The training battleship arrived in uncharted waters.
Since it was a patrol mission and the rain in this area was even heavier, the ship gradually slowed its speed after entering the zone.
The rookie Marines took shifts, scanning the surrounding seas with limited visibility.
"Where the hell are we?"
Drenched to the bone on the deck, Brian scanned the sea with binoculars, his voice filled with confusion.
"This downpour has completely disoriented me!"
"Who cares where we are? Just stick to the patrol!" Rogers took the binoculars and added, "You and Shorty go take shelter. I'll take this shift."
As he spoke, Rogers raised the binoculars to survey the sea ahead before shifting his gaze to the ship's starboard side.
Almost simultaneously, a massive ship silhouette emerged from the thick sea fog on the starboard side, rising like a specter through the relentless rain.
Before Rogers could react, the massive ship surged out of the sea fog at an astonishing speed, instantly magnifying in the telescope's lens and charged straight toward the warship with suffocating pressure!
"!!!!!"
"Pirate ship!"
The moment Rogers saw the skull-and-crossbones flag fluttering above the colossal vessel through the telescope, his heart lurched and he shouted.
"Brian, Orion! Quickly inform the captain—a pirate ship is heading straight for us!"
"Damn it!"
Brian, who had just taken shelter with Orion, also spotted the oncoming pirate ship and paled in shock.
"What's going on? Are these pirates out of their minds? They dare attack a marine ship head-on?!"
"It's not an attack!" Orion stood up and added, "That pirate ship is out of control!"
Before he finished speaking, Orion swiftly pulled out a Den Den Mushi and yelled.
"Hard to starboard, now! Move, move, move!"
BOOM—
Despite Orion's lightning-fast reaction, the pirate ship was too fast.
The moment his words left his lips, the massive vessel collided head-on with the warship.
A deafening explosion erupted as the two ships crashed together, sending Orion, Brian, and Rogers flying uncontrollably across the deck.
From the pirate ship now locked with the warship, desperate wails rose in unison.
Clearly, the pirates hadn't spotted the navy vessel either—by the time they saw it, their ship was already careening out of control.
Amid the chorus of cries from the pirate ship, a furious roar cut through the chaos, reaching the ears of Orion, Brian, and Rogers as they sprawled on the deck.
"What are you all wailing about?!"
"Get up, damn it! On your feet!"
"If you don't want to be captured by the marines, grab your weapons and follow me—lets kill them all!"
The moment the voice faded, thunderous roars erupted from the pirate ship's deck.
In the next moment, swarms of pirates leaped from their vessel, charging fearlessly onto the warship's deck.
At the same time, marine cadets burst out from below deck.
The moment the two sides met, the cadets didn't hesitate—they raised their rifles and fired at the pirates without pause.
In an instant, gunfire erupted like a storm across the sea.
Pirates who had just boarded the warship fell in droves before they could even close the distance.
But the pirates didn't retreat.
They raised their own guns and returned fire at point-blank range.
"Rogers, protect the shorty!" Brian shouted amid the hail of bullets, scrambling toward Orion before shoving him toward Rogers.
Without hesitation, Rogers threw himself over Orion, simultaneously raising his pistol and firing at an approaching pirate.
"Rogers, let me go!" Orion struggled beneath him, shouting, "I have to face combat sooner or later—release me!"
Before the words fully left his mouth, Orion suddenly twisted free, shoving Rogers off.
In one fluid motion, he drew his sword and charged at a diving pirate.
"Damn it!"
To his surprise, Orion actually possessed such formidable strength.
Rogers cursed under his breath as he swiftly rushed forward to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Orion, shouting in frustration.
"Orion, have you lost your damn mind? Get behind me now!"
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
Orion remained silent, his longsword clashing fiercely against a pirate's blade.
Amidst the metallic symphony of combat, Orion quickly gained the upper hand.
With Rogers joining the fray and diverting the pirate's attention, Orion seized the moment—his blade piercing straight through the pirate's heart with lethal precision.
No sooner had he felled this foe than Orion pivoted toward three other pirates who had already closed in on Brian, overwhelming him with their assault.
"Enough, Orion!"
"Fall back—now!"
Seeing Orion charge recklessly toward Brian's aid, Rogers yelled while sprinting after him.
Yet his speed fell short.
By the time Rogers caught up, Orion had already cleaved through the neck of one pirate besieging Brian.
Without pause, Orion—eyes blazing with fury—lunged at another pirate.
With Rogers now in the fight, the remaining two pirates fell swiftly to their combined efforts.
"Rogers!"
The moment the last pirate crumpled, Brian grabbed Rogers by the arm, his voice seething.
"Have you forgotten Bruske's orders? If anything happens to the kid, how will you face our fallen brothers? Anyone in our squad can die—except him!"
Rogers spread his hands helplessly.
"I couldn't stop him!"
Brian wasted no more words.
Seeing Orion surge forward again, he dashed over and yanked him back.
"Orion, stay behind me and Rogers! That's an order!"
Orion tilted his head to look at Brian and Rogers, who now flanked him protectively.
His crimson eyes burned as he shouted.
"Sergeant Bruske died in my arms, and you held me back from fighting. William died saving me right before my eyes, and still you stopped me from avenging him. Then Leo, Finn, Dika—all dead because of me!"
"Now only three of us remain from the training squad!"
"Do you want to die before me too? Leave me drowning in guilt for life?"
His chest heaving, Orion suddenly clenched his sword and glared at the chaotic pirate skirmish ahead, his voice dripping with killing intent.
"Brian, Rogers—today we three brothers fight as one. Let's slaughter every last one of these damned pirates!"
Feeling Orion's overwhelming battle aura and seeing the deck combat reach its fever pitch, Brian abandoned further protests.
A newfound fighting spirit ignited within him as he and Rogers gripped their swords with both hands, taking positions at Orion's flanks.
"Slaughter them all!"
"Charge!"
With Orion's roar, the trio surged forward as one—three wolves tearing into a flock of sheep.