Noir had a clear plan: he would never voluntarily become a pirate, nor would he join the Marine. Being a pirate hunter was a great identity.
Of course, Noir also wanted to see how far he could go on the Grand Line with a legitimate identity.
Early in the morning, the villagers gathered to drag Arlong's pirate ship, the "Sea Serpent," into the village and began dismantling it with a flurry of activity.
By noon, the Sea Serpent had been transformed into a normal-looking ship.
This was Noir's wish. He planned to make his debut as a pirate hunter and needed a ship.
Since Arlong's ship was just sitting there, he decided to repurpose it.
Noir discussed his plans with Bell-mère, who didn't object. With Noir's current strength, sailing in the East Blue was almost a game.
It was a way to make extra money.
However, Nami threw a fit when she heard that Noir was going out to make money and insisted on joining him, but Bell-mère quickly put an end to that.
Sailing the East Blue, Noir navigated effortlessly with his "hyper-climate sense".
Lying comfortably in a beach chair, soaking up the sun, he listened as Kaede and Naomi discussed their destination.
Kaede, holding a small notebook, said, "Master, our target this time is in Tandale Village. It's a pirate stronghold led by a man named York. After each raid, they store their loot there."
"So we can go straight to the source, grab the treasure, and then wait to ambush York."
Noir took a sip of his orange juice and praised, "Kaede, your intelligence gathering is impressive. You even found out such details."
Proudly, Kaede continued, "Although York's bounty isn't high, he often kills for money and rarely provokes big shots, so he must have amassed quite a bit."
Curious, Noir asked, "So what's the bounty on this guy?"
Finally, a chance to shine!
It was as if a background music track was playing around them. Kaede, who hadn't had many opportunities to show off her skills, quickly and fluently shouted, "It's exactly 3,126,549 Beli. No mistake!"
Noir looked at Naomi in amazement and thought, "This talent of yours is truly extraordinary!"
"How can it be so accurate?"
Suspicious, Noir asked, "Are you sure? What if the bounty has been updated?"
Naomi confidently replied, "It won't. I memorize the updated bounties every night!"
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Speechless, Noir thought, "What can I say?"
Previously puzzled as to why memorizing bounties was a talent, he now understood.
"You memorize the odd amounts too?! Are you saving up to buy a chopper?"
No wonder even the system said you were bored...
Can't blame you.
While Noir marveled at the sisters' talents, a ship approached from the distance.
The familiar black flag with a white skull, it's truly the age of piracy. It wasn't long before they encountered another pirate crew.
Walking to the bow, Noir looked ahead and saw a group of pirates jumping around like hunting dogs that had spotted prey.
"So many henchmen... how annoying," Noir said, watching the pirates with disinterest.
It wasn't that they were a threat; even if they attacked together, they wouldn't be a problem. But they were annoying.
However, minions were great for showing off.
Seeing the clueless Kaede and Naomi, Noir's eyes lit up, "My students, let me teach you something..."
On the pirate ship, the newly appointed pirate leader excitedly eyed the approaching ship.
There were only three people, a child and two unsuspecting women, an easy target at last!
As the ships approached, the pirate leader shouted, "Boys! Attack!"
"Ahhhhh!"
The pirate henchmen shouted, climbing aboard like monkeys, brandishing their weapons and trying to look ferocious.
The pirate leader, leading the charge with a scimitar, waved his weapon wildly and shouted, "Hand over the money, or else... huh?"
The pirate leader's voice choked as he realized something was wrong.
Noir was sitting on his chair with his legs crossed, wearing sunglasses and looking incredibly smug.
Next to him, Kaede and Naomi stood solemnly with their swords, wearing pink sunglasses and stern expressions.
If these three were wearing suits, they would look like stoic characters from The Matrix.
The pirate leader, almost overwhelmed by this bizarre scene, shouted, "Stop pretending! Hand over the money!"
Noir responded with a grin that was one-third mocking, one-third contemptuous, and one-third indifferent, like a CEO.
Noir raised his hand and snapped his fingers.
Nothing happened...
Clearing his throat to hide his embarrassment, Noir clapped loudly.
"Great!"
On cue, the bodyguard sisters began banging their sword sheaths on the ground, their loud voices finally useful.
The pirate leader, hearing this thunderous sound, felt uneasy despite his numbers.
That's the effect!
Seeing the confused pirates, Noir thought, this is the advantage of having henchmen!
"You think you can rob us?" Noir said with a magnetic voice.
Standing up, Kaede saw her chance and dramatically threw a cloak at Noir.
But she used too much force...
The coat landed perfectly on Noir's... head.
Blinded by the cloak, Noir calmly removed it.
The pirate leader realized...
This guy is crazy!
"Forget this madman, attack!" he shouted.
The pirates rushed forward, only to be met by Noir's cold gaze and swift sword.
In a flash, Noir sliced through the crowd, causing chaos and sending the pirates screaming for their mothers.
Soon all the pirates were defeated, and Noir slowly sheathed his sword, looking as lonely as the snow.
He lit a cigarette, exhaled rings of smoke, and confidently sat back down.
Only to land on the ground with a thud.
Turning to glare at Naomi, who was just lifting the chair, she apologized, "Sorry, master, too many steps, I forgot!"
Noir sighed and covered his face.
It's so hard to show off...