The sea grew quieter that day.
But the tension did not leave.
Kevin stood at the center of the deck.
"…They are closer."
Carina groaned.
"…Of course they are."
Kuina's hand rested near her sword.
"…Marines?"
Kevin nodded once.
"…Yes. Distance reduced."
Tashigi's expression tightened slightly.
"…Because of me."
Kevin replied calmly.
"…Partially."
That answer made her go silent.
The wind shifted.
And with it—
The atmosphere changed again.
A Marine vessel appeared at the edge of the horizon.
This time—
Closer.
Visible.
Carina straightened.
"…Okay. That's officially too close for comfort."
Kuina stepped forward.
"…They will act soon."
Kevin observed silently.
"…Not yet."
On the Marine ship—
An officer watched through a telescope.
"…Confirmed target."
"…Sword user group."
"…Priority individual present."
A pause.
Then—
"…Do not engage yet. Observe capability."
Back on Kevin's ship—
Tashigi stared at the distant ship.
Longer than before.
"…They are not here to save me…"
Carina blinked.
"…You just realized that now?"
Tashigi lowered her gaze slightly.
"…I thought Marines were always justice."
Kuina answered immediately.
"…They are force."
Silence.
Kevin spoke quietly.
"…Justice is perspective."
Tashigi looked at him.
"…Then what am I supposed to be?"
Kevin replied.
"…Decide after seeing everything."
That evening—
The training match began earlier than usual.
No warming up.
No hesitation.
Kuina and Tashigi stepped into position.
Carina stepped back immediately.
"…Okay, I can feel this one is different…"
Kevin watched closely.
"…Begin."
Kuina moved first.
Faster than usual.
Sharper pressure.
Tashigi blocked—
Barely—
But correctly.
Carina's eyes widened.
"…She held that?!"
Kuina followed immediately.
Second strike.
Third.
Tashigi adjusted each time.
Not perfectly—
But improving mid-exchange.
Kevin's gaze narrowed slightly.
"…Adaptation rate increasing."
Kuina stepped back slightly.
Paused.
"…You are learning faster."
Tashigi nodded.
"…I am watching your rhythm."
Kuina replied.
"…Then break it."
Tashigi moved forward this time.
Not defensive.
Balanced.
Their swords clashed again.
Longer.
Heavier.
More even.
Carina leaned forward.
"…Okay… this is getting scary…"
Final exchange—
Both stepped back at the same time.
Silence.
Kuina exhaled slightly.
"…Closer."
Tashigi nodded.
"…Still behind."
But the gap—
Had clearly narrowed.
Kevin spoke.
"…Equalizing phase beginning."
Carina muttered.
"…That sounds like a system update…"
That night—
Tashigi stood alone again.
But this time—
She was not confused.
She was thinking differently.
Not "what is justice?"
But—
"What have I been following?"
Far away—
The Marine ship changed course slightly.
Not retreating.
Not attacking.
Preparing.
Because now—
The report had changed.
"…Target shows accelerated adaptation."
"…Priority level increased."
And Kevin—
Knew this would lead somewhere unavoidable.