As dusk approached, scores of pirates lay sprawled around the outskirts of Asuka Remnant Village.
Sephiroth and Isabella launched a pincer attack from either side, carving two curved paths through the pirates. After repeating the maneuver several times, they returned to the village.
"Phew-"
On the bridgehead side, Tashigi let out a soft breath and sheathed her sword. Pirates littered the ground here, too.
Around her stood the Marine soldiers Vice Admiral Momousagi had brought, along with armed young villagers.
"You're really good, young lady! Ever thought about joining the Marines?"
A blonde Marine lieutenant began trying to recruit her.
"Ahaha... not really..."
Tashigi felt it would be awkward if the woman found out that her current boss had poached her from the Marine training camp in Loguetown.
"But haven't I seen you somewhere before?"
The lieutenant studied Tashigi, who wore a fitted black training outfit beneath silver lightweight armor pieces. She looked strangely familiar.
"...You probably have me confused with someone else..."
Tashigi turned her head away.
As a member of Babylon's Girl Band, she had some popularity, even if she was the least conspicuous member.
After all, most eyes were on Uta, followed by Carina, who had a solo album and had taken turns as lead vocalist several times.
"Hey-! That's-!"
A nearby villager's warning interrupted the conversation.
"The Marines are coming-!"
That announcement left the blonde lieutenant and the Marine soldiers who had just fought alongside the villagers feeling rather awkward.
Naturally, they did not know the "truth." Their orders from above were to "investigate a possible mutiny caused by the influence of a Cursed Sword."
"The people from the Marine Dojo are coming!"
The villagers had shouted out of habit. Remembering that Vice Admiral Momousagi's subordinates were on their side, they awkwardly corrected themselves.
"Damn it-we