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Aisa looked at Noir in awe but soon sensed a battle happening nearby.
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Noir chuckled and said, "It seems the priests have all come out. Are your people fighting them?"
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Aisa nodded and said worriedly, "It''s our guerrilla fighters. They plan to attack the priests."
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"But the remaining two priests, Shura and Ohm, are the strongest among them."
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Noir scoffed and said, "Strongest among weaklings is still weak."
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Aisa looked at Noir, her eyes pleading, and said, "Big brother, can you help them? It''s too dangerous for them to fight the priests."
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Noir smiled and said, "Of course, because I''m looking for someone among the Shandians to join us."
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With that, Noir picked up little Aisa. Robin followed closely behind, and they swiftly moved through the trees towards the battle.
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With their speed, they soon arrived at the battlefield where the priests and the guerrilla fighters were fighting.
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The situation was almost one-sided.
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The priests, though few in number, held the advantage.
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The Shandian guerrilla fighters had many fallen comrades.
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The most notable figure on the battlefield was the Shandians'' strongest warrior, known as the "Berserker" Wyper.
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He was wielding the same Burn Bazooka he had when he met Noir, his Jet Dials creaking under his feet.
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His face, as always, was grim and fierce, living up to his title.
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Noir''s eyes lit up when he saw him.
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This was his first candidate for a crewmate, and sure enough, he was here!
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Priests Shura and Ohm were warily watching Wyper. The other guerrilla fighters were not a concern, but this Berserker was different.
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He seemed to have undergone some special training. His fighting style resembled that of a wild beast, acting purely on instinct, making it difficult for their Mantra to predict his moves.
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More frightening was his intense fighting spirit. He alone was almost able to hold off the two priests.
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The priests'' attacks landed on him, but Wyper didn''t make a sound. He repeatedly exchanged blows, willing to get injured just to harm the priests.
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Because of this, even though all three were similarly wounded, Wyper''s momentum was stronger.
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Noir admired, "As expected of someone I have my eye on. Strong will and good talent."
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Robin watched Wyper and nodded, saying, "He''s like someone born to fight."
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Priest Shura''s eyes narrowed as he looked towards Noir''s group and shouted, "Who''s there? Come out!"
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The answer came in the form of a sharp, dark blade strike.
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The flying slash seemed to disappear into thin air, reappearing only when it slashed across Shura, causing blood to splatter.
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A ghastly wound appeared on Shura''s chest, twisting his ugly features. He spat out blood.
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"Why... Mantra didn''t detect your attack..."
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Shura, eyes red, propped himself up with his flaming spear, unwilling to accept defeat.
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Noir, holding his sword, Demon Blade, approached with seemingly light steps that sounded like death knells to those present.
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With the blood staining it, Demon Blade patterns glowed slightly. Noir looked down at Shura and said, "Mantra? You think I can''t use that?"
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"Nonsense! This is a power bestowed by God! How could you have it?" Shura screamed, charging madly.
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Mounting a red bird, Shura thrust his flaming spear desperately.
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However, as the spear pierced Noir''s body, everyone was stunned.
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Ohm muttered in disbelief, "How is this possible..."
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Wyper, with a serious expression, said, "A troublesome guy."
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The flaming spear shattered the fiery body, and Noir''s smile appeared in Shura''s terrified eyes.
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"Unable to hit a physical body. This must be what you consider godly power, right?"
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With that, Noir''s body turned to flames, surrounding and burning Shura, his screams echoing through the forest.
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Noir lifted his hand, tossing aside the charred Shura, and turned to the last priest standing.
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"And you, do you want to play too?"
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Ohm''s face changed multiple times, then he bent down, seeming to prepare to draw his sword.
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Just as Noir thought he was going to fight, Ohm turned and ran without looking back.
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Noir despised their lack of courage.
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They acted all godly but ran faster than anyone when outmatched.
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Noir wanted to finish him off, but at that moment, a thick bolt of lightning gathered in the clouds above.
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The blue lightning, charged with energy, struck down like God punishment.
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Its target was the fleeing Ohm!
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Ohm, face ashen, looked at the descending lightning and screamed, "No! God..."
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With a loud explosion, his charred body lay still.
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Then, another massive bolt of lightning struck down towards Noir and Wyper.
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The Shandians stood frozen in fear, and even Wyper felt some panic.
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Only Noir looked at the descending lightning with disdain.
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"Enel, you think too highly of yourself..."
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Noir shielded Robin and told the guerrilla fighters, "Stay here and don''t move."
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He raised his hands, and a thick black-purple aura erupted from his body, his Busoshoku Haki spreading out.
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With his talent, Noir could now project his Busoshoku Haki, albeit with some difficulty, but it was enough to block elemental attacks.
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The thunder roared over them, its might shaking all of Upper Yard.
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But when the dust settled, everyone emerged unscathed, their expressions filled with disbelief.
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Wyper, looking at Noir''s black-glowing arms, was filled with admiration. His blood boiled with excitement at this power.
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Noir, his arms slightly numb, withdrew his hands. The power of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit was formidable!
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His own abilities, fire against lightning, sand against lightning, weren''t the best defenses. He had to use Haki to protect everyone.
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A female warrior next to Wyper noticed Aisa by Robin''s side and exclaimed, "Aisa! You snuck out again!"
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Aisa, seeing her trusted big sister, ran over and said, "Raki, Look, I got a bag of Vearth!"
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Wyper''s eyes turned cold. He knocked the bag out of her hands and scolded, "Fool! Who told you to come here! Aren''t you afraid of dying?!"