Kyle communicated with the system to abandon the recruitment mission, and the recruitment mission for Uta on the system's mission panel disappeared.
That's right, recruitment missions could be abandoned; the system only detected recruitable geniuses, but whether to actually recruit them was Kyle's own decision.
About two hours later, Uta came out of the cabin, walked up to Kyle, and bowed to him.
"Thank you!"
Kyle raised an eyebrow.
"I just beat up your foster fathers and am sending them to Impel Down, and now you're thanking me?"
"They are pirates, so it's only right that you captured them. The reason I'm saying thank you is because you were willing to let me see them one last time!"
Kyle narrowed his eyes slightly and gave Uta a deep look.
'They are pirates, so it's only right that you captured them'—that really didn't sound like something that would come out of Uta's mouth.
If nothing unexpected happened, Shanks and the others must have taught her that. Kyle didn't know what they had talked about inside; he hadn't used his Observation Haki to sense it.
There was no need for that; he wouldn't stoop to doing such a thing.
Kyle didn't say anything more. Regardless of what Shanks and his crew had discussed with Uta, or how they had explained things to her, it was none of his business.
Since Uta had refused to join the Navy, he naturally had no reason to pay her much attention.
Under Kyle's direction, the warship arrived at the coast of Elegia Island. After sending Uta ashore, she once again expressed her gratitude to Kyle and the many Marines.
Kyle glanced at her and said calmly:
"I hope next time we meet, you won't appear before me as a pirate. Otherwise, Impel Down has a spot reserved for you too."
With that, the warship slowly departed, heading off into the distance, its silhouette growing smaller and smaller on the horizon.
Uta stood on the coast, watching the warship gradually disappear from view. A faint smile appeared on her lips as she murmured softly:
"Then Kyle might be disappointed. Next time we meet, I'll definitely be a pirate!"
The next time they met, she would be in her capacity as the singer of the Red Hair Pirates.
She was waiting for Shanks and the others to come for her!
Uta turned around and walked towards the island. Unlike any time before, she felt that even the air around her was sweet. Her mood was excellent. After taking a few steps, she started skipping and singing...
---
On the other side, after sending Uta back, the warship changed course. It was no longer heading back to Marine Headquarters but directly towards Impel Down.
He didn't need to worry about the procedures; he just had to call Sengoku and let him know, and Sengoku would handle the rest.
He needed to give his grandfather something to do—old but vigorous, just the right time to be working hard!
And after Sengoku arranged matters, some old folks in certain places also got wind of the news.
At the top of the Red Line, in Mary Geoise, inside a certain vast hall.
Several sofas were arranged, and five elders were gathered there, some standing, some sitting.
These five individuals were the five at the pinnacle of world power—the Five Elders of the World Government!
Although theoretically Im was the apex of power, that person usually didn't involve themselves in affairs, so most everyday matters were decided by the Five Elders.
"Saturn, what is it you called us here for?"
Marcus Mars spoke first, asking Saint Saturn.
The others didn't speak, but they also turned their gazes to Saturn, waiting for his answer.
"Shanks has been captured by the Navy."
Saint Saturn spoke quietly.
"What?!"
Upon hearing this, the other four all showed expressions of surprise.
They were certainly familiar with Shanks; they even had a certain agreement with him.
"Captured by whom? With that guy's strength, not many in the Navy are capable of capturing him, right?"
After a moment of silence, Saint Nasujuro, who held the Supreme Grade Blade, Shodai Kitetsu, spoke, a hint of curiosity in his tone.
"Marine Rear Admiral, Kyle."
"Kyle?! Sengoku's grandson? That kid who defeated Wang Zhi and Golden Lion?"
Saint Topman Warcury's face showed a hint of surprise.
"That's him."
Saint Saturn nodded.
"According to the information received, Kyle went to rescue Zephyr not long ago, and on his way back, he encountered the Red Hair Pirates..."
Speaking up to this point, Saint Saturn paused, his gaze sweeping across the others' faces before he spoke deliberately:
"He single-handedly confronted the entire Red Hair Pirates and routed them head-on!"
!!!
As these words were spoken, the few were shocked once again.
"That kid is that strong?"
For a moment, the five fell into silence.
After another long while, Saint Saturn, who had convened the meeting, spoke again:
"The stronger Kyle is, the better it is for us."
"The Navy will always just be a subordinate agency of the government. Besides, he's not one of the D. Clan; even if he's powerful, he poses no threat to us."
"The problem now is that Shanks has actually been captured. What should we do?"
"My suggestion is that the government send someone to negotiate with Kyle, to transfer Shanks over before he's sent to Impel Down. Then we can release Shanks and just come up with a reason."
They had an agreement with Shanks, and considering his identity, there was no way they would let Shanks be imprisoned in Impel Down. It would be even more troublesome later if they had to go to Impel Down to retrieve him.
Retrieving him was a small issue; the problem was the subsequent public relations handling. If Shanks was sent to Impel Down and then was active on the seas again shortly after, that wouldn't look good!
But if they could get him out before he was imprisoned in Impel Down, there would be far fewer complications. They could just find any excuse—say he was taken by Whitebeard or Kaido.
It wasn't the first time those pirates had taken the fall for them, anyway.
"What do you all think?"
Saturn asked calmly.
After only a short moment, Saint Nasujuro nodded.
"Agreed."
The others had no objections either and nodded in agreement.
"In that case, let Cipher Pol Zero handle this."
"I'll go make the arrangements."
Having said that, Saint Saturn took out a Den Den Mushi and dialed...
---
Boom—
A crimson slash suddenly shot out, splitting the sea in one stroke. The ocean's surface was cleaved in two, stretching to the end of sight. The seawater on both sides, influenced by the sword aura, couldn't close back together for several seconds.
Kyle shook the Gryphon in his hand and shook his head:
"Junk, not as good as my Purple Lightning."
"I'll go back and see if Zoro wants it or not."
Since he had defeated Shanks, Gryphon naturally ended up in his hands.
Not just Gryphon, but Benn Beckman, Yasopp, and any of them who had weapons—he confiscated them all.
But those pistols and sniper rifles didn't interest him, and no one in his squad used that kind of weapon, so he simply gave them to the Marines on the ship to distribute among themselves.
After all, they were weapons used by the officers of the Red Hair Pirates; the material and quality were quite good.
Before long, a Marine came running over.
"Rear Admiral Kyle, a ship has been spotted eight nautical miles ahead at twelve o'clock. Instructor Zephyr sent me to call you over to take a look."
"A ship?"
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