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Kyle knew his people all too well. Even though their identities had officially shifted to Marines, that pirate edge still lingered in their bones.
Evans and the other four were fine. After joining the Marines, they'd behaved themselves. More than anything, they wanted a stable place to belong, somewhere they could pursue the small, peaceful ideals they held onto.
Crocodile was a different case. His experiences after losing his memories had reshaped him. His personality had softened, and deep down, he trusted and respected Kyle. Even when fragments of the past resurfaced, he kept his old ambitions buried.
As for Douglas Bullet, his thoughts were obvious to anyone paying attention.
First, he'd been conquered by sheer power. Second, he recognized that Kyle wasn't the type to live quietly either.
That was only natural. Monsters like Bullet and Crocodile would never submit just because someone was stronger than them.
There had to be something else. Something they genuinely acknowledged.
They'd all been assigned housing in the same area. The place was spacious, more than enough for everyone to live comfortably.
That night, after dinner, Crocodile and the others returned to training under Bullet's supervision. True to form, it was brutal.
Kyle stood beneath a streetlamp nearby, watching in silence.
As someone with a professional military background, Bullet was exceptionally sharp when it came to training. Even Kyle had to admit the man's expertise.
Evans and the rest, especially the still-young Rosinante, had improved noticeably. Their bodies were rapidly approaching superhuman levels.
"Whatever you want to do in life, whatever dreams you're chasing," Bullet barked, arms crossed.
"Strength is the most reliable weapon to make them real."
"Even if you want to be a useless bum, you still need the power to flip your fate!"
As he spoke, Bullet suddenly shot a glare toward the back of the formation.
"Rosinante, pick up the pace!"
"Do you want to die on the battlefield someday?"
"How can a man like Kyle tolerate someone as weak as you under his command?"
Rosinante sucked in a sharp breath and pushed himself harder.
You could curse him all you wanted, but dragging Commander Kyle into it was unforgivable.
"Aaaaah!"
He roared as he ran, legs pumping with everything he had.
Under the streetlamp, Kyle watched the scene, smiled, nodded, and turned away.
If this training kept up, even eleven- or twelve-year-old Rosinante would soon possess a superhuman body.
For someone his age, it was impressive. Hard not to admire him. Celestial Dragon blood or not.
In the blink of an eye, the night passed.
At dawn the next day, Marineford Headquarters was already wrapped in a heavy, solemn atmosphere.
Two rows of elite Marines stood rigidly along the steps leading to the main building. Their faces were cold, expressions severe, each of them nearly two meters tall, eyes fixed straight ahead.
Today felt different from any other day. Even the officers in the surrounding crowd felt the pressure. Throats tightened, sweat beaded on their cheeks.
The Supreme Headquarters Conference was being held today.
Generals scattered across the world were gathering in Marineford to attend this monumental meeting.
Its gravity spoke for itself. Everyone knew it would affect not just the Marines, but the entire world.
A sea breeze suddenly swept through, snapping the capes of the Marines standing guard.
Every elite soldier's gaze sharpened as they looked toward the base of the steps, where several towering figures approached.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
"Admiral Zephyr!"
Sengoku and Zephyr, clad in white Marine uniforms, ascended the steps one after the other.
The Marines standing guard straightened even more, chests lifted, eyes forward, frozen in that single moment.
As the two admirals entered the headquarters and vanished inside, more figures followed. Each carried a heavy presence, their auras commanding and oppressive.
"Mountain-Cutter Vice Admiral Momonga!"
"Mantis Blade Vice Admiral Onigumo!"
"Boxing King Vice Admiral John Giant!"
"Wait, is that… the Pirate Hunter who split ten pirate ships in half with one strike five years ago? Vice Admiral Tsuru!"
One after another, powerful vice admirals climbed the steps, sending waves of awe through the headquarters personnel.
Nervousness, excitement, adrenaline. Everything surged at once.
Many of these figures were idols to the rank and file, legends they rarely saw in person. Each one was a pillar of the headquarters.
A Marine Headquarters vice admiral was the bedrock of the entire system. Masters of Haki, each with their own overwhelming strength. Every one of them commanded respect.
When sunlight finally spilled across the steps, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a square face and black hair appeared, walking leisurely with a grin. Several figures followed behind him.
"Hero of the Marines!"
"Vice Admiral Garp!"
The crowd's attention snapped to him instantly. Breathing seemed to stop.
Garp climbed the steps, Bogard at his back. To his left walked another tall figure, smiling casually.
"That's one of the monsters of the younger generation. Kuzan!"
Everyone recognized him at once.
In the past two years, the reputation of the three "monsters" within the Marines had only grown.
Devastating Logia powers paired with overwhelming physical strength made them seem almost godlike, inspiring both fear and reverence among younger Marines.
"Wait!"
"Who's that behind them?!"
Someone cried out in shock.
"Kyle!"
"It's Rear Admiral Kyle!"
Eyes shifted again, locking onto a young Marine not far behind Garp. He was tall and powerfully built, muscles straining as if they might tear through his uniform at any moment.
Two figures followed him on either side, Marine caps pulled low. Their faces were hidden, but their presence was unmistakably formidable.
"Kyle, you're late, kid!"
Garp paused and turned back, breaking into a wide grin.
When he saw the towering, solid figure behind him, he froze for a moment.
Teacher and student hadn't seen each other in a long time. In his memory, that scrawny brat was now standing there, transformed into a beast.
"Teacher Garp!"
Kyle grinned and quickened his pace to catch up.
In an instant, Garp's group grew larger.
"Kyle!" Kuzan laughed.
Bogard smiled and nodded in greeting.
"Kuzan. Bogard." Kyle returned the smile.
"You've changed a lot," Garp said, clicking his tongue as he looked Kyle over. He raised a hand and slapped Kyle's shoulder, producing a solid thump.
"But this build suits you better."
Then his gaze shifted to Bullet and Crocodile. He paused, expression turning serious.
"Looks like you found yourself some damn good right-hand men too."
"..."
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