Caron looked up abruptly, his eyes meeting Kyle's golden gaze, which seemed to hold a faint smile. He saw no blame there. Instead, he saw something that looked like… guidance and approval.
Having spent years in the underworld, Caron's greatest skill was reading people. In that instant, he had an epiphany, believing he understood the deeper meaning behind Kyle's words. This wasn't about his pants; it was about his position!
A wave of intense euphoria washed over him, and his body began to tremble from sheer excitement. He dropped to his knees with another thud, but this time, it wasn't out of fear. It was out of heartfelt gratitude and unwavering loyalty.
"Lord Kyle!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with a sob as his steel jaw clanked against the stone pavement. "I, Caron, am willing to go through fire and water for you! I would die ten thousand times if you asked it of me!"
Kyle looked down at him with a satisfied nod. "Alright, get up. Don't just kneel every five minutes. It spoils the scenery." He waved a dismissive hand and turned to walk back toward the villa. "From now on, you'll handle all of these… unsavory matters on Sabaody. Don't disappoint me, and don't disgrace my name."
"Yes! Yes, sir! I guarantee the mission will be completed!" Caron scrambled to his feet and bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle to Kyle's retreating back.
He remained in that position until Kyle's figure had completely disappeared inside the villa. Only then did he slowly straighten up. The fawning, subservient expression on his face vanished, replaced by a sternness he had never shown before.
He turned to face the silent group of black-suited subordinates.
"Did you all hear that?" he asked.
"Yes!" nearly a hundred men roared in unison, their voices shockingly powerful.
Caron took a deep breath, his metallic throat producing a resonant sound. "From today on, we're not just street thugs anymore! We're not gangsters collecting protection money!" he declared. "We are the maintainers of Sabaody's new order! We are Lord Kyle's direct subordinates! Throw away your old habits! If I catch anyone using Lord Kyle's name to bully innocent people or ruin his reputation, you won't have to wait for the Marines. I, 'Iron Jaw,' will personally twist off your head! Remember this: we follow the rules now!"
It turned out that Kyle had not misjudged him. Caron was a mediocre thug, but when it came to organization, structure, and management, he was a genius whose talents had been wasted in the underworld.
After receiving Kyle's formal authorization, Caron unleashed his full potential. He treated the "Three Disciplines and Seven Standards" as his gospel, creating a series of internal regulations and performance assessment systems that were nothing short of insane.
Human trafficking? Anyone who touched it would be executed, along with their families.
Protection fees? They were renamed "Community Security Management Fees," with tiered pricing based on a shop's turnover and location. The prices were clear, fair, and even came with quarterly packages and annual membership discounts.
Territory disputes? He established the "Sabaody Commercial Dispute Arbitration Tribunal," with himself as the chief arbitrator. Disagreeing parties would sit down for tea, present the facts, and reason things out. Anyone who refused to comply would be physically persuaded until they saw the logic.
In just a few months, the entire atmosphere of Sabaody's underworld was transformed. Street brawls nearly vanished, serious crimes dropped significantly, and even arrogant pirates arriving from the Grand Line had to think twice before causing trouble. Anyone who dared to start a commotion would find themselves in a sack at the bottom of the sea the next day. The local merchants were amazed to find that they were paying less than before but receiving far better "protection."
And the source of all these changes, the legendary pirate "Wave Guiding King," remained a mysterious figure who rarely appeared in public, only adding to his legend.
One day, Kyle was lounging on his balcony, enjoying the rare afternoon sun, when Caron arrived. He was dressed in his usual crisp black suit and held a thick folder in his hands, standing respectfully to the side.
"Lord Kyle, this is the business summary for the last quarter and the Five-Year Development Plan for our next phase. Please review it."
Kyle didn't even open his eyes. "Just read it to me."
"Yes, sir!" Caron cleared his throat and opened the folder. "Reporting, my Lord! Last quarter, we successfully dismantled seventeen human trafficking operations on the archipelago, rescuing over three hundred victims. The total income from Community Security Management Fees increased by thirty percent compared to before the reforms, while merchant complaint rates decreased by ninety percent…"
He rattled on, effortlessly citing data points with clear, rigorous logic. Kyle almost fell asleep listening to him. This guy is truly wasting his talent, he thought. He should be working as a top official for the World Government.
"…In summary," Caron continued, "our core objective for the next phase is to establish the 'Sabaody Orphanage.' We will provide housing and training for the rescued orphans, selecting those with talent and willingness to join our organization. This will achieve sustainable talent development for our future."
"Stop."
Kyle finally opened his eyes and sat up, looking at the expectant Caron. "You certainly know how to find more work for me to do."
"I wouldn't dare!" Caron bowed quickly. "This is all to better implement your grand strategy of 'sustainable development'!"
Kyle sighed. This guy really did treat his casual words like a sacred decree. "Alright, handle these things yourself. You don't need to run everything by me."
"Yes, sir!" Caron was delighted to receive the affirmation. "Oh, and there is one more thing, my Lord."
He clapped his hands, and the villa door opened. Two girls dressed in black and white maid outfits walked in with their heads bowed. They were twin sisters, no older than fifteen or sixteen, with identical cherry-colored short hair and delicate features. The only difference was that one girl's eyes held a lively spark, while the other seemed more aloof, her lips pressed tightly together.
Kyle's brow furrowed. "What is the meaning of this?"
His tone was flat, but the temperature on the balcony seemed to drop by several degrees. Caron's heart sank, realizing Kyle had misunderstood. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
"Please don't be angry, my Lord! They're not merchandise! Absolutely not!" he explained hurriedly. "They were rescued when we raided the last slave auction house. Their hometowns were destroyed by war, and they have nowhere else to go. I was going to send them to the orphanage, but they…"
Caron glanced at the two girls.
The livelier one mustered her courage, looked up at Kyle, and spoke in a clear voice. "We came here willingly to serve you, my Lord! Mr. Caron told us that you were the one who ordered our rescue and gave Sabaody its new rules. He said you are the sun of Sabaody. We have nowhere to go, and we don't want to return to that man-eating sea. We only wish to stay in the one place that gives us a sense of security and do something for you to repay your kindness!"
The aloof girl beside her nodded firmly. Though she didn't speak, the sincerity in her eyes was unmistakable.
Kyle looked at them, sensing their fragility and their fear of the future. He was silent for a moment before asking, "What are your names?"
The lively girl immediately replied, "My name is Sakura! This is my younger sister, Bell!"
"Sakura and Bell…" Kyle nodded. "I don't keep idle hands here, nor do I need anyone to serve me. If you want to stay, you'll have to earn your keep. What can you do?"
Sakura thought for a moment, then puffed out her small chest proudly. "I can clean! And I can give massages! And my sister Bell, she can make delicious pastries!"
Bell's cheeks flushed slightly as she gave a soft hum of agreement.
Kyle waved his hand at Caron. "Alright, you can go now. They can stay."
"Yes, sir!" Caron's heart swelled with joy, and he retreated with a relieved bow.
After sending Sakura and Bell to clean the room, Kyle lay back down on the chair and closed his eyes again, a calm smile on his face. He almost felt like laughing at himself.
Mere beauty. Do you think you can shake my iron will? What a joke! Sigma males don't fall into such traps. Women only slow down the speed at which I draw my sword!
…
Half an hour later, Kyle was lying comfortably on the lounge chair. Sakura's soft hands gently kneaded his temples while Bell peeled crystal-clear grapes one by one and fed them to him.
The sun was warm, and the breeze was gentle. Kyle opened his mouth to accept another grape and let out a deeply satisfied sigh.
"Ah… this is decadent."
Life on the Oro Jackson had just been a bunch of rough men fighting and arm-wrestling. They never had luxuries like this.
Caron, are you testing me with this? What kind of leader could withstand such a test? So what? I've been fighting and killing on the sea for decades. Can't I enjoy myself a little?
Keep the music playing, and keep the dance going!
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