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 cold.

"Target: the Blood Axe Pirates. According to intelligence, every last 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. They appear to be holding a banquet for yesterday's plunder."

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

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

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

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

"And remember to bring those two recruits along. They need to see blood too."

"You two," he said, pointing at Rayne and Rosinante, "join the landing squad. You'll be responsible for the breach."

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

Beneath Rayne's lowered lashes, he 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 gathered dark clouds, swallowing the moonlight and stars alike.

Cold raindrops began to hammer against the sea with a pitter-patter, whipping up towering waves.

Amid this pitch-black, storm-lashed sea, a Navy 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 atmosphere.

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

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

Lieutenant Colonel Dal, Sakazuki's trusted adjutant, stood before the formation and gave the final orders. 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 demand: 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.

Rosinante, the "big golden retriever," was clearly nervous to the extreme. His night combat uniform was crooked and untidy, his face pale as paper in the dim light, and his hands shook so badly he could barely hold his gun.

As he climbed into an 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 forcibly yanked him back.

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

Rayne said nothing, merely releasing his grip calmly.

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

His movements were meticulous, as though what was about to begin was not a raid with death lurking at every turn, but an ordinary naval drill.

Lieutenant Colonel Dal cast a cold glance at Rosinante, who looked close to tears, impatience flashing through his eyes. If the Vice Admiral had not specifically named him, Dal would never have brought along such an obvious burden of a recruit.

"Move out!"

At his command, the three assault boats shot forward like arrows released from a bow, charging toward the cliffside landing point on the island's flank beneath the cover of wind and rain.

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

Cold rainwater slid down Rayne's cheeks.

He hung from the slick rock face with one hand and signaled "safe" to those above with the other.

Because Rayne had volunteered and displayed "keen instincts" and decent combat ability during several previous training sessions, Lieutenant Colonel Dal had assigned him as the vanguard, making him the first to scale this easily defended, difficult-to-attack landing point.

Soon, the entire thirty-man landing squad led by Lieutenant Colonel Dal climbed the cliff like civets, silent as shadows, without making the slightest unnecessary sound.

"Rosinante! Keep up!" Rayne growled, grabbing the "big golden retriever," who had nearly fallen off the cliff again.

"Everyone, stay alert. Advance with alternating cover!" Lieutenant Colonel Dal lowered his voice. "Scouts to the front. Sergeant Rayne, assist with reconnaissance."

"Yes!"

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

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

Rain soaked his hair and clothes, but he paid it no mind, his focus utterly concentrated.

"Stop!"

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

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

Lieutenant Colonel Dal shot Rayne a puzzled look.

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

Dal's eyes narrowed as he made a hand signal. Two experienced veterans immediately slipped over from both sides like ghosts.

Slice! Slice!

Two nearly inaudible muffled sounds of blades cutting throats were all but swallowed by the wind and rain.

The veterans dragged back the corpses of the two pirate sentries and nodded to Dal. There was now a trace of approval in their eyes as they looked at Rayne. This recruit's perception truly was extraordinary.

"Keep moving!"

The squad continued onward.

Along the way, Rayne relied on his beast-like instincts to identify three more hidden sentries and two traps, all of which the squad dealt with cleanly and efficiently.

Lieutenant Colonel Dal's attitude toward Rayne changed from "a recruit brought along for the ride" to "a rather elite Navy man." This kid's reconnaissance skills were nearly on par with the best scout under Dal's command!

Rosinante, meanwhile, remained tense throughout, following in the middle of the squad without even daring to breathe too loudly.

The fortress was already within reach.

Through the rain curtain, they could vaguely make out the lights on the fortress walls and the faint sounds of a raucous banquet within.

They only needed to cross this final open stretch to reach the corner of the armory!

A cold gleam flashed in Lieutenant Colonel Dal's eyes as he prepared to give the signal for the final charge.

Just then!

"Achoo—!!!"

A thunderous sneeze suddenly exploded through the deathly silent formation!