Kyle had already sensed through the system that Gion—better known as Momousagi—was approaching, so he opened the door just before she knocked.
To be honest, he was surprised. Though he was now living in the recruit apartments, he hadn't expected someone with the rank of Rear Admiral to be residing next door. She clearly had some other reason for being here.
Gion looked around seventeen or eighteen, tall with an elegant presence that stood out among the Marines. The sword at her hip—Jinbiiro—spoke volumes about her strength and status.
But Kyle wasn't looking at her through the eyes of a regular recruit. He was a transmigrator, after all. He already knew who she would become—Vice Admiral Momousagi, one of the strongest women in Marine Headquarters.
Still, that wasn't the important thing right now.
He gave a quick nod and said, "Rear Admiral Gion. Didn't expect to see you here. Is there something you need?"
Gion blinked, a bit caught off guard by how casually he addressed her, but she recovered quickly.
"Yes. Admiral Zephyr is waiting for you in the plaza. He wants to test your sword skills personally."
Then she added, her tone sharpening slightly, "And I'll be one of your examiners when the time comes."
So that's what this was about.
Kyle had guessed she might get involved. After all, someone like her wouldn't be curious about a no-name recruit without a reason.
"Understood. Thanks for the heads-up," Kyle said seriously. "I'll be ready."
He wasn't being modest. He really wasn't ready.
He had power—sure. The Gravity-Gravity Fruit had already awakened inside him. But as far as swordsmanship went? He couldn't hold a candle to someone like her.
"There's something else," Gion said, taking a small step forward.
Kyle tilted his head. "Go ahead."
"I heard you received two famous swords from Golden Lion Shiki?"
Ah. So that was it.
Kyle smiled. "Yeah. Vice Admiral Sakazuki handed them to me as a gift after the battle. They're in my room."
He glanced at her hip. "You carry Jinbiiro, right? One of the 21 Great Grade Swords."
That caught her attention. She raised a brow, surprised.
"You know the name?"
Kyle shrugged casually. "Of course. I like swords."
That wasn't a lie. He'd read the One Piece manga like gospel back in his world. He knew the entire ranking system of Meito swords, and Jinbiiro was one of the standout weapons.
Gion gave a faint smile and drew Jinbiiro partway from its sheath, the polished steel catching the light. "Then I guess we share an interest."
There was a brief moment of silence between them.
"You want to take a look?" Kyle asked.
"Only if you don't mind."
He stepped aside. "Come in."
---
Half an hour later...
KNOCK KNOCK.
Kyle opened the door to find a young sailor standing stiffly outside. The man didn't salute—Kyle hadn't been officially ranked yet—but still looked uncomfortable.
"Kyle, Admiral Zephyr sent me to fetch you. He says it's time for your sword training."
Kyle nodded. "Yeah, Rear Admiral Gion already told me."
The sailor blinked. "She... did?"
He peeked past Kyle's shoulder and froze when he saw Gion inside the apartment, calmly adjusting her gloves.
His brain short-circuited.
MOMOUSAGI?! In this guy's room?
Even though she wasn't a Vice Admiral yet, everyone at headquarters knew Gion's reputation—beautiful, brilliant, and sharp as steel. Sailors called her the "Flower of HQ", and her cold demeanor only made her more mysterious.
Guys had tried. Tons of them.
Kaiki, the rising star promoted alongside her, had confessed at least ten times. Each time he ended up red-faced and rejected.
But here was this no-name rookie—Kyle—already chilling in a room with her alone?
The sailor's jaw nearly hit the floor.
This guy's insane...
He didn't know what Kyle did or how he did it, but at this point, he didn't care. He just wanted to become this guy's friend. Maybe some of that luck would rub off on him.
---
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