Nico Robin sat in the quiet living room, her fingers tracing the edges of a thick manila folder. The air was still, heavy with the weight of the secrets held within those pages. Her voice, clear and possessing a natural coldness that commanded attention, broke the silence as she began to recount the dramatic shifts occurring across the Grand Line and beyond.
"First, we have updates regarding the Marines," Robin began, her eyes scanning the text. "The former Marine Admiral, 'Black Arm' Zephyr, has met with a devastating tragedy. While he was leading a training vessel during a routine sea exercise, a mysterious pirate launched a brutal ambush."
She paused, allowing the gravity of the news to sink in. "The reports are grim. Zephyr's right arm was severed in the struggle. Even more tragic, every single trainee under his command was slaughtered, with the sole exceptions being the young officers Ain and Binz".
Kyle, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened one eye and raised an inquisitive eyebrow. The news of a Tier 5-level legend like a former Admiral being maimed was no small matter.
"According to the accounts of the survivors and internal intelligence leaked from the World Government, the attacker is a man named Edward Weevil," Robin continued, reading the name with a hint of skepticism. "He claims to be the biological son of 'Miss Bakkin' and has taken to calling himself 'Whitebeard Jr.'".
Robin's expression sharpened, her professional mask slipping slightly to reveal her concern. "Our intelligence indicates that his raw physical power and wrist strength are monstrous, potentially comparable to the late Whitebeard during his younger years. However, his mental state appears to be severely compromised. He seems incapable of independent thought and lives in total obedience to his mother, Miss Bakkin".
She turned a page, the paper crisp in the quiet room. "The World Government has already extended a formal invitation to him. They are hoping he can fill the vacancy within the Seven Warlords of the Sea left behind by Crocodile's recent downfall".
Kyle curled his lip in a display of pure disdain. "So, they found a guy whose left brain spends all day fighting his right brain? Someone with a pointy head instead of actual thoughts? It's a classic move. He's a convenient tool for control. The World Government is always so shrewd and cold with their calculations".
He leaned back, exhaling a sharp breath. "That old man Zephyr is incredibly unlucky to run into a monster like that at his age. But in the end, those are internal Marine problems. They don't have anything to do with our goals. Continue with the report".
"The second matter took place in the East Blue, specifically within the Goa Kingdom," Robin said, turning to a fresh document. "Ace's younger brother, a boy named Sabo, attempted to set sail on his own. During his journey, his small vessel was targeted and shelled by a Celestial Dragon's patrol ship. The boat was completely destroyed. Sabo was severely injured by the blast and fell into the sea".
"The Celestial Dragons again?" Kyle's eyes instantly turned frigid. An invisible, oppressive chill seemed to permeate the living room, a manifestation of his rising anger.
"Our personnel in the area report that after he fell into the water, Sabo was personally rescued by Mr. Dragon, who happened to be passing through the region at the time," Robin explained, her voice softening slightly. "However, the news isn't entirely good. Due to severe head trauma sustained during the attack, it appears the boy has lost his memory".
"He lost his memory, did he?" Kyle's tone lost its sharp edge, replaced by a touch of somber reflection. After a long moment of silence, he spoke again. "Perhaps that's for the best. A fresh start away from the rot of the Goa Kingdom isn't a bad fate. Don't worry about intervening. Just let nature take its course".
"Understood," Robin replied with a short nod before moving to the next item. "The third matter concerns Fish-Man Island. Fisher Tiger, the legendary Captain of the Sun Pirates, was involved in a major incident. While he was escorting a young human girl named Koala back to her hometown, he was betrayed by the local residents he sought to trust. They alerted the Marines, who surrounded him. He was caught in a massive ambush and was severely wounded".
Kyle let out a long, heavy sigh as the details unfolded. "Is it really playing out like this after all?". He thought of the Fishman hero—a man who had scaled the Red Line with his bare hands to liberate slaves from the depths of Mary Geoise.
"Did he die?" Kyle asked quietly.
"No," Robin said, shaking her head. "His crew fought with desperate ferocity and managed to pull him away from the Marines. However, he suffered catastrophic blood loss and required an emergency transfusion. The tragedy is that he refused to accept human blood, even to save his own life. That refusal worsened his condition significantly. While he managed to survive the initial ordeal, the trauma to his body is permanent. It is highly unlikely he will ever return to his peak fighting strength".
"He truly is a stubborn idealist," Kyle murmured, his voice a mix of genuine regret and deep-seated admiration. "In the end, he just couldn't bring himself to cross that hurdle in his heart. The hatred ran too deep".
Robin looked back at the notes. "In the wake of his recovery, the Sun Pirates have fractured. A radical faction led by a man named Arlong has broken away from the main crew. Consequently, Jinbe has stepped up to take over as Captain. To ensure the safety of the remaining crew and provide a layer of protection for Fish-Man Island, Jinbe has accepted the World Government's offer of amnesty. He is now officially a member of the Shichibukai".
"Jinbe, huh? That man is a pragmatist. He's smart," Kyle noted, showing no surprise at the development. "In a situation that dire, becoming a Warlord was the most effective way to shield his people. Send a message to Doflamingo. Tell him to keep a closer eye on Fish-Man Island and to favor them in our underground transactions moving forward".
"I will see to it," Robin promised.
"Now, for the final and most critical matter." Robin's expression became more somber than it had been all day. "The Holy Land of Mary Geoise recently concluded its quadrennial World Council, the Reverie".
"Oh? Are those kings playing house and pretending to rule again?" Kyle asked, his voice dripping with lazy boredom.
"This time, the atmosphere was different," Robin corrected him. "There were two primary topics on the agenda. The first was the rapid growth and increasing threat of the Revolutionary Army. The second topic..." She paused, looking Kyle directly in the eyes. "...was you, the 'Wave Guiding King,' Aaron Kyle".
"Ha! Am I really that important to them?" Kyle let out a short, amused chuckle.
"According to the intelligence Doflamingo funneled to us from the inside, the meeting was chaotic. There was a massive disagreement among the various monarchs regarding how to handle your influence," Robin explained. "One faction, led by King Cobra of Alabasta and King Riku of Dressrosa, argued that while you are a threat to the World Government's absolute rule, your forces have actually maintained a sense of order in several lawless regions. They were advocating for a policy of negotiation and 'peaceful coexistence'".
She continued, "However, another group of kings, led by Wapol of the Drum Kingdom, was far more aggressive. They demanded that the World Government mobilize its entire military force—the Admirals and the fleets—to wipe you out. They believe your existence is an insult to the absolute authority of the Celestial Dragons".
"And the result?" Kyle asked.
"The World Government eventually suppressed the debating voices. They refused to announce a final decision to the public. They simply issued a statement saying that regarding the 'Wave Guiding King,' the government would exercise its own judgment in due time".
Upon hearing this, Kyle couldn't contain himself. He burst into a fit of raucous laughter. "Hahahaha! A meeting! They actually sat in a circle and had a meeting to decide my fate? That is absolutely hilarious!".
He laughed until he was doubled over, small tears of mirth pricking his eyes. His laughter wasn't born of joy, but of pure, unadulterated contempt for the system. He knew the truth—the World Government was a decaying titan, rotting away from its own corruption.
"Let them argue until their throats are sore. The more they bicker, the better it is for us," Kyle said, waving a hand dismissively. "As long as they don't have the courage to actually provoke me, let them keep dreaming their beautiful little dream of a peaceful world".
He had far more pressing matters to attend to than the squabbles of kings.
Just as the room began to settle, a frantic "thump-thump-thump" of heavy footsteps echoed from the hallway. The door swung open with a bang, and a massive figure burst inside. The man was covered from head to toe in dark grease and shimmering metal shavings. His hair was a wild, tangled mess that resembled a bird's nest.
It was Tom, the legendary shipwright of Water 7.
Tom completely ignored the serious mood of the room. He didn't even notice Kyle's usual "stay back" posture. His eyes were wide and gleaming with a manic sort of joy. He rushed toward Kyle, his face flushed and his voice booming with such force that it sprayed a bit of spit as he shouted.
"Kyle, my boy!".
"It's done!".
"It's finally, finally done!".
"The ship! Our greatest masterpiece! I just put the finishing touches on her!".
Tom's roar was so powerful that the entire villa seemed to shudder on its foundations. The lazy, mocking mask Kyle had been wearing vanished in an instant. It was replaced by an electric, astonishing gleam in his eyes. He leaped up from the sofa, his hands gripping Tom's massive shoulders with surprising strength.
"What did you just say?! She's actually finished?!".
"Yes! She's ready!" Tom barked, nodding his head so hard his neck muscles strained. He puffed out his chest with immense pride. "She's waiting for you downstairs right now! She's waiting for her Captain to give her a name and a soul!".
Kyle's heart began to hammer against his ribs. He had waited for this moment for years. While traveling with his powers was fast, it lacked the grandeur he desired for his final moves. That vessel—the ark that carried every one of his grand ambitions—was more than just a ship. It was an ultimate weapon designed to upend the world order.
Finally, it was time to show the world what he had built.
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