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What is it that truly shackles human behavior?
It's thought.
When Vice Admiral Kyle spoke those words before the press, before the entire world, countless minds were struck by a sudden flash of clarity.
Even many who harbored deep resentment toward the Navy never expected to hear something like that from a Marine.
In Loguetown, a white-haired boy with a cropped haircut stood frozen before the massive screen, staring blankly at the broadcast that had just ended.
Not long ago, he had personally witnessed the death of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.
And now, almost immediately after, he had heard those words spoken by a Navy vice admiral named Kyle.
"People are equal."
"The purpose of growing stronger is to ensure there are no 'people above people' left in this world."
The boy murmured the words over and over. A strange light flickered in his eyes.
Suddenly, as if something clicked, he turned and sprinted toward the harbor.
"The Navy!"
"I want to become a Marine!"
"I, Smoker, will become a Marine like Vice Admiral Kyle!"
"I'll fight for true justice, for a world where no one stands above another!"
He shouted as he ran, his voice trembling with excitement.
He knew that at this very moment, the Loguetown harbor was crowded with Marines preparing to withdraw. If he hurried, he might catch a glimpse of the man whose words had shaken the world.
No one could fully imagine what kind of impact Kyle's simple statements would have.
But in the hearts of many, his words rang like a great bell, awakening the confused and lost, bringing sudden understanding to those who had long wandered in the dark.
"Fufufufufufu…"
"Justice of equality, huh?"
"So this world still has naïve, laughable idealists like that man?"
"How ridiculous."
On a pirate ship that had just left Loguetown, weaving through pursuing warships, cold laughter echoed across the deck.
"But it's interesting, isn't it?"
"A Marine daring to speak words aimed straight at those high-and-mighty fools sitting at the very top."
"That's fascinating."
Doflamingo paused, licked his lips, and tilted his head back to stare at the sky.
"How many stupid, innocent fools will throw themselves at so-called dreams this time?"
He knew exactly how much shock such words would cause, spoken by a Marine no less. And not just any Marine, but the one who captured Roger and Shiki the Golden Lion, the rising star of the Navy.
Was this a signal of something deeper?
For a long time now, the justice upheld by the Navy had often contradicted the will and orders of the World Government.
Serving without limits as bodyguards for the Celestial Dragons. Carrying out missions steeped in darkness.
Most of the time, the Navy played the role of light and righteousness. But the moment the World Government intervened, they could transform into demons in the eyes of the people, enemies of the very citizens they claimed to protect.
"In the end, you're nothing more than spears in their hands."
"And yet you dare say something like that?"
Doflamingo chuckled softly.
"I'm starting to look forward to the looks on the faces of those people sitting in the Holy Land."
"They should be scared."
At the same time, in the latter half of the Grand Line.
Aboard the Moby Dick.
"Roger…"
A soft sigh escaped the lips of a towering man with a crescent-shaped white mustache, his naginata resting in his grip as he stood at the bow, gazing at the rolling sea ahead.
"So even a man like you has left the stage."
No words could truly describe what Whitebeard, the strongest man in the world, was feeling right now.
Regret. Loss. Or perhaps the sorrow of seeing a fellow beast fall.
"F-Father!!"
Suddenly, Marco and the others cried out behind him.
"Hm?"
Whitebeard did not turn around, merely responding with a questioning sound.
"Kyle! That Kyle!"
"He said something that shook the world!"
Marco's face was filled with shock, disbelief, and something close to awe.
"Oh? And what did he say?"
Whitebeard replied calmly.
The kid Roger had mentioned had never particularly interested him. Right now, his heart was still heavy with the loss of an old rival and friend.
"You… you should see it yourself!"
Marco said, his voice trembling.
He took a deep breath and glanced around at his crewmates. When his eyes landed on the fish-man members, their excited, almost ecstatic expressions made his heart skip.
There was no doubt about it. Those words were thunderous.
After learning what Kyle had declared to the world, Whitebeard fell into a long silence.
"As a Marine…"
"He's grasped something truly extraordinary about justice."
"Kurararara!"
"I'm starting to look forward to what he'll do next."
Whitebeard raised his head, eyes fixed on the sea ahead.
"Roger."
"Kyle."
Murmuring those two names, he suddenly broke into a wide grin.
"The world's getting interesting!"
In the first half of the Grand Line, in Alabasta.
In the royal capital, Alubarna.
The newly crowned King Nefertari Cobra stood trembling, staring at the projection screen before him.
On it, a young man in a Marine uniform, bearing the rank of vice admiral, spoke into a microphone. His words had plunged the entire world into silence.
"It's you?!"
"So it really is you!!"
Cobra whispered, his voice shaking.
His pupils constricted again and again, his expression filled with excitement, joy, and a warmth usually reserved for family.
"You're still alive!"
Leaving aside the reactions across the world, the night passed quickly.
By the next morning, Kyle received word that they would be withdrawing from Loguetown today and returning to headquarters.
At the same time, he keenly noticed the dark expressions on Sengoku's and Zephyr's faces.
By noon, Kuzan and Borsalino came to bid him farewell.
"It's been an honor serving under you, Vice Admiral Kyle. This is a memory I won't forget."
Borsalino said with a smile.
Earlier that morning, the future three admirals had been informed that they would be reassigned and separated from Kyle's unit.
"What you said yesterday was really cool."
"If I had to sum you up in two words…"
"Elegant."
Kuzan gave a thumbs-up, grinning as he praised him.
Kyle smiled back. "Take care, Kuzan."
"Your words helped me find the path I want to stick to."
"I'll work hard. One day, I'll catch up to that back of yours."
Kuzan turned and waved as he left.
As for Sakazuki, the moment he received his orders, he departed without hesitation.
"That speech of yours…"
"You should be careful. Some people up there might start making moves against you."
Crocodile said quietly from behind.
"Once words like that are out, no amount of caution will help."
Bullet sneered, murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
"Why not just defect from the Navy?"
"With our strength, becoming pirates, even Pirate King…"
"Or anything else, it'd all be within reach."
Kyle narrowed his eyes slightly.
But after a brief pause, he simply let out a soft laugh and said nothing.
"..."
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