Noyer asked in confusion, "Can't you explain it more clearly?"
Apart from his Talent slots upgrading from 7 to 10, he didn't understand anything else.
The system explained.
「 The system Codex Collection records Talents. Whenever the host replaces an old Talent with a new one, the old Talent will be recorded in the Codex. 」
「 Old Talents recorded in the Codex can be exchanged back by the host at any time, but each exchange has a cooldown period of three months. 」
Noyer's eyes widened in pleasant surprise.
This was fantastic. From now on, Talents he copied but didn't use could be stored in the Codex and swapped out when needed.
More importantly, retrieving them from the Codex was unconditional!
As for the cooldown period, that didn't matter. Three months — he could wait that long.
With a pleased expression, he continued asking, "Then what does Talent Fusion do?"
「 Each Talent can be fused with another Talent of the same quality. After Fusion, the quality increases and abilities have a chance to mutate. 」
「 Each Talent can only be fused once, and after Fusion, this Talent cannot be replaced, becoming a permanent Talent. 」
Noyer pondered thoughtfully.
This new feature wasn't bad either. Being able to directly upgrade quality and even mutate Talents was certainly good. However, after Fusion the Talent couldn't be replaced anymore — that's what worried him.
With the system Codex, his combat path would become increasingly diverse. If he had enough slots, he could even possess the abilities of nine Devil Fruits simultaneously.
But physical techniques, swordsmanship, Haki, and such wouldn't have corresponding Talent bonuses. Fusing a Talent meant locking one slot permanently, requiring careful consideration.
Noyer carefully thought about his Talent slot arrangements.
His Innate Talent 〔Otherworlder [Purple/3rd Rank]〕 couldn't be replaced. Moreover, that was the guarantee of his good looks — after Fusion and upgrade, the effects might be even better.
He could reserve three slots for the three types of Haki. For example, Armament Haki could copy and fuse Garp and Zephyr's Talents. Observation Haki could get Fujitora and Enel's.
Adding swordsmanship and physical constitution, six of his Talent Slots could be locked through Fusion. The remaining four could be used to copy Devil Fruit abilities and swap them with the Codex as needed.
Just imagine — when Noyer met Ace in the future. One second they'd be trading Fire Fists, the next second Noyer would send him a magma volcano. This added countless possibilities to combat.
「 Due to modifications to the Talent Copy Card reward mechanism, future system rewards will be changed to Universal Talent Copy Cards. 」
「 Universal Talent Copy Cards can copy Talents of any quality. 」
Noyer froze, "What about the gold Talent Copy Card I saved up?"
The system paused…
「 All old version Talent Copy Cards have been recalled by the system. 」
"You moth — "
Just as Noyer was about to curse, the system spoke again:
「 To compensate the host, they have been converted to three Universal Talent Copy Cards. 」
Hearing about compensation, Noyer held back and nodded with satisfaction.
One Gold Card and a bunch of White Cards exchanged for three Universal Cards — a total win.
He sank his consciousness into the system and checked the Codex. Sure enough, it recorded the Talents he'd replaced before: 〔Energy Enhancement〕, 〔Sheriff Martial Arts〕, and the like.
Noyer felt relieved. The system upgrade was complete. Now everything was ready — he just had to wait for Baroque Works to arrive.
And Crocodile's efficiency didn't disappoint.
Just as the sun was about to set, a cute pink ship docked at the shore. Surrounded by subordinates, Robin and an androgynous figure walked off.
The okama Mr. 2 lifted his leg high, standing on tiptoe and spinning in circles.
He said in an effeminate tone, "Oh! Miss All Sunday, what is little 0 thinking? Why send me to deal with a rookie who just debuted? Why, why?"
Robin looked at the chattering okama and smiled helplessly, "This is the boss's order. You just need to test his abilities."
Mr. 2 had a muscular build, yet wore bizarre heavy makeup, false eyelashes, and straight bangs. He wore a swan ballet costume with a pink coat — "Bon Kurei" written on the back, along with a pair of swan heads and wings.
His androgynous face was full of reluctance. But this was his boss's order, so Mr. 2 had no choice but to carry it out.
The two walked toward the town, where most bounty hunters were low-level Baroque agents — the so-called "Millions" and "Billions".
Seeing Mr. 2's distinctive appearance, they all showed fearful yet fanatical expressions. His status was so high they could probably never reach it in their lifetimes.
Moreover, this guy's strength was terrifying. Was that gentleman they'd been serving these past days really a match for this senior agent?
Led by the low-level agents, Robin and Mr. 2 went straight to where Noyer was resting.
He lay comfortably in a rocking chair, a pretty girl beside him feeding him grapes — the picture of a wealthy landlord enjoying life.
Hearing the commotion, Noyer looked up — two more familiar faces. Whether in his past life or now, this androgynous type was clearly an okama.
Should be that very loyal okama Bentham, right?
As for the sexy beauty with long straight black hair next to him, he could recognize her just from her legs.
Wasn't this Robin?
Crocodile sending her out — Noyer was quite surprised. But just these two people meant Crocodile still underestimated him…
Before they could speak, he asked first, "What position does your boss plan to give me?"
Seeing the arrogant look on this rookie's face, Mr. 2's false eyelashes trembled with anger. Just as he was about to step forward and teach him a lesson, Robin held him back.
She stared at Noyer lounging brazenly in the chair and said with a smile, "Our boss wants to give you a test first."
With every smile and gesture, the charm of a mature woman radiated out, making even Noyer a bit dazed.
Robin truly lived up to being the representative of mature women — she had both the warm gentleness of the girl next door and the sexy allure of an adult woman.
Perfect, right in line with his aesthetic!
Noyer secretly assessed her, then showed a disdainful expression, "Test me? Don't you just want to send someone to beat me up? With this androgynous fellow? Isn't this just pointless talk?"
Upon hearing this, Mr. 2 exploded on the spot, shrieking, "Bullshit! I'm not androgynous, I'm an okama!"
The scene fell silent for a moment. Even Robin was frowning in thought.
What was the difference between the two?
Noyer studied Mr. 2, information about him surfacing in his mind.
What attracted him most was the man's Devil Fruit ability. The Mane Mane no Mi let its user mimic anyone they touched, perfectly replicating even their body.
Oh… this ability.
Improper uses flooded Noyer's mind. Copying this power would be incredibly useful for concealing his identity in the future.
As for Robin, Noyer felt great sympathy and fondness for her.
The last survivor of Ohara, with a tragic childhood, wandering alone through darkness just to survive. Her only rule of survival was betrayal — until she met the Straw Hat crew and finally found light again.
Seeing him staring intently at her, Robin instinctively pressed down her cowboy hat, concealing half her face in shadow.
Mr. 2, noticing Noyer ignoring him, anxiously lifted his leg and spun in circles again, fuming, "You brat, don't ignore me! Take this! Okama Rush!"
◇ Okama Kenpō: Okama Dash ◇
He flamboyantly twisted into a ballet dance, using his superhuman jumping power to charge forward. He raised his leg, kicking toward Noyer's throat.
Noyer didn't dodge or evade. He stood in place, watching with a mocking gaze. Just as expected, that vicious kick went straight through his neck, leaving a gaping hole of flames.
"Oh! My leg hurts so much!" Mr. 2 withdrew, his leg singed by the fire with some leg hair burned away, wailing dramatically.
Noyer's body quickly repaired itself with flames. He clicked his tongue, "That's it? I thought you'd be tougher."
"Damn brat!"
Mr. 2 roared in impotent rage, while surprise flashed in Robin's eyes.
A Logia-type ability user, just like Crocodile. Seeing Noyer's body made of flames, she quickly understood. No wonder he could defeat Mr. 5. With this ability, even Mr. 2 wasn't a match for him.
Bentham was still persistently attacking Noyer. Robin hurriedly stopped his self-destructive behavior.
She looked up at the tall Noyer, her voice alluring, "Hello, Mr. Noyer. I'm the vice president of Baroque Works. You can call me Miss All Sunday, and this is Mr. 2. May I invite you to come with us? Our boss wants to meet you."
Noyer raised an eyebrow, "What? You're not testing me anymore?"
Robin wore a polite smile, "A Logia-type Devil Fruit user — in our company, aside from the boss, no one is stronger than you."
Everyone knows Logia-type Devil Fruits have an extremely high baseline. Just by eating one, even the weakest, you instantly gain the strength to dominate the first half of the Grand Line.
The passive ability of elemental transformation alone shuts out countless people who can't use Haki.
Of course, except for Luffy, that child of destiny and cheat character.
Hearing her explanation, Noyer nodded with satisfaction, "Where are you taking me?"
Robin smiled faintly, "Arabasta."
Excellent! Noyer was secretly delighted — his guide had arrived!
He kept his expression neutral, "Then let's go."
Mr. 2, unable to use his abilities, felt displeased and reluctantly led the way.
Robin and Mr. 2 brought Noyer aboard the pink swan ship. His own vessel was tied behind, sailed by a few subordinates. At last, he was leaving Whisky Peak after several days.
Mr. 2 sulked on the ship, ignoring Noyer like a petulant child. But his mood shifted quickly. After tasting the meal Noyer prepared, his expression lit up instantly.
There's no conflict that a bowl of delicious food can't resolve. If there is, then ten bowls.
Bentham had barely tasted the food when Noyer's incredible cooking conquered him completely.
Amid praise and enthusiastic cheers, Noyer finally escaped the dining hall. Coming to the deck, he immediately spotted Robin sitting in a chair, reading.
She held a book, and the usually harsh sunlight now seemed gentle, softly illuminating her face as if it couldn't bear to disturb her focus. Her expression showed deep curiosity for knowledge. The air itself seemed to quiet, with only the soft rustle of pages turning.
Noyer said nothing, admiring the sight. One had to admit — a beautiful woman looked good doing anything.
"Mr. Noyer, do I look good turning pages?" Robin asked softly without lifting her gaze from the book.
Noyer smiled, looking away, "Of course you do. Nico Robin — I know you."
Robin's hand trembled slightly, "What does Mr. Noyer know?" she asked without expression.
Noyer sat across from her, leaning on the table and looking up at her face, "The last scholar of history. The survivor of Ohara."
Robin finally raised her head, her eyes gleaming with unreadable meaning.
Noyer stared confidently at her face, speaking words that shook her to the core, "You're here for more than just evading capture, aren't you? You're following Crocodile for the Poneglyphs. For example… the one about Pluton?"
Before he finished, Robin sprang from her chair. She crossed her hands before her chest, instinctively activating her technique.
Arms bloomed from Noyer's shoulders like flowers, locking his head in a joint lock. His head was crushed by the two arms, turning into scattered sparks.
The burning pain transmitted through her ability. Robin's impulsive emotions subsided.
Flames reassembled, and Noyer's face reappeared.
Robin stared coldly at him, "How do you know my boss is the Warlord Crocodile? How do you know I'm searching for Poneglyphs? And just who are you?"
Noyer didn't mind her attack, "You have vigorous curiosity. For others, that's not a bad thing. But for you, it's definitely not good."
Robin stared intently at him. She had a feeling this man understood her past very well.
Even her dream — her pursuit of the Poneglyphs.
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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! (-‿◦)