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For this mission, Kong didn't seem willing to give him much background at all.
He only repeated—more than once—how important the mission was, and told him he must complete it. No mistakes, no exceptions.
When the call ended, Kyle couldn't help letting his thoughts wander. A dozen guesses spun through his head, and his curiosity only grew.
"Another thing—everything on Egghead Island is strictly confidential. Not a single word is to leave your mouth!"
"That's an order, Kyle. You must follow it."
Kong's final warning was solemn, and it said enough. Headquarters was taking this mission very seriously.
First, they were sending a young but powerful Marine—likely to avoid attracting attention. Second, they insisted on total secrecy about the island. That alone showed how important whatever was there must be to the Navy.
Not long after receiving the mission, his adjutant T-Bone came with news from HQ.
"Rear Admiral Sakazuki is heading toward our location," he reported."We're to stand by and wait for him."
Kyle nodded lightly.
Then he glanced toward the trainees gathered on the ship, a faint smile at the corner of his mouth.
He had heard their conversations yesterday—every word.
"Evans."
He called the name casually as he looked down at the seven shoulder epaulets in his hand.
"Here, sir!" Evans answered quickly.
"Gather everyone on deck."
"Yes, sir!"
Evans saluted and hurried off to relay the order.
Moments later, Evans, Rosinante, Jinbe, Kaku, Mina, Patty, and Crocodile stood before him in a neat, straight line, backs straight and expressions tense with confusion. None of them knew why he had suddenly called them together.
Kyle let his gaze sweep across them, then smiled.
"I heard everything you all talked about yesterday."
He paused, and as he caught the spark of excitement lighting up their eyes, he continued with another small smile.
"Considering your recent performance as Marines—especially in combat—I reported to Headquarters and submitted my recommendation."
"In the end, HQ reviewed my comments and evaluations…"
"And approved the promotions."
He wasn't a Vice Admiral yet, nor someone with Garp's level of freedom. Even granting ranks to his own subordinates had to be properly filed.
"From today onward, all of you are officially Marine officers."
The smile faded from Kyle's face, replaced by a firm tone.
"Officers?""We're… not just soldiers anymore?" Rosinante asked, puzzled.
Kyle didn't explain. Instead, he barked out a command:
"Evans!"
The young man snapped even straighter. "Yes, sir!"
"Today I grant you the rank of Lieutenant. From this moment on, you are a Marine officer."
"I hope you'll follow the justice in your heart, and accomplish your ideals in the years ahead."
Kyle's voice rang loud and steady.
Evans stiffened, then bowed his head deeply. "Yes, sir!"
Kyle stepped forward, placed the epaulet on his shoulder, and smoothed the creases in his uniform.
"Don't ever let the gun in your hand lose its direction. You should always know who it's meant to point at."
Evans trembled, then saluted again.
"Rosinante!"
The tall young man almost bounced where he stood.
"Here!"
"You are promoted to Ensign."
"As your superior, I'm going to warn you very clearly."
"Your dreams and the justice you believe in—they both need strength behind them."
"So remember this well:"
"Your fists will decide the life you live."
"So work harder. Get stronger, you brat."
Kyle looked at the boy's tall but still gentle, innocent face—and remembering how Rosinante would end up in the future, his voice lowered.
Rosinante blinked, stunned for a moment.
Then he shouted at the top of his lungs:
"Yes, sir! I'll work—no, I'll fight—with everything I've got to get stronger!!"
"I'll make my fists as strong as yours, sir!"
Kyle laughed, curled his hand into a fist, and thumped Rosinante in the chest. The kid winced, teeth bared—but he couldn't hide the joy that burst onto his face as he laughed.
Next were Jinbe, Mina, Patty, and Kaku—each one receiving the rank of Lieutenant.
Kyle pinned their epaulets on personally, leaving each of them with his advice—reminders of what they should hold on to, and what they must protect in the years ahead.
The last one left was Crocodile.
The young Sand Crocodile stood stiff and serious, tension written all over him, though the barely-suppressed excitement in his eyes still showed through. Back then, he still had both hands—no golden hook yet.
"Crocodile," Kyle said with a quiet laugh.
"Sir!"
"I hereby grant you the rank of Lieutenant, on behalf of Marine Headquarters."
Kyle smiled, then slowly and carefully fastened the epaulet to his shoulder.
"Everyone has a past—memories we carry with us."
"Some are beautiful, some cruel, some deeply painful."
"But we live in the present, and we should hunger for the future that lies ahead."
As he straightened Crocodile's collar, meeting the young man's gaze—so different from the domineering 'old sand' he would become—Kyle continued softly:
"You can chase the past if you want… but remember, it's still only the past."
"Your today and tomorrow—you're the one who'll write them."
"Who you choose to become… only you can decide."
Crocodile froze. In his mind, fragments of his memories flickered in a blur—until finally everything stilled into one image: Kyle's young face smiling calmly at him.
The ceremony was short and simple. But when it was over, Kyle's ship had seven fewer trainees—and seven new officers.
They might have started at the lowest officer rank, but they had officially stepped onto the path of command. Their new titles were proof of HQ's recognition.
That night, the ship was full of excitement. Everyone talked about their futures and the dreams they wanted to chase.
Before long, morning arrived.
Sakazuki Akainu's warship appeared around noon.
Kyle stood at the front of the deck, arms crossed. Behind him lined up T-Bone, Crocodile, and the others. Every one of them stood tall, eyes forward. Not long ago, they'd all been pirates, yet the instant they'd become Marines, even their aura felt different.
Ahead, Sakazuki's warship approached.
At the bow stood a broad-shouldered man in a white shirt, a blade at his back, a Marine cap on his head. His expression was harsh, his gaze icy, carrying a natural, unspoken authority.
Sakazuki.
"Kyle."
The warship stopped about ten meters from them. Sakazuki's eyes locked onto him, his voice cold.
"Sakazuki."
Kyle replied just as calmly.
They had no real relationship. The first time they met two years ago, Kyle had knocked him out with Conqueror's Haki. Their "friendship" had probably started below zero.
"In two years, you don't seem to have changed much," Sakazuki said.
"Oh? No—something has changed."
His gaze sliced past Kyle like a blade, landing on Evans and the others behind him, a hint of mockery curling at the edge of his mouth.
"..."
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