The sea was rough as Noah and Zoro approached Reverse Mountain. The Ragnarok cut through the waves with ease, though the currents around the mountain always posed a challenge for sailors. The massive wall of water dragging ships toward the summit was something no one wanted to cross unprepared.
Noah, however, had no intention of making things complicated. He used a simple water-style jutsu, channeling the water around him and controlling the currents. In a matter of seconds, the ship began to ascend effortlessly.
Zoro stood at the bow, watching without much interest.
"Are you going to use that all the time?" he asked, half-curious and half-bored.
Noah barely responded, focused on his jutsu. Within minutes, the ship reached the top of the mountain. The enormous waves surrounding it vanished as if they had never existed. Then, Noah used another jutsu to stabilize the ship and glide smoothly down the other side.
The calm that followed their passage through Reverse Mountain was immediate. Suddenly, the sea was much calmer, and the sky cleared, revealing a wide horizon leading into the Grand Line.
"Well, we're on the other side now," Zoro said, staring at the vast ocean before them. "The Grand Line."
Noah nodded.
As they sailed forward, Zoro moved closer to the ship's edge, staring at the sea. Although things seemed calm, both of them knew that anything could happen at any moment. In the Grand Line, peace never lasted long.
"What's our next destination?" Zoro asked, not taking his eyes off the horizon.
"Arabasta," Noah replied, pointing to a direction on the map. "The kingdom is on the far west side of the Grand Line."
"Arabasta, huh? Sounds interesting."
There was barely a hint of excitement in Zoro's voice, but at least the journey now had a clear purpose.
"When we get to Arabasta, you'd better be ready," Noah said, breaking the silence.
Zoro looked at him with an indifferent expression.
"Why? Trouble ahead?"
Noah didn't respond immediately. Instead, he adjusted the sails and kept the ship on course. After a moment, he let out a faint smile.
"Nothing too serious. I'm just going to kill a Shichibukai."
Zoro, who had been sipping his drink, froze mid-sip. The surprise was so strong he nearly spit it out. He forced himself to swallow and looked at Noah as if he hadn't heard him right.
"What did you say?" he asked, frowning as if Noah had said something completely insane.
Noah gave him a casual look, like it was just another item on his to-do list.
"I said I'm going to kill a Shichibukai," he repeated, his tone as relaxed as if he were talking about the weather.
Zoro stared at him, eyes slightly widened in surprise. His jaw clenched, and he had to glance at Noah several times to make sure he wasn't joking.
"Are you insane!? Those guys are dangerous. They're the most powerful pirates in the world!"
Noah simply shrugged, as if it was no big deal.
"Don't worry. I've got it covered."
"You're a weird guy, Noah. But hey, if you're going to do it, at least make it entertaining. I don't want to miss the show."
Noah gave a slight smile—not because it was a joke, but because he knew Zoro had no idea what he was really about to face.
"Don't worry. I promise it'll be quite the show."
Zoro laughed at the answer, though he wasn't sure whether to take Noah seriously or not. Either way, it looked like their next destination would offer more than just open sea.
With the wind at their back and their destination clear, the ship continued on course.
---
One week later.
Amid the ruins of a town, where wind stirred up sand and dust, Noah stood over Crocodile's corpse. His cold eyes stared at the lifeless body of the Shichibukai—a man once feared and respected, now nothing more than a hollow shell.
Facing Crocodile hadn't been difficult for him.
For starters, Noah's water-style jutsu was a lethal counter against Devil Fruit users. On top of that, Crocodile's Suna Suna no Mi was particularly weak against any kind of liquid.
The fact that an inexperienced Luffy had managed to defeat him spoke volumes about Crocodile's actual combat skill.
Noah took out a fruit and placed it on the corpse. In seconds, the fruit transformed into the Suna Suna no Mi.
With a slight nod, he stored it in his gear just as Zoro approached him, arms full of Devil Fruits in different shapes and colors—proof that each had belonged to someone who had fallen in battle.
Behind him walked a woman with a serious expression and sharp eyes: Nico Robin.
Robin said nothing, merely watching the scene with caution. She knew Noah had spared her, as well as Bon Kurei—whom he claimed to find amusing—but that didn't mean she trusted him in the slightest. However, she understood better than anyone the meaning of survival, and at this moment, her best option was to follow this mysterious man and his companion.
Noah ignored Robin for the time being and focused on the fruits Zoro had handed him.
He wasted no time inspecting them one by one. The first he picked up was the Supa Supa no Mi—the fruit that had belonged to Daz Bones, also known as Mr. 1.
Noah began to analyze it. Supa Supa no Mi—a Paramecia-type fruit that granted the ability to turn any part of the user's body into sharp steel, capable of cutting through nearly anything.
"Interested in this one?" Noah asked, holding up the Supa Supa no Mi.
Zoro frowned and immediately shook his head, as if the idea of wielding such power was absurd.
"No," Zoro crossed his arms, his tone firm and direct. "I've got my swords. I don't need more blades or some power based on cutting. That's not my style."
Noah nodded slowly. He understood that Zoro, with his dedication to the way of the sword, wouldn't see value in an ability that didn't fit his path. So he set the fruit aside and moved on to the next.
After briefly examining the other fruits, he stored them all inside his 4D pocket.
Finally, he turned to Robin, who was still watching him cautiously.
"And you?" Noah asked, looking her directly in the eye. "What do you plan to do now?"
Robin remained calm at the question.
"I'll join you," she said, her voice steady. "I have my own reasons."
Noah smiled a bit wider.
"Good. I'm not surprised. Dark paths are easier to walk when you have traveling companions."
Robin said nothing more, but her expression softened slightly. She knew that joining Noah's group wasn't a simple decision, but at that moment, she trusted it was the right one.
With everyone gathered, Noah began walking toward the horizon, his two companions following behind him.