CHAPTER FOUR

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The man who called himself Kirigaya Reim, works for Odyssey, Odyssey is an organization who came from the Future. In the Future, an organization called 'Black Jack' ruled the world because the present, The Pirate Era was destroyed. At that time, I still couldn't believe what I am hearing, but it's not long until a 'Black Jack' member appeared before us. That was the time I started to believe what Reim told me about the Future, this Pirate era and about our soon-to-be nemesis, Black Jack.

Reim cleared his throat, "I'll explain about Odyssey and what we call Guardian Knight…"

Guardian Knights are what we call someone we have chosen to support us, in easy words, a spy so that we can move freely. Our organization's name is Odyssey. The Great pirate era is a revolution era that was filled with new generation pirates who will stir up the Great Era. Our mission is to protect the Great Era's future. If we change the flow of the present, it'll definitely affect the flow of time and change the future.

Our nemesis is a Dark Organization called Black Jack. Their aim is to take over the future of the Great era, leading it to the path of destruction. The destruction of The Great pirate era connected us to a horrific future. Our job is to prevent Black Jack from destroying this era. We need to defeat the boss of Black Jack and change the flow of time. Our world's future depends on the present, The Great Pirate Era.

Odyssey has been formed since the Gold Roger's era, the first generation. The first leader of Odyssey managed to prevent Black Jack from changing the Gold Roger era for the worse. However, once more, Black Jack started acting up in order to thwart The 2nd Great Pirate Era, us. Their boss's identity is unknown but they are definitely planning to destroy this era.

They change the fate of those who supposed to die by changing their target to the person who is not supposed to die. This target exchange will affect the future greatly. Black Jack is a big, powerful organization; they have powerful pirates and powerful soldiers.

After finishing his explanation, Reim sipped his tea, "The note that you pick up is Black Jack's sign. It means that they're planning to kill someone that's not supposed to die today."

I still keep my suspicion on Reim. Should I believe in his words? I just picked up a note blown by the wind and suddenly told to my face that my older brother Vranz and myself was chosen by Odyssey as a Guardian Knight, as a spy to face Black Jack. Told that Odyssey was some kind of organization to protect the future from an evil organization that wanted to destroy the future of this Great Era? How can I believe all of that at once?!

I cannot believe what Reim said is true. However, I gathered my courage and ask more…

I asked Reim, "What do you mean by Black Jack's action?"

Reim explained, "Example; your mother passed away when you're 3 years old, right?" I nodded. Reim continued, "Black Jack can change this."

I blinked my eyes, confused, "Huh? What do you mean?"

Reim answered, "Black Jack can send an assassin and kill both of your twin brothers, Vranz and Van after your mother passed away when you're still 3 years old. Means, if Black Jack succeeds, your mother and your twin brothers won't exist today and that applies the future greatly. What will happen to you and your father then? What will happen to the 'D' they must protect?"

If my brothers' passed away when I was 3 years old, thinking what will happen I shivered, "…They won't be there to cheer me up from my mourning of mother's death, teaching me how to grow strong and kind…I will blame myself or more worse, I'll blame father for mother's death because he's a pirate...and they won't be serving Portgas D Ace like now." My body quivered at the same time my eyes teared up.

Reim nodded, "…Black Jack finds your family and the D as a threat for their goal. If Portgas D Ace isn't protected by your twin brothers like now, he might pass away sooner or later. Portgas D Ace will pass away earlier before his time to die come, this will affect the future. That's why this is a big problem"

Reim saw my shivering body, he stood up and put his big hands on my head, with a soft tone he said to me, "Don't worry, they're only examples. Sorry. I should've set a different example…but this is the only way to make you understand. Just how dangerous Black Jack are."

I realized, I cried in front of a stranger. My face turned beet red, quickly wiping my tears, stood up. I never thought I cry in front of a total stranger…my brothers' always said that you can't show tears cause it will show your weakness, I never cry in front of others aside from my brothers and my father or someone that I was really close to.

Hiding my embarrassment, I drank the tea in one gulp, wipe my face and turn my back from Reim. Changing the subject,

Letting out a small cough, "Then, if someone will die, I have to hurry, but, how can I find the target from all of the people in Shells Town?"

Reim replied, "Their target is your master."

My eyes widened, "LUFFY?! Then I have to hurry!" I was prepared to dash out before Reim stopped me and give me something.

Reim spoke, "Take this badge."

I asked Reim, "What is this used for?"

Reim answered, "It's a device from the future serve both as a communicator with other Knights and warning if one of Black Jack members is near the location. I have to go back to my post. I'll leave this one to you. Good luck and goodbye for now."

Before I ask Reim how the device works, he disappeared to thin air, without a trace. What a mysterious person, I know that he works for Odyssey but…when I think about his emerald green eyes, it was filled with sadness…

Shaking my head from the thoughts of Reim, I quickly searched for Luffy. I reached the exit and started to jump from a roof to another because it was faster and easier to view from high place; I was filled with nervousness and uneasiness.

I shouted, "Luffy! Where are you?!" I raised my voice, "LUFFY!"

There was no reply…am I too late? I don't know, but I really wished from the bottom of my heart that Luffy is fine. Sweat trickled down my face.

'DAMN! I've got to hurry!'

From afar, I heard building breaking and crashing,

'Luffy is the type to make ruckus…he must be making ruckus in that building!' I thought.

Dashing to the building in full speed, I wished, 'Let me be on time!'

I reached the building that turned out to be a Marine base, I clicked my tongue.

"Tch, it's the government…"

Jumping over one more roof, I landed on the base; the battle area turned out to be the backyard of the Marine base. I saw a green-spiky haired man unconscious and Luffy down on the ground. On top of Luffy is a blonde woman with a black-colored eye-patch on the right eye, raised a spear on top of Luffy's head.

The badge that Reim gave me started to speak, "Black Jack member; The Spear Madonna, Emily sighted."

The woman is a Black jack member! Luffy was having difficulty standing up because he's held to the ground by Black Jack member named Emily. The woman was about to stabbed Luffy, she knew that Luffy is a 'Rubber man' anything won't work except for sharp weapons, fire and poison. She rises up her sword, smirking before, swinging it down for the kill.

Instantly reacting, I managed to block off the spear before it stabs Luffy, I parried the spear, forcing the woman to backed up. The badge I hold in my hand mysteriously disappeared?! Is it to hide my identity as a Guardian Knight?

Luffy grumbled with his face on the ground, "Noel…get off…me…."

Luffy thought that the woman is me standing on top of him. It irritated me a little, "Luffy, is the screw on your head loose after getting attacked? I never step on you."

Luffy slowly lifted his head up, widening his eyes, "EH? NOEL?! Then just now, who is…"

I replied Luffy back, "An enemy. Also, you're losing to a woman?"

Luffy pissed off, roared, "She's strong! Dammit! She's stronger than that axe-guy!" Luffy pointed to a man with a huge axe on his hand that was out of cold. "Just who is that woman?!"

Ignoring Luffy's complaint, I put up my guard. I cannot show the woman a millimeter of space to attack, I have the feeling if I lowered my guard down even a little, my head and Luffy's head will flew off.

The woman licked her spear, "The descendant, huh? You're quite the strong one, little wolf."

I kept my distance from Emily and stood in front of Luffy, I smirked, "So what if I am."

The woman laughed, "…Seems like another nuisance is in the way. Little Wolf, let me tell you, you're not a match for us. I can kill you easily in a jiffy but, too bad, I have to spare you for now because 'that person' told us not to kill you yet. 'That person' also send me in order to measure the strength of Monkey D Luffy." The woman smirked, "…And let me warn you, little wolf…once you awaken your sleeping powers, be prepare, because we will once again appear before you…" Emily left with a wicked laugh.

When Emily leaves, I was relieved, I never saw someone with a dangerous presence as she is, not to mention, her words stuck in my mind, what was the meaning of that last passage…'once you awaken your sleeping powers, be prepare, because we will once again appear before you…'

What did she meant by 'sleeping power' inside me?

Luffy, stood on his feet, attempted to chase Emily, "Hey! Woman! Let me kick your ass!"

Luffy was angry at himself, Luffy wanted to chase Emily but there's no meaning, he'll just be hurrying to his death. It's not that I don't understand Luffy's feelings but, I cannot let Luffy go. I made a decision, I hold Luffy, trying to cool his head, "Calm down! Luffy, you know that you're no match for her but there are also injured people!"

Luffy realized, turn his attention towards a light green-haired man, "ZORO!"

I blinked my eyes in confusion, "Zoro…?"

The unconscious Coby opened his eyes and replied, "Zoro-san is heavily wounded by that woman after Luffy-san and Zoro-san beat Morgan. I want to give emergency treatment to Zoro-san but…I don't know anything about medical! I'm so useless!"

Coby was frustrated because he was there but couldn't do anything, he gritted his fist and teared up because of his frustration, I know that feeling because I experienced it once, the day where my mother was executed in public and I cannot do anything. I still remembered how frustrated I was at that time that I cannot do anything except for repenting and crying.

I turned towards Coby, "Don't blame yourself, you always work as an errand boy at Alvida's ship, of course you don't know anything about medicals, but, that will change from now, you're aiming to be a great Marine soldier, right?" I smiled at Coby, "For now, bring him inside including the Marine officers that's also injured…"

Inside the Marine headquarters in Shells Town, I applied treatment to Zoro's wound, Luffy's wound and the injured marine soldiers wound as well, it was a lot of work but all of them were perfectly fine. Zoro's wound might be the deepest but thankfully, it was not a critical wound, Zoro's life was not in danger, seeing how Luffy got worried sick of Zoro must have meant that our party will increase one more member, and that is Zoro.

I wiped my sweat and sighed. It was a good thing that I learnt a thing or two about medicals back in my hometown. At first it was difficult, how to wrap a bandage on a wound properly, how to stand the sight of blood flowing, how to sew a deep cut properly. I'm glad that Zoro and Luffy is fine.

Coby returned after bringing a bucket with clean water that I requested for and sat beside me, "I'm relieved that the wound isn't too deep."

I nodded in agreement, "But, it doesn't change the fact that it almost cut his stomach. If it did, Zoro would've gone to heaven."

Luffy, putting his straw hat back to his black-raven hair asked, "Noel, who's that woman?"

I replied with a sigh, "I'm not sure…why that woman is attacking you, I wonder why…"

I didn't want to lie to Luffy but, in order to save this Era, like Reim said I couldn't afford to tell Luffy the truth. A sharp pain stings my chest; this stinging pain, is it the pain when I'm lying to a friend? It's not a good feeling at all, but this is all in order to protect Luffy and this Era…

Later that afternoon, the four of us, Coby, Luffy, Zoro and myself, was invited to a dinner at a girl's house, her name is Rika. It seems that Zoro saved Rika and Rika owe Zoro a debt for saving her. As a reward, Rika invited Zoro and Zoro's friend, us to a dinner at her house. I wasn't there when all of these things happen but Luffy didn't ask me anything.

To summarize the story: Luffy, Coby and Rika told me, Zoro was thrown into prison for hurting the Marine's officer son, Helmeppo's dog pet that is attacking Rika and her town. Helmeppo decided to execute Zoro in three days; however Helmeppo lied and initiated Luffy to punch him. Helmeppo wanted to kill Luffy and Zoro by complaining to his father, Morgan, but Luffy doesn't care and infiltrate the base to see Zoro. When chaos stirred up, a fight between Luffy and Zoro versus the Marine soldiers at the base begin. Luffy made an unfair promise to Zoro that in return for getting his three swords back from the Marine's base; Zoro has to join Luffy's crew.

Finishing the delicious dinner, the revived Zoro turned towards Luffy, "What are your plans next?"

Luffy answered, "I am going to head for the 'Grand Line'! Noel is going with me too."

Zoro turned towards me, "You? You're the Noel that this guy mentioned huh?" Zoro pointed to Luffy.

I answered the swordsman, "Yep. I'm heading for Grand Line as well."

Coby was shocked, hearing Luffy and my plan to go to Grand Line. He protested, "What?! Just three of you, how can you enter the Grand Line? Don't you understand? The world's strongest pirates all gather there!"

Zoro went with the flow and speak, "We're going for One Piece…It won't hurt to head that direction!"

Coby protested more, "Zoro-san!"

I turned to Coby, "Coby, it's not like you're coming with us, what is there to be worried of?"

Coby gritted his fist, "…I never had a friend and Luffy-san, Zoro-san and Noel-san is the first one to be my friends and taught me not to throw away my dreams. We're friends, right! Why can't I worry about my friends?"

Luffy smiled, "Even though we have to part…we'll always be friends!"

I smiled and turned to Coby, "…And Coby, don't underestimate the Marine."

Coby raised his eyebrow. I continued, "If the Marine knows about your past that you're doing chores on a pirate ship, I don't think they'll let you enter Marine easily…"

Within a few silence, someone's voice was heard outside Rika's door. "Excuse me!"

As the door flew open, a Marine officer marched inside, with a question he turned to Luffy, "We are wondering, are you really…pirates?"

Luffy answered the Officer, "Yes, I just found my first crew member and Zoro is my second crew member, so that would make us pirates now!"

The Marine Officer speak up, "Even though you are pirates, in reality…you saved our town and base. For that we are grateful. But, since you are pirates…as Marines we cannot allow you to stay longer than this. Please leave this place immediately. As for the events that occurred here, we will be reporting it to the Headquarters."

I stood up and push in the chair, "Well, I knew this will happen sooner or later…we are pirates after all, and near us is a Marine base."

As the Villagers complaint to the Marines, Luffy stood up from his chair casually, he spoke, "Hmm, well then…let's go! Thank you for the food. It was delicious."

Zoro, without saying anything stood up, he knew what Luffy and I was planning to do. The three of us stood on our feet, as we headed outside, we passed through Coby. The three of us ignored him on purpose.

The Officer asked Coby, "Aren't you with their group?"

The Marine Officer believes that Coby is with us, pirates. If the Marine Officer knew this, without a doubt Coby cannot reach his dream and that is to be a Marine officer. Coby knew this, not only himself but also Luffy, Zoro and I. If his dream is destroyed because of his connections with us, it will surely leave a bad taste in our mouth. Luffy will do something and I believe that. Luffy is the type to put someone else first before himself. I returned back to the boat, smiling because I knew that Luffy will do something about Coby.

I left Zoro and Luffy back in the house, excusing myself to the boat. On the boat, I checked my belongings in order to find the badge that mysteriously disappears back then after it detected Black Jack, Emily. I release the glove that I wear on my left hand and something caught my eye, a pattern of something was imbedded there. I was confused, I started to shake my hand but nothing happened. Slowly, I tried to poke my left hand.

Invisible layers of screen appeared before my eyes, the words written are contact book and a location map. At first, I can't believe my eyes, the pattern on my left hand is the same as the pattern of the badge that Reim gave to me, Odyssey's symbol. The badge turned into a symbol and laid itself on my left hand. It was a technology from the future. I was mesmerized when I suddenly heard Luffy and Zoro's voice. They did it.

I turned to the Straw-hat and the swordsman, "You did it?"

The swordsman chuckled, "Nice act!"

Luffy replied Zoro, "I believe Coby will become stronger and more independent in the future!"

I smiled, "Time to go, or else there's no telling what else will happen."

Zoro replied, "Not leaving anything behind, that's what pirates are all about!"

Luffy and I shouted in unison, "Agree!"

The three of us were prepared to sail, before Luffy and Zoro stepped into the boat, a familiar voice called out to them, "Lu…Luffy-san!"

Luffy turned back his head; it was Coby, "Coby…"

Coby, saluted and shouted, "Thank you very much! I will never forget you for the rest of my life!"

Luffy grinned, "Hehe…Coby! We'll meet again someday!"

From behind Coby a lot of human figures appeared in front of us, "Group Salute!" shouted the Marine Officer in charge. The rest of the Marine officers saluted us in unison.

It was a nice view, I was touched, I bet Luffy and Zoro also felt the same way as I do. We waved our hands, shouting goodbyes, as our boat set sail to the blue sea towards Grand Line. We begin our journey once again, I'm glad I met Luffy, if I'm with Luffy I always felt that the three of us can overcome anything, not knowing more challenges are up ahead of us.

Black Jack made their move, and their target is Luffy!

What does Emily meant when she said about Noel's sleeping powers? Is it about Noel's true strength?

The crew departed from Shells town with a new crew member, the three-sword style swordsman, Roronoa Zoro. Along with Luffy and Noel, the search for the next crewmate begins!