New World, Dressrosa.
The once-thriving dock now appeared somewhat desolate, and the smoke-filled battlefield was strewn with corpses, the majority of which seemed to belong to the pirates based on their appearance. This was also thanks to Atlas's timely arrival, preventing the Marines from incurring excessive casualties.
The Marines coming and going were managing the post-war situation with precision. Gion calmly issued orders one after another, and the Marines operated like a well-oiled machine, executing procedures in an orderly and efficient manner.
Atlas, on the other hand, had to remain where he was due to Gion's firm resistance. He looked on with boredom as the Marines and Kingdom Guards went about their tasks, occasionally lending a hand to assist.
Suddenly, not far away, a curly-haired man donning a Kingdom Guard uniform and a red cloak rushed towards him. His expression displayed a sense of urgency, and his increasingly intensified breathing revealed the urgency of his situation.
"Captain Kyros!"
A guard recognized the man in front of him, promptly set down what he was holding, and greeted him respectfully.
"What's happening? Where are the Big Mom Pirates?"
Kyros was a bit bewildered. Having received a call from King Riku, he was accompanying his wife in the hut in the flower field. He quickly grabbed his weapon and rushed to the port, expecting a chaotic scene with battle cries and the thunderous roar of artillery. To his surprise, the war seemed to have concluded, judging by the calm situation in front of him.
"Ah~ the battle is over!"
Atlas, who was already bored, perked up upon seeing Kyros. It was rare for him to encounter someone who piqued his interest, so he swiftly approached to engage in a conversation.
"Um?"
Kyros heard the voice and glanced at Atlas with confusion. What drew his attention was a Marine Commodore who appeared quite young. The immaculate pure white suit draped over his frame, and his face with distinct features carried an expression that seemed out of place. Despite his age, he exuded a calm demeanor, and though not exceptionally handsome, he could be considered resilient in the pirate world where everyone had their quirks.
"Who are you?"
"This is Marine Commodore Canos Atlas. The battle just now ended so quickly thanks to this Marine. The Big Mom Pirates were also defeated by Commodore Atlas!"
The guards on the side promptly introduced Atlas, their eyes showing reverence. They had witnessed the recent battle and could discern Marine Commodore Atlas's unequivocal stance against the purported Big Mom pirate cadre.
"Thank you so much for helping Dressrosa!"
Kyros was visibly excited upon hearing this. His body tensed, and he bowed to Atlas at a 90-degree angle. For Kyros, Dressrosa was a place for which he would risk his life to protect. It housed his wife, an imminent child, and a king worthy of his allegiance.
Therefore, Kyros felt immense gratitude towards the Marine who had defused the situation in Dressrosa.
"Kyros?"
Atlas looked at the man in front of him with interest. Whether judging from the statues he had seen in the arena before or the memories of his previous life, Kyros still possessed remarkable skills.
You must know that when Doflamingo attempted to seize Dressrosa a few years later, Kyros single-handedly defeated the cadres of the Donquixote Family with his swordsmanship.
"I've heard about you. Would you consider joining the Marines?"
Atlas stated his purpose directly. In his opinion, Kyros could be considered a subordinate with great potential, and his character and loyalty were acknowledged by Atlas.
"this..."
Kyros was stunned when he heard this. He didn't expect that the Marine in front of him actually wanted to recruit him, the captain of the Kingdom Guard.
However, Kyros was still somewhat moved in his heart. Dressrosa was too vulnerable, and his swordsmanship had reached a bottleneck. This crisis made him deeply realize the importance of strength.
He has a wife and children he wants to protect, as well as a country he loves. He doesn't want to rely on the enemy's mercy and Marine's assistance when facing another crisis in the future.
This time, the Marines arrived in time, but what if they didn't next time? What if the Marines abandoned them? Kyros didn't know what the future held for them, but it would be a dire situation.
But there was a slight hesitation in his heart. His pregnant wife had not yet given birth, and he was truly reluctant to part with this land of sincerity.
Kyros pondered extensively, his eyes reflecting hesitation.
"Alright, take three days to think it over. I'll be waiting for you here then."
Atlas noticed Cyrus's hesitation and understood his concerns, but gaining strength often requires sacrifices. Gentle Country has always been the resting place of the strong.
…Three days later…
Atlas and Gion enjoyed a wonderful three-day vacation under the warm hospitality of King Riku, and now it was time to return.
On the deck of the warship at this time, Kyros, the former army commander of Dressrosa, stood next to Atlas. In the past few days, King Riku had learned that Atlas was attempting to recruit his army commander, and he had nagged at Atlas. It took a long time, but King Riku also understood what Kyros was thinking, so he didn't stop him.
Kyros, standing next to Atlas, gazed at Dressrosa, which was growing more distant with infinite nostalgia. However, in his mind, he recalled the conversation with Scarlett three days ago.
"Kyros, you are a hero, and I don't want you to halt your journey because of our connections," Scarlett had said.
"Believe me, our children will be proud of you!"
...
Three days ago, after Scarlett noticed Kyros with a somber expression upon returning home, she learned about Kyros's dilemma through persistent questioning.
The love between Scarlett and Kyros originated as a romantic encounter between a beauty and a hero. Initially, Scarlett looked down upon Kyros, born in a fighting and killing arena, but Kyros fell in love with her when he rescued Scarlett from a group of pirates.
Therefore, Scarlett is very supportive of Kyros joining the Marines. In her perspective, a hero should be free from being confined to the world of Dressrosa for the sake of love for their children.
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Bonus chapter for reaching 50 power stones.
Read 20 chapters in advance in Patr*on: patr*on.com/Cosmic_Kaminari