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Chapter 342: Don't Be Afraid, Because Our Navy Has Arrived!
Chapter 342: Don’t Be Afraid, Because Our Navy Has Arrived!
Beti turned her gaze toward the sea, where a Warship was rapidly approaching.
“Navy?” she muttered.
A faint glimmer reflected from her sunglasses as she suddenly pulled out a Cigarette, lit it, and took a long drag. She exhaled slowly, deep in thought.
Sabo had mentioned that a powerful Navy detachment stationed at Pegasus Island near Twin-Horse Kingdom should arrive eventually, but this must be the garrison force, she realized.
The sudden appearance of pirates had prompted Twin-Horse Kingdom to call for help, which explained the Navy’s arrival.
"If they’re just residual personnel, there’s no need to retreat,” Beti mused. She suddenly tightened her grip on the flag in her right hand, sending it fluttering in the wind. Turning toward the civilians, she shouted, “The Navy has come to help you now, but what happens when the Navy isn’t there when you need them? What will become of you then?”
Her words made the disheartened civilians hesitate again. They exchanged uncertain glances before tightening their grips on their weapons.
“That’s right! The Navy isn’t omnipotent. We must rely on ourselves!”
A civilian wielding a wooden staff roared fiercely and charged at the pirates.
Inspired by his bravery, the civilians suddenly found renewed courage. Though their weapons were inferior, their bodies weaker, and their strength lesser than the pirates, what did it matter?
True courage came from every individual’s willingness to resist!
“Kill them!”
The pirates snarled as the civilians surged forward. They abandoned their lingering fear of the terrifying woman and clashed head-on with blades and gunfire.
Clang!
A pirate’s blade, meant to slice through a wooden staff effortlessly, was blocked with surprising force. With a powerful thrust, the civilian shoved the weapon aside and smashed his staff into the pirate’s skull. Dazed and reeling, the pirate barely registered his surroundings before being surrounded and beaten into unconsciousness.
How could these ragged wooden staffs possibly withstand steel blades?
But the pirates had no time to ponder the impossible. The civilians had already engulfed them in chaotic combat.
Watching the scene unfold, Beti’s lips curled into a faint smile.
This was the power of Beti, the captain of the Revolutionary Army’s East Division—the ability granted by the Courageous Devil Fruit. It awakened the inner bravery of others, amplifying their innate physical strength through sheer willpower.
Haki was the manifestation of one’s willpower, determination, and spiritual strength—a potential within everyone in this world. The difference lay in whether one could harness it, and to what extent.
This ability to endlessly inspire courage and amplify inner strength not only empowered the civilians directly but also awakened their latent Haki. Even the weakest Haki, when combined in numbers, became an inexhaustible force.
“Don’t make me laugh! They’re just civilians!”
A towering pirate wielding dual blades blocked a civilian’s attack effortlessly, then kicked him backward. Crossing his swords in an X-shape, he channeled a surge of energy into the blades.
“I’m a pirate with a bounty of 45 million Beri! Watch me finish you—X Slash!”
The pirate’s roar erupted as he prepared to unleash his attack.
These civilians could never match his strength!
“Danger!”
Beti’s eyes widened as she instinctively lunged forward. She had thought she’d eliminated their biggest threat by defeating their captain, but she’d underestimated the situation. How careless!
She had worked hard to ignite the civilians’ courage. If they suffered heavy casualties now, the momentum would collapse completely. This battle had to end in a decisive victory to prove their strength.
Pew! Pew! Pew!
Before Beti could move, a barrage of lead bullets streaked past her, instantly shredding the giant pirate’s head into a bloody mess.
Whoosh!
A wisp of white energy surged from her side, ruffling her tie and the red long-sleeved vest she wore.
It was an indistinct white mass, emitting faint vapor, almost scalding in temperature.
Boom!!!
The white entity slammed sideways into the pirate crew like a colossal beast, swallowing them whole.
The civilians froze, caught between advancing and retreating as they stared at the mysterious white mist.
The mist paused briefly before violently dispersing. The pirates lay motionless on the ground, while a group of Navy officers stood over them, weapons in hand, eyes resolute.
“The Navy?”
“But how? They were still far away on the Grand Line just moments ago…”
A civilian turned in disbelief, only to find the Warship already anchored at the port. More Navy soldiers were disembarking rapidly.
“Lieutenant, the pirates are all down.”
A Navy officer kicked a fallen pirate, confirming his unconsciousness before reporting to the bearded leader. “Shall we take them into custody?”
“Of course! That’s our Navy’s duty!”
Lieutenant Kas nodded firmly. His gaze swept over the stunned civilians before he raised his saber high, shouting:
“Don’t be afraid! The Navy has arrived! We will eradicate every wicked force!!!”
His voice boomed with unwavering authority, radiating a sense of profound safety.
A civilian instinctively dropped his weapon and collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath. “Finally! The Navy’s here! I was so scared just now!”
“I know! I thought I’d have to fight tooth and nail!”
“Battling pirates? Definitely not my thing. I’m better suited for farming.”
Now that the danger had passed, they realized how close they’d been to death. Without the Navy’s intervention, their lives and livelihoods might have been lost forever.
Lieutenant Kas’s expression darkened. He bowed deeply, nearly ninety degrees, his posture humbly low. “Forcing civilians to face threats due to our failure is a grave dereliction of duty. We are deeply sorry!”
“No, no! Your arrival is all that matters!”
“Exactly! You came just in time. Before, when we called for help, no one answered. You truly are the best Navy!”
“With you here, this place will surely be safe from now on!”
The civilians spoke in unison.
Kas remained bowed, his voice sincere. “Failing to patrol diligently allowed pirates to land—it’s our fault! I, and the entire Pegasus Island Navy detachment, must apologize!!”
Behind him, the Navy officers echoed in unison, bowing deeply: “We are deeply sorry!!”
“No, really! You don’t need to be this formal! Just arriving was enough. We didn’t suffer many casualties,” the civilians protested, slightly uncomfortable with such an earnest display.
In recent years, they’d rarely seen Navy intervention. While the Navy had always been a reassuring presence, they’d never shown such humility before. This level of accountability felt unexpectedly heartening.
“We’ve grown complacent!”
Kas kept his head bowed. “Thinking we could slack off under Commander Kuro’s leadership, focusing too much on his orders while forgetting his original teachings. Our ‘resolute justice’ wasn’t reflected here. We must train harder to avoid complacency, or we’ll never be worthy of following Commander Kuro!”
“Lieutenant Kas!”
The Navy officers wept. “You embody justice itself! I will follow you forever!”
“Yes! Follow Lieutenant Kas and uphold our justice!”
Weapons raised, the Navy officers stood with fervent expressions. Their passionate aura brought even greater peace of mind to the civilians.
What a great Navy!
Truly a great Navy!
Moved beyond words, the civilians cheered.
“Wait a minute! Did he say Pegasus Island? Isn’t that the island recently transferred to the World Government? The Navy’s taken control already?”
“How fast! It seems we can finally feel secure!”
“Absolutely! With Lieutenant Kas here!”
“Lieutenant Kas! Lieutenant Kas!”
Someone started chanting his name, soon joined by a roaring chorus that surged like waves.
“Hey, what’s this nonsense!”
Suddenly, a sharp female voice cut through the cheers, silencing the crowd.
They turned to see Beti nearly biting through her cigarette, her face contorted with shock and frustration.
The courage she had painstakingly ignited through her ability had been utterly shattered!
What an absurd joke!
(End of Chapter)
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