A Marine warship was slowly approaching.
New World, Marine Base.
Tap, tap, tap!
A Marine hurried through the base, anxiety on his face. His Justice Coat swayed with his quick steps, and the Marine corporals he passed snapped to attention and saluted.
"Sir!"
But he ignored their salutes. The matter seemed so urgent that he had no time to respond, leaving the corporals uneasy.
"What's going on? It looks serious."
"Has a powerful pirate appeared in these waters? What else would have him in such a rush?"
One Marine corporal watched the man hurry away and ventured, "Could someone be attacking the base?"
"Impossible. Who would dare attack a Marine Base? Do they have a death wish?"
The others immediately objected. "Besides, if a powerful pirate showed up or someone tried to attack the base, the alarm would sound. Nothing's happening."
The corporal who had suggested an attack scratched his head. Avoiding the others' eyes, he gave an awkward laugh.
It really was absurd. Who would attack a Marine Base? That would be a declaration of war against the Marines.
If anyone dared challenge the Marines' authority, Marine Headquarters would surely send a force led by an Admiral to crush them in the name of Absolute Justice and uphold the Marines' honor!
Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep!
A rapid alarm suddenly rang out.
The corporals who had just been talking froze, their heads buzzing.
They stared at one another, at a loss for words. Somehow, those ridiculous possibilities they had imagined now seemed a little more plausible.
At the sound of the base alarm, every Marine stopped for a moment and looked toward it, confusion filling their eyes.
"What is this?"
"What on earth is going on?"
"Stop asking and assemble. We'll find out soon enough."
The Marines did