One Piece: Shiro Oni

'Ugh, far from feeling refreshed, my whole body feels sore,' Noir thought as he stretched, shirtless, under the glow of the newly risen sun. His piercing gaze swept across the horizon before landing on the four women still sound asleep nearby.

Lighting a cigarette, he sat down with a sigh, exhaling a thin stream of smoke as he stared out at the endless expanse of ocean. His thoughts drifted, shifting to his fighting style. A close-combat fighter specializing in martial arts, Noir had already mastered three styles that complemented each other well. But that wasn't enough. He wanted more—he wanted to learn other techniques, like those used by characters in Lookism.

After all, his current appearance bore a striking resemblance to his favorite Lookism character, Park Jong Geon. While not identical, the similarities were undeniable—his Reverse Eyes and the tattoos on both forearms gave him an aura reminiscent of the feared fighter.

When it came to fighting styles, Noir admired several characters. However, Park Jong Geon's combat techniques stood out as the coolest in his eyes. Even so, Noir wasn't satisfied with mastering just those moves. He wanted to learn from other characters as well, perhaps even figure out how to replicate or get closer to mastering Invisible Attacks.

'Yeah, it's going to be a long journey,' Noir mused, taking another drag from his cigarette. Leaning back, he decided to check his status—a habit he'd neglected since recovering from his near-death battle with Gary. For the past few days, he'd been sticking to light training, letting his body recover from the severe injuries he had sustained. The one thing he knew for sure was that after awakening, his strength had soared to new heights, allowing him to narrowly survive.

[Name: Yamazaki Noir]

[Age: 20]

[Title: -]

[Race: Human]

[Devil Fruit: -]

[Potential: SSS] [Awakened]

[Strength: SS]

[Endurance: SS+]

[Durability: SS+]

[Speed: SS]

[intelligent: S+]

[Luck: S+]

[Skills: 8]

[Trait: 3]

[Money: 2,500,500 Belly]

'Hmm,' he thought, analyzing the stats. His Awakened potential was the clear reason for the drastic boost in his stats. Endurance and Durability had even increased by one level each during his recovery.

Noir wondered if things would have been different if he had maxed out his stats at Rank S before awakening. Would he be even stronger now? But the past was the past. Awakening had saved his life, allowing him to unleash the full power of his Reverse Eyes and emerge victorious against overwhelming odds. If not for his traits, Noir doubted he would've been able to take down Gary's entire pirate crew.

His gaze shifted to his list of skills. The proficiency in his combat-related skills hadn't increased by much, particularly Aikido, which required sparring partners to truly improve—something his other martial arts didn't necessarily demand.

[Observe]

[Rank: S]

[Description: A skill that allows the user to gain detailed information about people, objects, or environments simply by observing them.]

[Haircutting]

[Rank: D]

[Description: A skill created through the methodical practice of cutting and styling hair. allowing the user to expertly trim, style, and manage hair. Though simple in concept, this skill can enhance the appearance and morale of individuals, even in survival situations. Higher proficiency may lead to the ability to perform advanced haircuts and styles with precision, even using makeshift tools.]

[Skill Proficiency: 12,5%]

[Kyokushin Karate]

[Rank: D]

[Description: A full-contact martial art known for its emphasis on powerful strikes, rigorous training, and mental discipline. The skill embodies techniques that include devastating punches, kicks, knee strikes, and elbow strikes, all delivered with maximum force. It also focuses on conditioning the body to withstand and deliver intense physical blows, making the user a formidable close-combat fighter. The higher the rank of the skill, the more precise, powerful, and effective the techniques become, allowing the user to break through defenses and withstand powerful attacks.]

[Skill Proficiency: 28,5%]

[Intermediate Pain Resistance]

[Rank: C]

[Description: Through constant exposure to high levels of pain, the user's body and mind adapt further, reaching a point where they can withstand severe physical trauma. This skill now provides significant pain tolerance, allowing the user to fight almost unimpeded by heavy injuries.]

[Skill Proficiency: 60,7%]

[Cooking]

[Rank: C]

[Description: The user is now a competent cook, capable of preparing well-balanced meals with precise control over flavors. Dishes are satisfying and visually appealing. The user can create more complex recipes and make use of higher-quality ingredients to elevate their meals.]

[Skill Proficiency: 66,4%]

[Aikido]

[Rank: D]

[Description: A martial art focused on using an opponent's force and momentum against them. The skill emphasizes non-aggressive defense, redirecting attacks, and neutralizing opponents without causing unnecessary harm. The higher the proficiency, the smoother and more effortless the redirection of an opponent's force.]

[Skill Proficiency: 0%]

[Taekwondo]

[Rank: D]

[Description: A martial art renowned for its emphasis on high, powerful kicks and dynamic spinning techniques. Taekwondo incorporates fast, agile movements that focus on precision and speed, making it ideal for maintaining distance and overwhelming opponents. The skill includes a variety of offensive and defensive techniques, such as roundhouse kicks, axe kicks, and counter-attacks, all executed with precision. As the skill rank increases, the user gains enhanced flexibility, balance, and the ability to deliver devastating strikes that can break through enemy defenses or incapacitate opponents swiftly.]

[Skill Proficiency: 15,9%]

[Teaching]

[Rank: C]

[Description: A skill that allows the user to effectively transfer knowledge, techniques, and combat experience to others. This skill enhances the user's ability to communicate complex concepts clearly and intuitively, allowing the student to grasp new ideas quickly. The higher the Rank level, the more efficient and effective the teaching process becomes, and the user can adapt their teaching style to the student's strengths and weaknesses.]

[Skill Proficiency: 68,6%]

'Hmm, the proficiency for Aikido is still at 0%,' Noir thought as he reviewed his skills. During the time he spent training the four women, his focus had been solely on building their physical strength. The regimen he imposed on them was brutal—so intense that it would have landed an ordinary person in the hospital with severe muscle injuries.

Noir understood that, at this stage, a strong body was more important than technique. So, he pushed them relentlessly, giving them grueling workouts paired with large portions of highly nutritious food.

Thanks to that, their physiques had transformed dramatically. Their bodies had filled out, becoming lean and toned to the point of looking like top-tier models. When they wore bikinis, it was impossible not to notice the results—particularly Mizuki, whose abs were visibly defined, showcasing a solid six-pack.

Despite these changes, they still couldn't fight properly. Their punches and kicks were untrained and random, lacking the finesse or precision of true combat techniques. Under normal circumstances, Noir wouldn't have brought them out to sea in this state. But their raw talent was undeniable—so much so that Noir often wondered what they could have achieved if they had been born as men.

They all adapted to challenges quickly, though Ihwa and Yuki stood out the most. Their natural aptitude for combat was remarkable. Noir remembered observing Ihwa from a distance during one of her assignments. He had asked her to hunt a rabbit that had become a persistent nuisance and an obvious candidate for a skewer.

Noir admitted that Ihwa mirrored him more than he'd initially thought. She was focused and methodical, studying her surroundings with sharp attention. Her movements were calculated and deliberate, and Noir could even feel the faint killing intent emanating from her moments before she swung her makeshift weapon—a sturdy stick with a sharpened rock tied to the end.

As for Yuki, she resembled a wild predator when she fought. Her aggression was raw and instinctive, even if the targets were relatively easy to take down. On the other hand, Fubuki and Mizuki excelled more in terms of physical endurance and strength. Fubuki, however, lagged behind slightly in raw physical ability but made up for it with the power of her Devil Fruit, Saiko Saiko no Mi, which allowed her to control objects with her mind. Her abilities reminded Noir of espers he had seen in viral videos from his previous life.

Mizuki, meanwhile, reminded Noir of athletes from his past life—physically gifted and naturally resilient.

"Hmm? Already up?" Noir asked, noticing the soft sound of approaching footsteps. Turning, he saw Ihwa making her way toward him. She wasn't wearing her jacket, which was now being used as a pillow by Yuki.

Without a word, Ihwa climbed into Noir's lap, wrapping her arms around him as she settled in comfortably. Her silver hair caught the light, and though her eyes were closed, Noir could tell she wasn't going back to sleep.

"Even if you pretend, I know you're not going to sleep," Noir remarked, though his tone lacked any sharpness.

Ihwa simply murmured softly, holding on tighter as Noir exhaled another cloud of smoke.

[Name: Ihwa]

[Age: 20]

[Title: -]

[Race: Human]

[Devil Fruit: -]

[Potential: SS]

[Strength: B]

[Endurance: B+]

[Durability: B]

[Speed: B]

[intelligent: B]

[Luck: S-]

[Name: Tsukumo Yuki]

[Age: 28]

[Title: -]

[Race: Human]

[Devil Fruit: -]

[Potential: S-]

[Strength: C]

[Endurance: B]

[Durability: C]

[Speed: C]

[intelligent: B]

[Luck: S-]

[Name: Mizuki]

[Age: 22]

[Title: -]

[Race: Human]

[Devil Fruit: -]

[Potential: A-]

[Strength: C]

[Endurance: B]

[Durability: C]

[Speed: C]

[intelligent: C]

[Luck: S-]

[Name: Fubuki]

[Age: 21]

[Title: -]

[Race: Human]

[Devil Fruit: Saiko Saiko no Mi]

[Potential: A-]

[Strength: C]

[Endurance: B]

[Durability: C]

[Speed: C]

[intelligent: B]

[Luck: S-]

'Hmm, Fubuki's stats have gone up one level' Noir thought to himself seeing Fubuki's stats which had gone up one level compared to three days ago he saw during breakfast, moreover in terms of physicality, Fubuki was the one who was left behind, but in return, she had the power of the devil fruit she ate where the ability was to make Fubuki herself like an Esper that Noir had seen on social media where many uploaded scenes on YouTube.

Satisfied with her stat, Noir dismissed the screen with a swipe of his hand. His focus returned to Ihwa, whose soft hair slid between his fingers like silk. A faint smile crept onto his lips. For someone who had grown into a competent hunter and showed traces of his own ruthlessness, she looked almost angelic in her sleep.

But the peaceful moment didn't last.

The sound of stirring from behind caught his attention, followed by a yawn. Yuki, rubbing her eyes like a child, sat up and glanced toward them. Her sleepy gaze immediately narrowed at the sight of Ihwa nestled comfortably on Noir's lap.

"Huh? That's not fair," Yuki muttered groggily, her voice still thick with sleep. Without hesitation, she stumbled over to them, her indigo martial artist-inspired top slightly disheveled from the night's rest.

Noir didn't have time to react before Yuki plopped down beside him, leaning her head against his shoulder. "My turn," she declared bluntly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

"You're not a kid," Noir said, sighing in exasperation.

"But I'm still sleepy," Yuki replied nonchalantly, closing her eyes and settling in as if daring him to move her.

Before Noir could protest further, Mizuki joined in. Her bubbly energy seemed to defy the fact that she had just woken up, her ponytail bouncing as she marched over. "If Yuki gets cuddles, so do I!"

"Mizuki—" Noir began, but it was too late. The athletic redhead had already nestled herself on his other side, leaning into him with a cheeky grin.

Finally, Fubuki, the last to wake, stretched languidly before fixing her dark green bob with a flick of her hand. She didn't say anything, but her sharp gaze carried its own demand. She crossed her arms and tapped her foot. "Move over. I'm joining too."

Noir groaned, feeling his patience fray. "This isn't a daycare," he muttered under his breath, but he knew resistance was futile.

Fubuki eventually found her place beside Mizuki, and before long, Noir was surrounded. It was suffocating, but the warmth of their presence had a strange calming effect on him.

"All of you are way too needy in the mornings," Noir said, his tone a mixture of annoyance and resignation.

Yuki yawned again, barely paying attention. "You're the one who spoiled us."

Mizuki nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, it's your fault we like being around you."

Fubuki smirked. "Don't pretend you hate it. You could've kicked us off your boat, but here we are."

Noir clicked his tongue, brushing off their words. "Just don't get used to it. And don't even think about bringing up—"

"Sex?" Yuki interrupted, her tone as casual as if she were asking about breakfast.

The other women burst into laughter as Noir's face darkened in irritation.

"Out," he said, his voice cold enough to silence them instantly. "Now."

Recognizing the line they had crossed, the women quickly stood, giggling nervously as they moved to prepare for the day.

***************

The aroma of searing meat filled the air as Noir stood by the ship's small stove, flipping thick slabs of boar steak on the hot skillet. Beside him, a pile of freshly caught fish waited to be grilled, their scales glinting in the morning sunlight. The soft crackling of the fire and the rhythmic splash of waves against the ship created an oddly peaceful atmosphere.

Behind him, Mizuki sat cross-legged on a crate, her spandex top leaving very little to the imagination. She rested her chin in her hands, staring at Noir with an exaggerated pout.

"Noir, don't you think I look good in this?" she asked, striking a playful pose.

Without turning, Noir sighed. "Mizuki, you can't keep wearing that around the ship. Put on a shirt."

"But why?" Mizuki whined. "I thought you liked it!"

"It's not about what I like," Noir replied, his tone sharp. "We're on a ship with open exposure to the sun. That outfit's going to give you a sunburn at best and hypothermia at worst."

Mizuki pouted even harder, but her expression shifted when Noir tossed her a plain white T-shirt. "Put that on. Now."

Reluctantly, Mizuki slipped into the oversized shirt, which draped over her athletic frame like a dress. Her red ponytail swayed as she adjusted the hem, clearly annoyed. "Fine. But I'm not changing my shorts," she declared defiantly.

Noir shook his head but said nothing, focusing on the food.

Once the steaks and fish were done, Noir carried the wooden serving tray to the makeshift dining area—a cluster of crates arranged in a square around a single large one that served as a table. Ihwa, Yuki, Fubuki, and Mizuki quickly gathered around, their eyes lighting up at the sight of the meal.

"Alright," Noir said, setting the tray down. "Eat."

The women wasted no time digging in, each grabbing a piece of meat or fish and savoring the flavor. Ihwa, however, had other ideas. Cutting a piece of boar steak, she turned to Noir, holding it out with her fork.

"Say ahh," she said, her silver eyes sparkling mischievously.

Noir raised an eyebrow but leaned forward anyway, taking the offered bite. "You're way too comfortable doing that," he muttered.

Ihwa smirked, cutting another piece. "Maybe. But you let me, so who's really to blame?"

As Noir chewed, Yuki leaned over with her own fork, holding out a piece of fish. "My turn," she declared.

Before Noir could respond, Ihwa's playful expression darkened. She turned her head slowly toward Yuki, her silver hair swaying as a chilling aura seemed to radiate from her.

The look in Ihwa's eyes shifted—sharp, calculating, and cold. A subtle, almost imperceptible wave of killing intent filled the air, freezing Yuki in place.

"Back off," Ihwa said, her voice soft but laden with menace.

Yuki hesitated, her fork trembling in her hand. "I-I was just trying to—"

Ihwa tilted her head, her expression becoming eerily childlike. "Oh? You were trying to what?"

Yuki quickly pulled her fork back, raising her hands in mock surrender. "Never mind! All yours!"

Fubuki and Mizuki exchanged nervous glances but wisely chose to stay silent, focusing on their food.

Noir sighed, rubbing his temple. "Ihwa, tone it down. You're going to scare them into jumping off the ship."

Ihwa blinked, her threatening aura vanishing as quickly as it appeared. She turned back to Noir, resuming her cheerful demeanor. "Sorry, Noir. Want another bite?"

Noir rolled his eyes but allowed her to feed him again, much to the silent frustration of the others.

As the meal continued, the initial tension faded, replaced by idle conversation and occasional teasing. Mizuki tried to regain Noir's attention by adjusting the oversized shirt he'd given her, claiming it was too big. Fubuki offered sarcastic comments about Ihwa being a "territorial kitten," earning herself a glare.

**************

The soft sound of the waves brushing against the ship's hull filled the air as Noir leaned against the railing, exhaling a thin stream of smoke. The cigarette in his hand burned slowly, the amber glow reflecting in his eyes. His gaze swept over the endless blue expanse, his mind briefly at ease despite the usual chaos that his life had become.

Behind him, the faint clatter of dishes signaled that the women were finishing up their task of cleaning the plates and cookware. Noir didn't need to turn to know they were bickering—most likely Ihwa and Yuki arguing about something petty again, while Mizuki and Fubuki tried (and usually failed) to mediate.

It didn't take long before the sound of footsteps approached, signaling the end of their chore. Noir turned his head slightly, glancing over his shoulder as the four women gathered near him.

As they settled down, Yuki's mischievous grin widened. She glanced at Ihwa, who was already eyeing Noir's lap with a territorial gleam.

"Fair's fair," Yuki said, brushing her long blonde hair over her shoulder. "I did the most work washing up, so it's my turn."

Ihwa's silver eyes narrowed, her voice laced with defiance. "That's not how it works, Yuki. You can't just claim something like—"

Before Ihwa could finish, Yuki had already made her move, swiftly plopping herself down onto Noir's lap with practiced ease. She sat sideways, her legs crossed elegantly, and draped one arm around Noir's neck.

"See? Fits perfectly," Yuki teased, leaning closer and pressing her chest lightly against Noir's face.

Noir sighed, tilting his head back to avoid being suffocated. "Yuki, you're not ten. Act your age."

"But acting my age is boring," she retorted, grinning playfully as she adjusted herself to get more comfortable.

Ihwa, seething, opened her mouth to protest, but a sharp glare from Noir silenced her. "Drop it, Ihwa," Noir said firmly, his patience already wearing thin.

Reluctantly, Ihwa crossed her arms and muttered under her breath, settling down on the deck with an annoyed huff. Mizuki and Fubuki exchanged amused glances, neither willing to get involved in the brewing tension.

For a while, the group talked about trivial things: the odd fish Fubuki had seen while using her telekinesis to catch their meal, Mizuki's insistence that Noir's shirt was "the most comfortable thing ever," and Ihwa's grumbling about how unfair Yuki's win had been.

Noir stayed mostly quiet, only speaking up when absolutely necessary. Despite Yuki's clinginess, he found himself tolerating her antics more than usual.

As the conversation dwindled, Mizuki, who had been leaning against the railing, suddenly squinted at something on the horizon. "Uh… Noir?" she called out, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"What?" Noir replied, his tone flat as he turned his head.

"There's a ship… no, two ships," Mizuki said, pointing toward the distance. "The first one's… big. Yellow and brown. I think it says Lady Mary or something on the side."

Noir's eyes narrowed as he followed Mizuki's gaze. Sure enough, a massive yellow-and-brown cruise ship loomed in the distance, its silhouette growing larger as it drifted closer.

But before Noir could say anything, Mizuki pointed again. "Wait, there's another one. Pink this time."

The second ship was smaller but still noticeable—a vibrant pink vessel with four sails, each adorned with a heart. The ship's figurehead was shaped like a duck, and its distinct Jolly Roger—a skull with a pink heart—flew proudly on the mainmast.

"…A pirate ship," Fubuki muttered, her voice low.

Noir's lips curled into a faint smirk as he observed the two ships. The pink one, unmistakably, belonged to a crew he'd heard whispers about during his travels—a crew led by a woman with a notorious reputation for her eccentric behavior and overwhelming charm.

"Looks like today's about to get interesting," Noir said, exhaling another puff of smoke. His crimson eyes gleamed with anticipation as he turned to face the women.

The four of them were already on edge, their gazes flicking between the two ships. Mizuki and Fubuki looked uncertain, while Ihwa and Yuki seemed more focused, their instincts kicking in.

Noir's smirk widened. "This is perfect for a warm-up. If there's a fight on those ships, you're going to join me. Time to see if all that training paid off."

"Are you serious?" Fubuki asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

"Dead serious," Noir replied, tossing his cigarette overboard. "If you're going to survive out here, you'll need to learn how to deal with things like this. Consider it your next lesson."

The four women exchanged glances, a mix of determination and nerves settling over them.

"Alright," Ihwa said, cracking her knuckles. "Let's do this."

Yuki grinned, tightening her hold around Noir's neck. "Finally, some excitement."

Mizuki and Fubuki hesitated for a moment before nodding, their resolve solidifying.

As the two ships grew closer, Noir turned his gaze back to the horizon, his smirk never fading.

"Let's see what you've got, Lady Mary… and whoever's on that pink boat."