A rubbing would be sufficient.
He didn't need that broken stone anyway. Even if he wanted to research its material, he already had several Poneglyphs in his possession.
Noro nodded slightly. "Alright, then. What's the condition?"
Linlin wore a triumphant smile, pointing at King, and stated bluntly, "I want him!"
Noro refused without hesitation. "Choose another. That's impossible."
"Didn't you say you'd grant me one condition?!" Linlin retorted, displeased.
It was one thing not to know that the Lunarian race still existed in the world.
Now that she knew, but couldn't obtain him, she was truly unwilling to give up.
Noro waved his hand dismissively. "I merely asked you to state it. I didn't say I would agree!"
Linlin gritted her teeth, then settled for a compromise, moving her finger to Noro. "Then I'll take you."
Noro narrowed his eyes, saying, "You still think of Noro? Noro is very pleased. But Noro is displeased with your tone."
"What do you mean, 'I'll take you'?!"
Linlin didn't care about Noro's attitude, asking with a smile, "Mama mama mama mama… So, you agree?"
"No, I refuse!" Noro remained as cold, ruthless, and cruel as ever.
Linlin's smile abruptly vanished, her face darkening. She said coldly, "Neither this nor that is acceptable. What else is there to discuss?"
Noro calmly sipped his sake, his expression serene. "I asked you to state a condition, not to state a random one. Say something I can accept."
Linlin's eyes flickered, then she put on a cunning smile. "Then I want Kaido!"
Noro couldn't help but roll his eyes. "You truly haven't forgotten your original intention."
Linlin's patience waned. She pressed impatiently, "Just tell me directly if it's a yes or no!"
"No!"
Noro still shook his head, refusing. He said righteously, "First, the Captain isn't mine to decide. Even if he were, how could I betray the Captain?"
"Then there's no need to talk!" Linlin lost all interest, turning back to devour her desserts.
Noro swirled his wine glass, a knowing smile on his face.
"However…"
"On second thought…"
Linlin's hand, reaching for cake, paused. Her eyes turned back, anticipating Noro's next words.
Noro's lips curled into a mischievous grin:
"You also know that our Captain is fond of sake, and often blacks out when he drinks."
"If our Captain does something he shouldn't after drinking, it would be difficult for me, as Vice-Captain, to stop him."
After speaking, Noro raised an eyebrow at Linlin. "Wouldn't you agree, Linlin?"
Linlin understood, and a smile bloomed on her face once more.
She picked up a wine glass beside her and lightly clinked it with Noro's.
"Then it's settled."
"No problem."
"Mama mama mama mama…"
"Jie jie jie…" Noro let out a villainous laugh.
Amidst their knowing smiles, Kaido, who had not yet returned to Wano, had already been sold by Noro.
To become the Pirate King, some insignificant sacrifices were still necessary.
Stussy covered her mouth, her shoulders trembling with laughter.
She truly wondered what that brute Kaido would be like with a child.
All good things must come to an end. The music faded, and the feast dispersed.
Linlin, thoroughly intoxicated, asked, "Noro, how much longer until Kaido returns to Wano?"
Noro rubbed his slightly throbbing temples, saying casually, "Soon, soon. He's rushing back as fast as he can."
Kaido had gone too far. Noro couldn't pinpoint exactly when he would return.
However, Noro wasn't worried about Kaido.
Although Kaido wasn't invincible now, in the New World, those stronger than him couldn't fly, and those who could fly weren't as strong as him.
Moreover, Kaido wasn't like Shiki, who was vulnerable to storms. A dragon could move unimpeded through wind and rain.
It could be said there was no danger.
Noro only needed to patiently wait for Kaido to bring back the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi and the Mane-Mane Fruit.
Stussy, a smile on her face, enthusiastically invited, "Linlin, if you have nothing else to do, why don't you stay in Wano for a few days? I can show you around."
Linlin wasn't the type to be coy. She laughed heartily. "Mama mama mama mama… I was thinking the same thing even if you didn't say it."
Noro thought Linlin was quite a carefree mother, truly trusting enough to leave her children on Whole Cake Island.
Could it be that old man Longbread was very strong?
That's why Linlin wasn't worried about Whole Cake Island's safety.
Stussy and Linlin, having been old friends for many years, led Linlin and the children she had brought to Wano to arrange their lodging.
After Bullet had eaten his fill, he felt restless again.
"Noro, let's have another exhilarating battle!"
Bullet clashed his fists, his lips curling arrogantly. His fighting spirit surged, feeling the sleeping beast within him awaken.
King suddenly drew Enma from his waist, pointing the blade directly at Bullet, saying coldly, "If you want to challenge Mr. Noro, you'll have to get past me first."
Bullet sneered, scoffing, "You can't even beat me."
King retorted without backing down, "As if you can beat me."
"If you're not convinced, come again!"
"Come on, then!"
…
The two were like Mars colliding with Earth, showing signs of fighting at the slightest disagreement.
Noro stepped forward and gave each of them a punch on the head.
He really wanted to tear down Ringo, damn it.
He wasn't raising huskies. Could they please stop trying to demolish the house all day?
Noro glanced at Bullet, saying faintly, "Don't always think about challenging your father."
This casual remark immediately broke Bullet's composure, and he roared:
"Who's your father?!"
"No, who's your son?!"
Seeing Bullet furious, King added fuel to the fire, "And don't think about challenging your uncle either!"
Noro looked at King in surprise. He hadn't realized this kid was outwardly cold but inwardly mischievous.
Such a rascal.
Bullet glared at King. "What did you say?!"
King replied in an old-fashioned tone, "I said don't try to challenge your uncle."
"You seek death!"
"And you shouldn't talk to your uncle like that!"
…
Seeing the two about to clash again, Noro quickly separated them.
King remained here, continuing to deal with the incoming pirate challengers. This challenge was far from over.
Bullet, meanwhile, was pulled by Noro to rebuild Ringo.
It had to be said, the Gasha Gasha no Mi was quite authoritative when it came to rebuilding homes.
Deconstruct, combine, reconstruct.
Bullet frowned, rebutting, "My Gasha Gasha no Mi isn't used like that."
He said it well, but Noro didn't accept it.
What do you mean 'not used like that'? As long as it's useful, it's fine.
"Stop dawdling. Finish it quickly, and then you can go fight the challengers too," Noro urged.
At this, Bullet became excited, his eyes lighting up, and the ground transformed into surging purple liquid…
Not long after, the Azure Dragon returned to Wano!
…
…
===
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