The elderly village chief took a slow puff from his pipe, then shifted the conversation. "Han, if you want to leave, go now. Take the young ones with you and leave us old folks behind. This is just a waste of time."
The conversation, which had centered on Xena, now turned to the looming sea voyage. Han's expression grew tense as he tried to persuade the chief. "Village Chief, it's far too dangerous to stay here any longer!"
The old man waved his hand firmly. "No need to say more. We old folks won't leave. Take the young people and go—while you still can!"
"But... but this—" Han tried to insist.
The old village chief only shook his head with grim resolve.
Just as Han was about to speak again, Yuno turned toward them, his voice calm but sharp like a blade.
"Uncle Han. Village Chief. There's no need to argue. They... are already here."
No sooner had Yuno spoken than the thunder of artillery echoed from the direction of the town.
—BOOM!—
It came from the port!
Everyone froze, the color draining from their faces.
Han turned pale, muttering under his breath, "Damn it… they came so fast!"
It hadn't even been half a day since the news had spread—yet the enemy had arrived already!
Yuno narrowed his eyes, his expression sharpening. His aura subtly changed—fierce, honed, like a drawn blade.
"Uncle Han," he said, "take the village chief and everyone else to the back mountain. There's a cave I opened there. You can use it as a refuge."
"Yuno, you—" Han wanted to speak, but was struck speechless by the sudden pressure emanating from Yuno. It was like standing before a wild beast—primal and overwhelming.
Such an aura—just who was this boy?
Yuno turned to Xena. "Xena, you lead the way. It's near the spot where I usually train. You'll recognize it."
"Okay! I got it, Brother Yuno!" Xena nodded firmly, her tone clear and steady despite the fear in the air. She was a clever girl—she knew what had to be done.
The old village chief frowned deeply. "Yun… what are you trying to do?"
Yuno gave him a quiet smile. "Village Chief, gather everyone and take care of them. I'm going to take a look at what's going on."
Without waiting for a response, Yuno turned, bent his knees slightly—
Shunpo!
In a blur, he vanished. Then, he appeared in the air, leaping high above the treetops. At the apex of his jump—
—He dove straight toward the port!
"Th-that… that Yun kid—?!"
"He just—he just flew?!"
"No way… Did I just see that? He's flying!"
"I must be seeing things…"
The villagers stood in stunned silence, jaws slack, some rubbing their eyes in disbelief.
Even the old village chief gaped in shock, his pipe dropping from his mouth and hitting the ground with a dull clink.
Han stood rooted in place, eyes wide. "Was I wrong all along…? Yuno is actually… someone powerful enough to fly?!"
Only Xena watched him go with a twinkle in her eyes—full of admiration.
Meanwhile, at the harbor—
Just as Yuno had feared, the fleet of Germa 66 had already arrived offshore.
Seeing a ship attempting to flee the harbor, Judge did not hesitate.
"Fire."
A moment later—
BOOOOM!!!
The vessel was instantly engulfed in flames, torn to shreds by the sudden barrage. Screams echoed across the waves.
Bodies were flung into the sea. Blood and fire painted the waters red.
The ship belonged to one of the island's nobles—those who had ignored the navy's warnings and tried to flee early after hearing the news.
But their escape ended before it began. The moment they left the harbor, they encountered the black-flagged Germa fleet—annihilated without mercy.
The people still gathered at the docks saw it all—and despaired.
"T-they're really here! The Germa 66 fleet has come!"
"We're doomed… No one's getting out alive…"
"Someone, save us!"
"The Navy! There's a naval base on the island—they'll protect us!"
"What nonsense! The Navy will be their first target! Run! Head for the other side of the island—it's too dangerous here!"
The crowd that had gathered at the harbor in hopes of fleeing by sea erupted into chaos. Panic spread like wildfire. Screams filled the air as terrified citizens scattered in all directions. Dozens of stampedes broke out. Some were trampled beneath a sea of desperate feet—crushed into unrecognizable pulp. The scene was sheer carnage.
In that moment, there was only one thought in everyone's mind: escape the harbor. It had become a death trap.
"Blockade the island. No ships are to leave."
On the deck of the Germa main ship, Judge stood tall, his expression cold and imperious. Without sparing even a glance at the fleeing civilians, he issued a wave of his hand. At once, the snail-shaped warships swarmed outward, locking down the entire harbor, forming an airtight naval blockade.
Then the Germa flagship docked. Judge disembarked, flanked by his four sons—Ichiji, Niji, Yonji, and Reiju—and an entire squadron of clone soldiers, their armor glinting under the morning sun.
Judge's figure loomed tall above the others, a monarch both feared and revered. His sharp gaze swept the surroundings with indifference, until it finally landed in the distance.
His eyes narrowed. A flash of disdain.
"Hmph... the Navy."
Ahead, a disciplined formation of over a thousand Marine soldiers had assembled at the harbor, guns raised in synchronized unison. At the forefront stood Commander Yara, eyes sharp and vigilant, jaw tense with apprehension.
Despite the pressure bearing down on her, Yara stepped forward with the firm posture befitting a naval officer and spoke clearly:
"This is Donzik Island, home of the P-5 Naval Branch Base, a territory under the jurisdiction of the World Government. As an ally nation, King Judge of the Germa Kingdom, may I ask—what is your purpose here?"
He invoked both the authority of the World Government and Judge's alliance status, hoping to force him into caution.
But Judge merely scoffed. The kings of the allied nations he'd previously slaughtered were also under World Government protection—yet not a single word of protest had come from the top.
As far as Judge was concerned, power alone made the rules.
He cast a disinterested glance at the soldiers, then fixed his cold gaze on Yara. His voice was flat and emotionless:
"Where are my things?"
Yara's face stiffened. Judge hadn't even acknowledged the threat behind his words. His gut twisted. This wasn't going to end peacefully.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he replied, forcing his voice to stay steady.
A chilling light sparked in Judge's eyes. His tone dropped.
"Don't play dumb with me, Navy. If you don't hand them over, this entire island will vanish."
"Are you... threatening the Marines?" Yara asked, his voice low, laced with both fury and dread.
"Threat?" Judge sneered, his gaze condescending. "No, Marine... I'm stating a fact."
"If the Navy fails to comply... then this base, this town, and every living thing on this island will be reduced to ash under Germa's artillery."