ONE PIECE: Lone Sails

The basement door sealed shut behind them, cloaking the room in dim silence. The middle-aged man retrieved an anti-eavesdropping Den Den Mushi from a shelf and dialed a number. After a brief pause, the snail's features morphed, adopting the distinctive bird-headed hat of "Big News" Morgans. With a nod, the man exited, leaving Noah alone with the connection.

A raspy, eager laugh crackled through the Den Den Mushi. "Hehehe, tell me! What's the big news?"

Noah met the snail's gaze, his voice steady and direct. "It's about the Golden Lion. Is President Morgans interested?"

"Oh?" On the other end, Morgans' mind raced, a flurry of calculations behind his intrigued tone. "What's your price?"

"I want the training methods for Armament Haki and the Marine Six Styles," Noah replied. "As a gesture of good faith, I'll start with one piece of information: After escaping Impel Down, the Golden Lion has been active over the Calm Belt between Paradise and the East China Sea, specifically around a small island known as Xiaodonghai."

Morgans chuckled, his tone probing. "Do you think this tidbit holds value for me?"

"It's merely a taste, President Morgans, to prove the weight of what follows."

"Hahaha, fair enough! I've got the Marine Six Styles memorized…" For the next ten minutes, Morgans recited the training methods and key principles of the Six Styles in exhaustive detail. Whether Noah could retain it all was not his concern. Beneath his cloak, Noah activated a small tape recorder purchased in Rogue Town, capturing every word.

When Morgans finished, Noah pressed on. "Second piece: After escaping Impel Down, the Golden Lion encountered an island called Vilmeio. Using his abilities, he relocated it. With a Log Pose set to Vilmeio, one could pinpoint his exact location."

"Vilmeio Island?" Morgans' excitement spiked, the scent of a scoop igniting his journalistic fervor. "Armament Haki training… key points… precautions…" He launched into another detailed explanation, outlining the cultivation of Armament Haki with precision.

Noah listened intently, then delivered his final revelation. "Third piece: The Golden Lion discovered something on Vilmeio—something that spurred him to conduct biological experiments. While passing near Xiaodonghai, I encountered several mutated beasts, each with combat prowess rivaling a Marine Colonel. That's all I have for now."

A pause followed, Morgans' eyes narrowing through the Den Den Mushi. The information wasn't lacking—it was explosive, teetering on the edge of dangerous. The Golden Lion was a legend, a force to be reckoned with, and Morgans weighed the risks. Yet, as a purveyor of world-shaking news, unafraid even of the World Government, he resolved to publish.

"I'm very satisfied," Morgans said at last. "If you have more like this, we can trade again. What should I call you?"

"Li Ming will do," Noah replied. "I'd like to continue working with you, President Morgans, but I'll soon be heading to the West Blue."

"No matter. Here's my direct line: 555-3825-5089. Call anytime, my friend."

"A pleasure doing business."

"Likewise."

Noah exited the basement, leaving the middle-aged man to reconnect with Morgans. "President, should we tail him?" the man asked.

"No need," Morgans replied. "He's got Observation Haki—your men wouldn't keep up." From the nature of the information, Morgans deduced Noah's capabilities, abandoning any thought of pursuit.

On the other side, Noah wove through Rogue Town, changing his appearance multiple times—new cloaks, hats, and scents—to evade potential trackers. He made additional purchases, biding his time until midnight on the third day. Under cover of darkness, he summoned his submarine and set course for Starfish Island, slipping away unnoticed.

This transaction had been in his mind since the previous year, but he'd lacked the strength and security to execute it. Only now, in June 1502, with his Haki and skills honed, did he feel ready. As a transmigrator with an informational edge, Noah saw Morgans as the most accessible and relatively safe conduit for acquiring Haki and Six Styles training.

Morgans' obsession with big news was a perfect leverage point. With valuable scoops, Noah could trade for what he needed without risking exposure. Other avenues—joining the Marines or seeking pirate mentors—came with steep costs. Marine branches in the Four Seas rarely offered comprehensive Haki or Six Styles training, requiring a transfer to Marineford's grueling camps, a process riddled with delays and uncertainties. Pirates, meanwhile, demanded ventures into the New World, a perilous prospect for a novice.

Morgans, however, was a certainty. As a global news magnate, an underworld king, and a regular at Big Mom's tea parties, he undoubtedly possessed Haki and Six Styles knowledge. Without it, he'd have been eliminated long ago. Noah's gamble had paid off.

Over Ten Hours Later

Northwest Bay, Starfish Island

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sea near the simple pier swelled, and the submarine broke the surface. Noah emerged from the hatch, standing on the deck as golden waves shimmered under the fading light.

"Phew… I'm back."

Sealing the submarine into a card, he sprinted toward the manor, his strides swift and sure.

Half an hour later, Lillian and Anthony were preparing dinner in the cabin's kitchen when the doorbell chimed. Assuming it was another resident, they continued their work.

"I'm back," Noah called out. "Don't forget my share tonight."

The pair rushed out, their faces lighting up. "Brother Noah, you're back!" Lillian exclaimed.

"Welcome home, Brother Noah," Anthony added, grinning.

Noah waved them off. "Keep cooking—I'll check on the others."

At dinner, the manor's residents gathered, their surprise and relief palpable as they crowded around him. He kept his explanation brief, focusing instead on the spoils of his journey. "I've acquired training methods for Armament Haki and the Marine Six Styles," he announced, distributing handwritten copies. "Keep this secret. Don't practice in public or use them lightly."

For Observation Haki, Noah had already developed a training plan based on his own awakening and months of refinement. With dedication, the others could unlock it too. The Six Styles, however, were a game-changer for Joshua and the group, who had been building their foundations without formal guidance. Noah's prior knowledge—limited to books and university martial arts club experience—had been theoretical, lacking practical depth. Now, with authentic methods, he could refine their training, discarding ineffective elements.

He outlined a structured approach to the Six Styles:

Stage One: Iron Block. Often dismissed as impractical, Iron Block was, in fact, the bedrock of the Six Styles and a precursor to Armament Haki. Mastery strengthened the body, paving the way for Finger Pistol, Shave, Tempest Kick, and Moonwalk. A robust Iron Block signaled a physique ready for advanced techniques.

Paper Drawing, meanwhile, aligned with Observation Haki training, enhancing perception and evasion. Integrating the two would accelerate their progress.

As the group absorbed his instructions, Noah felt a quiet satisfaction. This harvest wasn't just knowledge—it was a foundation for their future, a step toward the strength they'd need to survive and thrive in this unforgiving world.