Everyone regrouped together and Nami, Zoro, Kuina, and the three kids were told everything the others had heard.
"So Klahadore is really a bad guy?!" Piiman called out in shock.
"You know, I never did like him," Ninjin admitted. "Now I think I know why."
"We have to warn everyone!" Tamanegi realized.
Usopp shook his head. "They'll never listen. I've been making fibs about pirate attacks for so long all the villagers will do is laugh us off or chase us out of town. Plus, Kuro is smart enough to keep to only a few lies that are really hard to expose."
"The people only have his word on where he came from. But he's given them no reason to doubt said word." Zoro realized.
Usopp grumbled. "If only there was a way to expose his true character..."
"Maybe there already is." Penny said, taking the Devil fruit they'd bought and handing it to Ussop. "I can';t say why, but…this Devil fruit feels similar to the Fae-Fae fruit I ate in some manner. Not quite as…fantastical, if that makes any sense, but…"
Draco took a look and then slapped his forehead.
"Yeah, yeah! Again, no idea what, but something tells me this is a Zoan type. Those are normally great physical enchancers regardless of the animal."
"So…maybe Kaya?" Ussop said aloud.
All eyes turned to him.
"Ussop, do you know of the Devil fruit curse?" Ben asked. "If Kaya eats this, she'll never be able to swim in sea water again."
Ussop., just learning that, tensed. The one way it seemed to keep Kaya safe and it would cost her swimming?
"Then again, the power of a Devil fruit usually makes the loss worth it." Sonson mused. "And she can still bathe at least."
Ussop's hope returned, but then dampened.
"How will we convince her? Hard as he was, Kuro was the closet Kaya's had to a paremt…"
"As someone with a real father?" Penny cut in as she began to march to the manison. "I believe I may know a way."
The android girl's mind, filled with memories of her father, had already decided she LOATHED this Kuro fellow and call her petty, but if she could expose him? She'd been happy.
-OP-
Meanwhile Merry, another of Kaya's butlers, was showing a pair of glasses in a case.
"Created exactly as you specified, and delivered from the next town over."
"This is perfect. Sorry for making you go all the way there, Merry." Kaya said.
Merry smiled. "Not at all, Miss. I'm happy to serve. I'm guessing this is a present for Klahadore."
Kaya nodded. "Tomorrow marks the three-year anniversary of when Klahadore first came to us. I wanted to thank him for always taking care of me."
"I'm sure he'll be delighted to receive this," Merry said.
A knock came to the door, which Merry opened to reveal Penny.
"Good evening sir, I apologize for the suddness and lateness, but may I speak to Miss Kaya? It concerns Klahadore; something's…happened."
Merry, seeing no ill intent in Penny's eyes and spying Kaya was probably still up, ushered her in and lead her to Kaya's room, where, true to form, Kaya was reading a book aloud, a slightly surprised look on her face; as Kirby had hurried under the bed midtalk.
"Apologies, Miss." Merry said. "But one of Ussop's friends is here, with news concerned Klahadore."
"Let them in." Kaya ordered and in walked Penny. "Hello again."
"Salutations." Penny smiled, then sitting down. "Kaya, there is no easy way to say this, so I apologize…"
"Poyo?"
Kirby had poked his head under the bed and smiled warmly at Penny.
"Poyo!"
Penny smiled warmly back and patted the little creature's head, delightfully chuckling when he jumped into her arms.
"Why hello, there!" She smiled. "…Poyo?"
"Kirby, actually. I was reading to him before you came in; Merry doesn't know about him and Klahadore…Is Klahadore okay?" Kaya asked, worried. This made Penny wince, but she took a deep breath and explained as best as she could what she and the others had seen.
"I don't doubt you for doubting me." Penny said once she finished. "And it is late, but if nothing else?"
She left the fruit she had carried the whole time.
"This is a Devil fruit; it'll give you a power at the cost of swimming. If you feel threatened, do not hesitate to eat it and then seek us out."
With that, Penny bowed and took her leave, missing Kirby longinly trying to hug her once more before he spied Kaya's mediative look.
Her beloved butler a pirate? Plotting to steal her fortune after his own run in with pirates? It sounded like one of Ussop's stories…but Ussop only told tall tales…but never about others….
And Kirby had liked Penny; the little one was a very good judge of character…
Stifling a yawn, Kaya placed the Devil fruit at her windowsill and motioned for Kirby to come back so she could finish his story.
-OP-
Kuro was meeting with his crew on the Bezan Black.
"It's been a long three years, but it's nice to see you all still looking as bloodthirsty as ever. Thank you all for coming. I apologize for making you wait for so long, but all good plans need the perfect time to execute. But rest assured, once the plan is finished you'll be getting your fair cut of the take. Once dawn hits tomorrow, raid through the village to your heart's content!"
The Black Cat Pirates all cheered in excitement. Kuro just smirked, knowing the real fate that awaited them once his plan was completed.
-OP-
"Kuro's definitely going to make his move tomorrow. He said the north shore, so we just need to make sure none of his men ever reach the village." Usopp said.
"That might be tough, but not impossible," Nami admitted. "Both shores have a narrow pass that can be defended, so unless the pirates have climbing equipment we might be able to thin them out."
Usopp was surprised. "You guys... Are going to help me?"
"This village is your treasure. So is your friendship with Kaya." Luffy pointed out. "And right now it's being threatened. So of course we're going to help protect it."
"Though we also have to make sure Kuro is exposed as a pirate. The presence of a Black Spot alone won't be enough to convince anyone." Ben noted.
Usopp thought for a moment, then snapped his fingers in realization.
"There is one servant of Kaya's who might be willing to listen. His name is Merry, and he's the most honest person I know. And he's truly devoted to keeping Kaya happy. So maybe if I tell him to keep an eye on Klahadore, it could at least allow Kaya to see what Kuro's truly like."
"I think Penny is way ahead of you in that regard." Ben chuckled. "No doubt she'll have at least warned Kaya and Merry about the danger Kuro truly possesses to them."
"You've got plenty of people here ready to help kick some ass," Kuina smirked as she drew one of her swords.
"What about us?" Piiman asked.
"You guys get to Kaya's mansion and try to get Merry. It's better if you're not in danger when those pirates attack." Usopp suggested.
-OP-
With Kirby now asleep, Kaya's eyes returned to the Devil fruit. A power in exchange for swimming? Could such a thing be real?
She eyed the fruit and thought back on her life: Her parents, Khaladore, Merry, Ussop and his little friends. They'd always looked out for her. She adored them for it.
But this? Regardless of whatever power she got, she could look out for them now. Herself too! Regardless on whether or not Penny told her was true, that would be worth it.
"Poy…"
Glancing down, Kaya saw Kirby, sleeping soundly. A sight that warmed her heart and also filled her with drive. She may not have birthed him, but there was no doubt in her mind that she loved him like a parent would a child.
And what parent isn't willing to do anything to keep their child safe?
So, she took a great big bite of the fruit….!
And nearly threw it up, it tasted so bad! Was this delayed payback for…
…Wait.
Kaya felt…different.
She stood up.
No drowsiness. No dizzy spells.
She glanced in the mirror. Her color was returning to her!
She wasn't sick anymore.
She wasn't sick anymore!
Filled with an elated joy and energy, the girl proceeded to do a flip and landed on...her paws?
"Eh?"
Kaya then looked down to realize she was covered in silky white fur with black stripes. She also noticed the back of her legs had odd tufts of silvery-blue fur that vaguely resembled clouds.
Turning in the mirror, she was amazed to see her face had a slightly more cat-like look. Her blonde hair was still the same but her eyes were a shockingly bright blue, almost like they were glowing with inner light.
"Poyo?"
Kaya turned to see Kirby rubbing his eyes, now wide awake and rightfully confused.
"I don't know, Kirby. This is so very strange..." Kaya said before closing her eyes and focusing. In a flash, she was human again. "I know Penny said that Devil Fruits give people who eat them strange powers but this is...bizarre."
Kaya's ears then perked up, hearing the door opening and footsteps walking through the hall. She then heard Merry talking with someone.
"So, you returned from your trip. Is the young miss doing alright?"
"Yes, she went to sleep not too long ago. She seemed quite exhausted. Usopp's latest story really got her excited, but I've never seen her so happy." Merry said.
"If you say so. I'm still skeptical about his character."
Kaya whispered to Kirby and the two of them snuck out while staying out of sight, peering in to listen.
"A crescent moon tonight... Nights like this make my heart race, and my blood stir. So the young miss wanted this to be a commemoration, did she? Well, to be fair, she's not wrong that it will be a time to celebrate..."
The sound of a pair of glasses breaking was heard as Kaya looked and gasped to see Kuro had stomped on the glass case. Merry had also witnessed this as well.
"Thus far all my plans have gone unnoticed. I'm actually pleasantly surprised." Kuro smirked darkly as he placed on a special glove that had five blades at the tips of his fingers, then used it to smash the chandelier. "I should have all night to come up with an excuse for that. Though it's not like I'll need to keep up this charade for much longer."
Kaya held her hands to her mouth, fear and immeasurable sadness filling her mind and heart as she realized it all: Penny had been telling the truth! Khala…No, Kuro was after her fortune! And she'd trusted him!
Kirby meanwhile, GLARED at the shadow of Kuro; he'd NEVER liked him; something was always off.
A hurried knock came to the door and Kaya pushed Kirby behind her as Merry raced in.
"Young miss, you and your little friend need to leave!" He whispered through his teeth, missing Kaya was on her feet as he hurriedly packed her a bag. "Khaladore is up to something!"
Kaya moved to stop Merry, before realizing what he'd said.
"Wait, you know about…?!"
"Since you brought him home. I didn't say anything because he brightened up your life so much, but now…?!"
Kaya stopped Merry.
"Merry. I'm going out through the window. You leave that bag hear and continune on as normal, say you're going for a brief stroll."
Kaya then picked up Kirby and leapt out the window, landing on her feet and racing out. Merry followed her orders and headed to Ussop's home, all while Kuro was none the wiser, lost in fantasies of his new wealth.
-OP-
As dawn neared, Jango walked out to the crew, all of whom addressed him as captain.
"Alright listen up! As you know for these last three years I've been your acting captain while we waited for Kuro's final plan. Well by this time tomorrow, he'll be retired, upon which I'll be your captain for real. Get ready for the dawn, because we're gonna riot like never before!"
The entire crew cheered at that.
Unbeknownst to them, the group was busy setting up a whole bunch of traps at the slope to the northern shore.
"Are you sure we shouldn't have used the oil trap?" Usopp asked, stifling a yawn. Kaya, Kirby and Merry had nearly bust down the door of his house before he managed to calm them down and explain the plan, then ushered them back to the mansion to avert Kuro's suspicons.
"Not a good idea. It'd be a double-edged sword." Bamia said. "One wrong move and we'd be sliding into an antlion pit."
"That's a pretty gruesome thought..." Ben muttered.
"Here they come!" Zoro called out as he saw the ship coming in. "Let's get into position!"
As the Bezan Black approached the shore, the lookout noticed something.
"Captain, we have a schooner in sight! Should we investigate!"
"Belay that," Jango ordered. "Doesn't look like a treasure ship, and we're on a tight schedule."
"Man, that is one big ship," Sonson noted.
Nami hummed in interest. "How much treasure do you think is on it? Come to think of it, you don't think they'll try to grab our treasure, do you?"
"Doesn't look like it. They seem to be ignoring our boat." Draco said.
As the pirates started charging up the slope, they found themselves suddenly yelping in pain due to a carpet of caltrops spread across the floor of the pass. With the pirates distracted, Usopp quickly fired off several shots from his slingshot, easily downing multiple foes.
"What's going on?!" Jango called out.
"The pass has been rigged! They were expecting us!"
"That can't be. They would have had to have been listening in on me and Kuro." Jango said before suddenly noticing Usopp at the top of the slope.
"I am the mighty Captain Usopp! And I've been waiting for you this entire time! I am here to fight for this village, so turn back now if you don't want to die!"
"Wow, I'm impressed. His knees are slightly shaking, but he hasn't soiled himself." Nami said.
"A wise man once said this, love." Ben smiled. "Courage is not the absence of fear...it's acting in spite of it."
Jango scoffed. "You're just one guy. Just how do you expect to take us all on?"
"I'm not so reckless as to take on so many alone! I have with me a crew 100 million strong, all ready to beat the snot out of you guys!" Usopp declared.
Jango's jaw dropped. "He's got that many crew members?!"
"Captain, that's an obvious lie. Not even the Yonko have crews that big!" One of the pirates pointed out.
Usopp chuckled. "Oh, you think that's a lie, do you? Men, open fire!"
Draco and Penny fired off multiple fireballs and magic blasts through a series of tubes, hidden in the bushes to make it look like an entire firing squad was hidden.
"Holy crap! How many are there?!"
"I can't tell from the shots!"
Nami had taken the time to retrieve the treasure from the schooner while everyone was distracted.
"I'm not having them steal what I went to all the effort of stealing."
"It doesn't matter how many there are. Once they're under my hypnosis, we'll have them!" Jango said as he took out his pendulum. "On 'one, two, Jango', you'll let us pass!"
Just as Jango started to count off, Nami activated a dust trap, making it impossible for anyone to see.
"Damn! These guys came prepared for war!"
"Taste my special ammo!" Usopp shouted. "LEAD STAR!"
The heavy lead projectile knocked one pirate for a loop, causing him to knock back all the ones behind him.
"Nice shot!" Sonson commented.
"This is getting nuts! If we don't start the raid soon, Kuro's gonna be pissed!" Jango said. "He hates it when his plans start to unravel!"
-OP-
Speaking of which, Kuro was starting to get impatient.
"They're late. Surely they know what happens to those who upset my plans. Either they're taking their sweet time like it was nothing... Or something has held them up. Looks like I'll need to take matters into my own hands."
He picked up his bag and started heading out to the shore. What he didn't notice was Kaya sneaking through the trees, using her newfound cat-like agility to climb it with Kirby and Merry riding on her back. The girl was quite surprised at how strong she had gotten.
"You're not planning on confronting Klahadore yourself, are you?" Merry worriedly asked.
"I need to make sure Usopp and the others are safe," Kaya said. "Usopp...he's done so much for me ever since my parents died. I have to return the favor any way I can!"
-OP-
By now the traps had managed to take out most of the Black Cat Pirates, much to Jango's annoyance.
"This is not going the way Kuro wanted. If his plans get upset... The man has a real short temper." The hypnotist said worriedly. "Everyone, listen up! We don't have time to waste! Look over here and I'll get you a power-up!"
"Heh, looks like Jango's screw-ups are finally going to benefit us," One pirate joked.
"Yeah, yeah, just watch the ring," Jango retorted. "On 'one, two, Jango' you'll all grow insanely strong, your wounds completely healed."
"Oh great, he's going all mind over matter on them," Kuina groaned. "Zoro, looks like we're up."
Zoro nodded as he and Kuina took out their swords as they prepared to confront Jango and the remaining Black Cat Pirates.
"One, two, Jango!"
Jango pulled down his hat to avoid hypnotizing himself, but he managed to get the rest of the crew. One of them actually managed to smash part of the cliff. The pirates gave a renewed charge, only for Kuina to leap down into the pass.
"FEATHER BARRAGE!"
Turning just her arms into wings, Kuina flapped them and sent several flaming feathers at the Black Cat Pirates, which exploded and knocked them out all over again. Several got up, but Zoro kept the pressure.
"TORA GARI!"
Jango grumbled, "Damn it! Looks like I won't be reviving them a second time. Guess it's time to pull out the trump card. Hey, Siam! Butchie! Time to give them a taste of the Nyaban Brothers!"
Two pirates, one large and fat, the other lean, both leaped off the Bezan Black. Both of them were decked out like they were cat people.
"You called, Captain Jango?" Siam, the lean brother, asked.
"Siam and Butchie," Butchie, the larger brother said. "Ready to fight! We are the Nyaban Brothers!"
"We need to get past this hill at all costs, but right now we have some obstacles in the way. Be careful of the people who just took out our entire crew. Looks like they have Devil Fruits on their side." Jango said.
"You're sending a pair of kitty cats our way? That's almost insulting." Kuina said.
The brothers seemed to cower, but Draco wasn't fooled and called out to the swordwielders:
"Don't let your guard down, guys! The talented hawk hides his claws!"
"So, they might be tougher than they look. Good to know." Zoro noted.
Siam sighed. "That usually catches them off-guard. This guy's impressive, I'll give him that."
"Guess we'll just have to go all out then," Butchie decided.
The brothers started to make their attack but were easily held off by Zoro and Kuina. Jango looked nervous as it seemed the Nyaban Brothers weren't making any leeway and it was only going to get worse.
"What the hell is taking so long?!" Kuro called out as he approached, which got the entire crew terrified. "How is this misfit group of brats holding you back from carrying out your mission?!"
"How the heck should I know?! I don't even know how they found out about the plan in the first place!" Jango said.
"Don't get me wrong, I was expecting there to be a few obstacles. But apparently, I didn't count on the feebleness of my crew!" Kuro said.
"Or maybe you underestimate the scope of the obstacles placed in your path," Ben retorted. "Do you really think anyone from this village could stand up to your crew under normal circumstances?"
"He's right, Captain! We haven't exactly been partying it up while you were living the easy life out here!" Siam said.
"We've been continuing our work as pirates for the last three years! Attacking towns and sinking plenty of pirates!" Butchie added. "But you've just been sitting on your rear for all this time! How do we know you're not the one who's gone feeble!?"
Jango couldn't help but facepalm as the brothers actually rushed at Kuro. Even a few members of the Straw Hats couldn't help but cringe.
"Those idiots. I could tell from the way Kuro adjusted his glasses... Doing so in a way that he wouldn't accidentally cut his face with his blades... He hasn't lost his touch at all these last three years."
Kuro pulled his bag out to don his special claws, then seemed to start getting faster. He had disappeared before the Nyaban Brothers ever struck him.
Zoro was shocked. "That level of speed. I saw Luffy do the same thing against Buggy. Does that he mean knows that technique too?"
"No, it's not the same. I could tell as Kuro moved." Draco clarified. "Yes, he was fast, but he could barely tell where he was going."
"Kuro's Pussy Foot Maneuver..." Jango whispered nervously.
Kuro snuck up on the Nyaban Brothers. "I will admit this much; I do feel sluggish after three years without proper practice."
Nami was a little freaked, but then noticed that the others had been tracing Kuro's movement with their eyes the entire time. Jango noticed as well.
"How did they know where Kuro was going? Even a group of fifty assassins would be killed before sensing Kuro once he uses this move."
"SORU!" Luffy shouted as he pulled out a paper and placed it on Kuro's hand before he could react.
"What's this supposed to be?" Kuro wondered, not realizing the chills going through every pirate's spine.
"That's a Black Spot, Captain!" Jango explained. "It's meant to be a pirate's death sentence!"
"We overheard it, how you were going to remove all loose ends. Every person who knows your secret identity. Which apparently includes your crew." Draco clarified.
"Yeah, not very good Captain-ing, mate," Ben added.
Kuro scoffed. "And what of it? A crew is nothing more than a tool for a pirate captain. I can name at least a hundred captains who think the same."
"Then start naming them. Let's see if you're right." Luffy said in a deadly serious tone, shocking Kuro at the accusation.
"Here's the real truth; A pirate crew is a family." Luffy continued. "Sure the captain might kill one or two of his crew if they really screw up. But there are still rules to it. Killing your entire crew is the worst sort of crime any pirate can commit. And as a pirate captain myself, I'm hereby sentencing you to death."
"That goes for us too, mate," Ben smirked as he, Draco, and Sonson stepped forward. "You've got FOUR angry Captains on you like barnacles sticking to a kraken's underbelly."
"Here's what I don't get; You were one of the most successful pirates on the East Blue. Your raids probably brought in way more money than Kaya's fortune." Nami said. "So why go to all this trouble?"
"Money alone is not my goal, I also seek peace of mind. To be able to be comfortable with the wealth I amass." Kuro clarified. "And I endured the torment of three years as that feeble girl's butler in order to get it."
Usopp was furious. "You gotta be kidding me... So all those times I saw you diligently caring for Kaya. An actual look of concern and care on your face... You mean to say it was all a lie?! I may be a liar by nature, but at least my lies are meant to bring people a sense of excitement or happiness! This sort of lying... It's just beyond cruel!"
"You want to punch me right now? I'll have you know..." Kuro smirked as he held up his Cat Claws. "I hate getting pun-ARGH!"
Kuro was cut off when Luffy promptly punched him hard using his Gum-Gum Pistol technique. Before Kuro could get up, Sonson jumped in and punched him again, followed by Ben and finally Draco.
"How about we all give you a hundred punches each before you die!"
Kuro groaned as he got up. He noted with annoyance that his glasses were now broken.
"Bitter irony that I destroyed the pair Kaya had made for me. Perhaps it would have been better to keep the act up for at least a few more hours."
"How do you like that, kitty cat?!" Sonson taunted, turning around and spanking her rear.
"So you possess Devil Fruit powers. It seems my earlier assessment was indeed inaccurate." Kuro noted as he recovered.
"You got that right!" Draco smirked, showing his razor-sharp teeth. "And Ben and I both ate THREE Devil Fruits a piece!"
Naturally, the crew of pirates was freaking out, since Devil Fruits users were supposed to be scary strong, and for two people to have THREE each made more than a few feel the need to change their pants.
Kuro, however, seemed unphased. "Jango, I'll handle these two. Go find Miss Kaya. Have her write the will before killing her."
"Yeah, bad idea. If a will isn't notarized before the person writing it dies, the will is defunct. No one inherits." Ben said casually.
Kuro was stunned. "Are you kidding me? But when Kaya's parents died-!"
"You don't really think they drew up that will moments before they died, did you?" Draco pointed out. "Obviously it had been in place for years, likely since Kaya started to come of age."
"For a tactian to make such a mistake…" Bamia smirked, shaking a finger in a 'no-no' gesture.
"You're telling me..." Kuro began, his eyes going white from shock. "...That my plan this whole time would have been a failure!"
"You know, if you had only waited a few more days, I probably would have written up that will on my own..." Kaya's voice came before she pounced down in her Human-Beast form. "But that was before I realized who you truly were!"
"Poyo!" Kirby said as he hopped off Kaya's shoulders with a brave glare.
"Kaya! Kirby!" Usopp gasped in concern.
"She ate the Devil Fruit I gave her!" Penny realized.
Kuro growled. "Damn it... It seems no matter what I try, I can't escape the life of a pirate. No matter, you've spared me the trouble of looking for you, Miss Kaya...now I'll just kill you outright!"
Kuro seemed to disappear but when he tried to slash at Luffy, the boy had already disappeared himself. He tried the same with Sonson, Ben, and Draco, only to get the same result.
"That technique of yours is fast, but it's flawed. You clearly can't see where you're going when you use it." Ben said. "Meanwhile, Soru has the added benefit of letting us see where we're going, even when moving at superhuman speeds."
"You all seem to be incredibly strong," Kuro admitted. "Why bother with a pathetic little village like this?"
"This village is someone's treasure, and he wants to protect it with everything he has!" Sonson said.
Luffy nodded. "I can respect a man like that, and it makes me want to help them. Usopp may seem like a wimp on the surface, but for all his fear there's no one I've seen who's braver. After all, he's still fighting despite his fear!"
"A real coward would have run by now. What about you? Why quit being a pirate when it's clear you're still at the top of your game?" Draco asked.
"Do you have any idea how tiring it is? Devising plans every day for men who only care about mayhem? Being relentlessly attacked by government dogs and bounty hunters? I was absolutely sick of it!" Kuro scowled before taking a deep breath. "Three years ago I finally hit my breaking point. It had been the third time that week we were getting attacked by Marines. Jango pointed out that my name had infamous by then. I realized he had a point. If I was going to have peace of mind, I needed to shed my name. When I expressed my desire to quit, Jango made another excellent point. That the Marines would hound me until I was dead. Or at least... Until they thought I was. I remember well that final battle. It was just one Marine vessel, so it was easy to slaughter all but one of them. Morgan, I believe his name was."
"You mean Axe-Hand Morgan? You fought against him?" Sonson asked.
Kuro smirked. "So, that muscle headed idiot replaced the arm, did he? I did leave him alive, but broke his jaw and mangled his right arm first. Then I told him I was about to make his career. Jango had already hypnotized a lesser member of the crew named Nugire Yainu to act as me. The man was a dead ringer for my visage when viewed from a distance. Morgan was then hypnotized to think he had bested me in a glorious battle."
"Well, that's certainly gonna crush him when he finds out from where he's being locked up." Ben chuckled.
"But here's what I don't get. Why not finish off your crew then and there? You were planning on killing them from the beginning, so why not do the job there? You could have faded into obscurity with your peace of mind intact, and likely gotten the inheritance you wanted without issue." Luffy said. "Plus, you really should have thought through becoming a pirate if you didn't want people coming after you. Honestly, what good are a thousand plans if all of them are too complicated to work?"
"Nobody insults my plans!" Kuro roared in fury as he rushed with his Cat Claws out, only for the blades on his left hand to be pulled off by a powerful vortex. "W-What?!"
The culprit was Kirby, who had inhaled the blades into his mouth without harm to himself and then swallowed. He then spun around and in a flash of light, he was clad in a green hat with a puffball on the tip and carrying a sword.
"Whoa! Did you know he could do that, Kaya?!" Usopp gawked in surprise.
"I-I'm just as surprised as you are!"
"Give those back!" Kuro snapped as he rushed at Kirby, only for the little pink puff to clash against his remaining Cat Claws with his sword.
"Dang, that little guy is tough! Wonder if he'd be okay with joining our crew!" Luffy grinned.
"N-Not possible...!" Kuro breathed out, a vein bulging in fury.
Luffy then pounced on Kuro from behind, wrestling with him as the fiend tried to shake him off.
"Honestly, you're a bigger coward than Usopp. He relishes the idea of becoming a pirate and having a name on the high seas. You gave up because you were scared of the idea of being infamous!" Luffy then stretched his neck back a long way before snapping it forward for a headbutt. "GUM-GUM BELL!"
Luffy let go of Kuro as he stumbled back, trying to regain his bearings before Kaya pounced on him and slashed at him with her claws.
"My parents took you in. Nursed you. Cared for you." She growled, slashing agter each sentance. "The whole village did! And you plotted to destroy them just for some peace and quiet?!"
Kuro's stomach was barely keeping his organs in at this point, but he still managed to stand.
"If you'd waited, I'd have HAPPILY given you my fortune, then run off with Ussop when I was healthy enough!"
She missed the blushing and shocked look on Ussop's face, along withy the other Strawhats.
"I adored you." Kaya contined. "I wanted to be someone you'd be proud to serve. What a waste. Not only for me…but your life."
She then delivered a powerful punch that sent Kuro to the ground, turning away as he coughed and gagged on his own blood.
"And that's something I can't forgive either!" Usopp snarled. "EXPLODING STAR!"
Kuro had just enough time to look up before the shot hit him and exploded in his face, making him stumble back before yelling in pain as Kirby delivered a quick slash to his back.
"I've put all my intelligence into this three-year plan. And you have the gall to insult it!? I'll show you how feeble your ambitions really are!"
He launched into his Pussy Foot technique again, but Luffy, Ben, Sonson, and Draco easily dodged using Soru, while also making sure the Black Cat Pirates, Kaya, and Kirby weren't caught up in Kuro's attack. As Kuro continued to race about hoping to hit the four captains, one of them saw his best chance.
"BONE BLADE!" Ben shouted as a sharp, serrated, and jagged bone blade burst from the back of his arm as he thrust it straight into Kuro's chest with intense strength.
Kuro felt his strength start to leave him as he puked up blood from his mouth. Kaya and Usopp moved to cover Kirby's eyes from the gruesome sight while the Black Cat Pirates stared in shock and disbelief.
"It... It wasn't supposed to end like this..." Kuro choked out.
"That's why you never should have bothered being a pirate; You can't handle it," Ben smirked.
Suddenly, a whistling was heard as everyone present became confused before Kuro suddenly let out a choked gasp of agony as a pair of sickles attached to black chains stabbed into his back and pulled violently, yanking out his spirit.
"What? What is this?!"
"Look at the bright side..." A smooth charming voice spoke up as the owner of the chains, a man in a black hooded cloak, stepped up, showing glowing red eyes. "Captain Kuro is supposed to be dead either way."
"W-Who are you?!" Kuro asked.
"Let me answer your question with another question..." The hooded man smirked, showing sharp wolf-like teeth. "DO YOU FEAR DEATH?"
It was then Kuro realized just who this figure is and began to scream as the hooded man formed a hellish red portal and began dragging his spirit into it. The man began sobbing tears of fear and despair as he knew there was no escaping his fate.
"SAVE ME! PLEASE! I DON'T WANT TO DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIE!"
The hooded man threw Kuro through the portal and the former captain's physical body erupted into hot pink flames, melting down to the bone before collapsing in a pile. Ben and everyone else were stunned as the hooded man gave one last look to the Straw Hats.
"Thank you for making sure he paid his long-overdue bill." He said. "We'll be rooting for you."
With that, the hooded man let out a dark whistle as he walked into the portal, which closed. The screams stopped and everyone was just too paralyzed to react.
"Well... Sonson said awkwardly and more than a little nervously. "….that sure happened!"
"That...was unexpected..." Draco muttered. "I never thought I'd see the Reaper himself..."
Kaya and Ussop slowly turned, wordlessly asking.
"Yup. And that was not methaphorically, poetically or rhetorically or any other way." Draco nodded. "That was Death himself."
"So then..." Ben awkwardly stated as he turned to the Black Cat Pirates. "Any one of you lot still up for raiding the village?"
"Nope!"
"I'm outta here!"
"I wanna live! I'm going to rethink my life choices!"
"I think I'll get into psychology!"
With that, the Black Cat Pirates were sent packing, all of them now deciding to rethink their career paths. Nami came over from the Bezan Black with a sack full of gold.
"Looks like in the end, Kuro was just too clever by half." She noted as she held up the bag. "They had pretty light pickings for treasure. Still, every little bit helps."
"You missed quite the show, Nami." Bamia said.
Draco nodded. "Yeah, you're probably not goanna believe it but the Grim Reaper himself showed up."
"You're right, I don't believe it!"
-OP-
Later, Kaya met with the gang as they enjoyed a good meal after their victory.
"You're looking a lot better, Kaya," Usopp noted.
"And I feel better too." She smiled, then shooting the others a look. "Luffy? Bamia? Sonson? Draco? Ben? I know its only been a day but…Could I maybe join your crew?"
All sound went silence, but grins were aplenty.
"I've been cooped up in that mansion for so long, and I'm not getting any younger! I want to see the whole wide world and everything it has to offer!"
Ben smirked at that.
"I can respect that kind of dream."
"And I as well." Penny smiled. "Besides, I think Ussop would be happy to have you onboard too."
Ussop said nothing, but smiled as Kaya held his hand.
"Poyo! Poyo!" Kirby suddenly said, waving his stubby arms up and down excitedly.
"Well of course you can come along too, Kirby!" Penny smiled, Nami and Kunia joining her.
"You can be our little morale booster." Kunina said. "…and sparring partner for when Zoro drinks himself stupid."
"I can hear you, ya know!"
"Good."
"And besides, we'd never break up a family." Nami added, shooting the others a look. "Right?"
"I mean, Penny's dad let us take her…" Luffy noted offhandedly. "But yeah, of course the little guy can come!"
Kirbu beamed and hugged both Kaya and Ussop, then spoke for the first time with two simple but powerful words:
"Mama' and Papa!"
And like that, everyone's heart melted.
As they headed out, Usopp picked up the bag he packed with everything from his old house. He had to ask Draco and Penny to help take it out of the house since it turned out to be too big for the door. They arrived at the south shore, where Merry was waiting with a grand caravel with a sheep figurehead. The group marveled at it when they saw it.
"I'm sure Usopp's mentioned that I dabble as a shipwright. It's a slightly older model, but one I personally designed." Merry said. "It's carvel-make, with lateen sails and a central stern rudder. It's name is... The Going Merry!"
"Now that's a ship!" Ben whistled.
Kaya smiled as Merry looked worried at her, but seeing the look in her eyes convinced him that this was what she wanted and who was he to deny his lady?
"You know, the reason Usopp started every day yelling out how pirates were attacking was because of his mother. She died of illness, but every day before that he would run through the town claiming his father's pirate crew had returned, just to make her feel better." Kaya said to Bamia. "Banchina never regretted marrying Yasopp, even when he left for the sea. I guess at some point the lies just became a habit for him."
Bamia nodded. "Well, now's as good a time as any to make sure you don't have any regrets."
"It's gonna be dangerous, Kaya. Are you sure you want to do this?" Usopp asked.
"What's the use of being a Devil Fruit user if I can't go on adventures?" Kaya replied playfully. "And who better to go on them with then my brave warrior of the sea?"
Kaya smiled, then shocked Usopp by kissing him right on the lips. Kirby let out a happy squeak at seeing his 'Mommy' kiss his 'Daddy' while Sonson let out an 'Aww' of adoration. After breaking the kiss, Usopp fainted in happiness as Nami started piloting the Merry away from the island.
Knightmare Lord A/N:
Kaya has eaten the Cat-Cat Fruit: Model White Tiger AKA Byakko. Now she can join Usopp out on the sea along with their son, Kirby.
Also, I bet you probably recognized the hooded man as a dead ringer for Death from Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. Like the Merchant, we'll be seeing much more of him in the future.
Next chapter will be much shorter, as the crew are going to make a quick detour before making their way to the next arc; THE BARATIE!
Mrotrax A/N:
Full disclosure; while in canon One Piece destroying a dream is enough, we do plan on killing a few antagonists off. Still sorting out which ones, though. Offer suggestions!