New World, Sphinx.
The crisp sound of hammers hitting nails and the buzzing of saws cutting wood, mixed with the chants of people working and the carefree laughter of children, form a symphony called "Rebirth".
In this land that was once forgotten by the world and turned into a hotbed of crime, brand-new buildings are rising one after another. Orphanages with colorfully painted walls, hospitals with clear windows, and rows of neatly planned resettlement houses silently tell the story of the earth-shaking changes in this place.
The air is no longer filled with despair and blood, replaced by the fragrance of earth and food.
The navy soldiers stationed here did not sweat on the training ground. They rolled up their sleeves and walked into the fields and busy construction sites, building new homes together with the local people.
"Hey! Give it another try!"
A Navy Lieutenant named Leo was working with several villagers to move a large rock they encountered while reclaiming wasteland. His navy uniform was stained with mud spots, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, but the smile on his face was brighter than the sun in the sky.
"Leo Captain, take a rest!" An old woman carrying a kettle came over and scolded, "Look at you, you are covered in mud, you look like a mud monkey. If you keep doing this, no girl will marry you!"
Leo took the water bowl and drank it in one gulp, wiped his mouth, laughed loudly and said, "Grandma, if you don't hurry up now, the potatoes will not be able to catch up! We Lord Marshal said that labor is the most glorious!"
At this moment, a little boy about six or seven years old ran up to Leo with short legs, raised his dirty little face, and asked curiously, "Captain, did you really come to us on Lord Marshal's order?"
Leo smiled and rubbed his head, "Yes, little guy."
"What kind of person is Lord Marshal...?" the child asked innocently.
Leo Hearing this, he subconsciously raised his head to look at the slowly rising sun on the horizon, and was silent for a moment.
"Lord Marshal..." He said thoughtfully, "He is like the sun in the sky."
"The sun?" The child blinked in confusion, then clenched his fists and announced loudly, "Then I also want to be the sun! Because mom is most afraid of the dark!"
The smile on Leo's face softened, and he knelt down to look at the child's level.
"Child, none of us can become the sun, because this world only needs one sun."
He paused and pointed to the bonfire not far away for burning weeds, his voice gentle.
"However, we can be the torch. You become the torch, I become the torch, and they become the torch. When our lights come together, darkness ceases to exist."
The child's eyes lit up instantly. He nodded vigorously and shouted happily, "Well! I will definitely become the torch, so that my mother will never be afraid again!"
After saying that, he turned around and ran away, shouting happily as he ran, "I am Torch! I am Torch!"
Looking at the child's retreating figure, the corners of Leo's mouth curled up unconsciously.
Just then.
"Captain, Captain!"
Two navy soldiers ran over in a panic. One of them picked up the little boy who shouted that he wanted to be a "torch" without any explanation and rushed back to the village. The other rushed to Leo, his face turned pale and he was out of breath.
Leo The smile on his face disappeared instantly, replaced by the coldness unique to a soldier. "What happened?"
"The patrol ship sent an urgent message!" The soldier gasped and continued, "A huge pirate fleet was found, heading towards the Sphinx at full speed!"
Leo's heart suddenly sank and asked, "How many have come?"
"Rough calculation... there are forty or fifty pirate ships, at least... at least tens of thousands of people!" The soldier's voice was trembling.
Tens of thousands of people?!
Leo's complexion changed drastically.
How is that possible!
Since Lord Marshal led the training ship into New World, the New World pirates have been like frightened birds, busy avoiding Lord Marshal's edge, and at this time, dozens of pirate ships appeared at the same time--
Could it be!!!!
Leo's expression changed again and he asked, "Did you see the flag clearly? Which pirate group is it?"
The soldier swallowed and stammered, "The image sent back by the patrol ship, the leading ship... is, is Moby Dick!"
Moby Dick.
These four words were like an invisible mountain, instantly pressing on the hearts of all the navy present.
"Whitebeard Pirates, why are they here?" Leo muttered, his mind going blank.
Why did the sea emperor who came to New World suddenly appear here?
"Captain!" the soldier explained, "The Sphinx is the hometown of Whitebeard! He... he must want to take his hometown back from us at this time!"
"Wishful thinking!"
After a brief shock, Leo's military instinct overcame his fear. He turned around suddenly, and his voice regained his composure and determination. "Send the order! The entire army is on the highest alert! Organize people to enter the shelter immediately!"
He grabbed the soldier's shoulder and ordered, "Contact the New World naval branch immediately to request support! Tell them that it is Whitebeard who is here!"
"Yes!"
The soldier had just nodded in agreement and was about to take out the Den Den Mushi, when a sudden sound of breaking through the air came from high in the sky!
A blue flame fell like a meteor, landing squarely between Leo and his men.
The flames dissipated, and a man with a pineapple head appeared. He put his hands in his pockets and looked sleepy. He was the captain of the Whitebeard Pirates team, "Phoenix" Marco.
The surrounding navy soldiers subconsciously raised their guns, and the soldiers who did not carry guns because they were participating in labor picked up hoes and sickles one after another. There was no fear of the sudden appearance of Marco in their eyes, only the desire for military glory.
Marco glanced at the dark muzzles of the guns, but didn't even bother to raise his eyelids. He looked at Leo and spoke first, with a calm tone as if he was just talking. "Navy, don't be nervous."
He looked beyond the crowd to the prosperous village in the distance, and then said, "We are here this time just to accompany dad back to his hometown to stay for a while."
Leo grasped the handle of the knife at his waist tightly and said nothing.
Marco withdrew his gaze and looked at him again, his tone as calm as ever. "So, what you have to do next is not to resist, nor to contact the New World Navy Division."
"But tell your Lord Marshal the news of our appearance here."
"How about we get along well with each other before you Lord Marshal arrive at the Sphinx? I promise, Whitebeard Pirates will not hurt anyone."
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