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Noir directed the Underworld Pirates, steering the Thriller Bark towards a specific location.
Once there, he led everyone to the bow of the ship, where they gazed out at the sea before them.
Lucci, puzzled, asked, "Why have you brought us here?"
Noir smiled faintly. "To show you my new ability."
He extended a hand, pressing it against the air. "Everyone, let's take a trip to The Underworld."
As his voice fell, a massive vortex appeared in the air before him, and a thick black fog began to spread across the sea.
This fog was even more eerie than the mists of the Florian Triangle. It slowly enveloped the entire ship, swallowing it whole.
From an outsider's perspective, the colossal ship, as large as an island, simply vanished, consumed by the black fog.
The Underworld Pirates panicked. Lucci, his expression grim, observed their surroundings. "What's happening?"
Robin quickly noticed something unusual and pointed towards the sea. "The water... what has it become?"
The blue sea had transformed into a strange, dull. Yet, it wasn't murky; it seemed oddly pure, even sparkling with faint points of light.
The crew stared at the water in astonishment. Brook, brought along for the ride, suddenly experienced a strange sensation. A ghostly, greenish-blue form emerged from his body.
The sight nearly sent the crew into a frenzy. Brook's soul looked down at itself in surprise. "I've become a soul again?"
Noir, observing Brook's soul, muttered thoughtfully, as if entering a trance. "Spirits who evade the curse of death by the power of demonic might cannot set foot in Underworld..."
A chill ran down Robin's spine. She looked at Noir, concern etched on her face. "Are you alright?"
Noir snapped out of his trance, scratching his head. "I don't know why, I just felt compelled to say that…"
Robin continued to watch him with worry.
He seemed like his usual self, yet there was an ancient, almost weary, quality to his demeanor.
The Thriller Bark sailed steadily into the Underworld River. It seemed endless, with nothing but the strange water in every direction.
Occasionally, flashes of crimson light flickered on the surface, like scattered flower petals…
Noir was puzzled. This is the Underworld River?
The System's description of this ability had promised a personal pocket dimension, a gateway to the Underworld River, filled with objects of unique power.
But there was nothing here but the sea. Not a single other thing in sight.
And if this truly was Underworld, shouldn't there be some sort of structure?
Were the underworld gods not on duty?
"Forget it, let's go back..." Noir said, shaking his head in disappointment, turning to give the order to his crew.
…
No response.
Noir whirled around. Everyone on the ship had vanished!
What the..?!
He quickly extended his Observation Haki. His senses were amplified in this strange sea, and he quickly located everyone.
They were all, including Brook's soul form, walking in the same direction, their eyes blank, their steps measured.
Yes, walking. They were walking on the surface of the Underworld River!
The entire group, like mindless zombies, trod upon the water, which remained undisturbed, without a single ripple.
Panic rising, Noir rushed after them.
You can walk on the Underworld River? Seriously?
He leaped onto the water, half-believing, half-doubting…
Splash!
The somewhat portly Noir created a massive splash, sinking rapidly towards the bottom.
Noir's expression was one of utter disbelief as he held his breath.
How is this possible?!
They can walk on the water, but I can't?
He flailed his limbs, swimming awkwardly towards his crew.
After struggling for a while, Noir noticed something peculiar.
He could breathe underwater. And the usual pressure and buoyancy of the sea were completely absent.
His movements in the water seemed to be controlled by his own will.
Finally, he caught up to his rapidly walking crew. Blocking their path, he shouted, "Hey! Hello?!"
"Lucci, wake up! I'm making funny faces at you!"
"Jabra! If you don't answer me, I'll cut off your...."
"Robin, say something! I'll lift your skirt!"
He yelled and shouted, but they remained expressionless, continuing their steady march in the same direction.
Noir sighed. Should I just knock them all out and drag them back?
But there are too many of them…
Just as he was racking his brains for a solution, something changed in the distance.
A shimmering object emerged from the vast expanse of the sea.
A mirror, as green as emerald, appeared on the surface, as if by magic.
Everyone gathered around the mirror like pilgrims at a sacred site.
Noir watched curiously, but they did nothing but stare at the mirror.
Losing his patience, Noir snatched the mirror. Robin and the others immediately shifted their gaze to him.
Puzzled, Noir tried to figure out what the mirror was for.
Absentmindedly, he angled the mirror towards Robin. The surface, which had previously reflected nothing, now displayed Robin's image.
Then, images flickered across the mirror's surface.
Like short video clips, several scenes played in succession.
The first scene depicted a raging inferno. A small figure, pursued by a tall, imposing man, escaped the flames.
Noir recognized them instantly. A young Robin and Aokiji. It was the destruction of Ohara. Why is the mirror showing this?
The next clip showed a large, round giant.
Noir remembered Robin mentioning him. A Marine who had saved her as a child, a person she considered her benefactor.
The third clip was even more surprising. It showed Noir himself.
The scene depicted Noir and Robin on the ship, the first time he'd probed her hidden thoughts, the first time he'd offered her a place on his crew.
Several more scenes flashed by, some showing Robin's past in the underworld, others depicting moments with Noir.
Many of the scenes were completely unfamiliar to Noir.
For instance…
Noir stared at the mirror, dumbfounded. In the "video," Robin and he were getting married?!
But the wedding was bizarre. The servers were dressed as ghouls and goblins, and little, lopsided zombies catered to the guests. The whole scene had a distinctly macabre aesthetic.
Among the guests, Noir recognized familiar faces: Enel, Wyper, Kalifa, Conis, and others.
Robin, wearing a black wedding dress, beamed, seemingly pleased with the arrangements.
Even through the mirror, Noir could sense Robin's peculiar taste…
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