บท 93: Chapter 91: The Heist of the Celestial Gold
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Noir stood at the bow of the ship, coldly observing the fallen Enel.
"This is only the first half of the Grand Line, right? How come so many people here can use Haki?" he mused, recalling the recent encounter with the woman selling Devil Fruits, as well as this rather attractive young lady.
"And who exactly are you people?" Noir asked, his voice cutting through the tension in the air.
The woman turned towards him, her tone soft yet firm. "Mr. Noir, could we find a quieter place to talk?"
Noir chuckled. "Sure."
The woman brought along only the burly man as they boarded the Ark Maxim. Meanwhile, Enel, who was still lying limp on the deck, was grudgingly helped up by Wyper.
Seething with frustration, Enel muttered, "What's the deal with that woman? I can't even use my strength."
Wyper sneered, "Soft guy, can't even handle a woman."
"Shut up! Let's see you try!" Enel retorted angrily.
But Wyper, realizing he hadn't fared much better against her, wisely chose to keep quiet.
Noir led the woman to the meeting room aboard the Maxim. As she looked around at the lavish, gold-adorned room, she remarked, "Mr. Noir... you're quite wealthy."
Noir smiled, and Conis brought out a tray of tea, setting it on the table. The woman took a sip and her eyes lit up as she complimented, "Your crew has some remarkable skills."
Conis blushed with a sweet smile, and Noir subtly nodded in agreement. This woman wasn't just strong; she was also quite polished in her manners.
"You show me respect, I show you courtesy," Noir thought, echoing his own principles. He asked, "So, how should I address you?"
Standing tall, the woman introduced herself with a serious tone. "My name is Cretin, and I'm a soldier of the Revolutionary Army. This is Gahn, but you can call him Little Gahn."
Noir nodded. It was as he suspected, the Revolutionary Army.
In the vast world, apart from the Marine and the World Government, the Revolutionary Army was likely the only force capable of conducting such organized operations.
Noir, still curious, asked, "Why is the Revolutionary Army so determined to track me? What do you want?"
Cretin replied earnestly, "Our goal is to invite you to join us, Mr. Noir."
"Join the Revolutionary Army?" Noir was even more puzzled. "Why would the Revolutionary Army invite a wanted man like me? Just because I killed a king?"
Cretin nodded. "To be honest, we've been watching you for a long time. We believe that with your abilities and ideals, you're more than qualified to join us."
"Ideals? What ideals do I have?" Noir blinked in confusion.
It was clear that the Revolutionary Army was interested not just in his ideals, but more importantly, in his ability to copy powers. They couldn't let such a power fall into the hands of the government.
Noir didn't dwell on it and decisively refused. "No need. I appreciate your organization's goals, but I prefer my freedom. I'm not one to take orders."
Cretin seemed to have expected this but still looked disappointed. "Very well, we respect your decision. However, I wonder if we could engage in some mutually beneficial cooperation?"
Noir, sensing an opportunity, asked, "What kind of cooperation?"
Cretin glanced around at the golden decor and smiled. "A robbery."
"Robbery?" Noir's interest waned. "Do I look like I'm in need of money?" he said, a bit deflated.
Cretin's expression turned playful. "This heist could give you enough money to buy two more ships just like this one."
In an instant, Noir's demeanor shifted, and he was all ears. "Who are we robbing?"
Cretin, a bit taken aback by Noir's sudden enthusiasm, quickly regained her composure. "Our target is the Celestial Gold."
Noir's mind raced.
These revolutionaries were bolder than he'd thought.
The Celestial Gold was the wealth that all nations affiliated with the World Government were required to pay as tribute. This heavy tax was offered to the Celestial Dragons, the world's aristocrats.
Noir had heard of it when he first set sail. It was said that Doflamingo had once stolen the Celestial Gold, forcing the government to recognize him as a Warlord of the Sea.
If they could intercept this wealth, gathered from numerous countries, it would indeed be a windfall.
Cretin, noticing Noir's contemplative silence, asked, "Mr. Noir, what do you think?"
Noir quickly questioned, "Why involve me in such a secret operation?"
"And don't tell me it's because you trust me, because I won't buy that."
Cretin shook her head. "It's not just that we trust your character. We also value your copying ability."
"If I'm not mistaken, your Copy-Copy Fruit powers are still usable, right?"
Her directness relieved Noir, who replied, "Of course, I can copy anyone's face."
He then asked, "So, what's your plan?"
Cretin reached into the valley of her bosom, pulling out a small Den Den Mushi, which seemed nearly suffocated in the process. Noir felt his cheeks flush at the sight, as Cretin explained:
"This is my Den Den Mushi. Once you reach Sabaody Archipelago, I'll contact you and provide you with the full plan."
Noir held the warm Den Den Mushi, momentarily lost in thought.
Robin gently flicked the back of Noir's head and addressed Cretin, "We'll be in touch."
Cretin looked at Robin with a thoughtful expression. The "Devil Child" being protected by the "Devil Shadow", no wonder the government's efforts to capture them had been unsuccessful.
"In that case, the Revolutionary Army will be ready when you arrive at Sabaody. We'll take our leave now."
Cretin and Gahn departed the Maxim, slowly sailing away under Noir's watchful gaze.
Holding the Den Den Mushi, Noir wondered aloud, "Aren't they afraid I'll change my mind?"
Robin shook her head. "You're definitely going to Sabaody. Besides, the Revolutionary Army probably has a backup plan."
Noir nodded. Wyper leaned in, asking, "Is there really that much money in the Celestial Gold?"
Enel, eavesdropping, listened intently as Noir replied, "Indeed, there's a lot, but more importantly, there are numerous resources."
Nations under the World Government's umbrella didn't just tribute Berries. More often, they offered various resources: Devil Fruits, medicines, weapons, rare metals, and exotic animals, among other things.
With such a vast amount of resources, it was no wonder the Revolutionary Army was tempted. Even Noir, who had plans to establish his own territory, needed these materials.
As Noir described the Celestial Gold's riches, Enel's mind began to whirl.
With wealth enough to buy another Ark Maxim, how much money was that?
After Noir and the others completed the heist, he could simply swipe the treasure while they weren't looking...
Then he could disappear to some remote part of the world and reign as king again, unchallenged.
Enel's fantasies about his future reign made him chuckle with a sinister glee.
Wyper looked down at the now-slumped Enel, lying limply on the deck like a worm, laughing eerily like a donkey.
"Disgusting..." he muttered.
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