Off the coast of Wano Country, a single-masted sailboat flew an unnamed pirate flag as it cut through the waves at an unnatural speed, heading back toward the first half of the Grand Line.
On deck, Kyle leaned against the railing, the sea breeze ruffling his black hair. The endless blue of the ocean was reflected in his golden eyes. He had just concluded a brief but highly efficient "sightseeing tour" of Wano. As for the ship he had casually hijacked, its captain and crew were currently huddled in the cabin, trembling in fear. Only one unlucky helmsman was left at the helm, steering the ship with extreme caution, ready to jump overboard at a moment's notice.
Is that really necessary? I'm not going to eat you. I'm a reasonable person.
Kyle wasn't entirely sure if his timing had been perfect. He could have just waited for Moria to be defeated, then found him and held a knife to his neck to force him into submission. But there was a world of difference between an olive branch offered freely and a life-saving straw clutched in desperation.
Giving a man a fish feeds him for a day; teaching him to fish feeds him for a lifetime. What Kyle wanted wasn't the future Warlord who would hide in Thriller Bark and play house with zombies. He wanted a true powerhouse who had climbed out of hell, a man who understood the true meaning of "loss" and "power."
If Moria simply crumbled after this defeat and never recovered, just like in the original story, it would only prove he was beyond saving. In that case, Kyle would abandon the idea of recruiting him entirely. The seed had been planted. Whether it grew into a towering tree or withered on the vine was now up to Moria himself.
"Well, I do have a little confidence in my personal charm, I think," Kyle muttered to himself, stroking his chin. After all, a boss as good as him—powerful, generous, and willing to give his subordinates room to grow—was a rare find on the high seas. As long as Moria's brain hadn't been completely smashed by Kaido's club, he should know what the right choice was.
"Ky… Kyle-sama," a trembling voice said from behind him. It was the "lucky" pirate captain whose ship had been chosen. He was hunched over, not daring to lift his head, his voice shaking so badly it sounded like he might suffocate. "A-Ahead… is the Sabaody Archipelago."
Kyle turned and glanced at him, nodding slightly. "Hmm, good job. You've been very sensible."
The captain looked as if he'd just been granted a royal pardon and nearly fell to his knees in gratitude.
Kyle ignored him, tapping his toe lightly on the railing. He launched himself from the ship in a streak of golden light, shooting toward the familiar mountain villa area of Sabaody at a speed the naked eye could barely follow. Left behind on the sea was a long, fading trail and a ship full of pirates who had collapsed onto the deck, immensely relieved to still be alive.
At the villa in Sabaody, the spacious living room was filled with the sound of humming. Sakura and Rin were diligently cleaning every corner, holding rags and feather dusters. The two girls treated this place as their most precious treasure, keeping it spotless every day, terrified that even a single speck of dust might tarnish the home that had sheltered them.
"Sister, when do you think Kyle-sama will be back?" Rin asked as she wiped a delicate vase, a hint of longing in her voice.
Sakura stopped her work and looked out at the sky from the balcony. "Kyle-sama has important things to do," she said softly. "We just need to keep the house tidy and wait for him to come home." Despite her calm words, a glimmer of anticipation shone in her own eyes.
Just then, a golden light coalesced on the balcony without any warning. As the light faded, the figure they longed for day and night was revealed.
"Kyle-sama!"
"Oh! Kyle-sama is back!"
The two girls cried out in surprise almost simultaneously. Their rags and dusters fell to the floor with a soft thud. They exchanged a joyful glance and then, like two cheerful swallows, darted toward the balcony.
Kyle watched them rush toward him, a lazy smile on his face. He opened his arms and naturally embraced the two sweet, soft maids, one on each side. The unique, pleasant fragrance of the girls instantly enveloped him, allowing his body and mind, fresh from a "great battle," to finally relax.
"Ugh… Kyle-sama, you're finally back!" Sakura, the bolder of the two, buried her small face in Kyle's chest, her voice carrying a hint of playful complaint.
Rin's pretty face was flushed. Though she was also in his embrace, she was a bit flustered, content to simply stare up at Kyle with her large, watery eyes.
"What's wrong?" Kyle lowered his head and deliberately blew a soft breath near Rin's ear, making the little girl shiver. "I've only been gone for a few days, and you've already cleaned the house so thoroughly. Are you trying to make sure I have no excuses to be lazy?"
"No, that's not it at all!" Rin mustered her courage and replied softly. "We just… we just wanted you to be comfortable when you came back."
"Oh? Is that so?" Kyle's gaze swept over their charming faces, and the smile on his lips deepened. "Well, I am indeed very tired right now, and I need to 'get comfortable.' What do you two suggest?"
Rin immediately looked up, her eyes sparkling. "I'll give you a massage! My technique has really improved!"
Sakura quickly added, "And I'll go prepare some snacks and black tea for you!"
Watching the two girls look at him with such earnest eagerness, Kyle couldn't help but laugh. He released his arms, took one of them by each hand, and led them into the living room, where he sank into the incredibly soft, almost decadent sofa.
"Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing you," Kyle said, stretching out into the most comfortable position possible. "Sakura, go ahead. I'd love some of your tea. As for you, Rin…" He patted the sofa next to him. "Come here. Let me test these massage skills of yours."
"Yes, Kyle-sama!" the two girls replied happily before hurrying off.
Soon, Sakura returned with a steaming pot of fragrant black tea and a plate of exquisite pastries. Rin was already kneeling on the sofa, her small hands applying the perfect amount of pressure as she began to massage Kyle's shoulders. He closed his eyes, enjoying the long-awaited peace and comfort.
The scent of the girls' hair mixed with the rich aroma of the tea. The sound of their occasional whispers and the chirping of birds outside filled his ears. The pressure on his shoulders dispelled the last traces of fatigue from his journey.
This is the life! he thought. What Yonko? What World Government? What Pirate King? None of it compares to relaxing in your own villa, being served afternoon tea by adorable maids.
A decadent, lazy life was truly the best.
He suddenly remembered something and opened his eyes. "By the way," he asked Sakura, who was handing him a cup of tea, "has Caron been by while I was away?"
Sakura tilted her head in thought. "Caron-san came by twice. When he saw you weren't here, he left some documents and said they were for you to review." She then hurried to the study and returned with a neat stack of papers.
Kyle took the documents and casually flipped through them. He had to admit, Caron was a real talent. The papers detailed the various "reforms" that had taken place in the Sabaody underworld. The "New Order Maintainers" team was fully formed. They had not only eradicated the slave trade but had also established an effective system for arbitrating business disputes. Even the collection of "protection fees" had become regulated and traceable. The entire underworld was transforming from a chaotic mess into a standardized, corporate-style operation.
"This guy is really running the underworld like a business," Kyle chuckled. "He'll make it a New World Top 500 company at this rate."
"Caron-san must really want to get your approval," Sakura said softly as she refilled his tea.
Kyle leaned back lazily, continuing to read. The first few pages were full of good news: a casino run by a World Noble had been shut down for "failing fire safety standards"; the leader of a human trafficking ring had "accidentally" choked to death on a champagne cork in his own bed. All of this pleased Kyle greatly.
However, when he reached the last few pages, his brow furrowed slightly. The document mentioned that in the lawless areas of Sabaody, especially near the Marine base, Caron's "New Order" was facing stiff resistance. His men had been involved in several armed conflicts, resulting in casualties on both sides. The opponents were even better armed than most pirate crews. According to Caron's intelligence, these forces all pointed back to one name: Donquixote Doflamingo.
Kyle lightly tapped the flamingo emblem on the document, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. Doflamingo—the future Warlord, the King of Dressrosa, and the underworld's biggest broker.
This guy's reach is too long, Kyle thought. He needs to be taught a lesson. Sabaody was the gateway to the New World; its strategic importance was immense. It was normal for Doflamingo to have business here. But normal or not, this territory now belonged to him.
"Kyle-sama, is something wrong?" Sakura asked, noticing the subtle shift in his mood.
"Trouble?" Kyle laughed. He casually closed the document and tossed it aside. "Not really. Just a noisy bird who thinks he can flap his wings wherever he wants." He picked up his teacup and took a slow sip. "It seems I'll have to pay him a personal visit in a couple of days. Deliver some 'warmth' and teach him some manners."
After dealing with work, Kyle picked up a stack of old newspapers that the girls had collected for him. While enjoying Rin's massage, he casually browsed the world's news. He yawned as he flipped through the pages, but then his gaze suddenly stopped. On one page, in a small section, was a piece of news from Wano Country.
"Shocking! Tomb of Wano's Legendary 'Sword God,' Shimotsuki Ryuma, Robbed! The Famous Sword Shusui and the Samurai's Remains Are Missing!"
Kyle stared at the headline, and a strange expression crossed his face. He could perfectly imagine Moria carrying a coffin and a black blade, cackling "Kishishishi" under the moonlight.
"You really are something else, Moria," he laughed, shaking his head. "A first-class tomb raider."
He recalled Moria's zombie army from the original story. The man's hobby was collecting the corpses of strong people and stuffing them with shadows to make them his subordinates. The list included not only Ryuma but also famous pirates from the Rocks era, like Captain John and Silver Axe.
What a hellish collection, Kyle thought wryly. He didn't object to Moria creating a zombie army, but the man's obsession had led him to completely neglect his own Devil Fruit development and Haki training. The Shadow-Shadow Fruit had so much more potential.
"Being addicted to collecting action figures is a real problem," he muttered with a sigh.
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