The commotion at the orphanage had long since alerted the townspeople. Before long, the other Marines stationed there arrived, along with the town's militia.
Everyone held their weapons tight and watched their surroundings nervously. Some hurried into the Orphanage to comfort the frightened children. A veteran walked up to Kane, who was biting down on his pipe, glanced at the human-shaped bundle on the ground, and asked, "Major, what happened?"
Judging by his voice, he was the man who had spoken to Kane on the phone earlier.
Puff.
Kane silently blew out a ring of smoke. "That's the killer who murdered Betty. Probably a pirate. She's a Devil Fruit User. Be careful."
She killed Betty?!
The veteran's face fell, his eyes turning bleak. But he nodded and took out a pair of Seastone cuffs.
An unknown Devil Fruit User who could control stone—and judging by the force of her attacks, even an ordinary Vice Admiral would be no match for her. Someone like that couldn't possibly be a nobody on the seas. And if she was, then there was far more behind her than they knew!
Looks like I'll have to go back to Marine Headquarters.
The thought had barely crossed Kane's mind when a startled cry interrupted him.
At the sound, an ominous feeling gripped Kane. He pushed through the crowd, ready to ask what was wrong, then saw the stone statue on the ground—a statue that looked remarkably like Gashara!
"What?! She escaped?!"
Kane was stunned. How had she managed to escape in the instant before the Seastone touched her? Fortunately, he had prepared for this. He had a backup plan for every possibility.
He turned to the Marine beside him. "Has everything been taken care of at the port? Are you sure no ships can put to