"You think I'd ever join a pack of scum who burn, kill, and rob?!" Haruto spat, his voice filled with defiance despite his trembling body. "Even if it's just me, I'll protect my sister and the village!"
Summoning the last of his strength, Haruto raised his sword and charged at the Yakuza leader once more.
The leader, though impressed by the boy's spirit, had already decided his fate. A strong-willed kid like this could grow up to seek revenge. Better to end it now, he thought, grinning wickedly.
Effortlessly sidestepping Haruto's wild slash, the leader hooked his foot under the boy's legs and sent him sprawling to the ground. Before Haruto could recover, the leader stepped on his hand, crushing it against the dirt with a sickening crunch.
"Stubborn little brat," the leader sneered, raising his massive sword high above his head. His voice turned mocking as he added, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of your sister after you're gone."
Haruto's vision blurred as he struggled beneath the Yakuza leader's boot. His body screamed in pain, and his strength was completely spent. Knowing he could no longer fight, he closed his eyes, a single tear slipping down his cheek.
Uncle Takeshi… village chief… please take Naoko and run far away. Naoko, I'm sorry. I couldn't protect you… but you must survive.
The cold steel of the leader's blade gleamed as it descended toward Haruto. But just as death seemed inevitable, a powerful voice rang out.
"Tempest Kick!"
A streak of blue energy sliced through the air, striking the Yakuza leader square in the chest. His cruel smile turned into a gasp of shock as the force launched him dozens of meters away, slamming him into the ground with a heavy thud.
Haruto blinked, confused by the sudden turn of events. Slowly, he opened his eyes to find the Yakuza leader gone. Sitting up with great difficulty, he looked around, trying to make sense of what had happened.
In the distance, a loud commotion caught his attention. He turned his head and saw a group of uniformed men—dressed in blue and white, wielding swords and muskets—charging into the village with precision and discipline.
Leading them was a young man in a strange coat, his movements impossibly fast. With a single swing of his blade, he took down four or five Yakuza at once. Around him, the Marines fought fiercely, swiftly overwhelming the enemy.
The Yakuza, who had held the upper hand just moments before, were now in utter disarray. Many fell where they stood, while others attempted to flee, only to be gunned down by the Marines' sharpshooters.
"Shoot! Don't let a single one escape!" the young Marine captain shouted, his voice commanding and unyielding.
With a burst of speed, he disappeared from sight, reappearing moments later to take down a group of retreating Yakuza. Those who thought they could outrun the Marines found themselves outmatched by the elite snipers, who picked them off one by one with deadly precision.
The once-dominant Yakuza were reduced to nothing more than bodies strewn across the village. The Marines' efficiency left Haruto and the other villagers in stunned silence.
As the last of the Yakuza fell, the young captain, Dev, slowly sheathed his sword. He surveyed the devastation, his expression grim. Around him, villagers wept over the bodies of their loved ones, while others tended to the wounded. The sorrow and chaos weighed heavily on his heart.
"Help them," he ordered his men. The Marines immediately sprang into action, assisting the injured and calming the frightened.
Dev made his way toward the Yakuza leader, who was groaning weakly on the ground where he had landed. Looking down at him with disdain, Dev muttered, "If it weren't for what Rear Admiral Darius taught me, I wouldn't have bothered with you."
At just 23 years old, Dev was still grappling with the ideals of justice the Marines upheld. He had been on a scouting mission when he stumbled upon the scene. His first instinct had been to avoid getting involved, but Darius's words echoed in his mind, compelling him to act.
As Dev turned back toward the villagers, his gaze fell on Haruto, who was struggling to stand despite his injuries. The boy's stubborn resolve and defiance stirred something in the young Marine captain.
"You're brave, kid," Dev said, his voice softer now. "But next time, leave the fighting to us."
Haruto, still clutching his side, nodded weakly. His lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out. Instead, he simply lowered his head, overwhelmed by exhaustion and relief.
For the first time that day, the village seemed to breathe again. The Marines' timely arrival had turned the tide, bringing hope to a place that had nearly succumbed to despair.
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