Rain hadn't touched the island in weeks, and the sun beat down on cracked tiles and empty windows like a hammer on rusted steel.
The town of Brissle—once a lively port in the North Blue—now stood as a skeleton of its former self. Smoke still curled from the remnants of homes; rubble crunched under cautious boots. It had been three days since the Habour had been attacked by pirates who were passing through.
I stood in the middle of the main street, an axe slung over my shoulder and dust on my long navy coat. 'Captain Xavier huh' I thought as I remeniced about my arrival in this world a few months ago.
I was just an average worker who lead a monotonous life doing the same thing day after day. The only thing interesting about my life was anime and manga, I like to believe that the mangaka was not only colouring the panels but my life too. My arrival was a bit abrupt I was about to read the latest volume of one piece before I blacked out and arrived here.
I looked around. A child peered out from behind a broken cart. An old man swept ash from his doorstep as if the routine might summon a sense of normalcy. There was no cheering at the arrival of Marines. Just silence. Wary eyes.
To think I was happy to be in the one piece world early on, before I got hit with the reality of this world.
I adjusted the brim of his hat. "Status report."
"Twenty-seven dead, sir. Half were non-combatants," said Ensign Toma, his young voice a bit unsteady , normal for someone that green.'Heh the only reason I am not too affected is because of the memories I inherited. Atleast the old Xavier was not a corrupt asshole.'
"And the base?"
"Gutted. Cannon fire hit the powder room. No chance of recovery."
I nodded. "Start clean-up. Prioritize medical needs. Use our rations if you have to."
Toma hesitated. "But sir, headquarters said this island isn't strategic. We're to provide a report and relocate."
I turned to look at him—tired but steady. "Tell headquarters that our own soldiers were injured in a skirmish and the supplies are being used for that,This flag," I said, pointing to the Marine symbol sewn to my sleeve, "means something to them. Atleast it's supposed too."
Toma saluted, though his hands trembled.
That night, under flickering lanterns and quiet sobs,I sat with the wounded in a makeshift clinic. My axe leaned against the door, always within reach. A woman with a burned arm thanked the marine medic. He only nodded.
I remembered the world before. The world with screens and laws and towns that didn't get shelled by men in clown makeup. In that world, I was nobody. A middle manager. No influence, no power and no control over for my destiny. Now, I was a Marine captain.
But strength? No. I hadn't found that. Not really. Not like the monsters roaming the Grand Line.
I heard a small boy crying.I sat next to him. Pulled out a worn deck of cards. Taught him the few tricks I knew.
Small things, that's all I could offer.
Until the sea brought the next storm.
And it always did.
The next morning, the village square smelled of ash and boiled herbs. Makeshift bandages dried on fishing lines. Xavier stood beside Toma, watching a group of children chase each other around a broken fountain. Their laughter was weak but real.
"They were almost one of the corpses being buried right now day before yesterday ," Toma said quietly.
"Children adapt faster than grown men like you and me.Doesn't mean that they should," I replied.
Toma was silent.
"You ever lose a town before?" I asked.
Toma shook his head. "First deployment."
"Then get used to losing. Not because you're weak—but because some fights start before we ever arrive."
A shout broke the stillness. One of the watchmen sprinted down the street, eyes wide.
"Pirate sails! North edge! Small crew, ten maybe! Flying yellow skull!"
I turned instantly, my hand tightening around the axe handle. "Form up," I ordered. "No panic. Shield the civilians."
Toma looked hesitant. "Sir… we only have ten Marines."
"Then we use terrain and deception. We don't need to beat them—we just need to break their will."
The pirates came in confident. Young, loud, slashing through carts and fences. One had a flintlock. Another wore knives like jewelry. ' Arrogance.... It's gonna be their downfall..."
I didn't meet them in the open. Before they docked there ship I had ordered my soldiers to dress like civilians and hide guns and smokebombs on their body. Thankfully our ship was on the other side of the island lowering the guards of the pirates.I recognised the jolly roger it was Ladan the ' The Frenzy' the pirate with a 10 million bounty ' Small fry... It would be advisable to still use the terrain to avoid collateral damage.I climbed a small ledge below which my soldiers awaited.
The pirates closing in on my soldiers confusing them for easy prey. The second Ladan neared my soldiers I struck from above, dropping from the ledge and with a swing of my axe I caught the leader's weapon arm. Not fatal—but terrifying.
Smoke bombs cut off visibility.Guns fired . Every move was deliberate, desperate, efficient.
By the end, three pirates lay dead among them lay Ladan and the others had fled—dragging their wounded and screaming in terror
I stood in the aftermath, calm and steady
The townspeople emerged slowly, cautiously.
One child walked up to him and touched the hem of his coat.
"Are you… a hero?"
I knelt,"No. Just someone too stubborn to leave."
That night, as the stars reappeared over Brissle for the first time in days, I stood alone on the pier, watching the horizon. My axe leaned against the wooden rail.
I knew the sea would send more. Stronger. Worse. I couldn't stop the tide not yet. But maybe I could make one place—just one—safe for a little while.
That was enough.
It had to be.
Authors Note: I know that the fighting was a bit lackluster but I promise to improve in the future chapters so please add this to your liabrary and tell me your impression of my characters and my faults till now. Thank you for reading