With the help of the Gold Talent 〔Supreme King Constitution〕, Noyer finally awakened the last of the three types of Haki — Supreme King Haki — at age seventeen, as naturally as water flowing downstream.
'System, show me my stats.'
Noyer quietly summoned the system. A screen of light appeared before his eyes, displaying all his statistics.
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Kilros D. Noyer
Charm: 94 [Max: 100]
Constitution: 450 [Max: 999] {Middle-Upper Tier of Paradise (Grand Line) Powerhouse}
Swordsmanship: 498 [Max: 999]
Armament Haki: 62 [Max: 100]
Observation Haki: 50 [Max: 100]
Supreme King Haki: 10 [Max: 100]
Items: Red Talent Copy Card ×1…
Talents:〔 Supreme King Constitution [Gold/1st Rank] 〕|〔 Climate Hyper-Perception [Red/2nd Rank] 〕|〔 Otherworlder [Purple/3rd Rank] 〕|〔 Haki Swordsmanship [Purple/3rd Rank] 〕|〔 Devil's Dwelling · Kuma-Kuma [Blue/4th Rank] 〕|〔 Sheriff Martial Arts [White/5th Rank] 〕|〔 Singular Focus [White/5th Rank] 〕
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{T/N: Remember that he didn't discard the Sheriff MA Talent, but simply manually learned Fish-Man Karate.}
Compared to when he first arrived in this world, Noyer's abilities had finally become well-rounded!
With his charm at a whopping 94 points, he could now confidently say:
In all the seas, he was the most dazzling one!
However, his physique — which Noyer had once been so proud of — had been stuck at the same level for quite some time, seemingly having hit a bottleneck. Even so, his height had now reached an absurd two meters, something his previous life's body wouldn't have dared to imagine.
Just as Noyer was admiring his looks and physique, Bell-mère knocked and entered the room.
He smiled, "Bell-mère, you're here."
Bell-mère's expression was complicated, "You've grown up so fast. I can't keep you here anymore."
Noyer quickly shook his head, "How could that be! I just want to see the wider world."
Bell-mère sighed, then her face took on its usual smile, "I don't mean I want to keep you here. I just can't help feeling reluctant to see you go."
Noyer smiled, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
Setting sail at seventeen and heading to the Grand Line — this had been his plan for a long time. But he had formed bonds in Cocoyasi Village, and he couldn't stop worrying about Nami and the others, so he'd never made up his mind.
In the end, it was Bell-mère who encouraged him to explore, which finally made Noyer decide to set sail.
There were too few notable people in the East Blue, and it was impossible to copy any strong talents — only the Grand Line was the right place to harvest talents!
Moreover, if things followed the plot, Nami joining the Straw Hat crew was almost inevitable. He'd never been able to control her since childhood.
If Nami really set sail, could Noyer only stay behind cheering her on?
The only way was to become stronger before the plot unfolded — that was the true path!
He packed his luggage, fastening the Ryōwazamono Seikou at his waist, then put on an incredibly stylish black-to-white gradient trench coat.
A sharp-looking young man was now fully prepared and ready to go.
Noyer walked out with his bag on his back. As soon as he stepped outside, he found the street packed with people.
Genzō still wore his serious expression, the windmill on his head spinning cheerfully, as he stood before Noyer, "Once you're out there, don't bring shame to the village."
Looking at Genzō and all those familiar faces behind him, Noyer felt moved.
"Of course." He said softly.
The villagers escorted him to the shore, where a ship was already prepared.
Noyer looked at everyone who had come to see him off, "Thank you all for seeing me off. I'm leaving now!"
Nojiko and Nami, who had grown into young women, gently hugged him around his waist, "Big brother, be careful on your journey."
Noyer smiled and patted their heads. Looking at Sakura and Momoka, who were crying their hearts out, he laughed.
"What are you crying for? I'm not dead yet! Be careful when you're out there as bounty hunters, and help me take care of everyone in the village, got it?" He scolded them, though his tone was warm.
The two sisters nodded vigorously and shouted, "Yes, Master!"
Noyer turned and boarded the ship, raising the sail.
Looking at the villagers waving goodbye, he shouted, "Goodbye! Wait for me to come back!"
"Goodbye!"
"You brat, make us hear about your fame soon!"
"Stay safe."
The villagers cheerfully saw Noyer off. Bell-mère stood in the crowd, smoking a cigarette, her face bearing a cheerful smile — looking absolutely dashing.
Nami and Nojiko waved frantically. Nojiko's face showed reluctance, but also pride in her brother.
Nami recalled the dream she had always cherished and said to her sister, "Big brother has set sail. He wants to become the strongest person in the world. And I want to draw the first complete map of the world. Someday, I'll set sail too and realize my dream."
Nojiko looked at the confident young woman before her and smiled, "I believe in you!"
Noyer stood at the bow, waving goodbye to his hometown. The melancholy in his heart grew stronger — this feeling was complicated.
He wasn't sure how many years he would stay on the Grand Line, but he wouldn't be able to see everyone for a long time.
Noyer sighed. He returned to the deck, found a lounge chair, and sat down to plan for the future.
According to the sea chart, he still had quite a distance before reaching Reverse Mountain, the entrance to the Grand Line. There was no rush. He planned to visit a good place in the East Blue first.
The sea restaurant Baratie — where Sanji worked before setting sail — was a famous gourmet restaurant in the East Blue. When he thought about Baratie's fame, his eyes lit up and his mouth watered.
He had often heard people mention it when working as a bounty hunter. He hadn't had time to go before, but now he could finally have a good meal there. And he could check out what good talents that Black Leg Cook might have.
Noyer stretched lazily as the ship sailed forward. It was quite pleasant for the moment.
After lying comfortably for a while, though, he found himself with nothing to do. When sailing alone on the vast sea with sufficient supplies, the greatest enemy was loneliness.
To pass the time, he took out the dumbbells from the cabin and started exercising.
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While Noyer was working out, an unlucky fellow stood bewildered on a blue-gray boulder on a lonely island in this sea area, staring at the ocean.
The guy had messy green hair, wore a white T-shirt, and had three teardrop-shaped golden earrings pierced through one ear. Most eye-catching of all were the three swords hanging from his waist.
Zoro's eyelids drooped halfway, his expression gloomy as he muttered irritably, "Where the hell am I?!"
He sat cross-legged on the ground, recalling the words his master had said before he left Shimotsuki Village.
"Zoro, take this sea chart. Follow the directions and you'll find a town where you can buy supplies."
Zoro unfolded the sea chart his master Kōshirō had given him, rested his hand under his chin, tilted his head to examine it, and finally said, "I didn't go the wrong way, did I? But where's the town?"
He looked up at the desolate wilderness, questioning the nature of this world. Worse still, after reaching the island, a wave had capsized his small boat — now he couldn't even find his way back.
Just when Zoro was completely lost, a sailboat slowly passed by the island.
Slightly stunned, he shouted happily, "Hey! Can you stop for a moment!"
Noyer, who was lifting weights on the ship, startled at the shout.
That voice sounds familiar.
Looking back, he saw that familiar green algae head and those three swords. Zoro?
Noyer's face filled with shock. He'd just run into someone from the main cast right after setting sail? He hadn't planned to look for this Marimo at all!
But what happened to him? Did he get lost again?
Since he'd seen him, he couldn't just ignore him. Noyer brought the ship to shore, and the green algae head immediately came running over.
Except… why was he running off course?
Noyer watched helplessly as this guy, on a perfectly straight path, somehow took a huge detour and went racing off in the opposite direction!
Could this even be considered getting lost? This was a sickness!
Noyer's eyelid twitched as he roared, "Over here!"
After some commotion, he finally got Zoro aboard the ship. After questioning him, as expected — he'd gotten lost.
Once aboard, Zoro laughed with relief and thanked him, "Thanks, friend."
Noyer waved his hand dismissively, then used the system to examine this guy's talents.
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Roronoa Zoro
Talents:〔 Heart of the World's Greatest [Gold/1st Rank] 〕|〔 Directionally Challenged [Purple/3rd Rank] 〕|〔 Three-Sword Style Master [Purple/3rd Rank] 〕|〔 Sleep Recovery [Blue/4th Rank] 〕
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〔 Heart of the World's Greatest 〕
〔 Rank: Gold 〕
〔 Description: Aiming to become the World's Greatest Swordsman, his killing intent and willpower match any swordsman. His swordsmanship aptitude stands at the world's peak. His development and comprehension of sword techniques are astonishing, and he possesses an additional restraining ability against all swordsmen. 〕
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〔 Directionally Challenged 〕
〔 Rank: Purple 〕
〔 Description: Extremely strong tendency to get lost. Once he starts walking, he will almost certainly lose his way and wander off — regardless of speed, distance, or whether someone is guiding him. 〕
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〔 Three-Sword Style Master 〕
〔 Rank: Purple 〕
〔 Description: Self-created three-sword style swordsmanship that increases destructive power and attack range. When facing multiple enemies, the three-sword style's lethality and defense are enhanced. 〕
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〔 Sleep Recovery 〕
〔 Rank: Blue 〕
〔 Description: Becomes drowsy easily. Injuries and stamina recover faster during sleep, with extremely high sleep quality. 〕
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Good lord… four talents total, and the getting-lost skill firmly occupied one spot. And it was a dazzling Purple Talent at that, the same quality as Zoro's signature Santōryū…
Noyer's eyes turned green with envy at the Gold Talent on the list, but unfortunately, he'd long since run out of Gold Copy Cards.
As for the rest, aside from the Three-Sword Style Master talent, he had no interest whatsoever. One would turn him into someone who gets lost, and another would make him drowsy. Though recovering stamina was pretty good…
But thinking about how Zoro on the Straw Hat ship either trained or slept made him feel a bit scared.
Seeing his expression suddenly turn pale and then flushed, Zoro asked strangely, "What's wrong with you?"
Noyer adjusted his expression, "Nothing. I'll find a town and drop you off in a bit."
Zoro nodded. His eyes swept over Noyer's body, and seeing the sword at his waist, he asked in surprise, "You're a swordsman?"
Noyer smiled and nodded, "Of course."
"Oh, now that's interesting." Flames seemed to ignite in Zoro's eyes as he grinned, "Are you strong?"
Noyer quickly guessed what he wanted to do and smiled confidently, "At least in the East Blue, I've never lost."
"Is that so?" Zoro stood up and drew the white katana hanging at his waist, "Then can you spar with me?"
Noyer raised his head with interest, his right hand gently drawing Seikou, "Do you think you can beat me?"
Zoro bit Wado Ichimonji in his mouth and drew two plain-looking katanas with both hands, his fighting spirit high, "For a promise, I'm going to become the world's greatest swordsman. To do that, I have to defeat everyone!"
Going straight for the three-sword style — it seemed he was getting serious.
Noyer held Seikou before his chest. Zoro positioned his three swords in stance. Without further words, the two were about to fight.
Zoro bit down on his sword and lowered his head, his two swords extending outward. Then his waist rapidly sank as the three swords charged forward like the horns of a rampaging bull!
The entire sequence of movements was extremely swift — an ordinary person would barely react. But Noyer kept his Observation Haki active at all times. This speed was nowhere near enough.
◇ Oni Giri ⥤ Ogre Cutter ◇
Zoro's low roar rang out.
Noyer raised Seikou vertically. With quick reflexes, he swung his blade to block the two swords stabbing at his chest. A forceful push shook the blade and easily forced Zoro back.
Zoro retreated several steps and looked at him in disbelief. This person had broken through his technique with one hand?
But he didn't let himself get distracted. He retreated and smoothly moved both swords behind his back, then pounced forward again like a fierce tiger, roaring,
◇ Tora Gari ⥤ Tiger Hunting ◇
The three swords came at him again with airtight pressure, but this time Noyer frowned and casually swung his blade to intercept the fulcrum of the three-sword style.
The blade lifted slightly upward. Zoro hurriedly pulled back to dodge. The cold steel grazed his throat and chin as it slashed toward the sky.
"Damn it!" he said angrily.
He'd attacked so many times but hadn't even touched his opponent's clothes, yet this guy's casual counterattack had him in such a sorry state!
"The names are pretty good, but unfortunately too flashy." Noyer said, waving Seikou.
When swordsmen of equal level fight, various techniques can greatly increase the winning rate. But his swordsmanship firmly suppressed Zoro's. These sword techniques with cool names had no effect.
Speaking of which, Noyer also wanted to name his sword techniques, but he was terrible at naming things. He envied this kid in front of him.
Zoro seemed to have an unyielding obsession driving him. Biting down hard on Wado Ichimonji, he crossed his two swords and slashed out again.
◇ Oni Giri ⥤ Ogre Cutter ◇
A gleam flashed in Noyer's eyes as he swung his blade forward for the first time, "Then let me show you the gap between you and me."
Seikou came with the force of thunder. It was still an ordinary upward slash, but it carried the power to cut through steel.
A violent clash of swords rang through the sky. Zoro still held his two swords raised, but the blades had already shattered into fragments and fallen to the ground.
Noyer sheathed his undamaged sword, "You're not the only one who wants to become the world's greatest."
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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 more chapters of this novel or enjoy a large catalog of good novels with excellent translations: MrBlackWing (you know where to search)
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)