Noir quickened his pace, his sword slashing wildly, sending deadly waves of sword energy that left his enemies either dead or seriously injured.
The pirates could no longer hold back the increasingly frenzied Noir. York, in the crowd, looked terrified as he stepped back, clearly planning to abandon his comrades and escape.
Frowning, Noir thrust his sword forward and slashed through the pirates blocking his path before slashing at York.
York, stunned, managed to draw his fine sword to block the attack.
A powerful force passed through the blade, causing York's hand to tremble in pain and nearly causing him to drop his weapon.
Seizing the opportunity, Noir kicked York, sending him flying, and quickly snatched the fine Pure Heart sword from his grasp.
Holding his new prize, Noir's eyes gleamed with excitement and he grinned broadly.
This trip was worth it - he got both money and a fine sword!
Pure Heart was a long sword, and despite Noir's height and arm length, it still felt a bit mismatched. But with his rapid growth, it wouldn't be long before he could use it perfectly.
The sword had a snow-white blade with green patterns etched into it. It was heavy and fit Noir's aesthetic perfectly.
"A fine sword, and now it's mine!" Noir said, satisfied.
York, coughing blood and looking desperate, didn't care that the boy had taken his sword. From their brief exchange, he could tell that their strengths were not on the same level.
Known for his cautious nature, York decided to flee. He could always find another place to raid.
But Noir was here for York's head and wouldn't let him get away.
"Trying to run? Let's test this new sword!" Noir stopped smiling, sheathed his old sword and held Pure Heart with both hands, aiming at York's retreating back.
Noir shot forward like an arrow, quickly catching up to York and slashing at his back with Pure Heart.
A flash of green light mixed with blood split York's back open, spurting blood.
York fell into a pool of blood with a hideous scream, quickly becoming a lifeless corpse.
"Our captain is dead?!"
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"How is that possible? How could York..."
"This boy is a devil! A devil!"
The psychological pillar of a pirate crew is its captain. When the pirates saw Noir easily break through their defenses and kill their leader, they panicked.
Their terrified screams spread fear among the pirates, and many fled without even retrieving their captain's body.
Noir looked sympathetically at York's body and said, "It seems you weren't very important to your subordinates. No one even stayed with you."
If York could hear him, he would undoubtedly curse Noir with tears of frustration.
Meanwhile, the fleeing pirates had forgotten about their leader. One pirate suddenly said, "There's a lot of treasure in York's treasury. Since he's dead, why don't we share it?"
At the thought of York's accumulated wealth, the pirates' eyes reddened with greed, and they happily agreed and headed for the treasury.
But when they found the treasury, they were stunned.
Why was it empty? Not a single coin was left!
Even a rat would have left something behind!
As they stood there in shock, a pirate ran over and shouted, "There's a ship on the shore! The bastards on that ship have taken all our money!"
"What?!" The pirates, furious, drew their weapons and rushed to the shore.
That devil boy might be too strong for them, but they could still deal with those thieves!
On the ship, Nami happily instructed Kaede and Naomi to organize the stolen treasures.
Using her unique "treasure sense," Nami quickly found York's hiding place and emptied it.
Had Kaede and Naomi not dragged her away, she would have dismantled and packed the gilded door as well.
Nami's eyes sparkled with joy at the sight of the treasure-laden ship.
She loved berries and shiny things the most!
"Damn thieves! Give us back our money."
"Cowards! Come down and fight!"
"Give it back!"
Nami, drooling with joy, snapped out of her daze at the approaching shouts.
"Not good, the pirates are coming! Let's go!"
Nami's face turned pale as she ordered Kaede to set sail quickly.
Kaede hesitated, "But Master isn't back yet!"
"Ah..." Nami was worried, but she quickly spotted Noir on the shore, excitedly shouting, "Brother, hurry! We took all their money!"
Noir, standing on the shore with York's head wrapped in a black cloth, sympathized with the pirates.
In one day, they lost their leader and their money...
So pitiful...
But why was there so much money on his ship?
Noir realized what was happening from Nami's screams and muttered, "That girl is always making trouble!"
Noir gracefully jumped onto the ship. Nami said excitedly, "Look, brother! We got so much money!"
Noir wanted to scold her, but he couldn't bring himself to do so with her glowing, excited face.
"York is taken care of and we have the money. Forget the small fry. Let's go!" Noir ordered.
Kaede and Naomi replied excitedly, "Yes, Master!"
The pirates, seeing the murderer of their captain and the thieves together, were devastated.
Who were these bandits?
Seeing the desperate pirates, Noir felt even happier.
But when he saw Nami celebrating with Kaede and Naomi, he thought.
The Arlong story had changed, but Nami still loved berries and stole them.
Could it be... Nami's nature?