Lucci looked at Blueno, who was stepping on air and flying in the sky, and asked, "No problem?"
Blueno, sporting his horn-like hairstyle, nodded, "No problem. I'll just use Geppō to avoid the Kairōseki."
Enel was instantly dumbfounded.
You can't play fair! If you've got guts, stand on the Kairōseki and fight!
Noyer looked thoughtfully at the group of four. At this point in time, aside from Blueno, it seemed Lucci and the others hadn't eaten Devil Fruits yet.
He looked at CP9 with amusement, "Are you all that afraid of my abilities?"
"Without the ability to move in the air using Rokushiki, and unable to transform into your natural element, you're as good as dead."
It was Kalifa speaking. She had changed into a tight black uniform, her fair long legs wrapped in black fishnet stockings, her figure displayed to perfection.
Noyer didn't reveal the truth about the system. He turned to Wyper and Enel, "You two take one each. I'll deal with those two troublesome ones first."
Wyper, supporting Enel, glanced at Blueno, "Then I'll take on the guy who walks on air."
Enel looked bitterly at the two of them. So what am I supposed to do?
Wyper patted the god's shoulder and laughed, "You take on that woman. Don't lose, okay?"
Damn it…
In Enel's imagination, he would proudly raise his head and instantly electrocute these four guys pretending to be from The Matrix.
But there was no way around it. With his fruit powers sealed, his martial arts were terrible despite his decent physical constitution. How could he possibly match CP9 members who specialized in Rokushiki?
Blueno and Kalifa exchanged glances and walked toward their respective opponents. Enel took out the golden staff from his back and used it as a crutch to stand up.
Blueno looked on mockingly, "Fighting with a crutch — are you trying to be funny? Kalifa's really lucky, facing off against the weakest one!"
The weakest… The weakest?!
Enel's anger flared. Proud and arrogant as he was, he'd actually been mocked and called the weakest?
Even if this god lost to Noyer, he's not someone you mere mortals can insult!
Finding strength from somewhere deep within, Enel suddenly propped himself up with the golden staff and jumped toward Blueno!
Wyper was completely stunned.
Brilliant… you can even switch opponents?
Using the staff to propel himself, Enel struggled to leap into the air. The moment his feet left the Kairōseki, his lost power came flooding back.
His face once again displayed an arrogant smile. His hands transformed into lightning whips, which he swung forcefully at Blueno's face!
"Kid! Let me show you who the strongest — second strongest person in this crew is!!"
Lightning illuminated the dim space. Noyer watched Enel fighting with everything he had and couldn't help but smile.
Although this guy was cruel, arrogant, and perverted, his thoughts were surprisingly simple in some ways.
During those years when Enel ruled Skypiea, aside from his plan to destroy it at the end, he hadn't really done anything too terrible — he just didn't know how to govern a country.
Most of his cruel killings targeted outsiders who invaded Skypiea. Though Enel didn't realize it, he had actually protected the people of Skypiea to some extent, preventing them from being sold to the Blue Sea.
In Noyer's eyes, he was just a giant baby dreaming of godhood and chasing impractical ambitions. With proper guidance, he might still find the right path.
As for his sins… Please, who cares? The Celestial Dragons carried countless sins that people tolerated — why couldn't Enel?
Might makes right — that's the truth.
"You still have time to worry about others?!" Lucci said coldly, his face expressionless, "Noyer, your opponents are us."
Noyer drew his Rasetsuō with a smile, "Alright, I'll play with you!"
Kaku drew the two staff swords from his waist, stepped on the air with Geppō, and charged forward. Four slashing attacks came down in an instant.
Counting his feet, Four Sword Style?
Noyer looked disdainfully at the flashy Kaku. Rasetsuō slashed down horizontally with overwhelming force, instantly suppressing the aggressive man.
◇ Rokushiki: Soru ⥤ Shave ◇
Seeing his attack fail and Rasetsuō about to hit him, Kaku quickly used Shave to escape.
Another figure immediately took his place. Lucci's eyes were sharp as his index finger jabbed out at high speed.
◇ Rokushiki: Shigan ⥤ Finger Pistol ◇
The Finger Pistol struck Noyer's chest with a bang, but Lucci's expression changed dramatically!
So hard!
Wrapped in Armament Haki, the attack was useless. Noyer gripped the sword hilt with his backhand and slashed upward. Lucci hastily used Kami-e, twisting his body to dodge, but still took a wound across his waist.
"Lucci!"
Kaku rushed forward with his swords, trying to force Noyer back. But Noyer didn't budge — his blade fell regardless.
Kaku gritted his teeth and raised his swords to block. The sound of metal breaking rang out.
His swords destroyed, Kaku desperately mobilized his body's strength, planted his feet firmly, and roared.
◇ Rokushiki: Tekkai ⥤ Iron Body ◇
Hiss —
So it's that move… Noyer raised his eyebrows.
Hmm~ this is in the bag!
Rasetsuō broke through the Tekkai defense as expected. Blood gushed freely, and Kaku collapsed with a pained expression.
Lucci shouted in alarm, "Kaku?!"
He looked at the smiling Noyer, and a shadow fell over his heart.
If Noyer was a fierce beast, then he was just an ant!
Even with the Kairōseki restraint, how was his strength still this great? And his swordsmanship — why was it so strong that Kaku couldn't last a single move?
Lucci's expressionless face disappeared. Kaku lay there, his fate unknown…
Kalifa was losing ground, and Blueno still couldn't secure a victory. They couldn't drag this out. Even Rob Lucci, CP9's genius, couldn't handle someone of this caliber.
Lucci pulled away from Noyer and ordered, "Stop fighting! Grab Kaku and let's go!"
Kalifa immediately obeyed and withdrew. Blueno reluctantly let go of Enel.
Just a bit longer and he could've taken down this kidney-deficient ability user!
Blueno dove into a door in the air, then opened another beneath Kaku, trying to pull him through and escape.
But Noyer detected his intention immediately and kicked toward his head. Blueno, who had just poked his head out, was kicked and sent flying.
His reaction was quick. Enduring the pain, he shoved Kaku through the door. Lucci followed with Kalifa in tow.
"Think you can just run?"
Noyer pointed his blade at the air door and swung out a blast of sword energy!
Blueno's pupils trembled. He pushed everyone through, but his own back was struck by the sword energy, blooming with flowers of death.
The air door vanished, leaving him behind alone.
Looking at the horned man collapsed on the ground, barely hanging on, Noyer asked, "Was it worth it, covering for them?"
"…"
No response. Only Blueno's ragged breathing and coughing up blood remained.
Noyer said with emotion, "Forget it. Killing one is good enough. I can't be bothered with the rest."
Blueno's lips moved, but no words came out. Under Noyer's perception, his life force was fading…
◇◆◈◆◇
Outside the Kairōseki cage, a door suddenly opened in the air.
Lucci stumbled out holding the unconscious Kaku, with Kalifa staggering alongside him. The instant they emerged, the air door behind them dissolved and vanished.
Lucci stared at the cage with bloodshot eyes and roared, "Blueno! Come out!"
Kalifa supported Kaku, struggling to hold back tears. There was no sound from inside the cage, which only made Lucci more panicked.
He felt as though… Blueno was dead…
The members of CP9 had been selected by the government since childhood to undergo brutal trials.
Even though government agents weren't supposed to have emotions, how could they not feel something? They'd grown up together — getting stronger together, training and sparring together, relying on each other.
Lucci had once thought himself cold-blooded enough. But now, with a comrade dying before his eyes, he couldn't suppress the desolation in his heart.
He stood there in a daze for a long time. Slowly, his expression changed. His already stern face became even colder, his dark eyes hollow, like a numb madman.
"Let's go…"
Kalifa said nothing. The two of them carried Kaku away.
Now, Lucci had only one thought!
Get stronger! Kill Noyer! Kill his companions!!
After the group left, the Kairōseki cage wall collapsed to the ground, and Noyer walked out.
Wyper crossed his arms, "Why deliberately let them escape?"
Enel rolled his shoulders and said fiercely, "Exactly! I still wanted to settle the score with them!"
Noyer said meaningfully, "Don't worry, we'll have a chance to meet again."
As he spoke, he looked down at Blueno lying at his feet. Was he dead or alive? Shockingly, though his breathing was faint, he was still hanging on by a thread?!
After such a crushing defeat, how much longer could Rob Lucci remain in CP9?
Noyer wondered to himself.
Blueno's injuries had been fatal, but Noyer saved him with his restoration technique. When he saw this man sacrifice himself to save his companions, Noyer realized these people might prove useful.
Especially after witnessing Lucci's reaction outside — Noyer thought highly of it.
After such a failure, the government wouldn't tolerate him for long. By saving Blueno now, when Lucci was either expelled or fled on his own, it would create an opportunity to meet.
Noyer instructed Enel to hoist Blueno up, "Are we still going to find Franky?"
"Of course. We haven't met him yet." Noyer said with certainty.
Wyper scratched his head in puzzlement, "Who's this Franky anyway? Why do we have to meet him?"
Noyer was about to explain when suddenly a commotion erupted from the street ahead.
"Franky's coming!"
"Everyone run!"
"Ahhh — pervert!"
Huh?!
Noyer's eyes lit up. Speak of the devil!
He pushed through the crowd to look. A small gang that looked like school delinquents came walking down the street toward him.
The lackeys wore matching baggy black outfits, their ridiculous appearance making them look like clowns.
The guy leading them was even more conspicuous. He had a slicked-back pompadour hairstyle, wore an open floral shirt, and — most importantly — was only wearing tiny briefs below.
Talk about 2D characters being easy to recognize — Franky's outrageous look was unmistakable.
Noyer excitedly pushed through the shoving thugs and rushed up to grab Franky's hand, "Brother! I've been looking for you all day!"
Franky looked at him strangely, "Who are you?!"
"I'm a friend of Mayor Iceberg." Noyer lied without batting an eye, "He recommended I come to you. I heard you sell underwear — what's the price?"
Franky's face darkened, "You're the one who sells underwear! This is called fashion!"
Noyer looked at him thoughtfully, "You're not a pervert, are you?"
When Franky heard this, not only did he not get angry, he actually waved his hand cheerfully and laughed modestly, "Oh no, not at all… hahaha!"
『 Ding! Host has Befriended the Important Figure "Red-Haired" Figarland Shanks! Rewards: Universal Talent Copy Card ×1, Modified Iron Man Suit Complete Series Blueprints ×1 Set! 』
Done! That was easy!
Noyer chuckled inwardly. The system's reward was simple — as long as an important person developed enough goodwill toward you, it would succeed.
Speaking of which, Enel still hadn't given him a meeting reward.
Did that guy really hate him that much?
Franky lifted his thick mechanically-modified arm and patted his shoulder, "It's rare to meet someone with such refined taste — we have to chat more! By the way, I'm heading to the black market. I heard they got some good stuff there. Want to come?"
"Sure, sure!"
Watching the two walk away arm in arm, Wyper and Enel stood bewildered.
Can mortal friendships really form this easily? Enel felt he'd learned something new.
While walking with Franky, Noyer quietly examined the blueprints in the system.
The Iron Man suit design came from the Marvel world, but its functions and components had been adapted to fit this one.
For Noyer, the suit seemed useless — he was already strong enough. This kind of tech equipment would only fail to keep up with his movements.
Looks like another reward for cultivating subordinates…
Noyer couldn't help feeling disappointed. Last time he got a Sky Island, this time a suit. The system was clearly encouraging him to establish a faction.
But he hadn't even reached the New World yet — no need to rush…
Franky led everyone onto the sea train his master Tom had built.
"The black market's on the neighboring island. We'll take the train there." He explained.
Noyer nodded and began enjoying the scenery.
He hadn't expected to ride a train here. The jolting sensation made him feel as though he'd transmigrated again. Enel and Wyper pressed their faces against the window, sticking their butts out as they peered outside like two curious babies.
Noyer chatted with Franky, asking about the black market.
Franky spoke enthusiastically, "This black market has plenty of good stuff. Because of one treasure, many big shots have come to bid for it!"
"Treasure? What treasure?" Noyer asked curiously.
Franky smiled mysteriously, "A Devil Fruit."
Noyer's interest sparked, "A Logia-type?"
Franky shook his head, "No, Zoan-type."
Noyer's enthusiasm dimmed — until Franky's next words caught his attention.
"I heard it's a legendary Ancient Zoan. Extremely rare."
◈◈◈
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 20 chapters ahead of this novel for just $5 or enjoy a large catalog of good novels with excellent translations (free or starting at $1.5): MrBlackWing (you know where to search)
I'm currently translating another project (for $1.5) where the main character travels through various worlds, like Highschool of the Dead, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, Darwin's Game, and many more, building a massive harem. It will have smut chapters (+18) and spicy images of the female characters. Check it out if you're interested! :)
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)