One piece: Without a system, I have to survive!

The air was thick with anticipation as the day of our first real strike against the Navy finally arrived. It had been weeks of preparation—weeks of rallying the people, gathering resources, and formulating a plan that would, hopefully, tip the scales in our favor. We knew the risks. We knew that this wouldn't be easy. But we had no choice. The time to act was now.

I stood on the edge of the village, the sound of the wind rustling through the trees the only thing breaking the silence. The soldiers we had trained were ready. The villagers, now fully committed to our cause, stood alongside us, ready to fight for their homes, their families, and their future.

"Are you ready?" Smoker's voice cut through the silence as he approached, his cigarette hanging from his lips, his expression as determined as ever.

I nodded, a sense of resolve settling over me. "We don't have a choice. We move in and hit their supply lines before they have a chance to regroup."

Tatsuo, now fully integrated into our ranks, stepped forward. His usual calm demeanor was gone, replaced by a fire that had burned away his previous doubts. "I've mapped out their routes. Their main supply line is well-guarded, but they have weaknesses. If we strike fast, we can cripple their ability to regroup."

Selene, always the realist, crossed her arms. "We can't afford to waste time. The Navy will be on high alert, and they won't give us a second chance."

I turned my gaze to the horizon. The day was just beginning, the sun still low in the sky, casting long shadows over the landscape. It was a perfect day to strike. "We're ready. Let's move."

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The journey to the Navy's supply line was perilous. We moved quickly, staying out of sight, using the cover of dense forests and mountainous terrain to avoid detection. Every step we took brought us closer to the enemy, and the tension in the air was palpable. We were no longer just rebels; we were fighters, and this was our chance to show the world that we weren't afraid.

As we approached the supply depot, Tatsuo took the lead, his knowledge of the enemy's movements guiding us through the final stretch. The depot itself was heavily guarded, surrounded by watchtowers and a series of defensive lines. But Tatsuo had already anticipated their tactics.

"We'll hit them from the east," Tatsuo said quietly. "There's a gap in their defenses there. We can get in, cause as much damage as possible, and retreat before they can bring in reinforcements."

Smoker nodded. "You're certain?"

"I'm sure," Tatsuo replied, his tone confident. "I've been where they are. I know their weaknesses."

We moved swiftly, taking our positions along the eastern flank. The plan was simple: infiltrate, sabotage, and retreat before the Navy could respond. We couldn't afford to engage in a drawn-out battle. We needed to strike fast and get out.

The first explosion rang out, signaling the beginning of our assault. We had planted explosives along key supply routes, and the moment they went off, chaos erupted. The sound of shouts and alarms filled the air as the Navy scrambled to respond. It was exactly as we had hoped.

"Now!" I shouted, and we surged forward, moving quickly through the smoke and debris.

The Navy's soldiers were disoriented, scrambling to get organized. We moved like shadows, striking from all directions. The villagers who had joined our ranks fought fiercely, using the skills they had learned in their training. Every blow we struck weakened the Navy's resolve, pushing them back step by step.

But just as we had expected, the Navy wasn't going to let us win so easily. Reinforcements were already on the way, and their response time was faster than we anticipated. We had to retreat.

"Fall back!" Smoker shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "We've done enough damage. We need to get out now."

We pulled back quickly, making our way toward the mountains. The Navy's forces, now fully mobilized, were hot on our trail, but we had a head start. The terrain worked in our favor, and as we climbed higher into the hills, the pursuit slowed.

"That was too close," Selene muttered as we reached a safe vantage point, overlooking the valley below. The Navy soldiers had stopped their pursuit for now, but we knew it wouldn't be long before they regrouped.

"We did what we needed to do," I said, trying to catch my breath. "The supply line is crippled. They'll have a hard time moving their forces now."

Tatsuo nodded, though there was a hint of worry in his eyes. "It's only a temporary victory. They'll adapt quickly."

Smoker looked at me, his expression serious. "But it was enough. For now."

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As we made our way back to the village, the weight of what we had just done began to settle in. We had struck a blow against the Navy, but we knew that this was only the beginning. The battle had only just begun, and the road ahead would be long, hard, and filled with more challenges than we could count.

But for the first time in a long while, I felt a sense of hope. We had done it. We had made our mark. And the Navy, for all its might, would know that we were coming for them.

The storm was no longer a distant threat—it was here. And we were ready.