8 Ghost Steps

Kuro looked over all the men, he found none of them to look interesting. Some looked like muscle heads with no brain, others as skinny as him. These people would be nothing but brutes that would need to be given directions in order to work properly.

If anyone got on a ship with him, they needed to have a brain. Someone who could think for themselves.

Although Wolf told him he did not need to handle any of them, Kuro felt he had to. He was the first one to join Wolf, it was his job to make sure anyone who joined them was as strong as him or close to it.

"To get on the ship, you need to get past me. Don't try it if you value your lives."

Kuro said in a threatening tone.

"Just tell us if Phantom is the one leading the crew. If not, we all wasted our time."

"You can see for yourself as long as you get past me."

Kuro replied.

Feeling that this was going to be easy a few men stepped forward and rushed Kuro.

A grin crept up on Kuro's face, as he watched the men dash forward. His body swayed side to side as if he were in a trance.

When he took one step, it seemed as if he took four. The men were stunned, as Kuro was leaving behind an afterimage of himself with every step. They barely kept track of him.

Kuro's body drifted past them, causing the men to stop in their tracks.

When his body stopped the swaying motion, blood dripped down from the claws extending from his fingertips.

The men all dropped down on the ground as large gashes appeared on their chest. How or when, none of them knew. Yet, they all understood that Kuro cut the men down easily.

"I'll say it again. If you value your lives, don't even try."

A few men backed off, scared by Kuro's strength.

Someone recognized Kuro by his appearance and weird movement. He pointed towards Kuro and shouted.

"Ghost Steps Kuro! Aren't you working with the Black Hand Gang? So, it is true! Phantom must be creating a pirate crew?"

"Does that mean the Black Hand Gang is expanding?"

"What benefits is there to being a pirate compared to a normal member?"

Questions emerged one after another, something that Kuro wished to avoid.

Just like Wolf was known all over Lougetown, Kuro made a name for himself too. With his movements, people started calling him Ghost Steps. It was hard to keep an eye on him when he started his motions.

The red nosed man was shocked by this revelation. But still, he did not come here to lose his chance at creating his own crew.

Stepping forward, he made his way through the crowd of people.

"Listen! Ghost Steps, Phantom! None are greater than me, join me and together all the treasure in the world shall be ours."

"Hey, big nose. If you want to recruit, go somewhere else."

Kuro told him.

"B-big nose! You just pissed me off, asshole!"

The red nosed man reached behind his back with both hands as he pulled out four knives.

Kuro's body started swaying, beginning his ghost steps.

The red nosed man had a large smile on his face.

Kuro sliced his claws at the red nosed man, but instead of cutting him they went through his body.

No, not went through. His claws did not even touch the man. The red nosed man's body split apart and hovered in the air.

He started laughing at Kuro.

"Behold the might of Buggy!"

As he said that, his hand detached from his wrist shooting forward. Two knives were held in between his fingers, creating a claw of his own.

Kuro deflected the attack to the side.

"His body… it's in half!"

"Devil fruit!"

People in the background were entranced by Buggy's ability. This was the first time many of them saw a devil fruit user, so they were impressed.

Kuro sliced towards Buggy once more, but Buggy's body was cut into more pieces that just floated in the air.

"Cuts are meaningless against me, can't you see! This is why you will lose this fight!"

Buggy said as he mocked Kuro.

Kuro raised his eyebrow as he grinned.

"That might be the case, but you are in pieces. What can you do?"

Kuro asked Buggy, as his attacks were easy to dodge. Not to mention his body was in pieces, but his lower half was still on the ground. Kuro just did not point that out, he already saw Buggy's weakness.

Buggy had two hands, not just one. He detached his other hand, and controlled both of them to attack Kuro. However, Kuro ignored the incoming attack and kicked Buggy in his groin causing him great pain.

As he was groaning, Kuro grabbed parts of his body.

"If I set this on fire, will you survive? Why don't we test that theory?"

Although he was in pain, Buggy managed to surrender.

'You should work on your weakness Buggy, come up with a way to protect yourself when you split apart.'

An annoying voice appeared in his head, as Buggy recalled the words of an old shipmate. Maybe he was lacking… this no named young man beat him… someone who already sailed the seas.

Kuro looked down at Buggy who pieced himself back together.

"You pass. You have potential."