Chapter 156: Noir's Companions

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...

Noir led Hancock and her group to where the Celestial Dragons were being held.

It was the darkest, most desolate part of the ancient castle, a place Noir had been using as a prison.

Over thirty Celestial Dragons were confined there.

A faint sliver of light penetrated the gloomy chamber. The Celestial Dragons, seeing the opening door, felt not relief, but a surge of terror. Their eyes widened in fear.

Being locked up was one thing, but if that Devil came…

As if summoned by their dread, Noir stepped into the room, his handsome face, the last thing they wanted to see, coming into view.

Hancock stood outside the door, pressed against the wall. She didn't want to lay eyes on the Celestial Dragons, perhaps afraid that, in a fit of rage, she might lash out, and no one would be able to stop her.

Noir looked at them with a cold smile, releasing a hint of his Haoshoku Haki. Panic flashed across the Celestial Dragons' faces before they collapsed unconscious.

What he was about to do next, couldn't be witnessed by the Celestial Dragons themselves.

Noir looked down at the shadows on the ground, lost in thought.

The same old trick. He'd cut out their shadows, replace them with fabricated ones, and create remotely controlled assassins.

He had spent considerable time refining this technique, and he could now perform even more intricate manipulations without fear of the Government's countermeasures.

Even if they were kept in a place without sunlight, Noir could directly control their shadows, forcing them to commit suicide.

Since he was the only one in the world with the Kage Kage no Mi, and it was unlikely another would appear, he could use its powers without restraint.

Looking at the unconscious Celestial Dragons, Noir smiled with satisfaction. Though he'd used this trick against the Marines before, it was still incredibly effective.

He clapped his hands. "There. Even if they're not within my sight, I can kill them at any moment."

Hancock, silent for a moment, spoke from the doorway. "Do you… have a grudge against the Celestial Dragons?"

Noir paused, considering his answer. "I suppose… I do."

"They tried to harm Enel. That's when our real conflict began."

Hancock looked at him with newfound respect. "You confronted the Celestial Dragons just for your crewmate?"

Noir reflected on his journey so far. "It seems that way, but I also despise them."

His initial reason for kidnapping the Celestial Dragons had been largely for Enel's sake. Even the ransom demand had been to reassure him.

Although Enel had initially wanted to escape, his temper hadn't subsided much, but he was now willing to stand up for his crewmates.

So, Noir was happy to avenge Enel.

And later, after kidnapping the Celestial Dragons from Mary Geoise and intending to retreat, Wyper's compassion had led them to free the slaves.

Noir chuckled. "Honestly, I was worried about Fighting the Government, but my crew is sometimes even more reckless than I am. They manage to get my blood boiling too."

Hancock crossed her arms, her gaze lowered. "You have good companions."

Noir beamed with pride, as if someone had complimented his own children. "Of course, I do!"

Hancock smiled and shook her head, saying nothing. Noir's handling of the Celestial Dragons eased her conscience considerably.

Even if they were bargaining chips, she would have felt uneasy if they'd been returned unharmed after all the trouble they'd caused.

Just then, a muffled yell echoed through the hallway. "Captain! &￥%#￥%!"

Noir and Hancock turned to see Wyper, a look of exasperation on his face, supporting a heavily bandaged figure.

The bandaged man stared blankly at Noir, his mouth agape.

Noir, after a moment of confusion, pointed at the bandaged man. "Enel? Why are you even more bandaged up?"

Enel's face, barely visible beneath the bandages, contorted in frustration. Wyper explained, 

"Enel went to the treasury and took an expensive crown. He then decided it would be a good idea to flaunt it in front of Lucci. Lucci got annoyed, and well..."

Noir covered his face with his hand, sighing. "Let me guess. Lucci took advantage of Enel's injuries and beat him up?"

Wyper nodded sheepishly, adding with an awkward laugh, "Then he came and showed it off to me, so I also…"

Hancock gave Noir a "your crew is a bunch of savages" look. Noir chuckled nervously, unable to offer a good explanation.

Despite the two beatings, Enel seemed surprisingly energetic. He pointed at Noir, then at Hancock, gesticulating wildly.

"&￥#%#%!You betrayed #￥&…"

Noir and Hancock tilted their heads in unison, puzzled. What is he saying?

Wyper, standing beside Enel, translated with a straight face. "He said, 'You've disappointed me! How could you betray Robin?!'"

Noir waved his hand dismissively. "Boa is my friend. How is that betraying Robin?"

Hancock's expression turned complex. "You have a wife?"

They'd only known each other for a short time, so it wasn't as if Hancock was genuinely jealous or heartbroken.

But her current feeling was similar to that of a devoted fan whose idol suddenly announced their relationship - a sense of bewilderment and mild betrayal.

Noir scratched his head, trying to explain. "While we are very close, we haven't officially defined our relationship..."

Enel: &￥#%#%, you #%#.

Wyper immediately provided a translation, his voice stern. "A classic excuse! I'll tell Robin! You scumbag! Ptoo!"

Noir stared at Wyper, dumbfounded. "How can you even understand that gibberish?!"

Enel's sycophantic behavior stemmed from his keen observation.

Noir was the heart of the crew. Everyone obeyed his orders. But who did the unruly Noir listen to?

After careful observation, Enel concluded that only Robin held any sway over him.

This was his chance. By using Robin's name, he could blackmail Noir and extort a fortune.

As Enel imagined his riches, a cold sensation suddenly gripped his neck.

Noir held his sword against Enel's throat, a gentle smile on his face. "What were you saying?"

Enel: …

On second thought, Fighting Noir directly isn't such a good idea…

Hancock watched Noir and his two eccentric crewmates banter, a touch of envy in her eyes.

They were so carefree, playing and joking around, yet fiercely loyal to each other in battle. They were a good crew.

Just then, a few crewmates carrying construction lumber walked by, greeting Noir with smiles.

Hancock paused. She'd noticed something. Among the people she'd met, including the members of the Underworld Pirates, none of them bore that tattoo.

...

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