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Capone Bege's "gift" had cracked something open in Kyle's mind.
It sparked ideas—dangerous, ambitious ones.
Still, things had to be done step by step. Rushing ahead would only invite trouble. For now, he had no intention of getting too involved with an organization like the mafia. And if he ever did make contact, it would be on very different terms.
Time slipped by quietly.
Life as a base commander was steady and uneventful. Kyle spent his days reading the paper, sipping tea, occasionally heading out to fish. Every now and then he'd check in on Douglas Bullet and the others while they drilled the soldiers. All in all, it was a comfortable life.
Before he knew it, two years had passed since he arrived at G-18 Fortress.
"Fish-Man Island has fallen under Whitebeard's protection."
"Tom sentenced to death, execution postponed."
"Gecko Moria clashes with Kaido of the Beasts—grave robbery incident reported in Wano."
…
Two years wasn't long, but it wasn't short either. Kyle followed the news closely. It felt as though he had drifted away from the wider Marine system, focusing entirely on building up G-18.
And the results spoke for themselves.
From thirteen thousand soldiers, he had personally selected nine. Each possessed superhuman physical ability and had mastered one or two of the Six Powers. Over the past two years, this elite squad had carried out numerous operations with excellent results.
More importantly, they answered to Kyle alone—and upheld a strict, uncompromising sense of justice.
"Two years already…"
Standing in the courtyard, Kyle let out a soft sigh.
"Hehe, Uncle Kyle, you're spacing out again!"
A child's laughter rang out.
A small boy, barely two years old, came running toward him, clutching a rubber ball. His cheeks were dotted with freckles, his hair jet black.
It was Portgas D. Ace.
"Ah, it's Ace."
"Weren't you learning boxing from Uncle Bullet? Didn't you say your fists were as hard as steel? So, how's that going?"
Kyle smiled.
Two years ago, after bringing Portgas D. Rouge to the base, she had safely given birth. From the moment he arrived in this world, Ace had shown frightening vitality and talent. He had energy to spare, as if he'd never tire.
Kyle spent nearly every day playing with him.
"My fists are already as hard as steel!" Ace declared in his childish voice, eyes burning with determination. "I'm super strong! And one day, I'll be even stronger than you, Uncle Kyle!"
"Oh? Big ambitions for someone so small."
Kyle chuckled. "So you're going to be a Marine too?"
Ace frowned, thinking hard. It took him quite a while before he grinned.
"I'll be a Marine!"
"I'll be the Marine King!"
"I'll be just like you, Uncle Kyle, and catch all the bad guys in the world!"
Though only two, Ace was sharp. He still clearly remembered what had happened a year ago—when pirates kidnapped him and he nearly lost his life.
That day, Kyle had descended like a god from the heavens and wiped out an entire ship with ease.
Ever since then, Ace had wanted to grow stronger.
"There's no such thing as a Marine King, Ace," Kyle said with a laugh. "Only pirates talk about being king."
"Then I'll be Pirate King!" Ace puffed up his cheeks stubbornly.
"Alright, alright." Kyle burst into laughter. "I'll be watching to see how you become king someday."
The kid probably didn't even know what Pirate King meant. He was just talking big.
Kyle scooped him up, leapt lightly—and hovered in midair.
Ace immediately squealed with delight.
"Higher! Higher!"
"Am I high enough?" Kyle asked, infected by the boy's laughter.
"Higher!" Ace shouted in his baby voice.
Their laughter echoed across the Marine base.
"See that? That's the commander's illegitimate son."
"Just took his mother's surname, that's all."
Not far away, Buggy tilted his head up toward the sky and muttered under his breath.
The Marines beside him stared, shocked and oddly thrilled.
The commander's illegitimate son!
A white-haired young man stood nearby, face calm, a cigar between his teeth. He paid Buggy no attention.
Two years had passed. They were now proud commissioned officers, and their strength was nothing to scoff at—even compared to older Marines.
"This is top secret," Buggy lowered his voice further. "You're only hearing it because you're my subordinates. But remember—don't let this get out."
Just then, a flash split the sky.
A bolt of lightning crashed down from above, engulfing him.
"Ah—!"
Buggy barely managed a scream before the lightning swallowed him whole. The Marines beside him collapsed in smoking heaps.
"Serves you right."
From a distance, Smoker exhaled a plume of smoke, thoroughly amused.
Two years, and Buggy still hadn't learned to keep his mouth shut.
—
Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters—Marineford.
"A Buster Call?!"
"They're just defenseless scholars! Are we really going to attack them?"
Now promoted to Vice Admiral, the towering giant Saul stood in disbelief.
Across from him, Sengoku's expression was already grim.
"You are to follow orders," Sengoku said coldly. "This is a classified mission."
"You will serve as one of the five Vice Admirals commanding the fleet, Saul."
Saul's massive frame trembled. "Why does it have to go this far?"
"Is this the justice the Marines claim to uphold?"
"They're scholars who want to learn the truth of history. That's all! And we're going to kill them for it?"
"Then give me proof they're evil!"
"And besides—"
His voice tightened.
"That's Kyle's homeland. If he finds out about this… what do you think will happen?"
At the mention of Kyle's name, Sengoku stiffened. His expression turned even colder.
"No matter who it is, they will obey orders."
"Vice Admiral Saul."
Saul clenched his fists.
He looked at Sengoku. At Aokiji standing across the room.
He knew there was no point arguing further.
After he walked out, his face was dark and stormy.
"Have they lost their minds?"
"If this is Marine justice…"
He lifted his head, resolve flashing in his eyes.
He hadn't joined the Marines to raise a blade against innocent people.
Not long after, Saul returned to his warship. He left a letter with the subordinate he trusted most.
"Send this to G-18 Fortress in the West Blue. Deliver it into Vice Admiral Kyle's hands."
Once that was done, he turned toward the bound female archaeologist on deck.
"If there's anyone who can help us now…"
"He's the only one I can think of."
Soon after, shocking news spread through Marine ranks.
Vice Admiral Saul of the giants had defected.
"..."
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