#269 - Chapter 269 Low Morale, Morgause
After dozens of rounds of artillery bombardment, smoke filled the sea, obscuring the sky.
The marines stood on the deck, their eyes dim, their expressions weary, their morale low.
The sea breeze mixed with the smell of gunpowder blew past, as if making their mood even heavier.
"Why is this happening...?"
A young soldier murmured, talking to himself, his eyes full of confusion and bewilderment.
The island of Ohara before them had been completely destroyed, such a large island seemed to have disappeared from this world along with the smoke.
There were no ruins or burning flames, because after so many rounds of shelling, not even a grain of sand from Ohara could exist on the sea surface.
Black smoke billowed, the thick smoke and dust made it almost impossible to breathe.
The former green trees, buildings, and streets were now just an endless expanse of sea.
The soldiers stood on the deck, silently watching all this.
Some couldn't help but touch their ears, the huge sound from the shelling still echoed in their ears, and the bursts of pain reminded them that this was not a dream, but a cruel reality.
An older soldier patted the young soldier's shoulder hard, his voice low and firm:
"Cheer up, soldier. This is an order, we must carry it out."
Although his words were firm, the weariness and helplessness in his eyes could not be concealed.
Kuzan stood at the edge of the deck, gazing at the distant ruins, his mood complex.
As a high-ranking officer, he understood the darkness and bloodshed behind this Buster Call.
At this moment, he was extremely eager for strength, because doing nothing would not change anything.
He wanted to become incredibly powerful, so powerful that he could freely prevent such tragedies from happening.
Sakazuki stood on the command platform, his fist clenched, his face stern.
Although he did not hesitate to execute this Buster Call, a corner of his heart felt uneasy and angry.
Orders must be carried out, no matter how terrible the cost, this was his belief.
The skyline gradually returned to tranquility, but this tranquility hid endless sorrow.
The marines stood silently on the deck, looking in the direction of Ohara, each with their own worries.
Everything that happened today was like a nightmare, and they knew that this nightmare would be forever engraved in their memories and could not be erased.
The sea breeze continued to blow, taking away the smoke and gunpowder, and also taking away something from their hearts.
The marines knew that this day would become the darkest memory of their lives, and no matter how hard they tried, they could not get rid of this heavy burden.
Sakazuki stood on the deck, his figure upright, his eyes cold.
His eyes revealed a fierce look, as if he didn't care about the destruction just now.
He strode steadily past a group of busy marines and walked straight towards Kuzan.
"Some things, either don't do them, but if you do them, then do them thoroughly."
Sakazuki's words were cold and ruthless, his voice was low and firm, every word was like a nail hammered into a board, he was such a person.
Kuzan stood aside, his hands in his pockets, his brow furrowed slightly.
A trace of helplessness flashed in his eyes, but more of it was a firm belief.
He looked at Sakazuki and replied calmly,
"You have your way of doing things, and I have my own code of conduct."
Sakazuki stopped, his eyes locked on Kuzan.
The corner of his mouth raised slightly, revealing a smile,
"It seems you've found your own path."
Kuzan's eyes did not waver in the slightest, he looked directly at Sakazuki and said firmly,
"Yes, everyone has their own choices and beliefs."
The air between the two seemed to freeze, only the distant sea breeze was still whistling.
Sakazuki nodded slightly, as if acknowledging Kuzan's determination, but more of it was a cold indifference.
"Then I won't say anymore..."
Sakazuki turned and left, his back looking even colder and more resolute.
Kuzan looked at his departing back, his heart filled with emotions.
Everyone has their own path, and they have chosen completely different directions.
He looked towards the distant horizon, his path would not be changed by someone else's words.
Except for Jin'an.
......
In the sky, clouds floated gently, like a peaceful white ocean.
Jin'an stood on the clouds, the eyes under the mask flashed with a calm and sharp light.
He put on the clothes mask, overlooking the scene below, his heart was calm.
"How is it? Is this good show exciting?"
Jin'an asked in a low voice, his voice sounded even more mysterious through the mask.
Morgans, a journalist who is passionate about big news, his eyes flashed with excitement, his feathers trembled gently in the breeze.
He stood on the airship and almost shouted,
"Big news! This is big news!"
His voice was full of excitement and fanaticism, he had been pursuing this kind of explosive news, and this action made him feel extremely satisfied.
"You revealed this news to me, do you want me to publish it?"
Morgans asked eagerly, his voice with a hint of suppressed desire.
His eyes were fanatical, he was extremely eager for the things in the other party's hands,
"If that's what you're planning, then your idea is probably going to fail, I'm still an unknown little reporter, this kind of news won't get approved."
Morgans' words revealed deep disappointment, although he wanted this big news, he also knew that he could not decide the release of such things.
But as long as he gets this thing, he will definitely publish it when he has the ability.
However, Jin'an's voice carried a hint of coldness,
"But, as long as you can publish this matter, what you get will be more than just wealth."
His words were full of temptation,
"Everyone in this world will know the name of you, the great reporter, don't you think so, Mr. Big News..."
Jin'an's eyes were like torches, his purpose was to discredit the World Government and make those high-ranking World Nobles notorious.
"The Den Den Mushi has already been given to you, what to do next is all in your hands..."
He said, handing a Den Den Mushi to Morgans.
This Den Den Mushi stored Clover's just now speech, Jin'an had been staying in the same room with Clover before was also for this recording.
Morgans looked at the two Den Den Mushi in his hand and fell into a deep struggle.
One was just given to him by Jin'an, and the other was the process of Ohara's destruction that he recorded on the airship.
His heart was in a war between heaven and man, not knowing how to choose.
Jin'an's figure gradually moved away and disappeared into the clouds.
Morgans was still standing there, clutching the Den Den Mushi in his hand, his heart surging.
He knew that the information in these two Den Den Mushi was enough to change his current situation, and how to use this information would be the most important decision of his life.
He looked into the distance, made a struggle in his heart, and finally, he took a deep breath, and a firm look appeared on his face.
He knew that no matter what path he chose, he would bear the corresponding responsibilities and consequences.
He looked at the place where Jin'an disappeared,
"So... your purpose is just to make this world chaotic..."
The sky was still clear, and the clouds floated gently, as if waiting for an upcoming storm.
...
