Guiding Kyros

Kakarot glanced at Viola, who had returned to normal, cleared his throat, and said:

"You don't need to overthink it. I crippled that bunch of pirates. The soldiers should have gone over by now, so they can probably find out why they kidnapped Viola."

"Lilith, Lina, take good care of Viola, or head back to the hotel in a bit. I have something to take care of."

Everyone had long since grown used to Kakarot always having something to do. Hearing this, they waved their hands, signaling that he needn't worry about them and should go ahead.

The corners of Kakarot's mouth lifted into a faint smile. He closed his eyes and concentrated on sensing Kyros's presence.

Then his body vanished from the spot like a bolt of black lightning, and he used the Flight Technique to fly to the passage beneath the spectator stands.

Following his Observation Haki, Kakarot found Kyros, who had already had his wounds bandaged and was resting alone in a room.

The bandages on Kyros's body were neatly wrapped, and a trace of fatigue showed in his eyes.

"Who's there!"

Hearing faint footsteps, Kyros jolted and sprang to his feet.

He clenched both fists and took a defensive stance, warily watching Kakarot, who had appeared before him without a sound.

Kakarot quickly waved his hands, a gentle smile on his face. "Don't worry. I'm not a bad person!"

At the same time, he activated his Observation Haki, slowly letting his goodwill spread outward.

Although Kyros was strong-willed and did not completely let down his guard at once,

the empathic influence of Kakarot's Observation Haki still made his body relax a little, and much of the wariness on his face eased.

"Speak! What do you want with me?" Kyros frowned slightly, his tone still brusque.

Kakarot paid no mind to his current attitude and walked unhurriedly to the stool opposite Kyros and sat down.

He leaned forward slightly, resting his hands on his knees and looking Kyros straight in the eye.

"Kyros, my name is Kakarot. You can probably tell I'm from elsewhere. I've also learned quite a bit about you.

"I wanted to ask you why you stayed in the arena even after earning your freedom with a hundred consecutive victories."

As Kakarot spoke, he used his Observation Haki to influence Kyros, hoping to make him lower his guard.

Although Kyros did not know what Kakarot wanted, he genuinely sensed no malice.

He sighed softly, a hint of melancholy in his eyes, and slowly said:

"I'm sixteen this year. I committed a crime before, and King Riku gave me a chance to atone.

"Although I've gained my freedom, I don't know what I'd do if I left. I might as well stay in the arena and get stronger."

Kakarot's eyes lit up at this, and he was secretly pleased. He had been wondering how to get Kyros to mention King Riku, only for Kyros to bring him up himself.

Kakarot nodded and said solemnly, "Kyros, I know King Riku spared you the death penalty because there were extenuating circumstances.

"Then surely you wouldn't want to watch King Riku's family be destroyed and his country taken by someone else!"

Kyros jolted at these words. His gaze instantly turned fierce, and he clenched his fists, his knuckles whitening slightly from the force as he roared:

"What do you mean! Are you saying someone will replace Dressrosa's royal family?

"What a joke! Under King Riku's family, our lives in Dressrosa are much better than those in other countries.

"And Dressrosa is the strongest of the surrounding countries. How could it possibly fall!"

Watching the agitated Kyros, Kakarot frowned slightly and strengthened his Observation Haki to calm him down.

"Kyros, don't get worked up. I didn't say Dressrosa would fall. It would merely have a different royal family!"

Kakarot spoke calmly.

By now, Kyros was gradually calming down as well. He looked firmly at Kakarot and said with conviction:

"I don't know whether what you're saying is true, but I'll do everything in my power to stop any of it from happening."

Kakarot smiled. "It doesn't matter whether you believe me now. But with your strength, you definitely won't have the power to stop it when danger comes!"

With that, Kakarot's gaze sharpened, and his Conqueror's Haki surged out like a tide, bearing down on Kyros,

while his own imposing aura and fist intent intertwined with it, forming an overwhelming pressure.

Kyros immediately felt as though a mountain were pressing down on him. His legs gave way, and he fell flat on the floor with a thud, gasping for breath with a pained expression.

A few seconds later, Kakarot withdrew his Conqueror's Haki and aura.

Kyros struggled for breath, braced his hands against the floor, and staggered to his feet. His legs were still trembling slightly, and a trace of fear and shock lingered in his eyes.

"Who exactly are you? What do you want?" Kyros asked in a low voice that trembled slightly.

Like a spring breeze brushing his face, Kakarot's Observation Haki slowly enveloped Kyros, gradually settling his emotions.

Kakarot sat back down on the stool and said expressionlessly, "If the enemy you face in the future is as strong as I am, what will you do?"

Kyros's expression darkened. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to say, "I'm still young. I'll work harder to get stronger."

Kakarot laughed. "Hahaha! That's a fine thought, Kyros, but do you know how old I am?"

Kyros looked at the two-point-eight-meter-tall Kakarot and opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing, merely staring intently at him.

"I'm the same age as you this year. Sixteen," Kakarot said mildly, little expression on his face.

"How is that possible! You're only sixteen? How are you already so strong!" Kyros exclaimed, his eyes wide and his face filled with disbelief.

Kakarot smiled. "Although my exceptional talent is part of why I'm this strong, my companions are also much stronger than you.

"That's the difference between having specialized training methods and techniques and simply relying on arena fights where your life isn't at risk."

"All right, enough talk. I came to see you today to give you a systematic training method.

"I'll be doing some big things in the future. Just remember this favor once you're stronger."

With that, Kakarot took out the training manual he had compiled on the Navy's Six Powers, Haki, and Martial Arts Will from inside his clothes and held it out.

A trace of hesitation appeared in Kyros's eyes, but he still solemnly accepted it, gripping the manual tightly in both hands as he said:

"I don't know whether what you've said is true, but I'll work hard to get stronger and prepare for the dangers that might come in the future.

"I'll remember your kindness, too. I swear it on my honor as a Gladiator!"

Kakarot smiled. "Hahaha! Just do what you want to do. As long as you work hard to get stronger and have no regrets later, that's enough! I'll be going now."

With that, Kakarot stood, turned, and strode out.

Kyros remained where he was, watching Kakarot leave. As he watched his figure gradually disappear into the darkness, his brows furrowed tightly, and there was no telling what he was thinking.

After an unknown amount of time, the faint sound of pages turning broke the silence of the room.

Looking at the Ideological Program tucked inside the training manual, Kyros felt a trace of curiosity and opened it without realizing it.

As soon as he opened the cover, a line of large print met his eyes.

"Those who share the same ideals-comrades!" Kyros murmured, his voice echoing through the silent room. As though unable to control himself, he continued turning the pages...

And so, red ideology spread, and a tiny spark began to flicker in this dark corner.

This was the very beginning of a single spark setting a prairie ablaze!