Minion Island coastline.
The enormous Birdcage, woven from countless nearly invisible threads, flickered several times before vanishing like a phantom into the wind and snow. The oppressive feeling faded, leaving only the howling, biting wind.
Almost the instant the Birdcage was lifted, young Drake sprang out from behind a massive rock like a frightened rabbit. His face was filled with fear and hope as he ran with all his strength toward the white formation in the distance. It was the Marines—the only salvation he could see right now.
At the front of the Marine camp, Vice Admiral Tsuru was about to give her orders when her keen Observation Haki immediately detected the stumbling child running toward them.
Her gaze narrowed slightly. She instantly assessed the situation and whispered a few words to several gentle-looking female Marines beside her.
The women immediately understood and hurried over. Deliberately softening their movements and voices, they surrounded the panicked Drake and gently comforted him.
Suddenly surrounded by a group of unfamiliar older sisters in military uniforms, the shy Drake froze at first. Then, realizing their goodwill, his dirty little face instantly flushed red, and he lowered his head in helpless embarrassment.
Watching this scene, a trace of understanding flashed through Vice Admiral Tsuru's eyes. She quickly arranged for a group of Marines from the G5 Branch in the New World—rough in style but required to stay quiet at this moment—to take Drake aboard a warship for protection first.
Then, she left part of her forces behind to guard the coastline. Finally, she divided the remaining soldiers into three groups and sent them toward three different battlefields on the island.
"Move." Tsuru's command was concise and forceful.
At the same time, on the snowfield battlefield of dead trees.
"Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!"
Three figures crashed heavily