An aura shaped like a sword formed in Noah's hand. It hummed, dark and heavy.
He swings it down.
A wave of black mist burst forward, cutting through the sky in a single flash as it passed Ocea.
Noah exhaled slowly. The energy around him faded. The bandages loosened and his transformation disappeared.
Ocea frowned. "Why are you returning to normal? Why aren't you fighting me?"
Noah looked at her, calm. "I already defeated you."
"What are you talking about..."
Her body split into two.
Her left side dropped, crashing onto the land. Her right fell into the ocean below.
Far beneath them, Dressrosa stopped sinking.
"Finally…" Nyx said, her voice tired as she released her Death Hand technique.
Noah and Nyx slowly floated down.
They landed.
"Land, finally," Nyx breathed, wrapping her arms around Noah.
Emma frowned. "Calm down, lover girl."
Nyx smirked. "Don't tell me you're jealous."
"I'm not," Emma replied quickly.
Nyx chuckled.
Noah looked around. "We should leave before the Marines show up."
Everyone nodded.
"Alright," Noah said, raising a finger. "Let's go."
"Vector Manipulation-Flying Thunder God."
Blip ⚡️
They vanished.
[Later That Day]
Far from the capital, inside a small hut, the Straw Hat crew rested.
Zoro sat by the doorway, half-asleep but still on guard.
Robin sat down around a table reading a book about Dressrosa's royal family.
Usopp and Chopper played rock-paper-scissors in the corner.
Sanji set down cups of coffee for Nami and Robin.
Brook stood by the window, staring outside.
Franky worked on repairing his body.
"Looks like the whole gang is here," a voice said.
Zoro's eye snapped open. His sword was out instantly.
Nami smiled. "Noah. How are you?"
"I'm alive," Noah said.
"It's good to see that you're doing well," Robin said.
Noah nodded. "Yeah… had to deal with some strong enemies today."
"Luffy defeated Doflamingo!" Usopp said proudly.
"I know," Noah replied.
Zoro leaned forward. "So who did you fight?"
Noah shrugged slightly. "Just some people… about a hundred times stronger than Doflamingo."
"WHAT?!" Usopp yelled.
"There were people that strong on the island?!" Chopper yelled.
Noah nodded. "Yeah. One of them even joined my crew."
"Where is your crew?" Nami asked.
"Not far," Noah said. "But we're leaving tomorrow."
He glanced at Luffy, who was still resting.
"…Guess I won't get to talk to him after all."
Noah looked around the room.
"You've all gotten stronger. And your bounties will keep rising. From here on out… don't focus on winning."
They all listened and nodded.
"Focus on surviving."
Sanji lit his cigarette. "Thanks for the speech."
Blip ⚡️
Noah vanished.
Franky sighed. "He just comes and goes…"
Sanji smirked. "Well, he's a top pirate captain. His bounty's three times Luffy's. Good thing he's our friend."
Blip ⚡️
Noah reappeared.
Nami and Robin laughed.
"Sorry," Noah said. "They wanted to say goodbye."
Emma, Amy, Alice, and Nyx stood behind him.
Emma ran forward and hugged Nami and Robin.
Sanji walked up to Alice. "My lady… how about a date?"
"I'm engaged," Alice replied.
Zoro stood up, stretching. "Hey, Emma. Let's have a duel."
Emma glanced at Noah.
Noah nods, giving her the go ahead.
Nyx grinned. "My, my… a fight already?"
Noah walked over to Luffy and placed a hand on his forehead.
"Vector Manipulation-Heal."
A soft glow passed through him.
"Thanks!" Chopper said.
"No problem," Noah replied.
Everyone stepped outside.
The air shifted.
Emma unsheathed her blade then split it into twin daggers.
Zoro drew his swords.
Emma's Haki surged.
"Advanced Armament Haki."
Dark energy wrapped around her daggers and her body.
In the blink of an eye.
Zoro was on the ground.
Nami blinked. "What… just happened?"
Zoro pushed himself up, stunned. "What did you do?"
Emma twirled one dagger. "I coated my body and weapons in advanced Haki. Boosts speed. Boosts power."
She walked over and shake his hand.
"Next time… Pirate Hunter."
Zoro grabbed it, still processing.
Noah chuckled, raising a finger.
Blip ⚡️
They vanished.
Sanji burst out laughing. "Zoro lost to a girl!"
Zoro snapped. "Shut up, curly brow!"