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[OP Marine Officer Luffy] Chapter 321- 325
🕑 Added 2025-01-17 01:00:02 +0000 UTCChapter 321: Haruto: "I Have Nothing to Repay You, So I Will Give You My Body~"
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.
Chapter 322: Luffy: Counterattack!
Haruto took a step forward to follow Dev, but pain shot through his entire body, and his vision blurred. His knees buckled, and he nearly collapsed. Thankfully, Naoko quickly caught him, her petite frame just strong enough to keep him from hitting the ground.
“Brother, you’re hurt! Please, you need to rest,” Naoko pleaded, tears welling up in her large, worried eyes.
Haruto forced a weak smile, patting her shoulder reassuringly. “I’m fine, Naoko,” he said, though his voice was strained. Looking past her, he called out to Dev’s retreating figure. “My benefactor! Please tell me your name. I promise I’ll repay you one day!”
Dev stopped, turning slightly to glance at Haruto. His expression was a mixture of amusement and irritation. “Repay me?” he said with a scoff. “Kid, you’ve been reading too many novels. If I wanted repayment, I’d prefer it from a pretty girl—not a rough guy like you.”
With that, Dev shoved his hands into his pockets and walked away, leaving Haruto momentarily stunned.
Haruto blinked, his face a mixture of confusion and embarrassment. What does he mean by that? Is he interested in… Naoko? His mind raced, but the pain in his body quickly reminded him of his priorities.
As the villagers hastily packed their belongings, the Marines organized an evacuation plan. With fewer than 400 people left in the village, it took three trips to transport everyone across the river. Many villagers were reluctant to leave, especially those grieving the loss of loved ones. They buried the bodies quickly, their tears soaking into the hastily turned soil.
Dev, however, remained firm. He understood the importance of relocating the villagers. Returning directly to the Marine base wasn’t an option—the looming battle with the Kozuki samurai made it too dangerous. Instead, he contacted Rear Admiral Darius to coordinate their next move.
Once the villagers were safely escorted to the rear camp where the wounded were being treated, Dev returned to Darius’s base. The atmosphere in the camp was tense. Three Marine captains from Habu, Kibi, and Udon had arrived, and the room was abuzz with strategy discussions.
Just as Dev entered, an urgent message from Vice Admiral Luffy was delivered. The contents were brief but electrifying.
“Counter Attack!.”
The tent fell silent. For a moment, no one moved, stunned by the simplicity of the command. Then Dev, always impulsive, shot to his feet and slammed his hand on the table. “This is it!” he exclaimed. “Vice Admiral Luffy must be close to Wano Country—he could arrive at any moment!”
Captain Macron, a grizzled veteran with a scar on the corner of his mouth, frowned in skepticism. “That seems unlikely. My men stationed at the port haven’t reported any sightings. If the Vice Admiral had arrived, I’d be the first to know.”
Captain Hazel, a sharp-tongued woman with green hair, rolled her eyes. “Really, Macron? Haven’t you heard the rumors? The Vice Admiral has a flying battleship. He doesn’t need your antiquated marine port.”
She gestured upward dramatically. “For all we know, he’s hovering above us right now, hidden by the clouds.”
Everyone instinctively glanced at the tent ceiling, though it offered no view of the sky. Rear Admiral Darius cleared his throat, bringing the room back to focus. “Regardless of how he’ll arrive, the Vice Admiral has given us an order. We attack. Dev, report your findings.”
Dev nodded, taking a moment to organize his thoughts before speaking. “Our scouts have completed their reconnaissance. The Yakuza leading the enemy forces is named Gankuro, a notorious underworld boss from the Flower Capital. After pledging allegiance to the so-called Shogun Kozuki Sukiyaki, he was rewarded with a minor official position.”
He paused, his expression darkening. “The attack on us was his idea. The man is ambitious, but his forces are growing rapidly.”
Captain Cookie, who had been quiet until now, leaned forward. “How many troops are we talking about?”
Dev sighed. “When the scouts first reported, there were 2,200 men gathered in the Flower Capital. By the time I conducted my own reconnaissance, that number had increased to over 2,500. And more are joining by the day—samurai, ronin, mercenaries. By the time we engage, their numbers could reach 3,000 or more.”
A heavy silence fell over the room as the weight of the information sank in. Captain Leo, the youngest among them, rubbed his temples in frustration.
Chapter 323: Assemble the Army and Attack
“When I left Kuri,” Captain Leo began, his tone grave, “some of the local ronin had already started organizing themselves into teams and heading toward the Flower Capital to join the enemy. By now, they’ve probably arrived. If we delay any longer, their numbers will keep growing, and we’ll be at an even greater disadvantage. The best course of action is to attack now, just as Vice Admiral Luffy ordered. We must strike before their forces consolidate.”
Everyone in the room nodded in agreement, their faces set with determination.
Dev stepped forward, his voice confident as he sought to bolster their spirits. “From the intelligence I’ve gathered, most of the enemy’s forces are nothing more than vagrants and petty criminals—people who are more familiar with collecting protection fees than fighting battles. Even the samurai and ronin among them are mostly opportunists, driven by greed rather than loyalty. They’re a disorganized rabble, and with the strength of our elite troops, we can defeat them.”
While Dev’s words were aimed at raising morale, Rear Admiral Darius’s expression remained serious. Though the young officer’s optimism was appreciated, Darius’s years of experience had taught him never to underestimate an opponent, no matter how disorganized they seemed.
“Dev, your report is timely and appreciated,” Darius said, his tone even. “But remember—underestimating the enemy is a dangerous mistake. Overconfidence has cost many lives in the past.”
Dev nodded immediately, acknowledging the criticism. “You’re right, Rear Admiral. I won’t let my guard down.”
With that, Darius stood, placing his hands firmly on the table. His gaze swept over the officers in the room. “There’s no time to lose. Prepare the troops. We move out now.”
“Yes, sir!” the officers replied in unison.
The Marines wasted no time. Over 2,400 troops stationed in Wano Country swiftly assembled, their movements precise and disciplined. Each soldier carried muskets and provisions, their faces resolute as they marched toward the designated battlefield under the guidance of their officers.
Meanwhile, across the river, Gankuro was dealing with his own frustrations.
“Damn it!” he bellowed, pacing near the water’s edge. “I sent out four teams, and only two came back?!”
The subordinate who brought the report flinched under his glare, his head bowed low. “Sir, the two missing teams were sent east. One was attacked not far from the main force; none of them survived. The other was wiped out in Ringo Village. By the time we arrived, the villagers had fled, likely fearing retribution.”
Gankuro’s fists clenched, his face red with fury. “Useless! A whole squad wiped out near our main force, and no one even noticed? What are our scouts doing? Are they blind?! And as for the team at Ringo Village, a samurai being defeated by a bunch of villagers? What a disgrace!”
As he ranted, one of his subordinates hesitated but finally mustered the courage to interrupt. “Sir, we’ve received word from Kuri. The local ronin and samurai loyal to His Majesty the Shogun are ready. They await your signal to attack from both wings, coordinating with our main force for a pincer movement.”
Gankuro paused mid-rant, his fury momentarily giving way to thought. Though annoyed at being interrupted, he realized this news could tip the scales in their favor.
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Gankuro suppressed his anger and let a cruel smile spread across his face. “Good. With the brave Samurai of Kuri on our side, victory is assured. Spread the word to the men: we’ll crush these outsiders, and afterward, I’ll treat everyone to the finest entertainment the red-light district has to offer!”
His subordinates, emboldened by the promise of wealth and indulgence, cheered enthusiastically. “Thank you, Lord Gankuro! We’ll fight bravely and slaughter the enemy!”
Chapter 324 Gankuro: Magic, This Is Magic!
Gankuro waved his hand with satisfaction, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Alright, proceed. Tell the brothers to speed things up."
"Yes, my lord!"
The subordinate responded promptly, bowing respectfully before retreating to carry out the order.
Not long after, the cheers of vagrants and thugs echoed along the riverbank. The ragtag group, shouting Lord Gankuro's name in unison, eagerly rowed their stolen fishing boats toward the other side of the river.
Inspired by their leader's confidence, nearly half of the soldiers had already set foot on Hakumai's soil.
Gankuro, convinced the moment had arrived, was preparing to board one of the boats when something unexpected occurred.
On the riverbank opposite them, a group of man in pristine blue-and-white uniforms emerged, standing in perfect formation. Before Gankuro could comprehend the situation, these disciplined troops launched a sudden and decisive attack.
Darius, the Marine officer leading the defense, observed the enemy's advance with steely resolve. A glint of cold determination flashed in his eyes as he barked out orders:
"Artillery units, take your positions and commence bombardment!
Musket units, fire as soon as the enemy enters range—suppress them with overwhelming firepower!"
At his command, the Marines sprang into action with well-practiced efficiency.
Despite lacking advanced equipment to transport heavy artillery, these elite soldiers from headquarters had managed to haul forty cannons to the front line through sheer grit—two men pushing and one pulling each piece.
Without delay, the artillerymen established firing positions, expertly loading the cannons. The first volley roared through the air, delivering a devastating impact.
The ronin and samurai of Wano Country, unaccustomed to modern warfare, were thrown into disarray. The crude weapons they carried—swords, spears, and clubs—were no match for the thunderous power of Marine artillery.
As shells rained down relentlessly, the battlefield became a chaotic scene of destruction. Samurai who had confidently drawn their blades moments earlier now screamed in agony, scattered like leaves in a storm.
The remaining Marines, advancing under the protective cover of artillery fire, moved with precision. As they closed in, muskets and rocket launchers came into play, adding to the carnage.
Some particularly daring soldiers wielded gatling-like machine guns, mowing down clusters of enemies with chilling efficiency.
While Wano Country had experienced limited exposure to firearms during Kaido's initial conquest, the Kozuki Army had never encountered anything on this scale. Centuries of stagnation in technological advancement had left them woefully unprepared for the devastation brought by modern weaponry.
It didn’t take long for the once-proud army of 1,500 Samurai to fall apart. The relentless artillery and musket fire turned their ranks into a panicked, retreating mob.
Even the few skilled samurai among them, attempting to break through the encirclement, were swiftly eliminated. The Marine officers in their distinctive coats targeted them with ruthless precision, cutting them down one by one.
"Impossible! This is impossible!" Gankuro screamed, his face a mask of disbelief.
"How can these outsiders possess such devastating power? What manner of weapon can produce such thunderous explosions? Is this… magic?!"
The sight of his troops being annihilated filled him with horror. The riverbank was littered with the bodies of his soldiers—men who, just moments ago, had been boasting about their eventual victory.
Now, they lay scattered like freshly cut wheat.
Fear spread like wildfire among the remaining forces. Some, overcome by terror, abandoned their weapons and fled. Others, too paralyzed to move, collapsed to their knees, sobbing and praying to their gods for salvation.
"Oni! They’re Oni!" one thug shrieked, his voice cracking with despair.
"Evil spirits sent to punish us!"
His cries sent waves of panic through the ranks. Many dropped to their knees, kowtowing and begging for mercy, their minds unable to process the horrors unfolding before them.
Even Gankuro's closest followers began to falter, their courage evaporating in the face of such overwhelming firepower.
But Gankuro, consumed by rage, refused to yield. Drawing his sword, he executed several of his cowering subordinates on the spot, his bloodshot eyes blazing with fury.
"Fools! Cowards! Do you think I will allow myself to be defeated here?" he roared.
"I have yet to become the hero of Wano Country! I have yet to claim my rightful place as daimyo!
I will not fall to mere outsiders!"
Driven to the brink of madness, Gankuro shoved aside anyone in his path. Reaching the riverbank, he leaped onto a fishing boat packed with soldiers. With each jump, he moved from boat to boat, advancing toward Hakumai with reckless determination.
His fearless charge inspired a glimmer of hope in his men. Watching their leader take action, the soldiers felt a surge of renewed resolve, as if a ray of light had pierced through their despair.
Chapter 325: God's Coming to the World, God's Punishment
"Brother Gankuro is here! The man known as the Flower Capital Ghost! With him around, we’re unstoppable!"
The younger members of Gankuro gang member shouted with fervor, their spirits instantly lifted.
At the sight of the tall figure leaping high into the air, the once demoralized crowd's eyes gleamed with renewed hope and anticipation.
On the other side, soldiers who had endured the devastating Marine bombardment and were scrambling to jump into the river to escape noticed Gankuro’s dramatic arrival.
With tears streaming down their soot-covered faces, they reached out their hands toward him and cried:
"Lord Gankuro, save us!!"
In the Marine, Darius, who had been closely monitoring the battlefield from the rear, noticed the imposing figure cutting through the air with an extraordinary aura.
"Is that their leader?" Darius muttered, his brows furrowing. "We can’t let him cause any trouble. Cookie, Leo, let’s take him down—quickly!"
"Understood!"
Leo unsheathed the sailor's sword from his belt, its blade catching the faint sunlight, while Cookie spun his iron staff skillfully, creating a brief flourish.
Darius, his expression set in determination, activated his haki, his right fist instantly sheathed in the dark sheen of Armament Haki. He clenched it tightly, ready for combat.
"Prepare yourselves, men. We—"
Before he could finish his sentence, the battlefield was engulfed in an otherworldly transformation.
The once-clear blue sky darkened abruptly, the sun vanishing behind a sudden blanket of ominous thunderclouds. Flashes of lightning illuminated the heavens, accompanied by the low, menacing rumble of thunder.
The Marines looked up in surprise, their faces reflecting a mix of awe and trepidation.
Darius’s eyes widened, and he murmured, almost in disbelief:
"This … could it be—"
Before he could finish, a blinding column of light descended from the storm-clouded sky.
The blazing white brilliance turned the darkened battlefield into a surreal stage. Gankuro, who had been mid-leap with his sword held high, froze in confusion as the light engulfed him.
A deafening CRACK of thunder echoed as the lightning struck him squarely. His body convulsed violently, and he let out a blood-curdling scream:
"AAAAAAAHHHHHH!"
The impact sent him crashing into the ground with a resounding boom, creating a crater where he landed.
Both the Kozuki Army and the Marines stood in stunned silence, their jaws dropping at the sight of Gankuro being struck down so suddenly.
Superstitious Samurai in the Kozuki ranks froze, their swords slipping from their trembling hands.
"God… it’s divine punishment! This is a sign from the gods!" one of them wailed, dropping to his knees.
"It’s a warning to the Kozuki family. We’ve angered the heavens!"
The man’s cries rippled through the remaining Kozuki soldiers, who began to kneel in despair, some even trembling so violently they collapsed altogether.
The Marines, on the other hand, exchanged astonished glances. Among the officers who understood the phenomenon, such as Darius, recognition dawned in their eyes.
Suddenly, a booming voice, cold and authoritative, echoed across the battlefield:
"God’s sanction!"
As the words faded, an even thicker bolt of lightning tore through the stormy sky, its radiant energy cascading onto the already-disabled Gankuro.
The thunderous strike blasted him deep into the ground, leaving nothing but a smoldering, bottomless pit in its wake.
The scene was too much for the Kozuki Army. Soldiers dropped their weapons, tears streaming down their faces as they begged for mercy.
"God! It’s a god! We surrender!"
"Spare me, divine one! I was forced into this!"
"The Kozuki family has offended the heavens! Curse them!"
Even the most loyal Kozuki samurai faltered, their morale shattered. Except for a few stubborn individuals, the entire army knelt in surrender.
Darius, along with his Marine officers, stared at the kneeling enemy in stunned silence. The Marines, despite their training, had never encountered such an utterly surreal battlefield moment.
"What are you all standing there for?" the commanding, god-like voice boomed again. "Tie them up!"
Still bewildered, the Marines hesitated. But their indecision was cut short as another volley of lightning bolts struck the few remaining Kozuki loyalists who dared to resist. The rebellious soldiers were reduced to smoldering heaps of charcoal.
As the ominous storm began to dissipate, a figure stepped forward from the shadows.
He wasn’t particularly tall, but his presence was commanding.
"That… that’s him!!" a sailor exclaimed, pointing at the familiar silhouette. "It’s him, The God of Thunder Vice Admiral Luffy! That was his power just now!"
The realization spread like wildfire. Every Marine turned toward the figure, their eyes widening in recognition.
The man in the robe of justice stepped into the light, revealing a face that sparked cheers among the troops.
"It’s Vice Admiral Monkey D. Luffy, the highest commander of Wano Country, appointed by the headquarters!"
"We’re saved! Lord Thunder Emperor is here—we’re going to win!"
"Long live the Marines! Luffy is invincible!"
The cheering Marines filled the air with their enthusiasm, their morale now soaring.
Luffy, having arrived in his elemental form, surveyed the battlefield. Seeing the Marines so encouraged brought a sense of relief to him.
But as the nicknames—"God of Thunder," "Lord Thunder Emperor"—echoed in his ears, Luffy scratched the back of his head, feeling a bit embarrassed.
