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...
On a deserted island somewhere in the first half of the Grand Line, a peculiar group of guests disembarked.
The diverse group that Noir had rescued proved to be remarkably skilled.
Among them, individuals of various races could be found who possessed experience as shipwrights.
The Longarm Tribe members, in particular, displayed an exceptional talent for shipbuilding, their craftsmanship exceeding that of ordinary humans, perhaps due to some inherent racial ability.
They worked diligently, repairing the warships and meticulously checking for any potential tracking devices planted by the Marines.
Meanwhile, Noir was setting the stage for his next act.
He had abducted a total of thirty-seven Celestial Dragons from Mary Geoise. Now, with their sacks removed, they were lined up on their knees, their faces a mixture of fear and conceit.
Despite their panic, their limited intelligence led them to spew threats and promises of revenge against Noir and his crew.
Noir ignored their barking, calmly putting on a pair of black gloves and changing into a clean, gray turtleneck.
The Celestial Dragons grew increasingly uneasy. Not only was Noir completely unfazed by their threats, but none of the people around them seemed afraid either.
One Celestial Dragon, spitting with rage, roared at the man standing next to him, "Release me at once! Or I'll slaughter your entire family and feed their corpses to the pigs!"
Without hesitation, the man punched the Celestial Dragon in the face, sending the bloated figure flying.
"We don't have families anymore. All Celestial Dragons deserve to die…"
The man's voice trembled with rage, his eyes bloodshot as he raised his fist to strike again.
Puff, his frail body trembling, stepped forward. His grip was surprisingly strong as his webbed hand clamped down on the man's arm. "Do not interfere with the Savior's plans," he said in a low, steady voice.
The man's fist clenched and unclenched before he finally relented, trusting in Noir's instructions. He wiped away his tears and returned to his place among the other freed slaves.
The Celestial Dragon, watching his companion get beaten, and seeing the murderous glares of those surrounding him, finally fell silent.
Noir straightened his clothes and offered words of comfort to the man who had lashed out. "Don't worry, the Celestial Dragons will pay for their crimes."
He then turned to Puff. "How are the arrangements coming along?"
"I've managed to hijack the Den Den Mushi lines for that island," Puff replied calmly. "But the connection will be brief. If you have a message, you'll need to deliver it quickly."
Noir smiled and nodded. "To achieve this under such conditions… As expected of Mr. Puff."
Puff bowed his head humbly. "It was my duty."
Noir stretched, then sat down in front of the Visual Den Den Mushi. "Let's begin."
...
Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters, Sengoku stared in shock at his two injured Admirals.
Half of Kuzan's hair was singed, his body covered in burns and cuts. But most alarmingly, his leg had been cleanly severed!
As for Kizaru... he seemed…
…Perfectly fine, aside from some dirt on his clothes…
Well, at least the dirt means he actually put in some effort.
Sengoku suppressed his rising anger and asked in a low voice, "Is Devil Noir truly that strong?"
"Neither of you could defeat him together?"
Kizaru and Kuzan (with a guilty look): "Uh, yeah, pretty much..."
Sengoku's old eyes saw through their facade. He sighed wearily.
If only I hadn't sent these two. I should have just bitten the bullet and sent Sakazuki.
Though the slaves and Celestial Dragons might not have survived, it would have been better than letting that menace, Noir, escape back to the sea.
Kuzan had lost a leg. Though his Devil Fruit ability would mitigate the impact on his future combat abilities, this incident would undoubtedly damage his authority as an Admiral within the Marines.
Sengoku pushed himself up from his desk, his voice laced with power despite his lack of outward anger. "We must capture Devil Noir as soon as possible. We cannot allow our abilities to be stolen and used against us!"
"The World Government is furious about the kidnapping of the Celestial Dragons. They've ordered us to apprehend Noir at any cost."
Sengoku and the two Admirals stood tall, their faces grim as they discussed their next move.
The series of events – the intrusion into Mary Geoise, the liberation of the slaves, the abduction of the Celestial Dragons – had made one thing clear to Sengoku.
As long as Devil Noir lived, the world would never know peace!
Just as Sengoku was about to summon the Marine high command for a meeting, a frantic knocking came from the door.
"Fleet Admiral, urgent report!" a voice called out. "Devil Noir has intercepted the Den Den Mushi signal for Sabaody Archipelago! He's broadcasting a live feed!"
Sengoku's eyebrows shot up. He rushed out of his office, the two Admirals following closely behind.
A Marine led Sengoku to a spacious room. A live video feed from Sabaody was playing on the wall.
A handsome face appeared on the screen, projected from the Den Den Mushi at Sabaody Square.
Aokiji felt a phantom pain in his missing leg as soon as he saw that face.
Sengoku's expression hardened, his anger threatening to erupt like a volcano, as he watched Noir's broadcast.
Noir stood in an unfamiliar environment, a smug smile on his lips as he looked directly at the camera.
After a moment of silence, Noir spoke cheerfully. "I know you're watching, Marines."
Sengoku frowned and barked at the nearby Marine, "Quickly, trace the signal! Find Devil Noir's location!"
The Marine saluted. "Yes, sir!"
Noir, unable to hear Sengoku's orders, continued his one-sided conversation. "I'm contacting you like this because I have a business proposition."
Noir shifted the camera, focusing on the line of kneeling Celestial Dragons.
Sengoku's heart sank. What is he planning to do with them?
Noir strolled over to one of the Celestial Dragons, slowly crouching down. He tilted her chin up with his finger, a devilish smirk on his face. "These Celestial Dragons… their lives are quite valuable to you, aren't they?"
"I have thirty-seven of them here. Let's see…"
"How about ten billion berries each?"
The Celestial Dragon whose chin Noir had lifted was none other than Shalria, his former "fiancée."
She bit her lip, tears of humiliation streaming down her face. This man had kidnapped World Nobles… for money?!
And back in the Holy Land, she had been toyed with by this… this insect!
Shalria was overwhelmed by shame and despair. Her privileged life, now shattered by this horrifying experience, made her contemplate taking her own life.
Noir held up a finger, addressing the camera directly. "You pay, I deliver. However…"
He suddenly turned, his blade flashing as he raised it towards Saint Rosward, the one who had been spewing threats earlier.
As the citizens of Sabaody Archipelago watched in terror, and Sengoku roared in fury, Noir brought his sword down without hesitation.
Blood splattered, staining the screen crimson. A grotesque head rolled across the ground, followed by the collapse of the obese, headless body.
Standing against the blood-soaked backdrop, Noir flashed a wide, predatory grin, uttering words that sent shivers down Sengoku's spine.
"Every day that passes, one of them dies. That's ten billion berries less you'll have to pay."
"But don't wait too long. Wouldn't want me to end up empty-handed…"
...
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