"Up ahead is our base," the Marine said, holding a bowl of rice as he introduced the area to Olga.
"Wow..."
"It's so... run-down..."
Olga stared at the Marine base standing on the horizon, feeling like her eyes were being assaulted.
"Little girl, even though we're on good terms, I can't let you insult our grand Marine base!" the Marine immediately retorted upon hearing Olga's words.
To them, the base represented safety, camaraderie, and a place to call home.
"But I really didn't expect the Marines to live in a place like this..." Olga muttered weakly.
The faint light of dawn had yet to break through the thick sea fog, and an eerie silence enveloped the area.
Renji and the others stood on the deck of the Marine ship, gazing at the gradually emerging outline of the base.
A sea breeze swept past, carrying with it a mix of saltiness and decay.
The gates of the Marine base were tightly shut, giving the impression of a lifeless wasteland.
The scars left on the base told the story of the disasters that had occurred here.
The walls were crumbling, some of the fortresses had partially collapsed, and black smoke still rose from a corner.
But what was most shocking were the bodies scattered outside the base.
The corpses lay in disarray, some frozen in their final fighting stances, silently telling visitors of the fierce battles that had taken place here.
A seasoned Marine on the ship pointed at the silent bodies, his voice hoarse as he explained:
"These are all the pirates who died attacking this base. We Marines also suffered heavy losses."
"Outside this base, every so often, pirates storm in to loot and kill."
The Marine clenched his fist, letting the sea breeze tousle his hair.
The ruined base and the scattered bodies formed a heavy, somber scene.
Despite the brutality and cruelty of the reality before them, Renji knew that as soldiers, their duty was to face danger head-on. All they could do was strive to improve their strength to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
The Marine waved his hand, signaling the group to follow him ashore.
Toki's expression was stern, while Olga and Aisei nodded silently. No words were needed between the four of them; their exchanged glances were enough to convey their thoughts.
As the sun rose and the morning fog dissipated, they stepped forward, heading toward the ruined Marine base. Each step felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.
"..."
The scene inside the base was even more tragic than they had imagined. The air was filled with the lingering smell of gunpowder and an atmosphere of sorrow.
Bricks, shattered glass, and bullet casings littered the ground like a mournful song, narrating the fierce battle that had just taken place.
Though the fighting was over, every surviving Marine was doing what they could—moving supplies, repairing broken walls, or keeping watch to guard against any potential threats.
The appearance of Renji and his group initially caused a wave of alertness.
The Marines had set up multiple defensive lines, guarding what remained of their territory.
Exhausted but still maintaining a strong sense of combat readiness, they treated any unusual movement as a potential threat.
However, after confirming that the newcomers included one of their own, their wary gazes softened.
Some Marines nodded, while others even attempted to smile, expressing unspoken comfort and encouragement among comrades.
Though the base was in ruins, morale had not been broken.
Toki and the others walked down the corridors damaged by the wreckage. Each area they passed made their hearts grow heavier, but it also strengthened their resolve to join the Marines.
Meanwhile, the Marines in the base returned to their posts, continuing their busy work.
"Our Vice Admiral is in this office. I'll head back to my duties now," the Marine who had guided them explained before hurrying down the hallway.
...
Knock knock knock... Renji gently tapped on the door.
A hoarse voice came from inside. "Come in."
The group pushed the door open and entered the office.
Seated behind a large desk was an elderly Marine. His skin resembled aged parchment, reflecting the toll of time.
His eyes, framed by silver hair, shone with wisdom through his reading glasses.
Seeing the newcomers, the old man smiled and set down the documents in his hands. He looked up, his sharp eyes focusing on the four people before him.
The old man's voice was hoarse but gentle: "Welcome to G-5. I'm Mardo, the head of this branch."
"Please, have a seat. You're not part of our branch, so there's no need to be so formal."
His words were brief but conveyed a sense of friendliness toward Renji and the others.
Renji and his companions exchanged a glance, then sat down one by one, ready to listen to what this battle-hardened old Marine had to say.
"So, you're the kid Garp mentioned," Mardo said, looking directly at Renji, a hint of interest in his eyes.
Renji nodded. "That's me."
After building a rapport with the Marines on the ship, Renji had learned that Garp had privately asked their Vice Admiral to help locate him and his group.
Now that he was face-to-face with the Vice Admiral, Renji felt deeply grateful.
The old man's gaze carried a subtle sense of urgency. He leaned forward slightly in his chair, placing his hands lightly on the desk as he looked at the group.
"I have a request," Mardo said, his voice steady but filled with weight.
The urgency of war seemed to condense on his weathered face at that moment. Every wrinkle was like a deep trench, etched with the base's struggles and the desperation for aid.
"I know this is a big ask."
"But our situation is truly dire. We're short on supplies, personnel..."
"We're barely holding on. If Marine Headquarters could give us a bit more support, we could continue to protect this sea."
His eyes scanned each of their faces, as if searching for a glimmer of hope in their youthful expressions.
"I believe your arrival isn't a coincidence. Each of your talents, your recent actions, have proven your worth."
"The Fleet Admiral has never been stingy with praise for outstanding soldiers, so..."
Mardo paused briefly, took a deep breath, and continued:
"If you could put in a good word for us in front of the Fleet Admiral, even just a few words, I believe he'd consider it. Everyone here, young and old, would be eternally grateful."
Renji and the others exchanged another glance, reaching a consensus almost without words.
They understood that this wasn't just the old man's request—it was his way of taking responsibility for the helpless lives caught in the crossfire.
Renji stood up.
....
.....
(TL/N): If you are intressted you can read up to 30 chapter on patreon.com/Yanet96 search with this link.