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A big courtyard definitely had its perks. Kyle took a slow lap around the place, checking every corner. Nothing felt out of place. Not a crack in the harmony.
Everything looked… perfect.
"Plant the tree, let the next guy enjoy the shade. Guess I'm the lucky one."
He nodded in satisfaction and flicked a hand, dismissing Alvida. Then he narrowed his eyes and looked out into the distance.
"A fresh start."
Being a commander was, honestly, way more laid-back than he'd expected. Aside from dealing with the stack of paperwork waiting on his desk whenever he felt like dropping by the office, there wasn't much to do. And if he really didn't feel like it, he could shove most of it onto his adjutant.
Starting the very next day, Crocodile, Bullet, and the others began carrying out their plans.
Of course, none of the eight took their new positions without a fight. Each one had to prove themselves the hard way.
The appointment battles drew nearly the entire base to watch, and the shockwaves ran through the ranks.
"A Logia?! You're kidding me. A monster like that is joining our branch?"
"Sir Crocodile has the potential to become an admiral, and he's only a lieutenant colonel?"
"And that Bullet guy—wasn't he on Roger's crew? He fights like a beast!"
"Everyone under Commander Kyle is insane. Except those two trainee brats."
"Was that the Six Powers just now?"
"This kind of elite force landing in our branch? It's like they're fighting on easy mode!"
The marines buzzed with disbelief. For some of them, this was the first time in their entire careers they'd seen strength on this level.
Kyle stood high above the training grounds, watching from a distance, face calm as ever.
Beside him, Alvida's usually composed expression had cracked into open amazement. Even she was stunned by the sheer power of the squad under his command.
Buggy and Smoker leaned over the railing, staring down at the eight men soaking up all the glory. Their faces were practically screaming jealousy.
"I'm going to get that strong too," Smoker muttered through clenched teeth.
"Yeah? Same here. I'm not losing to you, White-Hair," Buggy shot back.
Smoker sneered. "You slack off every day. You might be a few years older than me, but I'll surpass you soon enough."
"In your dreams! I'm Buggy the Great!" Buggy huffed.
But the pressure was real. He'd already been left in the dust by Shanks back on Roger's ship. If he got overtaken by this white-haired punk too? That would be humiliating.
Suddenly, a tall shadow fell over the two of them.
"You brats need to work harder," Kyle said lightly, resting a hand on each of their heads.
"Especially you. You're older—and you've eaten a Devil Fruit."
His tone stayed casual, almost amused.
"The Chop-Chop Fruit isn't some throwaway ability. It's every bit as terrifying as Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit."
"If you can't unlock its potential, that's the real waste."
He smiled faintly.
"And at that point, I might just kill you and find a way to take it back."
The words were gentle. The chill they carried was not.
Buggy stiffened. Shock and fear flashed in his eyes.
"What? My Chop-Chop Fruit is on par with that monster Whitebeard's ability?"
"Then why does it feel so useless?"
Kyle caught the confusion in his expression.
"Devil Fruits don't just stop at basic development," he said calmly. "There's a higher stage."
"Awakening."
"When you push your power far enough, you stop just affecting yourself. You start affecting the world around you."
"Whitebeard became the strongest man alive because of that."
He adjusted Buggy's marine cap, pressing it down slightly.
"And you, Buggy—"
"If your fruit awakens, you'll gain the power to tear this world apart."
Buggy trembled. It felt like lightning had struck straight through him.
"Tear… the world apart?"
From that moment on, a seed took root in his heart.
Smoker, standing nearby, clenched his fists in silent resolve.
Life as a commander settled into a steady rhythm. Calm. Comfortable.
In the blink of an eye, Kyle had already spent a full month at the fortress.
On his second day as Chief Instructor, Bullet doubled the training load across the entire base.
He also established a selection system. At regular intervals, the most elite thousand soldiers would be chosen for even harsher, more advanced training.
The best among them would earn the right to study the Six Powers—and with it, a real shot at becoming stronger.
For marines stationed at a branch base, many of whom had no real guidance on how to improve, the temptation was overwhelming. They trained like their lives depended on it.
But there was a downside.
"As the training intensity increases, our food consumption has skyrocketed," Alvida said with a quiet sigh. "Our overall expenses are climbing too."
"Running out of money?" Kyle murmured.
Building an army wasn't cheap. High-intensity training devoured food supplies and medical resources alike.
"I'll submit a request to Headquarters," he said after a moment, shaking his head. There weren't many other options.
From a financial standpoint, Headquarters supported the branches, and the World Government funded the Navy as a whole. No matter how vast or powerful an organization was, without logistics, it would crumble.
Still, the results spoke for themselves. In just one month, the improvement in his soldiers was obvious.
That afternoon, after a brief hesitation, Kyle pressed the button on his Den Den Mushi.
"Buru buru buru—"
It rang for a long time before finally connecting.
"Well, well. Got time to call your old man now?" Garp's laughing voice came through.
"I heard you returned to the East Blue to recuperate before I left Headquarters," Kyle replied with a faint smile.
"Recuperate my ass. They call it rest, but I'm working my tail off out here! Ever since Roger died, I've been busier than ever!"
Garp's grumbling was loud and familiar.
Kyle couldn't help but laugh.
"You, on the other hand, picked a cushy post. Bet you've been enjoying yourself."
"It's been pretty relaxed," Kyle admitted.
"Hah. Enjoy it while it lasts. You're probably stuck in that fortress for good now."
Garp snorted.
"It's not a bad place," Kyle said lightly.
"As long as you're happy. Your choices are your own."
Garp chuckled, then his voice turned serious.
"Rouge's with you, right?"
Before Kyle could answer, the line went dead. Garp clearly hadn't cared enough to wait for confirmation.
Kyle blinked, then laughed softly.
In the entire Navy, only his old mentor could be this outrageous. And only that man had ever treated him with genuine sincerity.
A moment later, Kyle rose to his feet.
"Guess it's time to pay Ohara a visit."
"..."
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