(If you'd like, I can start posting 2–3 chapters a day. In return, I'd really appreciate your support.)
The moment Fleet Admiral Kong finished speaking—
Kuzan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"A genius in the eyes of the World Government, huh?"
"And even someone that the CP division values?"
He couldn't help but chuckle.
Still holding the Den Den Mushi, Kuzan looked toward the deck.
Not far away—
stood Kai.
Bare-chested.
Muscles coiled like steel.
Veins crawling under his skin like centipedes.
The savage lines of the Ghost Back spread across his back like a demon's sigil—feral, domineering, radiating an aura that simply didn't belong to a four-year-old.
Kuzan tilted his head.
"When it comes to geniuses…"
"Who can you even compare to this kid?"
"Fleet Admiral… that 'prodigy' you mentioned—Rob Lucci."
"How do you think he stacks up… against Vice Admiral Garp's grandson?"
There was a hint of amusement in Kuzan's voice.
In his mind—
Across all the "geniuses" he'd seen in his lifetime…
not a single one could truly be put beside Monkey D. Kai.
Not one.
Even across the entire history of the Marines—
this kind of monster had never appeared.
On the other end, Kong chuckled too.
"That kid named Rob Lucci—I don't know him very well."
"But the fact that he's only thirteen…"
"…and the World Government is already sending him on a joint rescue mission…"
"…means he's not simple."
"The Sword-Lion Pirates' captain, Lowe Gatt, is a 48-million-Berry Zoan user."
"For a thirteen-year-old to dare get involved in that kind of mission…"
"…at the very least, he's not weak."
"And the higher-ups wouldn't send someone they weren't confident in."
"Since even the CP division says he's promising, he can't be trash."
Kong paused—
then laughed again.
"But even so…"
"That kid can't compare to Garp's grandson."
"That old fool's brat…"
"That boy's talent… even I have never heard of such a thing in my whole career."
"Just thinking about it still messes with my head."
"Compared to that, this Rob Lucci kid… might not even be in the same league."
"But well…"
"We'll only know for sure—"
"—when those two geniuses meet."
Kuzan smiled.
He agreed completely.
He was actually looking forward to it now.
A "genius" recognized by the World Government.
A "monster" recognized by the Marines.
When the two stand side by side…
who will shine brighter?
Kong's tone suddenly grew stern.
"I'm warning you, Kuzan."
"Originally, the reason I wanted you to go…"
"…was because I didn't trust that thirteen-year-old kid from the World Government."
"But you…"
"…you actually want to send Garp's grandson instead."
"So listen carefully."
"Kai is the Marine Headquarters' treasure."
"He's a future Admiral-level seed."
"You are not allowed to let him run into unnecessary danger."
"If anything happens to him…"
"…this will be the biggest loss the Marines have suffered in decades."
"With that kid's talent… we might never get another one like him."
"Even if Garp forgives you…"
"I won't."
Kuzan laughed lightly.
"Relax, Fleet Admiral."
"I know what I'm doing."
"This mission is only difficult because of the hostages."
"If it were just pirate cleanup, I'd let Kai go alone without even watching."
"The real problem is those nobles and the 500 royal guards."
"Those pirates are using them to threaten the Rosede King."
"But the king of Rosede…"
"…won't bow to pirates."
"Because once he bows once…"
"…that country will be swallowed by pirates forever."
"So the situation's already tight."
Kong grunted in agreement.
Then the call ended.
Kuzan put away the Den Den Mushi, that same crooked smile still on his face.
He turned toward Kai.
"Oi, kid."
"There's a fun mission."
"Wanna try it?"
"For you, it's good experience."
Kai rolled his eyes.
"Vice Admiral Aokiji."
"If you want me to do your mission, just say that."
"No need to dress it up."
Kuzan: "…"
He was wordless for a moment.
This brat really gave him no face at all.
"Alright, alright."
"It's a rescue mission."
"Target: Rosede Kingdom."
"Goal: rescue a dozen captured nobles, and 500 of the kingdom's royal guards."
"As long as you get them out, the mission is done."
"In theory—"
"—you don't need to fight the pirates."
"But in practice…"
"the chance of getting spotted is pretty high."
"So you'll probably have to fight anyway."
"How is it?"
Kai's eyes narrowed.
"Rosede Kingdom…"
"A kingdom attacked by pirates…"
"And the mission is to rescue the royal guards…"
He really did feel like he'd heard of this mission before.
Kuzan continued:
"The ones who attacked Rosede are the Sword-Lion Pirates."
"About four thousand in total."
"Their captain, Lowe Gatt, is an Animal-type Devil Fruit user — Sword Lion form."
"Strong. 48 million Berries."
"He's got four officers under him, each over 30 million."
"Also—"
Kuzan added casually:
"This time, if you go…"
"You won't be going alone."
"You'll be representing the Marines…"
"…and working together with the World Government's own agent."
"This is a joint operation."
"You can't embarrass the Marines."
"You two — and only you two — will be the entire rescue team."
"So yeah, the risk is real."
"If you want to refuse, I won't force you."
He fell silent.
Waiting for Kai's answer.
If Kai said no—
then Kuzan would have to go himself.
But Kai didn't even hesitate.
"A joint op?"
"With the World Government's elite?"
"Who is it?"
Kuzan raised a brow.
"A genius the World Government treats very seriously."
"Even CP has their eye on him."
"His name is Rob Lucci."
"He's thirteen."
Kai's eyes lit up.
"Rob Lucci…"
No wonder it had felt familiar.
So it was this incident.
So it was this Rosede Kingdom operation.
So… in this timeline…
he'd get to meet CP's future strongest assassin early.
"I'll take the mission."
Kai said it without the slightest trace of doubt.
"Good."
Kuzan grinned.
He'd known this brat wouldn't sit still forever.
"You're representing the Marines."
"Don't let that kid from the World Government look down on us."
Kuzan clapped him on the shoulder.
Kai smiled faintly.
"I'm also curious."
"To see…"
"what kind of 'genius' the World Government values."
"Let's see who's the real prodigy."
After that—
Kuzan went to explain it to Garp.
Garp didn't object.
As long as Kai himself agreed,
Garp wouldn't stop him.
So—
Under Garp's orders…
The Marine warship turned.
Sails billowed.
The giant vessel accelerated.
Destination: Rosede Kingdom.
The kingdom was currently occupied by nearly four thousand pirates.
The situation was urgent.
Every hour was precious.
There was no time to waste.
...
Time passed quickly at sea.
Day turned to dusk.
Dusk to night.
And then—
the next day.
The sun was blazing.
Golden light poured over the Grand Line like molten metal.
And on the horizon, where sea met sky—
a huge Marine warship appeared.
It cut steadily toward the coastline.
Ahead of it…
floating like a shining crown upon the sea—
was the wealthy, sunlit port of the Rosede Kingdom.