...
The air grew heavy with tension as Kuro—once known as the feared pirate captain "Captain Kuro of a Thousand Plans"—pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, his calm facade cracking.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
His voice was measured, but his sharp eyes tracked Lucas' every move as the young man stepped forward, positioning himself between Kuro and the Straw Hats.
[Ding! Host's emotional fluctuation detected. Mood value +6.]
Lucas forced himself to keep walking, though his legs trembled slightly. 'Please don't attack, please don't attack—'
His legs trembled slightly. Facing a pirate like Kuro, a man who'd evaded the Marines for years wasn't something he'd planned for. But he had no choice now.
"Hahahaha! Still playing dumb?"
Lucas quickened his pace, darting behind Zoro like a startled rabbit.
"Oi, Lucas. What's the plan?" Zoro muttered, unimpressed but shifting slightly to shield him.
Lucas exhaled, gripping Zoro's sleeve. 'Safe. Okay. Time to talk big.'
"That man isn't just some butler. He's Kuro of the Black Cat Pirates—bounty 16 million berries, master of the Silent Killing technique. And he's been hiding in this backwater village for years."
His voice carried, loud enough for Kaya up at the villa to hear.
Kuro's fingers twitched. How? His plan was flawless. No loose ends. No witnesses.
"Klahadore… is this true?" Kaya's voice wavered, her hands clutching the balcony railing.
Kuro adjusted his glasses, the lenses flashing white.
Kuro adjusted his glasses, the lenses flashing white. "Miss Kaya, surely you wouldn't trust the word of pirates—especially friends of that lying brat Usopp?"
His tone dripped with wounded sincerity. "Lies come easily to their kind."
Zoro's grip tightened on his swords. He didn't know Lucas well, but the fear in his voice wasn't faked.
"Wait—so this guy's a pirate?" Luffy blinked, finally catching up.
"Worse," Lucas said, peeking over Zoro's shoulder. "He's the real captain of the Black Cat Pirates. Remember Captain Morgan? The guy got promoted to captain for 'defeating' Kuro three years ago. Except Kuro faked his death and has been scheming here ever since—probably after Kaya's fortune."
Kuro's eye twitched. 'Insolent whelp.'
Luffy scratched his nose. "Is he strong?"
Lucas puffed out his chest. "In the East Blue? Sure. Sixteen million's nothing to sneeze at here. But in the Grand Line? He'd be a small-time thug."
A vein bulged in Kuro's temple.
"Enough!" Usopp suddenly shouted, slingshot raised. "I won't let you hurt Kaya!"
Kaya's voice cut in, trembling. "Usopp… you and your friends should leave."
'Perfect.' Kuro hid a smirk. Three years of playing the dutiful butler had its perks—trust wasn't easily broken.
But then—
"System, fake a bounty poster for me. Make it convincing."
[Ding! Fabrication requires 100 Emotion Points. Proceed?]
"What?! That's daylight robbery!"
[System guarantees premium quality.]
"…Fine. Do it."
A weathered bounty poster materialized in Lucas' palm—Kuro's face, his old epithet, the Marine stamp crisp.
"Miss Kaya," Lucas called, waving the poster. "See for yourself."
Kuro's blood ran cold. 'That poster shouldn't exist.'
"And if you don't believe me, let's check the coast. The Black Cat Pirates ship is probably anchored nearby."
CLANG!
Metal shrieked as Kuro's claws—Black Cat Claws, his hidden weapons—lashed out, aiming for Lucas' throat.
Lucas barely registered the movement before Zoro's blades intercepted, steel grinding against steel.
"Tch. Sneak attacking my crewmate?" Zoro grinned, teeth bared. "Low class."
Lucas collapsed to his knees, the bounty poster fluttering to the ground. His throat burned with phantom pain. 'Too close.'
Kaya gasped. "K-Klahadore?!"
Kuro sighed, adjusting his cuffs. "Well, since the act's over…"
His glasses gleamed, obscuring his eyes. "Yes, Miss Kaya. I am Captain Kuro. And thanks to this brat, I'll have to kill you all a little sooner."
A servant—Merry—staggered into view, face pale. "Y-You're really…?"
Kuro ignored him, focusing on Lucas. "You ruined three years of work. I'll make your death slow."
Lucas scrambled back, yelling, "His Silent Killing technique's lethal! Don't let him near me!"
Luffy blinked. "Wait, I thought you were strong?"
Zoro cracked his neck. "Lucas said the Black Cat crew's landing, right? Then Luffy—you handle this guy. I'll clean up the trash."
Lucas nodded frantically. "Go, go, go!"
He, Zoro, and Usopp bolted, Nami darting into the villa to guard Kaya.
Kuro moved to pursue.
THUD.
Luffy's sandal planted in the dirt, blocking his path. "Nope. You're my fight."
Kuro's lips curled. "A rookie playing hero? How quaint."
Luffy's grin matched his. "I'm gonna be King of the Pirates. You're just a stepping stone."
The air between them crackled.
Somewhere in the distance, Lucas voice echoed:
"AND DON'T DIE, LUFFY!"
Meanwhile-Coastline
Lucas skidded to a halt, pointing at the shadowy ship anchored offshore. "There! The Black Cat!"
Usopp paled. "T-That's a real pirate ship!"
Zoro unsheathed his swords. "Let's make this quick."
Lucas gulped. "Yeah… quick is good."
Somewhere behind them, the clash of steel and Kuro's enraged snarl echoed.
"…Really hope Luffy's okay."
.....