pirates within range fell like wheat being harvested.

Curses, screams, and cries for mercy continued endlessly.