The young captain bristled with indignation, ready to argue further, but Rear Admiral Darius raised a hand, his calm authority silencing any protest.
"If one in ten people is ungrateful, will we abandon them all? If only one in ten knows gratitude, will we refuse to help?" Darius's voice was steady but firm, his words resonating deeply.
"No. As long as civilians are in need, it is our duty as Marines to enforce justice. Justice without asking for anything in return—that is the essence of our mission and the principle by which I live."
He patted the young captain on the shoulder. The captain, momentarily stunned, seemed to grasp the weight of Darius's conviction. Without waiting for a response, Darius turned to the signalman and issued his orders.
"Send a message to Captain Cookie, Captain Milk, and Captain Leo. Tell them to stay vigilant and call for assistance if needed. Also, alert the troops here to prepare for battle. If they want to fight, we'll meet them head-on. The Marines do not fear any enemy!"
The signalman saluted sharply, admiration gleaming in his eyes, before rushing off to relay the instructions.
The young captain stood silently, absorbing Darius's words. After a moment, he straightened his posture and declared with newfound resolve, "I understand, Rear Admiral Darius. I'll remember your teachings and never forget the righteous mission behind our actions."
Darius gave a small, bittersweet smile. "Good. But remember, everyone's sense of justice is different. You must discover and follow your own."
The captain nodded solemnly, vowing silently to uphold the ideals of justice. Meanwhile, Darius turned his attention back to preparations. Concerned that the upcoming battle could endanger the nearby town of Good Luck, he ordered the camp to be relocated to an uninhabited hill a few kilometers away.
The wounded, along with their medical team, were transferred to the rear for safety. With the immediate logistics handled, Darius began strategizing for the inevitable confrontation.
Elsewhere, the self-proclaimed "army" of Gankuro had left the Flower Capital, marching toward Hakumai. The title of Kozuki Sukiyaki's shogun still carried weight, and many flocked to join the banner, whether out of loyalty, ambition, or desperation.
Gankuro's forces grew rapidly, bolstered by ronin, Yakuza, and opportunists eager to take advantage of the chaos. To his delight, even some locals provided intelligence on Marine activities, tipping the scales in his favor.
Riding a newly acquired horse, Gankuro addressed his motley crew of 2,500. His voice rang out confidently as they marched. "Gentlemen, the enemy is weak and disorganized! The Marines in Hakumai number no more than 2,000. Meanwhile, we have not only the brave 2,500 Samurai here but also the support of countless loyalists from Kuri, Udon, Kibi, and beyond. Together, we will crush these outsiders and restore Wano to its rightful rulers!"
The ragtag army erupted into cheers, spurred on by Gankuro's fiery rhetoric.
Emboldened by their enthusiasm, he unsheathed his sword, raising it high. "Samurai, it's time to serve His Majesty the Shogun! Let us drive out these invaders, claim glory, seize gold, and take what's ours!"
The crowd roared in approval, their shouts echoing across the countryside.
As they neared the river separating the Flower Capital from Hakumai, the high-spirited march came to an abrupt halt. A vast expanse of water stretched before them, and the bridge that once spanned the river lay in ruins.
Gankuro scowled, his mood souring. "That damn Orochi!" he spat, dismounting his horse. "He spent his days drinking and chasing women but couldn't even maintain a simple bridge! It's disgraceful he got off so easily by dying."
After venting his frustration, he quickly shifted focus. "If the bridge is gone, then we'll cross by boat," he declared, summoning several Yakuza leaders to his side.
"Search both sides of the river for boats—anything that floats—and bring them back here immediately," he ordered.
The leaders, eager to prove themselves, saluted enthusiastically and rushed off with their men. Their excitement at the opportunity to make a name for themselves was palpable.
Though Gankuro privately regarded them as simple-minded fools, he couldn't deny their utility. As a former Yakuza himself, he knew these people would be valuable tools in the battles to come.
Watching his subordinates scatter along the riverbank, Gankuro smirked. With this army, I will solidify my place as Wano's greatest hero, he thought, mounting his horse again. Let Sukiyaki favor Denjiro all he wants now. Once I've crushed the Marines and unified Wano, I'll be the one standing at the Shogun's side.
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