A few days later, an opportunity finally arrived.
The warship received fresh intelligence.
The Blood Axe Pirates, a crew with an 80-million-berry bounty, were gathering on a fortress island.
Inside the briefing room, Sakazuki stood in front of the map as usual, his expression cold.
"The target is the Blood Axe Pirates. According to our reports, the entire crew is inside the fortress at the center of the island," an adjutant reported.
"This is a strictly military fortress island. There are no civilians. It seems they are holding a banquet to celebrate yesterday's looting."
"Vice Admiral!" an officer immediately said. "The entire enemy force is gathered in one place, and their guard is down. I suggest we land tonight under cover of darkness and wipe them out in a single strike!"
There was no change in Sakazuki's harsh expression.
He simply nodded. "Fine."
Then he turned to his adjutant.
"Dal, your squad will handle this mission. I only have one requirement. Carry out Absolute Justice."
Sakazuki's gaze swept across everyone in the room.
In the end, it landed on Aiden and Rosinante.
"Also, take these two recruits with you. They need to see some blood."
He pointed at them.
"You two are assigned to the landing party. You'll be responsible for the breach."
The two of them stepped forward at once.
"Yes, Vice Admiral!"
Aiden kept his eyes lowered so no one could see the look in them.
I've waited so many days. Finally, I can move.
...
The night was black as ink.
Violent winds dragged thick clouds across the sky, swallowing the light of both the moon and the stars.
Cold rain began hammering against the sea, stirring up wave after wave.
In that dark, stormy stretch of water, a Marine warship sat like a ghost.
It was anchored silently just beyond the line of sight of the fortress island where the Blood Axe Pirates were hiding.
On the aft deck, the air was thick with killing intent.
Thirty fully armed Marines stood divided among three assault boats, making their final preparations.
Every one of them wore a blank expression.
Their movements were sharp and efficient, and their eyes were cold.
This was the kind of force raised under Sakazuki, disciplined to the bone and ruthless in style.
Commander Dal, Sakazuki's trusted adjutant, stood before them and gave the final orders.
His voice was not loud, but it still cut cleanly through the wind and rain.
"Listen carefully. Our mission is to completely wipe out every pirate on this island."
He checked the time on his watch.
"The Vice Admiral has only one requirement. Carry out Absolute Justice. Understood?!"
"Yes, sir!"
The low growl that answered him was filled with killing intent.
Among that group of hardened Marines, the two intern recruits looked completely out of place.
Rosinante, the tall blond mess among them, was visibly nervous to the extreme.
His black stealth gear was crooked, his face looked pale in the dim light, and his hands were shaking so badly he could barely hold his gun.
When it was time to board the assault boat, he lived up to expectations by stepping on thin air.
With a startled cry, he pitched forward toward the freezing seawater.
Grab.
A strong hand caught him by the back of the collar and yanked him back.
"Th-thank you, Aiden!"
Rosinante scrambled onto the boat, still shaken, and looked at Aiden with open gratitude.
Aiden said nothing.
He simply let go and checked his own gear again.
Compared to Rosinante's miserable state, Aiden looked far steadier.
He felt no fear toward the coming battle.
Instead, he calmly inspected every piece of equipment on him, as though the operation ahead were nothing more than another training exercise.
Commander Dal shot Rosinante a cold glance.
A trace of impatience flashed through his eyes.
If the Vice Admiral had not personally named him, Dal would never have brought along a recruit who so clearly dragged the team down.
"Move out!"
At his command, the three assault boats shot forward like arrows.
Using the storm as cover, they headed for the landing point beneath the cliffs on the side of the island.
...
Half an hour later, at the base of the island's cliffs.
Cold rain ran down Aiden's face.
Clinging to the slick rock wall with one hand, he raised the other and gave the all-clear signal upward.
Because he had volunteered before and shown sharp instincts along with solid physical ability during training, Commander Dal had assigned him to the vanguard.
He was the first one up this steep, easily defended landing point.
Soon, the entire landing party led by Dal, all thirty men, had climbed the cliff as silently as cats.
Not a single unnecessary sound was made.
"Rosinante, keep up," Aiden whispered harshly as he reached out and pulled him up by the arm after he nearly slipped off the edge again.
"Everyone, stay alert. Advance under alternating cover," Commander Dal said in a low voice.
"Scouts in front. Aiden, assist with reconnaissance."
"Yes, sir."
Aiden nodded, and the next second, his figure vanished into the dark brush.
Relying on his advanced stealth and senses far beyond those of a normal person, he moved through the woods like a silent leopard.
Rain soaked his hair and clothes, but he paid it no mind.
Every bit of his focus was locked forward.
"Stop."
After advancing about a hundred meters, Aiden suddenly raised his hand.
The entire squad froze in place like statues.
Not a single one of them made a sound.
Commander Dal shot him a questioning look.
Aiden pointed toward the shadow behind a large rock up ahead.
"Two men. Heavy breathing. They should be sentries."
Dal's eyes narrowed.
He flashed a hand signal, and two veteran Marines immediately moved out from both sides like ghosts.
Pfft. Pfft.
Two dull throat-cutting sounds were swallowed by the storm.
The two bodies were dragged back a moment later.
The veterans gave Dal a nod, then looked at Aiden with faint surprise.
This recruit's perception was absurdly sharp.
"Keep moving."
The squad advanced again.
Along the way, Aiden pointed out three more hidden sentries and two concealed traps.
Each of them was dealt with quickly and cleanly.
Commander Dal's view of him gradually shifted.
At first, Aiden had been nothing more than a recruit dragged along for experience.
Now, Dal was starting to see him as a genuinely promising Marine.
This kid's scouting ability was already close to that of his best men.
Meanwhile, Rosinante followed in the middle of the formation, tense from head to toe.
He did not even dare breathe too loudly.
The fortress was very close now.
Through the rain, they could already make out the faint lights on the high walls.
From the distance came the muffled sounds of pirates drinking, shouting, and celebrating.
As long as they crossed this last stretch of open ground, they would reach the corner of the armory wall.
A cold light flashed in Commander Dal's eyes.
He was just about to signal the final dash.
Right at that moment,
"ACHOO!!"
A thunderous sneeze suddenly exploded through the silent formation.