One Piece: Adventures of the East Blue Sea

by Autonomous Ultra Instinct

Wealth, Fame, Power. Gol Roger, the king of the pirates had this and more and in his dying words he drove countless sailors into searching for his long lost treasure, the One Piece. And three of those sailors are an energetic young man, a chubby young woman, and an orange haired woman and their names are Monkey D. Luffy, Salvia, and Nami. This is their story.

12. Chapter 12

A/N: Finally, I have the last chapter of the Syrup Village arc done! And if you're curious as to why this is the last chapter of the Syrup Village arc, you'll see why soon when you read it. There are bound to be more than a few surprises there.

One Piece: Adventures of the East Blue Sea

Chapter 12: "The War Begins!; Syrup Village VS. Black Cat Pirates!"

It started as Kuro spoke to Jango moments earlier.

"Everything he could say would sound like lies.", Kuro spoke.

"Oh, no...! This is exactly what Kuro is counting on! He ignored me because he knew no one would believe me...! He didn't even know Kaya and the others were there, too, and still...!", Usopp thought in worry.

"Why... Why won't anyone believe us...?!", Kaya thought, starting to shed tears.

"I... I'm sorry...!", Kaya said, sniffling before she turned and ran off with a sob.

"Hey, Kaya, wait up!", Usopp shouted, running off after her.

"Oh, no... Poor big sis...!", Daffodil spoke sadly as she saw Kaya run away with Usopp going after her.

Having seen what happened, Atreyu's attempt at staying calm has finally flown out the window as this moment finally triggered him beyond any rational thought.

"DAMN ALL OF YOU! HOW DARE YOU DO THAT TO HER?!", Atreyu roared with a snap, spooking the villagers.

"Yeah! How could you make big sis cry like that!", Daffodil added.

Later that night, Atreyu and Daffodil presented the one vital piece of evidence that stated that Klahadore was really Kuro all along: a flag with the Black Cat Pirate Insignia on it.

"No way! Klahadore's a pirate?!", the whole village exclaimed.

"Not just any pirate. He's apparently the elusive Captain Kuro!", Atreyu announced.

Next, Kuro unwrapped his present and opened a new pair of glasses before chuckling.

"How appropriate. Tomorrow will be a day worth commemorating.", Kuro smirked before then stepping on the case, along with the glasses, breaking them.

"Cover your eyes, quick!", Atreyu whispered before he closed his eyes while Daffodil covered them before Kuro slashed the chandelier and, worst of all, cut up Merry, making him cough out blood.

For a liar, you told the honest truth right to our faces. Even if we didn't see it that way at first.", a villager said.

"The pirates ARE coming. And they ARE going to level this whole town.", another added.

"But not on our watch. After all, we may only number 80, but thanks to those fun times we had with you two, we might as well have the strength of 80 million!", another added.

"So, you two want a little help or what?", Luffy asked.

"Darn it...! All right, fine. I'm scared. Why shouldn't I be?! They're Captain Kuro's men! These guys mean business! I don't need pity! If you guys're sticking around 'cause you pity me, just leave! I don't need you laughing at me!", Usopp glared.

"We're not laughing at you.", Zoro said.

"You two did everything you could to help protect your home.", Salvia said.

"You really think we'd risk our lives out of pity?", Luffy added.

"And you forget, Usopp. They're not the only ones who mean business.", the 2nd villager added with a smirk.

"All right, everyone! It's time to prepare! The sooner we do that, the sooner we can drive the pirates out and protect our home!", Kaya urged.

Then, Atreyu and Daffodil both held out their arms as high as they can.

"FOR OUR VILLAGE!", the two shouted before the rest of the villagers did so as well.

"FOR OUR VILLAGE!", the villagers chanted with them.

Moments later, Kaya, Atreyu, and Usopp spoke to the 4 straw hats.

"Okay. At daybreak, the pirates'll be landing at this shore to begin their attack. But the only way they'll be able to get to the village is to go up this slope.", Usopp said.

"The rest of the shoreline is sheer cliff, so they'll need to come through here.", Kaya added.

"If we can fight them off while they're funneled into their narrow pass, their numbers won't mean anything and we'll have them pretty much beat.", Atreyu said as Daffodil pretended to punch something in repeated jabs.

"All right, sounds pretty easy.", Luffy said.

"Well, that's easier said than done. We are dealing with Black Cat Pirates. They're not gonna make it easy for us.", Salvia warned.

"And that's why we're not going to make it any easier for them, either. Are we, guys?", Atreyu added.

"Heck, no!", the villagers responded.

"He's right. Victory depends on our strength. What is it you guys can do?", Usopp asked.

"I cut.", Zoro added.

"I stretch.", Luffy spoke.

"I eat and grow.", Salvia added.

"I steal.", Nami added.

"I hide.", Usopp added.

Suddenly, Luffy trapped Usopp in a headlock with everyone else except Kaya shouting angrily at him.

"WELL, THIS TIME, YOU BETTER FIGHT!", everyone else snapped.

"Just makin' a funny...! Come on, calm down...!", Usopp choked a bit, making Kaya giggle in joy.

"Okay, okay, okay. At least we have each other.", Kaya said, amused.

Meanwhile, the night sky was slowly starting to become very cloudy, starting to obscure the crescent moon only by an inch as the Black Cats have grown so restless that one of them knocked on the door.

"Captain Jango! Captain Jango, it's almost daybreak! It's time to get moving!", one of the pirates shouted before the doorknob turned and opened, showing inside Captain Jango, his back facing forward.

"Good morning, Captain.", one pirate said.

"Good morning, sir.", another added.

Captain Jango walked backwards and stopped when he was in front of everyone.

"You idiots! Only the sun can wake me up and live to tell about it. Do I make myself clear?", Jango asked.

"He's in a really bad mood.", one of the pirates said.

"Mornings are the worst.", another added.

"Just look. The moon is still up, so the sun couldn't have woken me. Now, which one of you did it?", Jango asked.

"Our apologies, sir! We're very sorry, sir!", the black cat pirates shouted.

"Well, in that case...", Jango began.

Suddenly, he kicked with one leg, spun, stopped, and then stood up on his toes for a moment before setting his feet down and walking backwards toward the mast. He then stopped near it and glanced up with a grin.

"Good morning..., gentlemen.", Jango greeted.

"Wait. What's going on here? He was mad just a second ago.", another black cat pirate asked.

"So what? He's in a better mood now and that's all that matters! Now, keep your big trap shut!", another urged.

"It's confusing.", the other puzzled.

"Well, your FACE is confusing!", the pirate snapped to him before he turned to the other, his completely black face revealed to have been the back of his head as his actual face faced that of his comrade's.

"Attention, men! Let's set sail!", Jango shouted while posing, exciting the Black Cat Pirates.

Back in the shore, while half of the other villagers under Merry's faction practiced using the guns provided for them, the other half under Atreyu's learned to fight in close-quarters combat. Those who were taking a break, though, were relaxing with Salvia, who was eating some lobster, as Kaya, Usopp, Luffy (who snuck some lobster in himself), Zoro, and Nami were getting the oil ready.

"Wow, guys! You really cooked this lobster so well!", Salvia smiled, eating a lobster leg.

"Yeah, well, fruit is important, but it's not the only thing we eat.", one villager said.

"We usually eat those every Saturday evening.", another added.

"Really? Guess that'd make sense. We don't wanna run out of tasty meals like these.", Salvia understood before finishing her lobster.

Not long after, Salvia's belly growled loudly.

"Whoo! Here comes the big one!", Salvia spoke excitedly.

Then, she started swelling and growing larger. This time, by only 5 feet. Needless to say, though, the villagers were quite beyond shocked to see this growth happen before their eyes. Noticing their reaction, Salvia blushed.

"Sorry.", Salvia apologized.

Later, she and the others were now spilling oil in-between the top of the slope and the bottom of it.

Yup. I'm a genius. There's no way they'll be able to make it up this slope now.", Usopp said.

"All this oil we put here should keep them occupied while we fight them.", Kaya grinned.

"Yeah. And while they're slipping and sliding like a bunch of idiots, we can beat the crap out of them!", a villager said.

"Wow, so that's your plan, huh?", Nami asked.

"That's right. We're all going to defend the village no matter what it takes.", Usopp responded.

"Let's just hope none of us slip on that oil and land down there with 'em. Because that would be like sliding into a meat grinder.", Nami responded.

"Usopp, I gotta hand it to you, you're pretty good at fighting dirty.", Luffy said, moving his foot across the oil for a bit.

"Of course I am. There isn't anyone alive who can best me with a slingshot OR beat me at the art of fighting dirty!", Usopp responded.

Kaya smiled sweetly to Usopp as did the villagers and Straw Hats. Very soon, everyone was already resting at the top of the hills near the slope where the trap was laid, especially Kaya, who was sleeping peacefully. Soon, it was already daybreak. By that point, it was overcast with the sky having a slight abundance in clouds. The first to be awakened by its light was Kaya, who sat up and looked toward the sky.

"It's almost time...!", Kaya said to herself before putting her hood on to keep from getting cold and then hurrying to Usopp.

"Usopp, wake up! It's daybreak!", Kaya urged, shaking him awake.

"What?! It's daybreak already?", Usopp asked.

Then, he and Kaya woke Carrot, Pepper, and Onion up next as Atreyu and Daffodil woke up due to Kaya and Usopp's voices.

"Get up, you three! The pirates are coming!", Kaya and Usopp shouted in urgent unison.

Frankly, the Straw Hats were the next to awaken as well.

"It's almost daybreak. They're coming.", Zoro said.

"Yeah. We should go get ready.", Salvia agreed.

The winds blew across the trees. Eventually, everyone was already awake and gathered at the top of the hills, the slope already surrounded on both sides. In the meantime, Jango, smirking as the ship sailed toward the shore of Syrup Village until it stopped on the sandy shore.

"WE'RE HERE!", the Black Cat Pirate shouted as an anchor dropped from the ship.

"They're here.", Kaya said in slight worry.

"Don't worry, Ms. Kaya. We're ready for them. Thanks to your siblings.", Merry assured, making Kaya grin to him.

"All right, men! You know what to do! Go ashore, trash the village, head for the mansion!", Jango ordered.

"Aye, sir!", the pirates shouted.

But one of the pirates spotted two armies stationed on both sides of the slope, surrounding it.

"Captain! There are already 2 boats here! And it looks like the villagers are at the shore, armed!", the crewmate reported.

"WHAT?! But how?! There's no way they believed that liar! it doesn't matter we'll just have to kill them all and storm the village. And as for the ships, leave them for later. They don't look like treasure ships to me and we have a schedule to keep.", Jango said.

"Understood, sir.", the crewmate said.

"What are you waiting for? It's time to move out!", Jango urged.

"RAAAH!", the pirates agreed, raising their swords.

With that, the pirates all got off the ship and ran out, shouting their battle cries. Then, the villagers started to throw their pitchforks and rocks at the Black Cat Pirates. While the pitchforks nearly hit them, it was the rocks that did the trick, forcing them to stop.

"Wait a minute! Somebody's up there!", one of the pirates shouted.

"That's as far as you go, pirates!", one villager shouted.

Surprised as he was, he looked up and saw Usopp, this time, accompanied by Atreyu, Daffodil, and Kaya, whose head was concealed under the hood.

"We meet again.", Jango spoke.

"I AM THE LEGENDARY CAPTAIN USOPP!", Usopp shouted.

"AND I'M HIS FIRST MATE, KAYA! WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR YOU!", Kaya added.

"Hmm? What's that girl from the mansion doing down here? Oh, well. It doesn't matter. It makes my job so much easier.", Jango smirked.

"The whole reason that we're here is to murder that little rich girl.", one black cat pirate said.

"If she's here, then we don't have to go to the village.", another added.

"All we gotta do is kill her, right?", the third guessed.

"That's easier said than done. Just look. These guys look really well-organized.", the fourth added.

"You don't think that she planned this whole ambush in advance, do you?", the second pirate puzzled.

"No doubt about it...", the first replied.

"If you think for one second we're gonna let you tear up our island, destroy our homes, and murder our sister...!", Atreyu began.

"You bullies got another thing coming!", Daffodil added before Usopp raised his right fist to the air.

"All our men and I are ready to fight to the death! Turn back now if you value your lives!", Usopp warned.

"Yeah!", the villagers added.

Needless to say, Jango was flustered by such unexpected loyalty, never mind the fact that he recognizes Usopp just as well as the girl next to him.

"It's you! I remember. You're one of the troublesome brats who overheard our plan! What do you think you're doing? And how did you even manage to convince them of the truth?!", Jango asked.

"I'll admit. I didn't do this alone. Turns out I had a couple of people looking out for me. Imagine my surprise when I learned that thanks to them, the whole village is backing me up against the black cat pirates even now.", Usopp said.

"Usopp, you once told us that pirates are coming every day. Now that they ARE here, we'll fight to the last breath like men!", a villager shouted.

"We warn you now! Leave while you still can!", Kaya warned.

"If you don't, our crewmen will massacre all of you!", Usopp added.

"And though, we may be few, we each have the strength of thousands!", another villager added.

"Strength of thousands?", one pirate puzzled.

"Are we really supposed to believe that?", another puzzled.

Of course, Jango seemed the most surprised and intrigued.

"No way! You each have the strength of thousands?! INCREDIBLE!", Jango shouted.

"Captain, he's obviously lying.", one said.

"Then, it's time to call their bluff.", another suggested.

"Wait for the signal.", Kaya said.

"You got it, Ms. Kaya.", one of the villagers replied.

Just then, someone popped up.

"Captain Jango, take a look at this.", one of the pirates said.

"Oh, no. Is it bad?", Jango asked.

"No, sir, it's good! We searched those other ships and found a huge load of treasure! it's hard to say how much, but I bet it's around 5,000,000 berries!", the pirate reported as his crewmate picked up one bag.

"What?", Jango asked, making Nami widen her eyes in shock, fear, and anger.

"DON'T YOU EVER TRY TO TAKE MY HARD-EARNED TREASURE AWAY! That treasure boat is mine and I'm not gonna let you have a single berry! Do you hear me? In fact, you better clear out, 'cause I'm coming down there to get it back!", Nami shouted.

"5,000,000 berries? How in the world did you guys get a hold of so much treasure?", Usopp asked.

"I'll warn you all again! Unless you want to suffer Nami's wrath, leave while you still can!", Kaya added.

"Okay, do you know what a pirate is, young lady? We're going to take this treasure and there's nothing you can do about it. And there is no way we're turning back until we get what we came for. But the fact is, we don't have time to lollygag around here any longer. ", Jango smirked before he then got out his hypnotic ring and turned to his men.

"If our enemy is strong, then we must become stronger than them. Here. Stare deeply into this ring. Now, I will count '1, 2, Jango', and after that, you will all begin to grow stronger. Your wounds will heal and you will grow stronger, still.", Jango spoke.

"It's that strange weapon from before...!", Usopp spoke in worry.

"That's not a weapon, Usopp. It's a ring. Jango's a hypnotist.", Kaya said.

"Hypnotist?", Usopp puzzled.

"He must be trying to convince them they're stronger than they really are.", Atreyu guessed.

"Like that'll work, cheater!", Daffodil said before doing a raspberry at Jango.

"Stronger... Stronger...!", Jango shouted as while his men looked, so did Luffy.

"1... 2...", Jango began.

"Everyone, get ready...!", Kaya urged.

"Right...!", the villagers agreed, bracing themselves.

"JANGO!", Jango shouted before suddenly, the Black Cat Pirates roared boastfully, one of them even smashing a rock wall, causing a hill to fall off with the villagers barely able to move away from the falling piece.

"Huh?!", Salvia gasped.

"No way!", Nami exclaimed before the pirates cheered.

"That one guy completely destroyed that cliff! Now, that's what I call power!", Zoro exclaimed.

Play One Piece Music: "Imu Destroys Lulusia Kingdom"

"Wow... Hypnosis can do that?!", Daffodil spoke in awe.

"I always thought hypnotizing people was a bunch of crap!", Nami said.

"That was just one of them! Imagine what the whole crew can do!", Usopp added.

But Luffy seemed sullen.

"Now, go! And strike down all who stand in your way!", Jango shouted before the black cat pirates roared and charged.

Frankly, there was no need to worry there so far.

"Hold the line... Hold the line...!", Kaya urged.

The black cat pirates were unaware of the oil on the ground, so it wasn't long before they quickly slipped and fell on the oil.

"What the...?! What is this? Oil?!", one of the black cat pirates shouted in shock, if not annoyed anger.

"NOW!", Kaya shouted.

Urgently, Usopp fired multiple bb's from his slingshot, knocking them down and causing them to slide downward as well.

"Hey, you guys... You might wanna move. Luffy! You and I will take it from here!", Zoro urged.

At this point, in spite of slipping and falling like idiots as Usopp said, the pirates still persisted only to get attacked each time.

"All right, then. What now?", Zoro asked.

But no answer came, worrying Zoro. In fact, he noticed Luffy growling sullenly.

"Uh, Luffy?", Zoro asked.

After a moment, Luffy's growl became a loud, bestial roar.

"DON'T TELL ME YOU LET THAT FREAK HYPNOTIZE YOU, TOO!", Zoro spoke in disbelief.

Then, Luffy quickly roared as he charged head-on at the Black Cat Pirates.

"D'oh, Luffy...!", Salvia groaned.

"Ugh, he really is a simple-minded idiot...!", Nami spoke in disgust.

Kaya, Usopp, Atreyu, and Daffodil then noticed Luffy charging in, much to their shock.

"EVERYONE, CLEAR AWAY!", Kaya urged.

"GIVE HIM SOME SPACE!", Atreyu urged.

"GUUUUUUUUM...!", Luffy began.

"YOU HEARD THEM, EVERYONE!", Usopp urged.

"MOVE IT OR LOSE IT!", Daffodil added, urging the villagers to back off from both sides of the cliff.

"GUUUUUUUUUUUUM... GATTLIIIIIIIING!", Luffy shouted, repeatedly jabbing his fists at a very fast speed.

With that, he quickly struck the Black Cat Pirates in a storm of blows that pushed them back to shore before moving his arm back.

"Incredible...!", Kaya gasped.

"Oh, man! I knew you guys were strong, but this is nuts...!", Usopp commented in surprise.

"All right! That means we'll win for sure in no time!", Atreyu grinned.

"Yeah! Go beat 'em up, Luffy!", Daffodil cheered.

"Blast you, Captain Kuro. You've made one heck of a miscalculation...! These aren't your average village idiots...!", Jango spoke in fear.

Just then, rain slowly started falling as a drizzle building up into a shower gradually.

"Hey, look. It's raining.", one of the villagers said.

"Yeah, you're right.", another added.

Then, they realized what may happen and turned to see the oil being washed away.

"Oh, no! Not the oil!", the villagers panicked in unison.

Luffy growled toward the Black Cat Pirates, who got up on the ground and grew weary and uncertain with him. Suddenly, Luffy roared and pounced like a jaguar, forcing them to flee only to notice that he was not interested in them, much less Jango as he passed by them.

"Where's he going?", Zoro asked in confusion.

End One Piece Music: "Imu Destroys Lulusia Kingdom"

Eventually, Luffy had run right towards the very tip of the Black Cat Pirates' ship. He even started tearing it right off the ship.

"What is he doing?", one of the pirates asked.

"He's... tearing the tip of the ship down?!", Salvia asked in surprise.

"That's right! Tear it down!", Nami shouted.

"Yeah! Show 'em who's boss, Luffy!", Daffodil shouted.

"AH! He's gonna destroy our ship!", one of the pirates spoke in worry.

It was only a matter of time before Luffy, whose muscles buffed up somewhat, tore the tip of the ship off and turned toward the black cat pirates with anger. Needless to say, Kaya, Usopp, Atreyu, Daffodil, and the villagers' mouths were practically on the floor.

"Oh, no...! He's gonna crush us with it! Everybody run!", the pirate shouted before he and his crewmates ran toward the slope in a panic.

"Captain, do something!", one of the pirates shouted.

"I suppose watching him isn't helping anything.", Jango thought.

Luffy growled as he marched closer toward the Black Cat Pirates, who were fleeing and slipping on the oil. Panicked, Jango got out his ring and started swinging again.

"1, 2, JANGO, YOU WILL FALL ASLEEP!", Jango shouted as Luffy continued bellowing.

"1..., 2..., JANGO!", Jango shouted, lowering his hat to cover his eyes at the last minute.

Eventually, Luffy wound up falling asleep with his muscles relaxed before he fell down, the tip coming down along with him, much to the Black cat Pirates' panic before the bow landed on Luffy and on the ground, knocking some of the pirates out of commission as well. When the dust settled, Jango was quite surprised by the carnage already wrought in the span of a few minutes since they arrived. Surprising thing was, even when crushed under the weight of the bow, Luffy was still sound asleep, snoring.

Meanwhile, Kuro sat on the steps on the front porch.

"They're late. I don't appreciate tardiness. Not one bit. They know full well what happens to those who are foolish enough to upset my plans.", Kuro said to himself before eventually standing up and walking away with a bag in hand, clinking sounds heard as it swung. "Do they think they can take their sweet time? Well, if they forgot the consequences of disappointing me..., I'll kill them all."

Back at the island, Zoro, Nami, and Salvia took a look at the downed Black Cat Pirates.

"Looks like those guys are probably down for the count, don't you think?", Nami asked.

"I guess.", Zoro said.

"No challenge at all.", Salvia said.

"Maybe... but Luffy's still trapped underneath that cat. Just look!", Usopp spoke in worry.

"Is he gonna be okay?", Kaya asked.

"Relax, he's fine.", Zoro assured.

"Yeah. He's sleeping.", Salvia agreed, gesturing to the snoring Luffy.

"Guess it was a good thing Luffy got hypnotized the first time around, too.", Atreyu said, Daffodil nodding.

"Just what the heck is that guy?", one villager asked.

"Yeah. It wasn't just the hypnosis that made him do this.", another puzzled.

"You know what? With how most of them were beaten already, maybe we don't need that oil, anymore.", the villager guessed.

"Really?", another puzzled.

"Yeah. Just look how flustered that weird hypnotist is." the villager replied.

Meanwhile, Jango was now shaken by the difficulty presenting itself.

"Curse that little brat...! Now, our whole plan's shot to Hell...! What am I gonna do with this mess...?! Captain Kuro sees this and he'll kill us...!", Jango spoke in worry.

Just then, a couple of voices spoke up out loud.

"Butchie, come check this out! There's some bad stuff going on.", a voice spoke.

"What the heck?!", Butchie added.

Hearing this, Jango gasped and turned around.

"I forgot we still have our trump card. Come forth, Meowban Brothers!", Jango shouted before the two brothers jumped off the ship and landed on the broken bow of the ship.

While one brother was revealed to have claws, wavy green hair that curves almost like a hairdo, and black cat slit pupils, another was half as big as Salvia, had cat ears, fangs, a bell wrapped around his neck, and a black spot covering his left eye.

"Yes, Captain? Did you call for us?", the brother asked.

"Well, did you?", Butchie asked.

"Wait a minute. Who are these two now?", one of the villagers asked.

"Siam!", Siam introduced.

"And Butchie.", Butchie added.

"Together, we are the Meowban Brothers! At your service.", Siam and Butchie responded, puzzling almost everyone.

"Butchie, Siam. We absolutely must get up this hill and eliminate Ms. Kaya, but as you can plainly see, our path is blocked. If you would be so kind as to remove this obstacle immediately!", Jango urged, gesturing to Zoro.

But upon seeing Zoro, Siam and Butchie panicked.

"No way! We couldn't do that! He looks too strong! Right, Butchie?!", Siam worried.

"Oh, yeah. He's strong. Way stronger than us!", Butchie added.

"Huh?", Zoro puzzled.

"Seriously?", Salvia asked.

"Besides, we just guard the ship, not fight people!", Siam added.

"He's got a point. We're not the kind of guys you wanna send into battle.", Butchie agreed.

"So, they're a couple of pansies. I guess they're not the trump card after all.", Usopp commented.

"I don't know. He seems too sure to be nervous now." Kaya replied.

"Siam, just do it already.", Jango urged, making Siam worried.

"AAH!, What? Please, not me!", Siam begged.

"AND HURRY!", Jango shouted.

"Okay... I'll go. Just stop yelling...", Siam responded meekly.

"The guy's crying like a baby. What are they doing down here? Of all people, why force that guy into a fight?", Nami asked as Siam meekly charged in with a wail.

"I'm gonna tear you up with these claws! You just wait and see! I'm a vicious killing machine and I'm coming for you, you bad people!", Siam meekly spoke.

"You come any closer and I'll cut you in half!", Zoro shouted.

Nevertheless, Siam continued before Kaya's nose suddenly twitched, making her gasp.

"I'm not joking! I'll do it!", Zoro shouted.

"ZORO, LOOK OUT! IT'S A TRAP!", Kaya warned.

Hearing this, Siam suddenly dropped his meek behavior and snarled angrily right before leaping, prompting Zoro to dodge at the last minute before Siam struck the ground.

"That was close...!", Zoro thought.

"Blast it...! How did that girl know what I was doing?!", Siam thought, looking toward Kaya for a moment before turning back to Zoro.

"To think you would've fallen for my ruse if that girl hadn't warned you...!", Siam growled before trying to attack him again and again only for Zoro to dodge repeatedly.

This happened for 4 times before Siam snarled and turned to Butchie.

"Butchie, GRAB HIM!", Siam shouted.

"Wha...?!", Zoro puzzled.

"Sure thing, Siam", Butchie responded before he dashed and quickly grabbed Zoro, catching him by surprise.

"Hey! Let me go!", Zoro shouted.

"You may not have fallen for my ruse, but you did leave yourself open to be restrained by Butchie. Let that be a lesson. Don't let the teeny bit of skill you have cause you to underestimate Siam of the Meowban Brothers.", Siam spoke as he took the two swords where Zoro wouldn't notice until it was too late, shocking him.

"Are you missing something? Not that I would know anything about it.", Siam smirked.

"There it is.", Jango said.

"Cat Burglar.", Butchie added.

"Give me my swords back...!", Zoro demanded.

"Your swords? But you already have a sword. How greedy can you be?", Siam asked in reply.

Then, he held them up.

"Say 'goodbye', swords. 'Goodbye'.", Siam smirked before throwing them away.

Seeing this quickly angered Zoro, his eyes now bloodshot with rage as Siam simply licked his hand.

"Now, I feel lighter.", Siam smirked.

"HOW DARE YOU THROW AWAY KUINA'S SWORD!", Zoro roared right before he elbowed Butchie, forcing him to let go, and leapt toward Siam, slashing him at the waist with a roar and making him grunt in pain.

All that was left now was to run for the 2 swords. But before he could reach them, Siam, who managed to survive, pounced into the air and grabbed Zoro's wrists and landing on his back.

"You really have to be faster, 'cause I'm agile as a cat.", Siam smirked before Zoro eventually landed on the ground.

"Oh, no...!", the villagers spoke in worry.

"Butchie, you're up! Get in here.", Siam spoke.

"Sure thing, Siam.", Butchie responded before he leapt up into the air with his leg raised.

"CAAAAAAAAAAAAT...!", Butchie began as everyone looked in worry.

Even Zoro was concerned before he then barely managed to roll around just as Butchie landed.

"...TASTROPHE!", Butchie finished.

Even Siam didn't look pleased.

"Dang, Butchie...! He got away from you!", Siam said.

"No, he's right there. Now, hold him tight this time!", Butchie demanded.

"Careful, he's strong. Stronger than I thought he'd be, even without all his blades.", Siam warned.

"This is getting worse by the second... If tubby there would've landed on me, I'd have been pounded into the dust...!", Zoro thought.

"We'll get him for sure, this time!", Siam smirked, drawing out his claws.

"You got that right.", Butchie agreed, doing the same.

"One sword technique's not my forte, fellas, but what the heck.", Zoro said, holding his one sword.

"Let's go, Butchie!", Siam shouted.

"Right, Siam, let's do it!", Butchie agreed.

"PUSSYWILLOW MARCH!", the duo shouted before rapidly slashing Zoro, who blocked their slashes.

"Zoro...", Atreyu said in worry.

"This isn't good. They got him on the defensive!", Nami said.

Worried, Merry turned to Usopp and the villagers.

"Anyone who can throw rocks, get ready to aim and follow my lead.", Merry said.

"Right!", the villagers spoke.

"You don't need to tell me twice.", Usopp said before they all aimed.

"What are you guys doing?", Salvia asked.

"There's no way that Zoro can gain any ground if he's too busy blocking their attacks. We're gonna help him.", Usopp replied.

"HEY!", Merry shouted, puzzling, if not worrying Zoro as he turned to see him and the others about to fire.

"LEAVE MR. ZORO ALONE, YOU MANIACS!", Merry shouted.

"NO!", Kaya shouted in worry, moving in his way for a moment before Merry quickly moved the gun away and fired by accident as did some of the villagers while the rest held their fire.

Regardless, the shots that were fired were headed for one of the meowban brothers, so Zoro intentionally moved toward their path, letting the bullets and small bb's graze him in the shoulder and side. Frankly, this shocked Usopp and the other villagers.

"This is our chance!", Siam smirked, making Zoro gasp and brace himself before Siam and Butchie slashed at Zoro.

"Zoro", Salvia spoke in worry.

"You guys were supposed to shoot at the bad guys, you idiots!", Nami scolded.

"But we did!", Merry responded.

"It was... it was like he moved in front of our shots on purpose.", Usopp added.

"But why would he do that?", Nami asked.

Zoro then got up and turned with a bit of a glare toward them.

"You idiots...! Help me in any way and you die...!", Zoro warned.

A bit frightened, Usopp whimpered before Butchie and Siam attacked again only to be blocked just as much again.

"It's just a thought, but... maybe it's all of us that just got saved.", Nami said.

"What do you mean?", Nami asked.

"If you guys actually hit one of those guys, they would've come after us instead. And we wouldn't have had a chance of holding up against that.", Nami explained.

"What a guy... All this time, he was worried about us.", Usopp said in awe.

"Indeed. Zoro does have a heart of gold that belies his demeanor.", Merry added.

"Cool...", Daffodil added.

Meanwhile, Zoro was still having a hard time.

"If I just had one more sword, I could take these guys...!", Zoro thought.

Then, after a moment, Salvia turned to see Zoro's swords.

"Guys, I'm gonna get those swords. If I can hand them to Zoro, he can beat them for sure.", Salvia said.

"Let me get the swords.", Usopp said.

"No, let me!", Merry argued.

"Don't get ahead of yourself. I appreciate you helping, really. But we need to make sure everyone in the village is alive and breathing by the end of the day, remember? Besides, if anyone tries to attack me, they won't put much of a dent.", Salvia assured before jumping down.

"Salvia...!", Usopp spoke in worry.

"I'd let her go on ahead if I were you. She's got this.", Nami assured.

"Really?", Usopp asked.

Meanwhile, as Zoro fought, Salvia slid down the slope, struggling to get a footing before she bounced up and then got her footing as she continued to slide on account of the rain.

"All right! This could be the coolest move ever!", Salvia beamed as she slid.

But her smile turned into a cautious frown as she noticed Jango up ahead. What's more Jango drew out a hypnosis ring, worrying Usopp and the others. And to make matters worse, as soon as Salvia clutched onto one of Zoro's two additional swords, Jango stepped on the scabbard, making her look up in worry before she suddenly felt something and grunted in a bit of a surprise. The bad news was, Jango had slashed her shoulder to prevent her from taking Zoro's swords. But the good news was, all that Salvia got out of this attack was a simple boo-boo of a cut. Nevertheless, Salvia slid down and turned the other direction to stop.

"Huh?", Salvia puzzled, turning to see said small cut.

"Unbelievable! Jango landed a slash on her and all she got out of it was a small cut?", Usopp asked in awe.

But still, the fact that she didn't get Zoro's swords was enough for Salvia to growl at Jango with a glare.

"What do you need swords for?", Jango asked.

In retortion, Salvia only spat at Jango's shoes. That caused Jango to scream out in horror, which turned into anger.

"YOU WILL PAY FOR THAT, YOU TUB OF LARD!", Jango shouted.

But just then, lightning struck in the rainy sky, causing Jango to stop upon seeing a big silhouette towering over him for a moment, puzzling him as well as Salvia. After a moment, Jango turned and screamed in horror again, but this time at the sight of seeing the one face he wasn't yet hoping to see: Captain Kuro himself! Everyone else turned to see him. While the straw hats and the villagers got puzzled, let alone worried, the Meowban Brothers were terrified from seeing him.

"No...! I'm sorry...! I... I can explain all this...!", Jango shivered.

"Wow... He looks scared stiff...", Salvia said.

Kuro simply moved his glasses up a bit and back down before he spoke.

"Kuro...!", Kaya said in worry.

"There he is...!", Atreyu said.

"That big meanie of a pirate butler...!", Daffodil added.

"No way...! It's Klahadore...! No...! It's Captain Kuro!", a villager shivered with the rest murmuring in uncertainty and fear.

"The night has long since past. So why is it that you seem to have made no progress on the plan?", Kuro asked.

"Captain... Kuro! No!", one crewmate panicked.

"He'll... He'll kill us all...!", another panicked.

While Zoro turned around and glared, Nami, Salvia, and Usopp were just as worried as the villagers while Luffy was sound asleep.

"What now...?", Kaya asked.

"It's all over...!", Usopp only said.

After a moment in which Kuro moved his glasses up again, he suddenly shouted in vehement anger.

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON?!", Kuro roared as lightning struck in the sky and thunder boomed, ringing loud amongst the pounding rain.

Act II

Everyone was either aghast in horror, cautious, or puzzled at the sight of Captain Kuro.

"To think that these brats have held you back, How the Black Cat Pirates have fallen... What have you got to say for yourself..., JANGOOOOOOOOOOO?!", Kuro roared as lightning struck and thunder boomed once again.

"But..., uh, well, I... you said... Sorry, sir, but you said letting the kid go wouldn't cause any problems.", Jango chuckled nervously.

"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 few things I hadn't taken account for... were the villagers' sudden change of heart, the fact that there were more spies that were overlooked, AND YOUR INEXCUSABLE WEAKNESS!", Kuro responded.

"Sir, we're not weak. It's just that...", Jango began, fearful of what he's capable of.

But then, the Meowban Brothers suddenly spoke up.

"Who are you to call us weak?!", Siam exclaimed.

"Watch what you say, Captain Kuro!", Butchie added, both brothers drawing out their claws.

"You used to be quite the killer. But face it, Kuro. It's been 3 years and we haven't exactly been living the good life waiting on a rich girl hand and foot.", Siam spoke.

"Heh! Yeah, that's right. For 3 long years, we've been out sinking pirate ships and massacring villagers!", Butchie added.

"Very good. Finished?", Kuro asked.

"No! You've done nothing this whole time! We've been killing!", Siam yowled.

"You butler! There's no way you can beat the Meowban Brothers!", Butchie added.

Then, Zoro gasped as the Meowban Brothers suddenly charged toward Kuro past Zoro.

"Huh? Now, they're suddenly going after him?", Salvia asked in surprise.

"Don't! Butchie, Siam, stop!", Jango shouted in worry only for the two brothers to roar as they charged at him.

"YOU'RE NOT OUR CAPTAIN ANYMORE!", Siam shouted.

"SO SORRY, BUT WE HAVE TO KILL YOU! ", Butchie added.

Then, the two roared as they pounced toward Kuro, who lifted up his bag. But at that moment, Kaya's ears suddenly twitched a bit, making her gasp before Kuro started moving his feet around like a sort of dance. Even Atreyu was just as stricken while Daffodil grew puzzled. When the Meowban brothers slashed, however, they only slashed through thin air, unless the bag could be counted.

"No way...! They just slashed at Kuro's bag...!", Salvia said.

Then, Kuro moved in behind the two brothers and drew his black cat claws, the scabbards falling off the swords.

"What? He's behind them...! How'd the heck he...? And one of those crazy weapons...!", Zoro spoke.

But Merry was more unnerved by the sight of those claws, remembering how he was slashed by them and how he barely survived as a result.

"Merry, are you okay?", Kaya asked.

"I remember those claws...! After all, I was on the business end of them...!", Merry responded.

"No way... Did he actually go right behind them?", a villager puzzled.

Frankly, the Meowban brothers were quite shocked by the prowess Kuro displayed.

"Who? Who were you going to kill?", Kuro asked, drawing his claws.

Instinctively, the brothers turned and tried to attack.

"He snuck up...", Siam began.

"Right behind us...!", Butchie added.

But before they could strike, Kuro disappeared again.

"H... He... He's gone!", Butchie shouted.

"How is he moving that fast?", Salvia puzzled, cradling the small cut on her shoulder.

"Pussyfoot maneuver...!", Jango gasped.

"Huh? Pussyfoot?", Salvia puzzled.

Kaya's ears twitched again.

"Wait... There he goes again! Can you hear it?", Kaya said.

"Uh..., no, Ms. Kaya.", a villager said.

Then, Atreyu gasped a bit.

"Wait, I can hear that, too.", Atreyu said.

In no time at all, Kuro had turned up behind the two brothers and, this time, held his claws very closely toward the two brothers, almost as if in a group hug of death.

"You know, you're right. I do feel a bit sluggish after all these years.", Kuro said calmly.

"He's handling them like babies. And those two nearly defeated Zoro...!", Nami spoke in shock.

"With his pussyfoot maneuver, Captain Kuro could shred everyone on this beach before we drew our next breath. We wouldn't even see it coming...!", Jango thought as his glasses then showed a reflection of Kuro performing pussyfoot maneuver as well as downing a few unlucky victims before the owner of said glasses looked up with the reflection then showing Kuro moving his glasses up for a bit before smirking as Jango nervously thought out the rest of his worries.

"There is no escape from a killing machine like him...! I knew he hadn't grown soft when I saw that old habit of his... That strange way of lifting his glasses so he won't cut his face...! It's like he never stopped wearing those cat claws! They're almost a part of his body! Of course he hasn't forgotten how to fight!"

As Jango thought about this, he wasn't aware about Salvia standing back up while Luffy continued sleeping away. After a few moments, though, Kuro simply smirked as 1 claw from each hand was at the top of the brothers' mouths.

"You're very lucky. I'm feeling somewhat merciful. Maybe those years on dry land have made me soft. I'll give you 5 minutes.", Kuro assured.

Then, the captain lowered his claws and moved them away, leaving the Meowban brothers panting as if they went through a near-death experience.

"If you can't deal with the situation here in 5 minutes, then I'll kill every last one of you.", Kuro calmly threatened before stepping back to the top of the shore.

"Now, have I made myself clear?", Kuro asked, raising his hands, and claws, up, sending chills to the Black Cat Pirates.

Then, Jango grinned.

"Oh, yes...! Yes, of course! That's perfectly clear! Thank you... for being so forgiving! All we have to do is take care of this one guy! That's all...! 5 minutes will be more than enough time for them.", Jango laughed nervously.

Salvia growled for a bit before looking towards Zoro's 2 swords.

"I gotta get to these swords, but how...? If he sees me coming, he'll just cut me up again...! Unless...", Salvia thought before remembering the times when she went sea king mode. "If I can go sea king on him, he'll think twice before cutting me up again."

Zoro held his sword tightly before the two brothers charged at him.

"We nearly had him a few minutes ago!", Butchie grinned.

"We won't need one minute to finish him this time!", Siam added just as eagerly.

"We're counting on you! Kill him! Kill him dead!", Jango urged in a slight panic.

"Oh, no you don't!", Salvia shouted.

"Hm?", Jango puzzled before seeing Salvia going for the swords again.

"DON'T YOU DARE!", Jango shouted, about to strike again.

"Not this time!", Salvia smirked.

All of a sudden, when the chakram ring struck, it instead broke into pieces. If this wasn't enough to shock Jango, what's happening next would do the job for him, much less everyone else on the island.

First off, it was shown that Salvia's body had grown a tough, red shell at the base of her body. Then, her hands turned red with her fingers growing into claws. And finally, she grew four more legs, two on each side. Even this change caught Salvia and the others off-guard.

"What?! I-I'm a lobster, now?!", Salvia exclaimed.

"What the?!", Jango exclaimed.

"She's a lobster, now?!", the villagers shouted.

"I see. She must've eaten a devil fruit. That could be the only explanation for this strange ability.", Kuro guessed.

Nevertheless, Salvia eventually smirked toward Jango, holding Zoro's swords.

"You guys are in for it big time! Hey, Zoro! Catch!", Salvia shouted, tossing them over to Zoro.

"No!", Jango shouted.

"Hey! Easy there! You can't just toss them! Those are my swords!", Zoro exclaimed.

"How about a thanks?", Salvia asked with a grin before Zoro caught the 3 swords.

"Yeah. I appreciate it.", Zoro grinned, catching the two swords before unsheathing the scabbards off them with a swing and putting one of them in his mouth.

"You idiot! It won't matter how many swords you have!", Siam shouted.

"And now, you'll die holding three of them!", Butchie added.

"You still don't get it...!", Zoro scolded before then getting into a pose, an aura of a tiger's head appearing behind him with a snarl.

"Tiger...!", Zoro began before the Meowban Brothers roared as they neared him.

But all of a sudden, Zoro struck them.

"TRAP!", Zoro shouted, launching the two brothers away.

"The clock... is ticking.", Kuro spoke.

But the Meowban Brothers yelled in pain while flying in the air.

"Carrying three swords won't help you at all. Unless you know Three-Sword Style.", Zoro smirked, turning to them.

Everyone except Luffy (who was sleeping) and Kuro was surprised to see how Zoro handled the trio with 3 swords now.

"Oh, no...!", Jango whimpered before the two brothers landed. "This is bad...!"

Indeed, it was bad. So bad, in fact, that only Butchie was left alive (or, at the very least, conscious), but badly injured as he struggled to reach for Jango only to lay down on the ground.

"He took down the Meowban Brothers with one attack...!", Jango thought.

Zoro stood up on the ground after a moment, worrying Janog while Kuro was not the least bit impressed as Zoro laughed.

"Don't worry. I promise you everything will be taken care of. In less than... 5 minutes.", Zoro vowed.

He then prepared to attack Kuro only for the latter to chuckle, readying his claws.

"3. 3 minutes left.", Kuro stated.

Suddenly, Kaya tensed.

"Kaya...", Atreyu said in worry.

"Please, stop... Don't do this...!", Kaya pleaded, puzzling Kuro.

"STOP! STOP THIS RIGHT NOW, KURO!", Kaya shouted, intriguing the pirate captain.

"I know what you're up to. Merry already told me about everything.", Kaya said, astonishing almost everyone.

But only Salvia remembered something.

"Hey, wait a minute. While everyone's distracted, I can go wake Luffy up! Something tells me Kuro won't be easy to handle...!", Salvia said to herself.

With that, as Kaya spoke further, Salvia cautiously crept toward Luffy slowly.

"Kuro, please! If you want my fortune, you can have it. Take it all and leave this village and its people right now! I'm begging you!", Kaya pleaded.

"Ms. Kaya...", Merry said in worry.

"I will gladly accept your fortune, Ms. Kaya. Thank you. But I want more. You see, simply acquiring wealth isn't enough.", Kuro said, puzzling Kaya some. "More than anything else, what I want... is peace."

"You want peace?", Kaya asked.

"Yes. Just peace. Peace of mind. It's simple, really. I have spent the last 3 years earning the trust of the entire village. And to be honest, I find this new sense of peace and tranquility quite comforting. When my plan comes to fruition, I will live with this sublime peace of mind.", Kuro said, making Kaya tense and step back while preparing to draw her father's pistol as Atreyu tensed angrily and Daffodil gave a cute pout of anger toward him.

"Yes. The glorious comfort of a peaceful life will be mine for forever and ever. In short, these pirates are coming! And you will leave your fortune to me and die! Ms. Kaya, these things will happen. In 2 minutes and counting.", Kuro smirked.

"NOT ON OUR WATCH, THEY WON'T!", one villager shouted, catching Kaya and Kuro's attention.

"Yeah! Not only did you make orphans out of those 3 poor kids, but you've lied to us about this and everything else for 3 years straight!", an elderly woman added.

"What kind of a monster are you?!", another added as several more clamoured angrily.

"Well, they seemed to have picked up after that brat's ability to start up an uproar, haven't they?", Jango commented.

Meanwhile, Salvia was already halfway there when she turned and saw the villagers sticking up for Kaya.

"Oh, come on, Luffy...! Everyone else is risking their lives, and here you are sleeping...!", Salvia said to herself before then making a run for it, attracting Jango's attention on account of the fast-paced footsteps, multi-legged or otherwise.

"Hm? What is that girl up to? Something tricky, I'm sure.", Jango said to himself as he got out another hypno ring and started spinning it around.

"I'm not exactly sure if it'll even land a hit, but I at least have to do something.", Jango thought.

Zoro noticed this and gasped a bit in worry. Then, Jango, after finally spinning the ring fast enough, tossed the ring toward Salvia, who lifted the bow off Luffy and turned him on his back.

"Oh, Luffy. I have some tasty meat for you...", Salvia said in a sing-songy voice.

A second afterwards, Luffy suddenly woke up.

"Did you say you have meat?!", Luffy shouted.

"SALVIA, LOOK OUT!", Zoro shouted.

Puzzled, Salvia turned and saw the ring headed toward her. Fortunately, she was able to deflect it away with a strike from her right hand. But equally unfortunately, Luffy bit into Salvia's right arm right before then. The charm even managed to get a graze on Luffy's face before it even touched Salvia's lobster skin and shattered. Either way, Jango was incredibly shocked to see another charm broken as well. When Salvia noticed Luffy on her arm, she widened her eyes in shock.

"No! How is that twerp still alive?!", Jango exclaimed before Zoro set his swords down.

"That's either the best timing or the worst timing in the world. I can't tell.", Zoro said.

Luffy was puzzled for a moment before he realized who it was.

"Wait... Big sis, is that you?", Luffy asked.

"Mm-hmm.", Salvia nodded.

Luffy gasped as he then got off Salvia's arm.

"Whoa! You're one big lobster!", Luffy spoke in amazement, unaware of the blood dripping from the small cut made by Jango's hypno charm.

"Uh-oh. Whoops...! Sorry about that, Luffy.", Salvia apologized.

"Hm? About what?", Luffy asked.

"Your face. Feel it.", Salvia responded, gesturing to the cut on his face.

Luffy checked for a moment to see. But the moment he touched it, he quickly yelled out in pain at the top of his lungs.

"Crap! That guy's back in the paddle!", one crewmate said.

"No, this is terrible!", another worried.

"5 minutes'll never be enough time...!", the third groaned.

"HEY! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!", Luffy shouted.

"Hey, don't blame me! If you wanna blame someone, blame him! He just tried to take me out! Not that it worked out for him, though.", Salvia said, gesturing to Jango, who tensed.

Then, Luffy noticed Kuro up on the top.

"Hey, wait. Why is that shady butler here?", Luffy asked.

Kuro then finally noticed Luffy.

"It's that kid. Didn't he die falling off a cliff? Nice trick.", Kuro smirked before turning back to the villagers.

"And as for you, who or what was it that urged you to take these words to heart?", Kuro asked.

"Not that it's any of your business, but we've learned the truth from Kaya's siblings, Atreyu and Daffodil!", a villager boldly replied.

"What...?!", Kuro exclaimed.

"That's right, Kuro! We've known the truth about you and what you've done for 3 years now!", Atreyu shouted.

"Did you really think we'd let any of that slide?!", Daffodil added before giving a big "hmph" with crossed arms.

"What?! You two have known the truth about him this whole time?!", Jango exclaimed.

For a moment, Kuro seemed sullen. But then, he smirked and started chuckling. That chuckle gave rise to an almost insane roar of laughter, putting everyone on edge before calming down some.

"Thank you two for setting me free. Now that you are all aware of my secret, this means I'm no longer obligated to keep this a secret as well: I quietly suffered so that today, I could end your life and take everything that I deserve! I, who was once the feared and respected Captain Kuro, had to bow and humble myself before some snot-nosed little girl. It went against every fiber of my being...!", Kuro growled as he then forced the gun off Kaya's hand and dropped it to the ground.

"Why you...!", Atreyu growled as Daffodil gave an angry pout.

"Can you understand the depth of these daily insults? Can you understand the rage created by those transgressions against my pride?!", Kuro shouted as Luffy watched, silently tensing.

After a moment, Kaya tensed loudly and snapped.

"CAN YOU UNDERSTAND THE SUFFERING YOU'VE CAUSED US FOR 3 YEARS AFTER WHAT YOU DID TO OUR PARENTS?!", Kaya snapped, only slightly unnerving Kuro.

Even if it was slight, it did allow Usopp to take the pistol and aim.

"KUROOOOOOOO!", Usopp shouted before firing at him.

But before the hit could land, Kuro used pussyfoot maneuver yet again and this time, went right behind Usopp, getting his cat claw ready.

"Thank you for reminding me.", Kuro smirked, worrying Usopp before he drew his claw, surrounding his head with said claws.

"Usopp, I owe you for hitting me. Let's get even.", Kuro added, making Kaya and Atreyu tense.

"Oh, no. Usopp...!", Daffodil whimpered.

"If I recall, you hit me as hard as you could, right?", Kuro asked, removing the bandage from his face.

Frankly, Kaya and Atreyu tensed harder and harder until... they snapped!

Play God of War: Ragnarok - Valhalla Music: "Master Thyself" (2:54/3:46)

Kuro was puzzled and turned to see what happened. But before he could register what happened, lightning struck and Kaya and Atreyu, who had leapt at him from the other side, both slashed Kuro right in the face, scarring him and forcing him to move his claw away from Usopp with a fierce yell of total agony, and with claws of their own, no less.

"YOU STAY AWAY FROM HIM, YOU BASTARD!", both Kaya and Atreyu shouted.

Kuro could only let out a pained groan of agony before Luffy took his turn and struck Kuro in the already-scarred face next straight to the ground.

"What was that?!", one black cat pirate exclaimed.

"It's sorcery! Oh, they're freaks!", the second exclaimed.

"Magical freaks!", the third added.

"They scarred Captain Kuro and sent him flying!", a fourth added.

After that, Kuro barely got up in time to see what's happening to Kaya and Atreyu, much to his shock and everyone else's surprise. First, while Kaya's eyes gave off orange wisps of mist, Atreyu's eyes gave off a blue color for his misty wisps. Then, the next, they both grew wolf ears as well as claws and wolf paws for feet along long bushy tails as well as golden fur for Kaya and sapphire fur for Atreyu. And while Kaya's hair went up and turned into flames, Atreyu's simply flowed down like a waterfall. And finally, their mouths and noses pushed into wolf snouts with snarls of anger directed toward Kuro.

"Whoa...! Did you see that?", one villager asked.

"Yeah, they changed into werewolves!", another added.

"Werewolves? No, they couldn't be. It's daylight out here. Well, except maybe for the rain.", a third added.

"No way...! They ate Devil Fruits, too?!", Luffy, Nami, and Salvia shouted in surprised unison.

"Incredible...!", Zoro said in awe.

"No...! That can't be! You ate Devil Fruits linked to Skoll and Hati?!", Kuro exclaimed in shock.

Surprised as he was with this development, Luffy simply gave a chuckle.

"Not sure what he's talking about, but if he hates getting surprised that much, he's about to have a really bad day.", Luffy smirked.

End God of War: Ragnarok - Valhalla Music: "Master Thyself"

But all of a sudden, the downed Butchie grabbed Jango's leg.

"I... I'll s...slaughter them...!", Butchie spoke weakly before coughing out dust weakly.

"Please, Captain...! I can do it...! Hypnotize me...! Just...do it, Captain!", Butchie pleaded.

"It's a good thing I still have one left over.", Jango said, getting out another hypnosis ring.

"He's still alive. You do sloppy work.", Kuro said.

Zoro was puzzled for a moment before he looked toward Butchie as Jango hypnotized him.

"So, he is. I guess all that blubber protected his vitals.", Zoro said.

After a moment, though, Butchie suddenly started to buff and bulk up, increasing in size and strength. The sight made Zoro drop his sword from his mouth before Butchie stomped on the ground and then roared, baring his fangs and claws.

"What, really? You're back for more?", Zoro asked before picking his sword back up and putting it back in his mouth while Butchie roared like a primal beast.

"This guy means business. He was trouble when he was half this size. Then, Jango had to flip his psycho switch.", Zoro thought.

"BUTCHIE, KILL HIM!", Jango shouted.

Butchie then growled angrily with small rocks floating up around him as if he had an aura around him before he jumped up in the air.

"CAT-TASTROPHE!", Butchie roared.

"Not again...", Zoro spoke before moving away as Butchie then landed on the ground, just missing him.

But that also caused the slope to splinter into pieces, making the hill smaller and worrying everyone else while Luffy, Salvia, Kaya, and Atreyu all had eyes on Kuro. But suddenly, Salvia saw Butchie's hand headed for Zoro.

"Zoro, look out!", Salvia shouted before moving him out of the way and then being forced onto a rock wall, their hands locked onto each other.

"Salvia...!", Zoro began.

"Hey, don't mind me...! Just returning the favor!", Salvia grunted.

"I guess while they're busy, I could just help myself to their treasure. And there just may be something to Salvia's abilities than I thought.", Nami grinned before heading off toward the Black Cat Pirate ship.

Meanwhile, something began to click in Kuro's head taking into account Kaya and Atreyu's recent transformation.

"Hmm. My, my... Those are quite strange techniques you've developed there. Tell me something. Do you two have powers from eating Devil Fruits like Ms. Kaya and Mr. Atreyu?", Kuro asked.

"Yep. I'm a rubber man.", Luffy responded.

"Mm-hmm. And I'm a chub woman!", Salvia smirked with a giggle despite her current situation.

"And we're the Wolves of the sun: Sköl...", Kaya began.

"And the moon, Hati!", Atreyu added.

While the villagers were gasping and/or murmuring in awe, the Black Cat Pirates became frightened.

"They ate the Devil Fruits!", one black cat pirate shouted.

"Those guys're dangerous!", the second added.

"Those Devil Fruit people are real!", a third added.

"He's got rubber arms of death!", a fourth added.

"What about those werewolves up there?! Aren't they just as bad, too?!", a fifth spoke.

"Never mind the werewolves; I just don't want to get sat on by that chubby woman!", a sixth added.

"It makes perfect sense now. I didn't just hallucinate his arms stretching out like that, let alone that woman appearing massively obese and Ms. Kaya and Atreyu transforming moments ago.", Jango said.

"Jango!", Kuro called, surprising Jango.

"Sir!"

"I can handle the boy and the girl, even Ms. Kaya and Atreyu if I have to. Once they're vanquished, you take care of them and Daffodil like we planned. Have her write the butler into her will..., then kill her.", Kuro ordered.

Play One Piece Music: "4th Gear"

Kaya and Atreyu tensed from hearing this while Daffodil gave a slight gasp.

"I'm honored.", Jango spoke before walking forward.

But then, Daffodil shouted.

"HEY!", Daffodil shouted, attracting Jango's attention.

Then, she jumped off the cliff, shocking the Usopp Pirates and Villagers.

"Daffodil, no!", the group shouted in worry.

But as she fell, she suddenly started growing somewhat larger, growing golden bear fur all over her body with her clothes getting more and more non-existent until she resembled a golden-furred bear cub, stunting almost everyone into shock as well.

"LEAVE MY BIG BROTHER AND BIG SISTER ALONE, YOU WEIRDO!", the bear cub shouted right before landing of top of Jango by the chest.

The pressure caused Jango to yell out in slight pain from the surprise attack.

"No way...!", Carrot said.

"Did she just...", Pepper added.

"...turn into a bear cub?!", Onion finished.

"Wait. Does that mean she ate a Devil Fruit, too?", a villager asked.

"Probably. I mean, Kaya and Atreyu ate some, too.", another added.

Kaya and Atreyu grinned to Daffodil.

"Thanks, Daffodil.", Kaya thanked.

"Uh-huh.", Daffodil nodded.

Then, she looked toward Jango and gave a teasing face with her tongue sticking out.

"GRRRR, CURSE YOU!", Jango roared lividly.

Then, Kuro turned to see Salvia holding off Butchie.

"Butchie!", Kuro shouted.

During the struggle, Salvia maintained her smirk.

"Hey, Salvia. I'm good to finish him if you are.", Zoro said.

"I'll let you know when.", Salvia replied before turning to the grunting Butchie.

"You know, Butchie, you're not too bad. But you're not the only one who can get buff. I just hope I didn't have to do it so soon.", Salvia said.

Then, all of a sudden, she bulked up into muscle and kicked him away and punched him in the gut.

"Now, Zoro!", Salvia shouted before Zoro quickly struck the Meowban Brother. The blow was so devastating, in fact, that it caused Butchie to cough out small droplets of blood before landing on the ground as Zoro tossed up his three swords and got out his scabbards, allowing the swords to fall neatly into them. Afterwards, Salvia sighed and went back both to her normal form and her usual obese body.

"Hey, look at that. I didn't pass out this time.", Salvia sighed.

Then, she looked toward Kuro.

"Now, for Kuro.", Salvia glared.

End One Piece Music: "4th Gear"

"1 minute left.", Kuro said.

All of a sudden, Luffy launched his fist toward Kuro only for him to miss and then lurch toward him.

"Have another!", Luffy shouted while headed for him only to miss Kuro as he dodged.

Then, Kuro tried to strike from behind only for Luffy to dodge. This left him open for Kaya to lash out with another flame claw, burning him where the slash struck and earning his pained, tensing grunt.

"That attack...! How is it burning me?!", Kuro thought.

"Wow! Nice shot, Kaya.", Salvia said as she caught up.

"Thanks.", Kaya grinned.

"How about I join in? Chub-Chub...!", Salvia began.

"Gum-Gum...!", Luffy began.

"MACE!", Salvia shouted as she lurched her arm toward him.

"SPEAR!", Luffy shouted as he aimed to use his legs to kick as well.

But both missed as Kuro disappeared.

"Huh...?!", Salvia gasped.

"Man, he disappeared again.", Luffy said before moving his feet back.

"Yeah, but at least we can hold our own.", Atreyu said.

"Just be careful not to leave yourselves open. That's the most important thing.", Salvia warned.

"Right.", Kaya nodded.

"Before I kill you four, I feel compelled to ask. You two, what are outsiders like you two butting into this village's business for?", Kuro asked.

"Because there's a man in this village that we don't wanna let die.", Luffy replied.

"And I just really hate it when bad guys like you try to ruin the lives of good, innocent people, let alone take them away!", Salvia added.

"Heh. Simple enough. Are you both okay with that being the reason that you die?", Kuro asked.

"You bet we are. Except we're not dying today and neither are Kaya and Atreyu!", Salvia replied.

"We'll see about that!", Kuro sneered, readying his claws.

Then, Luffy lurched his arms toward Kuro and grabbed him in order to head right for him. But Kuro was ready. He swerved Luffy into the ground with momentum, prompting Luffy to recover.

"Gum-Gum... Whip!", Luffy shouted, trying to sweep him only for Kuro to jump in the air.

"And Pistol!", Luffy shouted, lurching his arm at Kuro only for him to dodge out of the way and land on his stretched arm.

"This is quite boring.", Kuro smirked.

"You cocky jerk!", Luffy shouted.

Kuro then ran across the arm and kicked him in the face.

"Luffy!", Salvia shouted in worry.

Then, all of a sudden, Atreyu struck Kuro next, making Kuro shudder as if he was shivering this time.

"That attack...?! Now, it's freezing me?", Kuro thought.

Daffodil watched in awe, as did the whole village and Black Cat Pirates, while resting on top of Jango.

Then, Kaya helped Luffy up as Atreyu caught up.

"Are you okay, Luffy?", Kaya asked.

"Ow... he nicked me.", Luffy groaned.

"Well, it doesn't look too bad. You should be fine.", Atreyu said.

"Wow. They're really holding their own against that pirate.", a villager said.

"Well, those Devil Fruits'll do that for 'em, all right.", another explained.

"Those rich kids may've landed two blows on him, but Kuro laid him out fat. Lot of good that Devil Fruit did him.", one crewmate said.

"Yeah. That's Captain Kuro for ya.", another added.

Then, just as the pirates started cheering for Kuro, the villagers started cheering for Kaya and Atreyu as well as Luffy and Salvia.

But while the four standing against Kuro felt inspired by the villagers' cheering, Kuro felt enraged by his own crew's.

"Shut up...! DON'T CALL ME THAT!", Kuro shouted, puzzling, if not worrying, everyone.

"You still don't get it... You fools, this whole plan was devised so that I may be rid of that name once and for all! I'm tired of it... concocting plans every day for a bunch of barbarians who care only about havoc and mayhem..., relentlessly attacked by government dogs and bounty hunters! I'm tired of it... I AM SICK AND TIRED OF THAT ENTIRE CURSED LIFE!", Kuro roared.

It then went to a flashback with Kuro sitting in the dark with Jango as one cannonball hit.

"The navy, huh? This is the 3rd time this week.", Kuro said.

"Well, can you really blame them? You're one of the most famous pirates sailing the seas right now. Captain Kuro is a superstar.", Jango explained.

"You're right. My infamy is what draws them to us. That's why I'm going to give up being Captain Kuro.", Kuro said before another cannonball hit.

"Yeah, wouldn't that be nice? Except, the marines won't stop their pursuit until Captain Kuro is dead.", Jango said before a third cannonbolt struck.

"I AM going to die...", Kuro replied, standing up before then walking out. "It would seem that the tumultuous life of a pirate just isn't for me."

"You can't quit, sir! You're the ship's captain.", Jango said in worry.

"You can be captain now. I have finally grown weary of this life.", Kuro said, worrying Jango before then opening the door.

"It's over. I'm killing myself for all to see.", Kuro spoke.

Outside, his crew was extensively worried about the cannon fire.

"Sir, Captain Kuro!", one crewmate shouted.

"Captain!", another shouted.

"Captain!", a third shouted.

"How many vessels are there?", Kuro asked.

"1. Just 1 this time.", one crewmate said.

"What should we do, Captain? Should we man the cannons? We can blast them to splinters!", another asked.

"Lower a small boat into the water.", Kuro ordered.

"What?", one of the pirates asked.

"A boat, now!", Kuro urged.

A moment later, Jango watched uneasily as the cannon fire continued.

"Vice Captain Jango! Captain Kuro just...!", one of the pirates began.

"Yeah, I know.", Jango interrupted.

"'Yeah, I know'?! But it's too dangerous for him to go there by himself!", another pirate said.

"Don't tell me he's turning himself in.", the first pirate who reported added.

Unbeknownst to them, though, Jango saw the destruction being carried out by Kuro himself. Once it was carried out, the cannon fire was ceased, relieving the frightened black cat pirates.

"What? The cannon fire stopped.", one of the pirates said.

"What's going on?", another puzzled.

"This is weird.", another added.

After a brief moment of silence, Jango spoke up.

"Prepare to board the ship.", Jango said.

"But..., sir. Shouldn't we wait...?", the pirate began.

"I didn't ask for your opinion, that's an order!", Jango ordered.

"Yes, sir! Better get ready for a fight, boys!", the pirate shouted.

"I see... So, that's why you...", Jango began.

"All right! On 3!", another pirate shouted before he turned to one of the pirates that somewhat resembled Kuro.

"You, there! Hey!", Jango said.

"Uh, yes, sir. What is it, sir?", the pirate asked.

"Goodbye. It was nice knowing you, sailor.", Jango said.

But when they got there, they found Kuro all by himself with several marines slain.

"The marines... They've been wiped out.", a crewmate spoke in shock.

Kuro then raised up his glasses, still wearing his cat claw, somewhat unnerving his crewmates.

"Now, then... Let's begin this plan.", Kuro said.

Then, Kuro stood up and tipped a marine onto the floorboard by his back, making him cough out small driplets of blood. That marine was Morgan.

"Come on. Pull yourself together. I was kind enough to let you and you alone survive.", Kuro said.

"Just... do it...! I'm not kneeling to you...! Finish me off and get it over with...!", Morgan groaned before Kuro stepped on Morgan's jaw, shattering it and making him yell a bit in pain.

"You'll be perfect. If you can still howl this much with a shattered jaw, you should do fine.", Kuro chuckled. "Today is the greatest day of your life. Today is the day you captured Captain Kuro. You should be ever so grateful to me. I'm giving you... the head of Captain Kuro."

Moments later, Jango was already hypnotizing a sailor dressed to look like Kuro and tied to the mast.

"Your name is Captain Kuro. Your name is Captain Kuro. This atrocity was your doing. 1..., 2..., Jango.", Jango said.

"My name is Captain Kuro. This atrocity was my doing.", the hypnotized sailor said.

"And you are the brave marine who caught the infamous Captain Kuro. Return to base and see that he gets executed. 1..., 2..., Jango!", Jango spoke before he suddenly shouted while holding up his arms.

"I AM THE BRAVE MARINE WHO CAUGHT THE INFAMOUS CAPTAIN KURO!", Jango shouted.

"You're doing it again, Vice Captain.", one of the crewmates spoke in bafflement.

Kuro then smirked to himself.

"Perfect. When my double gets executed, Captain Kuro will disappear from the Earth and I will live the life I deserve.", Kuro thought.

At the present, Salvia was puzzled.

"So, Jango hypnotized your double and Morgan...?", Salvia puzzled before gasping as she remembered something.

"My strength was what I used to rise to the rank of Captain. Listen! In this world, titles are what matter. That means by being the captain of this base and the highest-ranking officer, I am the most superior person as far as the eye can see! This means... that I do everything right!", Morgan boastfully shouted before later swinging his axe-hand at Rika.

As soon as she landed, Rika was shown to be bloodied on the cheek. Fortunately, somehow or another, she'd pulled through. The definitive proof of this was her slight twitching and groaning sounds.

"HEY! WHY'D YOU GO AND DO THAT FOR?!", Luffy shouted.

Morgan only smirked and placed his Axe-hand on his right shoulder.

"That traitor deserved it for disobeying my authority.", Morgan smirked.

Then it went to the present.

"Wait a minute! You two were the reason Morgan was so irredeemably cruel and arrogant!", Salvia realized.

"A little. But regardless, when my plan succeeds today after 3 years of planning, revising, and waiting, my goal will be achieved in its entirety. Wealth and peace of mind will finally be mine. Do you understand now, children? I will not allow this perfect plan years in the making to fail! My plan will not be disrupted by urchins like you! Especially not now that time's up. You knew the deal. Now, you all die. And that is because I will kill you all in the only appropriate manner...! Extermination! I'll also kill that fool Jango!", Kuro said, drawing his cat claws.

"WHAT?!", Jango shouted in shock.

"But why kill us, Captain?", one pirate asked.

"Come on, please don't joke around like that, Captain Kuro!", the 2nd added in worry.

"It's still not too late for us to attack the village, right?", the 3rd asked.

"Yeah. And if Captain Jango gets her to write her will once you finish her, then your plan should still work perfectly.", the 4th added.

But Kuro only smirked.

"This plan is no longer any of your concern.", Kuro smirked, stunting his crew and the villagers.

"I never intended to let any of you mongrels leave this village alive. No one. No one who knows my true identity can be allowed to live to tell about it...!", Kuro threatened.

"No way...!", one pirate said in shock.

"That can't be...!", another gasped.

"You mean to tell me you had already planned to kill every last one of us from the very beginning?!", Jango exclaimed, earning Kuro's confirming chuckle.

"That's right... 3 years ago, I planned to erase Captain Kuro and every last person who ever knew him. It's all part of my plan.", Kuro said before chuckling again.

"You're just cruel monsters...! All of you!", Kaya snarled.

"We're monsters, huh? Perhaps you may be right about the rest of my crew, Ms. Kaya. But me?", Kuro began before giving a bone-chilling glare.

"I'm the Devil himself! After all, pirates are nothing more than savages, incapable of rising above their animal nature. Without my plans, what could they possibly accomplish? A crew is nothing to me; they are simply a means to an end. Crew members are just pawns in a captain's game. Whether my men live or die is up to me and me alone. If I tell them to fight, they will fight. And if I order them to die, they had better do it. They know the punishment for disobedience."

But that only earned Kaya's vicious wolf snarl, puzzling Kuro.

"Just shut up…! You have no right to say any of that…! ESPECIALLY NOT ABOUT OUR PARENTS!", Kaya shouted, making Kuro widen his eyes in shock while everyone else was just surprised.

"The day our parents died, they told us they were pirates who sailed the seven seas... But unlike the other pirates, they only sought thrills and adventures together. With each other...! They've told us so many stories about their adventures, about how they helped people in need, on or off their own crew...! And among all of those adventures, none of them said anything about how they'd sink as low as you! To do things the way you did is to go back on their word as honorable pirates! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO CALL THEM SAVAGES!", Kaya explained.

"No way...! Her parents were actually pirates?", Usopp asked in surprise.

But while it seemed inspiring enough for nearly everyone else, Kuro, however, was not having it, and only growled.

"THIS IS HOW PIRATES ARE! DON'T YOU DARE TALK DOWN TO ME, MS. KAYA!", Kuro shouted.

But Kaya stood her ground as did Atreyu, Luffy, and Salvia.

"You know, no matter how many hundreds or thousands of men follow you as their captain, you will never be as good as Usopp.", Luffy scolded, astonishing almost everyone.

"You fool...! Are you saying that I am inferior to a kid pretending to be a pirate?", Kuro asked.

"You bet that's what he's saying.", Salvia snarked, only earning Kuro's laughter.

"Well, aren't you funny! How exactly is he better than me? Let's hear it!", Kuro said as he then started doing the pussyfoot maneuver again and vanished.

"'Cause he's got heart.", Luffy smirked as Kuro appeared behind him, surprised.

"He's got what?", Kuro puzzled.

"A guy like you doesn't know what a true pirate is!", Luffy shouted right before he, Kaya, and Atreyu whacked him toward Salvia, who then bumped him into the rocky wall.

This combo attack astonished both sides.

"Incredible...!", Zoro spoke.

"Impossible...!", one crewmate said.

"They kept up with the Pussyfoot Maneuver!", another added.

Usopp was moved to tears from Luffy's words.

"You guys...!", Usopp teared up.

Then, he looked at his slingshot and became determined.

The four glanced toward where Kuro was hit against the wall.

Act III

"Well, where do we go from here, Captain Kuro?", Salvia smirked.

The smoke cleared, revealing a battle-damaged Kuro.

"How insulting...!", Kuro growled.

"Why don't you just give up and leave this island so we won't have to get ugly again?", Salvia advised.

"I think not. It would appear that you all need a lesson in what real pirates are like.", Kuro spoke as he fixed the loose strands of his hair, moving it back into his head.

"It's not pleasant. Your first lesson will be about terror, a lesson I learned well as I stared down death!"

Then, Kuro started swaying in motion back and forth, his arms moving swaying freely. While it did puzzle everyone else, the black cat pirates became terrified.

"Hey! Should he be in that stance?", one pirate asked.

"No, this is bad!", another added.

"Why is he using that technique?", the third asked.

"Captain Kuro, no! Not the Out of the Bag Attack! Anything but that, it's the last thing you should do!", Jango pleaded.

"Huh? Out of the Bag attack?", Salvia puzzled.

"What's that?", Kaya puzzled.

"Whatever it is, it doesn't sound good.", Zoro added.

"Yeah. What he said.", Atreyu agreed.

At that point, Nami was using her stretched arms to scoop every available treasure into an empty bag.

"It's a good thing no one's in here. And doubly good that only I know about these. I still can't believe that Luffy has half the powers I do.", Nami sighed before moving her arms back to normal and tying said bag up as well as getting out of the Black Cat Pirate ship.

"What a small haul. You know, I really thought they'd have more treasure than this.", Nami said, making her way up the top.

"Let's see if the boys have finished this fight yet.", Nami said before seeing what was going on.

But much to her surprise, Kuro was just swaying around while everyone else was still, not exactly for the Black Cat Pirates' case.

"What...? Everyone has stopped. Is it over? And why is Kuro just swaying around?", Nami puzzled.

"This isn't a good spot for us! I mean, he could get us, too!", a pirate spoke in worry.

"Yeah. He did say he was gonna kill us all earlier.", another added.

"Please, Captain Kuro! Anything but that technique!", one more panicked.

"We'll do anything, Captain! Please, Captain Kuro!", another begged.

"What's the big deal? He's just wobbling back and forth.", Luffy pondered.

"Well, I gotta admit. You're right. But everyone else seems scared of that for some reason.", Usopp guessed.

But Kaya and Atreyu still felt uneasy as their wolf ears twitched consistently.

Play One Piece Music: "Imu destroys Lulusia Kingdom"

As Kuro continued, the voices seemed to be going in slow-motion.

"We're begging you, Captain! Let us live!", one of the pirates pleaded.

Then, the voices started becoming barely audible as their voices were not only deeper to Kuro, but also quieter. After a moment, Kaya and Atreyu gasped.

"He's not just wobbling around! He's picking up speed!", Kaya said.

"Huh?", Luffy puzzled.

"Picking up speed?", Salvia asked.

"Those vibrations coming from Kuro. They're only getting stronger and louder the more he sways in that stance. Who knows how fast he'll be when he gets to his peak...!", Atreyu replied before wind suddenly blew past Luffy and the others, worrying him.

Kuro then raised his two cat claws.

"OUT OF THE BAG ATTACK!", Kuro shouted before suddenly vanishing, giving off trails of purple smoke that traveled down the slope and across the sides.

As this happened, Kaya and Atreyu heard footsteps traveling up the slide of the slope and straight toward...

"MERRY, NO!", Kaya shouted.

Merry was puzzled, if not concerned. He was in the middle moving when suddenly... SLASH! He was slashed across the chest once again, much to everyone's shock.

"Oh, no! Merry!", a villager spoke in worry.

While lying on the ground, he seemed to be on the verge of spitting out blood from his mouth...! But fortunately, all that came out of his mouth was a sigh of pained relief.

"Oh, thank goodness...!", Merry sighed.

"Whew...! That was a close one, huh?", a villager said.

"So, that's the Out of the Bag attack, huh? It seems like he's built up enough speed to go 100 meters in 4 or 5 seconds while using his cat claws to attack. Well, Kuro's about to learn the hard way that he's not the only one who can go that fast.", Zoro thought.

So, the swordsman closed his eyes and tensed softly. Everything and everyone now seemed to be in slow-motion for him as one of the black cat pirates spoke, regarding what Zoro is attempting.

"Guuuyyysss? Whaaat doo yooou thiink thaaat swooorrrdsmaaan's tryyiiinng tooo doo...?", one of the pirates began asking in slow motion just as Kuro was barreling toward him right before he slashed him.

In normal motion, the pirate getting slashed caught the others unawares.

"No way...!", Salvia gasped.

"What's he doing over there...?!", Luffy asked unsteadily.

"Found you...", Zoro spoke before suddenly vanishing as well.

"Huh? Zoro's gone, too!", Salvia puzzled.

In no time, there were slashes and drops of blood spilling everywhere. But oddly enough, it wasn't coming from the pirates or the villagers, much to their confusion. At one point, a slash attempted to strike at Daffodil and Jango, only to stop short, puzzling, if not surprising them.

"What?", Jango puzzled.

"That guy's everywhere.", Luffy said.

"Yeah, but look. This slash seemed like it was interrupted by something. But how?", Salvia asked.

"Guys? I don't think Kuro's alone.", Atreyu said.

"He's right. I can hear someone else moving as fast as him.", Kaya added.

"Wait. You mean Zoro's moving that fast, too?", Usopp asked before Kaya sadly nodded.

"And I think he's taking the blows for all of us...!", Kaya said.

Then, another phantom slash occured, leaving one of the pirates puzzled.

"What the heck?", the pirate asked.

Then, several more occurred near the "victims".

"STOP MESSING WITH US, CAPTAIN!", a pirate shouted.

"It's no good! We can't reason with him now that he's started! His sidestep maneuver's so fast, not even HE knows what he's cutting!" another pirate added.

"But how could he have hit so many of us without even...", another puzzled before another slash happened near him, leaving him baffled, if not surprised by the sudden attack.

"Are you okay?", a pirate asked.

"Yeah. But I don't think that's my blood. At least I hope not...!", the pirate replied.

At the ship, Nami was surprised and baffled by what's happening.

"What's happening out there? Slashes are just appearing in the air left and right.", Nami thought.

As Luffy, Kaya, Atreyu, and Salvia looked on in wonder, if not concern for their friend, more and more phantom slashes appeared near, but never onto, the victims, who were very confused at what's happening as they murmured in puzzlement. Of course, that didn't mean that it sat right with Luffy. In fact, with each phantom slash, he, as well as Kaya and Atreyu, grew angrier while Salvia was just as concerned as well as Nami.

"Luffy...", Nami spoke softly.

The three grew angrier and angrier as each of their memories flashed before their eyes before finally exploding.

"DON'T YOU HAVE ANY COMPASSION?!", Kaya shouted.

"DON'T YOU HAVE ANY MERCY?!", Atreyu added.

"DON'T YOU HAVE ANY HONOR?!", Luffy shouted.

Then, the trio all grabbed a rock together.

"THESE MEN ARE YOUR FRIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEENDS!", the trio shouted right before hurtling it towards Kuro's direction (thanks to Kaya and Atreyu's improved hearing) and stopping the attack before it can continue, shocking the former Black Cat Pirate Captain.

"We found you...!", Luffy smirked.

"It would seem that you could do a lot more than just stretch...!", Kuro grunted.

"That's right! I've been toughening myself up to be a pirate!", Luffy replied, crushing the rock that was used before forcing the rock away and causing one of Kuro's cat claws to break off from the rock, much to his shock.

"You know what? Don't want a reputation? THEN DON'T BE A PIRATE!", Luffy roared before smashing the rock against Kuro toward the ground.

Then, Zoro suddenly reappeared, covered in fresh claw wounds.

"Zoro...!", Salvia said in worry.

"Huh? So, that's what that swordsman was up to...!", a pirate guessed.

"But why would he save us? That doesn't make any sense.", another puzzled.

"What...? You didn't see that coming...?", Zoro asked before he suddenly collapsed and knelt down.

"Zoro!", Luffy, Kaya, and Atreyu shouted in worry.

Frankly, Zoro may be down, but he was still on his feet.

"Don't worry about me...! I'll be fine...! Just focus on that butler...!", Zoro panted.

Kuro then recovered.

"You upstart...! You should've accepted your fates like good children. Now, look what you've done. Thanks to you, your swordsman friend saw to it that my pawns are still alive. And as a result, he's in misery. You would've been better just to let them die in the attack.", Kuro said.

"JUST SHUT THE HELL UP!", Kaya shouted, lunging toward Kuro with a pounce.

But he started swaying around again.

"OUT OF THE BAG ATTACK!", Kuro shouted before vanishing just as Kaya was about to strike him only to hit the ground instead.

"Oh, no! He's gone again...!", Usopp in worry.

Then, very quickly, the barrage started again, but this time, everyone finally felt the brunt of the Out of the Bag Attack, starting with Jango, who yelled out and groaned in agony from being slashed while Daffodil barely avoided the slash, especially with his heart-shaped glasses falling off with the lens breaking apart. That was the cue for the assault that happened to everyone else that wasn't slashed the last time. Even Luffy, Salvia, Kaya, and Atreyu felt a few cuts from it this time around. The only ones who were as lucky enough to avoid being cut like the others as Daffodil were the Usopp Pirate trio. Eventually, though, when Kuro stopped to slash at the trio, they instinctively dodged the strike before Kuro vanished and reappeared behind them and Salvia before turning around.

"Aren't you tired?", Luffy asked.

"Like it or not, we can hear your breath.", Kaya added.

"You definitely sound tired from those Out of the Bag Attacks you've been doing.", Atreyu added.

"Don't get all cocky just because you snapped off one of my cat claws. That was simply a warm-up.", Kuro said, puzzling the four for a moment before Kaya and Atreyu glared.

"At this point on, this isn't a war anymore. It's a showdown between us and you!", Atreyu glared.

"Fine by me. The real fight begins now. Soon, I will be feasting on your fear, complimented by the sweet wine of your agony.", Kuro smirked.

"Don't bet on it!", Kaya said fiercely.

Then, Kuro only hunched himself.

"Now... OUT OF THE BAG ATTACK!", Kuro shouted as he once again vanished.

"We won't let you hurt anyone else...!", Kaya growled.

This time, Kaya and Atreyu closed their eyes and got into a four-legged stance, beginning to emit their respective glowing orange and blue auras.

Play God of War (2005) Music: "The Vengeful Spartan"

As Kuro went around dashing across the slope, Kaya and Atreyu's auras both grew more intense by the second until... they both opened their blank eyes and vanished. Then, all of a sudden, before Kuro could strike at Luffy and Salvia, Kaya suddenly slashed at Kuro by the chest, even breaking the only remaining cat claw with a flaming slash.

Ekdíkisi

Lýtrosi

Ekdíkisi

"It's that burning sensation again...!", Kuro thought before he was then launched toward Atreyu, who then slashed him in the back, encasing the area slashed with ice.

Lýtrosi

Ekdíkisi

Lýtrosi

"Now, the freezing sensation has appeared again, too...! What's going on?!", Kuro thought.

"THIS IS FOR OUR PARENTS, YOU BASTARD!", Kaya and Atreyu roared, silhouettes of Sköll and Hati snarling appearing behind them before they punched him squarely in the gut.

This caused Kuro to spit out his blood from his mouth before he was launched toward Salvia, who smirked.

"Oh, you're in big trouble, mister!", Salvia smirked. "Chub-Chub... GONG!"

Salvia then belly bumped Kuro back toward Luffy, who managed to grab him and immobilize him by wrapping his arms around his shoulders and his legs around his waist, this astonished everyone who watched.

"Nice try, you jerk.", Luffy smirked.

"DAMN YOU, GET AWAY FROM ME!", Kuro demanded.

"Wow, butler man. Right now, your life really sucks. Your plan of 3 years is a complete and total failure.", Luffy smirked.

"LET GO!", Kuro shouted.

"Hey, look. That weird kid caught Captain Kuro.", one pirate said.

"I don't believe it! If those kids manage to beat him, then that means Captain Kuro won't be able to slaughter us, right?", another asked.

Pheraspi Kratos

But Jango got up and recovered, injured as he was, readying his last chakram.

"Don't think I forgot about you...! Devil Fruit or not, our mission to kill you still stands!", Jango said, spinning his chakram with his finger, not knowing that Usopp spotted him, gasped, and took aim with his slingshot.

"KAYA, DUCK!", Usopp shouted before Kaya turned to see Jango charging at her.

Pheraspi Kratos

Pheraspi Kratos

"YOUR RICHES ARE MINE!", Jango shouted right before Usopp fired as Kaya ducked as per his instruction, allowing Usopp to hit Jango squarely in the face with a bit of an explosion.

Then, Kaya turned to Usopp.

"Usopp...!", Kaya grinned, earning Usopp's slight chuckle.

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"That was amazing, Usopp!", Daffodil spoke before hugging him with a giggle.

"But what was that?", Atreyu asked.

"A little something I like to call, my Exploding Star!", Usopp said proudly.

"Wow...!", Daffodil said in awe.

"Hey, Usopp Pirates!", Atreyu called.

"Huh?", the trio puzzled.

"You're more than welcome to go crazy on him. You can leave Kuro to us.", Atreyu grinned as he and Kaya turned to the restrained Kuro.

"Yes, sir!", the trio shouted.

Meanwhile, Jango started to get back up again only to hear a few young voices.

"USOPP PIRATES...!", the trio began, holding out all sorts of utensils.

"Oh, no...!", Jango groaned.

"ATTACK!", the trio shouted before smashing a shovel, a baseball bat, and a frying pan onto Jango's face.

Meanwhile, the Black Cat Pirates cheered for Luffy and the others over their own captain.

"Yeah, get him, you crazy rubber guy!", one pirate cheered.

"You're going down, you mean dastard!", another added.

"Get off me!", Kuro shouted as Luffy tensed before he then smashed his head against Kuro's.

"Just shut up...!", Luffy began before stretching his head all the way towards the Black Cat Pirates, freaking them out. "YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO CHEER ME OOOOOOOOON!"

Meanwhile, the Usopp Pirates were laying into Jango still.

"Agh! You stupid, snot-nosed brats!", Jango shouted only to get hit again.

"Say your prayers, weird hypnotist!", Pepper shouted.

Pheraspi Kratos

Pheraspi Kratos

Pheraspi Kratos

"Take that! And that! And that!", Carrot added.

"Game over, you lousy, no-good pirate!", Onion added.

Meanwhile, Luffy was getting ready to lay the hurt on Kuro himself.

"Let go of me!", Kuro shouted.

"Gum-Gum...!", Luffy began.

"YOU ANIMALS! MY PLAN WILL ABSOLUTELY NOT BE DISRUPTEEEEEEED!", Kuro shouted as brief memories from 3 years ago flashed in his mind.

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"BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLL!", Luffy roared as he finally launched his head right back towards the shocked Kuro.

As soon as Luffy hit him, lightning struck and thunder boomed as the two started to flip upside down with Kuro groaning in pain from the impact while Luffy let go and seemingly floated above him before Kuro landed on the ground chest first while Luffy landed on his feet and hands while Kuro's broken pair of glasses landed on the ground.

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End God of War (2005) Music: "The Vengeful Spartan"

Act IV

While Kuro was defeated, the Usopp Pirates panted over Jango's now injured and unconscious body.

"All right. This time, we'll let you off without any more brutality. This time.", Pepper said.

Then, Kaya and Atreyu towered above a barely conscious Kuro, who was barely able to lift his head up to see the two wolf-like siblings.

"Klahadore, you're fired.", Kaya scolded.

With that, Kuro lost consciousness and passed out, resting his head on the ground. The Black Cat Pirates stood in awe and surprise while the villagers were just as much so until Merry raised his arm and shouted as the rain finally started to slow down.

"We... we did it...! WE ALL DID IT! WE SURVIVED, PROTECTED THE VILLAGE, AND DEFEATED THOSE BLACK CAT PIRATES!", Merry roared in joy before the rest of the village cheered as well.

As the clouds began to part, revealing the bright, beautiful sun and blue sky accompanied only by a rainbow, Usopp, Kaya (who returned to normal human form), Atreyu (who also returned to human form), and Daffodil turned to see this and became touched as the village cheered for them. They even started to shed happy tears (although, only Daffodil started sobbing loudly in joy as she was then picked up and placed on top of Kaya's head by Kaya, herself).

"Heh. Well, seems like everything wrapped up nicely.", Zoro said as he then tied up a wound on his arm with his green headband.

As for Luffy and Salvia, they both turned toward the Black Cat Pirates, who were stunned to see what unfolded.

"That crazy rubber guy, his big fat sister, and those werewolves beat Captain Kuro.", one pirate said.

"Not even the marines were a match for Kuro, man of a thousand plans, and these four still beat him!", another exclaimed.

Then, Luffy, Salvia, Kaya, and Atreyu all turned to the Black Cat Pirates.

"The only time a pirate should abandon his name when he dies.", Luffy said.

"We'd never lose to a coward who ditches his name, betrays his friends, and runs from life on the sea.", Salvia added.

"Just... Just who are you?!", another pirate shouted.

"I'm Monkey D. Luffy.", Luffy replied.

"And I'm Monkey D. Salvia.", Salvia added.

"I'm Sun Wolf Goddess Kaya!", Kaya added.

"And I'm Moon Wolf God Atreyu!", Atreyu added.

Then, Daffodil suddenly shouted, still in bear cub form.

"And I'm Bear Cub Daffodil!", Daffodil added, puzzling Kaya and Atreyu for a bit.

"Uh..., Luffy? Salvia? I can understand the last three names, but I never heard those names before.", a pirate admitted.

"You should remember them for as long as you live. Because one of these days, I'm gonna be the biggest pirate there ever was!", Salvia shouted.

"And I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!", Luffy added.

"You are?", another pirate asked.

Then, Kaya picked up an unconscious Kuro just as Atreyu picked up Jango.

"Here. You should take these two with you!", Atreyu shouted as he and Kaya both tossed both pirates out toward the Black Cat Pirates, surprising them.

"Leave here right now! Never come back!", Kaya urged before the Black Cat Pirates quickly fled in terror at the Sun Wolf Goddess and the Moon Wolf God if not at Luffy and Salvia.

As they fled, Nami ran to catch up to everyone, stopping just near a suddenly sullen Luffy. A moment after, Luffy began to tip forwards with Nami catching him.

"You guys did good, Luffy.", Nami spoke softly.

Moments later, the Black Cat Pirates have already fled as the villagers cheered and celebrated with Luffy lying down as Salvia sat on the ground while leaning back a bit as her hands were on the ground.

"I'd expect even you to collapse after what you just went through.", Nami said.

"Well, guess we'll just have to change that, won't we?", Luffy responded before smiling at Nami, making her grin, too.

Suddenly, Salvia's belly growled.

"Huh? Sounds like I could use some meat right now. Anything edible, actually, 'cause I'm hungry.", Salvia said.

"Ugh, you're unbelievable!", Nami groaned.

"Don't blame me, blame my stomach...!", Salvia retorted as Atreyu and Kaya giggled.

Sometime later, everyone was already eating breakfast back at the village in celebration of their victory against the Black Cat Pirates.

"Who knew that it'd take a couple of liars, a few family friends, and a whole crew of pirates to take down the legendary Black Cat Pirates?", one of the villagers asked.

"Yeah, I know. And to think that every day, the only excitement we had was chasing away Usopp and Kaya.", another added.

"Thanks, guys. We wouldn't have been able to protect the village without you.", Usopp thanked with a chuckle.

"Give credit where credit's due. If you'd just stood by and done nothing, I wouldn't have done anything, either.", Zoro smirked.

"Yeah, same here.", Luffy added.

"You guys were in trouble. I couldn't just leave you here to die.", Salvia added.

"Who cares about any of that? I've got my hands on this sweet, sweet treasure now and I couldn't be happier...!", Nami grinned, hugging the small bag.

Usopp, Kaya, and Atreyu giggled at this as did Daffodil. Afterwards, they looked out toward the ocean. Then, a villager turned up.

"Something on your mind, kid?", the villager asked.

"Yeah, actually. Everything that happened here today helped me. I just came to a very difficult decision.", Usopp replied.

Moments later, one of the villagers called out to everyone who was seated.

"Attention, everyone! Usopp has a special announcement for us!", the villager shouted.

Everyone quieted down some for said announcement before Usopp cleared his throat.

"You've all fought well against those terrible Black Cat Pirates.", Usopp said.

"Well, we had to do something. It's not like we could just let those pirates destroy our village and hurt Kaya.", a slightly elderly woman said.

"Exactly. You were all very courageous. You were scared to death, but you kept your cool, worked together as a team, and kept Kaya and her family safe. Thanks to you all, we overcame our biggest and most important battle. And that was just our first one ever. Especially when Carrot, Pepper, Onion and I formed the Usopp Pirates 5 years ago. That was when you three brave soldiers were only 4 years old, remember?", Usopp asked.

"Yep!", the trio nodded.

"Now, I know this is sudden, everyone, but... I decided that I'm gonna set out to sea by myself.", Usopp said.

This puzzled everyone who heard this.

"I'm finally gonna leave this place and become a real pirate!", Usopp grinned.

Frankly, this was a big shock to almost everyone.

"SAY WHAAAAAAAT?!", the villagers shouted.

"You're leaving?!" one of the villagers shouted.

"But why?", another asked.

Usopp then looked out toward the ocean as he explained.

"At first, I wasn't sure what I would do. I couldn't decide if I wanted to stay here forever or not. But once I saw them, I knew deep in my heart what I must do. I feel that... as a man, I must set out to the vast ocean. So, I'm leaving this place behind.", Usopp said before he then raised his arm and shouted.

"I LEAVE FOR ONE REASON! WHEN THE GREAT PIRATE FLAG BECKONS, YOU MUST HEED ITS CALL!"

"Wow. That's exactly what Yasopp said.", Salvia replied, remembering when she and Luffy were little long before they ate their respective Devil Fruits as Yasopp talked about Usopp as always.

"Captain! Say it isn't so!", Carrot exclaimed.

Then, he and the other 2 Usopp Pirates ran up to Usopp.

"You're lying again, right?"

"Isn't that a bit hasty? There's no reason to leave! I thought you loved this village!", Pepper added.

"And what's gonna happen to the Usopp Pirates without you?!", Onion added.

Kaya and Atreyu looked especially worried toward the Usopp Pirates on account of how they're handling it so far as Usopp responded to them.

"You've been so good to me, guys. And the rest of you have my regards as well.", Usopp said.

"Usopp...", a villager spoke.

"It just doesn't seem right not to have him here.", a woman puzzled.

"Yeah. It kinda throws everything off if he's not around. I'd feel so bored.", her husband agreed.

"Why is the screaming liar guy leaving, Mama? Doesn't he love us?", the little kid asked.

"Oh, baby...", her mother only replied, not exactly sure how to explain the concept to him.

But the Usopp Pirates were tearing up. At least, Carrot and Onion were.

"Captain...!", Carrot said, on the verge of sobbing.

"No, I don't want to!", Pepper shouted.

"Don't go, Captain! Just stay here, please!", Onion begged with a slight sob as he shook his head.

Moments later, Usopp then led the Usopp Pirates, as well as some villagers, including Kaya, Atreyu, and Daffodil.

"Usopp Pirates? Do you remember this place? This is where we first met. And formed the Usopp Pirates.", Usopp said, gesturing to the waving flag near the logs.

Then, it went to the past back when Usopp was younger.

"Finished!", Usopp laughed.

"Hey, it's that liar guy.", Carrot spoke up before young Usopp turned to notice him, Pepper, and Onion back when they were younger.

"Huh? Who are you guys? And why are you so buddy buddy with me?", Usopp asked.

"Well, duh, you're famous!", Pepper replied before Onion leaned in and spoke up.

"Yeha, you're a really famous guy.", Onion added.

"Right. I know, you've come face-to-face with the man that is known the world over as Captain Usopp!", Usopp smirked.

"Actually, everyone in the village calls you 'Lair Usopp'.", Carrot commented, making Usopp bend over on his right toward the ground while Pepper and Onion laughed.

"'Kay, from this day forth, you're officially members of the Usopp Pirates!", Usopp shouted, puzzling the trio.

"COME ON! MAN UP!", Usopp shouted before it went back to the present.

"A lot's happened since then, huh?", Usopp said, starting to tear up.

Then, it showed more memories of the past, starting with a puppy running across the road.

"A Cerberus! Scare it away!", Usopp shouted as the trio ran after the puppy.

Then, it showed a lizard popping out from a bush before it, too, was chased off.

"A dragon! CAPTURE IT!", Usopp shouted before it then showed Usopp using his slingshot.

"Flour star!", Usopp shouted before firing at the target.

"You're amazing, Captain!", Pepper shouted in amazement.

"But, of course. I'm a brave warrior of the sea!", a young Usopp chuckled before it went to the present again.

Play God of War (2018) Music: "Ashes"

This time, Kaya started to give thoughtful tears of joy along with Usopp, both even thinking about her own memory of when she first joined them one day with Usopp introducing her to the trio.

"Who's that, Captain Usopp?", Pepper asked.

"Boys, I'd like you to meet my latest recruit in over 4 years. This is Kaya.", Usopp introduced.

"Hi, there.", Kaya waved.

"Uh..., hello.", the trio greeted.

"Recently, she somehow recovered from her illness, so I decided to help celebrate by allowing her to join us.", Usopp explained.

"Wow, no way!", Carrot responded.

"Is that really true?", Pepper asked.

"Are you actually better?", Onion asked.

Kaya giggled lightly.

"Of course. I'd be honored to join you all..., Captain Usopp.", Kaya grinned.

"I really wouldn't have it any other way..., First Mate Kaya.", Usopp replied.

Then, it went to the present with Pepper unable to take it.

"Please don't talk about the old days! I can't stand it!", Pepper whimpered.

"Pepper's right. It's much too painful...", Carrot agreed.

"This kind of lie isn't like you, Captain! It's not fun! Why would you say that you're going to leave us...?!", Onion whimpered.

"You're not serious..., are you?", Carrot whimpered.

"You're being stupid, Captain! STUPID!", Pepper added.

Frankly, the whole trio was now whimpering as the villagers now seemed just as worried for the trio.

It wasn't long before Usopp spoke up.

"All right, men! Tell me what all your ambitions are!", Usopp said.

"When I grow up, my dream is... to run a pub.", Carrot replied.

"My whole life, I wanted to be a master carpenter!", Pepper shouted.

"My goal is to become a writer!", Onion added with a slight sob.

"Then..., swear to me now that each of you will continue on your paths! Promise me that you will never let the fires of your ambitions die out!", Usopp began as the Usopp Pirates started to shed tears.

But suddenly, Kaya called out as she ran over to him.

"Usopp, wait!", Kaya shouted, puzzling him.

"Huh? Kaya?", Usopp puzzled.

"I haven't told you my ambition yet! My ambition... is to follow in my parents' footsteps... and become the most honorable pirate ever to sail the seven seas! I also want to be a doctor... so that I can help out people when they need help recovering from their injuries or illnesses...! So, if you're leaving..., then I'm going with you, too!", Kaya vowed.

This had everyone caught for a loop.

"YOU'RE LEAVING, TOO?!", the villagers shouted in unison.

It was shocking, but after a moment, one of them spoke.

"Well, I guess it would've come to this eventually...", one of the villagers said.

"Yeah. Her parents did practically explore the seven seas.", another agreed.

"Besides, these two would actually go great together.", a third added while a slightly elderly woman turned to Kaya and nodded, making her give soft tears of joy and a nod.

Then, Atreyu shouted out as well.

"I'm going, too!", Atreyu shouted, catching Usopp and Kaya's attention.

"Atreyu...!", Kaya said.

"I always did want to do a bit of exploring, myself.", Atreyu said.

But Daffodil's sniffles were heard before the trio turned to her.

"Daffodil...", Atreyu spoke in a bit of worry.

"So, that's it...?! You're all leaving?!", Daffodil whimpered, tears falling from her eyes.

Then, she suddenly ran and hugged Kaya's leg.

"I wanna come, too!", Daffodil urged, still whimpering and sniffling.

After a moment, though, Kaya picked Daffodil up.

"Oh, I wish we could let you come..., but you're not really ready yet.", Kaya said in a bit of worry.

"I don't care! I don't want to be left alone...!", Daffodil sobbed.

"Oh, but you won't be. You still have us.", Merry assured, gesturing to himself and the other villagers.

"Merry...", Daffodil whimpered.

"Maybe there will come a day when you're ready to set sail as we did. But until then, you need to wait here where it's safe. Who knows? Maybe we could come visit you when you're of age. Can you do that?", Kaya stated.

For Daffodil, it seemed like a bitter pill to swallow. But then again, so was having to keep the fact that she knew that Klahadore was really Kuro a secret all this time. So, if she managed to stomach 3 years of hardship with him in a way Kuro wouldn't notice, she could definitely stomach waiting until she was old enough. So, she put on a brave face, still stained with tears, and nodded.

"Okay...", Daffodil said.

Then, Atreyu turned to Merry.

"Hey, Merry. Can you and the village watch over her and help her grow until she's ready?", Atreyu asked.

"Yes. Of course, Master Atreyu.", Merry responded.

"Yes, sir!", the villagers added.

"And that goes double for you, three. Got it?", Atreyu asked.

"Yes, sir!", Carrot, Pepper, and Onion saluted in response.

Daffodil gave a happy gasp at this while Kaya softly grinned and Atreyu gave a bit of a chuckle from seeing this before Usopp then spoke up, finally starting to sob.

"As of today...! Our group..., the Usopp Pirates...!", Usopp began with a sob before Daffodil saw the flag get ripped off and then flung into the air before she jumped and caught it.

"ARE UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT!", Usopp sobbed.

"Aw... That was so touching...!", Salvia said as tears streamed down her touched expression before she happily wiped her tears away.

Stop God of War (2018) Music: "Ashes" (3:41/6:10)

"Yeah... And it looks like we're getting more crewmates, to boot, too.", Nami added.

"Now that we've eaten, we should probably get going.", Zoro said.

"Yeah, you're right.", Luffy agreed.

"Oh. Before we leave, you've all done so much for us, I can't thank you enough. I've prepared a present for you from the bottom of my heart to show you how grateful I am for everything you've done here. I'd be honored if you accept it.", Kaya said.

"Oh, wait. Don't we need to pack for our trip first?", Atreyu asked.

Kaya gasped in embarrassment and realization.

"Oh, my! You're right! We need to get ready!", Kaya said.

Then, later, she, Atreyu, and even Usopp had already packed up for their journey.

"Ahh, all packed.", Usopp said, laying down on his bed. "Guess it's farewell to this house, too."

"Yeah. But at least we're together.", Kaya grinned.

"Yeah. I knew you were the right kind of guy to be with my sister.", Atreyu grinned.

"Thanks, Atreyu.", Usopp grinned.

Just then, a voice called out.

"Hey! Are you guys ready yet?! They're gonna leave without you!", Daffodil shouted from outside.

"Oh, no, they won't!", Kaya responded with a grin before she and Atreyu rushed outside with their things.

Of course, when Usopp tried to leave, he wound up stuck halfway out the door.

"Hey!", Usopp exclaimed.

It turned out that Usopp's backpack was so big and stuffed, it blocked the way in or out.

"Usopp...!", Kaya gasped in surprise.

"Are you okay?", Daffodil asked.

"Yeah, you're stuck.", the Usopp Pirate trio added.

Usopp strained as he tried to force his way through.

"I can't get out...!", Usopp grunted.

"Careful, Usopp! You could wreck your house!", Atreyu warned.

"Stupid backpack...!", Usopp grunted.

As he pushed harder, however, the house finally started to crack from the pressure. It wasn't long before the front door of the house broke apart from the house, causing Usopp to roll down the hill.

"Oh, no! Usopp!", Kaya shouted in worry.

"Crap! Crap, crap, crap, crap, CRAP!", Atreyu shouted as the Usopp Pirate trio watched in worry and Daffodil giggled at Usopp rolling down the hill.

"How do you stop this thing?!", Usopp shouted.

He continued rolling until Salvia stopped the backpack.

"Well, that was certainly a way to catch up.", Salvia grinned with a giggle as Kaya and Atreyu caught up.

"Thanks, Salvia...", Usopp sighed dizzily.

"Okay. Now that we're here, there's something I'd like to show you like I said before. Merry's waiting at the shore.", Kaya said.

At the shore, Merry and Kaya were now presenting a new ship, which had a sheep's head at the top of its bow, to the Straw Hats, Usopp included.

"A real Caravel...!", Nami said in amazement.

"WHOOOOOAAAAA...! Are you actually giving this to us?!", Luffy shouted.

"Mm-hmm. As a token of my appreciation.", Kaya grinned.

"It's a slightly older model, but I personally designed it and she sails like a dream. She has a carvel-made caravel with latine sails and a central sturn rudder. She's a fine ship and her name is the Going Merry! Allow me to explain the rigging. First, about the Kruger net-yard adjustment. It may seem a little temperamental...", Merry began before Nami interrupted.

"Hold on, you'd be better off just explaining the technical stuff to me!", Nami spoke.

"Whoa... That ship looks so cool...!", Salvia gasped in amazement.

"Yeah, and have you guys seen the front? It's totally awesome!", Luffy added in awe.

"We've loaded it with all the provisions you might need on a long voyage.", Kaya grinned.

"Thanks. it leaves nothing to be tired.", Luffy thanked.

"Uh, actually, that's nothing to be 'desired'.", Salvia blushed.

"We're really doing it...! We're gonna take to the ocean.", Kaya grinned.

"Yeah... I know.", Atreyu agreed.

"Just think. We'd actually have adventures that'd sound more like lies than my old lies!", Usopp said.

"I look forward to it.", Kaya grinned.

"I'm gonna miss you guys.", Daffodil sniffled.

"Yeah. We'll miss you, too.", Atreyu responded, brushing her head with his hand.

"You guys take care! I hope we meet again sometime!", Usopp shouted.

"How come?", Luffy asked.

"Well, because... Are you antisocial or something? We're all taking off for life on the high seas and I hope we'll eventually meet again, that's all!", Usopp explained.

"What are you talking about? Get on, already.", Zoro urged, surprising Usopp, Kaya, and Atreyu.

"Huh?", the trio asked.

"We're friends, right? So, get on.", Luffy said.

Play To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts Music: "Captain's Creed"

"We could stand to have more crew members, anyway.", Salvia added.

It took a moment for that to sink in for the trio before they became excited.

"This is it...! I'M REALLY A CAPTAIN PIRATE NOW!", Usopp shouted as he jumped.

"Don't be stupid, Usopp! I'M the captain!", Luffy retorted before everyone laughed.

"He said they were fighting to live, not to die. Usopp's wild stories and outlandish lies always spoke about the joy of being alive. They helped me through my grief by cheering me up and telling me to live... That's why I joined the Usopp Pirates. And now? I'm a real pirate like my parents.", Kaya grinned.

Then, she turned to Merry.

"My life starts now, Merry. Not only am I gonna be a pirate, I'm also going to be a doctor.", Kaya said.

"That's wonderful, Ms. Kaya. Just wonderful.", Merry grinned.

Moments later, as Merry and the villagers gathered at the shore, Luffy, Salvia, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Kaya, and Atreyu were now leaving the village on the Going Merry as it set sail.

"Goodbye, everyone! Hope to see you all again!", Kaya waved.

"Goodbye!", the whole village waved.

"Hope you lucky kids have safe travels!", one villager waved.

"And don't forget to eat some fruit now and then!", another added.

"There goes the captain and first mate.", Carrot said.

"They fell in with some pretty awesome people, so I'm not too worried.", Pepper said.

"Yeah, they'll be safe with them. I've never seen anybody as strong as they are.", Onion added.

"He's always talked about becoming a pirate and now, he's headed off to live his dreams with Ms. Kaya.", Carrot said.

"There's just one problem, though.", Pepper said.

"Our captain and his first mate were the only people who could liven things up around here. Now, they're gone...", Onion said.

"So, why don't we help do it in their place?", Daffodil suggested.

"Really?!", the Usopp Pirate trio shouted.

Daffodil nodded. So, the trio became intrigued and got in a four-way huddle.

"Okay, here goes.", Onion said.

"We're really doing this?", Carrot asked.

"Mm-hmm.", Onion nodded.

"You bet!", Pepper added.

"This is for Usopp and Kaya!", Daffodil stated.

"1, 2, 3, GO!", the four shouted before taking a deep breath.

"PIRATES! PIRATES ARE COMING!", the four shouted as they ran down the slope.

Meanwhile, the Straw Hats were celebrating.

"Cheers to a new ship and new crewates!", Luffy cheered as he and the others, especially Kaya and Atreyu, now back in wolf hybrid forms, did a toast with mugs of drinks.

"Yeah!", the rest of the crew shouted in joy.

End To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts Music: "Captain's Creed"

Meanwhile, just outside a place known as the Baratie, there was a camera set up on-stage as Uta's stage heads spoke to her.

"Ms. Uta. It's almost time.", one of the stage heads said.

"All right, time to spread the New Genesis", Uta spoke before winking at the camera.

TO BE CONTINUED

A/N: So, what'd you think? Pretty epic, right? Sorry it took so long, but at one point or another, a friend of mine sadly had to put his pet down. It was a difficult time for him so I gave him some time alone. Still, this has got to be the longest chapter I've ever written (at least it feels that way)! And at this point, let's just say that it won't just be Sanji who joins the Straw Hats.