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"Nefertari?!"
The name hit Kyle like a cannon blast. His whole body stiffened, disbelief flashing across his eyes.
Two years ago, he had gone to Ohara himself to ask Dr. Clover about his origins. The conclusion back then was simple: he wasn't from Ohara. His birthplace had something to do with Alabasta.
At the time, he hadn't cared much. He'd assumed his previous body's parents were just ordinary Alabastan civilians.
He never imagined that two years later, his mentor Garp would bring him a revelation this earth-shattering.
"That's right," Garp said.
"Not long ago, the new king of Alabasta, Nefertari Cobra, sent a letter to the World Government."
"In it, he detailed the story of a younger kinsman who vanished about fifteen years ago at Nanohana Port. There was no trace of him after that."
"It wasn't until two years ago, when you stood before the world and said those words—when you stepped into the public eye—that Cobra noticed you."
Garp slurped his tea before continuing.
"It's been over a decade, but he could still recognize your face."
"After that, Cobra personally traveled around to verify information. Only after confirming everything did he determine your true identity."
"Two months ago, he reported it to the World Government and restored your name."
Garp grinned.
"Who would've thought, brat? You've got that kind of background. Gave everyone quite a scare."
Kyle frowned slightly, silent for a long moment.
From Ohara… all the way to Alabasta. The connection was bizarre.
He'd never cared much about his predecessor's origins. It hadn't really been his business.
But once the Celestial Dragons were involved, it became a different story.
And he knew very well what stood behind the Nefertari family.
"D…" he murmured softly, lifting his teacup for a sip.
"What D?" Garp asked, puzzled.
"Nothing."Kyle smiled faintly. "What else?"
"What about the aftermath of the Ohara incident? About me. Did they say anything?"
Garp burst out laughing. "Of course they did!"
"But since this involves the Celestial Dragons, those five old men aren't going to dig deeper."
"More importantly, your strength has made them wary."
His tone turned serious.
"The World Government is willing to overlook the impact of that battle and suppress the negative fallout. They can pretend nothing happened."
"But they have conditions."
Kyle's interest was piqued. "Oh? Let's hear them."
"First, they invite you to move to Mary Geoise and inherit a Celestial Dragon seat."
"Second, they want you to join the God's Knights."
"Third, no surviving Ohara scholars may appear in this world again."
"Fourth, you are not allowed to reveal any information about that battle."
When he finished, Garp's stern look faded into a smile.
"No doubt about it. They've backed down."
"That's good news for you."
Kyle didn't answer immediately.
Four conditions. The meaning was obvious: recruit him, weaken him.
Move him to the Holy Land, keep him under control. Make him join the God's Knights and serve them. Silence Ohara's survivors. Seal the truth to protect the Government's dignity.
What a neat little scheme.
"So?" Garp asked. "Your choice, Kyle?"
He was only the messenger. The Navy and the World Government had begged him repeatedly because of his relationship with Kyle.
"Move to the Holy Land."
"Join the God's Knights."
Kyle set down his cup.
"I refuse."
"I have zero interest in a trash race like the Celestial Dragons."
"As for the third and fourth conditions, I can comply."
He paused, then looked Garp straight in the eye.
"Teacher."
"Tell them this."
"I just want to be an ordinary Marine—one who can protect the justice in his heart."
Garp froze.
Kyle sighed softly. "After seeing the worst of this world, you only want to hold on tighter to the good."
Garp's eyes trembled for a moment. Then he nodded.
"I'll inform them."
He let out a quiet breath, then smiled warmly.
"Kyle, you're a good kid."
"The best decision I ever made was taking you as my disciple."
Kyle grinned. "Thanks for the praise, Teacher."
Laughter echoed through the manor.
Outside, Crocodile and Bullet stood quietly.
"Sounds like they're having a great talk."
"Yeah. Good atmosphere."
"The Vice Admiral himself came," Saul rumbled. "He must be representing Headquarters."
A while later, master and student walked out side by side.
"I'll be staying here for a while," Garp said cheerfully. "I'm acting as liaison this time."
"You're welcome as long as you like," Kyle replied.
That day, Garp saw the civilians and scholars of Ohara. He said nothing, only patted his disciple's shoulder.
But when he saw Vegapunk, his expression changed instantly.
"You kidnapped him?!"
"If the World Government finds out, that'll be worse than this incident!"
Kyle smiled calmly. "They won't."
"I'll keep this secret for you," Garp said gravely.
Even as he spoke, he was shocked by his disciple's boldness. And faintly, he began to glimpse the ambition behind it.
Kyle's response was quickly relayed to Headquarters, then to the World Government.
"He wants to remain a Marine?"
A cold voice echoed in a distant chamber.
"Hmph. That's not all he wants."
"For now, this matter ends here."
"Until we're certain we can eliminate him, we won't act rashly."
"Maintaining surface peace is more important to the world."
A decision was swiftly made.
Three days later, Garp brought the answer.
"They agreed."
"You're still a Marine."
Kyle smiled faintly, eyes narrowing.
The Ohara incident was temporarily settled. But what came next would not be so simple.
"How are Ace and the others?" he asked.
"Doing fine. I left them with Dadan."
"But that brat Ace keeps shouting that he wants to see you—wants you to teach him how to get stronger."
"He keeps bragging his fists are hard as steel."
Garp chuckled, fondness softening his face at the thought of the freckled two-year-old.
"I'll make time to visit him," Kyle said with a smile.
"You've got a mess to deal with here," Garp added. "I won't disturb you."
True to form, he left decisively. Within half an hour, he was aboard a warship and gone.
Watching his teacher disappear over the horizon, Kyle's gaze sharpened.
"Alvida."
He turned to his ponytailed adjutant.
"Sir!"
"Pass down my orders."
"From this moment, select the most outstanding officers in G-18. Promote them."
"Send them immediately to the various West Blue bases as commanding officers."
"As for the original branch officers—"
He paused.
"Have them report to G-18 Fortress for retraining."
Alvida hesitated. "Sir…?"
"Yes?"
"Orders at this level usually require Headquarters' authorization."
"And the branch officers might not cooperate."
Kyle looked at her calmly.
"That's why I'm telling you to pick capable officers. Whether they can take command depends on their ability."
Alvida's heart skipped.
He was moving fast—extending his influence across all of West Blue, taking full control of the sea.
Those he sent would be powerful, bold, and absolutely obedient.
"I'll handle it immediately!"
As she ran off, Kyle called Crocodile and Bullet over.
"You two will be busy for a while."
"Help them secure West Blue."
The two exchanged glances and smiled.
This was the kind of work they enjoyed.
"Also, keep an eye on Capone Bege," Kyle added.
The mafia families would make a fine source of resources.
Over the next month, G-18 Fortress bustled nonstop. Across West Blue, the Marine branches churned in upheaval.
Large numbers of officers were replaced. Those who obeyed were brought to the fortress for retraining from scratch. Those who didn't… disappeared the next day.
Kyle moved with ruthless speed.
Then, the following month, Alvida brought troubling news.
"Headquarters has cut off our funding."
Kyle exhaled softly, gazing at the massive fortress before him.
A cold smile slowly curved across his face.
"Guess from here on out… we're on our own."
At the same time, deep within Impel Down.
A pair of blood-red eyes snapped open. A low, beastlike rumble slipped into the air.
"A single prison…"
"You think that's enough to hold me?"
"..."
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