Noyer's mind stirred, and he inspected the talents of Ace.
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" Gol (Portgas) D. Ace "
" Talents:〔 Most Evil Bloodline [Gold/1st Rank] 〕|〔 Brotherhood Pact [Red/2nd Rank] 〕|〔 Devil's Descendant [Purple/3rd Rank] 〕 "
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〔 Most Evil Bloodline 〕
〔 Rank: Gold 〕
〔 Description: Possesses the genes of the Pirate King Gol D. Roger, inheriting a natural talent for mastering Haki and combat techniques. Destined to face one life-or-death calamity in his lifetime. Most people associated with him will die tragically and suffer misfortune. However, if he survives the tribulation, his overall strength will double in a short period, and his fortune is exceptional. 〕
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〔 Brotherhood Pact 〕
〔 Rank: Red 〕
〔 Description: Three brothers share tremendous fortune. When one brother dies, the remaining two equally divide his fortune, and their aptitude and strength are greatly enhanced. 〕
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〔 Devil's Descendant 〕
〔 Rank: Purple 〕
〔 Description: Haki training efficiency increases, all ability training speed doubles, and Devil Fruit training speed is exceptional. 〕
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Noyer studied Ace's three talents with hesitation. The quality was impressive — one gold, one red, one purple. But he only had one Gold and one Red Copy Card left, and Ace's talents came with real danger.
If he copied 〔Most Evil Bloodline〕, he might gain the genetic talent inherited from Gol D. Roger. But that once-in-a-lifetime calamity was too frightening!
In the original story, Ace didn't survive this tribulation. His death was tragic, and the Whitebeard Pirates met a miserable end alongside him.
After seeing 〔Brotherhood Pact〕, Noyer finally understood why Luffy always narrowly escaped death.
Still, he decided not to copy these talents — they wouldn't be much use to him anyway. Better to save the Copy Cards. Once he entered the Grand Line, he'd find Dracule Mihawk and copy his swordsmanship talent. That would be the best choice.
Ace stared at Noyer, his expression sincere, "Noyer! Can you join our pirate crew?"
Noyer was startled, then declined with a smile, "Forget it! I don't want to be a pirate right now."
Ace asked, unwilling to give up: "Why? Isn't being a pirate great? You can adventure everywhere!"
Noyer shook his head, smiling but silent.
Ace lowered his head, discouraged, "If you change your mind, the Spade Pirates will always be waiting. I think highly of you!"
Noyer was actually a bit moved, "Let's talk about it later. Just don't let someone defeat you and absorb you into their crew."
Ace slapped his chest confidently, "How could that possibly happen!"
'That could totally happen though…' Noyer grumbled silently to himself.
Whitebeard gives you a few punches, acknowledges you as his son, and you'll be crying your eyes out.
Under Kasa and the red-spotted porpoises' guidance, the ship quickly found the place. The thick fog around them gradually changed color.
Ace stood at the ship's edge, looking at the mist in wonder, "How strange — the thick fog has turned pale red."
Deuce, wearing a black mask, said with a chill: "Like a blood fog!"
Noyer frowned and activated his 〔Climate Hyper-Perception〕. But ever since entering deep into the red fog, this skill's effectiveness had been weakening.
Within the expanse of red fog, an island full of red maple trees appeared. The red leaves made the entire island look dyed with crimson, and the ground was paved with roads of fallen leaves.
Kasa looked at the red island, "This is Red Leaf Island, where our village lives. The trees here emit a special fog. Ordinary ships that enter have no chance of finding their way. The red fog is perfect for red-spotted dolphins. Only they know the routes around the island, so we rely on them to guide us."
Noyer nodded in realization — the world is vast and full of wonders. Even Nami's extraordinary navigational talent had met its match here.
Ace excitedly pressed down on his hat, "We're landing on the island!"
Mihar, who hadn't said a word, came over to Noyer with his gun, "Mr. Noyer, I'll stay behind to guard the ship."
Seeing how Ace and the others took it for granted, Noyer could tell this guy often stayed to watch the ship.
He trusted Ace's group, so he nodded, "That's fine."
The four of them escorted Kasa onto the island.
As soon as they stepped on the ground, Ace said in surprise, "This island is really strange. The ground is covered in red leaves — it's quite soft."
Noyer vigilantly released his Observation Haki to observe, "There are also many poisonous insects and snakes. Can this kind of island really be inhabited?"
A trace of disdain flashed in Kasa's eyes.
Foolish outsiders who don't understand the sanctity of this island at all. Once the terrifying Great Shaman arrives, you'll all be reduced to ash!
An insidious expression crept across his face.
Ace took one look at his expression — oh-ho, you still dare to be arrogant!
He pinned Kasa to the ground and delivered a beating with punches and kicks, leaving him completely dazed.
What did I do to provoke you? Why are you hitting me?!
With a bruised and swollen face, Kasa obediently led the way, finally bringing them to a primitive-looking village.
As soon as they entered, people rushed out from all directions, all holding weapons, their faces painted with bizarre patterns. Regardless of age or gender, everyone wore a ruthless expression, staring at them like they were eyeing cooked prey.
A few children even had drool dripping from the corners of their mouths!
Ace looked around, then his face suddenly turned ashen. He patted Noyer's shoulder and pointed to a corner of the village, "Look!"
Noyer looked in that direction, and his expression also turned ugly.
A row of wooden racks stood there, scarlet blood splattered all over the ground, with bloody raw meat hanging from them. Scattered on the ground were fragments of human clothing and faces frozen in terror, eyes that wouldn't close in death. What they had eaten became instantly clear.
A chill ran through Noyer as he glared furiously at the wolf-like villagers.
This island was fundamentally an uncivilized barbaric land, and the people here were inhuman beasts!
Seeing his home turf, Kasa straightened his back, laughing wildly, "Since you dared to land on the island, don't even think about leaving. Just obediently stay and become food! Perfect! As an offering for the Great Shaman who taught us to enjoy human flesh, we'll present him with the most perfect feast!"
The villagers gripped their weapons restlessly, looking at them as if they were looking at dinner.
The four were surrounded. Ace's expression grew serious, and he asked quietly, "What do we do now? We can't possibly kill them all, right?"
A fierce expression appeared on Noyer's face, "Capture the ringleader first — it's that damned Great Shaman who taught them these things! Let's take him out first!"
"Right!"
Kasa laughed as if he'd heard a joke, his features twisting as he cackled like a madman, "Just you lot?! How could you possibly defeat the Great Shaman who can create fire! Outsiders! You're only fit to become our…"
Before his arrogant roar could finish, he suddenly felt a chill on his neck!
When he looked up again, even the sky seemed to have turned blood red. The usually friendly villagers rushed at him like malevolent spirits, his consciousness gradually fading…
Noyer raised his blood-stained Seikou and stared at the savages before him. Then he let out a furious roar:
"Damned Great Shaman, get the hell out here!!"
At Noyer's roar, the surrounding villagers erupted.
"How dare you insult the Great Shaman! Kill them!"
"Strip their skin off! Offer it to the Great Shaman!"
At the mention of their Great Shaman, the villagers' faces twisted with rage as they charged forward, brandishing their weapons.
Ace couldn't hold back any longer. He rushed forward with his fists raised, while Deuce and Skull pulled out their flintlock pistols and opened fire.
But one figure was faster than all of them. Noyer gripped his sword, bent low, and dove toward the crowd. He reached the villagers in the blink of an eye. Under their terrified gazes, he grasped the hilt and unleashed a fierce drawing slash!
The famous lightning-fast drawing technique from the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū!
◇ Ryūsōsen ⥤ Dragon Nest Flash ◇
The cold syllables fell, and Noyer's blade swiftly left its sheath, the edge seeming to vanish into the air itself.
Flashes of light flickered. In just one second, he executed dozens of rapid slashes. The enemies didn't even see where the attacks landed before fatal wounds appeared on their bodies!
"Ahhh!"
Only when the pain spread did the wounded realize what had happened — a whole swath of enemies collapsed before them!
"That's… that's incredible!"
Deuce and Skull stared at the speedster who fought like a war god, stammering in shock.
Ace's eyes lit up with excitement, "I knew he was strong!"
The villagers were so intimidated by Noyer's display that they didn't dare approach. Just then, an aged voice rang out.
"Outsider! You're asking for death!"
Noyer looked toward the voice. An old man with a sinister expression, white hair, and a white beard emerged from the crowd.
The villagers immediately made way for him, shouting with wild joy:
"The Great Shaman is here!"
"Great Shaman, punish them!"
"Let the heavenly fire burn these outsiders to ashes!"
Listening to the adulation behind him, the Great Shaman couldn't help but feel carried away.
A proud expression crossed his withered face as he said disdainfully, "Boy, if you know what's good for you, surrender and become this old man's meal!"
The hot-tempered Ace couldn't take it anymore and cursed, "Bullshit! Go to hell!"
After cursing, he charged forward again. Having his thunder stolen by Noyer earlier, he hadn't had enough yet!
The Great Shaman's face turned red at being insulted, but watching Ace's fist coming at him, he neither dodged nor evaded.
His eyes even showed a hint of disdain!
Sure enough, when the fist struck the old man's body, it was like hitting a ball of flame. The Great Shaman's head exploded like fireworks, and Ace's arm passed right through!
"So hot… what's going on!"
Ace felt no impact at all. His palm was even slightly burned. He withdrew his attack in surprise.
Under the villagers' worshipful gazes, the flames that had become the Great Shaman's head reassembled, revealing a smug expression as he laughed, "Hahaha, boy, have you felt the power of a god?!"
"A pervert ate a Devil Fruit and thinks he's become a god?" Noyer's calm voice rang out.
The Great Shaman's laughter stopped. Like someone whose secret had been exposed, he glared at the young man in fury.
Though revered as a deity by the islanders, he knew very well that this power came entirely from a fruit he'd eaten over a decade ago!
He wasn't a native of the island. He used to be a pirate, but his horrifying habit of eating human flesh got him abandoned by his crew. So he fled to this isolated island he'd discovered by chance, where he'd been ruling tyrannically ever since, living quite comfortably!
Noyer's words tore away the Great Shaman's facade and shattered his years of self-delusion!
Ace slapped his forehead, "Devil Fruit — I know about those! Did this guy eat one like Luffy?"
The Great Shaman's beard trembled with rage. His hands transformed into flames as he roared, "Both of you shut up!"
His arms extended, and two pillars of fire shot toward Noyer and Ace.
But the speed of these fire pillars was nothing to either of them. With a light hop, they easily dodged the flames.
Ace taunted, "Old man, your aim really sucks!"
Noyer curled his lip — another guy wasting a perfectly good fruit ability.
The fuming Great Shaman was thoroughly enraged. His lower body transformed completely into raging fire, and propelled by the flames, he rushed toward them.
Knowing he couldn't hit him, Ace quickly dodged. The Great Shaman changed direction and charged at Noyer.
Seeing him apparently "frozen in shock", the Great Shaman couldn't help but feel delighted.
You brat! Burn to ashes!
The Great Shaman's charging speed looked like a snail's pace to Noyer. When he finally reached him, Noyer slowly raised his long leg over his head.
Got him!
Just as the Great Shaman was about to gloat, a pain that nearly knocked him unconscious struck his head.
◈ Busōshoku no Haki: Kōka ⥤ Armament Haki: Hardening ◈
A big foot blackened with Armament Haki stomped down on the Great Shaman's head, and he was slammed into the ground like an upside-down onion!
What?!
The villagers completely panicked.
Why didn't the Great Shaman's miraculous fire transformation ability work?!
Ace stared at Noyer in amazement, "How were you able to hit this guy?"
Noyer smiled at him, "This power is called Haki. I'll teach you later…"
"Sure, sure!"
Just as the two were happily chatting, a muffled voice came from under Noyer's foot.
"Don't get cocky, you bastard! I'm not dead yet!" The Great Shaman's entire body transformed into flames and scattered, escaping from the "demon foot". He roared in fury, "You've made me angry, boy!"
Ace picked at his ear, "He says you've made him angry, Noyer."
"Oh?" Noyer didn't care in the slightest, "Well, aren't I just great."
"…"
As fanatical believers of the Great Shaman, the villagers' faces looked like they'd eaten shit, while Deuce and Skull covered their mouths, laughing quietly.
Provoked by the two who ignored him, the Great Shaman nearly lost his mind. He roared as flames burst from his body, raising both hands above his head. Streams of fire surged upward, gathering recklessly in his palms.
The orange-red glow grew brighter and brighter. A fireball like a small sun formed in his hands, sending scorching air currents blasting toward everyone present.
Watching the Great Shaman gather the fireball with such impressive momentum, the villagers prostrated themselves in excitement. They shouted fanatically:
"The Great Shaman is invincible!"
"The Great Shaman is invincible!"
The Great Shaman's ability seemed to reach its limit. His old face flushed purple-red, but he still didn't forget to show off, "Die, you bastard! This is the power of a god!"
Under the firelight, Ace showed no panic at all. Noyer was even boredly picking his nose.
With all the shouting and posing, the wind-up for this technique is so long — it should be pretty easy to dodge, right?
That was Ace's thought.
Noyer's thought was even simpler:
The old geezer charged up his ultimate move for so long — isn't this just a castrated, weakened, scrub version of Flame Emperor?
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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! (-‿◦)