One Piece: Talent Copy System!

Chapter 125: Catch Me If You Can

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...

On the visual screens across Sabaody Archipelago, the image of Noir slashing a Celestial Dragon's head froze, burned into the minds of the onlookers.

Shock filled every face. A Celestial Dragon, a being considered above all others, had been brutally murdered. And now someone was demanding a ransom for the rest.

The initial shock gave way to unbridled joy. This act of defiance was met with cheers!

No one in the world held any affection for the Celestial Dragons.

Or rather, everyone hated them.

But their absolute authority kept people in check. No one challenged them. Now, witnessing Noir's audacious actions, many couldn't help but admire him.

Noir couldn't see the reactions on the visual screens, but he could imagine the Marines' response.

He removed his blood-soaked gloves, glancing at the corpse on the ground. "Hang the body. We're leaving."

The crew, seeing Noir's ruthless efficiency in executing the Celestial Dragon and hearing his bold declaration, felt their respect for him deepen.

His loyal followers obeyed without question, rolling up their sleeves and getting to work.

Shalria, pinned to the ground by Noir, watched as her father's headless body was strung up on a tree. Tears welled up in her eyes.

She thrashed wildly, trying to break free from the ropes, but Noir slapped her back down.

As she tried to rise again, he plopped down on her arched back, nearly sending her face-first into the dirt.

Noir looked at her coldly, a cruel smile twisting his lips. "Do you want to end up like your father?"

Shalria met his icy gaze, then glanced at the mangled corpse, a shiver running down her spine.

The simple act of killing her father right before her eyes had silenced her completely.

Noir's voice dripped with mockery. "A pampered Celestial Dragon, used as a chair, her father murdered... don't you want revenge?"

Shalria, struggling to breathe under Noir's weight, could only manage a hateful glare.

He shrugged off her look. He'd faced down far more terrifying, hateful glares from far more dangerous enemies. What was a spoiled Celestial Dragon to him?

Ignoring her glare, he patted her back condescendingly, making her tremble.

"Until the ransom arrives, you'll be my temporary chair," he said with a satisfied smirk. "I don't mind getting a little dirty."

Shalria's eyes widened in terror. "No!" she cried.

But her resistance was futile, both physically and verbally.

The execution of one Celestial Dragon had sent a chilling message to the rest, finally silencing these self-proclaimed descendants of God.

....

After a swift regrouping, Noir and his crew departed the island on a modified warship. Not long after they left, several heavily armed Marine ships arrived.

It was the same familiar man, Kizaru, forced yet again into overtime. He wearily disembarked to assess the situation.

He soon found the headless corpse dangling from a tree.

Kizaru flipped open the cover of the Den Den Mushi on his wrist and reported to headquarters, "I've arrived at the destination. Only Saint Rosward's body remains."