The sky gradually lost its vibrant colors, turning a dull gray. The waves along the shore unleashed their immense power, and the sea grew increasingly turbulent. The sea wind blew freely, whipping up sand, leaving only the oppressive twilight and an ever-expanding horizon.
The once-bustling port was now deserted. All semblance of normalcy was about to be shattered.
On the eve of the tsunami, the world seemed to hold its breath. Birds no longer skimmed the low skies, and even the most mischievous seagulls sensed the ominous signs and hurried back to their nests. The evening wind carried a faint mist and an almost imperceptible strange odor—nature's truest warning.
Renji stood on the corridor, leaning against the railing, his gaze piercing through the swaying lights to watch the churning waves. He tightened his coat to ward off the night's chill.
The tension in Water 7 was like a rope on the shore, soaked by the tide and growing taut with each passing moment. The air was thick with anticipation, making it hard for everyone to breathe.
They knew they were on the frontlines of this impending storm. The damp, salty air was a clear sign that the tsunami was coming.
The waves began to rhythmically crash against the rocks, like a grand orchestra playing the prelude to fate. Through the blurry night, Renji and his companions could feel every tremor on the water's surface. Each wave seemed to cry out a warning of the impending surge.
At this moment, all of nature was preparing for the spectacular scene about to unfold. The sea wind, the waves, and the darkening sky all became part of the silent melody heralding the tsunami's arrival.
"..."
"An annual tsunami..." Renji leaned against the doorframe, marveling at the grandeur of the scene.
Tom stood nearby, arms crossed, and sighed. "Our economy here has never been strong, and the annual tsunami only makes life harder for the people."
He recalled the helpless eyes and trembling figures. Whenever he spoke of the devastation, his lips would quiver involuntarily. "Fishermen lose their boats, merchants lose their shops. Tourism on this island develops slowly, and during this time of year, even the tourists stop coming."
Renji listened quietly, his expression shifting from empathy to solemnity. The light in his eyes reflected both his understanding of the old man's experiences and his determination for the future.
He knew the tsunami brought more than just economic losses. It was the collapse of the island's ecosystem and its economic backbone. Many would lose their livelihoods and starve on the streets.
"But we won't be crushed by these things," Tom said, his voice firm and resolute.
Standing tall, he was like an unshakable pillar, his gaze steady and unwavering. He gently patted Renji's shoulder. "I believe that through our collective efforts, we can not only revive this island but make it thrive even more."
Renji pondered for a moment, realizing that Tom had already begun researching the sea train. For Tom, the world's greatest shipwright, building ships alone was no longer enough to satisfy his creative drive. He wanted to create something that would transform the island.
"..."
Tom glanced at the sky and turned to Renji and his companions. "It's about time. Follow me to higher ground to take shelter from the tsunami."
"We have a dedicated resting place up there where no one will disturb us."
At the shipyard, the members of Tom's Workshop were already prepared, carrying only the essentials. They were familiar with the evacuation process and understood why they were leaving so late. None of them complained.
They knew exactly what kind of man Tom was.
"Let's move out."
Tom led the group down an inconspicuous path that wound its way to their shelter. Renji and his companions followed. The path was rugged and overgrown with weeds, clearly neglected for a long time.
After a winding half-hour journey, they reached the island's summit.
At the highest peak, the air seemed to solidify into heavy waves. Standing there, Renji saw the clouds on the horizon gather into a dark, oppressive mass, swirling low and menacingly above the sea.
It was the calm before the tsunami—a restless silence foretelling the coming storm.
An invisible pressure weighed on them, as if the entire island trembled in fear.
Renji closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and let his breathing synchronize with the surging energy of the world around him. Amidst the chaos, he sought a sense of transcendence.
When he opened his eyes, his pupils reflected the towering waves accumulating on the distant horizon.
Lightning snaked through the dark clouds, accompanied by rolling thunder, heralding the unstoppable force of nature.
The signs of the tsunami grew more pronounced. The trees on the island seemed to sense the threat, swaying wildly in the wind, their rustling leaves issuing a warning.
BOOM!!!!
The tsunami surged forward like a monstrous beast, its waves hundreds of meters high, carrying the power to devour everything in its path. It mercilessly crashed against the buildings on the island's outskirts.
In that moment, the world seemed to lose all color, leaving only the white fury of the waves and the blackness of the night.
The buildings appeared fragile in the face of such unpredictable natural force. Houses were swept away like toys by a giant's hand, their wooden structures disintegrating like paper under the water's impact, vanishing into the raging waves.
Even the seemingly sturdy concrete buildings groaned under the immense pressure, their heartbreaking creaks suggesting they might collapse at any moment.
The sounds of shattering windows, twisting metal, and splintering wood all blended into the roar of the waves.
The streets turned into rivers, and out-of-control boats drifted aimlessly in the dark night.
"This is bad!" someone in the crowd shouted in alarm.
This tsunami was larger than any before. The people of Water 7 had gathered at the island's highest point, but the waves were now threatening to reach the platform.
Panic spread among the crowd. The cold, wet breath of the tsunami was already upon them. Screams erupted as people clung to anything they could find for support, though deep down, they knew it might not be enough.
The howling wind and the roar of the waves nearly drowned out every breath, but the rhythm of their heartbeats grew even more frantic.
And then...
SLASH!!!
A flash of cold light cut through the dim sky, a blue streak slicing through the air.
The colossal tsunami, hundreds of meters high, was split in two.
Witnessing the tsunami, which could have easily claimed tens of thousands of lives, being effortlessly neutralized, everyone's eyes widened in disbelief.
Behind the square, tens of thousands of people stood with their mouths agape, too stunned to make a sound.
They watched as the massive scar that had split the sea in two slowly faded away.
....
....