Dev approached the defeated Yakuza leader, who lay motionless after his earlier kick. He nudged the body with his boot to ensure the man was truly dead. Satisfied, he squatted down and began rifling through the leader's belongings, searching for any useful information.
Nearby, Haruto sat on the ground, his wounds freshly bandaged by the Marines. Despite his battered appearance, there was a flicker of relief in his eyes—he had survived, and his sister Naoko was safe.
Naoko knelt beside him, her face streaked with tears. She hovered over her brother, too scared to touch him for fear of causing him more pain. Haruto, however, managed a weak smile, his voice hoarse as he reassured her. "I'm fine, Naoko. I'm still here."
His eyes, though heavy with exhaustion, kept drifting toward Dev. Haruto had learned from the villagers that the young Marine officer was the one who had saved them. Gratitude welled up in his chest, and he knew he couldn't let this go unacknowledged.
"Naoko," he said softly, "help me up. I need to thank our benefactor."
Naoko hesitated, worry etched across her face. "But, brother, you're injured! You should rest—"
"I'll be fine," Haruto interrupted gently but firmly. "This is important."
Reluctantly, Naoko helped him to his feet. Supporting her brother's weight, she guided him toward Dev, who was still absorbed in his search.
As they drew closer, both siblings couldn't help but stare. Dev, despite his youthful appearance, had effortlessly dealt with the rebels earlier—men who had seemed invincible just moments before. Haruto, only 15 years old, marveled at how someone so young could possess such overwhelming strength.
Dev noticed their approach and glanced up briefly. Recognizing Haruto, he thought back to what the villagers had told him: that this boy had managed to hold off the Yakuza leader, giving the others precious time. Not bad for a kid with no training, he thought.
But Dev wasn't in the mood for conversation. He quickly returned to his task, ignoring the two for the moment.
Haruto didn't notice Dev's indifference. With a determined effort, he pushed Naoko's hand away and knelt before the Marine. "Sir, thank you for saving my life," he said, bowing deeply. "If not for you, I and everyone in the village would have been slaughtered by those man. On behalf of my sister, myself, and the entire village, I offer you my deepest gratitude."
Naoko, moved by her brother's words, also knelt beside him. "We owe you everything," she said, her voice trembling. "If there's anything we can do, please let us repay you."
Haruto added, "If you'll allow it, I'd like to serve you—to repay this debt with my life."
Dev, clearly uncomfortable, immediately stepped back, avoiding their kneeling forms. "What are you doing?" he exclaimed. "Get up! There's no need for this."
The siblings, however, remained kneeling, their heads bowed. Around them, other villagers followed suit, bowing to the Marines who had saved them. The scene left the Marines flustered, many rushing to help the villagers stand.
Dev, on the other hand, was growing increasingly agitated. He stepped forward and hauled Haruto to his feet, his expression stern. "Stop kneeling," he snapped, his voice firm. "Saving you was just my duty. I don't need servants, and I definitely don't want slaves."
As if to emphasize his point, Dev gave Haruto's injured arm a light slap. The boy winced, clutching his arm, but the Marine's words hit harder than the pain. "Instead of wasting time thanking me," Dev continued, "you should be preparing to leave. Those scum are dead, but someone will come looking for them soon. If you don't leave now, there won't be anyone left to save next time."
Haruto's mind raced as he processed Dev's warning. The realization of their precarious situation hit him hard. He's right, Haruto thought, but where can we go? Wano Country was vast, but the influence of the Kozuki family and their forces was even greater. Could they really find safety anywhere?
As confusion clouded his thoughts, Dev sighed and looked around at the gathered villagers. "You can thank me once you're safe," he said, his tone softening slightly. "For now, go home, pack your things, and be ready to leave in ten minutes."
The villagers, though hesitant, nodded in agreement. They had no idea where they were being taken, but their trust in the Marines left them no room for doubt.
Haruto, still dazed, watched as Dev turned to leave. Gritting his teeth, he staggered after him, his body crying out in protest with every step.
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