Calm winds, perfect sunshine.
Roger's pirate crew's new ship sailed steadily forward. Though it wasn't yet the legendary "Oro Jackson" of the future, it was worlds apart from that rickety little boat that could fall apart at any moment.
On deck, the crew members each found their own entertainment, while Kyle enjoyed a rare moment of peace.
He leaned against the rail with a fishing rod in hand - no bait attached, purely for show to get some quiet.
Over these two years, he'd witnessed crew members boarding one by one, and watched Roger's bounty skyrocket like it was riding a rocket.
What followed was increasingly frequent "friendly visits" from the Marines.
"Island spotted ahead—!"
Petermoo's booming voice from the crow's nest broke the tranquility. "Wait... in front of the island... There are Marines! Several ships! The lead ship... judging by the flag, it's a Commodore!"
"Marines?"
"A Commodore?"
The deck instantly came alive. Millet Pine set down his barrel and grabbed his massive iron hammer, knuckles cracking; Mugren silently spat out his cigar, eyes sharpening as his hand moved to his gun; Spencer sighed elegantly, as if lamenting the disruption of his afternoon tea time.
"Gu ha ha ha! Perfect for some exercise!" Roger burst out of the captain's cabin, face full of barely contained excitement.
"Hey, hey, they're just a bunch of Marines - is all this fuss really necessary?" Kyle reeled in his fishing rod and stretched lazily. He glanced at the eager "newcomers" on deck, a meaningful smile playing at his lips.
It was time. These two years, he'd thrived on the ship through his "Big Boss" dream and high emotional intelligence, but how could he keep these monsters in line without some real strength?
He wasn't holding his "senior" position just through seniority and smooth talk.
Sometimes respect had to be earned with fists.
"A mere Commodore's fleet doesn't require the Captain and Vice-Captain to act." Kyle flexed his wrists and stepped forward to face everyone. "Perfect opportunity to show you newcomers what a 'senior' can do."
The moment he spoke, the deck fell silent, all eyes focusing on him.
"Oh~" Gaban was first to make noise, throwing an arm around Kyle's neck with a grin. "Little Kyle's showing off!"
"Don't accidentally fall in the ocean! That'd be embarrassing!" Millet Pine laughed along.
"Hmph." Mugren snorted through his nose. He'd heard from the earlier crew members that Kyle was extraordinarily strong, but he'd never really seen his abilities firsthand.
"Gu ha ha ha! Interesting!" Roger laughed loudest. "It's all yours then, Kyle! Make it quick - we've got a party to get to!"
Rayleigh just smiled and adjusted his glasses, watching Kyle's back with approval and anticipation.
With the captain's permission, Kyle wasted no more words. He took a deep breath and crouched slightly.
"Shock Step: Flash!"
"BOOM—!"
A muffled explosion erupted on deck. The wooden planks under Kyle's feet suddenly compressed as he shot skyward like a cannonball! The powerful recoil even made the massive ship shake.
"Ohhhh, amazing!" The crew on deck, especially the newcomers, watched with bright eyes.
Kyle's figure traced a beautiful arc through the air. Just as he seemed about to lose momentum and fall, he stepped with his right foot in midair.
"Bang!"
Another small sonic boom, air rippling visibly where he stepped. Using this reverse thrust, he gained altitude again and changed direction, as if climbing invisible stairs in impossible zigzag movements through the sky.
"Moonwalk?" Mugren muttered unconsciously, then immediately denied it. "No, that's not right... What is that?"
"It's Kyle's Devil Fruit ability," Rayleigh's voice came from beside him. "He can use shockwaves as stepping stones."
Amazed voices filled the deck.
So that little Kyle, who was always smiling harmlessly and acting mature like a little adult, was actually such an absurd monster!
Kyle had already crossed several hundred meters of ocean, the Marine fleet right before him.
Hehehe, young Marines, feel the ocean's cruelty!
He could even make out the panicked faces of Marine soldiers on the flagship's deck, pointing at the sky like they were seeing some alien object.
Good, the dramatic entrance effect was achieved. Next came the spectacular clearing time!
Kyle calculated whether to use "Sound Slash: Exploding Phoenix Cry" to wash their deck or "Light Phantom Mirage" to make them fight each other.
Just as he prepared to act, a loud, bold, energetic voice that made his very DNA tremble came from the flagship below.
"Huh? What's that in the sky? Some weird bird?"
This was followed by the crisp "crunch, crunch" of someone chewing rice crackers.
"Boys! See that ship? That's the hot topic, Roger Pirates!"
"Roger, you can't escape this time! Surrender peacefully and face justice's judgment!"
Kyle froze completely in midair.
His smile stuck on his face as cold sweat began beading on his forehead.
That voice full of... enthusiasm... that laugh... that damned familiar sound of crunching rice crackers...
Sorry, sir, I didn't recognize you just now!
Commodore?
Screw your Commodore! Could Garp be just any ordinary Commodore?!
Look in my eyes! Tell me!
This man who'd been haunting them since their first year at sea, chasing them across half the Grand Line!
He could even imagine Garp picking his nose while looking at him in the sky with that garbage-viewing expression.
At this very moment, back on Roger's ship, his unknowing crewmates were still cheering him on.
"Go! Kyle-senpai!"
"Show them what Roger's crew can do!"
"Get them! Little Kyle!"
Kyle wanted to cry. Me? Go take down Garp?
Senpai's gonna die, you bastards!
Kyle now just wanted to turn around and fly back, then grab Nozdon's head and scrub it against the deck for shouting, "Senpai's so cool!"
"Oh! It's that kid from Roger's ship!" Garp's booming voice came again, filled with the warmth of "meeting an old friend in a foreign land." "You're flying pretty energetically there! Interested in becoming a Marine? I can write you a recommendation letter! Hahaha!"
Garp's unrestrained voice carried clearly to Roger's ship on the sea breeze.
On deck, the newcomers who'd just been looking amazed suddenly wore strange expressions.
On Roger's ship, only a few showed "as expected" faces.
"Gu ha ha ha!" Roger hugged his arms, shaking with laughter. "I knew it! Garp says that every time he sees Kyle!"
Rayleigh shook his head helplessly, though his lips held a smile: "After all, in Garp's eyes, Kyle's the most 'upstanding citizen' on our ship."
In midair, Kyle's face darkened at this absurd recruitment pitch.
Join the Marines? Work for you? Then get "Fist of Love" treatment every day like a punching bag? Do I look like someone with that kind of special fetish?!
He maintained silence, deciding to ignore the harassment with an aloof attitude.
Garp, you're playing with fire~
However, Garp clearly wasn't someone who'd give up just from being ignored.
"Not talking? Are you shy?" Garp grinned, showing white teeth in a smile that looked more terrifying than a Sea King to Kyle. "Evil little pirate, I'll personally let you feel justice's warmth!"
Before the words finished, Garp casually grabbed several cannonballs from the deck.
"Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—!"
No ignition, no cannon, pure arm strength throwing!
Those black cannonballs were instantly covered in deep, night-like Armament Haki, screaming through the air as they became black meteors shooting up at Kyle from below!
Their speed was so fast, force so fierce, they even left long white vapor trails in the air!
"Holy crap!"
Kyle's cold sweat came pouring out. Worthy of being the Hero of the Marines!
Taking even one hit wouldn't just blow him to pieces - the impact force alone would shatter his bones and send him plummeting straight into the sea to feed Sea Kings!
His retreat was completely cut off, dodging space precisely predicted.
Can't escape!
Was Kyle - senpai - Big Boss - about to painfully lose face here today?
Hmph, should I avoid his attack?
Those newcomers behind him were all watching!
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~ Push the story forward with your Power Stones