#336 - Chapter 336 Victory, Hard-won
Jin's steps remained steady, each one taken with great strength, but the heavy burden in his heart felt even heavier than before.
G5 Branch was close at hand, yet in his eyes, it seemed like a place congealed from countless lost souls, every piece of broken brick telling tales of the warriors' bravery and sacrifice.
Finally, Jin and Kuzan arrived at the center of G5 Branch.
There, where the command center once stood, only ruins remained.
Jin stood before the ruins, unmoving for a long time, silent as a mountain.
He knew that the victor's glory belonged to the living, while the names of those who slept here would be forever etched in the depths of history.
Kuzan walked to Jin's side, feeling the heaviness in his heart, and patted him on the shoulder, his voice low:
"We did our best."
"I know," Jin responded softly, but his gaze remained fixed on the ruins. "But the cost was too great."
"This is also because I wasted too much time. Clearly, the losses of this war could have been further controlled."
"..."
Everyone present was silent, but there was nothing they could do. That's just how the world is.
Nothing ever goes according to plan.
In the distance, naval soldiers were still busy, searching for survivors in the ruins and collecting the remains of their comrades who could no longer stand.
Jin watched this scene, silently making a new vow – for the sake of those lost souls, he must become stronger, he must minimize such sacrifices in every future battle.
"In any case, this battle is our victory," Kuzan's voice broke Jin's reverie. "But we must remember that such a victory does not come easily."
Jin nodded, a sense of clarity seeming to grow within his heavy mood.
He knew that as marines, they could not avoid battle, nor could they avoid sacrifice.
But precisely because of this, they must cherish every living person even more, and more firmly defend the justice they believed in.
Carrying this pain and determination, Jin and Kuzan's group continued forward through the devastated G5 Branch.
......
In the sky.
Morgans leisurely controlled his airship, circling above the battlefield.
In his hand, the amber wine in the tall glass sparkled with a captivating luster under the sunlight.
He took a light sip, feeling the wine slowly glide across his mouth, bringing a slight mellowness and stimulation.
"Fine wine and big news, a perfect match indeed."
He murmured to himself, a meaningful smile appearing on the corner of his lips.
Morgans overlooked the battlefield below, the smoke of battle gradually dissipating, the aftermath of the fighting still lingering.
The life-and-death struggle between the navy and the pirates was nothing more than a magnificent performance in his eyes, and he was the best audience for this performance.
His eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, accurately capturing every moment worth recording.
Jin's earth-shattering duel with Kaido, Zefa's confrontation with Charlotte Linlin, all became eternal images under his lens.
"The fame of my Big News will become increasingly louder!"
Morgans thought to himself smugly, already sketching out the headlines for the next issue of his newspaper.
Imagining how people around the world would be shocked by this unprecedented battle, his mood became even more joyful.
"What a wonderful moment."
Morgans took another sip of wine, squinting slightly, reveling in the satisfaction of the moment.
He controlled the airship, like a cloud drifting with the wind, coming and going freely.
He would not leave any trace in this conflict, only witnessing and recording everything as an observer.
And when the smoke of this war completely dissipated, everyone would remember the report that stirred up the storm, and the mysterious and all-knowing reporter behind the report – Morgans.
He looked with satisfaction at the scene of the battlefield gradually receding, and then flew to a higher sky, disappearing into the clouds.
Outside G5 Branch.
Bon Clay dragged his bloodstained body, trembling as he stood before Crocodile.
His eyes revealed fatigue, but even more so, satisfaction and determination.
"President, I have completed the mission."
His voice was hoarse, but carried an irrepressible pride.
Crocodile slightly raised his head, the cigar in his mouth flickering with a faint light in the dim light.
He scrutinized Bon Clay, exuding a cold majesty.
"Well done," his tone revealed a rare appreciation. "When we return to Alabasta, you can take the reward and rest for a while."
His words were brief, but full of concern.
Jin's talk of clear rewards and punishments was something he now promoted, especially when he saw the loyalty and ability of his subordinates.
A smile bloomed on Bon Clay's face, even though he was exhausted, he did not forget to reply,
"It's all I should do."
But he then frowned, and said in a low voice, "It's just that the World Government people left here long ago."
Crocodile sneered disdainfully, spitting out a thick puff of smoke.
"Don't bother with those worms, those guys are good for nothing but disgusting people."
His voice carried an undisguised contempt and disdain.
He turned his gaze to the distance, a cold light flashing in his eyes,
"We have more important things to do, the world's change has only just begun."
After hearing this, Bon Clay's fatigue seemed to lessen.
He nodded firmly, understanding that no matter what the future held, he would continue to follow Crocodile's path, without the slightest hesitation.
......
A warship sped across the sea, heading straight for G5 Branch.
Doflamingo stood at the bow of the ship, a hideous smile on his face, his eyes full of bloodthirsty light.
His cloak fluttered in the strong wind, proclaiming his arrival.
When his gaze swept over the scene before him, seeing the devastation of G5 Branch, his smile deepened, and a thick malice flashed in his eyes.
His fingers twitched slightly, and an invisible force instantly controlled a shivering pirate on the ship.
"Come, take a look."
Doflamingo chuckled softly, his fingers gently hooking, and the pirate, like a marionette, involuntarily walked to him, his eyes full of horror and despair.
"All of this in front of you was caused by your pirate crew."
Doflamingo's voice was cold and cruel, with an irresistible pressure.
As his voice fell, the threads between his fingers began to gradually tighten, and bloodstains immediately appeared on the pirate's neck, and blood flowed down the wound like a stream.
The pirate cried, begging hoarsely,
"I'm just responsible for guarding Cake Island, these things have nothing to do with me! Please spare me..."
His voice was full of despair, as if grasping at the last straw.
But Doflamingo's expression did not waver, and the coldness and killing intent in his eyes did not diminish.
"Charlotte Linlin and Kaido dared to attack G5 Branch, they should be prepared for their home to be stolen."
His voice was low and indifferent, like a sentence from hell,
"You home defenders also deserve to die!"
As his last words fell, the threads in his hand suddenly tightened, the pirate's neck was instantly cut off, blood spurted out, and his body fell powerlessly to the ground, silent.
Doflamingo looked at the body in front of him, without a trace of pity in his eyes, only coldness and mockery.
He turned to look at G5 Branch, his smile becoming more and more hideous.
He will carry these damned pirates to G5 Branch, and send the final gift to his comrades.
