Calculating Intelligent Individuals

Chapter 3: Calculating Intelligent Individuals

The gentle sea-scented breeze caressed Rodney's cheeks as the sun shone just right, making him feel a little drowsy.

Rodney kept his gaze downward, as he saw a bespectacled man emerge, donning a black suit with a peculiar pattern, unique leather shoes, and neatly combed back hair that glistened in the sun. He wore a smile that gave off an unsettling vibe.

"Miss Kaya, it's a beautiful day today," said Kuro as he emerged from the back door. Following him, a fair-skinned girl with short, light blond hair dressed in a white frock came out joyfully, exclaiming, "Yes, the weather is splendid today!"

The girl's smile was sweet and charming.

Rodney, perched on a tree, found the situation quite troublesome, as he didn't want the child to witness any violent scenes. Using his transformative abilities, he changed his appearance to that of Scarface Locke and leaped down directly.

Kuro, who had been a pirate until a year ago, sensed the danger and swiftly escaped while holding Kaya. With remarkable agility, he reached the back door in an instant and smiled, saying, "Miss Kaya, an unexpected guest has arrived today. Merry, please take care of her," he instructed the servant with a sheep-like haircut.

"Understood," Merry nodded and embraced Kaya.

As he closed the door, Kuro pushed up his glasses with the palm of his hand—a habit he had retained from his days as a pirate.

Turning his gaze towards Rodney, he asked, "Scarface Locke? What brings you here?" The news of Syrup Village had been cut off, and word hadn't reached this place that Scarface Locke had been killed.

"Oh? I didn't expect the famous Kuro of a Hundred Plans to still be alive, and now working as a butler for a little girl. Tsk tsk, what a fall from grace,"

Kuro sneered coldly. He hadn't anticipated being recognized today. He had feigned his death that day and had come here with the intention of plotting Kaya's family assets. In his plan, Kaya couldn't die at this point. They were still useful to him. If they were to die now, his scheme to seize the family's wealth would go awry.

"I've made up my mind, and I no longer want to be a pirate," Kuro stated. "I have nothing to do with you, and we have no quarrel. Why are you here?" he inquired, his tone laced with curiosity.

Rodney smiled and retorted, "Once a pirate, always a pirate. You can't change who you are. I'm here to lay claim to the possessions of these two individuals. Today, I'm going to eliminate the—Konoha Whirlwind!"

With astonishing speed, Rodney delivered a powerful low kick to Kuro's head.

Kuro, not one to be idle, had been a pirate himself, boasting a bounty of 16 million bellies. He was skilled in speed as well. He swiftly stepped back, evading the attack with a few leaps.

Rodney thought to himself, "Sheesh... this guy is way too agile, isn't he?"

Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached, and a group of bodyguards armed with guns and batons rushed over. Rodney smirked, leaped onto the roof, and let out a hearty laugh. "Kuro, I'll give you an hour. If you don't come out, I'll make sure your name echoes throughout East Blue. Trust me, I have the ability to do so. The folks at the Eastern Post Office would love to hear this sensational news," he declared.

"I've even come up with a name for the newspaper: 'Shocked! The Fake Death and Retirement of Kuro of a Hundred Plans...' Haha! I'll be waiting for you in the northern forest. You have just an hour."

With that, he descended from the roof and headed toward the forest.

Inside Kuro's room, upon hearing Rodney's words, his expression turned grim. He had worked hard to gain the trust of Kaya's parents, to get closer to Kaya, and to blend in with the villagers. In retrospect, he found these actions foolish. All of it was for the sole purpose of seizing Kaya's family assets.

He knew that being a pirate and stealing money was illegal, but being a wealthy person and doing the same was considered legal. Thus, he endured the humiliation and shouldered the burden, all for the immense family fortune.

Now, Rodney's unexpected arrival had disrupted his plans. He had to find a way to rectify this deviation and get his scheme back on track. He retrieved a package from under the bed, containing the weapon he was renowned for—Cat's Claw!

Wearing the Cat's Claw, he lightly moved his ten fingers, causing the sharp blades on each finger to glisten ominously. These blades could tear flesh and hair apart, perfecting his plan once again.

Pushing up his glasses with his furry palm, a habit that lingered from his days with this weapon, Kuro maintained his vigilance and fighting instinct, even after several years of not using it.

Pushing open the window and finding no one around, he immediately leaped out and dashed toward the eastern forest at full speed. Recalling the information about "Scarface Locke," his mind raced.

This pirate with a bounty of 4.5 million was skilled in cutting enemies in half with a hacksaw. He possessed immense strength and was known for his foul language. A hacksaw... a hacksaw?!

He abruptly stopped. The Scarface Locke he had encountered just now was peculiar. Why hadn't he seen his weapon? And why did a pirate with a mere 4.5 million bounty threaten him instead of escaping? He hadn't heard that Scarface Locke excelled at attacking enemies with his legs either.

Kuro had stumbled upon numerous blind spots!

"There must be traps in the forest, but if I don't go..."

Rodney had set a trap for Kuro, and it was up to Kuro whether to take the bait. Either way, traps would undoubtedly be waiting for him. If he didn't show up, he would have to deal with the arrival of the Marines.

For the sake of his own plan, Kuro found himself being manipulated by the other party. This thought angered him. Who was he? He was the illustrious Kuro, and he would never allow himself to be caught by anyone. This indignation fueled his determination.

"Damn it, I have to kill that bastard. If only Jango were here... but unfortunately, he will never appear because of my own orders."

The eastern forest wasn't far away. Kuro showcased his expertise, moving silently and stealthily as if he were a cat on the prowl. Occasionally, the forest echoed with the songs of birds, and the sunlight streamed through the gaps in the leaves, casting scattered patches of light on the grass, creating a delightful sight.

"Scarface Locke, here I come." With no one in sight and the silence feeling eerie, Kuro decided to break it.

"Just in time."

Ding! Ding!

A metallic clash reverberated through the air, and Kuro swiftly turned his body to dodge a shuriken hurtling towards him. No, there were two sounds just now. Sensing something amiss, he felt a sharp pain in his back as two shurikens pierced into it, with one lodging itself in a nearby tree trunk.

The Shurikenjutsu was an effective method of altering the trajectory of shurikens in mid-air by utilizing the impact of another shuriken.

Ding! Ding!

The sound repeated, Kuro brandished his Cat's Claw, deflecting the shurikens. In a flash, he lunged towards a tree, swiftly slicing off its crown, causing a figure to be propelled out.

"Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!"

An enormous fireball, the size of a house, materialized out of thin air and hurtled toward Kuro.

Kuro promptly leaped onto the tree trunk he had recently dismembered, propelling himself backward. The fireball collided with the tree, setting it ablaze. The intense heat generated by the Chakra-infused flames quickly reduced the tree to charcoal.

"This power is truly fearsome. Could this person be a Devil Fruit user?" Kuro muttered, refusing to back down. Rodney crashed to the ground, confirming Kuro's suspicion.

"Silent Step!"

Upon seeing Rodney reappear, Kuro resolved to make a move. Kuro's speed was extraordinary. When he reappeared, he was already behind Rodney. With the Cat's Claw aimed at the back of Rodney's neck, one swift strike would sever the man's head.

Substitution Technique!

"I've got you!"

With a swipe of his paw, Kuro effortlessly tore Rodney's body apart, only to have him transform into a wooden stake and be shredded into pieces.

"What?!"

"Alright, the game is over. Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique!" A hand emerged from the ground, gripping Kuro's ankle tightly.

Exerting force, Rodney pulled Kuro into the soil. Shortly after, Rodney emerged covered in dirt, shaking off the debris. Kuro's body had vanished beneath the ground, and the surrounding soil was stained red with blood.

By deliberately calculating and unintentionally luring Kuro into the soil, Rodney had curbed his opponent's exceptional speed, causing him to perish without even using his special abilities.

"I should find a place to clean up and change my clothes." Reverting to his appearance, he made his way back to the village.