The afternoon sun streamed through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows of the private villa in the Sabaody Archipelago, illuminating the luxurious living room in a warm glow. Kyle was sprawled lazily on the sofa, enjoying a rare moment of peace.
Ever since the completion of his recent "big project," he had felt unusually idle. The World Government was acting as timid as a frightened child, not daring to utter a single peep in his direction. Even his troublesome subordinates had become much better behaved following their "hellish team-building" sessions; they were now all diligently cultivating their powers, leaving him with no one to cause him any headaches. It was so quiet it actually made him want to yawn.
Just as Kyle was about to drift off into a nap, a series of urgent "buruburu" sounds broke the tranquility. It was the specially encrypted Den Den Mushi on the coffee table—a device reserved strictly for the most critical intelligence. Kyle lazily opened one eye and picked up the receiver.
"Speak," he said.
From the other end came a processed, genderless voice. "Lord Kyle, we have urgent news. The Spade Pirates, a Marineford-affiliated crew, encountered the Beasts Pirates in the New World. The entire crew has been captured and escorted to Onigashima in Wano Country. The primary target, Portgas D. Ace, has stable vital signs and is not currently in life-threatening danger."
The laziness on Kyle's face vanished the instant he heard Ace's name. The temperature in the room seemed to plummet to freezing, and an invisible, crushing pressure emanated from him. Robin, who was nearby organizing documents, paused in surprise and alarm as the atmosphere shifted.
"Kaido..." Kyle's voice was soft, but it carried a chilling edge.
He sat up slowly and put down the receiver. Logically, Ace should have been able to handle a Tier 2 threat like Hanevza , but falling into the hands of a Yonko was a different matter entirely. Still, the boy was alive, and as long as a person was breathing, everything was negotiable. Kyle closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them, his gaze was calm, though a bottomless darkness lay hidden beneath the surface.+4
He picked up another Den Den Mushi and dialed. The device soon simulated an arrogant face wearing sunglasses.
"Fufufufu... Lord Kyle, what a rare guest you are," Doflamingo's signature laugh echoed through the room.
"Doffy, where are you?" Kyle asked, cutting straight to the point.
"Me? I'm in Dressrosa dealing with some boring family matters. Does Lord Kyle have orders for me?"
"Drop everything and get to Shambles immediately."
Doflamingo's laughter died out. He was sharp enough to detect the shift in Kyle's tone. "Oh? Has something interesting finally happened?"
After a long pause, Doflamingo's voice returned, now filled with a mix of solemnity and unconcealed excitement. "Kaido of the Beasts... Fufufufu, this really is stirring up a hornet's nest. Lord Kyle, are you planning to—"
"Everyone is gathering at the veðrfölnir," Kyle interrupted, his voice devoid of emotion. "We are going to Onigashima."
"Fufufufu! Understood! I'll be there immediately!" Doflamingo hung up. He knew an unprecedented storm was about to brew in the New World, and he intended to be right in the middle of it.
Kyle dialed a few more numbers, keeping his instructions concise.
"Little Sand, it's time to work." A faint sound of a cigar being snuffed out came from the other end, followed by a hoarse, "Hmm."
"Moriah, stop sleeping. Get up and fight." "...Haaah... who is—Kaido?!" A gasp came through as the recipient's sleepiness vanished instantly.
"Tesoro, I want to make it rain gold in Wano Country. Prepare your gold." "No problem, my King! Art is extravagance!"
"Mihawk, there is a great swordsman in Wano Country." The other end was silent for a moment, followed only by the faint ring of a sword being drawn before the line went dead.
Orders issued from that quiet living room began to spread across the globe. Across the seas, Tier 3 and Tier 4 powers dropped what they were doing and rushed at full speed toward the Sabaody Archipelago. Finally, Kyle dialed Morgans, the president of the World Economic News Agency.+1
"It's... it's Lord Kyle! What can I do for you?" Morgans' voice was full of flattery. Ever since he was almost roasted alive during their last encounter, his feathers tingled just hearing Kyle's voice.
Kyle leaned back and crossed his legs. "Morgans, do you want a scoop that will make the world explode and increase your sales a hundredfold?"
"Yes! Of course!" Morgans shouted, his fear momentarily forgotten in his excitement.
"Very good," Kyle said. "Prepare your camera Den Den Mushi and keep a close eye on Wano Country. There is going to be a grand performance there soon."
"A performance?" Morgans asked, puzzled.
"Remember," Kyle's voice turned cold, "I want every corner of the world to see this. Do it well, and I'll make you the undisputed King of News. Mess it up, and..."
"Don't worry, Lord Kyle! I swear on my honor, I will complete the mission!" Morgans assured him, thumping his chest.
After hanging up, Kyle stood and stretched, his joints popping. He walked to the window and looked out at the calm blue sea. "Kaido... of all the people you could have taken, you had to pick him. I wanted to let you jump around for a few more years, but I suppose it's time to let this boring world become lively again."
He turned to Robin. "Inform Uncle Tom and Eneru to prepare the veðrfölnir for departure."
"Yes," Robin replied, her own heart racing. She knew Kyle was truly enraged, and the wrath of someone at the Apex was enough to incinerate the world.
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