One Piece: Talent Copy System!

Chapter 184: All According to the Plan

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Issho's sudden intervention devastated the Marine forces led by Akainu.

Garp, deeply caring for his men, couldn't bear the sight of their suffering. He charged toward Noir, iron fists clenched, determined to end the battle swiftly.

A gust of wind rushed towards Noir's face, but with his upgraded Observation Haki, Observation Haki, he effortlessly reacted, sidestepping just as Garp's fist slammed into empty space.

'This kid's Observation Haki has gotten even sharper...' Garp thought, furrowing his brow. He prepared to launch another attack, his massive fist cocked back, when Tsuru arrived to provide support.

Faced with two seasoned veterans, Noir remained calm, feigning a sigh. "Why must we resort to violence?" he asked dramatically.

As the two Admirals closed in, Noir casually snapped his fingers.

"Wh-what?! No!"

Garp froze mid-stride, while Tsuru quickly retracted her attack, both turning towards the source of the scream.

A Marine officer, adorned with a Captain's insignia, clutched his head in agony, his face contorted in terror. Exposed to the sunlight, his skin began to sizzle and smoke.

A plume of acrid smoke rose as the Marine's flesh, blood, and even bone were incinerated, leaving behind only a pile of ash.

Garp glared at Noir, his voice a furious roar. "What did you do?!"

Noir simply smiled, offering no explanation. He snapped his fingers again.

As if echoing the sound, another Marine screamed in agony, suffering the same gruesome fate as the first.

Tsuru's eyes widened in realization as she glanced at the Marines' shadows. "The Shadow-Shadow Fruit!" she exclaimed, her voice grim. "Noir marked the hostages beforehand!"

Noir's smile widened. "Indeed. A precaution against your predictable tactics. Just as planned."

Garp's face serious. He turned to Tsuru, his voice low. "What do we do now?"

Tsuru's eyes flickered with thought. There was only one solution: eliminate Devil Noir, the World Greatest Menace.

But Noir possessed not only the Shadow-Shadow Fruit but also the Glint-Glint Fruit and the ability to vanish into mist.

Kizaru, along with Garp and Tsuru, could at best stall Noir and his crew, preventing them from escaping into the mist, but they couldn't stop him from snapping his fingers.

Seeing the two Marine pillars hesitate, Noir continued snapping his fingers, each snap punctuated by another Marine's agonizing death.

The crisp, faint sounds cut through the din of battle, each one a chilling reminder of the power Noir held over their comrades' lives.

Noir didn't pressure them for a decision, silently claiming the lives of one Marine after another.

The Celestial Dragons, who had been so arrogant before, now trembled, hiding behind the Marines, fearing they would be next.

But their fear was misplaced. Noir was targeting Marine officers to weaken their forces. The Celestial Dragons were...expendable. They posed no threat to him.

As more Marines perished, Tsuru's eyes filled with tears. After a moment of agonizing hesitation, she lowered her hands.

"Stop, Noir," she said, her voice heavy with weariness. "You can leave..."