The sea had stopped feeling calm.
Even the waves seemed slower, heavier—like they were waiting.
Two ships now faced each other at a controlled distance.
Kevin's crew on one side.
The Marine vessel on the other.
Carina swallowed.
"…Okay. This is officially not a 'normal stop at sea' anymore."
Kuina stood at the bow.
Unmoving.
Focused.
Kevin looked forward.
"…They will speak soon."
Tashigi stood slightly behind them.
Her hands were not on her sword.
But they were tense.
"…So this is it…"
she whispered.
A loudspeaker echoed from the Marine ship.
"…Unidentified vessel."
"…We request immediate compliance."
Carina groaned.
"…Of course they say that like we're supposed to just agree."
Kevin stepped forward slightly.
"…State your intent."
A pause.
Then—
"…Retrieve subject Tashigi."
Silence.
Tashigi froze.
"…Me?"
Kuina turned her head slightly.
"…They came for you."
Carina blinked.
"…Wow. That's actually direct."
Tashigi looked at the Marine ship.
Long silence.
Then she whispered.
"…Why?"
Kevin answered calmly.
"…Because you are classified as a priority variable."
That word hit her harder than expected.
"…Variable…"
she repeated.
From the Marine ship—
Another voice came through.
This time firmer.
"…Tashigi. You are ordered to return for reassignment under Marine command."
Carina frowned.
"…Reassignment sounds like 'we already decided your life'…"
Tashigi lowered her head slightly.
Her expression tightened.
"…I was saved by them…"
she said quietly.
"…I trained because of them…"
Kuina watched her carefully.
Kevin said nothing.
He let her continue.
Tashigi stepped forward slightly.
"…So why does it feel like I'm not being asked?"
Silence.
From the Marine ship—
"…Orders are not questions."
That answer landed heavily.
Carina whispered.
"…Yeah… that's not comforting…"
Tashigi slowly exhaled.
Her grip finally moved toward her sword.
But not fully drawn.
"…If I go back…"
she said softly,
"…what will I become?"
No answer came from the Marines.
Only silence.
Kuina stepped forward.
"…You already know."
Tashigi looked at her.
Kuina continued.
"…You are not uncertain about them."
"…You are uncertain about yourself."
That hit deeper than any strike.
Tashigi closed her eyes for a moment.
Then opened them again.
"…I don't want to be a tool."
she said quietly.
A shift happened.
Not loud.
Not explosive.
But final.
Kevin spoke.
"…Then choose."
The Marine ship's voice returned immediately.
"…Final order. Return or be treated as hostile."
Carina groaned.
"…Of course it escalates immediately…"
Tashigi stepped forward.
Now fully visible.
Between both sides.
Her voice was steady.
For the first time.
"…I refuse."
Silence.
Kuina exhaled slightly.
"…Good."
Carina blinked.
"…Wait—WHAT?!"
From the Marine ship—
"…Confirmed defection."
"…Prepare engagement."
Kevin raised his hand slightly.
"…Stand down."
But it was too late.
A cannon fired.
Kuina moved instantly—
Deflecting the first impact.
Carina ran back.
"…WHY DID IT GO STRAIGHT TO CANNONS?!"
Tashigi stood frozen for a split second.
Then—
She moved.
Not toward the Marines.
Not toward Kevin.
She stepped back onto Kevin's side of the ship.
"…I choose… my own path."
Kuina looked at her.
Not surprised.
But acknowledging.
"…Then stand properly."
Tashigi nodded.
"…Yes."
Kevin looked at her once.
Then turned toward the Marines.
"…Now it is conflict."
Carina sighed deeply.
"…I miss the island already…"
The Marine ship prepared for full engagement.
But on Kevin's ship—
Something had already changed.
Tashigi was no longer a target.
She was no longer a variable.
She was a decision.
And that—
Was what the Marines had been waiting to see.