_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
The sea breeze rolled in, tugging at Kyle's uniform until the fabric fluttered against his body.
He turned slowly and looked at the towering figure in front of him. Broad-shouldered, powerfully built, his head and torso wrapped in white bandages. Kyle suddenly smiled.
"Sorry, but I'm afraid I won't be giving you that chance."
Bullet's gaze sharpened. Then he snapped to attention, heels clicking together as he saluted."Sir!"
Kyle pointed over his shoulder at Crocodile."Go get a new skin from him. And remember, from now on, you're a naval cadet."
"Yes, sir!"
Bullet roared the response and turned on his heel, striding away.
Compared to Evans, Crocodile, and the others, Bullet clearly carried the instincts of a career soldier. He had been forged in battle from a young age, a veteran long before most people even understood war.
Not long after, Bullet returned wearing a cadet's uniform, a navy cap perched on his head.
Kyle looked him over."Even I'm impressed by your physical condition."
Then he pointed at Crocodile, Evans, and the rest."So from today onward, you'll help me train them."
"I'll complete the mission without fail!"
Bullet grinned, baring his teeth in a feral smile.
Rosinante, Evans, Crocodile, and the others all stiffened slightly.
A cadet training officers? It sounded absurd.
But no one objected. Kyle's orders were absolute, and they all knew exactly how terrifying Bullet's combat ability was. That massive frame, the dense muscles packed beneath his skin, held a level of power none of them could match.
Anyone capable of going toe-to-toe with their commanding officer in pure physical combat was rare in this world. Extremely rare.
Bullet didn't disappoint.
The training intensity skyrocketed, nearly five times harsher than before. Crocodile and the others were dragged straight into what felt like hell.
A short physical training session alone left them aching all over, barely able to move a finger.
"Too weak," Bullet sneered.
Then he turned and looked at Kyle, whose body was hidden beneath the white justice coat and navy uniform.
Even fully clothed, it was impossible to miss. The bulging muscles beneath the fabric were hard as granite, his physique perfectly balanced, every inch of muscle and skin brimming with explosive strength.
This man had trained his body even harder than Bullet himself.
Kyle stood nearly two meters and eighty centimeters tall now, and judging by his age, he probably wasn't done growing yet.
His muscles strained against the thin naval uniform, almost tearing it apart. Even the outline of that terrifying, demon-like back was faintly visible.
"Compared to him," Bullet clenched his teeth inwardly, "I'm still far behind."
Kyle didn't notice the look. He raised his head instead, eyes fixed on the horizon.
The warship was approaching the massive Gates of Justice. Off to the side, the colossal whirlpools churned violently. Even from a distance, the roar of the water was deafening.
Soon, the ship passed through the gates and entered the inner bay.
"Identify the warship division."
"It's Vice Admiral Kyle's ship!"
"Vice Admiral Kyle, please dock at Port A8!"
The naval officer directing traffic at the harbor shouted at the top of his lungs.
Under Kaku's steady control, the warship smoothly docked at A8.
"Kyle!"
A hearty laugh rang out the moment he stepped off the ship.
"Enel!"
Kyle turned, smiling.
"Haha, long time no see! You're completely different now. Taller, broader too!"
Enel walked over, gesturing at the massive height difference between them, clearly amazed.
"It's been two years. Guess the Naval Academy fed me well," Kyle said with a grin.
And he wasn't wrong.
Before entering the academy, his height had been about one ninety-five, perfectly normal by his previous life's standards, but short compared to the monsters of this world. Back then, Kuzan often had to bend down just to throw an arm around his shoulders.
Two years at the academy, with intense training, proper nutrition, and his body still growing, had sent his height soaring. He was now two eighty-five.
And with techniques like Life Return allowing him complete control over his body, he was confident he could grow past three meters if he wanted to.
He liked that.
After all, height alone was pressure.
"You've been promoted too," Kyle added.
"Haha, I owe that to you," Enel laughed.
Two years ago, he and Kyle had served on the same ship, later transferring to Garp's vessel. After returning to headquarters, thanks to the clash with the Roger Pirates, he somehow ended up promoted to colonel.
That battle had firmly tied him to Garp and Kyle's faction. With help from a few colleagues, he stayed at headquarters and now had a real shot at becoming a general someday.
Even now, many marines considered Enel a minor legend.
After all, fighting the Pirate King Roger was something worth boasting about for a lifetime.
"Vice Admiral Garp is already back at headquarters," Enel said."And Kuzan arrived three days ago."
Then he glanced at the group of marines following behind Kyle and sighed with emotion.
"You've already built your own team."
"And they all look strong."
Kyle smiled." I picked them myself. Every single one of them."
"I can tell," Enel nodded. Then he hurried him along."Go on in. You're the only famous commander left who hasn't arrived."
Lowering his voice, he leaned closer."Seems like there's an important meeting. All the officers are required."
Kyle nodded, thoughtful.
The two shared a brief hug before parting. They were comrades who had been through life and death together. Enel had even taught Kyle how to survive at sea. Their bond ran deep.
Soon after, Kyle arrived at the headquarters building and reported to a beautiful female officer on the first floor.
"Welcome back to Marine Headquarters, Vice Admiral Kyle," she said politely."Fleet Admiral Kong instructed that once you return, you're to report to him immediately."
Then her gaze shifted past Kyle.
When she saw Bullet, Crocodile, and the others, her pupils shrank. Fear crept across her face.
These people were terrifying.
At a glance, they didn't look like marines at all. They looked more like pirates.
"I'll leave my subordinates to you," Kyle said with a smile."Arrange housing for them. Somewhere close to me is fine."
He'd noticed her fear clearly. In fact, many officers on the first floor wore the same tense expressions when they saw Bullet and Crocodile.
"Ah? Y-Yes, of course!"
The officer nodded quickly.
Kyle gave Crocodile a small nod and headed toward the Fleet Admiral's office.
"Does this count as infiltrating enemy territory?" Bullet chuckled quietly as Kyle disappeared from view, glancing around at the surrounding marines.
"We're marines now," Crocodile replied calmly.
"No need to worry, Bullet," T-Bone said seriously."Just like Sir Crocodile said, we're marines, and we serve under Vice Admiral Kyle. He's highly respected at headquarters."
Bullet looked at the bony man."You look vicious, but you're surprisingly gentle."
Crocodile smiled silently.
"I'm sorry," T-Bone hesitated, then bent forward in an apologetic bow."Did I scare you?"
Bullet was speechless. Then he laughed.
He hadn't been scared at all.
"..."
________________________________________________________________________________________________________