Naval Battle Moby Dick

[Gambit]

@Ichimonji​

As the smoke cleared and the echoes of gunfire faded, the battlefield stood still, a scene of devastation and triumph frozen in time. Izo’s body, lifeless but still radiating an aura of victory, lay sprawled on the deck, his bullet having found its mark in Hagiri’s chest. Yet, fate had other plans. With a shallow breath, Hagiri clung to life, his resolve unwavering even in the face of near-certain death.

Seaman, watching the events unfold with bated breath, snapped back to reality. His heart pounded in his chest as he dashed toward Hagiri, desperation fueling his every step. The young sniper, despite his grievous wound, remained conscious, his eyes locked on the sky above as if searching for something beyond the clouds. Seaman knelt beside him, the gravity of the moment weighing heavily on his shoulders. He could see the blood seeping through Hagiri's clothes, but there was something else in the sniper's gaze—a mixture of pain, defiance, and a strange sense of satisfaction.

With trembling hands, Seaman tried to stabilize Hagiri, applying pressure to the wound. "Stay with me, Hagiri! You’re not dying here, not like this!" he urged, his voice a blend of fear and hope.



But Hagiri's thoughts were already drifting, the world around him fading as he teetered on the brink of unconsciousness. The image of Izo’s grinning face flashed in his mind, a final taunt from a rival he had come to respect. But there was no time to dwell on it. The darkness claimed him.

Elsewhere in the New World

Spoiler

Transitioning to a new chapter/island

The scene shifted to a quiet island far from the battlefield, where the sounds of nature starkly contrasted with the violence that had just taken place. The forest was thick with mist, shrouding the landscape in an eerie silence. In a small clearing, Hagiri awoke, his body aching with every breath. The pain in his chest was a constant reminder of the battle he had just survived. He tried to sit up but found his movements restricted by bandages wrapped tightly around his torso.

A shadow loomed over him, and as he looked up, he saw only the legs of a man approaching. The figure slowly lowered himself to sit beside Hagiri, revealing a familiar face—Doctor Kamiya, a man of few words but profound skill. His presence was calm, almost serene, as if the chaos of the world didn’t touch him.



"You’re finally awake," Kamiya said, his voice low and steady. "You’ve been out for a while."

Hagiri nodded weakly, his mind still foggy. "Where… where are we?"

"Somewhere safe, away from the battle," Kamiya replied, glancing around the quiet forest. "It’s quiet here. Too quiet. You know what that means, right?"

Hagiri managed a faint smile. "Yeah. There could be other creatures… not human… living nearby."

Kamiya chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You always were the paranoid one. But you’re right. It’s best to be cautious."

They fell into a comfortable silence, the stillness of the forest a stark contrast to the violence of the duel. After a moment, Kamiya broke the silence, his gaze fixed on the bullet wound in Hagiri’s chest.



"That was a serious wound," he said, almost in admiration. "I’ve cut open hundreds of people, but this… this is something else. Izo was precise, almost surgical with his attack. He didn’t hit any of your vital organs or major muscles. It’s as if he knew exactly where to strike to bring you down without killing you."



Hagiri’s expression was unreadable as he processed Kamiya’s words. "Izo… he was stronger than me. I knew that. But even so, it didn’t feel like I was going to lose. There were so many variables, so many miracles that unfolded. It was… fun, in its own way."

Kamiya stood up, brushing the dirt from his clothes. "You’re a strange one, Hagiri. But that’s what makes you dangerous. I need to check on Sun Wukong and Kallavan, see what’s become of those captive pirates."

He paused, turning back to Hagiri. "What about you? What’s your next move?"

Hagiri stared up at the sky, lost in thought. "The usual. Carry on the will of the powder and the pistol," he said, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he remembered Izo’s smiling face. "I think I’ll stay on this island for a while."



Kamiya nodded, a ghost of a smile crossing his lips. "Sounds like a plan. As for me… who knows? It’ll be like walking through this mist. Uncertain, but intriguing."

Without another word, Kamiya turned and walked away, his figure slowly disappearing into the mist. Hagiri watched him go, the weight of the recent events still heavy on his shoulders, but for the first time in a long while, he felt a strange sense of peace. The duel was over, but the journey was far from finished.