The Marine warship eased into the port with practiced precision, its massive hull groaning softly as thick ropes were thrown and secured. The gulls overhead cried noisily, circling the ship as if curious about the newcomers. Sailors shouted orders, boots thudded against wood, and the sound of the sea filled the air.
Tenjin stepped up to the railing alongside Tashigi.
The first thing that caught their eyes wasn't the port itself.
It was the boat.
Lavish didn't begin to describe it.
The vessel gleamed under the sunlight, its polished gold trims reflecting blinding flashes of light across the water. Marble-white panels lined its sides, ornate carvings etched into every visible surface. Even the sails looked custom-made, embroidered with patterns so extravagant they seemed more fitting for a palace than a ship.
Tashigi stared openly.
"Wow," she said, unable to stop herself. "Now that's one lavish boat."
Tenjin chuckled, resting his arms against the railing.
"Nobles truly know how to live in luxury, don't they?" he said casually. "I mean, that boat could most probably build three to five warships." He tilted his head slightly, eyes curious rather than impressed. "I wonder how the ship looked."
Tashigi nodded slowly. "Indeed."
The gangway was lowered with a heavy clatter, wooden planks locking into place. The sound echoed across the port, drawing the attention of nearby Marines and civilians alike.
Tenjin stepped forward first, followed closely by Tashigi.
Behind them, fifty Marines marched in disciplined formation, boots hitting the deck in perfect unison. Rifles were slung neatly over shoulders, expressions sharp and focused. They weren't here to sightsee.
The moment Tenjin's boots touched the port, a Marine already waiting there snapped into a sharp salute. He was young, face stiff with determination, posture ramrod straight.
"Captain Tenjin, sir!" the Marine shouted. "I've been sent to escort you by the Commander General Inoshishi!"
Tenjin returned the salute with a nod. "Good. Lead the way."
"Yes, sir!"
The Marine turned on his heel and began walking, Tenjin and Tashigi falling into step behind him, the fifty Marines spreading out naturally as they moved through the port.
As they advanced deeper into the town, something immediately felt… wrong.
The streets were quiet.
Too quiet.
Shops stood open, but few people lingered near them. Citizens moved quickly, heads lowered, conversations hushed. Even the air itself felt heavy, like the town was holding its breath.
Tashigi glanced around, unease creeping into her expression.
"The town seems depressed for some reason," she said quietly.
The Marine leading them stiffened slightly. His mouth opened, then closed.
Tenjin noticed.
"What is it?" he said calmly. "Speak up."
The Marine glanced back at him, hesitation flickering in his eyes. Then he straightened.
"If you wish it, Captain Tenjin," he said.
He swallowed before continuing.
"Since the arrival of the noble, people have been on edge," he explained. "Especially since he shot an elderly man for just standing in his presence."
Tashigi stopped short.
"An elderly man was shot?" she asked sharply. "Is he safe?"
The Marine nodded grimly. "He was in critical condition, but it seems he has stabilized. However… since then, people have been afraid of doing anything to anger the noble."
Tenjin's expression didn't change.
"I see," he said simply. "Let's quicken our steps."
"Yes, sir."
They continued forward, pace increasing. The silence around them felt even heavier now, the sound of their footsteps echoing unnaturally loud.
Moments later, they reached a pivot in the road.
Tenjin stopped.
The Marine halted immediately.
Tenjin looked to the side. "Wait. The Royal Palace is this side, is it not? Why are we not turning?"
The Marine smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Saint Paul said he didn't want to stay in that detestable palace," he explained. "So when I left to come meet you, Saint Paul was being escorted to a hotel this side."
Tenjin nodded once. "Oh. Alright then. Continue."
"Yes, sir."
They moved again.
Not long after, a crowd came into view.
People knelt in rows along the street, heads bowed low, shoulders trembling. Fear was etched plainly on every face. The atmosphere was thick, oppressive, suffocating.
Ahead, raised voices cut through the silence.
A woman's scream pierced the air.
Tashigi stiffened. "What's that?"
The Marine guide began to shake. His steps faltered.
Tenjin placed a firm hand on his shoulder and stepped forward.
"Good work," Tenjin said evenly. "You can leave me right here."
The Marine turned, eyes filled with reverence.
"Thank you, Captain Tenjin."
"Don't thank me," Tenjin replied.
Without turning around, he added, "You guys stay here as well."
Behind him, the fifty Marines snapped to attention.
"Yes, sir!"
Tenjin walked toward the commotion.
Tashigi hesitated only for a moment before hurrying after him, quickening her pace to keep up as he steadily pulled ahead.
As Tenjin approached, the kneeling citizens noticed him.
A ripple passed through the crowd.
Eyes lifted, just slightly.
Reverence. Respect. Relief.
Captain Tenjin.
The thought passed silently between them.
They didn't smile and they didn't stand.
But something changed.
Fear loosened its grip.
Hope, faint but unmistakable, flickered to life.
That was the amount of respect seventeen-year-old Tenjin had garnered throughout the entirety of the North Blue.
From his days as an apprentice under the now Vice Admiral Momonga, to becoming the youngest Marine Captain in history at just fourteen years old, his reputation spoke louder than any announcement ever could.
The people trusted him.
Wholeheartedly.
Even now, faced with a World Noble they believed he wouldn't stand by and watch.
And what they saw next proved just how desperate the situation had become.
Tashigi's breath caught in her throat.
A woman was being restrained by a CP0 agent, tears streaming down her face as she screamed.
"Nina!! Don't take my baby, please! Please, I beg you!"
Another CP0 agent dragged a small girl forward.
"Mom!" the child cried. "Mom! Mom, I don't want to go!"
Nine years old.
Her small hands reached desperately into the air as she was pulled toward Saint Paul.
Saint Paul stood atop a massive human being, using the man as nothing more than a living pedestal. He bounced from side to side, laughing, gold pistol twirling lazily in his hand.
"Oh ho ho ho!" Saint Paul laughed. "Now this makes my collection of toys ten! I'm only five away from matching Charlos. He'll finally stop bragging to me!"
Tashigi clapped her hands over her mouth, tears immediately welling behind her glasses.
"I thought I had prepared myself for this," she whispered. "But I wasn't… I wasn't at all."
She turned away as Nina was brought before Saint Paul.
Saint Paul hopped down from his human transport and pointed his golden pistol at the trembling child.
Nina froze with Instant silence when the pistol was pointed at her in fear.
Saint Paul clicked his tongue in disgust.
"Shut up," he said coldly. "Why do you keep crying, when I, a God, am willing to take you out of this dump and back with me to the Holy Land? Most would beg for this opportunity."
Nina's mother looked around wildly, eyes searching for help.
No one met her gaze.
Every head bowed lower.
Every soul turned away.
Despair threatened to consume her—
Then she saw him.
"Captain Tenjin!" she screamed. "Please! Please help my daughter!"
Commander Inoshishi, fists clenched so tight they shook, snapped his head toward the voice.
"Captain…?" he whispered.
His eyes widened.
"Captain Tenjin!"
Saint Paul followed their line of sight.
He saw a young man standing not far off. Far too calm.
Saint Paul sneered.
"Oh?" he said. "So this is the Captain that sent a subordinate to greet me instead of making sure he was there himself." His lips curled. "Just so you know, I will not be cooperating with you until you grovel and apologize to me."
Tenjin's aura shifted.
Tashigi gasped.
The air grew heavy and crushing.
It pressed down on her chest, making it hard to breathe.
Tenjin walked forward.
Slow and deliberate.
His smile was gone.
His right fist clenched.
T-There's no way right… Tashigi thought. Tenjin… what are you trying to do?
The crowd watched in stunned silence.
Nina's mother clutched her chest.
Saint Paul scoffed.
"What's that face for?" he sneered. "You are just a mere human."
He raised his pistol.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
The bullets passed straight through Tenjin.
Saint Paul froze.
"I hit him!" he shouted. "Then why didn't the bullets hit him?!"
He reloaded and fired again.
Same result.
Tenjin kept walking.
Until—
He reached him.
Tenjin shifted his stance.
Raised his right hand.
And struck.
The punch shattered Saint Paul's glass bubble instantly.
The World Noble was sent flying, blood spraying through the air as his body crashed violently into the distance.
Tenjin lowered his fist.
His voice was cold.
"Get your filthy hands off my people," he said. "You scum."