Fish-Man Island.
On the largest square of the entire island, a huge screen hung high, like a giant mirror reflecting the battlefield, showing the tragic war at the G5 Branch.
The images on the screen switched constantly, the sounds of explosions, shouts, and weapons clashing intertwined, as if placing people on that battlefield of blood and fire.
On the square, fish-men and merfolk gathered, staring intently at the images on the screen.
"This is a real war..."
A fish-man murmured in a low voice, a hint of excitement and awe in his tone.
"It feels like the Navy is at a complete disadvantage."
Another fish-man frowned, his eyes fixed on the Navy soldiers falling one after another in the picture. His tone was mixed with some worry.
"What about the Navy's support? Are they just going to let this branch be destroyed?"
A mermaid woman looked anxious, her eyes filled with unease and doubt.
"..."
The people around her nodded in agreement, discussions rose and fell, and the atmosphere on the square was particularly tense.
On the screen, Shiryu and "炎灾" King's fierce battle was in full swing, the collision of their Haki stirred up bursts of strong shockwaves, making it impossible for nearby soldiers to approach.
King remained silent, suddenly wielding his sharp long sword, while Shiryu met him with cold eyes and swift counterattacks.
"Look, it's Shiryu!"
A young fish-man pointed excitedly at the screen, his eyes flashing with admiration.
After joining the Navy, Shiryu had made a great name for himself on the sea, and many people admired his iron-blooded methods.
"The admirals are facing the Three Disasters, it seems that the Navy and the pirates are really going all out this time."
Another fish-man nodded, his tone with a hint of admiration.
The people in the square continued to watch, their moods rising and falling with the changes in the battle situation.
In the picture, the ground in front of the G5 Branch was littered with corpses, and blood stained the earth red.
The pirates' frantic attacks and the Navy's tenacious defense formed a stark contrast, every frame filled with cruelty and tragedy.
"Look, that defense line over there is about to collapse!"
An elderly fish-man pointed to the collapsing defense line on the screen, his tone full of tension.
"If the Navy's support doesn't arrive soon, I'm afraid the G5 Branch will really be destroyed."
A middle-aged mermaid shook her head, her eyes full of worry.
Just then, the screen suddenly flashed with images of pirate ships exploding in the artillery fire, the pirates' wild laughter intertwined with the Navy's shouts, the intensity of the battle reaching its peak.
"This war, I really don't know how it will end."
A young fish-man muttered to himself, his eyes fixed on the images on the screen, his heart filled with complex emotions.
In the square, the fish-men and merfolk continued to watch the war on the screen, their moods rising and falling with the changes in the battle situation.
For them, this was not just a war, but a contest of beliefs.
Although they didn't like humans, if they had to choose, they would definitely choose the Navy's side.
Rayleigh stood by the window, looking out at the square in the distance through the light outside the window.
In the house behind him, Jin'an was wrapped in bandages, sitting quietly in a wheelchair, as if in contemplation.
Rayleigh turned around, looking at Jin'an with a complex expression, his voice low but with a hint of concern hidden in his eyes: "Your current physical condition is best not to move around."
Jin'an slowly raised his head, his eyes with a hint of stubbornness and worry.
He gently raised his arm wrapped in bandages and smiled slightly: "Although I have great faith in their abilities."
His tone was calm, but it revealed an unshakable trust, "Although me going there now would just be a burden."
"But, I must get to the battlefield as soon as possible."
Rayleigh's brow furrowed slightly, he walked a few steps closer, looking at Jin'an's firm eyes.
He knew that Jin'an's words hid too much helplessness and struggle.
Jin'an had been wearing down the energy running rampant in his body, which left his current physical condition still precarious.
Despite this, Jin'an's heart was still full of trust and expectation for his comrades.
The sea breeze outside the window gently blew into the room, bringing a hint of coolness.
Rayleigh was silent for a moment, then sighed softly:
"You kid, always so stubborn."
He reached out and patted Jin'an on the shoulder, a hint of approval and helplessness in his eyes.
Jin'an nodded slightly, his eyes as firm as ever.
He knew that he could not personally fight on the battlefield right now, but he believed in his comrades, just as they had once believed in him.
Everyone on the battlefield was an extension of his strength, and he believed that they could get through this difficult battle.
But, he wanted to fight alongside his comrades!
Rayleigh turned and walked to the window, looking at the sea in the distance, a complex emotion also rising in his heart.
He understood that Jin'an's decision was not only because of his physical limitations, but also because of his unconditional trust in his comrades.
This kind of trust was the strongest force they could use to overcome all difficulties.
The light outside the window shone on Jin'an's body, as if bringing him a trace of warmth.
He closed his eyes slightly, feeling this warmth, and silently prayed for his comrades on the battlefield.
"I know you can do it."
Jin'an said in a low voice, his voice full of determination and trust in his comrades.
Although he was temporarily unable to go into battle himself, his fiery heart was already closely linked to his comrades on the battlefield.
The sea breeze outside the window was still blowing gently, and the room was silent.
Rayleigh stood by the window, his eyes filled with deep doubt and incomprehension, his voice low and heavy:
"So... who was it that injured you to this extent?"
This was a question that had been bothering Rayleigh all along.
Based on his understanding of Jin'an, even if he faced an encirclement by the Five Elders and the Knights of God, couldn't he at least run away if he couldn't win?
But, Jin'an had suffered such serious injuries, which made it difficult for him to understand.
Jin'an took a deep breath, his expression heavy, a hint of fatigue flashing in his eyes.
He raised his head, looked directly at Rayleigh, and slowly opened his mouth:
"Hidden behind the Five Elders... the World Government's true controller... Imu."
His voice was low, but it carried an undisguisable sorrow, he should have run away immediately after finishing that slash, he messed up.
Rayleigh's eyes suddenly narrowed, his heart shaken.
He had been through so much with Roger, so he had naturally heard of the name Imu.
This person, who truly held the highest position in the world, had actually personally attacked Jin'an, which made it impossible for him to remain calm.
"Imu?"
Rayleigh repeated the name, as if confirming that he had not misheard.
His mood became more complex, and memories of legends and secrets about Imu flashed through his mind.
Those legendary terrifying powers and supreme authority seemed to be confirmed in Jin'an's injuries at this moment.
"That's right," Jin'an nodded, his face even heavier, "I didn't expect him to take action personally, and even used an Ancient Weapon."
His voice carried a hint of helplessness.
Rayleigh's heart was surging.
He knew that the Ancient Weapons Jin'an was talking about were those legendary powers that could destroy the world.
Imu's power and terror exceeded their imagination, which made Rayleigh even more worried about the upcoming battle.
The atmosphere in the room became heavier, and Rayleigh and Jin'an both fell into contemplation.
They still couldn't know how strong Imu really was, and whether the Ancient Weapons could be used at any time.
...
