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Night fell quickly, and Capone Bege's "fantasy-level" training methods were clearly impossible to carry out.
Bogard was quiet and reserved, but thoughtful—he brought Kyle a fresh Navy uniform, plus plenty of meat, vegetables, fruit, and fresh water.
"You need to restore your strength," he said softly.
Kyle looked at him with gratitude.
They exchanged a brief glance, and without a word, they let the silence stretch.
Then Kyle began eating with abandon.
Death might make him stronger and heal his old injuries, but the hunger in his stomach was unbearable.
The night breeze was cool, and Capone, true to his boisterous nature, hadn't bothered to consider Kyle's living conditions.
Kyle leaned against the mast, squinting to rest his eyes.
Footsteps echoed across the deck. He opened his eyes slowly and saw Kuzan sneaking over, carrying a thin blanket.
"I thought you might need this," Kuzan said with a smile.
"Thanks," Kyle replied, taking the blanket. Kuzan sat down beside him, leaning back against the mast.
"I've never met anyone like you," Kuzan said. "Just a civilian, yet you dare raise your blade against nobles… against the Celestial Dragons. And you're not even a Devil Fruit user… yet you can't die."
Kyle frowned slightly at the last remark, but there was no malice in Kuzan's tone—just genuine curiosity about the boy's secret.
"Nobles… Celestial Dragons?" Kyle asked. "How are they any different from us?"
He paused for a moment, letting the sea breeze brush over him before speaking.
Kuzan blinked, about to argue, Of course they're different! But instead, he fell silent, thinking deeply.
What is the difference?
Status, position… yes, they're different. But when you really think about it, they're the same. One life, two shoulders, one head. Get shot, get cut, and you die.
His expression flickered, a strange look crossing his face. By that logic, the real monster might be this boy before him.
"You're right," Kuzan finally said with a light chuckle. "No difference at all."
Kyle closed his eyes, letting out a quiet snore. After the day's struggles, both mind and body were exhausted.
The next morning, sunlight spilled over the deck as dawn broke.
Kyle blinked awake, momentarily dazed. Then reality hit, fully awakening him. He was no longer in that old world. Even after more than ten days, he still felt a bit out of place, like he didn't fully belong here.
But he had to admit—last night had been the most comfortable sleep he'd had in a long time.
"Capone… Kuzan… Bogard," he whispered, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Maybe this place won't be so bad after all."
Suddenly, a Navy lookout on the crow's nest blew a whistle sharply.
"Piii~p!"
The morning calm shattered. The whistle was piercing and lasted for a long time.
Kyle stood and walked toward the bow, peering ahead.
"Hey, you trainee! Stop gawking around and get ready for battle!"
"See that island ahead? The town there is crawling with pirates!"
"That's our target."
"Jerseylo Island!"
Kyle noticed another figure in the crow's nest, shouting at him.
Battle prep? How was he supposed to prepare?
Confusion clouded his mind—he had no experience fighting pirates.
Footsteps pounded across the deck. Figures poured out of the cabins, quickly forming ranks. Their faces were grim, serious, and the atmosphere turned heavy and tense.
A tall shadow loomed overhead, and an iron-hard fist came crashing down.
"What are you staring at? Get in line!"
Kyle flinched as the fist slammed into his head. Pain shot through him, almost giving him a concussion. He turned to see a short-haired man with a square jaw—Capone.
Yesterday's joking grin was gone, replaced by icy severity.
"In line! Trainee!" Capone barked.
"Yes, sir!" Kyle shouted instinctively, clasping his head before scrambling to the end of the line.
Kuzan was already there, and Kyle took his place right beside him. The future admiral stood rigid, eyes forward, completely focused on Capone. His gaze shone with clear admiration and awe.
"Emergency mission, everyone should know by now," Capone said sternly.
Kyle froze. He knew nothing.
"Last night, the Jerseylo Island branch was attacked by pirates and lost control of the island in a very short time."
"The pirates have taken the town. The branch's major made the right call—he evacuated with the townsfolk."
Capone's square-jawed face cracked into a faint smile. Kyle noticed the cold, lethal glint behind it.
"Our mission is simple," Capone continued.
"Completely wipe out the pirates on this island. Leave no one alive."
A Navy officer in front saluted sharply. "Vice Admiral Capone, do we know the pirates' identities?"
"Need to know?" Capone raised an eyebrow.
The officer hesitated, then looked down. Capone clearly didn't care for the details.
"Follow the old plan," Capone said, picking his nose casually.
"Yes, sir!" The Navy shouted in unison.
Kyle was still completely lost. Old plan? What mission? And… his weapon?
Nobody paid him any attention. Kuzan just winked at him before rushing off to prepare.
Boxes of cannonballs were loaded onto the bow.
"Let's give them a proper welcome!" Capone grinned, grabbing a cannonball effortlessly.
Kyle watched in awe. That black cannonball was heavy, yet Capone handled it with ease. No wonder Kyle's head still throbbed.
Capone hurled the cannonball.
"Whoosh!"
It flew with incredible speed, landing precisely among the pirate ships near shore.
"Boom!"
The explosion rocked the air, flames engulfing the pirate ship instantly, followed by screams. Kyle inhaled sharply, seeing the ship split in two at the impact.
The warship surged forward, closing in on the shore.
The Navy leapt from the bow like dumplings, weapons drawn, faces fierce.
"Charge!"
"For justice!"
"Kill these bastards!"
The shouts filled the air, the atmosphere electric with adrenaline.
Kyle saw Kuzan dash forward with a short knife, filled with youthful passion.
He looked down at his empty hands, then grabbed a chair nearby, sprinting toward the bow and leaping off.
"Kill!"
Capone, just about to sit down, froze at the sight of Kyle running along the shore with a chair.
"You brat," he muttered. "That's my chair!"
"..."
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