One hour passed.
Noah and his crew walked through the dragon village, escorted by guards wearing thick silver armor.
"Is that the human who beat the dragon prince?" A dragon woman whispered.
"He looks so normal…" Another replied.
"No, look at his eyes… he's not normal at all." A dragon man said.
Emma nudged Amy. "Noah is already causing trouble, as usual."
Amy smirked. "At least it's not our fault this time."
A few minutes later they reached the training grounds. It was huge. Dozens of dragon warriors practicing with spears and swords.
In the center was Alice. She was fighting two warriors at once.
Clang!⚔️
Boom! 🗡
Swish!🗡
Every strike she made sent sparks flying.
When she noticed Noah, she stopped immediately.
Her warriors stopped too, turning to stare at him.
Alice walked over, brushing her hair back behind her ear. "You arrived quicker than I thought. Good."
Noah grinned. "Didn't want to miss the action."
Alice's eyes narrowed slightly. "Do you want to fight? My warriors have been wanting to test you."
One warrior stepped forward proudly. "Lady Alice, let us handle him. We want to see if the rumors are true."
Alice nodded. "Fine. Noah… do you prefer one-on-one first?"
Before Noah could answer, Emma groaned loudly. "One-on-one? That's boring."
Amy crossed her arms. "Yeah, Noah will end it too fast."
Noah laughed under his breath. "Nah, let all seven of them come at me at once."
The warriors blinked at him.
Alice stared. "…All seven?"
"Yep." Noah rolled his shoulders. "I'm kinda warmed up."
Emma folded her arms. "Noah is strong."
"He once beat a giant sea monster by accident." Amy said
"ON ACCIDENT?!" the dragon warriors shouted.
Before the fight could start, Allen arrived. He ran over and dropped onto a seat high above the arena.
"Am I late?! Did he fight already?!" Allen asked.
Alice walked over and stood next to him. "No, you're in time. They're about to start."
Allen pumped his fist. "Good! I've been waiting to see big brother Noah fight for real!"
Alice's eyebrow twitched at the 'big brother' part, but she let it go.
Noah stepped into the arena.
The seven warriors lined up across from him, each carrying heavy weapons.
One of them pointed his spear. "Human, don't think we'll go easy."
Noah smiled. "Didn't ask you to."
Alice raised her hand. "Begin."
BOOM!
The seven warriors charged at once.
Noah stood still.
One warrior swung his sword at Noah's head.
CLANG!
Noah lifted his arm and blocked with Armament Haki, his arm turning pitch black.
"What?!" the warrior gasped. "His skin!"
Another warrior jumped from above, swinging an axe.
Noah tilted his head slightly. The axe slammed into the ground, cracking the floor.
Two more came from the sides.
Noah blocked left.
CLANG!
He blocked right.
CLANG!
Then a chain wrapped around Noah's leg.
Before he could move, the warrior pulled hard.
Noah skidded across the arena floor.
"Noah! Don't let them bully you!" Emma shouts.
Amy cupped her hands. "Hit them harder!"
Allen leaned forward nervously. "He's doing good… right?"
Alice kept her arms crossed. "Let's see."
The seven warriors rushed again.
"Is that all, human?!" One of them yelled.
Noah smirked and cracked his finger. "I was about to say the same thing."
Another warrior leaped and swung down.
Noah ducked, then kicked the warrior in the stomach.
BOOM!
The warrior flew backwards and rolled across the ground.
The other six dashed at Noah at the same time.
They came from every direction.
A sword slash.
A spear thrust.
A punch to the back.
A chain wrapping his arm.
Noah blocked four, but two hits landed.
THUD!
A punch hit his ribs.
THUMP!
A spear grazed his shoulder.
Noah skid back again, sliding on the stone floor.
Allen's eyes widened. "Is Noah… losing?"
Alice kept a calm face. "I don't know yet, Your Highness."
Ome of the warrior laughed. "You talk big… but you can't handle seven of us!"
"Stay down, human!" Another warrior said
Noah stood straight and dusted off the dirt on his pants.
He exhaled.
"Alright," Noah said. "You guys are good. But…"
His eyes sharpened.
"Let's make this fun."
The warriors charged again.
The chain snapped toward Noah's face.
Noah dodged with barely a movement.
The sword warrior slashed.
Noah kicked the sword away.
PING!
Another warrior threw a punch.
Noah caught the punch with a finger.
"Huh?!" the warrior gasped.
Noah twisted his arm and flipped him.
BAM!
Another warrior jumped in with a kick—
Noah grabbed him mid-air and tossed him into his friend.
CRASH!
Emma laughed. "That's more like it!"
Amy nodded. "Seven vs Noah is unfair… for them."
Allen's mouth dropped open. "He's not even trying…!"
Alice remained quiet.
"He's holding back. A lot."
The warriors roared and charged again.
This time, they formed a full formation.
Two in front.
Two on the sides.
Three at the rear.
Alice narrowed her eyes. "They're using the dragon formation. Strong warriors can't break it."
Allen nodded seriously. "Then Noah."
"Will break it," Emma said confidently.
"Easily." Amy said grinning.
The seven warriors attacked at the same time.
Weapons slashed at Noah.
"GRRAAHHH!"
Noah blocked three attacks with Haki, jumped over two others, and pushed off the ground.
One warrior grabbed his leg mid-air and swung him.
BOOM!!!
Noah slammed into the dirt.
Dust flew.
Allen jumped up. "NOAH!!"
Alice put a hand on his shoulder. "Wait."
The dust faded.
Noah stood up slowly, rubbing his head.
"Okay… that one hurt a little."
The seven warriors grinned proudly.
Noah closed his eyes..
"You guys ready?" Noah asked .
"For what?" one warrior barked.
Noah's eyes turned sharp.
The air trembled.
Emma whispered, "…He's going to use it."
Amy nodded. "They're done for."
Even Alice tensed.
"That aura… what is that…?"
Allen gulped loudly. "Big brother Noah… is scary…"
Noah opened his eyes.
"Ancient Haki…"
"…Will of the First King."
BOOOOOOOM!!!!
An invisible shockwave blasted across the training grounds.
All seven warriors' eyes rolled back immediately.
THUD
THUD
THUD
THUD
THUD
THUD
THUD
Seven bodies collapsed at once.
Those who were watching the fight also fainted.
Even the guards at the entrance fell over.
Allen's jaw dropped so far it almost hit the ground.
"W-What… what was THAT?!"
Emma covered her ears. "He never warns us!"
Amy shook her head. "Noah… always overdoes it."
Alice stared at Noah, completely shocked.
"T-That power… is not normal."
Noah stood alone in the middle of the arena, hands still in his pockets.
Everyone else was knocked out cold.
Noah sighed. "Oops. Maybe that was too much."
Alice walked forward, still stunned.
"Noah… What… what kind of Haki was that?"
"He's… insane," Allen said.
Noah grinned.
"So, who's next?"
Alice stared at him like he was a monster.