On a street in Ruluka Island's port district, Hawkins was surrounded by agents.
Some time had passed since the Praying Hands successfully entered the Rainbow Mist.
Good news came through his built-in earpiece: "Probe successful." The corners of Hawkins's mouth lifted slightly.
Mission complete.
His enormous straw-man body suddenly shrank back into human form. He turned and ran.
Such an unmistakable attempt to flee left the female agent in the Cat-Faced Mask a little bewildered, but she still fired several Rankyaku after him.
But Hawkins fled at full speed, taking any attacks he couldn't dodge head-on. Only a Little Scarecrow fell from his body; he himself remained unharmed.
At the same moment, Drake drove Atlas back with a powerful sweep of his tail, returned to human form, and fled using Soru.
Before making his escape, however, he left her with a taunting remark.
"My mission's done."
Atlas blinked her big blue eyes. She didn't pursue him, merely stood where she was and watched Drake swiftly disappear into the ruins.
"Retreat-retreat!"
The pirates began trying to disengage, but pulling out wasn't going to be easy.
The Marine soldiers exchanged glances. Some wanted to pursue, while others looked to their officers.
Up in the sky, Golden Lion was still fighting an unfamiliar expert. On the docks, the clone troops were still battling the mechanical legion.
...Should we pursue them now?
The injured CP4 agent finally found his chance.
He limped toward the female agent in the Cat Face and Atlas, his expression a mixture of shock and urgency.
"Ma'am! I have important information! Extremely important!"
He had just learned something astonishing from Longo, the old officer from the branch.
Beneath the Cat-Faced Mask, the female Cipher Pol Aigis Zero agent frowned slightly.
"What is it?"
"That old Marine-from the 112th Branch-he said,