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Ohara.
This island in the West Blue had recently drawn repeated attention from various branches of the World Government. It was already pushing dangerously close to their bottom line.
"His prestige within the Navy is extremely high," someone said in a low voice.
"That's precisely why we're still willing to tolerate him for now."
"But if—"
The words stopped there. The five figures fell silent once more.
"Sooner or later, he'll have to make a choice."
After a long pause, a faint, almost ethereal voice echoed through the palace.
Meanwhile, in the South Blue.
The operation to track down Roger's bloodline had run into its greatest obstacle yet, all because of Kyle's sudden decision to wipe an island off the map.
Still, the mission was not officially over. The Navy continued making its final attempts.
When the forces that arrived at Baterilla Island saw the scorched, forbidden zone crackling with arcs of lightning, the shock that rippled through the ranks was impossible to contain.
"It was like a natural disaster!"
"You can't imagine how terrifying that scene was!"
"The entire island was destroyed. Only the Ancient Weapons from legend were supposed to be capable of something like that!"
"Vice Admiral Kyle snapped!"
Rumors spread like wildfire through the Navy. Some spoke in awe, others in fear, and before long, people were calling Kyle the God of Thunder.
Not long after, Kyle's squad returned to their temporary base.
It was said that on that very day, Admiral Sengoku and Vice Admiral Kyle had a heated argument. Whatever happened between them, it ended quickly.
The search for Roger's bloodline resumed.
Yet after another full month, there were still no new leads.
Around that time, a set of remarks attributed to Vice Admiral Kyle began circulating within the Navy.
"Chasing nothing but rumors, wasting this much time and burning through so much manpower and resources."
"Is a mere remnant of Roger's bloodline really enough to scare you all this badly?"
"It's ridiculous."
"If Roger truly left behind a bloodline that one day threatens the world…"
"Then I'll personally go and capture him."
The words were firm, ringing with confidence. They spread instantly through the Navy, igniting fervor among countless officers. Paired with his earlier declaration to the world, they gave rise to a new wave of young admirers who openly called themselves Kyle fans.
"Vice Admiral Kyle is right!"
"Even if the information is real, Roger's bloodline would only be an unborn child right now."
"Are we, the Navy, really supposed to fear a baby?"
In no time at all, this sentiment swept through the ranks.
At the head of the South Blue operation, Sengoku frowned deeply.
He could tell at a glance that the recent shift in opinion was anything but natural, and it wasn't hard for him to trace its source.
But by then, it no longer mattered.
The World Government unexpectedly softened its stance the very next day.
And so, the operation targeting Roger's bloodline, which had lasted a full three months, was finally brought to an end. Officially, it was due to special circumstances and internal pressure. Unofficially, it was because the Navy itself could no longer sustain it.
The civilians of the South Blue breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Even many of the headquarters officers who had been deployed showed clear signs of relief.
Most of them had joined the Navy guided by ideals of justice and dreams of protecting others. By the later stages, this operation had begun to stray far from those ideals.
Especially chilling was the order that had circulated internally, calling for the execution of innocent pregnant women. It sent a cold shiver through countless officers.
"Is this really the justice we're fighting for?"
"There's no way Vice Admiral Kyle, who talks about equality and justice, would ever carry out such an order!"
"Destroying Baterilla Island while evacuating innocent civilians was his way of staying true to his own morals. It was also a silent act of defiance against his superiors."
"He's… truly a great man."
Ironically, despite disobeying orders, Kyle's reputation among the rank and file only continued to rise. His actions moved many of the more sensitive young female officers to tears.
On a warship with a scepter-like ornament mounted at its bow, Kyle stood deep in thought. He was well aware of the reactions spreading through the Navy.
From the moment he defied that order to the way public opinion had fermented and turned, the situation had only grown more favorable for him. His reputation had spread far and wide.
Someone had even given him a title.
The God of Thunder.
A name Enel once arrogantly claimed for himself, now bestowed upon Kyle by the world.
"You've earned yourself a great reputation within the Navy," Crocodile said, exhaling a plume of smoke.
"But in the eyes of the World Government's upper ranks, you're probably a thorn in their side by now."
"So what's your next move?"
"Going back to headquarters and staying a vice admiral?"
"I'm afraid the admiral seat is out of reach for you for the time being," Bullet added with a faint smile, arms crossed.
He had to admit, his superior's recent methods were starting to suit his tastes.
Standing up to the world, erasing an island in one decisive strike. To Bullet, it was still a bit too restrained, too gentle. But given Kyle's position and allegiance, it was already impressive.
"This is basically a declaration of war against the World Government."
"Sooner or later, he's going to walk that path."
"Honestly, it's getting my blood pumping."
Bullet's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
The Navy might be its own organization, but it was still firmly controlled by the World Government. As long as you were part of it, that reality was impossible to escape.
He was curious to see what road this powerful man would ultimately choose.
One thing was certain. Kyle was nothing like Roger. The ambition in his heart was far more terrifying.
"My next step?"
Kyle smiled as he spoke.
He slowly turned to look at the people beside him.
"Gentlemen, how would you feel about ruling a territory with me, living a peaceful and stable life for a while?"
Crocodile, Bullet, Ivans (Ivankov), and the others all froze in stunned silence.
Not long after, Kyle's squad returned to headquarters.
The entire team began training in the Six Powers. This powerful martial art, passed down within the Navy, was far from widespread. Only true insiders were ever taught it.
In the blink of an eye, five more days passed.
The weather that day was bright and clear. A gentle sea breeze fluttered the curtains in the Fleet Admiral's office.
Kong studied the tall, powerfully built young man before him. A complex glint flashed briefly through his eyes before settling back into calm.
"Kyle."
"Your contributions to the Navy are beyond question."
"On that point, headquarters is in complete agreement."
The sudden praise made Kyle's heart stir, though he quickly understood what was coming.
Kong, meanwhile, was still choosing his words carefully. He wanted to speak gently, to spare this outstanding officer's feelings as much as possible, and to soften the anger and disappointment he expected to follow.
Truth be told, Kyle had more than fulfilled his duties as a Marine.
His character, strength, and decisiveness were all admirable. Even Kong himself, as Fleet Admiral, held him in high regard.
But still—
With a quiet sigh, Kong was about to continue.
At that moment, Kyle smiled faintly and spoke first.
"I'm requesting a transfer away from headquarters, to one of the Four Seas."
"..."
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