Chapter 470: Kuro

I sat on the edge of the ship, my sword across my lap, its polished metal catching the light of the early sun.

"Huh... I really need to perfect my breathing technique."

I spoke aloud, more to myself than anything else. My fingers tapped against the hilt as memories of battles flickered through my mind.

Back in Orange Town, I hadn’t used it—no need. When I reached for my sword, I could feel it. The current me wasn’t strong enough to use the higher forms. So I relied on something else entirely.

{Blood Domination}—a convenient trick. I brainwashed Buggy’s underlings not to attack me. Simple, clean, effective.

But not a solution I could always count on. Especially not when facing enemies immune to mental manipulation.

"Before my strength got suppressed, I could use all forms of my Breathing Technique. But now..."

I exhaled slowly.

"Fourth Form: Thunderclap Flash. Fifth Form: Stone Shatter. Tenth Form: Sonic Boom."

Just naming them sent an ache through my muscles—forms I’d perfected, now just out of reach. I’d need to retrain my body under this seal. Slowly, from the basics up.

That’s when I noticed it—a shadow on the horizon.

A pirate ship.

I stood, narrowing my eyes. The sails bore a crude skull-and-crossbones emblem, unfamiliar but sloppy. This wasn’t a marine vessel. This wasn’t a trade.

"So... Kuro’s crew is arriving, huh?"

I sheathed my sword and started moving. According to what I remembered from the canon, Luffy and the others should be on a cliffside by now—likely where Usopp would confront them with the truth.

Sure enough, as I climbed the rocky edge of the hill, I spotted them. Nami is pacing, Luffy is eating something, and Zoro is standing like a quiet pillar. Usopp was red-faced, animated, and mid-rant.

"Oi! Zoro, Luffy, Nami!" I called out. "What are you three doing here?"

Zoro turned his head as I approached.

"I thought you were training," Nami snapped, annoyed.

I shrugged. "I finished resting, then I spotted a pirate ship nearing the bay. So, I thought it might be a good idea to find you all."

"They’re already here?" Nami’s voice was sharp with panic. "Are you sure?"

I tilted my head. "Who’s here?"

She hesitated, glancing toward Usopp, who was gripping his slingshot tighter than necessary. Luffy stepped forward with his usual casual confidence, mouth still full of food.

"We just found out something important," he said.

Usopp nodded rapidly. "That butler—Klahadore? He’s not who he says he is!"

Luffy jabbed a thumb in Usopp’s direction. "His real name is Captain Kuro."

Zoro narrowed his eyes. "That name sounds familiar."

Usopp inhaled sharply. "He was a notorious pirate! Captain of the Black Cat Pirates! Three years ago, he faked his own death and has been hiding out in the village ever since—working as Kaya’s butler, slowly gaining her trust."

"And now," Luffy continued, "he’s planning to kill her and steal her inheritance."

I blinked. "That’s... quite the plan for a guy who wears glasses."

"How do you know he wears glasses? You haven’t met him." Nami asked.

"Intuition," I said.

"He’s dangerous," Usopp said, quieter this time. "I’ve seen it. The way he moves, the way he talks. It’s all a mask. He’s planning to raid the village at dawn. His crew is landing on the other side of the cape."

Nami folded her arms. "So why didn’t you go to the villagers?"

Usopp looked away. "Because no one believes me."

"They all think I’m a liar."

I watched the expression on his face. There was no doubt—he was scared. But he was here. He hadn’t run.

"And Kaya?" I asked.

"She doesn’t believe me either," Usopp said. "I tried warning her, but... he’s twisted her view too much. He’s been taking care of her since her parents died. She won’t doubt him until it’s too late."

Silence hung in the air for a moment.

Luffy turned to me. "That’s why we’re stopping him. We’re going to defend the village."

Zoro cracked his knuckles. "It’ll be good to stretch my legs again."

I nodded slowly. "You’ve got a plan?"

Usopp looked surprised. "You believe me?"

"I’d be a terrible crewmate if I didn’t," I replied.

Usopp smiled—an unsure, grateful smile.

"Captain Kuro’s men are probably landing through the forest trail," Nami added. "If we head them off early, we might be able to stop the ambush."

I looked toward the treeline. The sun was beginning to rise, shadows dancing in the undergrowth. There was time, but not much.

"Well," I said, unslinging my sword and resting it against my shoulder, "I suppose it’s time to welcome Kuro back to the land of the living."

"Let’s go, then!" Luffy said cheerfully. "It’s going to be fun!"

"Fun?" Usopp squeaked. "There’s nothing fun about getting stabbed!"

"You’ll be fine," Zoro replied, already moving toward the trees.

Nami hesitated before following. "I’m only doing this for the treasure he’s trying to steal."

I grinned and patted her shoulder. "Whatever keeps you motivated."

~~~

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