The Marine ship was no longer distant.
It was visible without effort now.
Moving parallel.
Matching speed.
Carina frowned.
"…Okay. That's stalking. That's literally stalking."
Kuina stood at the bow.
"…They will engage soon."
Kevin replied calmly.
"…Yes."
Tashigi stared at the Marine vessel.
Longer than before.
Her expression was different now.
Not fear.
Not trust.
Just… uncertainty.
"…They are not attacking."
Kevin nodded once.
"…They are waiting."
On the Marine ship—
An officer lowered his telescope.
"…Confirming target capability."
"…Sword users. Three combat-ready individuals."
"…One variable—Tashigi."
A pause.
"…Orders?"
The senior officer replied.
"…We observe until certainty threshold is reached."
Back on Kevin's ship—
The wind grew heavier.
Carina sighed.
"…Why does it feel like the sea itself is tense now…"
Kuina stepped forward slightly.
"…We are being measured."
Kevin answered.
"…Yes."
That evening—
Training began earlier again.
But this time—
The air was heavier.
Kuina and Tashigi faced each other.
Neither spoke.
Carina stepped back.
"…Okay… I don't like this silence…"
Kevin watched closely.
"…Proceed."
Kuina moved first.
Faster than before.
Stronger intent.
Tashigi blocked—
But barely held.
Carina flinched.
"…That hit was serious…"
Kuina pressed again.
No hesitation.
No testing.
Tashigi was pushed back.
Step by step.
But then—
Something changed.
Tashigi adjusted mid-motion.
Not defensive.
Not reactive.
Predictive.
She countered.
Clean strike—
Forced Kuina back half a step.
Carina's eyes widened.
"…She pushed Kuina back?!"
Kuina paused.
Just for a moment.
Then—
Her eyes sharpened.
"…Good."
The exchange escalated.
Faster.
Heavier.
Closer.
Not dominance anymore.
Balance shifting.
Back and forth.
Kevin's gaze narrowed.
"…Threshold reached."
Final clash—
Both swords met at center.
Held.
Friction.
Equal pressure.
Carina whispered.
"…No way…"
Neither Kuina nor Tashigi moved.
Then—
Both stepped back at the same time.
Silence.
Kuina exhaled.
"…You are nearly there."
Tashigi replied.
"…I felt it."
Kevin spoke quietly.
"…Equalization achieved temporarily."
Carina muttered.
"…That sounds like a bad thing…"
That night—
Tashigi did not sleep.
But not because she was confused.
Because she remembered something clearly now.
The Marines watching her.
The battles.
The contradictions.
And Kuina—
A reflection that should not exist.
"…If I am like her…"
She paused.
"…Then what am I becoming?"
Far away—
The Marine ship stopped moving.
This time—
It did not follow.
It prepared.
"…Final observation complete."
"…Authorization pending."
Kevin stood alone at the bow of his ship.
Watching the horizon.
"…It is decided."
Carina frowned.
"…What is decided?"
Kevin replied.
"…Next encounter will change her path."
Kuina looked at him.
"…Tashigi?"
Kevin nodded.
"…Yes."
The sea darkened slightly.
Not from weather.
But from inevitability.
And somewhere ahead—
The line between Marine and personal conviction was about to break