As the system activated, a gold-trimmed pop-up window appeared right at the center of Kyle's vision.
Behind the window was a dimly filtered game interface.
Kyle, who had played this game before, naturally recognized it as the character name creation screen.
Since crossing over into this world, he had tried entering pirate crew names countless times, even going so far as to make a pirate flag at home. Yet no matter what he did, the system interface never activated.
Clearly, this kind of self-deceiving method wasn't enough to gain the system's recognition.
Kyle suspected that forming a pirate crew wasn't just a formality—it had to be sincere.
He had already made up his mind: after dealing with Kizaru's summons, he would find an opportunity to escape Marineford and start a real pirate crew somewhere in a remote, backwater place.
But everything had to be done in absolute secrecy.
If his second uncle (Kizaru) ever found out he planned to become a pirate, he'd probably show up at light speed, drag him back to Marineford, and give him the beating of a lifetime.
And the scariest part was...
That "light speed" wasn't just a figure of speech!
So Kyle planned to activate the system and then lay low in Marineford to quietly develop his strength.
He wouldn't emerge until he reached the level of a sword god from the "Ten Mile Slope"!
Besides, during the upcoming Paramount War, civilians like him would be evacuated to safe zones. There shouldn't be any danger.
Unless… the system mutated and forced him to head out to sea.
Sigh… being a military brat has its downsides too.
"If my second uncle knew I'm even thinking about becoming a pirate… would he break my legs?"
"Sure, being born into the military means I had a safe childhood—but it really delayed my early development."
Under the straw hat, Kyle maintained his usual brooding, handsome appearance, but deep down he was already fantasizing about sailing the seas with Tsunade in one hand and Rangiku in the other.
Behind him trailed a host of anime beauties of every style and type.
Big is good!More is better!That's an eternal truth!!!
"What?! You want me to become a pirate?!"
Marineford – Marine Headquarters Office Building.
In an inconspicuous meeting room, Kyle stared in shock at his second uncle, Admiral Kizaru, and the man he brought him to meet—Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
How did they know he was planning to become a pirate?
Could it be the Marines had someone with a Devil Fruit that could read minds, secretly monitoring him all this time?!
Kyle's heart pounded.
Though he knew it was unlikely, the whole situation was so sudden that he didn't know how to respond. All he could do was let his swirling thoughts cover up his inner delight.
Seeing Kyle's expression—one-third surprise, one-third confusion, one-third bewilderment, and a touch of shock—Sengoku and Kizaru weren't fazed at all.
In fact, this was exactly the reaction they had expected from Kyle.
Meeting Kyle for the first time, Sengoku nodded slightly, tapping the table gently with his finger and locking eyes with Kyle.
"To be precise, we want you to become a pirate spy."
"I know this might come as a surprise."
"But the situation on the seas is increasingly complicated, and the underworld harbors countless hidden threats."
"To protect more people, the Marines must act."
"And information—is the foundation of all action."
"That's why we need someone to operate in the shadows and provide us with fast and accurate underground intelligence."
As he spoke, a faint trace of sorrow flickered in Sengoku's eyes.
Perhaps he was remembering his adopted son, Rosinante, who died on a spy mission.
But he quickly masked his sadness and looked at Kyle again with a gaze full of hope.
Kyle took the cue and asked, "I understand the reasoning… but why me?"
"You know I'm not an active Marine, and I haven't trained since leaving the academy years ago."
"That's not the key issue, Kyle," Sengoku interrupted gently.
"I heard about you from Zephyr."
"With your talent, gaining power won't be hard."
"And the Marines will support you."
Saying this, Sengoku pulled out a weathered notebook from his pocket.
"This is a training plan Zephyr created for you seven years ago."
"It may not perfectly fit your current condition, but it'll still be a valuable reference."
"It also includes the full techniques of Rokushiki and Haki training methods."
"I'm sure, after spending time in the elite training camp, you're already familiar with those."
"..."
Kyle nodded blankly.
If not for the need to stay in character, he would've snatched the notebook on the spot!
Damn!
Starting out with Rokushiki and Haki—and in an easy-to-read book form!?
Way too tempting!
Of course, the notebook only answered one of Kyle's questions.
Setting the notebook down, Sengoku continued:
"Spy work is not easy."
"Over the years, we've sent out many agents."
"Sadly, very few returned successfully."
"Some died at sea, some fell in pirate battles…"
"Others were even killed by their own comrades."
"But the worst are those who—through coercion or bribery—switched sides and fed the Marines false intelligence, leading to disastrous decisions and losses."
"After learning from these hard lessons, we've become extremely cautious in selecting new agents."
"But that's created a serious manpower shortage."
"Fortunately… Admiral Kizaru recommended you."
At this point, Sengoku looked straight at Kyle.
"..."
Kyle fell silent.
Got it.
What he meant was: Kyle had no family, no weaknesses, hard to control.
Clean background, passed all political checks. Right?
But Kizaru's recommendation…
Kyle thought hard.
Piecing together what Sengoku said and the original body's memories, Kyle finally understood.
Two years ago, on his 18th birthday, Kizaru brought alcohol and snacks to celebrate Kyle's coming-of-age.
That night, drunk for the first time, Kyle opened up to the only family he had.
He hated pirates.
He watched his parents die to them.
But the trauma left him unable to become a Marine.
This contradiction caused him to spiral in self-doubt.
In modern terms: severe mental burnout.
"So that's why, starting two years ago, Kizaru's been urging me to work out…"
"So he was trying to help me heal through this twisted path of redemption?"
Hmm…
Can't become a Marine? Then become the Marine's pirate.
Let his nephew redeem himself through dangerous spy work…
Second Uncle, you really are my blood uncle!
What kind of logic is that!?
But… considering this is the One Piece world, I guess this level of weird is pretty normal…?
And if this were an anime plot, now would be the moment the MC, full of resolve, says—
"Uncle… thank you!"
Kyle suddenly turned, bowing deeply toward Kizaru.
For the first time, he felt the difference between anime characters and real people.
"Mm…"
Faced with Kyle's "gratitude," Kizaru didn't say much. A soft, content smile formed on his wrinkled face.
Two tears shimmered in his eyes.
His nephew—Kyle—had finally grown up.
Raising his teacup, Kizaru let the steam mask his complex emotions.
On the other side—
After the thank-you, Kyle straightened up and turned to Sengoku, the gloom in his eyes fading, now shining faintly.
"So… what exactly do you need me to do?"
Kyle clenched his fists, pretending to be eager.
And to be honest—aside from Kizaru's weird parenting style—he was genuinely interested.
Act as a pirate, under the orders of the Navy.