<div>
<div>
Noir leapt onto the boat, his gleaming blade slowly sliding back into its sheath.
<div>
<div>
Behind him, the dismembered Sea King fell into the water, landing in a net the fishermen had prepared.
<div>
<div>
One strike and done!
<div>
<div>
The fishermen got busy; such a stunning kill seemed routine to them.
<div>
<div>
After all, this ten-year-old was the strongest person in Cocoyasi Village.
<div>
<div>
Noir lay at the boat''s bow, cheerfully watching the bustling activity around him.
<div>
<div>
"Whoosh—"
<div>
<div>
A piercing howl suddenly echoed across the sea, and Noir''s eyes narrowed.
<div>
<div>
Could it be?
<div>
<div>
"Boom!"
<div>
<div>
A violent shockwave erupted next to the fishing boat, sending up a towering spray of water that drenched everyone on board.
<div>
<div>
Cannon fire?!
<div>
<div>
Noir steadied himself against the ship''s railing and peered into the distance. A massive black boat was slowly approaching.
<div>
<div>
Smoke still billowed from a cannon on its side.
<div>
<div>
The black flag flying above was particularly striking.
<div>
<div>
A stark white skull on a black background—a pirate flag.
<div>
<div>
"Pirates?" Noir straightened up, gripping his sword, his face darkening with anger.
<div>
<div>
We are getting hit with a cannon shot for no reason—who wouldn''t be furious?
<div>
<div>
But the good news was, this pirate crew wasn''t the Arlong Pirates.
<div>
<div>
I''ve always been the one to fire cannons at others; no one has dared fire at me!
<div>
<div>
Fuming, Noir shouted to the panicked fishermen on board, "Head back to the village!"
<div>
<div>
"I''m going to show them what cruelty means!"
<div>
<div>
On the pirate ship, a scar-faced man with a sinister grin turned to the captain and said, "Captain, look at those guys panicking. Seeing the Barbarian Bear Pirate Crew''s flag makes them scared out of their wits."
<div>
<div>
The man addressed as the captain was a burly man with a beer belly, his face full of brutish features.
<div>
<div>
"I am ''Barbarian Bear'' Kembra and everyone must get out of my way."
<div>
<div>
Captain Kembra laughed arrogantly, pointing a thick finger at the fishing boat and shouting, "Board that ship! Then storm the village and take everything you can!"
<div>
<div>
"Oh!" The crew of miscreants howled in unison, springing into action.
<div>
<div>
The burly sailors hurled Several grappling hooks, latching onto the fishing boat and creating a path.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
<div>
<div>
"Board the ship, men!" Kembra roared, his yellow teeth bared in a vile grin.
<div>
<div>
A swarm of pirates, like locusts, surged across the ropes. Noir frowned and said to the fishermen, "I''ll cut the ropes. You go back to the village and warn everyone!"
<div>
<div>
"I''ll handle these guys!"
<div>
<div>
Without waiting for a response, Noir sprang towards the ropes and charged at the pirates!
<div>
<div>
"Noir!" the fishermen called out, but Noir didn''t listen.
<div>
<div>
He had been craving a real fight for a long time!
<div>
<div>
The fishermen exchanged anxious glances until one of them finally said, "Let''s go back to the village for reinforcements!"
<div>
<div>
Noir charged at the pirate ship, gripping his sword''s sheath with his left hand, slashing with his right, and cutting through the ropes in a flash.
<div>
<div>
A chorus of screams erupted as pirates fell into the sea, but Noir''s advance didn''t slow. He sprinted along the remaining rope towards his enemies.
<div>
<div>
Seeing a kid take down many of his men, Kembra was enraged. "What are you lot doing? Chop him into pieces and toss him overboard!"
<div>
<div>
Several steel blades swung at Noir, but he remained unfazed.
<div>
<div>
His sword danced like a snake, deflecting all the attacks.
<div>
<div>
In the blink of an eye, his blade cut through the pirates, leaving crimson gashes that sprayed blood into the air. The pirates fell into the sea like dumplings, unconscious.
<div>
<div>
Noir, born amidst death, wasn''t fazed by this level of slaughter.
<div>
<div>
"What?!" Kembra stared in shock at Noir, who stood like a one-man army. The scar-faced man beside him was too terrified to speak.
<div>
<div>
Seeing his men retreat in fear, Kembra roared, "You useless cowards, get him!"
<div>
<div>
"I''ll give you a hand."
<div>
<div>
Noir''s young voice rang out, sending chills down the pirates'' spines.
<div>
<div>
He leapt over the attacking pirates and landed on their ship like a phantom.
<div>
<div>
With one hand on the deck and the other gripping his blood-stained sword, Noir looked up at Kembra with a chilling smile. "Hello, the pirate captain."
<div>
<div>
He stared intently at Kembra, then turned and cut the last rope.
<div>
<div>
Seeing this, The fishermen''s boat turned and returned to the village.
<div>
<div>
Ignoring the screams of the falling pirates, Noir pointed his sword at the scar-faced man next to Kembra. "Was it you who fired that cannon at me?"
<div>
<div>
The man''s face turned deathly pale, and he frantically shook his head. "No, no... it wasn''t intentional! I was just... argh!"
<div>
<div>
Kembra, his face dark, punched the scar-faced man, sending him crashing into the deck, his fate unknown.
<div>
<div>
The surrounding pirates fell silent, and Noir raised an eyebrow, mocking, "What? You kill your men?"
<div>
<div>
Kembra sneered, "Useless trash isn''t fit to be my crew!"
<div>
<div>
"Kid, want to join my pirate crew?"
<div>
<div>
Noir was taken aback, smiled, and said, "Your pirate crew? Are you famous?"
<div>
<div>
Kembra laughed wildly without answering, and his crew joined in.
<div>
<div>
One of them pulled out a yellowed wanted poster from his pants and proudly declared, "Our captain is a super pirate with a bounty of 15 million Berries!"
<div>
<div>
"Captain of the Barbarian Bear Pirate Crew, known as ''Barbarian Bear'' Kembra!"
<div>
<div>
"Even the East Blue overlord Krieg is no match for our captain!"
<div>
<div>
With a wave of Kembra''s hand, the laughter stopped abruptly. He then extended his invitation to Noir, "Krieg is no match for me. I will become the new overlord of the East Blue, but that''s not the end!"
<div>
<div>
"I will easily defeat everyone, find the One Piece, and become the Pirate King! Kid, join me!"
<div>
<div>
Noir watched Kembra''s performance with a look of disdain.
<div>
<div>
At first, he thought this guy''s bounty was something impressive.
<div>
<div>
East Blue overlord? Pirate King?
<div>
<div>
A super pirate with a 15 million Berries bounty?
<div>
<div>
Ha.
<div>
<div>
Just a frog in a well who had never seen the world.
<div>
<div>
Even someone as strong as Zoro had to face Mihawk to realize his limitations.
<div>
<div>
Luffy, with his protagonist''s halo, had to endure crushing defeats and the pain of losing his brother before realizing his powerlessness.
<div>
<div>
In that light, this ignorant pirate''s delusions were almost understandable.
<div>
<div>
Noir looked up and smiled at Kembra.
<div>
<div>
Seeing Noir''s smile, Kembra thought he had agreed, but then Noir''s harsh words shattered his illusion:
<div>
<div>
"You will not become the overlord of the East Blue, nor will you become the Pirate King."
<div>
<div>
"Your journey of crime ends here."
<div>
<div>
"By my hand."