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Chapter 369: For Justice, We Shall Never Retreat!
Chapter 369: For Justice, We Shall Never Retreat!
"That concludes our mission. You two can discuss wedding arrangements yourselves now - truly a cause for celebration."
"Roooaaar!!!"
Donald nodded, ignoring the two people who looked like they were about to die from embarrassment. Before he could speak, a thunderous roar erupted from outside the Palace, its ferocity and brutality shaking everyone to their core.
"That sound..."
Sazil's pupils constricted as he turned his head in disbelief. "No way?!"
The deafening noise reached even Ju Geng's ears. She grabbed her bow and sprinted out of the palace like a swift hunting leopard, reaching the upper city wall. The others followed closely. From their elevated position, they saw a kaleidoscope of shadows swarming outside Benma Castle's walls, gathering like a storm.
Birds and beasts gathered in a chaotic mass, multiplying endlessly beyond the city walls.
"What... is that?"
King Alexander Francis arrived just then. Seeing the monstrous swarm outside, his face went blank with shock.
"That's the Lion Ape! How did it get here?!" Sazil exclaimed, eyes wide. "Didn't Kuro Commander go after it?"
"Looks like we were outsmarted", Ju Geng muttered, tightening her bowstring.
At the front of the monstrous horde stood a grotesque creature over ten meters tall, its lion-like head rising above the city walls as it peered inside.
"Chih!"
The towering abomination snorted through its nose, spraying droplets that looked like rain to ordinary people, splashing across the city walls.
Inside, countless citizens stared at the monstrous head looming over the wall. When the "rain" fell within the city walls, landing on many people, they shivered and finally snapped back to reality.
"Monster! There's a monster!"
Panicked screams erupted as people fled in chaos.
On this day, people recalled...
Wait, we've never encountered something like this before.
Boom!
A shockwave rattled the city gates, leaving a faint indentation at its center as if something enormous had been ramming it.
If the gates broke, the beasts would flood inside and...
"Cursed! The strongest among us aren't even here! The Lion Ape is way beyond our capabilities!"
Donald and Ju Geng remained calm, but Sazil - trained at Headquarters - and the Navy officer showed more urgency.
The strongest, Kuro, second strongest Lida, and Klah Mr. were all absent.
Who could possibly...
Bang!
A gunshot interrupted his thoughts. Looking down, he gasped, "Kas Lieutenant?!"
Amidst the fleeing crowd, a lone white-cloaked figure stood motionless in the street. His hooded cloak billowed in the wind. Three meters tall, he stood as straight as a thrown spear.
"Kuro Mr. taught us that protecting civilians is the Navy's duty. As long as the Navy stands, the people shall remain unharmed!"
Kas' determined face turned toward the sky as he raised his gun. Looking at the stunned civilians, he roared, "Take shelter behind me! I am Navy! I will protect you! As long as the Navy stands, none shall harm you except over our corpses!"
Though alone, his thunderous voice suddenly brought unexpected calm.
A civilian hesitated, then stepped forward, bowing. "Please, Navy officer!"
At his action, the crowd gathered behind Kas like a flock of sheep, watching nervously as the gate trembled but held.
"Kas Lieutenant!"
Suddenly, a group of Navy officers emerged from other streets, rushing to join him. They saluted and shouted, "Private Toka requesting combat!"
"Seaman Recruit Laisa reporting for duty!"
"Ensign Walpole standing ready!"
These Navy officers had been scattered across the city when the Lion Ape's appearance stunned them. Kas' sudden arrival reminded them of their Navy duty.
The uniformed white figures formed a wall-like formation behind Kas, weapons raised, forming a human shield to protect the civilians behind.
"Kas Lieutenant, we're here too!"
Sazil sprinted down from the Palace, panting as he reached Kas' side.
Donald and Ju Geng followed closely.
"This guy..." Donald muttered in surprise. He hadn't seen this man during his last visit to Moe Island or when joining the Navy. He'd only heard Kuro mentioned having a subordinate clearing pirates elsewhere.
While the base's Navy officers spoke highly of Kas, they'd never mentioned his combat prowess. Donald had assumed he was just an ordinary, dedicated officer.
But now, his ability to calm civilians and rally Navy forces at a critical moment proved his strength was no small matter.
Boooom!!!
The gates shattered completely. The iron doors exploded inward as a massive beast's hoof crashed through.
The Lion Ape had kicked the gate open.
With the breach, the beast swarm surged forward, bloodshot eyes glowing through the rising dust cloud.
Ju Geng drew her bow in a full arc, pulling three arrows from her quiver. In a heartbeat, she loosed her shots - arrows streaking like meteors through the beast horde.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
A charging rhino took three arrows through the skull, bellowing as it stumbled and fell. But in this endless tide of beasts, one rhino's fall meant nothing. The dust cloud quickly swallowed its corpse.
Donald gripped his long spear, sweat dripping from his temple. This many enemies wouldn't be easy to hold off.
"Hey, Kas Lieutenant, maybe we should fall back? With numbers like this, we'll be scattered instantly. Better to use the alleyways for cover."
Sazil suggested cautiously.
"Justice does not permit retreat!" Kas thundered. He drew his saber, raising it high as he roared, "Comrades! We are the wall protecting the people, the shield upholding justice! For Justice, we shall never retreat!"
"For Justice!!!"
The Navy officers behind him raised swords and guns, shouting in unison.
A white aura enveloped every Navy officer except Sazil's trio. Steam-like energy surged around them, distorting their appearances until they looked like faceless humanoid figures cloaked in white.
From a distance, they resembled an indescribable pure-white beast.
"Fivefold! Charge!"
Kas pounded his chest, surging forward first. The white beast's "head" moved first, dragging the "body" to slam into the monster swarm.
"This is..."
Donald watched in disbelief. The charging beasts seemed to slow down.
No - the beasts moved normally. His own body had accelerated! His perception had sped up, making everything seem slower.
This bearded man was a Devil Fruit user!
As expected, none of Kuro Commander's subordinates were weak.
But why did Kuro look so troubled about him? If he's this strong, why the concern?
(End of Chapter)
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