God Valley Incident · II

God Valley

The red-haired woman lay in a pool of blood, her breathing faint. Blood slowly spread along the slope, staining the flagstones and grass roots red.

A baby's cries came and went in the wind, weak yet piercing, as if it were futilely calling for something.

Saint Green did not even spare her another glance. He merely raised the Den Den Mushi and said flatly, "Prepare to begin."

The reply from the other end of the Den Den Mushi was just as brief and cold. "Understood, sir."

"Everyone, prepare to land!"

The order was given.

Even deliberately muffled, the horn sounded across the sea, low and murderous.

The next moment, gray-black warships closed in on God Valley from every direction, their shadows blotting out the light near the shore.

Heavy gangplanks slammed down, producing dull clashes of metal against stone.

Cipher Pol members landed first, followed by organized Marine units.

Orderly footsteps trod across the damp ground like a giant net slowly tightening.

At the rear, squad leaders lowered their voices but still issued commands with unquestionable authority. "Remember your orders!"

"Anesthetic rounds only!"

"All targets who do not resist are to be captured alive!"

"Repeat—capture them all alive!!!"

God Valley · Residential District

Panic erupted almost immediately.

"What is that... World Government ships?!"

"Marine warships? Why are there so many?!"

"They've surrounded us from every direction—!!!"

"Are they here to catch criminals?! Are there really people like that on this island?!!"

The crowd began to stir.

Panicked footsteps echoed through the streets and alleys as doors and windows that had once stood open were slammed shut.

"Stop talking!"

"Hurry—take the children home!"

Cries, shouts, and hushed prayers intertwined.

Fear spread like a shadow, swiftly shrouding the island that had once been peaceful.

At the coastal landing