Chapter 6: The Cat, the sniper and the sheep.
Syrupp village
The waves rolled lazily against the beach, the rhythmic hiss of water on sand filling the air with a deceptive calm. Above, the sun painted streaks of amber and crimson across the evening sky, but the Straw Hats, seated in a loose circle on the shore, were far from at peace.
Usopp stood at the edge of the group, pacing nervously. His steps left jagged trails in the sand, like the lines of his thoughts—scattered, anxious, but determined to find their shape. He turned sharply to face his friends, the light catching the faint lines of worry etched into his face.
"Kuro needs to be exposed," he began, his voice tight but resolute. "If we just beat him down, Kaya will never believe us. She'll think we're the villains."
Zoro, sprawled against a rock with his arms crossed and his swords resting within reach, snorted. "Why do we care what she thinks? He's a pirate. Pirates lie, cheat, and stab you in the back. What's to explain?"
Usopp spun on his heel, jabbing a finger in Zoro's direction. "Because she's not like us! Kaya doesn't see the world the way we do. She trusts him—she's trusted him for years! We can't just tear that away from her without proof."
Nami, seated cross-legged in the sand, nodded slowly. "He's right. If we force the truth on her, she won't believe it, she didn't the first time around. But if Kuro reveals himself..." She trailed off, a calculating look in her eyes.
"That's the key," Usopp said, pacing again. "We need to push him until he slips up. Make him lose his cool. He's careful—too careful—but If we create the right situation, he'll show Kaya who he really is."
Sanji leaned back against a piece of driftwood, his cigarette glowing faintly in the twilight. "And while we're doing that, we make sure the lady stays safe. If Kuro's as pretentious about his plans as you all say, she's his most likely target the moment things go south."
"Exactly," Usopp said, his expression darkening. "I've seen how he looks at her—like she's just another part of his plan. He's been playing the long game, waiting for his moment. If we don't stop him now..." He didn't finish the sentence. He didn't need to.
Luffy, who had been sitting cross-legged with his hat pulled low over his eyes, suddenly looked up. His face was calm, but his voice carried a weight that silenced the group. "We'll stop him," he said. "No matter what. He won't hurt Kaya, or anyone else."
Zoro shifted, sitting up slightly. "So what's the plan?"
Usopp hesitated, glancing around the group. For all his fear and uncertainty, their presence grounded him. They weren't just his friends—they were his family, and with them by his side, he felt stronger.
"We'll draw him out," Usopp said finally. "He's too cautious to act unless he thinks he has to. We need to disrupt his plan to the point of nullifying it, make him think he's losing control. Once he feels cornered, he'll show his true colors."
"And we'll be ready," Luffy said, a grin spreading across his face. "Right, Usopp?"
"Right," Usopp echoed, his confidence growing.
"But how do we make sure Kaya isn't caught in the middle?" Nami asked, her voice sharp with practicality.
"That's where we come in," Sanji said smoothly, taking another drag of his cigarette. "We keep her close, away from danger. Let Kuro focus on us."
"And what about the villagers?" Zoro asked.
"They're not part of this," Usopp said firmly. "This is about Kuro, Kaya, and us. If we do this right, the village won't even know what happened until it's over."
As the group discussed the finer details of their plan, the mood shifted. The tension eased slightly, replaced by the familiar banter and camaraderie that defined the Straw Hats.
"I still think we could just knock him out and drag him to her," Zoro muttered, earning a sharp elbow from Nami.
"And I still think you're an idiot," she shot back.
"Hey! I'm being efficient!"
"Efficiently dumb," Sanji quipped, earning a laugh from Luffy.
Despite the lighthearted moments, the gravity of their mission lingered, unspoken but ever-present. They were time travelers, tasked with rewriting the future, but some things never changed. Protecting each other—and those they cared about—was always their priority.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the first stars appeared in the darkening sky. The group stood, their plan set, their resolve unshaken.
"Let's do this," Luffy said, his voice firm.
They nodded, each of them ready to face whatever lay ahead.
—
The warm glow of a lantern illuminated Kaya's room, casting long shadows over the rows of books and medical charts she'd spent the evening poring over. Despite the quiet hum of the mansion and the stillness of her surroundings, Kaya's mind was far from at peace. Her thoughts were tethered to a single source of worry—Usopp.
Lately, her childhood friend had been acting stranger than usual. His exaggerated stories still made her laugh, but there was a new edge to them, a kind of desperation that left her unsettled. And then there was his relentless training. Every day, Usopp pushed himself to exhaustion, his once-slender frame now marked with the beginnings of lean muscle. She often saw him limping home, sweat-soaked and clutching his slingshot as if it were a lifeline.
When she tried to ask him what was wrong, he always brushed her off with a joke or changed the subject, his usual bravado hiding something much deeper. And then there was his relationship with Klahadore.
Kaya sighed, her fingers brushing a stray strand of blonde hair from her face. Klahadore had never liked Usopp—he made that clear from the start. The butler often referred to him as a "bad influence" and sneered at his background as the son of a pirate. But lately, the tension between them had grown unbearable. Usopp's jaw would clench whenever Klahadore entered the room.
Klahadore must have said something to him, Kaya thought, her chest tightening with worry. She had tried to mediate between them, but both men seemed locked in their own silent battle.
Her musings were interrupted by a soft tap-tap-tap at the window. She turned, her lips curving into a faint smile. There was no need to guess who it was.
She opened the window to find Usopp perched on the sturdy branch of the tree outside her room, grinning at her through the night air. "Good evening, Lady Kaya!" he declared, bowing with an exaggerated flourish. "Your humble protector has come to ensure you're safe from the terrors of the night!"
"Good evening, Captain Usopp," Kaya replied, her voice tinged with amusement. "Should I be worried about sea monsters in my garden again?"
"You never know!" Usopp said with a wink. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the windowsill. "A dastardly creature could be lurking in the shadows right now, waiting to pounce. But fear not—I'm here to save the day!"
Kaya laughed softly, but her worry surfaced as she saw some bruises in his arms. "Usopp, are you all right? You've been pushing yourself so hard lately."
"Me? I'm fine!" he said quickly, waving a hand as if to brush away her concerns. "Just making sure I'm ready for anything. You never know when adventure will come knocking!"
"Or trouble," Kaya murmured, her gaze sharpening. "You've been acting... different. And Klahadore—"
Before she could finish, Usopp stiffened, his grin faltering for a split second. "Klahadore doesn't like me, but that's nothing new," he said lightly. "He thinks I'm trouble, right?"
"He's wrong," Kaya said firmly. "You've been nothing but good to me, Usopp. But if something's going on—"
Usopp leaned back, his grin firmly back in place. "You worry too much, Kaya.I've already said everything's fine! I'm just... preparing. You know, in case anything happens."
Kaya frowned, but before she could press further, movement in the distance caught her eye. Four figures were approaching the mansion, their silhouettes faint in the moonlight.
"Who—" Kaya began, but Usopp cut her off, his tone shifting to one of surprise.
"Who are those guys?" he said, squinting at the newcomers. His heart raced, but he forced himself to keep his expression neutral.
The group drew closer, their features becoming clearer. At the front was a young man with a straw hat perched jauntily on his head, his grin wide and unbothered. Behind him, a tall man with wild green hair carried three swords at his hip, his movements calm and purposeful. A blonde man in a black suit walked beside him, a cigarette dangling lazily from his lips. The last was a woman with vibrant orange hair, her gaze sharp and watchful.
"Oi!" the straw hat-wearing man called, his voice carrying easily through the night air.
Usopp turned to Kaya, his tone filled with confusion. "Looks like strangers! I'd better go check this out."
Before Kaya could respond, Usopp climbed down from the tree and jogged toward the group. As he approached, the straw-hat man broke into an even bigger grin.
"Hey you are the owner of the mansion right! We need a pirate ship!" Luffy said without preamble.
"A ship?" Usopp echoed, taken aback.
"Yeah," Luffy said, his arms crossed. "Big enough for all of us, sturdy enough to handle the sea. Got any ideas?"
Kaya had followed silently, watching the exchange with growing curiosity. Her eyes flicked to the green-haired man, her breath catching. The swords. The hair.
"You're... Roronoa Zoro," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "The pirate hunter."
Zoro raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable.
Kaya's heart raced as pieces of Usopp's stories floated to the surface of her mind. "You're the one Usopp talked about," she continued. "The swordsman with green hair, the one who fights with three blades. But... you're with pirates?"
Before anyone could answer, a sharp voice sliced through the air like a blade.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Klahadore strode toward them, his polished shoes crunching against the gravel path. His expression was a perfect mask of irritation, his movements brisk and controlled, while he adjusted his glasses.
"This is private property," Klahadore said, his voice cold and clipped. "I will not tolerate this intrusion. Leave immediately."
Zoro's eyes narrowed, his hand drifting toward his swords. "Not until we've had a word with you."
Klahadore's lips twitched into a thin, disapproving line. "I have no business with vagrants and criminals. Kindly remove yourselves before I call the authorities."
As Klahadore reached up to adjust his glasses, Zoro froze. His hand tightened on the hilt of his sword, and his voice dropped into a dangerous growl.
"That movement," he said, his eyes locking onto Klahadore. "I've seen it before."
The tension on the gravel path thickened, the cool night air doing little to diffuse it. Kaya glanced between Zoro and Klahadore, confusion etched on her face.
"What do you mean?" Kaya asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Zoro stepped forward, his swords clinking faintly as he moved. His gaze was sharp, unwavering. "I've seen that little habit of yours before, the way you push up your glasses. It's in the wanted posters for Captain Kuro."
Kaya's heart sank at the name, disbelief clashing with the unease she had felt for weeks. "That's impossible," she whispered. "Klahadore has been with me for years. He... he's loyal. He's—"
Usopp interrupted, his voice quieter but carrying a weight that made Kaya turn toward him. "He's been lying to you, Kaya. A few weeks ago, I found an old wanted poster, and I recognized him immediately. I didn't want to believe it, but everything started to make sense."
Klahadore's expression remained impassive, but there was a subtle shift in his posture, his shoulders stiffened slightly, and his fingers twitched at his sides.
"This is absurd," Klahadore said, his voice calm but laced with disdain. "You're letting the fantasies of a known liar cloud your judgment, Miss Kaya. These children are simply trying to manipulate you."
"Enough with the act," Zoro said coldly, his hand resting on the hilt of one of his swords. "I've hunted enough pirates to know when someone's lying. You can't fake instincts, and I know what I saw on those posters. You're Kuro."
Kaya shook her head, stepping back. Her thoughts raced, clashing with the memories that suddenly took on a new, sinister light. Usopp's desperation, Klahadore's growing hostility, the cold edge in his words that had always seemed out of place for a simple butler.
"It... it can't be," Kaya murmured, though her voice lacked conviction.
"It is," Usopp said firmly. He turned to Klahadore, his stance more resolute than Kaya had ever seen. "Just admit it. You've been using Kaya this whole time, planning something. You're not her butler. You're a pirate."
For a moment, there was silence. Then Klahadore sighed, a long, almost theatrical sound. He adjusted his glasses once more, the gesture now slow and deliberate.
"So, the little liar finally speaks the truth," Klahadore said softly, his voice dripping with mockery. "Congratulations, Usopp. You've pieced it together. But it doesn't matter."
Kaya's breath caught as Klahadore's entire demeanor shifted. The polite butler she had known for years melted away, replaced by something colder, sharper, and infinitely more dangerous.
"Yes, I am Kuro," he continued, his voice steady. "I left the life of piracy behind years ago. I gave up that wretched name and sought peace here. Everything I've done was to protect this estate, to ensure Kaya's safety. But now..." He trailed off, his eyes narrowing.
"You're lying," Zoro said, his voice hard. "You're not protecting her. You're using her. And it ends tonight."
Kuro smirked, his hand darting to his sleeve. Kaya barely registered the glint of metal before he moved.
He lunged with a knife, his speed blinding. Kaya gasped, frozen in place as the blade sliced through the air toward Zoro.
But Kuro's attack never landed.
Luffy stepped between them in an instant, his hand coated in an eerie black sheen. His fist collided with the blade, stopping it mid-swing with a sharp clang.
Kuro's eyes widened slightly, though he quickly masked his surprise. "Interesting," he muttered. "What is that power boy?"
Steam began to rise from Luffy's skin, curling lazily around him like a living thing. His expression was calm but unyielding, his eyes fixed on Kuro. "You're not hurting anyone," he said firmly, ignoring the butler question.
Kaya's heart raced as she took in the sight. Luffy's body seemed to radiate heat, his skin glowing faintly red as the smoke intensified. She felt the weight of his words, the unshakeable confidence in his voice.
Kuro's smirk returned, but it was tinged with unease. "You think you can stop me, boy?" he sneered, his grip tightening on the knife.
Luffy's grin widened, his usual carefree energy now underpinned by something far more dangerous. "I don't think," he said. "I know."
—
The cool night air was still as Luffy watched Kuro intently. This wasn't his first time facing the man, and it wasn't nearly as daunting as it had been before. Back then, Kuro's speed had seemed overwhelming, his deadly claws a threat that had kept Luffy on edge. But now, with everything he'd learned and all the battles he'd fought, Kuro's movements felt different, flawed.
Kuro's lips twisted into a cruel smirk as he crouched low, his knives gleaming like shards of moonlight. "You should've stayed out of this, boy," he said. "You don't understand what you're up against."
Luffy tilted his head, his straw hat casting a shadow over his face. A faint grin tugged at his lips. "I've already fought you once," he said simply. "And I've fought way scarier people since."
Kuro's smirk faltered for a fraction of a second, wondering what the boy meant, before he lunged, disappearing in a blur of motion. His speed was as unnatural as ever, but now, Luffy's eyes followed him with ease. The pirate-turned-butler reappeared a moment later, his knives slashing down toward Luffy's chest.
Luffy didn't move—not at first. He simply watched, his sharp eyes noting the way Kuro's movements seemed... chaotic. Despite his blinding speed, Kuro's strikes didn't feel calculated. They were wild, his knives tearing through the air and slashing into the ground when Luffy dodged.
"So that's it," Luffy murmured as he stepped aside, letting another of Kuro's attacks miss entirely and carve deep gouges into the dirt. "You're fast, but you can't keep up with yourself. You're just swinging at whatever's in front of you."
Kuro snarled, his knives flashing again as he attacked relentlessly. But Luffy sidestepped each swing with a practiced ease, watching as the blades cut into the garden, leaving destroyed tree roots and torn-up earth in their wake.
"You've been doing this for years, haven't you?" Luffy said, his tone almost casual as he ducked another wild slash. "Pretending you're in control when really, you're just hoping something lands. You're not precise—you're reckless."
"Shut up!" Kuro growled, his movements growing even more erratic.
Luffy grinned, the steam rising from his body swirling in the moonlight. "You're not even aiming, are you? You're just swinging as fast as you can and hoping you hit something."
With that, Luffy launched himself forward, his arm snapping back as steam hissed and popped around it.
"Gomu Gomu no Jet Pistol!"
The punch connected squarely with Kuro's side, the force sending him flying into a nearby tree. The trunk splintered under the impact, and Kuro crumpled to the ground, coughing and clutching his ribs.
"You talk big," Luffy said, his voice calm but sharp. "But you can't even control your own strength."
Kuro staggered to his feet, his breath ragged. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, but his eyes burned with fury. He charged again, his knives flashing in the moonlight. Luffy waited, watching as the pirate's attacks grew even wilder, his frustration bleeding into every swing.
As Kuro lunged, Luffy sidestepped again, letting the knife tear through a boulder nearby. The rock cracked and shattered, but Kuro's momentum left him open.
Luffy didn't hesitate. He leapt into the air, his fists glowing with the heat of Second Gear.
"Gomu Gomu no Jet Stamp!"
His foot came down hard on Kuro's back, slamming him into the ground with enough force to create a small crater. Kuro groaned, his body twitching as he tried to push himself up.
"You're not even close," Luffy said, landing lightly beside him.
Kuro spat, blood flecking the ground as he glared at Luffy. "I've spent years perfecting my speed," he hissed. "You're nothing but a child playing at being a pirate."
Luffy's grin widened, his confidence unwavering. "And you're nothing but a liar hiding behind a fake name. You're not the fastest. You're just running away, too afraid to be a pirate."
With a roar of anger, Kuro launched himself at Luffy again, his knives carving through the air. But this time, Luffy didn't dodge.
Instead, he stretched his arms back, steam erupting from his body as he prepared to end the fight.
"Gomu Gomu no Jet Bazooka!"
Both fists slammed into Kuro's chest, sending him flying across the garden. He hit the ground hard, tumbling to a stop near the edge of the property. For a moment, he lay motionless, his breathing shallow.
Luffy exhaled, the steam around him beginning to fade as he let Second Gear dissipate. He turned back toward Kaya, who stood frozen in shock, her hands clasped tightly to her chest.
"It's over," Luffy said softly. "He's not going to hurt anyone anymore."
—
The garden was eerily quiet in the wake of the battle. The once-pristine grounds were now a chaotic mess of splintered trees, cracked rocks, and churned-up earth. Kuro lay motionless near the edge of the property, his glasses shattered and his polished demeanor reduced to ruin.
Luffy stood tall, the steam from Second Gear still faintly rising from his body, though the intense heat had faded. He rolled his shoulders, glancing at his work with a mixture of satisfaction and calm detachment. This fight had been more about protecting Kaya and exposing the truth than any real challenge.
Kaya's soft voice broke the silence. "Is he... is he dead?"
Luffy turned to her, his grin easy and reassuring now. "No, he is unconscious." he said simply.
Zoro stepped into the light, sheathing his swords with a practiced motion. "Took you long enough," he muttered, though the faint smirk tugging at his lips betrayed his amusement.
Nami approached Kaya, her gaze softening. "Are you okay?" she asked gently.
Kaya nodded shakily, though her hands trembled as she clutched them to her chest. Her eyes darted to Kuro, lying broken and battered in the dirt. "I... I trusted him," she whispered, her voice cracking. "He was always there, always so kind..."
"And it was all a lie," Usopp said quietly, stepping closer. His usual bravado was gone, replaced by a somber expression. "He wasn't here to help you, Kaya. He was here to use you."
Kaya looked at him, her eyes filling with tears. "You knew," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You knew, didn't you?"
Usopp nodded slowly. "I didn't want to believe it. I didn't want to hurt you. But when I saw the poster..." He hesitated, his hands curling into fists at his sides. "I couldn't let him hurt you, Kaya. That's why I've been training. That's why I've been acting so... different."
Kaya stepped forward, reaching out to take his hand. "You did it to protect me," she said softly. "I'm so sorry, Usopp. I should have seen it sooner. I should have trusted you."
Sanji, leaning casually against a broken tree stump, lit a cigarette and exhaled a thin stream of smoke. "The important thing is that little lady is safe now," he said, his tone light but edged with sincerity. "We've got work to do."
Luffy nodded, turning back to Kuro. "He's still breathing," he said, his voice carrying a note of practicality. "We'll tie him up and leave him for the marines. They can deal with him."
Zoro raised an eyebrow. "Think they'll actually handle it? They're not exactly reliable."
"They will," Nami said firmly. "They'll want to take credit for catching someone like him. It'll be enough to keep him out of the picture for a while."
As the Straw Hats moved to secure Kuro, Kaya approached Usopp again. She looked at him for a long moment, her eyes searching his face. "You've changed," she said finally.
Usopp blinked, startled by her words. "What do you mean?"
"You're... stronger," she said, her voice soft. "Not just physically. You've always been brave, Usopp, but now... it's different. You're not just telling stories anymore. You're living them."
For a moment, Usopp didn't know what to say. Then, he smiled—small and genuine, without a trace of the usual exaggeration. "I had good reasons to change," he said, glancing at his crewmates.
Kaya smiled faintly, the tension in her shoulders easing. "You are amazing, either way," she said. Leaving the long nosed sniper blushing profusely behind.
—
Few days later
The news of Kuro's defeat spread through Syrup Village like wildfire. The tale of how the infamous pirate had been unmasked and captured by the Straw Hats—and how Usopp had been instrumental in protecting Kaya—became the talk of the town.
Villagers, who had always seen Usopp as a mischievous dreamer, now looked at him with newfound respect. They saw the boy who had trained tirelessly, the boy who had risked everything to save his childhood friend. For many, it was a revelation. For Usopp, it was bittersweet.
He knew he hadn't been entirely honest with Kaya. He'd hidden what he knew, manipulated situations to keep her and the villagers safe. The realization that he had lied to her, even for a good cause, gnawed at him.
Yet, as his eyes wandered to the repaired dock, the happy faces of the villagers, and Kaya standing safe among them, he felt no regret. His choices had kept everyone alive, had brought the truth about Kuro to light. Kaya was free from the shadow of a manipulative monster, and the village was safe.
He straightened his back, determination solidifying within him. A warrior of the sea does what needs to be done, he thought. And I'll keep doing it, no matter what.
He quickly shelved the thought for later as he stood at the docks, his gaze fixed on the small ripples of water brushing against the shore. The villagers bustled around him, their voices filled with gratitude as they carried crates and barrels to the sleek ship anchored nearby.
The Going Merry.
When Kaya had offered the ship, Usopp had been stunned into silence. He hadn't seen the Merry in what felt like a lifetime—longer, even, in his heart. Now, standing before her once again, he felt a pang of emotion so sharp it nearly stole his breath.
The Merry's hull gleamed, freshly polished by the people of the village who had worked tirelessly to prepare her for the Straw Hats' journey. Her figurehead, the smiling sheep, seemed to beam at them, as if welcoming them home.
Luffy was the first to approach, his steps light but deliberate. He placed a hand on the Merry's side, his fingers brushing the smooth wood. "You came back for us," he murmured, his voice so soft it was barely audible.
Zoro stood nearby, his arms crossed as he eyed the ship. "She looks... exactly the same," he said, his voice gruff but tinged with something unspoken.
Nami climbed aboard, her hand resting briefly on the rail as she took in the familiar curves of the deck. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she turned her face away, but not before wiping her eyes.
Sanji leaned against a nearby crate, lighting a cigarette with a steady hand. "You never forget your first love, or your first ship it seems." he said with a small smile, his eyes lingering on the ship.
Usopp hesitated, his feet rooted to the ground. For all his tales of bravery and adventure, he suddenly felt like a boy again, unsure of himself. He clenched his fists, then took a deep breath and stepped forward.
When his hand touched the Merry, memories flooded back with the force of a tidal wave. The nights spent gazing at the stars from her deck. The laughter of his crewmates as they ate together. The battles they'd fought, the storms they'd weathered.
"Hey, Merry," Usopp said, his voice shaking. "It's... been a while."
He swallowed hard, the weight of everything they'd lost—and now regained—crashing over him.
—
When the preparations were complete, the villagers gathered to bid the crew farewell. Kaya and Merry stepped forward, their presence drawing everyone's attention.
Kaya's voice was steady, though her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Thank you for everything you've done,for me, for the village. I'll never forget it."
Luffy grinned, tipping his hat to her. "Take care of yourself, Kaya. And don't let anyone push you around."
Usopp stepped forward, his chest puffed out in an attempt to mask the emotion in his voice. "I'll come back," he promised, his voice firm. "When I do, I'll be the greatest warrior of the sea you've ever seen!"
Kaya smiled, a single tear slipping down her cheek. "I believe you," she said, pulling him into a tight hug. "Take care, Usopp."
The Straw Hats climbed aboard the Merry, their hearts heavy but filled with purpose. As the ship's sails caught the wind, the villagers waved from the dock, their cheers echoing across the water.
Usopp stood at the stern, his eyes fixed on Kaya until she was just a small figure in the distance. He wiped at his face with the back of his hand, muttering under his breath, "It's not tears. Just... sea spray."
The Going Merry sailed into the horizon, her bow cutting through the water with ease. For the Straw Hats, this was more than the start of another journey—it was a chance to reclaim their future, together.
Author's notes: That's Kuro done and dusted. I know it was quick, but let's be real, this is how this situation would play out. To be clear, I went with Kuro fighting with knives because it wouldn't make sense for him to carry those claws around. However, hiding some knives to emulate the claws makes perfect sense.
Also, I've been trying to release two chapters a week, but to be honest, that's not sustainable. So, I'll aim for one chapter per week, every Wednesday. Reviews are always welcome. See you guys later!