Meeting

Just then, Tsuru approached, her face looking somewhat weary, and said softly:

"Sengoku, we just received several reports. There are some old Marine bases ahead that the World Government hasn't discovered."

She paused, glanced at the wounded around them, and lowered her voice:

"We could consider going there to regroup."

Sengoku nodded slightly:

"Go. Don't put these wounded through any more hardship. Take the remaining Marines and evacuate this place first.

We can't stay on this island much longer. The World Government has already begun hunting us.

We need to find somewhere to hide for now."

"Understood."

Tsuru nodded and turned to gather the other Marines.

Garp watched Tsuru leave, then frowned:

"These Marines' morale... couldn't sink any lower.

They're still willing to fight, but in this state, I'm afraid they won't hold out for long."

Sengoku pondered in silence for a moment, then said slowly:

"No matter how low their spirits are, they still have a goal: to survive, for the sake of a new Marine force, for the sake of rebuilding order.

That's the only thing keeping them going."

He let out a long breath, gazing across the silent island toward the distant sea, as though he could see the first light of hope.

"Let's go."

Sengoku rose. Though his steps were still heavy, each one seemed to carry him toward a new journey.

"We have no time to waste."

The Marines' flag might have been torn, but it still fluttered in the wind. As long as someone kept fighting for it, it would never fall.

Far out at sea, Jin An watched the distant island through a telescope.

Though he had doubts about Sengoku and the others' path to revival, he knew that such steadfast resolve should not be abandoned lightly.

"Revival isn't just about restoring strength.