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That faint wisp of life energy was barely there, thinner than a strand of hair, something most people wouldn't even notice.
But under the effect of Life Return, Kyle sensed it clearly.
It meant he'd reached an entirely new realm of control over his own body.
Once a body reached superhuman levels, one could begin practicing the Six Styles. Life Return, though, was what allowed a user to freely command every part of themselves.
"Limbs, hair, internal organs… anything I focus my will on, I can control."
Kyle quickly grasped just how powerful this skill truly was.
He focused his thoughts on his hair, ordering it to grow. A heartbeat later, it lengthened at a speed visible to the naked eye, going from a short buzz cut to a curtain of hair spilling across the ground.
Then he willed it to harden. His hair instantly turned as tough as steel, sturdy enough to be used as a weapon.
He kept experimenting, channeling intent into his organs. His stomach began secreting acid at an accelerated rate, digestion strengthened, nutrients processed in moments to fuel his body.
He pushed intent into his fingers, his nails, his skin, even… lower.
A smile slowly crept across his face as he experienced the wonders of Life Return.
In a way, this unique skill granted his body superhuman abilities on a completely different level.
Imagine a person achieving absolute control over every part of themselves. What would they become?
"All of my talents, every detail of my physique… completely clear to me."
"For example, I have a natural affinity for Armament Haki, and I was born with the potential for a king, so I awakened Conqueror's Haki."
"But for Observation Haki…"
Kyle now understood himself fully.
He did have talent, but it lay mainly in Conqueror's and Armament Haki. He had some aptitude for Observation Haki too, but not much.
Which meant mastering Observation Haki was going to take a long time.
"So that's why it took me more than two years just to learn Paper Arts?"
His ability to sense the outside world was lacking—or maybe he just wasn't gifted in that direction.
But it didn't bother him much. Whether he had Observation Haki or not wouldn't change his path too much.
"Besides, I've been at the Navy Academy for two years now."
"It's time to graduate."
He sighed.
He'd learned everything he needed. Staying longer wouldn't give him anything new.
He turned toward the academy to complete the early-graduation assessment.
Written exam, physical test—he passed easily.
"Congratulations, Major General Kyle. You've officially completed the Navy Academy curriculum."
"We wish you smooth sailing in your future naval career."
A blonde officer with long wavy hair and a sweet smile handed him his diploma. Her soft fingers brushed his palm as she slipped him a small note.
Kyle paused, then gave a mild smile and left.
Outside the academy, the note drew a neat arc through the air before landing in a nearby trash bin.
Over his two years at the academy, teachers and staff handing him notes in private had practically become routine. His tall, built physique was apparently very enticing to the academy's women.
But after leaving, he suddenly felt a bit lost.
Before entering the academy, he'd always followed Garp around. Now Garp wasn't here, and for a moment, Kyle honestly didn't know what he should do.
After a short hesitation, he decided to ask his teacher.
"Brat, spit it out already."
"I'm busy! Roger's probably about to become the Pirate King!"
Garp's impatient voice came through the Den-Den Mushi.
"Huh?"
Kyle froze.
Then it clicked. He'd been at the academy for two years. It was Year 1499 of the Sea Circle Calendar. This was the moment Roger reached Laugh Tale and became Pirate King.
Garp's words made his chest tighten in awe.
Had he really reached the moment when history was about to unfold?
Roger would become Pirate King, dissolve his crew, surrender himself, and trigger Shiki's rampage on Marineford. Events that were once just flashbacks in the original story were about to become reality right in front of him.
"Brat, are you talking or not? If not, I'm hanging up!"
Garp barked again.
"I just graduated from the Navy Academy," Kyle snapped back to reality. "So I wanted to ask… what should I do next?"
"What? You already graduated?"
Garp sounded surprised, then thoughtful.
"Has it been two years already?"
"Normally, graduates would be assigned to the branches across the four seas or the Grand Line."
"But you were already a major general before entering the academy, so you have a lot more freedom."
He paused, then asked with interest:
"So, kid, do you want to run a fortress, manage troops, keep an entire region stable…"
"Or do you want to live freely like me?"
Kyle blinked.
Of course. This was a crossroads for every marine.
The navy was spread across the world, maintaining order. Officers below the rank of general were normally assigned to branch bases in the Four Seas or Grand Line.
But general-level officers were considered high-ranking. With strength came freedom.
They could become commanders of a fortress, second-in-command somewhere, or roam the seas like Garp.
"If you want to become a fortress commander and enjoy holding real military power, apply to Kong."
Garp's amused tone made Kyle laugh.
"Or you could be like me, get your own warship, take on missions across the sea, and live your own way."
Kyle nodded. "I understand."
And he made his decision almost immediately.
"I want freedom. I want to live like you."
Garp burst into loud laughter on the other end, then hung up.
To live quietly and comfortably as a fortress commander, or roam freely and feel the thrill of the world?
He'd heard all about these two paths in the academy.
Some cadets excelled in the branches and rose quickly to general rank, then returned to headquarters or chose to command a fortress.
A fortress commander was basically a regional lord with absolute authority.
There were plenty of back-alley deals and hidden benefits. Great pay, high status.
But Kyle wanted none of it.
"My strength still isn't at its peak."
"I haven't fully mastered the Six Styles."
"I need endless battles, life-and-death moments. That's where I belong."
The wind brushed past him as he stood at a high lookout. The magnificent Marineford stretched beneath him, the inner bay and the Gate of Justice beyond it, and further still the endless ocean.
His calm eyes began to shine, deepening with resolve.
"Since I came to this world…"
"I should do something meaningful."
With his growing strength and two years of living here, some blurry seed inside him had finally started to sprout.
"..."
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