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A faint light flickered across the ceiling of the dim, cramped room. The Marine officers, their consciousness stolen by The Underworld Powers, remained still and silent, where they had been for days.
In the center of the room, a figure sat cross-legged, deeply immersed in meditation. It was Gion, She had remained conscious since Noir's experiment with his Powers
After observing her for some time, Noir had found Gion surprisingly docile, showing no signs of resistance.
He hadn't figured out why, but since she was trapped within Underworld, there was no risk of escape. He'd decided to leave her alone.
In the suffocating silence, Gion's eyes suddenly opened. Her gaze, sharp and perceptive, shifted towards the door.
The door creaked open, spilling bright light into the room. Gion winced, momentarily blinded.
Noir and Robin entered. Gion smiled faintly, raising a hand to shield her eyes. "So, you've finally decided to grace me with your presence?"
Robin's brow furrowed, a cold smile playing on her lips. "Is spouting nonsense a requirement for becoming a Marine Vice Admiral?"
Gion shrugged, her gaze fixed boldly on Noir. Her tone was sharp, almost mocking. "I'm speaking plainly. If you hear nonsense, Devil Child, that's your problem."
Robin's expression darkened. She loathed that nickname, reserved only for those closest to her.
Seeing Robin's rising anger, Noir quickly grabbed her wrist. "Don't waste your breath on her."
He walked towards Gion, forcing a mask of indifference. "You, be quiet."
Gion chuckled, turning her head away. "What, does it pain you to see me like this?"
Noir frowned. Gion's feelings toward him were complex, evident in her words and actions.
But those feelings stemmed from her experiences within the Illusionary World, not reality. Noir had no desire to get entangled with an enemy.
Gion looked at him intently, then laughed. "Putting on such a cold front… How exhausting for you."
"Tell me, what are you planning to do with the Marines?"
Noir raised his hand, shadows extending from his palm. "I'm going to use them to put pressure on Sengoku."
Gion looked confused. "Haven't you reached an agreement yet?"
Noir walked past her, towards the unconscious Marine officers. He began severing their shadows one by one. "He might not honor his agreement."
"So, I'm going to show Sengoku what I've done to them."
Noir had previously manipulated the Celestial Dragons in secret, planning to use them as leverage against the World Government when he eventually rebelled against his Warlord status.
But Sengoku's intentions were unclear. This was a more overt move, a clear message to Sengoku to back off.
Once the deal was done, Noir would return the shadows. Even if the Government tried to retract the news of his Warlord status, the world wouldn't believe them.
Gion recognized this twisted logic; it felt strangely familiar. She laughed dryly. "A convoluted and crude plan."
Noir scoffed. "Oh, you have a better idea? I'm all ears."
Gion smiled serenely. "Just kill the Fleet Admiral."
Noir paused, momentarily considering it.
'No! Even if I could kill Sengoku, it would only cause temporary chaos within the Marines.'
The power struggle between Aokiji and Akainu was unlikely to happen again. They would likely unite against him, avenging their former leader.
And if Garp, enraged by Sengoku's death, took over as Fleet Admiral…
Noir glared at Gion. "You think I'd listen to you?"
Gion smirked inwardly. 'You totally considered it, though.'
After some time, Noir had severed all the shadows, replacing them with fake ones he created.
When he reached Gion, she spread her arms wide, lying on the ground. "Go ahead. Don't hold back."
Robin, standing beside Noir, bristled at Gion's provocative words.
Noir, flustered by her brazenness, raised his sword and swiftly cut the connection between Gion and her shadow.
He held Gion's shadow, a silhouette of her form, in his hand. Unlike the others, her shadow was surprisingly still.
The moment her shadow was severed, Gion lost consciousness.
Noir hesitated, then retrieved a blanket from the Portal and gently covered her.
He turned to find Robin staring at him with an intense, almost accusatory gaze.
Noir broke out in a cold sweat, forcing a smile. "Uh... what?"
Robin's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "I didn't believe it when Perona and the others said there was something going on between you and Gion..."
Noir swallowed hard. "There's nothing to believe."
He's definitely hiding something. Robin thought. Noir's unconvincing act wouldn't fool anyone.
But judging by the situation, nothing had happened between them.
Robin sighed, resigned. "Fine, I won't pry. Just… be careful."
Noir grinned, relieved, and put his arm around Robin's shoulder. "Don't worry, I wouldn't do anything like that."
The Bewitching Eyes was practically every woman's worst nightmare. The ability to make anyone fall in love with just a glance... it was disturbing.
He wouldn't tell Robin or any of his other female crewmates about it.
With the hostage situation handled, Noir began arranging the meeting place for the exchange.
As a precaution, he chose an island far from Impel Down. After making some preparations, he sent the information to Sengoku.
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Marine Headquarters
Sengoku received Noir's message, his face breaking into a wide grin.
He slammed his fist on the table and bellowed to the messenger, "Inform the Marine officers! Proceed with the plan!"
The messenger saluted and hurried away. Sengoku stood by the window, a fiery glint in his eyes.
Devil Noir, the World's Greatest Menace, would finally be dealt with.
On that island, the Marines would surround and eliminate him and the entire Underworld Pirates crew. Not a single one would escape.
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