Chapter 2: Uncle! You Really Are My Uncle!

"What!? You want me to become a pirate!?"

Marineford, Marine Headquarters office building.

In an inconspicuous meeting room, Kyle stared in shock at his uncle and Fleet Admiral Sengoku, who had been introduced by his uncle.

How did they know he wanted to become a pirate?

Could there be some kind of mind-reading Devil Fruit user in Marineford who had been monitoring him all along?!

Kyle's heart raced.

Although he knew this was unlikely, everything was just too sudden, leaving him at a loss for words. He could only use the fluctuations in his eyes from his wandering thoughts to mask the glee in his heart.

Facing Kyle's expression—a perfect pie chart of 30% shock, 30% confusion, 30% bewilderment, and 10% astonishment—Sengoku and Kizaru didn't find it strange.

In fact, this was exactly the reaction they had anticipated from Kyle.

Sengoku, meeting Kyle for the first time, nodded firmly and lightly tapped the table with his fingers, his gaze piercing and inscrutable as he looked directly at Kyle.

"To be precise, a spy posing as a pirate."

"I know this might be a bit sudden for you."

"But the current situation on the seas is extremely complex, and the underworld is filled with countless dangers!"

"In order to protect more people, we Marines must take action!"

"And intelligence is often the foundation of all actions!"

"So we need someone to operate in the shadows, providing the Marines with the most efficient and detailed intelligence from the underworld!"

As he spoke, a hint of sorrow flashed in Sengoku's eyes.

Perhaps he was thinking of his adopted son, Rosinante, who had died in a spy mission.

But he quickly masked this sorrow and looked at Kyle with expectant eyes.

Kyle, seizing the moment, raised a question.

"I... I understand the reasoning, but why me?"

"You know I'm not a Marine, and I haven't trained in years since leaving the training camp."

"That's not the point, Kyle."

Sengoku interrupted Kyle, saying:

"I've heard about you from Vice Admiral Zephyr."

"I believe that with your talent, gaining strength won't be too difficult."

"Moreover, Marine Headquarters will provide you with support."

As he spoke, Sengoku suddenly pulled out a weathered notebook from his pocket.

He continued:

"This is a training plan Vice Admiral Zephyr tailored for you seven years ago."

"While it might not be 100% suitable for your current situation, it still holds significant value as a reference."

"It also contains the complete training methods for the Six Powers and Haki."

"Having spent some time in the elite training camp, you should be familiar with the Six Powers and Haki, right?"

"....."

Kyle nodded dumbfounded.

If not for his rationality reminding him to maintain the original owner's persona, he would have snatched the notebook from Sengoku's hands right then and there!

Damn it!

Starting off with the Six Powers and Haki, such advanced skills!?

And it's even in a book format that can be widely disseminated!

This is way too tempting!

Of course.

This notebook only answered one of Kyle's questions.

Placing the notebook on the table, Sengoku continued:

"Spy work is no simple task."

"Over the years, the Marines have sent out many intelligence operatives."

"But unfortunately, only a few have successfully completed their missions."

"Those who failed either perished in the cruelty of the seas, died in conflicts with pirates..."

"Or even worse, were killed by their own people!"

"Of course, that's not the most terrifying part!"

Sengoku's gaze suddenly sharpened, and he clasped his hands together, resting them on the table.

"The most terrifying part is..."

"Some spies, whether coerced or bribed, chose to join the enemy's ranks, feeding the Marines false intelligence, leading to disastrous consequences."

"So, after learning from these painful lessons, the Marines have become extremely cautious in selecting intelligence operatives."

"But this has also led to a severe shortage of personnel in the intelligence field."

"Fortunately... Admiral Kizaru recommended you."

At this point, Sengoku paused and looked directly at Kyle.

"....."

Kyle remained silent.

Got it.

So, I have no family, no weaknesses, and am hard to control.

Plus, my background is clean, and I've passed the political vetting, right?

But Kizaru's recommendation...

Kyle suddenly fell into deep thought.

Combining Sengoku's words with the original owner's memories, he roughly understood what was going on.

In his memories, this must have happened two years ago.

When he had just turned 18. Kizaru, who usually enjoyed tea, brought two bottles of wine and some food to Kyle's house to celebrate his coming of age.

That day, after getting drunk for the first time, Kyle seemed to have confided a lot to his only remaining family:

The original owner hated pirates.

Having witnessed his parents die at the hands of pirates, his hatred for them was boundless.

But at the same time, the psychological trauma made it impossible for him to become a Marine.

This complex mix of emotions led Kyle to live in severe self-denial.

In more modern terms, it was a case of mental exhaustion.

"No wonder Kizaru has been pushing me to train for the past two years..."

"Was he trying to help the original owner achieve self-redemption through this unconventional method?"

Hmm...

If you can't be a Marine, then be a Marine's pirate.

Sending your own nephew on a highly dangerous spy mission to heal his psychological wounds...

Uncle, you really are my uncle!

What kind of normal person would come up with this idea!?

But considering this is the world of One Piece, even if it's a bit abnormal, it still seems... normal, right?

And according to typical anime plot development, Kyle, now fully aware of everything, shouldn't blame Kizaru but instead...

"Uncle, thank you!"

Kyle suddenly turned and bowed deeply to Kizaru.

This was the first time he felt the difference between anime characters and normal people.

"Hmm..."

Facing Kyle's "gratitude," Kizaru didn't say much. Instead, a relieved smile slowly spread across his wrinkled face.

Two teardrops shimmered in his eyes.

His nephew, Kyle, had finally grown up.

Kizaru raised his teacup, using the rising steam to obscure his complex expression.

On the other side.

After expressing his thanks, Kyle stood up again and turned his gaze to Sengoku. The gloom in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a faint glimmer.

"So... what do you need me to do?"

Kyle pretended to subtly clench his fists, showing a slight interest.

In reality, setting aside Kizaru's bizarre approach, he was genuinely interested in this opportunity!

Serving the Marines while acting as a pirate!

He could freely roam the seas without facing real consequences for his crimes, and even receive support from the Marines.

Is there any freer profession in this world?

The King of Spies, he will become!!!

Seeing Kyle's reaction, a bright light reflected off Sengoku's black-framed glasses.

He smiled and slowly said:

"Considering your current strength, the Marines don't have strict requirements for your initial tasks."

"But there is one thing you can start with."

Sengoku pulled out another document and explained:

"Recently, a group in the East Blue's underworld has been selling weapons of mass destruction."

"They are extremely powerful cannonballs!"

"Even small, unknown pirate crews can easily sink Marine warships with those cannonballs."

"If possible, I hope you can investigate the organization selling these cannonballs!"

"This will be your first mission!"

"Are you... willing to accept it!?"

An intent agreement was pushed in front of Kyle.

Once Kyle signed his name on it, his household registration and status as a hero's child would be revoked in Marineford, and he would no longer receive the substantial monthly subsidies from Marineford.

At the same time, it meant he would use his life to protect the Marines' justice in another way.

"....."

Looking at the agreement in front of him, Kyle fell into deep thought.

East Blue? Extremely powerful cannonballs?

Could they be talking about the Buggy Ball?

It's currently the year 1520 of the Sea Circle calendar, one year before Luffy sets sail.

The real Buggy Ball was completed shortly before Luffy's departure.

So, the organization Sengoku mentioned is likely the Buggy Pirates, selling defective products to fund their research!?

This mission is doable!

The thought flashed through his mind.

Kyle didn't stop maintaining his persona just because he was thinking.

Upon seeing the agreement, his dull eyes suddenly lit up.

Then his arms began to tremble slightly, as if struggling with something.

Beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

Finally, as if making a major decision, Kyle let out a deep breath and looked up.

A glint of determination flashed in his dull pupils. Clenching his fists, he spoke as if mustering all his strength:

"I am willing to accept this mission!"

With that, he picked up the pen on the table and signed his name on the agreement.

In that instant, his aura completely changed!

Before, he was like a drowning man in a deep well, neither struggling nor giving up, letting time slowly consume him.

Now, he was like someone who had seen a rope dangling from the well's edge.

And he would reach out and grasp the hope of escaping his predicament!

One could only say, Kyle's decision to not enter the entertainment industry in his past life was a great loss to the entire industry!!!

Seeing Kyle's performance, Kizaru's cloudy eyes grew even more moist.

Although he visited Kyle from time to time, he knew Kyle had never shown his true self to him.

Watching his nephew regain a new lease on life, the knot in his heart finally loosened.

"Kyle..." Kizaru murmured softly.

Despite his usual carefree demeanor.

When it came to his nephew, he could never maintain that relaxed expression.

If only he had arrived at the battlefield earlier that day, perhaps his sister and brother-in-law wouldn't have had to sacrifice themselves.

And Kyle wouldn't have become like this after losing his parents.

But alas, there are no what-ifs in life.

"Kyle."

After Kyle signed the agreement, the silent Kizaru suddenly spoke.

Kyle turned to look at him.

Through the brown lenses, he saw a pair of eyes filled with complex emotions.

30% guilt, 30% hope, 30% worry, and 10% relief...

Another seasoned pie chart enthusiast.

"Uncle."

Kyle spoke, uttering the term that felt both unfamiliar and familiar.

"I will do my best!"

"Hmm, I believe in you."

The bond between men needs no words.

A single term of address and a look were enough to convey everything.

Although seeing a side of Kizaru completely different from his impression left Kyle feeling somewhat新奇.

But with the original owner's memories, he perfectly displayed the demeanor he should have at this moment.

"Phew~ Good thing I have the original owner's memories, or I really wouldn't know how to respond to these two old foxes."

Kyle secretly rejoiced in his heart.

...

...

Three days later.

A merchant ship bound for the East Blue departed from Marineford.

Wave after wave lapped against the ship's hull, creating a rhythmic sound.

In the ship's cabin, Kyle stared wide-eyed, his hands hovering in the air, excitedly looking at the strange-patterned green fruit on the table. His throat involuntarily gulped.

"Holy cow!"

"Who would've thought that just ten days after transmigrating, I'd get to see a legendary Devil Fruit!"

"And not just any Devil Fruit, but the highly valuable Paramecia-type Storm Fruit!!!"

"You really are my uncle!!!"

This Devil Fruit was secretly slipped into Kyle's bag by Kizaru before his departure.

Paramecia-type—Storm Fruit!

It grants the user the terrifying ability to control air currents and create massive storms!

One of the top-tier abilities among Paramecia-type fruits!

And now, this incredibly valuable Devil Fruit was right in front of him, a nobody.

It really goes to show, having connections in high places makes all the difference!

Under normal circumstances, this fruit would never have come his way.

After marveling for a moment, Kyle continued to inspect the rest of his "start-up funds."

As for the Devil Fruit, he hadn't decided whether to eat it yet.

After all, aside from his uncle, he had another golden finger.

Kyle planned to wait until the system activated before deciding whether to become a Devil Fruit user.

After all, eating a Devil Fruit comes with a built-in weakness.

This requires careful consideration.

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