The cannon smoke still lingered in the air.
The sea itself felt disturbed.
Kevin stood at the bow of the ship.
"…They chose force."
Carina shouted from behind the mast.
"…WHY IS THAT ALWAYS THEIR FIRST OPTION?!"
Kuina already had her sword raised.
Silent.
Ready.
Tashigi stood beside them now.
No longer hesitating.
But still adjusting.
"…So this is what it means…"
she muttered.
On the Marine ship—
Orders were issued rapidly.
"…Engage and capture the defector and unknown swordsmen group!"
"…Do not allow escape!"
The ship advanced.
Faster now.
No more observation.
Carina groaned.
"…Great. They turned serious."
Kevin replied calmly.
"…Expected."
Kuina stepped forward.
"…Then we end it quickly."
The Marine ship fired again.
Two cannonballs.
Kuina moved instantly—
One deflected.
Second redirected into the sea.
Carina blinked.
"…Okay, she's getting way too good at that…"
Tashigi watched closely.
Not panicked.
Analyzing.
"…So this is how they fight…"
She stepped forward.
"…I can help."
Kuina glanced at her.
"…Then act."
The Marines launched boarding hooks.
Fast approach.
Soldiers began crossing.
Carina backed away.
"…Why are they always jumping directly at us?!"
Kevin moved.
Not fast.
Just precise.
One Marine landed near him—
and collapsed instantly without visible impact.
Carina whispered.
"…I still don't understand what he does…"
Kuina met the first wave head-on.
Clean strikes.
Controlled movements.
No wasted motion.
Tashigi joined in.
Slightly behind Kuina—
But now actively coordinating.
"…Left side incoming!"
Tashigi called.
Kuina adjusted instantly.
"…Acknowledged."
Carina blinked.
"…Wait… teamwork? Since when do they do teamwork?!"
Kevin watched both of them.
"…Synchronization forming."
The Marines attempted to regroup.
But the ship was already losing control.
Their captain stepped forward.
Scarred officer.
Now visibly serious.
"…So the reports were correct."
His eyes locked on Tashigi.
"…You chose them."
Tashigi froze slightly.
Then answered firmly.
"…I chose myself."
The Marine captain narrowed his eyes.
"…Then you are lost."
He rushed forward.
Kuina stepped in to intercept—
But Tashigi moved first.
Their swords met.
Clash.
Stronger than before.
Carina gasped.
"…She blocked THAT?!"
The captain pressed harder.
Kuina joined immediately.
Two-on-one pressure.
Tashigi struggled—but didn't break.
Instead—
She adapted.
Mid-exchange.
Kevin's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Threshold crossed again."
Final exchange—
Kuina and Tashigi coordinated instinctively.
One opening.
One strike.
The captain was forced back.
Silence.
The remaining Marines hesitated.
Then began retreating.
"…Fall back!"
Their ship pulled away quickly.
Carina collapsed slightly.
"…Okay… I think I aged ten years from that…"
Kuina lowered her sword.
"…Resolved."
Tashigi exhaled.
"…We won…"
But her expression was different now.
Clearer.
Heavier.
Kevin looked at her.
"…You acted without command."
Tashigi nodded.
"…Yes."
Kevin continued.
"…That is independence."
Silence fell over the deck.
Carina muttered.
"…I swear every time something happens, she gets more serious…"
Kuina looked at Tashigi.
"…You improved."
Tashigi nodded.
"…Because I chose to."
That answer lingered.
The sea slowly calmed again.
But something had permanently changed.
Tashigi was no longer reacting to the world.
She was beginning to define herself inside it.
And that—
Was exactly what the Marines did not want.