Pirates: I Rely Only on Myself

Noah and his companion slipped into the tightly sealed underground basement.

The middle-aged man pulled out an anti-eavesdropping Den Den Mushi and dialed a number. In no time, the Den Den Mushi transformed into a bird-headed figure wearing a tall hat. After making the call, the man quietly exited the basement, leaving Noah alone.

"Hehehe, well? What big news have you got for me?"

Morgans' voice, distorted through the Den Den Mushi, sounded amused but curious.

Noah didn't waste time with pleasantries. "I've got intel on the Golden Lion. Interested, President Morgans?"

"Oh?" On the other end, Morgans' mind buzzed with possibilities. He let out a low chuckle. "And what do you want in return?"

"Straight to the point, I like it. I need the training methods for Armament Haki and the Navy's Six Powers. As a gesture of good faith, I'll give you a piece of intel up front: the Golden Lion's been spotted regularly in the skies over the Calm Belt, between Paradise and the East Blue. Specifically, he's operating near a small island called Little East Blue."

After Noah finished, Morgans broke into laughter. "You think that's worth something to me?"

"President Morgans, that's just to prove the real intel is coming next."

"Hehehe, I get it. Alright, pay attention. Here's the training method for the Navy's Six Powers…"

Morgans spent the next ten minutes explaining the training steps and critical details of the Six Powers. Whether Noah could memorize it all didn't concern Morgans.

Unbeknownst to him, tucked under Noah's cloak, a small recording device he'd picked up in Loguetown was quietly capturing everything.

Once Morgans stopped, Noah pressed on. "Second piece of intel: After breaking out of Impel Down, the Golden Lion came across an island called Vermeil. He used his powers to lift the entire island. If you have the island's Eternal Pose, you'll find the Golden Lion."

"Vermeil Island?" Morgans' voice crackled with excitement. He could smell a headline brewing. "Alright, the training method for Armament Haki… here are the key points, and a few things you'll want to watch out for…"

Noah listened carefully as Morgans went through the steps. Once Morgans finished, Noah didn't waste a beat.

"Third piece of intel: The Golden Lion seems to have discovered something on Vermeil Island. He's using it to conduct biological experiments. When I passed by the waters near Little East Blue, I encountered several mutated beasts. Their strength was on par with a Navy captain. That's all the intel I've got for now."

"..."

Morgans went silent for a moment. He wasn't doubting the information—far from it. It was explosive. But he had a healthy fear of the Golden Lion.

Still, as the king of big news, Morgans wasn't someone who shied away from danger—not even from the World Government. He had already decided: this story was getting out.

"This is excellent intel. If you come across anything like this again, we can make another deal. By the way, what should I call you?"

"Just call me 'Dawn.' I'd love to keep working with you, President Morgans, but unfortunately, I need to head to the West Blue soon."

"That's no problem. Here, take down my personal number: 555-3825-5089. Call me anytime, my friend."

"Pleasure doing business."

"Likewise."

After Noah left the basement, the middle-aged man reconnected with Morgans.

"Boss, should we send someone to follow him?"

"No need. He's got Observation Haki. Your men wouldn't be able to track him."

As a veteran of the underworld, Morgans had already deduced from their conversation that Noah possessed Observation Haki, which squashed any thoughts of tailing him.

________________________________________

Elsewhere, Noah, now back in Loguetown, had already changed his appearance several times. He spent a few days gathering supplies, and on the third night, secretly sailed back to Starfish Island in his submarine.

This exchange with Morgans had been on his mind since last year. At the time, though, he hadn't been strong enough to guarantee his own safety, which was why he had delayed until June.

As someone with the advantage of foresight, Noah knew that if he wanted to get his hands on Haki and the Six Powers training early, Morgans was his best option. He was quick, relatively safe, and obsessed with big news.

After all, with Morgans' passion for major scoops, all Noah had to do was leverage his information advantage to get what he wanted without any real risk.

The Navy, though they likely had the training methods, would require time—he'd have to work his way up, and most branch bases in the Four Seas didn't offer comprehensive Haki or Six Powers training. Only the main headquarters at Marineford could provide that kind of education, but it took too long and involved too many unpredictable factors.

And if he had taken the path of a pirate? He'd be stuck "studying" in the New World.

As for whether Morgans had access to Haki and Six Powers training methods? Absolutely.

With his global spy network, reputation as one of the underground emperors, and as a constant thorn in the World Government's side—not to mention being a regular guest at Charlotte Linlin's tea parties—if Morgans didn't have those methods, he'd have been buried long ago.

________________________________________

Hours later.

The sun was setting over the northwestern bay of Starfish Island.

The calm surface of the sea suddenly bulged, and a submarine broke through, surfacing with a splash.

Noah opened the hatch and stood on the deck, his gaze sweeping over the golden waves, shimmering in the evening light.

"Phew… I'm back."

After securing the submarine, he sprinted back to the manor.

________________________________________

Half an hour later.

In the wooden cottage kitchen, Lilian and Anthony were busy preparing dinner when they heard the bell at the door. They assumed someone else had returned and didn't pay it much mind.

"I'm back. Don't forget to save me a plate."

It wasn't until they heard Noah's voice at the kitchen door that they rushed out, beaming with excitement.

"Noah! You're back!"

"Welcome home, Noah!"

Noah waved them off casually. "Keep doing what you're doing. I'm going to check on the others."

Soon, it was dinner time. One by one, the others in the manor gathered in the dining room, surrounding Noah with excitement. They were all eager to ask him questions, their relief at his safe return evident.

Noah didn't explain much but did take the time to introduce the training methods for Armament Haki and the Six Powers. He emphasized the need for secrecy, warning them not to practice or use these techniques in front of outsiders.

As for Observation Haki, since Noah had already mastered it, he had developed a training regimen for the others. With time and effort, they would eventually awaken their own Observation Haki following his method.

For Joshua and the others, who were still building their foundations, obtaining the Six Powers training was a major boost of confidence.

After all, while Noah had some martial arts experience from his previous life—having dabbled in a martial arts club during university—it wasn't real expertise. But now, with the Six Powers training methods, he could refine the old training plan, cutting out ineffective techniques.

Noah made sure to plan the Six Powers training carefully.

The first stage would focus on mastering "Iron Body." Many people dismissed Iron Body as flashy but useless, but that was a misunderstanding.

Among the Six Powers, Iron Body was the core foundation. It was also a prerequisite for mastering Armament Haki.

Once Iron Body was mastered, the other techniques—Finger Pistol, Shave, Tempest Kick, and Moonwalk—would come naturally. Mastering Iron Body meant the body had grown strong enough to handle the rest.

As for "Paper Art," it was more of a precursor to Observation Haki and could be integrated into their Haki training.