The sea around the ships grew tense.
Not from weather—
But from pressure.
Captain Roderic stood steady on the edge of the battlefield.
His blade angled slightly downward.
Calm.
Controlled.
"…So this is the level she chose."
Roderic said quietly.
Tashigi tightened her grip.
"…I chose myself."
Kuina stood beside her.
Silent.
Ready.
Kevin watched from behind them.
"…He is adjusting."
Carina groaned.
"…Why does he sound like he's analyzing a recipe…"
Roderic stepped forward.
The water beneath his feet barely reacted.
Controlled footing.
Advanced technique.
"…Then prove your choice."
He moved.
Fast.
Not flashy.
Efficient.
Kuina met him first.
Clash.
Strong impact.
Tashigi followed instantly.
Second angle.
Roderic shifted—
Blocked both.
Carina's eyes widened.
"…Okay, he's actually insane."
Kuina adjusted immediately.
Faster pressure.
Sharper timing.
Tashigi mirrored her rhythm—
Not copying.
Complementing.
Kevin's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Improvement confirmed."
Roderic stepped back half a pace.
"…Interesting."
He looked at Kuina.
Then Tashigi.
"…Two styles. One intent."
Carina muttered.
"…That sounds like a final boss line…"
Roderic raised his sword slightly.
"…But still incomplete."
He attacked again.
This time—
Harder.
Faster.
Kuina blocked.
But was pushed slightly back.
Tashigi countered—
Still held.
But strain appeared.
Kevin stepped forward slightly.
"…Pressure increasing."
Then—
Something shifted.
A faint aura-like pressure expanded from Kevin's presence.
Not visible.
But felt.
The air grew heavier.
Even Carina stiffened.
"…Okay… what is THAT…"
Roderic paused mid-motion.
His eyes shifted slightly.
"…That pressure…"
Kuina felt it too.
Tashigi as well.
But they did not stop.
They adapted.
Kuina spoke.
"…We finish this together."
Tashigi nodded.
"…Yes."
They moved again.
But now—
Synchronized perfectly.
Not planned.
Not trained.
Adapted instinct.
Kuina attacked high.
Tashigi attacked low.
Roderic blocked high—
But the low strike landed.
Carina gasped.
"…THEY GOT HIM!"
Roderic stepped back fully this time.
Touching his side slightly.
"…So that is your answer."
He looked at Tashigi.
Longer now.
"…You are no longer mine to retrieve."
Tashigi froze slightly.
"…What?"
Roderic lowered his sword.
"…The Marine system will not accept this."
"…But I will report truthfully."
Carina blinked.
"…Wait… is he backing off?"
Kevin spoke quietly.
"…Decision shift."
Kuina remained ready.
"…Is it over?"
Roderic answered.
"…For me. Yes."
He turned slightly.
But then added—
"…But others will not be so understanding."
His gaze lingered on Tashigi.
"…You will be pursued properly now."
Silence.
Then he stepped back toward his ship.
Not defeated.
Not victorious.
Judgment delivered.
Carina collapsed slightly.
"…So we won… but also made it worse?"
Kevin replied calmly.
"…Yes."
Tashigi stood still.
Processing.
"…So I am truly outside now…"
Kuina looked at her.
"…You always were."
The Marine ships began retreating.
Structured.
Controlled.
No panic.
But the message was clear.
This was no longer a misunderstanding.
It was classification.
Kevin turned slightly toward the horizon.
"…Next phase begins."
Carina groaned.
"…I don't like 'next phase' sentences…"
Tashigi looked at the sea.
Then at her hands.
Then at Kuina.
"…I chose this…"
she whispered.
Kuina nodded.
"…Yes."
And for the first time—
Tashigi did not regret the answer.