A Man in One Piece: I Can Copy Any Talent

Niwan bowed her head again with utter sincerity. "Master! Please take us as your disciples!"

Niman was even more earnest, knocking her head against the deck with a resounding thud. "Master!"

Noil stared at the two oddballs, at a loss for words.

With "talented" disciples like these, he really didn't dare take them on...

Noil hurriedly waved his hands. "But I'm only twelve. You're both older than me, so let's forget it!"

Niwan and Niman looked stunned. "Master, you're only twelve? You look so much older!"

Niwan spoke with the earnestness of someone devoted to martial arts. "Master, you may be young, but you're stronger than us. We won't hold your age against you!"

But I hold yours against you!

Noil wanted to cry. Then inspiration struck. He pointed behind the sisters. "Look! The sun?!"

"What?"

"Huh?"

As the two turned around, Noil leaped off the pirate ship and ran for his life!

Noil swore he'd never run that fast, not even when racing to claim a seat in the cafeteria!

"Where's the sun...?"

Noil ran into the village, hoisted Bellemere onto his back, dragged out his two younger sisters who had been sneaking drinks, and scrambled all the way home.

Noil wiped the nervous sweat from his brow and broke into a sly grin.

Hah. Is that all you've got?

As if you could find me here!

Early the next morning, Noil stared in despair at Niwan and Niman standing outside his front door.

Why the hell?!

Bellemere beamed beside him. "I went into the village this morning, and these two girls were asking everyone where you lived. They said they were your disciples, so I brought them home."

"Ahhh!" Noil cried, burying his face in his hands.

But there was nothing he could do. He couldn't just leave them standing there, so he went out to meet them.

Niwan and Niman's eyes lit up when Noil appeared. They immediately bowed and shouted in unison, "Master!"

Noil's head throbbed. "You don't need to bow."

"Bowing is the most basic way to show respect to your master," Niwan said seriously.

Noil pressed his fingers to his pounding temples. "Who bows a full 180 degrees?!"

Well, that was life. If he couldn't fight it, he might as well accept it. Maybe he'd even feel better that way.

On the bright side, Noil had gained two underlings to run errands for him... No, two underlings who happened to be girls. That wasn't so bad.

At the very least, when he fought, he'd have two loud voices cheering him on.

Even if neither of them seemed to have a fully developed brain...

Noil took Niwan and Niman on as disciples and dutifully taught them swordsmanship. Unfortunately, their foundations were so poor that he had them start with the basics.

Noil was rather interested in being a Pirate Hunter.

Killing pirates and collecting their bounties from the Marines was a good way to make money. Once he set sail, the title would also give him a way to pursue adventure.

Noil had little fondness for pirates. Unless he was driven into a corner or someone made him furious, he would never choose to become one.

Pirate crews like Luffy's did exist on these seas, but they were few and far between.

As for becoming a Marine, Noil wanted that even less.

It might be stable and safe, but working for the rotten World Government and cleaning up after the Celestial Dragons? No chance.

If Noil ever met that Celestial Dragon trash, it would take all his self-control not to draw his sword and kill them. Protecting them was out of the question.

And forget all that talk about protecting people in the name of justice, then toppling the government from within.

Noil wasn't exactly a good person himself.

He was selfish. As long as the people close to him were happy, that was enough. The ways of the righteous Marines didn't suit him.

Pirates: This Guy's a Lunatic

Noil had it all figured out. He would never willingly become a pirate, and he wouldn't join the Marines. Pirate Hunter suited him just fine.

Besides, Noil wanted to see how far he could travel along the Grand Line under a legitimate title.

Early that morning, the villagers gathered to haul Arlong's pirate ship, the St. Poplar, into the village. Then they set to work on it with a clatter of tools.

After a morning's work, they had turned the St. Poplar into a ship that looked more or less ordinary.

It was Noil's request. He intended to make his debut as a Pirate Hunter, and he needed a ship.

Arlong's ship was going to waste on the shore anyway, so they might as well put it to use.

Noil had discussed it with Bellemere, and she hadn't objected. With his current strength, sailing the East Blue would be child's play.

He could treat it as a way to earn some extra money.

When Nami heard Noil was heading out to make money, she insisted on going with him. Bellemere swiftly and mercilessly put a stop to that.

With his "Climate Hyperperception," Noil sailed across the East Blue with ease.

He lounged in a beach chair, soaking up the sun, while Niwan and Niman stood beside him and earnestly explained their target.

Niwan consulted a small notebook. "Master, our target this time is Tandel Village. It's a base for a pirate named Yuke. Every time his crew robs civilians, they store the treasure there."

"So we can strike at their base, take the treasure, and wait there for Yuke to return. Then we kill him."

Noil picked up the orange juice on the table and took a sip. "Niwan, you really are good at gathering intelligence. You even found out something like that."

Niwan's nose practically rose into the air at the praise. "Yuke's bounty isn't very high, but he usually kills for money and rarely crosses anyone important. He should have amassed quite a fortune."

Noil asked curiously, "So how much is his bounty?"

My time to shine!

It was as though dramatic music swelled around them. Niman, who had yet to get a chance to show off, finally found her specialty. She rattled off at astonishing speed, "Three million, one hundred and twenty-six thousand, five hundred and forty-nine Beli. I'm absolutely certain!"

Noil looked at Niman as though she were a monster. Now that's a talent that defies all reason!

Why the hell does it go down to the last Beli?

Noil asked skeptically, "Are you sure? What if the bounty's been updated?"

"I memorize the updated bounties every night!" Niman said proudly.

That's insane?!

What am I even supposed to say to that?

Noil had wondered why reciting bounties counted as a talent.

Why bother memorizing every last digit?!

Are you saving up to buy Chopper?

No wonder even the system says you've got way too much time on your hands...

It wasn't wrong about you.

While Noil marveled at the sisters' talents, a ship slowly approached in the distance.

A familiar white skull on a black flag. This really was the Great Pirate Era. He hadn't sailed far before running into a pirate crew.

Noil walked to the bow and looked over. A whole crowd of pirates bounced about the deck like hounds spotting prey.

"More small fry... What a pain," Noil muttered as he watched them.

They weren't a threat, even all together. They were just irritating.

Then again, underlings were perfect for making a grand entrance.

Noil looked at the vacant expressions on Niwan's and Niman's faces. His eyes suddenly lit up. "My disciples, let me teach you something..."

On the pirate ship, a captain who had only recently started his career stared excitedly at the vessel ahead.

Only three people aboard, from the look of it: one kid and two foolish women. Finally, an easy target!

As the ships drew close, the pirate captain shouted, "Get them, boys!"

"Yeahhh!"

His men whooped and scrambled aboard like monkeys, drawing their blades and trying to look fierce.

The pirate captain led the charge, rushing onto the ship with a cutlass in hand. He waved it wildly and snarled, "Hand over your money, or don't blame me if—huh?"

The pirate captain stopped as though someone had grabbed him by the throat. Something about this scene was wrong!

Noil sat in a chair with his legs crossed, wearing sunglasses and a stern expression. He looked absurdly pleased with himself.

At his sides, Niwan and Niman stood solemnly with their swords planted before them, pink sunglasses on and grim looks on their faces.

Put all three in suits, and they'd look like stone-faced characters from The Matrix.

Their bizarre appearance nearly knocked the pirate captain off balance. "Quit acting like a big shot and hand over the money!"

At that, Noil gave him a smile that was part mockery, part disdain, and the rest pure casual arrogance.

Noil raised a hand and lightly snapped his fingers.

Nothing...

The snap made no sound.

Noil cleared his throat to hide his embarrassment. Then he raised his hands and clapped hard.

Clap!

"Make way!"

At the signal, the bodyguard sisters immediately struck the deck with their sword sheaths. Their booming voices finally had a use.

The shout hit the pirate captain like a thunderclap. Despite having numbers on his side, he couldn't help feeling uneasy.

That's the effect I wanted!

Noil watched the bewildered pirates. This is why having underlings is great!

"You think you can rob us?" Noil asked, lowering his voice to a rich rumble.

He stood. Seeing her chance, Niwan shook out a coat and swept it toward his shoulders with a flourish.

She seemed to have used a little too much force...

The coat billowed through the air and landed flawlessly over Noil's... head.

With the sunlight cut off by fate, Noil forced himself to remain calm and pulled the coat down.

By now, the pirate captain understood.

This guy's a lunatic!

"Forget the idiot!" he roared. "Get them, boys!"

The pirates surged forward. A cold glint flashed in Noil's eyes, and his blade flew from its sheath!

Silver light flashed again and again as Noil charged into their midst. He tore through them like a pig let loose in a pen full of sows. Pirates toppled left and right, crying for their mothers.

Before long, every pirate lay sprawled on the deck. Noil slowly sheathed his blade, looking like a man who stood alone at the peak.

He took a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and blew a few smoke rings. Then, one hand in his pocket, he confidently sat back down—

And landed on the deck with a thud.

Noil turned and glared at Niman, who had only just picked up the chair. "Sorry, Master," she said sheepishly. "There were too many steps. I couldn't remember them all!"

Noil pressed a hand to his forehead in despair.