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Noir and the Underworld Pirates, laden with countless beli, successfully escaped the Marines' encirclement.
As soon as Blueno opened another Air Door, Enel and the others excitedly carried out large wooden chests, transporting them into the Underworld.
Noir watched Enel zipping around, tongue lolling out, and chuckled. "Finally got rid of those ticking time bombs…"
Robin smiled faintly. "Yes, but that also means we've lost our leverage over the Marines and the World Government."
Noir scoffed. "Sengoku and the Gorōsei have short memories. They'll be scheming against me again soon enough."
Robin nodded. "After losing so many men because of your shadow trick, Sengoku has to deal with the fallout first."
Noir shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips. "True… He'll probably be calling me again before long."
Just as he spoke, Lucci approached quietly, holding out a Transponder Snail. "A call from Fleet Admiral Sengoku," he reported.
Noir and Robin exchanged glances, a shared look of amusement in their eyes. That was fast.
Robin chuckled and patted Noir's shoulder. "I'll check on the Noitem refugees. You handle this… private conversation."
Noir grinned and took the Transponder Snail, putting the receiver to his ear. "Meow, meow?" he said mockingly.
Sengoku's usually calm voice was now laced with barely suppressed fury. "Why did you attack the hostages?! We paid the ransom in full!"
Noir countered with a chillingly calm question of his own. "Why did you attack me? Perhaps you should explain why the Marines attacked me first."
Sengoku was momentarily speechless. Noir pressed his advantage, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I was merely taking precautions. I'm surprised I actually had to use them…"
"So, the self-proclaimed 'righteous' Marines resort to underhanded pirate tactics?"
Sengoku gritted his teeth, struggling to contain his rage. "It was a misunderstanding… We were sincere in our invitation for you to join the Seven Warlords."
A sly smile spread across Noir's face. "Oh… were you, now?"
Sengoku closed his eyes, a wave of weariness washing over him. "We were wrong, Mr. Noir…" he admitted, his voice heavy with resignation. "Please, return the Marines' shadows."
Noir laughed, his mockery undisguised. "How generous of you to ask, Fleet Admiral."
Sengoku sighed, about to explain, when Noir interrupted him again. "I'm willing to return their shadows, but that will come at a price."
Sengoku nearly choked, his voice rising. "We're not giving you any more money!"
On the other end of the line, Noir smiled silently. This was the reaction he'd been aiming for.
"If not money…" Noir continued smoothly, "then perhaps something else…"
"You know, as a newly appointed Warlord, I require… territory."
Sengoku's eye twitched. He frowned, his mind racing. With Devil Noir's power, he could seize any territory he wanted. Why ask for it?
There could only be one explanation: Noir wanted a location under Marine or World Government control, or one with significant connections to them.
Sengoku, careful not to reveal his thoughts, asked, "Where do you propose to establish your territory?"
Noir's voice was calm and steady. "The ruins of a fallen kingdom – the Kingdom of Noitem. I hear you've occupied the island."
Sengoku's heart skipped a beat. The ancient kingdom of Noitem… a kingdom tied to the mysterious "D." clan.
After all these years, why would anyone bring up that place?! How did Noir even know about it? He was too young to remember those events.
But wait… Noir's surname was Kyros... and he carried the initial "D." Weren't those hallmarks of Noitem royalty?
Could Devil Noir, the notorious pirate making waves across the Grand Line, be a descendant of that ancient kingdom's royal family?!
Sengoku's mind raced, piecing together the clues.
Noitem's downfall was due to their dangerous research, something the World Government feared. Sengoku, a staunch traditionalist, believed Noitem's destruction was justified.
The operation had been thorough. While some commoners might have survived, the nobility was believed to have been completely eradicated.
So, where did this "Kyros D. Noir" come from?
Sengoku cursed himself for not investigating Noir's background more thoroughly.
On the other end of the line, Noir grew impatient. "Well? Are you going to answer? Will you give me the island or not?"
"If not, the Marines keep their shadows, and I'll take Noitem by force!"
Sweat beaded on Sengoku's forehead. He couldn't make this decision lightly.
Their relationship with Noir was precarious. The Warlord title was a flimsy truce, but neither side truly trusted the other. The Government still wanted Noir eliminated, but his hostage tactics made direct action risky.
The island of Noitem, occupied for years, had been thoroughly stripped of anything valuable – research data, treasures, historical artifacts, even skilled individuals.
Logically, handing it over to Noir shouldn't be a problem. But Sengoku, having dealt with Noir's shrewd bargaining before, was hesitant to agree.
After a moment of agonizing deliberation, Sengoku said, "I can't make that decision. I need to consult my superiors."
Noir grumbled impatiently and sat down to wait. While he could take Noitem by force, a peaceful acquisition would be more legitimate and less troublesome.
Just as Noir assumed the consultation would be a silent affair, Sengoku's voice returned, sounding more confident.
"We agree to cede the island of Noitem to you."
"But in return, you must return the shadows you stole from the Marines!"
Noir was surprised by the swift decision. It seemed the Marines and the World Government were confident they'd already taken everything of value from Noitem.
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