The chaos at the port slowly faded, as the remaining Black Shark Pirates and some Marines scattered in a panic. The air was filled with the heavy smell of blood and gunpowder. Roger kicked away a pirate who tried to ambush him, shook the blood from his sword, and grinned, revealing his white teeth. "Kuhahaha! This isn't fun enough, Rayleigh!"
Rayleigh put his sword away and looked over the battlefield from behind his glasses. His gaze finally landed on Kyle, who was unconscious and leaning against a wall. "Do you want to pick up a passenger?" he asked calmly.
"Kuhahaha! This kid is amazing!" Roger strode over to Kyle, easily lifting him with one hand. "That Devil Fruit ability and that willingness to fight to the death—they suit me perfectly!"
Rayleigh saw Roger's excitement and sighed, rubbing his forehead. He knew his captain well; once Roger made up his mind, nothing could stop him. It was the same way Roger had convinced him to join. "We should go! The Marine reinforcements are probably on their way soon!"
Roger carried Kyle and called out to Rayleigh. The two of them quickly leaped onto a sailboat docked at the pier that was in just as bad a shape as the Black Shark Pirates' old ship.
After some time, Kyle slowly woke up to the gentle swaying of the boat. Dazzling sunlight streamed through the cabin's porthole, making him squint. He moved, and a sharp pain shot through his ribs, making him gasp.
"Hiss… I survived?" Kyle looked around and saw he was lying on a simple hammock. The cabin was small but very clean.
"Hey, you're awake, kid!" a friendly voice said from above. Kyle looked up and saw Roger's smiling face. He was sitting on a wooden barrel, holding a half-eaten piece of meat, grinning at him.
"You saved me?" Kyle asked, trying to sit up.
"Kuhahaha! It was nothing!" Roger waved his hand. "I'm Gol D. Roger." He pointed to Kyle's ribs. "Rayleigh already took care of your wound. It's crazy that you took down a whole ship of pirates by yourself. What kind of Devil Fruit ability is that? It's interesting. Can it shatter things?"
Kyle looked into Roger's eyes, which seemed to see right through him. He knew it was pointless to lie to a legendary person like him. "I'm Kyle, a Paramecia-type Wave-Wave Fruit user," he said, trying to keep his voice calm.
"A Paramecia-type?" Roger's eyes showed a hint of surprise, then great interest. "Wow! To have so much power and courage at your age is great!" He tossed his meat bone aside, clapped his hands, and looked at Kyle with a bright, infectious smile. "Little Kyle, I like you! Are you interested in sailing with us? Come see what this great sea is really like!" Roger held out his broad, powerful hand, calloused from holding a sword for years.
The invitation was so sudden but felt so natural. Kyle's heart pounded. He looked at the admiration in Roger's eyes and the grand ambition that seemed to fill the whole world. A hot wave of excitement rushed through him. He sat up on the hammock, ignoring the sharp pain in his ribs. His gaze was firm.
"I… I want to be free! I want to see a bigger world! I want the power to achieve my dreams! If… if I can be with you all…" He didn't finish his sentence, but his desire for adventure, for the unknown, and his resonating with Roger's spirit of freedom was clear.
Roger's smile grew even wider, his eyes shining brightly. Rayleigh, who had been silently wiping his sword at the cabin door, looked up at Kyle for a moment, then at Roger, and nodded almost unnoticeably.
"Kuhahahahahahahaha!" Roger laughed loudly, full of joy and victory. He grabbed Kyle's outstretched hand and squeezed it hard. "Good! Well said!" Roger's voice boomed. "From today on, Kyle is the third member of our Roger Pirates!"
"Third?" Kyle was stunned for a moment.
"That's right!" Roger proudly patted his chest, then pointed to Rayleigh. "It's me, Captain Gol D. Roger! That guy over there is First Mate Silvers Rayleigh! And you, that makes three!"
Kyle looked at the future Pirate King laughing like a child who just got a new toy, and he was filled with emotion. Is this really Gol D. Roger? There was no legendary mystery or kingly arrogance, just a pure, unrestrained spirit and a unique charm. He was like a bright light that could easily ignite the enthusiasm of those around him, making people want to follow him and witness incredible things. From this brief meeting, Kyle could already feel Roger's unique leadership.
"Welcome aboard, Kyle," Rayleigh said, walking over and smiling slightly. He was still calm, but the earlier scrutiny was gone.
"Please guide me, Captain Roger and Mr. Rayleigh!" Kyle said seriously, his excitement and anticipation almost overflowing. A legend was about to set sail from this small pirate ship.