After dealing with some nameless pirates, Noyer generously transferred all the money from their ship onto his own.
Under the stunned gazes of the pirates, the ship carrying the master and his two disciples gradually sailed into the distance.
Noyer sat cross-legged on the deck, eyes closed, comprehending the Observation Haki the system had awakened in him.
Normally, Haki required systematic study and training to master. But he had two cultivation bonuses — 〔Supreme King Constitution〕 and 〔Haki Swordsmanship〕 — so even without a teacher, he could still learn it.
His Armament Haki had improved this way before. Observation Haki was no exception.
Newly awakened Observation Haki was difficult to control, but it still gave Noyer considerable perception abilities. Wind, temperature, aura — these sensations became increasingly clear. Even more wonderfully, his heart seemed to have a voice like a sixth sense, informing him of everything happening around him.
This feeling had nothing to do with hearing, sight, or intuition. It was as if he was naturally meant to know.
So far, Noyer's Observation Haki couldn't passively sense his surroundings. But as long as he calmed his mind, it would still transmit quite a bit of information to him.
For instance, on this ship, his Observation Haki quickly sketched out four silhouettes in the dark world of his mind.
One was his own, two were the dumb sisters, and there was one more… one more…
Huh? Who the hell is that?!
A tiny figure flickered in and out of his Observation Haki. He hurriedly opened his eyes in alarm.
Could it be?
Noyer quickly stood and rushed into the ship. Sakura and Momoka immediately followed behind.
He rushed into the cluttered storage room, filled with boxes containing ingredients, beverages, and daily necessities the villagers had packed when they departed.
A barrel caught his attention. It was swaying — someone had clearly just climbed into it.
"Stop hiding! If you don't come out, I'm going to chop it with my sword!" Noyer stared at the barrel, his face dark.
The person inside seemed to hesitate. After a moment, the barrel lid lifted, revealing an innocent, cheerful little face.
Sure enough, it was Nami!
Noyer stared dumbfounded at this girl who reeked of wine, "Why didn't you stay home and follow us out here?"
Nami climbed out of the barrel, eyes sparkling, "Big brother is going to make money, right?! I want to go too!"
Noyer pinched her little face in annoyance, "I'm going to fight pirates. Nami can't come along!"
With her cheeks pinched red, Nami wasn't upset at all. Instead, she said even more happily, "Steal from pirates? I'd love to go even more!"
"What do you mean steal! Can what bounty hunters do be called stealing?" Embarrassed and angry, Noyer grabbed her little head and gave her a vigorous scalp massage with his fist.
The chastised Nami didn't realize the seriousness of the situation at all. She playfully joked around with him.
Noyer let out a long sigh. The ship was almost at its destination. He had no way to send this little one back.
What could he do? He couldn't exactly throw Nami into the sea.
The ship continued sailing. Noyer lounged in his deck chair like a salted fish, while Nami stood pitifully behind him holding a bucket as punishment.
Noyer assigned Sakura and Momoka to supervise Nami. The two kept their eyes wide open, staring at her without blinking once during the entire journey.
Nami, glared at by these two simpletons the whole way, was ready to die of exasperation.
Where did big brother find these two gems — some honest people headquarters? Didn't their eyes hurt?
◇◆◈◆◇
The shore of Tendel Village.
Noyer's large ship slowly docked. Sakura and Momoka finally withdrew their gazes.
Nami breathed a sigh of relief. Having been stared at unblinkingly by two people for so long, her little heart was about to collapse.
Noyer glanced at the two and was startled — why were their eyes so red? Did they catch rabies?
Sakura and Momoka reported energetically, "Master! Nami didn't slack off — we both watched her together!"
Noyer made a Nick Young confused face, "Couldn't you have taken turns supervising her?"
The dumb sisters shouted in shock, "We could do that?! Master is so smart!"
Smart my a**…
Noyer barely restrained himself from cursing.
He felt that being with these two sisters might infect him and lower his IQ!
He tried to calm himself. Walking toward the shore, he instructed, "You don't need to follow me. Just keep an eye on Nami. You don't need to stare at her constantly — just don't let her run around everywhere."
Nami puffed out her cheeks, "Why won't you let me come along! I can help big brother!"
Noyer waved at her with a smile, "Next time, Nami-chan. Big brother is going to rob mon — I mean, subjugate pirates! Ahahaha!"
With that arrogant laugh, he gradually disappeared from Nami's sight.
The girl pouted unwillingly and stamped her feet in frustration. But then she seemed to remember something. She turned to look at the silly-grinning dumb duo, and a cunning smile gradually appeared on her little face.
Ehehe ( ͡°ω ͡°) ?
On Noyer's side, he passed through a forest in the outskirts and quickly spotted the village in the distance.
However, the people coming and going didn't seem like villagers — they looked more like sailors who had been sailing the seas for years.
This was the place. Noyer confirmed his target and stood to walk toward the village.
Nearby, a team of burly men in sailor uniforms carried heavy wooden crates in pairs. At the end of the line, one broad-shouldered, thick-waisted pirate stood alone. He stared at his crate in distress, then spotted Noyer walking toward the village.
His eyes lit up, "Hey kid, can you give me a hand?"
Noyer paused, then responded, "Oh, sure."
He walked forward and lightly lifted the back of the crate. The burly pirate's burden lessened considerably, and he laughed, "Ahaha! Thanks, kid!"
"No problem."
The two followed the group. When they reached the village entrance, Noyer was surprised to find two pirates checking people at the gate.
He and the burly pirate chatted casually as they followed the group. The two pirates at the entrance looked at him questioningly but let him through without a word.
One pirate looked at the other, "Do you know that kid?"
"No, I thought you knew him."
◇◆◈◆◇
Noyer entered the village. The pirate strongman patted his shoulder appreciatively before walking away arm-in-arm with his companions.
As he left, Noyer overheard a few lines of their conversation.
"Hey, who's that kid?"
"I don't know either, but he helped me carry stuff, so he's probably an intern."
"Oh, oh, oh…"
Noyer surveyed his surroundings. As a pirate leader, Yuke clearly had some brains.
Several squads of fierce-looking pirates patrolled the village. Every household was empty — the villagers had likely been driven out. This small village had become the gang's headquarters.
Yet Noyer, a bounty hunter, stood in the village as if invisible. No one paid him any attention.
He shook his head and caught up with a squad of pirates who had just passed by, "Hey buddy, where does Yuke live?"
The pirates were momentarily stunned, then answered, "Boss Yuke's house is in the center of the village. Just keep walking forward and you'll see it."
"Thanks!"
Noyer nodded and strode forward.
The pirate looked bewildered and turned to his companion, "Since when did our crew have such a young intern?"
His companion wore a puzzled expression, "Could he be… an intruder?"
The man immediately dismissed the idea, "Impossible! Who invades and then asks pirates for directions?!"
"That's true…"
◇◆◈◆◇
While Noyer had inexplicably smooth sailing, Nami's side ran into complications.
She smiled sweetly at her brother's two silly disciples, busily pouring drinks for them. Sakura and Momoka were being served quite comfortably by the little one.
Seeing her chance, Nami said, "Sisters, can we go ashore and play?"
Momoka immediately put on a serious expression, "No! Master told us to keep an eye on you."
Nami replied with an ingratiating smile, "Keeping an eye on me is simple — you just need to come play with me, and then you can watch me, right?"
Momoka's mind couldn't quite wrap around this, "Is that what Master meant?"
Sakura's mind was also a bit fuzzy, "Perhaps?"
Nami struck while the iron was hot, "Don't you want to sneak in and take all the treasure? Just imagine — when brother comes back and sees a ship full of Berries, he'll definitely praise you."
Her tone was exactly like a pyramid scheme boss from Wall Street. The words she spoke seemed to carry a bewitching magic that left the sisters completely dazed.
Seeing they were tempted, Nami smiled, "So shall we… go?"
Sakura and Momoka looked at each other and shouted enthusiastically, "Let's go!"
The great swindler Nami was now leading her two lackeys, sneaking toward the village.
◇◆◈◆◇
Meanwhile, the pirate Yuke was completely unaware he'd been targeted by a family of troublemakers. He sat in a large house, holding up a wine glass, looking radiant as he boasted to his subordinates.
"Congratulations, boss, on finding another fine weapon on the black market!"
"Yeah, that weapon came all the way from the terrifying Grand Line — it's definitely worthy of Boss Yuke's strength!"
"Boss, everyone's so excited. Why don't you take out that sword and show the brothers?"
Listening to his subordinates' flattery, Yuke laughed heartily, "Alright, alright, since you all insist, I'll show it to you."
He pulled out a long object covered with black cloth from beside his seat.
Gently removing the cloth, he revealed a long sword. The scabbard was exquisite and ornate, the guard was white and cross-shaped, and the handle was wrapped in gray grooved cloth strips that looked comfortable to grip.
"The famed blade Seikou (Azure Journey), one of the fifty Ryōwazamono (Skillful Grade Blade) — a treasure renowned even on the Grand Line, and now it's in my hands!" Yuke gripped the blade and smiled with immense satisfaction.
"That's so impressive — could you give that sword to me?"
"Hahahaha, of course I can…"
A strange voice rang out. The complacent Yuke carelessly opened his mouth and gave the sword away.
But he quickly came to his senses and roared in fury, "Nonsense! Who dares to be so insolent?!"
The pirates' gazes converged on a certain seat where a brat was stuffing his face.
Yuke thought carefully. He didn't recognize this person at all, "Who are you?"
Noyer stuffed the large chicken leg into his mouth, casually wiped his hands on a nearby pirate's clothes, then said, "I'm a bounty hunter, and I'm taking your head!"
"A bounty hunter?!"
The pirates in the hall were shocked — why would a bounty hunter appear here?
Yuke said suspiciously, "How is this possible? I set up so many guards around the village. How could you have infiltrated so quietly?"
Noyer recalled the guards along the way and said with a straight face, "The security checks were indeed quite strict — it took me a lot of effort to get in."
"Damn it!" Seeing his leisurely manner, Yuke felt a surge of rage and shouted at his lackeys, "What are you standing around for?! Kill this fool!"
"Yes!"
A group of pirates sprang into action, swiftly drawing their curved swords and pouncing like a pack of wolves.
In an instant, the previously harmonious atmosphere vanished without a trace. Battle cries and clashing weapons echoed throughout the hall, sending chills down one's spine.
But even surrounded by the pirates' human wave tactics, there wasn't a trace of panic on Noyer's face. He raised his sword and swung at the enemies lunging toward him, easily parrying all their attacks and occasionally striking back.
He strolled leisurely toward Yuke, who was surrounded by the crowd. Swarms of pirates desperately piled on, yet they couldn't slow his pace in the slightest.
Seeing that so many pirates couldn't stop this guy, Yuke shouted anxiously, "Call for reinforcements! Get everyone outside to come in!"
With the command, the pirates outside the hall rushed into the building. All the guards were withdrawn, and the area outside the village instantly became deserted.
Nami, Sakura, and Momoka crouched outside the village, worrying about how to sneak in. Then, for some reason, everyone left.
The three stared blankly at the empty village. Such good fortune?
Nami's lively dark eyes quickly turned into (฿ڡ฿). She rubbed her hands together as she licked her lips, "Excellent! Let's go find the pirates' treasure vault!"
Sakura and Momoka nodded vigorously. The three swaggered into the village, searching for the treasure.
Meanwhile, in the hall, wave after wave of pirates surged through the doorway. The room instantly became packed — except around Noyer, where a large empty space remained.
The pirates stared at this kid holding the line alone. They were filled with fear and cowered, not daring to advance. Before Noyer could even do anything, more and more pirates were being trampled to death.
He glanced indifferently at the pirates who had turned into cowards, then stared intently at Yuke holding the Ryōwazamono Seikou. His eyes practically glowed green.
The sword and the bounty — I want them both!
◈◈◈
T/N: Comment, give me Power Stones, like and favorite, it all supports me and makes me go foward with this. Appreciate my other stories as well, I guarantee the good work!
If you want to enjoy a large catalog of good novels with excellent translations: MrBlackWing
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)