45 Murder Plot

"But this book here says he's been turned in and executed. Captain Morgan turned him in." Usopp tried to deny Luffy's claim.

" What are the chances he's just pretending to be Kaya's butler? " Luffy asked seriously. Usopp seeing how serious he was, stopped trying to deny it but instead tried to figure it out with logic and facts.

"He's been her butler for three years since Kaya's father took him in. Everyone in this village trusts him. If we say this, there's no chance they'll believe us. " Usopp muttered. Luffy hummed.

"Even if he's a pirate, he's not doing anything devious at all. He's just doing his job as Kaya's butler. " Usopp added.

" He's not called 'Kuro of a Hundred Plans' for nothing, Usopp. Klahadore or I guess, Kuro was reputed as an expert strategist who made elaborate plots to escape capture by the Marines and bounty hunters. " Luffy replied.

(I will now proceed to replace Klahadore's name with Kuro, as Klahadore is just an alias.)

" What? So you're saying he's planning something in his mind? " Usopp asked. Luffy nodded.

" Yeah, just like what he's doing right now. " Luffy muttered and pointed at the beach below the cliff they were on.

"Huh?" Usopp widened his eyes and leaned over the cliff. He saw Kuro standing in front of someone they didn't know.

The mysterious person was a skinny, Sandy Blonde haired man. He wore red, heart-shaped glasses, which disguised his heart-shaped eyes and matching eyebrows.

The striped, beard-like growth on his chin is actually the stem of a mushroom that grew while he was sleeping.

He was dressed in a blue, wide-brimmed hat, olive-green trousers (with similarly colored gloves), and black shoes with tall white socks.

He combined these with a simple blue jacket when travelling incognito, but wore a larger, more imposing overcoat lined with ring-like decorations.

Usopp looked at the book full of bounties and found that the man's name is Jango and that he is a part Black Cat Pirates and Captain Kuro's first mate, known as 'One-Two' Jango. He also has a 9,000,000 Belly bounty on his head.

"Ain't no way....." Usopp muttered and looked back at Kuro and Jango who started talking. Kuro put his hands in the pockets of his pants.

"Jango, I told you to not attract the attention of the villagers, but you slept in the middle of the street? " Kuro asked him while looking at him weirdly.

" Don't be stupid. I did not attract any attention and I am not weird either. " Jango replied. Kuro pushed his glasses up with his right palm.

"You have planned everything right?" Kuro asked which Jango nodded.

"Sure, I can begin anytime. The plan to murder that mansion's owner." Jango replied nonchalantly, making Usopp widen his eyes.

"Murder.... Kaya? Why?" Usopp whispered to himself. Luffy patted his back to calm him down.

"Calm down, Usopp. Don't panic in situations like these. They're talking again. " Luffy muttered while narrowing his own eyes.

"Don't use the word 'murder', I think it's too strong of a word, Jango." Kuro replied.

" I should say it's an 'accident', right Captain Kuro?" Jango asked. Usopp sighed to himself.

'Well, that confirms it. Klahadore is Kuro, the captain of the Black Cat Pirates. Shit, I have to warn Kaya about this. ' Usopp decided in his mind.

"Captain Kuro? I got rid of that name three years ago. Stop calling me by that. Besides, you are the captain now." Kuro replied seriously.

" I was surprised when that happened." Jango suddenly said.

"Huh?"

"When you told me you want to quit the pirate's life, you suddenly made me the captain. Everyone thought that Captain Kuro was executed. But you were alive and arrived at this village secretly. " Jango then sat on a large rock.

" When I learned of your plan, I felt that you would succeed. So I decided that I would help you. I think you will give me some good money in return. " Jango looked at Kuro.

" Yes, if the plan is successful, then I will give you a big reward. " Kuro replied emotionlessly.

" Leave the murdering part to me. " Jango pointed at himself.

" The problem is not about killing her, but we have to make it look like she died of illness. I don't think you understand the plan clearly. " Kuro replied.

" Don't be stupid, I understand our plan completely. If I invade the village with my crew and kill that girl, it will be easier for us and you can inherit all of her money." Jango argued. Kuro snorted.

" Stupid. Who would let a person outside the family inherit anything? " Kuro asked.

" Then how are you going to get her treasure? "

" How? Listen to me, this is the most important part. Before you kill her, you have to hypnotize her to write a will. She has to write 'I will give all of my treasure to Klahadore. ' And then I will have the right to inherit all of the treasure. The villagers trust me, they will not suspect anything. " Kuro smirked while putting his hand on his chest.

" So that's why you spent three years as a servant in that mansion. If I were you, I would've just invaded and taken everything. " Jango muttered.

" If I did that, I would be a pirate again and get chased by the Marines. I want to get the money without getting chased by the Marines, which means that I am a peaceful person. " Kuro smirked while using a finger to tap on the side of his head. Jango laughed.

"Peaceful? Hahahahaha!!! For your own peace, you can kill everyone in that mansion?"

" Hey, hey! I did not kill everyone. Kaya's parents died in an accident. Even I did not expect that. " Kuro corrected him.

" Yeah yeah whatever. Anyway, just give me a sign when you are ready. Our ship has landed on the coast close to here for more than a week. They're bloodthirsty. " Jango muttered menacingly

" Tomorrow morning, Jango. You and your crew shall invade the village early in the morning. Don't be too hard on the villagers, and make it look like an accident and finish Miss Kaya." Kuro declared before walking away from the scene.

Luffy tapped a shocked Usopp on the shoulder. Usopp looked at him. Luffy held a finger in front of his lips, signaling Usopp to be silent.

He then started walking away, he was quickly followed by Usopp. After they got far away enough. Usopp looked at Luffy.

"What the hell do we do?! I'm not prepared enough for this! Kaya! She needs to know!" Usopp panicked. Luffy stopped Usopp's panicking by punching him in the head.

"Ow!" Usopp shouted before rubbing his head.

"Calm down, Usopp. Panicking won't solve anything. You're right that Kaya should know. Once we sneak back in, we have to present her with facts calmly. And I do mean calmly, Usopp. Remember, panicking will not solve anything. Before that, we'll inform my crew and crush this invasion before it even happens. " Luffy explained seriously.

Although Usopp had a lot of fear in his heart, if it's for Kaya's safety and happiness, he will go through anything. He nodded at Luffy while donning a serious face expression.

"Got it, Luffy! Let's go!"

To be continued...