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Even if the World Government had scrubbed Noitem clean, Noir was determined to return. It held the only clues to his past, a past he needed to understand.
Seeing Sengoku's swift agreement, a triumphant smile spread across Noir's face. "Deal. Their shadows will be returned shortly."
Sengoku narrowed his eyes. "And the Celestial Dragons' shadows as well. Return them all."
Noir, anticipating this, calmly replied, his expression unchanged. "What? Oh… I didn't take their shadows. Just the Marines'."
He was lying through his teeth, but Sengoku had no way to confirm it. His question was a mere probe, a fishing expedition.
While the Marine hostages were freed, the Celestial Dragons were likely still under Noir's control. Even the World Government, lacking shadow manipulation abilities, couldn't tell if they'd been tampered with.
Sengoku was certain Noir had taken their shadows too, but he lacked proof. And even with proof, what could he do?
Knowing he wouldn't get anywhere, Sengoku sighed. "Very well. Return the Marines' shadows first, then."
Noir chuckled. "Certainly. It's been a pleasure doing business with you."
He hung up, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. He stood up and snapped his fingers. Shadowy figures detached from his hand, soaring into the air and vanishing. He'd kept his word about the Marines' shadows. The rest were easy targets.
The only real threats were Zephyr and Tsuru. Zephyr, after his devastating loss, might not even remain in the Marines.
As for Gion… Noir still wasn't sure how to handle her. She knew him too well. If she became an enemy, she could make his life very difficult…
But in her current state, influenced by his ability, she probably wouldn't be a problem. At least, he hoped so.
With the shadows returned, Noir focused on the journey to Noitem. Taking the Eternal Pose to Noitem from Reha, he and his crew boarded the Ark Maxim and set course.
Noir relaxed on a deck chair, expensive sunglasses shielding his eyes, a large cigar clenched between his teeth, looking every bit the successful entrepreneur.
His crew lounged on similar chairs, basking in the sun.
Wyper gazed at the clear blue sky, a sigh escaping his lips. "After all this time in the Blue Sea, we finally have our own territory."
Enel, sporting flashy pink sunglasses, grinned. "When we get to Noitem, I'm going to be king!"
Lucci rolled his eyes. "You? Don't make me laugh."
Enel crackled with blue electricity, about to lunge at Lucci, when Wyper, caught in the crossfire, sighed and intervened.
Issho, observing the commotion, sipped his green tea and smiled serenely. "Ah, to be young again…"
Noir watched them, shaking his head in amusement.
"Your Highness, your juice." A voice interrupted his thoughts.
It was Reha, ever attentive, standing beside him with a glass of juice. Since Reha had joined them, Noir had been constantly reminded of his royal status. Reha was the perfect retainer, even more meticulous than Robin in his care.
Noir accepted the juice with a smile. "Thanks, Reha."
Reha bowed his head respectfully. "It is my duty, Your Highness."
Noir took a long drink, then asked curiously, "I heard Noitem had a unique feature - dragon breeding. Do you know anything about that?"
Reha's eyes lit up, his voice filled with pride. "They are unique, sentient dragon-like creatures, known as Dragon Vassals."
Dragon Vassals...an intriguing name.
"But why didn't I see any Dragon Vassals at your base?" Noir asked, puzzled.
Reha's expression darkened. He sighed. "The Dragon Vassals reside in underwater nests within Noitem's territory. We couldn't reach them."
He pulled out a worn, yellowed parchment, pointing to the faded writing. "This is an ancient record of the Dragon Vassals."
Noir squinted at the text, deciphering the relationship between these creatures and Noitem. Essentially, it was a close partnership.
Each Noitem noble, upon reaching adulthood, would be paired with a Dragon Vassal, forming a lifelong bond. The noble gained protection and companionship, while the Dragon Vassal gained access to knowledge and skills from the human world.
This mutually beneficial relationship had been shattered with Noitem's downfall. Only nobles and highly decorated officials possessed Dragon Vassals. Reha and the others, commoners, did not.
Noir suddenly understood. "So, those mechanical dragons on Abrulet Island… you built them based on the Dragon Vassals?"
Reha nodded, his voice laced with disappointment. "Unfortunately… we could never replicate the true form of the Dragon Vassals."
Though he'd never seen one, Reha's reverence piqued Noir's curiosity. Once they reached Noitem, he would capture a Dragon Vassal, preferably the strongest one.
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As Noir and his crew sailed towards Noitem, a strange phenomenon occurred above Marine Headquarters.
A thick, black cloud gathered over Marineford, gradually releasing shadows that drifted away in different directions.
Within Marineford, numerous officers felt a sudden sense of wholeness as their true shadows returned.
Sengoku, standing by the window, listened to his aide's report, a weight lifting from his shoulders. With their key personnel restored, there was finally some good news.
"What about the investigation into Noitem?" Sengoku asked, his gaze fixed on his aide.
The aide consulted the stack of papers in his hand. "I've reviewed the battle records from Noitem's destruction. The Marines did eliminate all the nobles. The body count was accurate."
Sengoku frowned, confused. If Noir wasn't a Noitem noble, why make such a request? His age didn't match the timeline either. Perhaps a noble had escaped and later had a child… But the records showed no survivors. Something didn't add up…
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