An eerie silence fell over Mangrove Tree Area 23 of the Sabaody Archipelago, as though even the air had frozen.
The civilians kneeling on the ground were the first to recover from their shock. Screams erupted one after another, instantly shattering the harbor's silence.
"A... a Celestial Dragon was hit!!!"
That cry was like a fuse, setting off chaos throughout the harbor.
The Marine soldiers snapped out of their daze and scrambled toward the fallen Celestial Dragon, only to slam to a halt halfway there.
They had recognized the figure standing not far from the pool of blood.
"Quick! Contact Headquarters immediately!"
"This... this is going to be huge!"
"Filthy commoners! How dare you attack us!" Saint Rosward's shriek pierced the sky.
"Where's the Admiral? Get one here now!"
He pointed a trembling finger at Gern and his two companions, his face beneath his bubble helmet twisted beyond recognition. "Charlos is my only son!
Even I can't bear to lay a finger on him!"
The Marine soldiers froze, their eyes darting between Gern and the Celestial Dragons, cold sweat soaking the backs of their uniforms.
They had recognized the renowned Rear Admiral Heavenquake of Headquarters, leaving them caught between a rock and a hard place.
"Kada Kumpo! What are you doing, you useless fool?!" Saint Rosward roared hysterically, spittle spraying against his cracked bubble helmet.
"Notify an Admiral at once and execute these filthy commoners! I want them torn to pieces!"
Yet Kada Kumpo, commander of the G-33 base, stood rooted to the spot with a Den Den Mushi in his hand as urgent questions poured through from Headquarters.
He could not even get out a single complete syllable.
Meanwhile, over by Gern.
"Gern, how did I do?" Lipo skipped back to Gern's side. A few glaring drops of crimson