In the blink of an eye, Kyle's expression shifted from shock to grim determination.
He gritted his teeth and reached behind his back with his right hand. A pitch-black, ancient-looking naginata instantly appeared in his grasp!
"Whooooom—!"
He unleashed his Wave-Wave Fruit powers to their absolute limit. Beyond Armament Haki, the blade was also coated with a layer of high-frequency vibrating waves. The air around the blade groaned under the strain.
"Come on then, old geezer!"
Kyle let out a battle cry, gripping the handle with both hands as he charged toward those deadly black meteors, advancing instead of retreating!
"Sound Slash: Exploding Phoenix Cry!!"
Instead of conventional slashing, he unleashed this sword technique in a continuous, flowing manner!
"Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!"
The naginata danced through the air in a dazzling display of blade shadows, each strike precisely hitting the incoming cannonballs.
The blade violently collided with the Armament Haki-coated cannonball shells, erupting in blinding sparks and deafening metallic clashes!
Even more bizarre, each strike wasn't just a simple slash—the high-frequency sound waves Kyle infused into the blade exploded violently the moment they contacted the cannonballs!
"BOOM—!"
The first cannonball was shattered by the shockwave less than ten meters from Kyle, the violent impact force spreading outward in a ring of compressed air!
Using this recoil, Kyle nimbly spun in midair, dodging the explosion's aftermath while his naginata gracefully arced toward the second cannonball!
"BOOOOOM—!"
The second cannonball exploded in midair, flames and black smoke blooming across the sky.
The new crew members on deck were completely stunned.
Millet's jaw dropped, and the barrel in his hands crashed to the ground with a clang.
Colonel Mugren's cigar had gone out without him noticing, his eyes fixed on the one-sided "fireworks show" in the sky, filled with shock.
This wasn't pure swordsmanship, nor was it pure Devil Fruit ability—it was the perfect fusion of both! Each slash contained explosive power, precise and gorgeous, yet filled with wild, violent beauty!
The elegant composure had long vanished from Spencer's face, replaced by the blank stare of someone witnessing something beyond comprehension.
"This is... our ship's 'senior'?" Nozdon mumbled, his pointed head shaking like a rattle drum. "Th-this is incredible!"
In the sky, Kyle had already destroyed the third and fourth cannonballs.
The shockwaves and blast waves from the explosions became his new footholds, each explosion pushing him to a new position where he could intercept the next cannonball at a trickier angle.
"Shock Step" perfectly combined with slashing offense and defense as one!
"BOOOOOM!!"
The final cannonball exploded closest to him, the massive blast nearly swallowing his figure completely.
"Kyle!" The Roger Pirates crew couldn't help but feel their hearts tighten.
Only Roger, Rayleigh, and the other veterans remained with arms crossed, their smiles growing even brighter, eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Gu ha ha ha! Not bad at all!"
The flames dispersed.
Kyle's figure reappeared in the sky, his hand gripping the naginata, trembling slightly. His clothes were torn in several places by the explosion's aftermath, making him look somewhat disheveled, but his eyes still stared defiantly at the Navy flagship below, filled with unyielding defiance.
At this moment, the deck fell dead silent.
All the new crew members looked at that figure suspended in midair—not particularly tall, yet seeming capable of holding up the entire sky—and no trace of contempt remained in their hearts.
So that cheerful "Senior Kyle" who handled the ship's affairs with such high emotional intelligence, looking more like a butler than a fighter, really was... a monster.
A true monster worthy of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the captain and vice-captain.
Wait... this guy's eight years old?!
The moment "old geezer" left his lips, the atmosphere on Garp's flagship tensed dramatically. Meanwhile, on the Roger Pirates' side, the newcomers' jaws were practically hitting the floor.
Garp himself was stunned for a moment, then his grin widened dangerously. "You little brat! I'm only in my twenties! Looks like my Fist of Love wasn't memorable enough!"
Kyle knew he was playing with fire, but he'd come this far—no backing down now!
He took a deep breath, firmly steadying his trembling right hand as his Wave-Wave Fruit powers surged again.
Now it's my turn!
He spun the naginata at high speed in front of him, the whirling air currents creating sharp whistling sounds that extended down the blade into the ocean below!
"Whirlpool: Azure Dragon Twister!"
Above the sea surface, a massive water column was forcibly drawn up by invisible power, wrapping around Kyle's spinning naginata!
The vibrations in the air perfectly combined with the swirling water to form a terrifying tornado connecting sea and sky, like a coiling azure dragon!
Within the tornado, high-frequency sound waves clashed violently with the rushing water, producing ear-piercing dragon roars as it swept toward the Navy fleet!
Kyle deliberately controlled the power—the tornado's core destructive force wasn't strong, but its massive pulling force and impact were incomparable.
"Waaaaah—!"
"Help! I'm falling!"
"Oh no! The ship's going to flip!"
The Navy fleet was instantly thrown into chaos, with sailors caught by the tornado's edge screaming as they were flung into the sea like dumplings. Ships rocked violently, masts snapped, and formations collapsed.
"Damn brat!!"
Seeing his subordinates being toyed with like this, Garp finally couldn't stand by and watch.
His legs kicked hard, the deck beneath his feet cracking and caving in as he shot skyward like a human cannonball!
"Fist Bone: Meteor!"
In midair, Garp's right fist was completely covered in pitch-black Armament Haki, the concentrated power so intense it seemed to warp the very light around it.
His fist transformed into a black meteorite falling from space, carrying a world-destroying pressure as it crashed toward Kyle!
In that instant, every hair on Kyle's body stood on end.
Only one thought remained in his mind: I'm going to die! Really going to die!
The "Senior Kyle" who had been so defiant just moments ago, trying to match fists with the future Navy hero, instantly abandoned all pretense of coolness and used every ounce of strength to let out a heart-wrenching cry:
"Captain, save me—!!!"
This scream was full of vigor and emotion, brimming with a desire to live, and it clearly carried across the entire sea.
On the Roger Pirates' ship, the newcomers' expressions shifted from shock to stupor, then from stupor to bewilderment.
Where was that devastatingly cool monster senior who'd just taken on the entire Navy fleet single-handedly?
"Gu ha ha ha... ha ha ha ha ha ha!"
What answered Kyle was Roger's signature laugh—bold and hearty enough to scatter storm clouds.
Just as Garp's iron fist was about to connect with Kyle, a figure appeared between them like a ghost.
His red captain's coat flapped wildly in the fierce wind as Roger held his straw hat with one hand and gripped his sword "Ace" with the other.
"Divine Departure!"
No wasted motions—just a simple horizontal slash.
Deep crimson Conqueror's Haki coiled around the blade like lightning, not even touching Garp's fist but striking through the air!
"Whooom—!"
Garp's "Fist Bone: Meteor" and Roger's "Divine Departure" created shockwaves that silently canceled each other out.
Then an indescribable wave of terrifying wind pressure exploded, forcing a massive crater hundreds of meters wide into the sea surface below while tearing a huge hole through the clouds above!
My brother Roger has the bearing of an emperor!
"Hey, Garp! Long time no see—still full of energy, I see!" Roger grinned, showing his white teeth.
"Roger!" Garp landed steadily on another warship's mast, clenching his fists while laughing just as wildly. "You bastard, where are you planning to run off to now!"
The moment their eyes met, without need for words, a battle that would shake the seas had begun.
"Boys! It's time to fight!" Roger roared.
"YEAAAAH!"
The pirates on deck were instantly fired up. Millet swung his hammer, Colonel Mugren drew both guns, Spencer's rapier traced elegant cold light... The monsters of the Roger Pirates charged like tigers down a mountain toward the equally prepared Navy fleet.
...
Scene change.
The sunset painted the sky and sea a warm orange-red.
On the island beach that had been filled with deadly tension, massive bonfires now blazed, the aroma of roasting meat mixing with the rich scent of rum in the air.
Deafening battle cries had become cheerful laughter and the crisp sound of clinking glasses.
Pirates and Navy sat on opposite sides of the bonfires in clear distinction, yet the atmosphere was strangely harmonious.
Roger and Garp sat arm-in-arm, each holding a massive roasted leg, arguing about something while eating, spittle flying everywhere.
Rayleigh was elegantly toasting with a Navy commander, discussing the brewing techniques of some famous wine.
Gaban and Millet had found the heaviest drinkers in the Navy ranks, engaging in a new round of drinking contests.
Only the newcomers from both sides—whether Roger Pirates crew members or young sailors in Garp's fleet—stood bewildered and at a loss.
Nozdon's pointed head was covered in question marks as he quietly asked Isaac Jr. beside him: "Weren't we... fighting the Navy?"
Isaac Jr. silently shook his head, indicating he didn't understand either.
On the other side, a young sailor fresh from the Naval Academy watched his idol, Commodore Garp, chatting happily with the recently notorious pirate Roger, his worldview teetering on the edge of collapse and reconstruction.
"You'll get used to it," a grizzled Navy veteran patted his shoulder and took a swig of alcohol.
"Senior... what's going on here?" the young sailor asked tremblingly.
"Garp-san and that Roger—this is just how their relationship works," the veteran burped. "Every time they meet, they have to turn everything upside down. If they don't tear up each other's ships or sink a few islands, that's not even saying hello."
"Say... saying hello?"
"Right. After fighting, if they're in a good mood, they'll throw a party like this." The veteran pointed across the way. "Look, those pirates may be awful, but they sure know how to barbecue."
On the pirates' side, Spencer was explaining to the newcomers in his helpless yet elegant tone: "The captain and Garp-san are sworn enemies, but also... kindred spirits in a way. Their battles are more like rituals to confirm each other's well-being. Of course, that's assuming neither is determined to kill the other."
He paused, glancing at Kyle, who was being held in a headlock by Garp and reluctantly forced to drink fruit juice.
"Besides, as long as Kyle is around, Garp-san always holds back a bit."
Kyle: Not true! This old geezer shows no mercy!
"Why?" Nozdon asked curiously.
"Who knows?" Spencer shrugged. "Maybe Garp-san really believes we've got his future Navy admiral aboard our ship."
Everyone turned to look in that direction.
"Kid! Let me tell you! The Navy is a man's true romance! You've got potential—come with me and uphold justice!" Garp laughed while forcefully patting Kyle's back.
"Cough... cough! I refuse! Are you trying to beat me to death so you can inherit my treasure?!" Kyle coughed repeatedly from the pounding, his face flushing red.
Watching this absurd yet harmonious scene, the newcomers looked at each other uncertainly. Finally, a young sailor mustered the courage to pick up a piece of roasted meat and carefully offer it to a pirate across from him.
The pirate was stunned for a moment, then broke into a grin and raised his own cup to clink against it.
۞۞۞۞
~ Push the story forward with your Power Stones