Jango, Siam, Butchie and all of the Black Cat Pirates coward and shivered in fear as they looked up at Kuro. The man gave off an intimidating aura as he stood at the top of the slope. He glared furiously at the crew with intense rage. No one moved a muscle as they stood frozen in their spots.
Zoro felt a shiver as Kuro laid his eyes on him until the butler turned his gaze towards Usopp and Aya. Usopp quickly hid behind the girl, his legs were shaking as he clenched his fists.
Kuro broke the silence as he spoke. "To think that these brats held you back. How the Black Cat Pirates have fallen." He muttered, dropping his bag to his side. It fell to the ground with a thud. He pushed up his glasses with his hand and narrowed his eyes at the hypnotist. Veins appeared on his forehead and Kuro took in a deep breath.
"What have you got to say for yourself, JANGO?!" He roared, furiously. Jango flinched.
"I thought you said that's these kids would be no problem?" He stammered nervously.
"I did say that. What's your point?" Kuro snorted, pointing his finger at Usopp, while still looking at the hypnotist . "He's an idiot. But, the one thing that I hadn't taken account for, was your inexcusable weaknesses!" He shouted as his body began to shake with anger.
"S-Sir, we're not weak! I-It's just that..." Jango stuttered. He was cut off by Siam.
"You're the one to talk, Captain Kuro!" Siam shouted.
"Yeah, what have you been doing for three years?" Butchie shouted. Zoro glanced over at the two cat pirates seeing them bare their claws threateningly as they snarled at Kuro.
"Very good, are you finished?" Klahadore asked, calmly.
"No! You've done nothing this whole time!" Siam shouted.
"There's no way you can beat the Meowban brothers!" Butchie shouted. Then the two charged at Kuro while Jango tried to warn them.
"Do these guys have a death wish?" Aya murmured to herself.
"Don't! Butchie! Siam! Stop!" Jango ordered for them to stop. But, they didn't listen and still ran towards Kuro. Siam moved his arms to form an X getting ready to strike at Kuro. Butchie raised his claws to slash. Kuro quickly grabbed his bag and tossed it into the air.
"You're not our captain anymore!" Siam shouted still charging.
"We're going to kill you!" Butchie added.
As the two got closer to Kuro, he began to move his feet tapping lightly on the ground moving at a fast pace. Siam and Butchie grinned wildly as they got closer and slashed at Kuro. But, instead, the bag was shredded in Kuro's place. Kuro had vanished without a trace. The two looked around wondering where he had went. Zoro stared, stunned, by the man's swiftness. Then Kuro appeared in front of him, standing behind Siam and Butchie. He was wearing furred gauntlets on his hands with long blades extended on each finger tips, like cat claws.
"H-How the hell?! Where did he-What are those crazy weapons?" Zoro muttered. Siam and Butchie stood in shock.
"Who? Who are you going to kill?" Kuro asked as he crossed his arms. The duo tried to attack again but Kuro disappeared again. Jango watched as he gritted his teeth, sweating nervously.
Siam and Butchie looked around, staying on their guard, trying to find Kuro. Suddenly, Kuro appeared behind them, trapping Siam and Butchie with his claws as the blades caged dangerously close to their faces. Neither of them moved at muscle as their bodies began to shake and tremble, nervously.
"You know, you're right, I'm not as fast as I used to be..." Kuro said darkly, making the Meowban brothers cry. Nami gasped.
"He's handling them like babies and those two nearly defeated Zoro!" She thought to herself. Jango began to sweat more.
"You're very lucky. I'm feeling somewhat merciful. Maybe, these years on dry land have made me soft? I'll give you give minutes." "If you can't deal with the situation here, within five minutes, then I'll kill every last one of you. Now have I made myself clear?" Kuro said and to everyone's surprise he lets the two go.
"Y-Yes, of course! That's perfectly clear! T-Thank you for being so forgiving! All we have to do is take care of this one guy, that's all!" Jango pointed at Zoro. Nami got up and walked over to Zoro's swords.
"ZORO!" She screamed as she kicked them to the swordsman.
"What the?!" Jango exclaimed.
"Hey, idiot! You can't just kick 'em! Those are my swords!" Zoro yelled.
"How about a thanks!?" Nami exclaimed. Zoro threw his sword up and caught both hilts of the two swords and placed the white sword in between his teeth.
"Appreciate it." He mumbled and turned facing the duo.
"It doesn't matter how many swords you have!" Siam exclaimed.
"Even if you have all three. We're still going to kill you!" Butchie shouted. The two raised their claws and charged at the swordsman. Zoro braced himself as they got closer.
"You still don't get it..." he said. In an instant, Zoro swinged his swords forward, slashing the Meowban brothers. They fell to the ground with three slash marks on each chests at Jango's and Nami's feet.
"The clock is ticking..." Kuro said still unfazed.
"Carrying three swords won't help you at all unless you know three swords style." Zoro said in satisfaction as he smirked. The entire crew, Jango, stood completely stunned seeing the duo fall. Usopp watched in shock and amazement at the swordsman's strength, Nami, as well. Aya's body shook, excitedly and she raised her fist in the air as she cheered. Usopp jumped, startled by her reaction.
"WAY TO GO ZORO!" Aya shouted. "YOU KICKED THEIR ASSES!"
"Oh no...this is bad." Jango muttered. "He took out the Meowban brothers with one attack!" Zoro turned to Kuro pointing his blade at him.
"Don't worry I can promise you, everything will be taken care of in less than five minutes." He said as he got into a fighting stance. Jango felt something grab onto his ankle and looked down to see Butchie.
"Please...Captain...hypnotize me.". Butchie moaned as he could barely lift his head.
"Still alive? You do sloppy work." Kuro commented. Zoro glanced over to the two. He froze in shock as his sword dropped from his mouth. Jango had hypnotized Butchie and he was now standing as if Zoro's attack hadn't even scratched him. He was bigger and stronger. Butchie stomped the ground creating a crater.
"Butchie! Kill him!" Jango ordered, smirking. Butchie let out a loud roar and started advancing towards Zoro.
"What? Really? You're back for more?" Zoro frowned.
"This guy means business. If it wasn't enough trouble with his size. Jango just had to psych him." He thought to him.
"This isn't good!" Usopp exclaimed. Aya gritted her teeth then looked over where Luffy was.
"Now's my chance! I have to wake that lazy jerk, while I still can!" She thought to herself. Aya stood up and Usopp looked up at her as she walked over to the edge of the cliff.
"Hey wait! Where are you going?" Usopp asked.
"I'm going to wake up my idiot brother." Aya said as she climbed down the slope.
"They're going to see you!" Usopp called out as he tried to warn her. "Aya!" Jango looked up where Usopp was As he heard him call out then he looked behind him to see Aya running over to where Luffy was.
"What is that girl up to? Something tricky I'm sure..." He murmured.
"Everyone's fighting for their lives and he's just sleeping!" Aya growled as she ran.
"WAKE UP!" She screamed. Jango pulled out his ring and threw it sending the projectile flying towards Aya. Zoro's and Usopp's eyes widen in horror seeing the flying heading towards her the twin.
"AYA! LOOK OUT!" Zoro screamed.
"DODGE IT! QUICK!" Usopp screamed. Aya looked back and gasped as she saw the flying projectile heading towards her. As she took a step to stop and to try and duck the object, Aya had accidentally stepped on Luffy's face. Luffy instantly woke up as he grabbed her too making Aya fall backwards to the ground.
"AYA! YOU CAN NOT JUST GO AROUND STEPPING ON PEOPLE'S HEADS!" He shouted angrily. As he finished, the ring flew right to Luffy's mouth as he caught it with his teeth.
"No! How is he still alive?!" Jango exclaimed.
"It's either the best timing of the worst timing in the world, I can't tell?" Zoro thought to himself in relief.
"Luffy!" Aya laughed. "Nice to see that you're up, finally!"
Luffy bit down on the ring, shattering it, but it also cut the side of his lips. "OOOOWWW!" He screeched in pain.
"That brat's back in the battle!" One of the Black Cat Pirates exclaimed.
"THAT HURT YOU JERK! WHY'D YOU DO THAT?!" Luffy shouted angrily as he looked down at Aya.
"I DIDN'T DO THAT! IT WASN'T A ME! IDIOT!" Aya shouted pointing at Jango. "HE DID!" Jango flinched as Luffy looked up at him and he glances over at Nami seeing her hold her shoulder. His eyes widen.
"Hey, what happened to Nami?" Luffy questioned.
"That punk hurt her while she was trying to get Zoro's swords." Aya told him. Luffy clenched his fist as he narrowed his eyes setting his sights on Jango and he began walking off heading up the slope. The black cat pirates immediately moved out of the Straw hat captain's way.
"Luffy? Where are you going?" Nami asked.
"Nami, stay were you are." Luffy muttered as he walked past her. "I'll be right back." Nami watched as he started heading up the slope.
"Now's my chance to get some treasure while they're distracted!" She thought to herself.
Jango saw Luffy heading towards him and he turned to Butchie. "Butchie! Kill him while there's no time to waste! Kill that three sword bastard and I'll take care the freaky kid." He said as He looked back to Luffy pulling out another ring. "Coming for you straw hat." He murmured as he tried to throw the ring at Luffy. The straw hat charged at him.
"THIS IS FOR MY FRIEND, YOU JERK!" Luffy shouted angrily as he threw his fist back and punched Jango dead center in the jaw, sending the man flying back onto the ground.
"You bastard!" Jango groaned as he sat up holding his cheek.
"Time's up, you know the deal. Now die." Kuro said as he uncrossed his arms.
"Hey wait, why is that shady butler here?" Luffy asked noticing Kuro at the top of the slope.
"It's that kid. Didn't he die falling off a cliff?" Kuro asked in surprised seeing Luffy. He was getting ready to move until he sensed someone coming up from behind him. Usopp looked and his eyes widen in shock and he let out a sharp gasp seeing who it was, Kaya. He immediately bolted, heading straight to Kuro.
"Don't ever sneak up on me unless you want to die!" Kuro snarled as he turned around raising his gauntlet to strike.
"KAYA!" Usopp exclaimed in horror.
He jumped in the way wrapping his arms around Kaya, using his body as a shield as Kuro slashed his claws on Usopp's back. The two fell as Kaya landed on the ground with a thud while Usopp was on top of her. Kaya groaned and blinked as she opened her eyes and gasped when she saw Usopp lying on the ground.
"No! Usopp! Are you okay?" She asked, worried.
"Kaya, what are you doing here?" Usopp asked. Kaya turned her head away as she looked down in shame. She bit her lip as she remembered herself slapping him. Her heart clenched in her chest with guilt.
"Ussop...I'm so sorry. I don't know how you'll ever forgive me. I just couldn't believe it, that Klahadore is a scheming murdering pirate."
"Never mind that. Why are you here? Kaya, your life's in danger! I told you to run somewhere safe!" Usopp shouted at her. Kaya bursted into tears.
"I WON'T! Not while you're fighting! I won't run! Look at you, you're barely alive but you're still fighting. I couldn't..." She yelled. Usopp looked at her stunned. Kirk stared with wide eyes seeing Kaya.
"Miss Kaya, this is no place for a lady." He said, softly. "Please leave." Kaya froze hearing his voice. She gritted her teeth as anger began to boil inside of her. She turned to him.
"Please, stop. Don't do this." Kaya shouted. "Stop! Stop this right now! Klahadore!" Kuro stared at her with hurtful look on his face. Kaya stood up as she glared at the butler.
"I know what you're up to. Merry had already told me about everything." She said.
"What's the girl from the mansion doing here? One black cat pirate asked.
"The whole reason that we're here is to murder that little rich girl." said one of the pirates.
"If she's here, then we don't have to go to the village." Another one said.
"All we got to do is kill her right?" One asked.
"What did you just say?" Aya growled. The pirates flinched as she cracked her knuckle. They began to tremble as the twin had a scary twisted smirk on her face. "I don't believe I've heard you right. Why don't you say that again, to my face?" She asked, menacingly. Neither said a word.
"That's what I thought." Aya said as she walked over to Luffy.
"Klahadore, please! If you want my fortune, you can have it! Take it all and leave this village right now! I'm begging you!"
"I'll gladly accept your fortune, Miss Kaya, thank you. But, I want more. You see, simply acquiring it isn't enough." Kuro said. Kaya stared at him confuse as he continued. He made a sickening smile as he adjusted his glasses.
"More than else, what I want is peace."
"You want peace?" Kaya stuttered, confused.
"Yes, just peace of mind. It's simple really. I have spent the last three years earning the trust of the entire village and to be honest, I find this new sense of peace of tranquility quite comforting. When my plan comes to fruition, I will live with the sublime peace of mind." Kuro said as he remembered the villagers smiling faces as they looked at him and playing with the children.
"Yes, the glorious comfort of a peaceful life will be mine forever and ever!" He continued and smirked evilly. "In short, these pirates are coming. And you will leave your fortune to me and die, Miss Kaya! And it will happen..." Kuro said with a frightening look on his as he pointed his claw at Kaya. She stared in disbelief.
"N-No...it can't...I-it can't be." Kaya muttered. She reached her hand into her coat. Usopp grabbed Kaya's foot.
"Run away Kaya! There's no use talking to him! Please get out of here!" He shouted.
"Don't do anything stupid." Aya whispered under her breath as she and Luffy watched. Then Kaya pulled out a pistol from her coat and aimed at Klahadore. Aya sighed. "Like that." She muttered.
"Y-You're not Klahadore. No! You're not!" Kaya shouted aiming the pistol at Kuro. Usopp stared at Kaya in shock seeing her with a weapon. Her hands shook and trembled as she held the gun in her hands.
"Kaya..." Kuro started to come closer to the girl but Kaya raised it threatening still shaking.
"Leave here, right now! Never come back!" She shouted.
"Oh, you point a gun at me? Look at you, you can barely hold it, you're trembling." Kuro replied completely unfazed by Kaya's threat.
"STOP IT! JUST LEAVE! GO!" Kaya screeched angrily.
"Yes, I see. You're all grown up now. Such much has happened in the last three years." Kuro said, softly, removing his glove. Kaya's eyes softened and she lowered the pistol slightly. "Miss Kaya, don't you remember the things we've been through? We've spent so much time together. A year before you're dead sweet parents passed away, you were more than my master. You were my best friend. So much time. So many memories. Together we rejoiced, like family?" Kuro stared at her with a sweet smile.
"Klahadore..." Kaya teared up lowering the gun a little more.
"I took you out shopping in the city, I looked after you when you were ill, and we used to talk for hours and hours." He spoke as Kaya cried with tears running down her face. Kuro walked closer to her.
"Kaya, listen to me. I was devoted to you. For so long, for so really long..." He continued until he was standing in front of Kaya. Kuro reached out and took the gun with his ungloved hand. Kaya saw his smile drop as it twist into a sickening smirk. "I endured it. I quietly suffered so that today I can end your life and take everything that I deserve!" Kaya stared in shock with tears ran down her face, biting her lower lip. She let go of the gun and Kuro dropped it to the ground.
"I who was once the feared and respected Captain Kuro, and to how and humble myself before some shot nosed little girl. It went against every fiber of my being." Kuro said while Usopp shook on the ground seething in rage as he looked up at him.
"Damn you." Usopp gritted his teeth, glaring at Kuro, furiously.
"Do you understand the depth of these daily insults? Can you understand the rage created at the transgression of my pride!" Aya clenched her fists Luffy noticed and he looked over at her. His eyes widen to see her face twisted with fury. He blinked.
Hearing enough, Usopp dove after the gun picking it up. He stood up aiming it at Kuro
"KURO!" Usopp roared. Just as he pulled the trigger Kuro quickly moved out of the way as he vanished then moved behind Usopp.
"Thank you for reminding me." Kuro said. He raised his claws trapping Usopp's face inside, like a cage. Kuro smirked. "Usopp, I owe you for hitting me." He pulled the pulled the bandage off from his cheek. "Let's get even."
"Oh no, Usopp!" Kaya cried as she covered her mouth.
Aya frowned. "I've seen enough of this." She thought to herself.
Aya gestured Luffy to come closer and he did and she whispered in his ear. Luffy's eyes widen and he made a big wicked grin shaking his head excitedly. He picked her up and began spinning Aya as his arms stretched going faster and faster until he let go, launching Aya. Zoro's eyes widen as he saw Aya flying towards him and he quickly ducked as she flew past him.
"If I recall, you hit me as hard as you could." Kuro finished, getting ready to strike Usopp down.
Suddenly, a foot was slammed into Kuro's face. His glasses shattered and broke and Kuro was knocked back as he fell and tumbled to the ground. Everyone gasped and stared in shock and awe. Zoro's mouth dropped slightly nearly dropped his sword. Usopp looked up as Aya landed on her feet, staring at her completely stunned, Kaya as well.
"If you hate getting hit that much, you're about to have a really bad day!" Aya smirked crackling her knuckles. Luffy laughed as he threw his head back.