Lorne suddenly drove a punch toward the sea.
Boom!
A massive plume of water shot skyward, as though it would shatter the sky itself.
"On this sea, no one will ever stand in my way again!"
"Did you all hear me?"
Lorne slowly withdrew his fist.
The aftermath of the towering wave still churned beside the edge of the deck beneath his feet.
"Understood!"
Fifty Elite Marines roared in unison.
Ryan and Bakel straightened their backs, their eyes blazing with fervor.
"Rear Admiral, our course has been corrected."
Ethan gritted his teeth and hauled on the helm.
"Destination: the Calm Belt. Full speed ahead!"
The Fearless swung its bow around, cleaving through the waves as it raced toward the deathly still waters the world regarded as forbidden territory.
Kuina pressed a hand against the Wado Ichimonji at her waist and walked over to Lorne.
Watching the Red Line gradually disappear in the distance, she asked quietly.
"Rear Admiral, are we really going to that island?"
"Scared?"
Lorne turned his head, a wild light dancing in his golden eyes.
"The word 'scared' isn't in my dictionary."
Kuina raised her head, her gaze resolute.
"I'm just worried those old men will take the opportunity to act against you."
"Let them come."
Lorne sneered, clenching his fists until his knuckles cracked.
The warship entered the Calm Belt.
The once-roaring waves vanished in an instant, leaving the sea as smooth as a mirror.
The air was suffocatingly heavy, without even a trace of wind.
"So this is the Calm Belt?"
A young Marine swallowed, his voice trembling.
"It's too quiet. Quiet enough to drive you mad."
"Shut up!"
Ryan barked sharply.
"Stay alert! These waters are a nest of Sea Kings!"
The moment he finished speaking, the water to the warship's port side suddenly