The clamor of the port gradually subsided. The remaining Black Shark Pirates thugs and some Marine soldiers scattered in disarray, and the air was filled with the strong smell of blood and gunpowder.
Roger kicked away a pirate who, not knowing his place, tried to ambush him, flicked the blood from his sword, and grinned, revealing two rows of stark white teeth: "Kuhahaha! This isn't satisfying enough, Rayleigh!"
Rayleigh sheathed his sword, his gaze behind his glasses sweeping over the chaotic battlefield, finally resting on Kyle, who was leaning against a wall, unconscious. He said calmly, "You want to pick someone up?"
"Kuhahaha! This kid is amazing!" Roger strode over to Kyle, unceremoniously lifting him with one hand. "That Devil Fruit ability, and that reckless, life-or-death ferocity, they're right up my alley!"
Rayleigh looked at Roger's enthusiastic expression, helplessly rubbed his forehead, and sighed, but said nothing more.
He knew his Captain too well; once Roger made a decision, ten Sea Kings couldn't pull him back.
Just like how he, Rayleigh, along with his ship, was 'borrowed' with just a few words back then.
"Nigero, Dayo! Marine reinforcements are probably arriving soon, it's not good to stay here for long!"
Roger, carrying Kyle, called out to Rayleigh. The two agilely jumped onto a sailboat docked at the edge of the pier, a boat not much better than the Black Shark Pirates' dilapidated vessel.
After an unknown amount of time, Kyle slowly woke up amidst a rocking motion.
Dazzling sunlight streamed through the porthole of the cabin, a bit blinding.
He moved, and a tearing pain shot through his ribs, making him gasp.
"Hiss... I survived?" Kyle looked around, finding himself lying on a simple hammock. The cabin wasn't large, but it was tidy.
"Yo, you're awake, kid!" A cheerful voice sounded above him.
Kyle suddenly looked up and saw an enlarged smiling face; it was the young Roger!
He was sitting cross-legged on a nearby wooden barrel, holding a half-eaten piece of meat on the bone, grinning as he looked at Kyle.
"Did you save me?" Kyle struggled to sit up.
"Kuhahaha! It was nothing! I am Gol D. Roger." Roger waved his hand dismissively, then pointed to Kyle's ribs. "Rayleigh already gave your injury some basic treatment. Yarouka, you dared to take on a whole ship of pirates by yourself, and almost wiped them out. What kind of Devil Fruit ability is that? It's quite interesting, can you shatter things?"
Kyle looked into Roger's eyes, which seemed to see through everything, and his heart tightened. He knew that in front of such a legendary figure, concealment held little meaning.
"Kyle, Aaron Kyle, a Logia-type Bo Bo Fruit user." He tried to keep his voice calm.
"Logia-type?" A hint of surprise flashed in Roger's eyes, then turned into intense interest. "Sugoi! To have such strength and courage at such a young age, excellent, excellent!"
He tossed the bone he was holding aside, clapped his hands, then looked at Kyle with burning eyes, a highly infectious smile spreading across his face: "Little Kyle, I've taken a liking to you! Are you interested in sailing with us? To see what this great sea truly looks like!"
Roger extended his hand, a broad and powerful palm, rough from years of holding a sword.
The invitation came so suddenly, yet so naturally.
Kyle's heart pounded uncontrollably.
Fake succubus: long legs in stockings and a slender waist.
True succubus: Comrade, would you like to change the world with me?
Damn, the legendary succubus Roger is making his move. Anyone who can resist is like the one above.
He looked at the undisguised admiration in Roger's eyes and the boundless ambition that seemed to want to embrace the entire world, and a surge of hot blood rose from his heart.
He forced himself to sit upright on the hammock. Although the wound in his ribs still throbbed with sharp pain, his gaze was exceptionally firm.
"I..." Kyle took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly with excitement, yet remarkably clear, "I crave freedom! I crave to see a wider world! I crave to possess the power to achieve my dreams! If... if I could be with you all..."
He didn't finish, but his yearning for adventure, his longing for the unknown, and the spirit that subtly resonated with the "freedom" emanating from Roger, had been clearly conveyed.
Roger's smile grew even brighter, his eyes sparkling with delight.
Rayleigh, who had been silently standing at the cabin door, wiping his sword, now looked up. His gaze lingered on Kyle for a moment, then turned to Roger, nodding almost imperceptibly.
"Kuhahahahahahaha!" Roger suddenly burst into a deafening laugh, full of exhilaration and triumph. He grabbed Kyle's outstretched hand and squeezed it firmly.
"Good! Well said!" Roger's voice boomed like a bell. "From today onwards, Kyle is the third member of our Roger Pirates!"
"Third?" Kyle was taken aback.
"That's right!" Roger proudly patted his own chest, then pointed to Rayleigh. "Me, Captain Gol D. Roger! That glasses-wearing Vice Captain over there, Silvers Rayleigh! Plus you, that makes exactly three!"
Kyle looked at the future Pirate King before him, who was now laughing like a child who had received a beloved toy, and his heart was filled with mixed emotions.
Is this Gol D. Roger?
There was no legendary inscrutability, no deliberately created kingly majesty, only that heartfelt magnanimity and freedom, and an indescribable charisma.
He was like a giant luminous body, easily igniting the enthusiasm of those around him, making people involuntarily want to follow him, to venture with him, to witness those magnificent miracles.
In just this brief contact, Kyle had already deeply felt Roger's unique leadership charm.
"Welcome aboard, Kyle." Rayleigh also walked over, offering Kyle a slight smile. Though still somewhat composed, it had lost some of the scrutiny from their first meeting.
"Please guide me in the future, Captain Roger, Mr. Rayleigh!" Kyle said solemnly, his excitement and anticipation almost overflowing.
A legend was about to set sail from this small pirate ship.