Inside Kyle's private villa on the Sabaody Archipelago, the afternoon sun streamed through massive floor-to-ceiling windows, casting bright patches of light across the floor. The air was filled with the faint smell of expensive wine and the fresh aroma of the black tea Robin had just brewed.
Despite the calm setting, the atmosphere in the villa's living room was tense.
"Everyone, meet Crocodile and Tesoro," Kyle announced, lounging lazily on the main sofa. He gestured to the two men sitting across from him. "From now on, you're all partners!"
Though the remark was casual, Crocodile's back instantly stiffened. His eyes scanned the room, taking in everyone present.
Seated below Kyle was the World's Greatest Swordsman, "Hawkeye" Dracule Mihawk. He was meticulously wiping his Supreme Grade Sword, Yoru, with a white cloth. He acted as if nothing else in the world mattered, yet his very presence was like a perfectly crafted weapon, impossible to ignore.
Across from Mihawk, the "Nightmare of the Underworld," Gecko Moria, was letting out his signature "Kishishishi" laugh as he sized up the two newcomers. Standing beside Kyle was a man in a butler's uniform named Caron, whose calm and reserved expression gave nothing away. He didn't seem particularly strong, but Crocodile knew better than to underestimate this long-serving retainer. Even Tesoro, the flashy young man covered in bandages who had joined alongside him, had a formidable power radiating from him.
The cigar Crocodile usually had clamped in his mouth had, at some point, been quietly tucked away into his pocket. The concentration of monsters in this one room was simply too high. Every single person here was a powerhouse capable of causing massive waves on the Grand Line. And now, they were all gathered because of the lazy man lounging on the sofa.
Adding the "Heavenly Yaksha" Doflamingo, who was still operating in the shadows… Crocodile felt his throat go dry. The organization he had built, Baroque Works, seemed like a child's game compared to this lineup.
Tesoro was also observing the room, but he was adapting much faster than Crocodile. He had come here mentally prepared. His gaze lingered on Mihawk for a moment, recognizing the pure, absolute power the swordsman possessed. He saw cunning and darkness in Moria, with whom he had just worked. In Caron, he saw a sense of order and management. And the one who held it all together was Kyle.
This organization had the power to turn the world upside down. The fire of ambition in Tesoro's heart began to burn brighter than ever.
"Welcome to you both," Caron was the first to speak. His steel jaw moved slightly as he gave them a nod, his tone perfectly neutral.
Moria grinned. "Kishishishi, looks like two more interesting guys have joined the crew."
Mihawk simply glanced up, gave a slight nod of acknowledgment, and then returned his full attention to the black blade in his hand.
Robin approached with a tea tray and poured a cup of black tea for both Crocodile and Tesoro. She offered them a small, welcoming smile.
This strange, calm harmony made Crocodile even more uneasy. He had expected a show of force, or at least a tense interrogation. Instead, it felt like two new employees had just joined a company, and everyone was simply greeting them politely.
Kyle seemed to notice his discomfort and sat up from the sofa.
"Little Croc, you look like you were just dragged out of Impel Down," he said casually. "Your injuries aren't healed yet, right? Caron, take him to get some rest. He can use the villa to the west."
"Yes, Lord Kyle," Caron replied.
Crocodile opened his mouth to say something, but the words wouldn't come. He let out a complicated sigh and followed Caron out of the room. As he looked at the equally luxurious villa not far from the main house, the last bit of pride he had as a powerful Warlord completely vanished. Here, he truly was just a new recruit in need of medical leave.
Back in the living room, the others also began to leave. Mihawk took his sword and headed to the dojo in the backyard. Moria disappeared into the shadows with a strange laugh, and Robin quietly sat down in a chair to read her book.
Soon, the only people left in the large living room were Kyle, Robin, and Tesoro, who had stayed behind to give his report.
"So, tell me about your trip to the Sky Island," Kyle said, lying back down and getting comfortable again.
"Yes, Lord Kyle." Although Tesoro was covered in bandages, he sat with his back perfectly straight. He began to report on the mission in detail, from arriving at the Sky Island and meeting Gan Fall, to how he had manipulated the situation to secretly "help" Eneru conquer the holy land, forcing Gan Fall to hand over the rights to Shandora.
"...The man named Eneru possesses the powerful Rumble-Rumble Fruit, but he's far too arrogant, and his mastery of his Devil Fruit is still developing." Tesoro's report was clear and logical, completely objective without any personal feelings. "I used the high conductivity of gold to weaken his lightning as much as possible. During our fight, I turned a large amount of gold into fine dust and spread it through the air, which he inhaled without realizing. Finally, when he used his ultimate attack, 'Raigo,' I was able to control him completely from the inside."
He spoke calmly, but Kyle understood the danger and intelligence that his plan required.
"Kishishishi… that kid really got played," a voice chuckled from a nearby shadow. Moria's upper body poked out from the wall. He clearly hadn't gone far and had been listening in. "I brought back that guy who calls himself 'God'."
As Moria spoke, his shadow on the floor twisted and spat out a figure tightly bound in Sea Stone chains. It was Eneru. He was gagged, his clothes were a mess, and his once-arrogant face was now filled with humiliation. His long earlobes drooped, and he glared fiercely at Kyle.
"And there's this," Tesoro said with a snap of his fingers.
A huge shadow fell over the villa from above. A massive, golden ark floated silently in the air. It was Eneru's ship. It seems this is the prototype of the Ark Maxim, Kyle thought. Given the timing, Doffy should be bringing his people over soon. This ship looks simple now, but it's going to be incredible in the future.
"The amount of gold in Shandora was far greater than we expected," Tesoro added. "The ark could only carry about a tenth of it back. I've already asked Gan Fall to have his people guard the rest, and we can transport it whenever we want."
Kyle looked at the ark in the courtyard, then at Eneru struggling on the floor, and finally at Tesoro.
"You did a great job, Tesoro," he said, openly expressing his satisfaction. Tesoro's posture straightened with pride. "Even better than I expected. You not only completed the mission, but you got the most out of it. Making Gan Fall willingly hand over the gold—that kind of smarts is worth more than simple strength."
"It was all thanks to your guidance, Lord Kyle," Tesoro said with a humble bow.
"Alright, enough of that," Kyle said with a wave of his hand. "I reward success and punish failure. That's my rule. So tell me, what do you want as a reward? Gold? You already earned that. Power? Territory?"
The room fell silent. Robin looked up from her book to watch Tesoro. Moria, who had taken Eneru away, poked his head out from a shadow in the corner again, watching with great interest. This was a test, but it was also an opportunity.
Tesoro was quiet for a moment. He could still feel the phantom ache from the wounds he'd received in his desperate battle with Eneru. He slowly raised his head. There was no greed in his eyes, only a passionate fire.
"Lord Kyle," he said, his voice steady and clear. "I'm not looking for a temporary reward. I hope to stand behind you and watch as a new era is born. To be a part of it, to help build your empire—that itself… is the greatest honor and reward I could ask for."
When he finished speaking, the living room was silent. Moria's creepy smile faded, and he gave Tesoro a long, deep look. A hint of approval also appeared in Robin's eyes. This young man had a bright future. He understood that any material reward was nothing compared to the future Kyle was building.
"Heh…" Kyle suddenly chuckled. He sat up, walked over to Tesoro, and personally helped him to his feet.
"A very good answer." He patted Tesoro on the shoulder. The gesture was light, but Tesoro felt a wave of warmth spread through his body.
"Then watch closely, Tesoro."
Kyle turned and looked out the window. The sun was shining perfectly, and the giant bubbles of the Sabaody Archipelago floated in the sky, reflecting the dazzling light in a scene of perfect peace.
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