Tsuru watched the figure recede into the distance for a while, suddenly feeling somewhat dazed. Even Ron, the great pirate people called the "Cold-Blooded Butcher," was not without compassion and righteousness in his heart.
Tsuru left. She did not take part in this battle.
She knew what the battle's true objective was. Outsiders saw only the Marines attacking Amazon Lily in the name of justice, but she knew more clearly from Sengoku.
From beginning to end, this war was nothing more than a game arranged by Saint Garling, commander of God's Knights, to obtain Shakky.
She would not participate, nor did she need to.
Ron walked across the sea at an unhurried pace.
Suddenly.
A bullet came screaming toward him from behind and to one side. Ron merely raised a hand, and the bullet was caught between his fingers.
Then he turned his head, looking in the direction the bullet had come from.
On a piece of wreckage floating on the sea, a man whose forehead was still bleeding had a rifle aimed at him, his finger still on the trigger, not letting go.
"Aren't you here to reinforce Amazon Lily? Why are you shooting at me? Shoot the Marines." Ron slowly lowered the hand holding the bullet and dropped it into the sea.
The man froze slightly. What was this bastard talking about?
"Even if it costs me my life, I'll protect Shakky and Amazon Lily!"
"You lunatic. I'm not stopping you," Ron grumbled, turning around and continuing forward.
"Hey, Marine! Stop!" the man's voice called after him.
Ron paused and looked down at the Marine uniform he had yet to change out of, seemingly understanding something.
"My name is Ron. I'm not a Marine. Of course, you can call me that if you like. Suit yourself."
"Ron?"