I stared up at Captain Kuro who held a large duffel bag in his left hand. Everyone had stopped fighting and was now looking up at him. Kuro seemed to terrify everyone, including his crew. He would be a strong opponent, but in comparison to my father's crew he wouldn't be that strong. Not to mention that from what I had gathered he wasn't supposed to be here.
"Nami, you okay?" I asked, breaking the thick silence. She let out a grunt that sounded like a yes. With that I began to walk up the slope, going around anyone in my way.
"To think that these brats have held you back." Kuro began, dropping his bag next to him. "How the Black Cat Pirates have fallen." He reached up and adjusted his glasses. Veins popping out of his forehead. "What have you got to say for yourself? JANGOOO!" He yelled.
"But... uh... Well... I... You said... Uh, sorry sir... but... you said letting the kid go wouldn't cause any problems." The hypnotist, Jango, stammered as he let out a nervous laugh. I walked past Zoro, heading straight up towards Kuro. Zoro turned his sword so that it's side would bump my ankle. I stopped and looked over at him.
"What do you think you're doing?" Zoro asked in a low tone.
"You're busy, Luffy's out, and I'm pretty sure Nami and Usopp wouldn't be able to stop him if he suddenly decided to attack." I whispered.
"You sure you can take him?" Zoro continued.
"I'll at least be able to hold him back." I stated before continuing up the slope.
"I did say that. What's your point? He's an idiot. I knew no one would listen to his warnings and he would come stumbling back to take a stand against us. But the one thing I hadn't taken account for was YOUR inexcusable weakness." Kuro retorted as I tuned back into the conversation. No one moved.
"Sir, we're not weak. It's just that..." Jango began, but couldn't find the right words.
"Who are you to call us weak?" Siam blurted out.
"Watch what you say, Captain Kuro." Buchi commented. I heard their claws scratch against each other behind me.
"You used to be quite the killer, but face it Kuro. It's been three years, and we haven't exactly been living the good life waiting on a rich girl hand and foot." Siam continued.
"Yeah, that's right. For three long years we've been out sinking pirate ships and massacring villages." Buchi agreed. No one seemed to care as I stopped a few feet in front of Kuro.
"Very good, finished?" Kuro asked, looking down at the Meowban brothers.
"NO! You've done nothing this whole time we've been killing!" Siam started yelling.
"You butler, there's no way you can beat the Meowban brothers!" Buchi declared. I looked over my shoulder and watched as they sped past Zoro toward me and Kuro.
"No, don't! Buchi! Siam! Stop!" Jango called out. I turned back to Kuro and watched as he bent down to grab his bag.
"You are not our captain, anymore!" Siam laughed as he ran up the slope, claws at the ready.
"So sorry, but we have to kill you!" Buchi yelled.
They continued to yell as they ran towards us. Kuro hoisted up his bag in front of him. I quickly ducked out of the way towards Usopp as the brothers got closer. I watched Kuro's feet as they bounced around and began to move faster. Suddenly his bag was sliced apart and he was gone. He had grabbed the contents of the bag and disappeared instantly. My father had told me about people like this, they moved so fast that you can't even see them coming. I had watched many battles like this. I couldn't go this fast even if I tried. It wouldn't turn out so great either. Despite his invisible speed, I could see Kuro as he moved.
He moved too fast to be noticed by everyone, but I watched him slip on a pair of gloves with swords attached to the ends of the fingers. That must have been what was in the bag. He then moved around the brothers and slowly came to a stop between them, but in front of Zoro. As soon as he stopped his blades slowly became unsheathed as gravity pulled them off. The sheath's clattered to the ground.
"What…? He's behind them... How the hell did he? And what's with those crazy weapons?" I heard Zoro ask. He was surprised at first, but now he seemed angry.
"Who? Who are you going to kill?" Kuro questioned as he held up his bladed fingers. They clanged as he spread them out above him.
"He snuck up…" Siam began as the brothers spun back around to face Kuro.
"Right behind us." Bunchi finished. It wasn't long before Kuro was gone again. This time he took longer. He moved back around and stood behind Siam and Buchi, who were now facing Zoro. He put his arms around their shoulders and flexed his hands out. The blades on his thumbs reaching the two's mouths. It was a simple tactic. He depended on being fast, out of sight. If he wasn't able to do that he used his blades to get what he wanted. Like most pirates, but just a bit smarter than most. The complete opposite of Luffy. A smile played at my lips at the thought.
"You know, you're right. I do feel a bit sluggish after all these years." Kuro told the brothers. Then it was silent again. In this time I noticed Nami climb back to her feet, a hand clutching her shoulder. "You're very lucky. I'm feeling somewhat merciful. Maybe these years on dry land have made me soft." Kuro paused and I noticed tears streaming down the brother's faces as they were terrorized. "I'll give you five minutes." Kuro pulled his claws away and stepped back. "If you can't deal with the situation here in five minutes then I'll kill every last one of you." Kuro continued to step back before stopping and turning his arms up so that his claws pointed up. "Now have I made myself clear?"
"Oh, yes… Yes, of course. Perfectly clear. Thank you… for being so forgiving." Jango stammered again. "All we have to do is take care of this one guy and a girl… That's all. Five minutes will be more than enough time for them." Jango laughed nervously. Seconds later, Siam and Buchi were running back down the slope towards Zoro. As they did I walked towards Kuro who stood waiting.
"You're going to die with all your friends." Kuro told me. I shrugged and looked down at Zoro.
"We're counting on you! Kill him! Kill him dead!" Jango yelled. Nami then walked past Jango towards Zoro's other swords.
"ZORO!" Nami called. She stepped on one end of the swords before hooking her other foot under them and kicking them up towards Zoro.
"Hey, easy there! You can't just kick them! Those are my swords!" Zoro shouted back as his swords flew towards him.
"How about a thanks?" Nami suggested.
"Yeah. I appreciate it." Zoro stated. He threw the sword he had up as he spun and caught the other two. He stuck the white hilted one in his mouth as the first sword dropped back down to his hand. With his three swords ready I glanced back to Kuro.
"He'll be fine. I just wanted to tell you something." I said as I turned and stood next to him, facing out towards everyone.
"And what would you like to say?" Kuro asked. I watched as Zoro cut both brothers down in one slash of his swords. "The clock is ticking." He called out to everyone before I could answer.
"I just wanted to let you know that Usopp over there…" I pointed to the injured man off to our left.
"Yeah. What about that-" I interrupted Kuro before he could call Usopp anything.
"His father works for a Yonko." I stated simply. I heard Kuro freeze up for a second before laughing.
"This is clearly another lie he fabricated for you to tell me." He laughed.
"Nope. I saw it with my own eyes. Even met him while he was on the Yonko's crew. The captain's name is Red-Haired Shanks." He continued to laugh, not believing me.
"Yeah, and you must be his daughter." Kuro replied skeptically. If he actually understood what he was saying he'd know who I was. Guess some people are just too blind to see things right in front of their eyes. I mean seriously, look at my hair…
I shrugged as I began walking down towards Luffy. He was still sound asleep under the bow of the ship. Buchi on the other hand had been enhanced and was now after Zoro. Jango was smiling wickedly at his craftsmanship. I managed to pass by them unnoticed. When I got to Nami we made eye contact as I passed. She gave me a smirk and I smiled wide. In an instant we both took off at a run straight down the slope. As we ran she ended up on the side of the bow that had Luffy. I quickly jumped up onto the bow and ran along it. I laughed before jumping off in front of her.
"No fair!" She called, still holding her shoulder. I peered over my shoulder and stuck my tongue out.
"Well I'm gonna wake hi- ACK!" While I was occupied calling over my shoulder my foot caught on a rock and suddenly I was falling. I heard Nami laughing as she reached Luffy.
"Get up you bum!" Nami yelled. I pushed myself up and looked toward her.
"Dang it! I lost!" I groaned before turning and looking back up the slope.
"Look out!" Zoro yelled. In that instant, Jango's bladed pendulum flew past me. It missed me by mere inches. I quickly spun around towards Nami.
"NAMI!" I called. She was going to get hit!
"Dodge it quick!" Zoro continued. Suddenly Nami was pulled off her feet and her ankle lifted above her head. Luffy was now in her place, and he looked angry.
"Nami! You cannot just go around stepping on people's eye!" As soon as Luffy had finished that sentence he was hit by the pendulum blade. I gasped as I pushed myself to my feet. I stumbled a bit before getting over to the two.
"No. How is that twerp still alive?" Jango asked. Luffy was always the center of attention, even when he didn't mean to be. I managed to catch Nami before she hit the ground. Luffy quickly straightened back up and I watched as the pendulum cracked and shattered in Luffy's mouth. He then crunched down with his teeth and all the pieces went falling out of his mouth.
"Luffy!" Nami announced.
"Stop falling asleep all the time, Rubber Head." I said. That's when I noticed a small cut at the corner of his mouth from the disk. He began poking at it as I moved over to him.
"OOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHHH!" He screamed in pain. I quickly hit him upside the head.
"It's just a small cut. You'll survive. We can deal with it and everyone else's injuries after the fight. Okay?" He nodded slowly. His face then went back to anger as he looked over at Nami.
"That hurt you jerk! Why'd you do that!?" Luffy yelled.
"Hey, Sleeping Beauty! That wasn't me!" Nami yelled, back. I was caught in the center. My ears were about to explode.
"Please, can we STOP yelling!" I started yelling as well. Nami then collapsed to the ground beside us.
"Nami!" I stepped over and bent down as she groaned in pain, still clutching her shoulder tightly. I removed her hand and slid her shirt off her shoulder a bit. I quickly pulled out one of the cloths from my belt and began wrapping it around Nami's shoulder.
"You okay? Nami, did you get hurt? Let me see it." Luffy asked looking over us. The cloth turned slightly red, but it seemed to stop the blood.
"Oh, it's nothing. I'm fine." She lied. "I've done everything I can now. The rest is up to you." She let out another groan.
"Nami, stop pushing yourself." I told her as I fixed her shirt.
"Look, we have to win. We can't afford to lose this fight, do you understand?" Luffy nodded. "Do it for the treasure." Nami requested. Luffy's face was happy before quickly conveying his state of confusion.
"Well, all right, sure." Luffy told her. I held back a smile as he began walking away.
"You should go help." Nami grunted.
"I will if you promise to stay here and rest." I ordered as I looked at the blood and tear in her shirt.
"Okay, go. Win this, and protect my treasure." Nami told me. I nodded before standing up and joining Luffy who had gone to pick up his hat.
"Yeah, yeah. The treasure, I get it." Luffy said as I walked away with him.
"You ready for this?" I asked.
"The nap helped." He replied as we walked towards the slope. The pirates around us quickly moved out of our way as we walked past.
"I'm coming for you, Straw Hat!" Jango called as we stopped.
"Time's up. You knew the deal." Kuro announced as he lowered his hands, and their blades. "Now you die." He flexed out his fingers as we looked up to the top of the slope at him.
"Hey, wait. Why is that shady butler here?" Luffy questioned.
"He's the captain of the Cat Pirates, Captain Kuro." I answered quietly. Soon he was on his toes and looked like he was about to do his speed attack again.
"Don't ever sneak up on me, unless you want to die." I heard Kuro suddenly say as he spun around towards someone not quite in sight yet.
"KAYA!" Usopp yelled as he ran towards Kuro and the person coming up behind him. What was Kaya doing here!? By the looks of it Usopp managed to tackle Kaya out of the way as Kuro slashed towards her. They were just out of sight and if they were talking, it couldn't be heard near us.
"Do you think he got her out of the way?" I asked after a moment, nudging Luffy.
"I dunno." Luffy replied as he crossed his arms.
"You're so helpful." I huffed as I crossed my arms too.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Luffy questioned. He unfolded his arms and turned back to face me.
"I was asking what you thought, and I forgot that you don't." I answered.
"I don't thought?" Luffy continued, clearly confused.
"Luffy, oh my g-..." I stopped when I heard a cry from the top of the slope.
"I won't! You're still here fighting!" Kaya cried. "I won't run!"
"I think he got her out of the way." Luffy declared with a grin towards me. I groaned as my head dropped to look towards the ground.
"Sure sounds like it." I said with a smile as I looked back up at Luffy.
"I knew he would." Luffy laughed slightly. I scoffed before we turned our attention back to the top of the slope.
"Stop! Stop this right now, Klahadore!" Kaya yelled. Then things went silent as a breeze went by. The breeze caused the back of Kuro's coat to float back and wave in the wind. "I know what you're up to. Merry already told me about everything." Kaya stated as she stood up, coming slightly into view. My arms dropped back to my sides as Luffy's smile disappeared.
"The whole reason that we're here is to murder that little rich girl." One of the pirates behind us announced.
"If she's here then we don't have to go to the village." A second pirate said.
"All we gotta do is kill her, right?" A third asked.
"Klahadore, please. If you want my fortune you can have it. Take it all and leave this village right now. I'm begging you!" Kaya pleaded.
"I will gladly accept your fortune Miss Kaya. Thank you." Kuro replied. He then reached up and pushed up his glasses, his blades pointing away from his face. "But I want more. You see, simply acquiring wealth isn't enough. More than anything else, what I want is peace."
"You want peace?" Kaya mumbled.
"Yes, just peace of mind. It's simple really. I've spent the last three years earning the trust of the entire village, and to be honest I find this new sense of peace and tranquility quite comforting." Kuro paused for a moment, his hand still next to his face from adjusting his glasses. "When my plan comes to fruition I will live with this sublime peace of mind." Kuro finished causing Kaya to back out of view.
"Yes, the glorious comfort of a peaceful life…" Kuro stated as he held out his arms wide. He then brought them back down to cross in front of him. "Will be mine for forever and ever. In short, these pirates are coming, and you will leave your fortune to me and die. Miss Kaya, these things will happen." Kuro announced.
"What's the plan?" I asked Luffy as more voices came from the top of the slope. Moments later I could see the glint of a gun in Kaya's hand.
"Leave here right now and never come back!" Kaya ordered. I watched Kuro's shoulders bob as his faint voice replied to her. "Stop it! Just leave. Go!" Kuro continued to speak, but it was too faint to hear. Clearly what he was saying was just to Kaya. I heard the clack of Kuro's blades as one of his gloves was pulled off. He continued to talk as he walked towards Kaya. He soon placed his hands on Kaya's gun. Not even a moment later he had taken it from her. I moved to step forward but Luffy grabbed my wrist.
"No, Takara." Luffy told me as I was pulled back to stand next to him. The gun was dropped as it looked like Kaya started to cry.
"Can you understand the rage created by those transgressions against my pride?" Kuro questioned.
"KURO!" Usopp yelled as he grabbed the gun and stood between Kuro and Kaya. He aimed the gun at Kuro and fired. Kuro quickly dodged using his speed technique. In seconds he had put his glove back on and moved behind Usopp. He then placed his blades around Usopp's head, only having to use one glove.
"Usopp, I owe you for hitting me." Kuro began. "Let's get even."
"Can I go now?" I requested, Luffy still holding onto my wrist.
"We'll do this together." Luffy stated as he let go. A smile exploded across my face as I ran up the slope, ducking down to gather speed. Within seconds I skidded to a halt at Kaya's feet. I then jumped up, got my feet up high and wrapped my legs around Kuro's neck. I created two blades from my index fingers and placed them right above his eyes. Hovering just over his eyebrows.
"You're gonna find out why you don't hurt my friends." I growled. Suddenly a fist was stretched all the way up towards us. It met with Kuro's face and I was knocked off. As I fell I was able to make a small cut right above his left eye before the bones retracted. I jumped back up off the ground instantly and glared down at Luffy.
"Some warning next time perhaps!" I yelled, I heard his laugh echo.
"I like it better this way. Your face when it happened was awesome!" He exclaimed. I growled down at him as he continued. "If he hates getting hit that much he's about to have a really bad day." Luffy announced causing me to smile. Fighting had always been better with Luffy.
That's all.
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