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Helping Shirahoshi wasn't out of the question. With Enel and Fujitora around, finding Vander Decken IX shouldn't be too difficult.
But first, Noir needed to copy Shirahoshi's Talents.
He activated his system and discreetly examined her talent profile:
....
"World's Greatest Beauty - Gentle: Gold Talent. Possesses one of the most beautiful faces in the world. Experiencing trauma will gradually make her personality more docile. Those close to her gain increased luck, charm, and training talent. Furthermore, anyone who gains a high affinity with her will never lose that positive regard.
Poseidon's Command: Gold Talent. One of the three Ancient Weapons capable of world destruction, Poseidon can command all the Sea Kings in the world. One of the most mysterious powers in this world. If the possessor of this talent is not a mermaid, the number of Sea Kings they can control will be significantly reduced.
Empathic Resonance: Red Talent. Shirahoshi possesses innate Observation Haki, inherited from her mother, Otohime. The stronger her Observation Haki becomes, the higher the chance of reading the thoughts of others. If pushed beyond its limits through intense training, this talent might evolve into a gold talent, with a chance of forcibly altering the values and consciousness of others."
....
Noir gasped. Though Shirahoshi's combat abilities were currently negligible, her potential talents were formidable.
As the Ancient Weapon Poseidon, with a single command, she could unleash Sea King attacks on every island in the world, plunging the Four Blues into chaos.
And she also possessed innate Observation Haki, a power even rarer than Conqueror's Haki.
Otohime, was also gifted with extraordinary Observation Haki, allowing her to empathize with others and even influence their thoughts.
In some ways, this ability was even more frightening than Poseidon's Command.
If her Observation Haki could influence the entire world, the consequences would be unimaginable.
While the others weren't paying attention, Noir stored the Mera Mera no Mi and the Mane Mane no Mi in his talent library and discreetly used two Copy Cards.
The red talent, Empathic Resonance, and the gold talent, Poseidon's Command, surged through him. Noir felt a sense of clarity wash over him.
It was like a nearsighted person finally putting on glasses. Observation Haki had always felt like looking through a blurry lens.
But now, with Shirahoshi's talent, his perception was crystal clear. He could even faintly sense the emotions of those around him.
"...So...pitiful..."
A faint voice echoed in his mind. Noir's Observation Haki, acting on its own, expanded briefly before quickly retracting.
He clutched his forehead, a pained expression on his face. The new properties of his Observation Haki were overwhelming.
Was that Robin's voice?
Noir looked at Robin, but her expression was unreadable. It didn't seem like what she was thinking.
'This is real telepathy…'
Noir knew Robin well. Sometimes, even when she appeared calm on the surface, her heart was more compassionate than anyone else's.
'Oh well… I’ve copied all of Shirahoshi’s talents. I’ll help her out, for Robin’s sake.'
Noir turned to Enel. "Can you pinpoint where those weapons are coming from?"
Though Noir's Observation Haki was now far superior to Enel's in quality and unique properties, few in the entire world could match Enel's range.
Enel raised his hands to his temples, striking an odd pose. "Almost lost it, but I've got a general location."
Jinbe looked at Enel with surprise. "Your Haki can reach that far?"
'This long-eared guy doesn't look like much, and his personality is a bit off-putting, but his Haki is incredibly advanced!'
Jinbe stared at Enel with newfound respect, his intense gaze making Enel uncomfortable.
Noir, faintly aware of Jinbe's thoughts, suppressed a chuckle and urged Enel to find Vander Decken IX quickly.
Using this advanced form of Observation Haki was incredibly draining, both mentally and physically, far more so than his previous level of Haki.
'It truly is the highest level of Observation Haki. If I didn't have a strong will, I might be overwhelmed by it…'
As for controlling Sea Kings… he’d keep that ability hidden for now, a trump card to be used when necessary.
Although he wasn't a mermaid princess, and his control over Sea Kings was limited, he could still easily destroy an island if he exerted his full power.
He couldn't let the Marines know about this ability, even if they didn't connect it to the Ancient Weapon Poseidon.
With Noir's assurance, Neptune chose to trust Enel's Observation Haki. He summoned a large group of fish-man guards, and they marched out of the Ryugu Palace.
This time, even Princess Shirahoshi joined them.
She had insisted on coming along. Though Neptune was worried, Noir didn't object.
Not only were the main members of the Underworld Pirates present, but they also had Jinbe, the Knight of the Sea. Surely they could handle one obsessed Vander Decken IX?
Besides, bringing Shirahoshi along might increase his affinity with her and unlock a System reward.
Neptune didn't accompany them. Instead, he sent his three sons to protect Shirahoshi.
Fukaboshi, the eldest prince, looked at Shirahoshi with concern. "Shirahoshi, why don't you stay in the palace? We'll handle this."
Ryuboshi, the second prince, added, "Yes, Vander Decken IX is targeting you. It's dangerous!"
Shirahoshi, usually meek and obedient, shook her head firmly. "I'm sorry, brothers, but I want to go out."
"If Noir can make Vander Decken IX stop targeting me, I can finally… visit Mother's grave…"
The three brothers fell silent. Shirahoshi had been closest to Queen Otohime. But after their mother's death, Shirahoshi had become the target of Vander Decken IX's Mato Mato no Mi powers.
Because of this, Shirahoshi hadn't even been able to attend her own mother's funeral…
Noir's eyes narrowed, a dark red aura erupting from him as he shattered the incoming projectile.
'This is getting annoying…'
Vander Decken IX was throwing weapons every five minutes. His twisted courtship was truly repulsive.
Enel pointed towards a massive shipwreck. "He's in there!"
Noir, his patience wearing thin, gave Vander Decken IX’s hideout a chilling smile. Without a word, he launched his attack.
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
Mimicking Kizaru's technique, Noir gathered golden light in his hands, unleashing a barrage of laser beams that rained down on the ship.
The already dim underwater world was plunged into further darkness as the beams stirred up a storm of sediment.
"Damn it! Who attacked me?!"
A furious roar echoed from the ship. A fish-man, also coated in waterproof bubbles, emerged, his face covered in grime, glaring at the intruders.
But when he saw the legendary fish-man, Jinbe, the Knight of the Sea, leading such a large group, he almost turned tail and fled!
'What the hell is going on?!'
...
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