Blood Axe Pirates

A few days later, the opportunity came.

The warship received intelligence once again: the 80-million-berry Blood Axe Pirates were gathering on a certain fortress island.

In the operations briefing room, Sakazuki stood before the map as usual, his expression icy.

"The target is the Blood Axe Pirates. According to intelligence, every one of them is in the fortress at the center of the island," an adjutant reported.

"This is a purely military fortress island, with no civilians. It seems they're holding a feast for yesterday's plunder."

"Vice Admiral!" an officer immediately suggested. "The entire enemy crew is gathered together, and their guard is down. I recommend we land tonight under cover of darkness and wipe them out in one stroke!"

There was little expression on Sakazuki's stern face. He merely nodded. "Approved."

He turned to his adjutant. "Dal, your squad will handle this mission. I have only one requirement: uphold absolute justice!"

Sakazuki's gaze swept across everyone present before finally settling on Rayne and Rosinante.

"Take these two recruits along as well. They need to see blood."

"You two." He pointed at Rayne and Rosinante. "You'll be assigned to the landing team and responsible for the breach."

The two immediately stepped forward. "Yes, Vice Admiral!"

Beneath lowered lashes, Rayne kept anyone from seeing his expression.

After waiting so many days, I can finally make a move.

The night was black as ink.

Gale-force winds drove dark clouds across the sky, swallowing the moonlight and stars whole.

Cold raindrops began pelting the sea with a rapid patter, whipping up raging waves.

Within that pitch-black stretch of storm-tossed sea, a Marine warship lay anchored like a ghost beyond the sightline of the fortress island occupied by the Blood Axe Pirates.

The warship's rear deck was filled with a grim, murderous air.

Thirty fully armed Marine soldiers were divided among three assault boats, making their final preparations for departure.

Every one of them was expressionless, their movements sharp and efficient, their gazes cold—this was the force Sakazuki had trained: disciplined and iron-blooded.

Commander Dal, Sakazuki's capable adjutant, stood before the formation and delivered the final instructions. His voice was not loud, yet it easily pierced the howling wind and rain.

"Listen up! Our mission is to completely eliminate every pirate on the island!"

He glanced at the time on his wristwatch. "The Vice Admiral has only one requirement: uphold absolute justice! Do you understand?!"

"Yes, sir!" The unified low roar was filled with killing intent.

Among these elites, the two trainee recruits looked utterly out of place.

"Big Golden Retriever" Rosinante was clearly nervous to the extreme. His night combat uniform was crooked, his face paper-white in the dim light, and his hands shook so badly he could barely hold his gun.

As he boarded the assault boat, he lived up to expectations by stepping into empty air. With a startled cry, he toppled toward the freezing seawater.

"Smack."

A powerful hand firmly caught the back of his collar and yanked him back.

"Th-thank you, Rayne!" Rosinante scrambled onto the assault boat, still shaken, and looked at Rayne gratefully.

Rayne said nothing. He simply released his grip calmly.

Compared to Rosinante's sorry state, Rayne appeared far steadier. He showed no fear of the coming battle and calmly checked his equipment instead.

His movements were meticulous, as though he was about to begin an ordinary naval drill rather than a near-suicidal raid.

Commander Dal shot a cold glance at Rosinante, who looked close to tears, impatience flashing in his eyes. If the Vice Admiral had not specifically named him, Dal would never have brought along a recruit who was so obviously deadweight.

"Move out!"

At his command, the three assault boats shot forward like arrows loosed from a bow, racing toward the landing point at the island's cliffside under cover of the storm.

Half an hour later, beneath the island's cliffs.

Cold rainwater ran down Rayne's cheeks.

He hung from the slick rock face with one hand and flashed an "all clear" signal upward with the other.

Because Rayne had volunteered, displayed "keen instincts" during several prior training sessions, and possessed fairly decent combat skills, Commander Dal had assigned him as the vanguard, making him the first to scale this easily defended landing point.

Soon, Commander Dal's entire thirty-man landing team had climbed the cliff like civets, utterly silent and without making a single unnecessary sound.

"Rosinante! Keep up!" Rayne growled, pulling the "Big Golden Retriever" back after he nearly fell off the cliff again.

"Everyone, stay alert. Advance under alternating cover!" Commander Dal lowered his voice. "Scouts in front. Sergeant Rayne, assist with reconnaissance."

"Yes!"

Rayne nodded, and his figure instantly melted into the dark underbrush.

With [Advanced] Stealth and senses far beyond those of an ordinary person, he moved soundlessly through the forest like a panther in the night.

Rain soaked his hair and clothes, but he paid it no mind. His attention remained intensely focused.

"Stop!"

After advancing a hundred meters, Rayne suddenly raised a hand.

The entire squad froze in place like statues, everyone holding their breath.

Commander Dal cast Rayne a questioning look.

Rayne pointed toward the shadow of a large boulder not far ahead. "There. Two men. Their breathing is heavy. They should be sentries."

Dal's eyes narrowed as he made a hand signal. Two seasoned veterans immediately slipped forward from both sides like phantoms.

"Slice!" "Slice!"

Two nearly inaudible muffled sounds of blades cutting through throats were almost completely swallowed by the storm.

The veterans dragged back the corpses of the two pirate sentries and nodded to Dal. Their gazes toward Rayne now carried a trace of approval. This recruit's perception was indeed extraordinary.

"Continue forward!"

The team continued onward.

Along the way, relying on his beast-like instincts, Rayne identified three more hidden sentry posts and two traps in quick succession. The squad dealt with them all cleanly and efficiently.

Commander Dal's attitude toward Rayne shifted from seeing him as a recruit they had merely brought along to regarding him as a remarkably capable Marine. This kid's scouting ability was nearly on par with the best scout under Dal's command!

Meanwhile, Rosinante remained tense throughout, following in the middle of the formation without even daring to breathe loudly.

The fortress was already within reach.

Through the curtain of rain, they could vaguely see the lights atop the fortress walls and hear the distant sounds of revelry from the feast within.

Once they crossed this final stretch of open ground, they would be able to slip up to the corner of the armory wall!

A cold gleam flashed through Commander Dal's eyes as he prepared to give the signal for the final sprint.

Just then!

"ACHOOO—!!!"

An earth-shaking sneeze suddenly exploded through the deathly silent formation!