<div>
<div>
Noir''s expression went blank. Oh right, we blew up the ship. How are we supposed to get back?
<div>
<div>
A ship could slide down an ice ramp and return to the sea, mainly because the ship was broken...
<div>
<div>
If a person slid down an ice ramp into the sea, they might end up broken too...
<div>
<div>
Aokiji struggled to keep himself upright, staring at Noir with a cryptic smile for a long time.
<div>
<div>
The stare made Noir''s hair stand on end. He wondered if Aokiji had some strange fetish.
<div>
<div>
Fortunately, Aokiji spoke again after a while.
<div>
<div>
"Your speed won''t be enough to catch him. And I''m injured. Let''s just head back and report."
<div>
<div>
Kizaru looked at him in surprise, as if seeing Aokiji in a new light. "You''re letting him go?"
<div>
<div>
"Those who were kidnapped are Celestial Dragons. Aren''t we supposed to capture him and hand him over to the Government?"
<div>
<div>
Aokiji gave Kizaru an odd look, his voice muffled. "Can you beat him?"
<div>
<div>
Kizaru''s old face flushed. After a long silence, he begrudgingly admitted, "If he hadn''t copied my ability, taking him down wouldn''t be a problem. But now…"
<div>
<div>
Aokiji turned away. "Exactly. I''m injured. Even if we blew up the ship, do you think you can hold Noir back alone and rescue all the Celestial Dragons unharmed?"
<div>
<div>
Kizaru''s comical eyes narrowed as he shook his head. "Seems... likely... perhaps... probably not…"
<div>
<div>
Noir clapped his hands and laughed. "Uncle Kizaru is a man of self-awareness."
<div>
<div>
Just then, the ice Aokiji had created to slow down the warship began to crack and break apart.
<div>
<div>
Seizing the opportunity, Noir dashed forward, leaving a shimmering afterimage in his wake, his blade aimed at Kizaru, who was shielding Aokiji.
<div>
<div>
Kizaru reacted instantly, pulling Aokiji out of the attack''s path and flashing away from the warship.
<div>
<div>
With the delay, the warship broke free from its icy restraints and began to plummet once more. Noir quickly resumed creating the ice ramp.
<div>
<div>
Over two thousand people, now free, cheered as they slid down the ice towards the sea.
<div>
<div>
Despite the bumps and cracks along the way, tears of joy streamed down their faces.
<div>
<div>
The vast ocean, the clear blue sky... they had missed this sight...
<div>
<div>
They were finally going home! They were finally free from slavery!
<div>
<div>
And they owed it all to their savior.
<div>
<div>
All eyes turned towards Noir, filled with fervent admiration. Their spirits soaring, they showered him with praise and gratitude.
<div>
<div>
"The Black-Clad Savior repelled two Admirals single-handedly!!"
<div>
<div>
"I can go back to find my parents! I wonder if they''re still alive..."
<div>
<div>
"Freedom… but I have no family left..."
<div>
<div>
"I... neither do I."
<div>
<div>
The initial jubilation gave way to a somber realization as they spoke of their hardships and the loved ones they''d lost.
<div>
<div>
Years of enslavement had left them estranged from the familiar sea. This melancholic undercurrent dampened the celebratory mood.
<div>
<div>
Noir, focused on maintaining the escape route, listened to their conversations, his brow furrowed in thought.
<div>
<div>
Those who were strong, he could recruit into his crew.
<div>
<div>
But what about the weak?
<div>
<div>
And those who no longer wished to risk their lives, who no longer desired adventure? He couldn''t build each of them a home, could he? Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!
<div>
<div>
Wait a minute…
<div>
<div>
He actually might be able to do just that.
<div>
<div>
Back on Skypiea, he had obtained a chance to create a sky island, but he hadn''t found a suitable use for it.
<div>
<div>
And his current strength was more than enough to carve out a territory for himself. He could even establish a kingdom if he wanted to.
<div>
<div>
That''s it! The Kingdom of Noitem!
<div>
<div>
The thought excited him.
<div>
<div>
Robin had mentioned that although Noitem had fallen, the ruins of the island still existed somewhere in the New World. Noir could find it and rebuild his kingdom!
<div>
<div>
The idea appealed to him more and more. He could not only uncover the mysteries of his past but also establish a secure base of operations.
<div>
<div>
With his copying ability, he needed a safe haven where he could spend time honing the powers he acquired and solidify his strength.
<div>
<div>
Noir had a plan. Upon returning to the sea, he wouldn''t rush to the New World. He''d gather Robin and the others first.
<div>
<div>
For their safety during the Heavenly Tribute heist, he''d had Blueno teleport them back to Thriller Bark.
<div>
<div>
The Ark Maxim had also been returned by the Revolutionary Army and was docked there. Looks like he had to backtrack…
<div>
<div>
But it was for the best. Only Thriller Bark could accommodate such a large group of people.
<div>
<div>
On the ice ramp, the liberated slaves laughed and cried, embracing each other, savoring their newfound freedom.
<div>
<div>
Some, former pirates who had long abandoned their savage ways, climbed onto tables and sang, their antics bringing laughter and tears to the eyes of the crowd.
<div>
<div>
There was no fine wine, no gourmet food, but the ships were filled with joyous chaos, an unbridled sense of happiness spreading throughout the makeshift fleet.
<div>
<div>
As they sailed towards freedom, the former pirates led the crowd in a song, a song that embodied freedom and love, a song that belonged to the sea...
<div>
<div>
"Yo ho ho ho, Yo ho ho ho, "
<div>
<div>
"Binks'' Sake to you I shall bring."
<div>
<div>
"Like the sea wind, free and untamed, we''ll sail the waves."
<div>
<div>
"On the other side of the sea, even the sunset is lively."
<div>
<div>
"The songs of birds, drawing circles in the sky..."
<div>
<div>
"Binks'' Sake" painted a picture of the sea as seen through the eyes of adventurous pirates, a sea of hope, laughter, and boundless freedom...
<div>
<div>
The song resonated deeply with everyone present.
<div>
<div>
They, too, were returning to the embrace of the sea. They were no longer slaves!
<div>
<div>
The joyous singing filled the deck. Noir couldn''t help but smile, humming along softly, despite his lack of musical talent.
<div>
<div>
For some reason, Enel and Wyper had formed an unlikely bond with the freed slaves.
<div>
<div>
They were now singing and dancing together, their arms slung over each other''s shoulders, their laughter and boisterous voices echoing across the waves.
<div>
<div>
The aloof and formidable God and the fierce warrior, since joining Noir''s crew, had shed their former personas, embracing the ragtag group with open arms.
<div>
<div>
Even the stoic Blueno tapped his foot to the rhythm, a smile gracing his lips as he watched the lively scene unfold.
<div>
<div>
"A bunch of people with no sense of danger..." Lucci muttered, his hands in his pockets, Hattori perched on his shoulder. He turned and walked back into the cabin.
<div>
<div>
Blueno found the scene amusing.
<div>
<div>
Normally, Lucci would have reprimanded them, silencing their boisterous celebration...
<div>
<div>
Was it because of the Captain''s presence that he held back?
<div>
<div>
Or did he simply not want to spoil the mood?
<div>
<div>
Heh, who knows? That stubborn tsundere…
<div>
<div>
The joyous laughter echoed across the blue sky. Behind them, on the remnants of the collapsing ice ramp, Kizaru and Aokiji hovered in the air.
<div>
<div>
Kizaru glanced sideways at Aokiji. "You didn''t use your full strength, did you?"
<div>
<div>
Aokiji didn''t answer, shaking his head and pointing to his injured leg. "It doesn''t matter. This injury is enough for a report. They can''t blame us."
<div>
<div>
Kizaru swallowed, unable to voice his thoughts.
<div>
<div>
Aokiji, noticing Kizaru''s silence, offered a weak smile. "Don''t worry. He''s copied both of our abilities. It would be difficult to defeat Noir in a one-on-one fight."
<div>
<div>
Kizaru nodded, letting out a lazy sigh. "Kidnapping Celestial Dragons… it''s both a death sentence and a life preserver."
<div>
<div>
Back on the warship, it wasn''t just Aokiji''s words that had changed Kizaru''s mind. He''d realized something.
<div>
<div>
Killing Noir was impossible. Destroying the ship wouldn''t work either, because Noir held the lives of several Celestial Dragons in his hands.
<div>
<div>
If pushed too far, Noir could easily kill them, just as Kizaru could easily kill the slaves.
<div>
<div>
This wasn''t over. A furious counterattack from the Marines and the Government was inevitable.
<div>
<div>
But if Noir could withstand that pressure and survive, he would become a legend, a force to be reckoned with in the world.
<div>
<div>
Aokiji pondered for a long time before turning to Kizaru. "Borsalino, do you think what the Marines uphold is true justice, or simply the will of the Government…?"
<div>
<div>
"Which side should I stand with?"
<div>
<div>
Kizaru looked at Aokiji with a detached expression. "Why choose a side? The world''s currents flow as they will. We simply need to observe."
<div>
<div>
"When the tides begin to shift, the direction will become clear."
<div>
<div>
Aokiji''s eyes widened in surprise. It was the first time he''d heard Borsalino talk about such things.
<div>
<div>
But Kizaru''s seemingly apathetic words resonated with him. Aokiji smiled. "Ambiguous justice, huh...? I think you''re right."
<div>
<div>
Kizaru shrugged, muttering under his breath, "Well, well... that was a lie."
------
Read +77 Ad-va-nced Ch-ap-ters on my Pat-re-on!
patr-eon.com/dragonnx
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)
- There is 8 Exciting Fanfics already available!