Pirates: I Rely Only on Myself

August 16, 1507 of the Sea Circle Calendar.

West Blue, Naples Sea.

A pirate ship drifted along, enjoying a rare, leisurely afternoon.

Captain Durk took a swig of rum, then leaned over to his one-eyed first mate, speaking in a low voice, "Have we confirmed that woman's identity?"

The first mate replied equally quietly, "Yes, it's her. But capturing her might be a bit tricky."

"No matter. The Camorra family said they'd only give us that batch of weapons if we bring them fifty million Beli. We'll use her as payment instead," Durk said, a satisfied grin on his face as he calculated his next move.

Hidden in the ship's hold, a young girl listened in on their conversation, using her powers to create an ear on the deck above. Her expression remained calm, as though this kind of betrayal was nothing new. Though unfazed, she still prepared her small backpack.

Suddenly, an alarmed shout came from above deck.

"Captain, we've spotted a merchant ship!"

"Where?"

"Northwest, about six kilometers away!"

"Hahaha! Boys, we're gonna be rich! Close in on it!" Durk ordered, excitement flaring in his eyes.

"Aye, Captain!"

Below deck, the girl felt a pang of pity but knew she was in no position to help. All she could do was hope the merchant ship could somehow escape.

The chase lasted over an hour.

By the time the pirate ship had closed the distance to less than two hundred meters, the pirates were already baring their teeth in savage grins, gearing up to board with their grappling hooks and planks.

But in the next instant, those expressions turned to shock and fear.

A group of figures appeared, stepping through the air as if it were solid ground.

In the blink of an eye, Kuro and five of his subordinates landed on the deck of the pirate ship.

"Wai—"

Slash! The throat of a pirate who had tried to shout was cut instantly, his hand clutching his neck as he collapsed in a spray of blood.

With a fierce snarl, Durk swung his longsword at Kuro. "Die!"

"Heart."

Before the word had fully left his mouth, a gaping hole appeared where Durk's heart should have been.

Kuro materialized behind him, holding Durk's still-beating heart in his hand.

In the hold, the girl's hands and feet went ice-cold as she watched the scene unfold through her powers, her eyes wide with shock and fear.

To her, Durk, with his bounty of thirty-five million Beli, was a man who could slice through a hundred soldiers without breaking a sweat. Yet now, he lay on the deck, lifeless, in a pool of his own blood—a pitiful, helpless figure.

Within minutes, the fifty or so pirates on board had all been slaughtered, their lives snuffed out without a trace. Not a single one had been deemed worthy even as test material.

Kuro cleaned the blood off his hands and his dagger, picking up a bottle of rum. "Not planning to come out, Miss Nico Robin?"

Inside, Robin's heart pounded as her terror deepened. But she knew she had no way to escape; alone on the vast sea, a Devil Fruit user like her couldn't even swim, let alone flee.

After a moment, Robin emerged from the hold, her face pale.

Silent and resigned, she seemed prepared to accept whatever fate awaited her.

Kuro's mouth curled into a smirk. "You're very calm."

"Captain, we've collected everything of value." Two subordinates appeared, carrying out two large chests filled with treasure and Beli.

"Let's go," Kuro said, grabbing Robin by the strap of her backpack as he leapt into the air with Geppo (Moonwalk). The others followed suit, two of them lifting the chests.

With a powerful kick, Kuro unleashed a flurry of air blades, slicing the pirate ship into pieces that sank slowly into the sea.

Robin swallowed nervously.

Moments later, they returned to the Prosperity.

Kuro brought Robin to the captain's quarters.

Inside, Noah looked up to see a young woman whose face held a look of weary resignation. Her features were delicate, yet her expression bore the weight of someone who had been through more than her years.

Setting down his pen, Noah used his powers to pour her a cup of steaming tea, the iron sand moving the cup gracefully to the tea table beside her.

"Have a seat."

Robin's eyes widened slightly, and with a hint of uncertainty, she asked, "Are you… the Iron Man? From the Shadow Syndicate?"

"The Marines really do have a way with corny names," Noah replied dismissively, not bothered by the nickname, though he considered it convenient enough as a cover.

"…" Robin took a deep breath, regaining her composure.

She had been following news of the Shadow Syndicate for a while. The reason was simple: a certain man who had left her with mixed feelings had clashed with this very group a few months ago.

After calming herself, she sat in the chair across from Noah. "What do you plan to do with me? Surely you don't intend to turn me over to the Marines for a reward of seventy-nine million Beli?"

"You're perceptive." Noah took a sip of tea, then smiled. "Why don't you take a guess as to my intentions?"

Robin thought for a moment. "The most valuable thing I have is the knowledge in my mind. You need my knowledge of history for some purpose."

"Ah, arrogance and prejudice—the flaws we all share," Noah mused, idly spinning a globe on his desk.

"To me, your historical knowledge holds little value. I have little interest in the past. Rather than being bound by history, I choose to look toward the future."

Robin fell silent, momentarily lost for words. "…But I am a historian. My purpose is to uncover the secrets of the past."

"Yes. Which is exactly why I can't allow you to roam freely."

"Why?" Her voice grew tense. "Are you, too, afraid of history like the World Government?"

Noah responded calmly, sharing his thoughts without hesitation. "Because if you were to fall into the wrong hands, it would hinder my plans. I don't want my enemies gaining greater power and using it to stand in the way of my vision for a new world."

Robin found herself speechless.

Noah handed her a book.

Robin took it cautiously, her eyes immediately drawn to the cover.

The Book of Ages.

She opened the book, and two hours passed before she looked up again, entranced.

This book contained rubbings from seven Poneglyphs, as well as historical documents the Noah family had gathered from ancient ruins—particularly those detailing the history of the Kingdom of Atlan.

The seven Poneglyph rubbings came from various locations:

One from the seafloor in the East Blue.One from the royal tombs of Alabasta.Another from the Alabasta desert.One from Shandora on Skypiea.One from Crab Island in the Lost Sea of the South Blue.Two from the Sea Forest on Fish-Man Island.

Robin took a deep breath, her heart racing. "Seven Poneglyph rubbings… I never imagined I'd see so many all at once."

She looked up with a hint of curiosity. "Are you truly uninterested in the contents of these Poneglyphs?"

"I told you already—you're perceptive, but perceptive people often overthink things." Noah's sharp gaze seemed to pierce right through her. "They simply record the existence of the ancient weapons, Poseidon and Pluton, and mention a pirate named Joy Boy."

Robin's breath hitched, her pulse quickening. "You… you know what they say?"

"Which is why I said your knowledge isn't all that valuable to me." Noah's indifferent expression left Robin feeling strangely powerless.

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There will be no updates until January 2, as I will be busy during that time. However, don't worry – after that, I'll upload 5 chapters for 3 days. 

Wishing you all an Happy Christmas and New Year! 

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