The Shattering Tide

As the ship drew closer to the solid ground of Geyser Island, the crew couldn't help but notice the distant Marine fleet already positioned along the horizon, a looming presence in the distance. It was an impressive sight, as the fleet was perfectly arranged and stationary, as though it had been waiting for their arrival for hours, the ships standing tall and formidable against the bright sky. There was no mistaking the readiness in the air—this was no mere patrol, but a deliberate stance. The crew felt the tension mount, knowing this was no coincidence.

The docks came into view, and the sound of the ship's timbers creaking under the pressure of the ocean began to echo through the stillness. The marines, lined up in perfect formation, were silent yet imposing. At the forefront of the gathered soldiers, a figure emerged with undeniable authority. A woman with long, flowing blue hair, wearing a Marine Admiral's coat, strode down the open path toward them with a confident, purposeful gait. It was Lucina, the Marine Admiral, her presence radiating power and resolve. She moved forward with a calculated calmness, as if she had been anticipating this moment for far longer than the crew had. Her gaze was unwavering, and as the ship continued its approach, it became evident that she had no intention of waiting for them to dock before making her presence felt.

"It's about time," Lucina remarked, her voice low but firm, carrying an air of quiet authority. She made her way toward the front of the assembled troops, her movements deliberate and confident. The Marines behind her stood motionless, like statues, awaiting her command. As the ship finally closed the gap and the crew prepared to disembark, there was a sense of inevitability to the meeting that was about to unfold.

Across the crowd, Faustina lingered at the edge of the gathering, her posture relaxed yet observant. She seemed entirely unbothered by the arrival of the crew, though her eyes held a glimmer of interest as she watched the unfolding drama. "Seems like they came at just the wrong time," she commented, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. She tilted her head slightly, a small chuckle escaping her lips as she casually leaned against a wall, watching the crew approach. Despite the casual demeanor, there was an undercurrent of anticipation in her eyes. She was no stranger to conflict, and this moment seemed like it might just be another interesting chapter in their ongoing game.

Joker, ever the observer, glanced over the Marine fleet, his brow furrowing with concern as he took in the size and scale of the operation. The sight of so many Marines surrounding the dock raised more questions than answers. "I'd say they were expecting us," he said, his voice laced with a touch of unease. "This isn't exactly a warm welcome to Geyser Island." The tension in his words was clear, his gaze shifting between Lucina and the rest of the Marines, trying to piece together their intentions. It was obvious that this wasn't a random encounter—there was something more deliberate at play.

Temoshí's irritation flared as he scanned the massive fleet, his eyes narrowing with barely contained frustration. "I can't stand them," he muttered under his breath, the annoyance creeping into his tone. "Haven't they already crossed our path at the Cerulean Tide? What do they want this time?" His posture was tense, every muscle in his body coiled and ready for a fight. His anger at the Marines had only grown over time, and now, it seemed, was the moment it would finally boil over. The very sight of them was enough to make his blood boil, especially after all the obstacles they had faced together.

Elliott, ever the calm and composed member of the crew, maintained his usual serenity despite the situation. His eyes scanned the fleet and the scene unfolding before them, taking in every detail with the precision of someone who had seen it all before. "Who are we kidding?" he remarked, his voice steady but tinged with skepticism. "They're either planning to launch an attack or capture us. I wouldn't trust those idiots for a second." His words carried the weight of someone who had long since learned not to trust the Marines, or anyone who wore the uniform with such a cold, calculated demeanor. He had seen enough to know that the crew's best course of action was to remain vigilant and prepared for whatever was to come.

As the ship finally docked and the crew disembarked, they were met with a stern silence from the assembled Marines. Lucina stood at the forefront, her posture commanding and unyielding as she took careful measure of each crew member. Her eyes locked onto Temoshí, as though she had already sized him up. There was a moment of quiet tension as the crew stepped onto the solid ground of Geyser Island, their boots striking the earth with a steady rhythm. They had arrived, but the encounter with Lucina and her troops was far from over.

Nathaniel, his eyes scanning the scene, immediately recognized Lucina's face from his childhood. The sight of her brought a flood of memories, but he chose not to react. Instead, he remained silent, standing a little behind Temoshí, quietly observing the unfolding situation. His thoughts were his own, and he had learned long ago not to reveal too much, especially when it came to old connections.

Lucina broke the silence, her voice as measured and precise as ever. "So, we finally meet face to face, white-haired," she began, her gaze never leaving Temoshí as she spoke. Her words were calm, but there was an undeniable edge to them. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lucina, one of the Admirals of the Marine Forces. Before we descend into another pointless argument, perhaps it would be wiser for you to hear me out." The air around them seemed to shift as she finished speaking, her eyes locking onto Temoshí's, waiting for his response.

Temoshí maintained his composed demeanor, masking his true thoughts behind a calm exterior, one hand resting on his hip. There was something about Lucina's approach that set her apart from the typical marine confrontations he'd experienced. It wasn't aggressive or heavy-handed—it felt calculated, almost measured, and that puzzled him.

With a deliberate wave of his hand, he spoke, his voice firm and clear, cutting through the tense air. "I take it you're not here to pick a fight with us—not yet, anyway. Enemies or not, you're holding back for some reason." His eyes narrowed as he gestured toward the fleet of marines stationed around her. "So, let's skip the formalities. What do you want from us? Because believe me, meeting face-to-face with you wasn't on today's agenda. We came here for something else entirely."

Lucina didn't react immediately. Instead, she closed her eyes briefly, crossing her arms in a posture that exuded calm confidence. The peaceful demeanor she projected felt almost out of place amidst the tension surrounding them. "Knowing you, Temoshí," she began, her voice measured and steady, "you've come here with the intent to bring peace to Geyser Island. But let me be transparent—we're here for the same reason. Our mission is to apprehend the one responsible for the chaos brewing on this island."

Despite her words, Temoshí's expression remained stoic, his skepticism evident. Yet, there was a flicker of curiosity in his eyes, enough to keep him listening. "Apprehend them, huh?" he echoed, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Well, that's all fine and noble, but as far as we're concerned, we only know one thing about this place." He crossed his arms, his gaze unwavering as he fixed it on Lucina. "We were told Geyser Island's been in turmoil—major crimes, disorder, people losing control—ever since someone seized power from its leaders. That's all we've got on the situation."

His words hung in the air, the weight of his implication clear. He wasn't about to trust her—or the marines—without a good reason. But for now, he would hear her out.

"That's correct, dear pirate," Lucina began, her voice calm but laced with an undertone of authority. "The individual you've been warned about is a danger to society, a criminal whose name resonates across the wanted list—Hollow." She gestured with her fingers toward the sprawling cityscape of Geyser Island, the towering structures gleaming in the sunlight, just as a geyser erupted in the distance behind them, spraying mist high into the air.

Her gaze remained sharp as she continued, her tone shifting to one of deliberate curiosity. "But before we delve deeper into this… 'pleasant' and undoubtedly 'friendly' discussion, there's something we need to address. The marines have been keeping a close watch on your so-called 'adventures' across the Vast Expanse. What baffles us is this: why would a pirate crew—of all things—take it upon themselves to bring peace to the islands scattered across the world? It doesn't align with the reputation you've chosen. Wouldn't it make more sense to join the marines, to uphold justice alongside us, rather than embracing the life of a wanted outlaw?"

Temoshí stood silent for a moment, his gaze thoughtful but guarded. He turned briefly to glance back at his crew, as if silently confirming something within himself, before shifting his focus back to Lucina. His expression hardened, and his voice carried a weight of conviction as he finally spoke.

"Let's just call it… a desire for freedom," he said, his tone steady but firm. "Joining the marines means giving up that freedom—living under rules, orders, and restrictions. And frankly, I'm not cut out for that life. As a pirate, I follow my heart, do what I choose, and answer to no one. Whether that means helping the innocent or hurting those who deserve it, it's my decision to make. That's the life I've chosen, and I don't owe anyone an explanation for it."

His gaze sharpened, his eyes locking onto Lucina with an intensity that could cut through steel. "Now, let's steer back to the subject at hand. This Hollow character you mentioned—what's their deal?"

Lucina's expression remained unchanged, her face a portrait of composure and confidence. She radiated a sense of control, fully aware that she held the upper hand in this exchange.

"Right," she said, her voice steady and unwavering. "You make it sound as if you're the noble heroes of this story. But that's irrelevant for now. Since you've so boldly inquired about our target, I'll share what you need to know."

Temoshí, though brimming with distrust, chose silence. He crossed his arms and gave Lucina his full attention, ensuring he wouldn't miss a single detail.

"Silas," she began, "now infamously known by the name Hollow, was once one of us. From childhood, he dedicated himself to the marines, climbing the ranks with remarkable skill and determination. There was even talk that he might one day become an admiral, just like me. But as he grew older, something changed. He grew disillusioned with our laws, our contracts, and our structure. In a way, he reminds me of you, pirate. He sought freedom above all else—the right to follow his own desires, unshackled by rules or obligations."

Her tone turned sharper, tinged with disdain as she continued. "But freedom without discipline comes with a cost. Like many who abandon order, he fell into ruin, spiraling into chaos. Eventually, his life became a nightmare for himself and those around him. He reached such a low that he even attempted to take his own life. Yet, death did not claim him. Instead, Silas was 'reborn' as something else—a man with a body no weapon can harm.

"Now, he calls himself Hollow and has turned this island into his personal domain, a twisted playground where he reigns supreme. His rebirth stripped him of his memories, though fragments of his past have slowly begun to resurface. That makes him unpredictable and dangerous."

Lucina took a step closer, her eyes narrowing as she delivered the crux of her proposal. "Our mission is to capture him and bring him back into marine custody—not just because of the threat he poses, but because of the knowledge, power, and secrets he possesses. They're invaluable to us. Despite his actions, Silas was once one of the brightest minds we had, and we believe he can be rehabilitated, his skills turned toward a greater purpose."

She straightened her posture, her voice taking on a more commanding tone. "That's where you come in, pirate. I am here to offer you an alliance, a temporary truce. Work with us to apprehend Silas and return him to our ranks. It's an opportunity to show where your so-called freedom can make a difference. So, what do you say?"

Nathaniel cast a calm, measured gaze toward Temoshí, his voice steady as he decided to voice his concerns. "Tim... don't do it. We can't trust them. You know better than anyone what people like them have done. Don't let us fall into a truce with the likes of them," he said firmly.

Kyora quickly chimed in, her tone sharp and unyielding. "Nate's right. Let's not forget what happened. These people nearly killed Chiaki. There's no way we can forgive that."

Lucina's lips curled into a faint smirk, and she crossed her arms as she offered her rebuttal. "Ah, you're referring to the Forbidden Chain incident? I wasn't there, so I can't speak to what happened. All I know is your friend is alive and well. Besides," she added with a shrug, "we marines aren't the monsters you make us out to be. Our duty is to follow orders handed down from the higher-ups. It's how we maintain discipline, earn our livelihoods, and uphold honor."

Tarot, visibly irritated, stepped forward, his frustration boiling over. "Don't stand there feeding us your empty justifications! We know you're only here because you want to borrow our captain's strength. Admit it—you think his power is the only thing that can take down this Hollow guy!"

Lucina didn't flinch, simply nodding in acknowledgment. "You're not wrong. His power could make a significant difference in our mission. But let me be clear—we're not here to deceive anyone. Surely you all understand that more hands on deck increase the odds of success. This isn't about manipulation; it's about practicality."

Joker, standing just to Temoshí's left, placed a hand gently on the captain's shoulder. His voice was quiet yet deliberate, his words carefully chosen. "Captain," he began, "as a loyal member of your crew, I urge you to weigh their words with caution. My instincts tell me they're not to be trusted. Still, I will follow your command, provided there is sound reasoning behind your choice."

Temoshí's gaze darkened, his eyes veiled beneath the shifting shadows as a sudden gust of wind swept across the scene. The powerful breeze tugged at his clothes, sending his sweater's hem billowing behind him. The hood of his sweater was blown upward, draping over his white hair, obscuring it from view.

As the wind intensified, becoming fiercer and more relentless, Temoshí raised a hand to secure the hood over his head, pressing it down firmly.

"Following orders, you say?" His voice carried a weight that matched the storm brewing around him. He began to step forward deliberately, each motion purposeful as he closed the distance between himself, the marines, and Lucina. The fabric of his sweater swirled in the wind's embrace, trailing his movements with an air of defiance.

"Tell me something," he continued, his tone sharp and edged with sarcasm. "Aren't you marines all about rules and commands? You said it yourself—your lives revolve around following orders handed down by your so-called higher-ups. Isn't that your entire purpose? So, enlighten me," he added, his steps halting as his intense gaze locked onto Lucina. "What changed? Since when do your leaders suddenly turn a blind eye to your supposed duty and suggest making allies of the very pirates you've vowed to hunt? Your rivals—your enemies."

As his words hung in the air, Lucina remained calm, her eyes steady as she observed him, clearly waiting to see how far his response would go.

"Maybe you don't truly grasp what real freedom looks like," Temoshí began, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "With so many of you standing in line, bound to the ranks of authority, one might think the wiser move would've been to attack your so-called greatest enemies outright. But instead, here you are, taking this so-called 'kindhearted' approach—asking us, pirates, for an alliance. If you ask me, that's a pretty bold way to trample on your own pride and reputation."

He paused, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Not that it's my problem," he added with a shrug. "I'm not about that life of bending to someone else's orders or playing along with their games. So, here's your answer, Lucina."

To be continued...