Golden Lion Shiki's words were like poisoned thorns, piercing the hearts of every Marine present.
Humiliation!
Blatant humiliation!
"You fellow!"
Finally, a young Navy Captain could no longer suppress the anger in his chest; with a flick of his wrist, the gleaming blade was about to be drawn.
Killing intent erupted!
However, his sword was only drawn an inch.
A fair, slender hand, with even greater speed, pressed down on the back of his hand.
That hand looked delicate, yet it contained an irresistible force, firmly pushing his almost-drawn sword back into its sheath.
"Vice Admiral Gion!"
The young Captain turned sharply, his eyes bloodshot, his face filled with unwillingness and humiliation.
Gion did not look at him; her clear, cold phoenix eyes remained fixed on Shiki's face, which was full of mockery and provocation.
"I'll say it again, put away your weapons and your killing intent."
Her voice was not loud, but it carried a cold penetrative power, "This is an order, do you not understand?"
"But..."
"No buts," Gion interrupted him, "Are you trying to defy a military order?"
The young Captain's body stiffened, his lips moved, but he ultimately lowered his head dejectedly, releasing his grip on the sword.
The other Marine officers likewise had ashen faces, their fists clenched tightly, yet they could only watch helplessly.
Watching that legendary Great Pirate swaggering in front of their elite Marine forces.
"Kekekekeke!"
Golden Lion Shiki let out a harsh, wild laugh, filled with the pathological exhilaration of release after suppression.
Satisfying!
He no longer looked at the Marines, who dared not speak despite their anger, and turned his back to them, swaggering step by step towards the inconspicuous small shop in the distance.
His retreating figure was arrogant to the extreme.
It was as if he was silently proclaiming that on this island, he, Golden Lion, could do whatever he wanted, while the Marines, representing the face of the World Government, dared not even utter a sound.
It wasn't until Shiki's figure completely disappeared around the street corner that the suffocating, oppressive atmosphere at the port finally eased somewhat.
"Vice Admiral Gion... are we just going to..."
"We're leaving."
Gion coldly cut off her subordinate's question and turned to walk in another direction.
"Where to?"
Gion's steps did not falter, "To find that bastard who's enjoying himself, hiding somewhere."
Goa Kingdom, Central District.
The luxurious high city, once a symbol of noble privilege, was now completely open to commoners.
People came and went on the streets, filled with a newfound vitality and joy.
On the walls, where wanted posters once hung, were now covered with brand new propaganda posters.
"Warmly celebrating the liberation of Goa Kingdom! Everyone is equal, labor is the most glorious!"
"The Revolutionary Army's 'Five Insurances' policy is fully implemented! Medical, pension, unemployment... the Revolutionary Army safeguards your life!"
Gion led a team of Marine officers through such streets, feeling completely out of place with everything around her.
Their Marine uniforms stood out conspicuously here, drawing many wary and scrutinizing gazes.
A young Navy Captain, watching the people spontaneously organizing on both sides of the street, cleaning trash and repairing houses, with smiles on their faces that he had never seen on the faces of the common people before—smiles from the bottom of their hearts—couldn't help but lower his voice and murmur to his colleague beside him.
"Is this... really occupied by the Revolutionary Army?"
"I thought there would be burning, killing, looting, a wasteland... but look at them, everyone..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but the confusion and wavering in his eyes said it all.
This was completely contrary to the education he had received since childhood and everything he had learned at the Marine Academy.
Wasn't the Revolutionary Army an evil organization that incited rebellion and disrupted order?
But why was the kingdom under their rule more... prosperous than when it was ruled by the king recognized by the World Government?
Another, older Vice Admiral looked grimly at a propaganda poster.
The poster depicted a hooded man bending down to hand bread to a ragged child, with a line of large text next to it: "The flame of revolution is to ignite hope for all."
His fist quietly clenched at his side.
This was not merely a military defeat, but a collapse of ideals.
These scenes, every smiling face, every slogan, were like a silent slap, harshly striking at the "justice" they believed in.
What exactly were they fighting for with their lives?
Was it just to allow those high-and-mighty nobles to continue exploiting these people, who deserved to smile, with a clear conscience?
Once this terrifying thought arose, it grew wildly in his heart like a vine.
"Shut up."
Gion's cold voice rang out, interrupting their thoughts.
She didn't turn around, but her icy aura instantly silenced everyone.
"Keep your eyes in check, and control your minds."
"As Marines, you only need to obey orders, execute justice, and do what you believe is right."
Even so, Gion's own heart was also turbulent.
She looked at this rejuvenated city, at the people whose eyes had rekindled with light, and she knew better than anyone what this meant.
It meant that the leader of the Revolutionary Army was not just a destroyer.
He was also a builder.
He was leading not a mob of rabble, but a torrent named "hope," capable of shaking the World Government's rule from its very foundations.
This was a hundred, a thousand times more terrifying than any pirate in the world.
She took a deep breath, suppressed the chaotic thoughts in her mind, and her gaze became firm and sharp again.
Regardless, she was a Marine.
Her sword would only be drawn for justice.
She no longer paid attention to her surroundings, walking directly through the crowd, finally stopping in front of a brightly lit building from which strains of decadent music emanated.
"Ichiban Kabukicho."
Gion looked at the large sign, her eyes growing colder.
She pushed open the door and walked in.
Inside the room, a warm fragrance wafted, and string music played.
Admiral Kizaru was leaning casually on a soft tatami mat, one hand holding a wine cup, the other resting on the shoulder of a Geisha beside him, his face bearing that characteristic lewd smile, his eyes narrowed, seemingly already hazy with drink.
"Oh my, honored guest, you certainly can hold your liquor..."
"Not at all, young lady, it's your dancing that's so good, it makes this old man's heart flutter..."
Gion stood there at the entrance, watching quietly.
The clamor in the room contrasted sharply with the coldness emanating from her.
Finally, Kizaru seemed to sense something; he lazily lifted his eyelids, and when he saw the heroic figure at the doorway, the smile on his face stiffened slightly.
"Oh my... isn't this little Gion?"
He slowly sat up straight, waved his hand, signaling the surrounding Geishas to withdraw.
"You're finally here, this old man has been waiting for you for a long time."