One Piece: Talent Copy System!

Chapter 122: Escape to Freedom

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Noir's expression went blank. Oh right, we blew up the ship. How are we supposed to get back?

A ship could slide down an ice ramp and return to the sea, mainly because the ship was broken...

If a person slid down an ice ramp into the sea, they might end up broken too...

Aokiji struggled to keep himself upright, staring at Noir with a cryptic smile for a long time.

The stare made Noir's hair stand on end. He wondered if Aokiji had some strange fetish.

Fortunately, Aokiji spoke again after a while.

"Your speed won't be enough to catch him. And I'm injured. Let's just head back and report."

Kizaru looked at him in surprise, as if seeing Aokiji in a new light. "You're letting him go?"

"Those who were kidnapped are Celestial Dragons. Aren't we supposed to capture him and hand him over to the Government?"

Aokiji gave Kizaru an odd look, his voice muffled. "Can you beat him?"

Kizaru's old face flushed. After a long silence, he begrudgingly admitted, "If he hadn't copied my ability, taking him down wouldn't be a problem. But now..."

Aokiji turned away. "Exactly. I'm injured. Even if we blew up the ship, do you think you can hold Noir back alone and rescue all the Celestial Dragons unharmed?"

Kizaru's comical eyes narrowed as he shook his head. "Seems... likely... perhaps... probably not..."

Noir clapped his hands and laughed. "Uncle Kizaru is a man of self-awareness."

Just then, the ice Aokiji had created to slow down the warship began to crack and break apart.

Seizing the opportunity, Noir dashed forward, leaving a shimmering afterimage in his wake, his blade aimed at Kizaru, who was shielding Aokiji.

Kizaru reacted instantly, pulling Aokiji out of the attack's path and flashing away from the warship.

With the delay, the warship broke free from its icy restraints and began to plummet once more. Noir quickly resumed creating the ice ramp.

Over two thousand people, now free, cheered as they slid down the ice towards the sea.

Despite the bumps and cracks along the way, tears of joy streamed down their faces.

The vast ocean, the clear blue sky... they had missed this sight...

They were finally going home! They were finally free from slavery!

And they owed it all to their savior.

All eyes turned towards Noir, filled with fervent admiration. Their spirits soaring, they showered him with praise and gratitude.

"The Black-Clad Savior repelled two Admirals single-handedly!!"

"I can go back to find my parents! I wonder if they're still alive..."

"Freedom... but I have no family left..."

"I... neither do I."

The initial jubilation gave way to a somber realization as they spoke of their hardships and the loved ones they'd lost.

Years of enslavement had left them estranged from the familiar sea. This melancholic undercurrent dampened the celebratory mood.

Noir, focused on maintaining the escape route, listened to their conversations, his brow furrowed in thought.