The sea was quiet again.
But silence after battle never felt empty.
Carina sat on the deck, still recovering.
"…I really need a vacation from this "vacation"…"
Kuina stood near the bow, cleaning her sword again.
Calm.
Focused.
Tashigi sat slightly apart.
Looking at her hands.
Kevin stood at the center of the ship.
Watching the horizon.
"…They reported back."
Kevin said.
Carina groaned.
"…Of course they did."
Far away—
Inside the Marine ship that had retreated.
A Den Den Mushi was active.
"…Target confirmed resistant."
"…Tashigi has defected."
"…Unknown swordsman group confirmed dangerous."
A pause.
Then—
"…Assign retrieval unit."
Back on Kevin's ship—
Kuina's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…They will send stronger ones."
Kevin nodded once.
"…Yes."
Carina sighed.
"…So this is just the warm-up fight…"
Tashigi finally spoke.
"…They won't stop."
Kevin replied calmly.
"…No."
That simple answer made the air heavier.
Kuina looked at Tashigi.
"…Are you afraid?"
Tashigi paused.
Then shook her head.
"…No."
A beat.
"…I just understand now."
Carina blinked.
"…Understand what?"
Tashigi looked toward the sea.
"…They don't lose control."
"…They remove anything that doesn't fit."
Silence.
Kevin said quietly.
"…Correct."
Tashigi looked at him.
"…And I don't fit anymore."
Kevin nodded.
"…You never did."
That answer should have been unsettling.
But instead—
It grounded her.
Kuina stepped forward.
"…Then what are you now?"
Tashigi hesitated.
Then answered.
"…Someone choosing."
Carina muttered.
"…That's becoming her thing now…"
Kevin turned slightly.
"…Next pursuit will not be small."
Kuina replied.
"…Stronger opponents."
Kevin nodded.
"…Yes."
The wind shifted.
Heavier than before.
Somewhere far beyond the horizon—
A new Marine vessel was already being deployed.
Not a patrol.
Not scouts.
A retrieval unit.
Specialized.
And on it—
A name was already written in the report header:
"…Tashigi retrieval priority confirmed."
Carina sighed deeply.
"…Why do I feel like we just triggered a boss fight announcement…"
Kuina tightened her grip slightly.
"…Good."
Tashigi looked between them.
Then nodded.
"…I will not go back."
Kevin looked at the sea.
"…Then they will come forward."
And for the first time—
The chase was no longer passive.
It had become official