"He is…"
"The islanders… If my guess is correct, they're all under the influence of the Holy Sword's control," Bai Yu muttered, eyes sharp like blades cutting through the dark.
Maya looked at him with unease and disbelief.
Bai Yu's appearance in her room was no coincidence. Ever since the peculiar behavior of the villagers—and even Lacus—during the day, his instincts had been on edge.
Instead of sleeping, he had stayed alert deep into the night.
Moments before two islanders attempted to break into his room, Bai Yu had sensed their presence in advance and slipped away—choosing to hide in Maya's room instead.
He was no ordinary soldier. Like his team, he was a combat-hardened marine, sent from Branch 188 specifically to escort high-level prisoners and conduct dangerous missions.
Ordinary villagers posed no true threat to such a unit.
But Maya—though sharp and cautious—was still a civilian. Protecting her took priority.
"These villagers… I'm certain. They've fallen under the Holy Sword's spell. Mind control," Bai Yu confirmed grimly.
"Then Lacus too…?" Maya's face darkened as she recalled Lacus' uncharacteristic behavior earlier that day.
Bai Yu gave a silent nod.
And at that moment—outside the window—bright flames lit the night sky as distant shouting echoed through the village.
Sounds of skirmishing filled the air. Screams. Clashing metal.
Not just near Maya's house—multiple teams across the island were under attack.
But as Bai Yu had expected, these weren't ordinary marines.
Each soldier deployed from Branch 188 was elite—capable of subduing pirates, monsters, and worse.
They didn't falter. Their training kicked in.
The counterattack began.
Boom!
The door to Maya's room burst open. Koby and Helmeppo charged in with drawn sabers.
"Miss Maya, stay back—!"
But they froze mid-sentence upon seeing Bai Yu calmly standing beside her bed.
"Colonel Bai Yu!"
"The villagers launched a coordinated surprise attack. They came at us in waves!"
"Our units are retaliating… What are your orders?" Koby's voice was steady, but there was urgency in his eyes.
These weren't pirates. They were civilians.
That's what made it difficult.
The navy couldn't fight without restraint—morally or legally. But the islanders, under the Holy Sword's spell, had no such hesitation.
"What's the situation outside?" Bai Yu asked.
Koby reported quickly: "Our forces currently hold the advantage… but the islanders are acting as if possessed. They charge at us without fear, like zealots. If this continues, our men will tire, and casualties will follow."
A heavy silence filled the room.
Then, Maya took a step forward, voice trembling but resolute. "Please… don't harm them. I know they're being controlled. I… I think I can break the sword's influence if we just restrain them."
Her plea was desperate. Tears glimmered in her eyes.
Bai Yu placed a hand gently on her shoulder. "Don't worry. We're the Navy. We protect people—we don't kill the innocent."
With that, he turned sharply. "Koby, come with me."
Maya followed close behind as they exited the room—only to witness chaos erupting throughout the village.
All around, marines were locked in combat with frenzied islanders.
Villagers swung shovels, pickaxes, metal rods—whatever they could find.
The marines, to their credit, avoided lethal blows, opting to disarm and restrain.
But the tide was beginning to shift. The numbers were overwhelming.
Maya's hands trembled at the sight.
"Everyone, pull back—now!"
Bai Yu's voice boomed like cannon fire. Instantly, all navy soldiers rallied around him, obeying without hesitation.
In seconds, they regrouped in front of the house, forming a defensive line.
Across from them, the villagers stopped advancing, crowding into an intimidating mob—hundreds strong. Torches blazed. Eyes gleamed with unnatural rage.
Then, one figure stepped forward from the crowd.
It was Lacus.
But it wasn't the same man as before.
His face twisted in a malicious grin, eyes glowing a crimson hue. The calm, gentle island leader was gone—replaced by something dark, unnatural.
"Navy scum!" Lacus hissed. "This is none of your concern. Hand over Maya… and we'll let you leave unharmed."
"Hand over Maya!"
"Hand her over!"
The chant erupted behind him. Shouts of madness echoed through the village.
Lacus raised his hand. The crowd silenced instantly.
His smile widened. "So? What's your answer?"
But Bai Yu didn't flinch.
He stepped forward, ahead of the line.
His gaze locked with Lacus, unwavering.
"Maya is under my protection," he declared. "If you want to take her—you'll have to kill me first."
The crowd gasped.
Lacus's expression twisted into fury. "You've made your choice. Then you'll all be sacrificed… to feed the Holy Sword!"
With a roar, he raised his blade. "Charge! For the Holy Sword!"
The villagers screamed in unison, charging forward like a flood of madness.
Weapons raised. Eyes glowing red. Hundreds of them.
Koby and the other marines reached for their sabers instinctively.
But Bai Yu raised a single hand.
"Stand down," he ordered.
Koby blinked. "Sir?"
"I'll handle this."
Bai Yu stepped forward, taking a deep breath.
Then… he closed his eyes.
A wave of intense pressure rolled out from his body.
Haoshoku Haki.
The King's Will.
Hum…
Bai Yu's eyes snapped open—gleaming with cold light.
A massive shockwave of invisible force exploded outward like a tidal wave.
It slammed into the charging villagers.
And one by one—they dropped.
Plop.
Plop.
Plop.
Dozens… then hundreds.
In seconds, the entire mob collapsed like puppets with cut strings.
Lacus, too, froze mid-charge. His mouth opened in a silent scream—then his eyes rolled back, and he fell face-first into the dirt.
Not a single blow was struck.
The air grew still.
All that remained were unconscious bodies… and stunned silence.
Bai Yu stood tall, eyes calm once more.
The Overlord's Haki had done its work.
Behind him, Maya was frozen in awe.
Just one look.
And all of them—hundreds—had been defeated.
By willpower alone.