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"Wait. Who did you say you captured?"
The shocked voice came from the Den Den Mushi in T Bone's hand.
"The Pirate King, Gol D. Roger," T Bone replied firmly.
"Officer, this isn't the kind of joke you can make lightly. State your unit number and your superior."
The Marine on the other end clearly did not believe him.
"My superior is Rear Admiral Kyle. I am Lieutenant T Bone, under his command."
The conversation was carried away by the sea breeze, while everyone else was still reeling from Roger's words.
"ONE PIECE, huh?"
Kyle smiled faintly, a trace of melancholy in his eyes.
Countless people had given their lives for that illusory legend, turning it into their dream. Some even believed that whoever reached Laugh Tale would become the Pirate King.
And now, the truth behind it all was right in front of him.
It could be said that this was the closest he had ever been to becoming Pirate King himself.
Unfortunately…
"I'm not interested."
Kyle's smile was calm.
Roger blinked, then looked at him seriously. "Is that so?"
"Yeah,"Kyle replied.
"A single treasure can't save a world that's already gone mad."
Roger fell silent.
At that moment, the Den Den Mushi spoke again.
"R-Rear Admiral Kyle?"
"Y-you really captured Roger?"
T Bone nodded at the Den Den Mushi.
"We're currently at the port of the Sabaody Archipelago. Preparing to depart for headquarters."
The voice on the other end was tense and shaken. "Good. Good. I'll report this to my superior immediately."
The warship set sail once more, its destination Marineford, not far away.
An eerie silence fell over the deck.
Kyle extinguished his cigar and flicked it into the sea, punching a deep hole into the water's surface.
Donquixote Rosinante could barely sit still. Excitement, tension, and a hint of fear churned inside him.
Everyone knew what it meant to capture the Pirate King.
The world Roger had thrown into chaos would finally return to peace. At least, that was what everyone believed at this moment.
And as the highest commander responsible for Roger's capture, their superior would receive unimaginable glory.
Kyle's name would spread across the entire world in an instant.
Rosinante couldn't help but look toward the figure standing at the bow.
There was no joy in that man's posture. Instead, he looked burdened, heavy.
At the same time…
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
"What did you say?"
Fleet Admiral Kong shot to his feet, eyes wide, shouting at the officer before him.
"Rear Admiral Kyle has captured the Pirate King, Roger. He is currently sailing from the Sabaody Archipelago to Marineford."
The young officer replied loudly, barely containing his nerves.
After taking a deep breath, he continued.
"This information was personally transmitted two minutes ago by Lieutenant T Bone, one of Rear Admiral Kyle's subordinates."
"We confirmed the Den Den Mushi frequency and verified the authenticity of the message."
"We also contacted Rear Admiral Kyle directly and confirmed that the Pirate King, Roger, is indeed aboard his warship!"
Hearing this, Kong felt as though he were dreaming.
Kyle captured Roger?
It sounded like pure fantasy. Even if the one who did it were Garp, it would still be hard to believe.
But Kong quickly snapped back to his senses and issued orders.
"Immediately place all headquarters personnel on high alert!"
"From this moment on, Marineford enters full combat readiness. No room for mistakes!"
The officer saluted sharply. "Yes, sir!"
Barely two or three seconds later, piercing alarms echoed throughout Marineford.
Squad after squad of Marines moved into alert positions. A solemn, oppressive atmosphere instantly enveloped the greatest fortress in the world.
Footsteps rang out everywhere. Massive forces gathered around the inner bay harbor, forming neat, disciplined lines.
Officers of every rank received the news and converged at once.
"What? Rear Admiral Kyle captured Roger?"
"Roger was caught?"
"How is that even possible?"
Every officer at the rank of admiral and above was stunned at first. Then realization hit, their expressions changing as tension flooded in.
Because almost all of them understood at the same time.
A massive storm, one that would sweep across the entire world, was about to arrive.
In front of the Marine Headquarters building, figures hurried forward.
"Vice Admiral Garp!"
Marines lining both sides shouted respectful greetings.
But Garp, walking at the front, wore a grave, shocked expression.
"That brat…"
"Is it really true?"
When he saw Kong standing before the building with arms crossed, his face severe, and felt the tense atmosphere gripping headquarters, he could no longer doubt it.
"Roger… caught by that kid Kyle?"
Garp stood there, stunned.
Even as Roger's former mentor, he found himself completely at a loss.
Marineford entered full wartime alert.
Jet-black artillery emplacements swung into position one after another. Elite Marine units moved with practiced precision, every man tense and ready. Warships spread out across the waters, their cannons trained toward the Gate of Justice.
Beyond the Gate of Justice, an outer cordon had already been established. One warship after another stood on alert, each commanded by an officer of general rank.
The pressure that the name "Roger" placed on the Navy was impossible to miss.
A man who stood at the pinnacle of the world. If someone like him chose to run wild at Marine Headquarters, stopping him would be anything but easy.
About half a quarter-hour later, aboard one of the patrol ships outside the gate, a general-level officer lowered his telescope sharply.
"A target has been sighted!"
"Confirmed by hull number. It's Vice Admiral Kyle's ship!"
"Report immediately. Vice Admiral Kyle's vessel has entered visual range!"
The message raced back into Marineford. Kong and the others were informed at once, their expressions hardening.
The wind howled across the bay, snapping cloaks and coats as every Marine braced themselves.
Moments later, the incoming warship came fully into view.
"Confirmed. The Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, is aboard Vice Admiral Kyle's ship. His hands are restrained with shackles."
"Roger is confirmed captured!"
"All personnel aboard Vice Admiral Kyle's vessel are present. No casualties reported."
The report sent a shockwave through Marine Headquarters.
Garp looked restless, muttering under his breath, "Too slow."
At the same time, aboard the ship heading toward the Gate of Justice, Kyle and his group saw the fleet waiting ahead.
The formation was spread wide yet impeccably ordered. At its head stood officers hardened by countless battles, veterans whose presence alone radiated pressure.
As Kyle's ship passed the first warship, the commanding officer saluted him across the distance.
Kyle returned the salute, watching as that ship fell into escort formation behind him.
Then the second. The third.
By the time they reached the Gate of Justice, more than forty warships had gathered around them, flanking them on both sides and from behind. The sheer scale left everyone aboard stunned.
Kyle's gaze drifted to the man sitting cross-legged on the deck, utterly still.
Roger.
From this alone, it was clear just how seriously the Navy regarded him.
"..."
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