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Noir, sweating profusely, watched as Robin, still aboard Thriller Bark, sniffed the air suspiciously.
She didn’t smell anything, did she? Does that woman have a superhuman sense of smell?
Making an excuse, Noir hurried off to watch the fight between Enel and Fujitora.
Robin sighed but followed him calmly.
As always, there was no need to worry about Noir, that oblivious blockhead, getting entangled in any romantic affairs.
The fight outside ended quickly. Enel, with his rudimentary Haki, was ultimately no match for Fujitora.
Enel's combat strength was a mystery. His hand-to-hand combat was poor, his Busoshoku Haki was weak, and his Observation Haki, boosted by his Devil Fruit, was only advantageous in its range. His only real strength was the Goro Goro no Mi.
Even so, he'd given Fujitora a run for his money. After all, lightning was one of nature's most formidable forces.
Enel threw his golden staff to the ground in frustration. Since arriving in the Blue Sea, his victories had been few and far between. Were all the people in the Blue Sea Powerful?!
Noir didn’t bother explaining. There was no shame in losing. Enel didn't seem to realize the caliber of opponents he'd been facing.
Enel's Devil Fruit training had reached a Limit. Noir would have to oversee his physical conditioning and Haki training.
Meanwhile, Ace, after days of unconsciousness, finally awoke.
Led by the Spade Pirates, Noir arrived at the room where Ace was recuperating.
Wrapped in bloodstained bandages, Ace, oblivious to his near-death experience, greeted Noir with a cheerful grin and a hearty clap on the shoulder. "Looks like we both survived, Noir!"
Noir brushed Ace’s hand off his shoulder. "Your recovery is monstrous."
Ace's clash with Akainu had been a mismatch, but Ace had managed to inflict significant damage with a near-suicidal attack.
Akainu had probably recovered long ago, while Ace had nearly kicked the bucket.
To survive that… the blood of the Pirate King is something else…
Ace chuckled. "Really? I thought everyone was like this. Do you recover slowly from injuries, Noir?"
Noir lifted his chin proudly. "I rarely get injured."
Okay, fine, you win.
Noir sat beside Ace’s bed. "What are your plans? You're in no condition to sail right now."
Deuce nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Captain, maybe we should stay put for a while until you're fully recovered."
Ace spread his hands helplessly. "We offended a Marine Admiral. Where can we possibly stay?"
Noir stroked his chin thoughtfully. "We'll drop you off at Fish-Man Island."
"I have Puff and many other fish-men and merfolk on board. The king of Fish-Man Island won't give us any trouble. You can recover there."
Ace's face fell. "I wanted to adventure with you in the New World!"
Noir rolled his eyes. "Stop whining. You know I won't join the Spade Pirates."
Ace chuckled sheepishly, dropping the subject.
If he could, Noir would gladly recruit Ace, but his identity was too sensitive.
He was the only son of the Pirate King, the descendant of the man the Marines and the World Government feared most.
With that lineage, once Ace gained enough strength, a single call to arms would rally countless ambitious individuals to his cause.
That was a huge threat, one that even Noir's Warlord title couldn't conceal. It would endanger both Ace and himself.
Sending Ace to Whitebeard was the best option. Whitebeard had the power to protect him.
After all, Noir was Ace’s friend, not his father. He couldn't meddle too much.
But just like in the recent battle, Ace had nearly sacrificed himself to help Noir. Noir wouldn't hesitate to return the favor if Ace ever needed him.
Ace, still weak from his injuries, groaned. "It's so boring not being able to go on adventures."
Noir chuckled, about to reply, when the sound of snoring filled the room.
That was fast… Noir shook his head and left the room, instructing the Spade Pirates, "Take good care of him."
After checking on Ace, Noir went outside and opened a portal to the outside world using The Underworld Traveling Ability.
While the Underworld was safe, it was also incredibly depressing. Many of the people Noir had rescued were nearing their breaking point, though they'd tried to hide it from him.
Noir knew this, which made him even more eager to find a suitable island for a base.
Releasing everyone from the shadowy world, Noir prepared to bid farewell to Hancock.
The Empress had only come for a brief visit and wouldn't be staying long.
Standing on the deck of the magnificent Kuja ship. the Perfume Yuda, Hancock looked at Noir, a hint of reluctance in her eyes. "Farewell, Noir-sama."
Hearing the honorific "sama" from Hancock always gave Noir goosebumps.
Waving a small handkerchief, like a father sending his daughter off to school, Noir called out, "Bye-bye, Boa! Be safe on your journey!"
Hancock's sisters, Sandersonia and Marigold, exchanged glances. "Is Noir-sama talking to us?" they wondered aloud.
Then, they heard Noir shout again, "And Boa's sisters, too!"
The sisters perked up, eager to hear what Noir had to say to them.
"Sanda... or was it Mari...? Uh, you guys be careful too!"
The sisters slumped against the wall, dejected. They had gotten their hopes up. Noir hadn't even bothered to remember their names…
As Hancock's ship sailed away, Noir sighed.
Robin, seeing his melancholic expression, chuckled. "Feeling sad to see her go?"
Noir nodded honestly. "It's like when guests leave your home. It always feels a little empty afterward."
First, Mihawk had left without saying goodbye, then his new friend, Hancock, and soon he'd have to part ways with Ace.
Noir felt the gentle sea breeze on his face, a wistful smile playing on his lips. "That's how it is on the sea. New friends come and go, old friends depart and reunite."
This was the bittersweet joy of a seafaring journey. But amidst the constant farewells, there were always some companions who stayed, sailing alongside him, sharing the adventure.
These companions, not too many, perhaps just enough to form a crew...
As Noir stood by the sea, lost in contemplation, almost composing a poem in his head, the informant he'd left behind in Sabaody approached and whispered in his ear,
"Captain, we found that old man you asked us to look for."
Noir's eyes lit up. They found Rayleigh?
...
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