18. Kuro

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Unfortunately, the Black Cat Pirates turned out to be terrible poor people. Searching the entire ship, Bobby found only a few thousand belly and cheap jewelry that was worth nothing. Not what I was expecting, to be honest...

But still, Bobby collected all the weapons and more or less useful materials, which I immediately processed in the fabricator siphon to fill the cartridges a little. It won't be redundant.

Bobby also found a few pirate bounty flyers that I didn't have and a few art books that were useless, but at least they'll be something to kill time on the road.

When Bobby finished, I asked her to move all the pirates to the island, and then destroyed their pirate ship with Quinjet missiles, which now do not have to be saved. Like Alvida's pirates, these guys will wait an hour for the Marines to come for them.

Unfortunately, I didn't think of asking Nelson for his den den mushi number and now I'll have to wait for him to contact me himself so that I can tell about the Black Cat Pirates and the Alvida Pirates, which I, frankly, completely forgot about.

It is very convenient when you have a private marine, ready to carry out any order. Moreover, the capture of two pirate teams will have a very positive effect on Nelson's career.

As a result, I did not even begin to take the Nyaban Brothers and Jango with me, leaving them on the island as well. I'll ask Nelson to have their reward (7'000'000 for the brothers and 9'000'000 belly for Jango) delivered to me on the Gekko Islands.

This is very convenient, especially since I did not want to carry these three idiots with me for several days. Although, because of this, I will have to wait until Nelson's people can get to the island, but in my opinion this is not such a big price.

With this little workout done for Bobby, we moved on and in less than twenty minutes we reached the Gecko Islands. Although it would be more correct to call this place an archipelago, since there are as many as five islands here.

On one of the islands is the Syrup Village I know, which is where I'm going, on the other two there are similar small fishing villages, the fourth is used purely for agriculture, which feeds all the islands, and on the last island there is a fairly large city, three times more, than that, that on Cozia.

When we were almost close to the islands, I turned to Bobby and said: - I will go to Syrup Village alone and deal with the pirate, and you will go to Caramel City to sell the jewelry I created and exchange all the money for gold.

- Are you sure? - Bobby asked calmly, hiding her annoyance at my decision.

- Yes, I won't need your help, Kuro is here alone. Especially since I myself want to fight this guy and learn his movement technique. It would make more sense for you to do something else while I hunt. - Nodding my head, I said.

- …Okey. As you command. - Bobby said after a little hesitation, deciding not to argue with me, although she obviously wanted to.

'She's getting more human every day....' — I thought, watching the behavior of the terminator, which began to show more emotions and its own identity.

- Great. Then Oracle drop me somewhere near Syrup Village so as not to attract attention, and then go with Bobby to Caramel City. When you're done, come back for me. - I said to the pilot.

- ...

- I do not hear the answer. - I said loudly.

- [….Yes, sir]. - nevertheless, the Oracle answered with her robotic voice, in which one could still hear notes of discontent.

'Why do I need all this, huh? Oh those women. Even if they are artificial, they still bring problems.' – I thought doomedly, rubbing the bridge of my nose.

- [Captain, we have arrived at the location.] - After a couple of minutes of silence, the Oracle notified me, landing the Quinjet in an empty clearing.

- Okay, then I'll go. Bobby, always keep den-den mushi with you and try not to attract attention. But, if something happens, call me right away and I will come to the rescue. - I said, after that I handed Bobby two chests with jewelry and money.

- It'll be all right, Captain, don't worry. - Bobby said confidently, walking me to the exit of the jet.

- Eh, I would like your confidence… Okay, good luck. And don't quarrel here. Understandably? - I asked, wagging my finger.

- Yes. - Bobby replied reluctantly, trying not to look me in the eye.

- …

- Oracle, this concerns you too. - I said loudly, looking at the dashboard.

- [Okey.] - said the Oracle submissively, again with ill-concealed displeasure.

: And when did you get so advanced, huh? - I asked involuntarily, then added with a sigh: - At least make sure the Quinjet doesn't get hurt.

Without listening to the answer, I got out of the jet and began to watch how he, under the control of the Oracle, flies north, after he became invisible again.

- Oh, why don't they get along? They have so much in common. They are both artificial intelligences and both women. Sort of. I don't understand women's logic... - I complained, pulling out the Wingcycle.

From the air I could see where the village was, so I knew the direction. Starting the engine, I headed east and pretty soon reached a small village in the English style. It was a quiet place where nothing ever happens, and really, there's nothing wrong with that. About such a place, they also say that it is ideal for retirement.

Without starting to enter the village itself, so as not to attract attention and not to disturb civilians, I drove around it and headed for the only mansion located here, which belonged to the Kaya family, which I understand runs this settlement.

Since Kuro is disguised as a good person, I decided to be more delicate and not attack him headlong. I don't want to be misunderstood and attacked in an attempt to protect this bastard. So, first, a constructive dialogue to clarify the whole situation, and only then, I will beat the face. After all, I am a civilized person...

When there was very little left of the mansion, I removed the Wingcycle and with a calm step approached the gate, which was guarded by two ambals in black suits.

When they saw me, one of them shouted loudly, raising his hand: - Stop!

- I'm standing. - I said calmly, obeying to show that I had no ill intentions.

- This mansion is guarded, and outsiders cannot enter its territory without the permission of the Lord. Who are you and what do you need? - said another guard who looked exactly the same. Apparently twins.

- My name is Nemo and I'm a pirate hunter. I came here to find a very dangerous pirate who recently faked his own death and is rumored to have hidden himself here. Have you recently got a new person about whose past nothing is known at all? - I said calmly, stepping closer so as not to scream.

- Well… - muttered one, looking anxiously at his partner.

- Actually, the lord recently hired a man as a butler… - added the second.

: And we really don't know anything about his past… - finished the first.

'Are they on purpose, or did they do it by accident?' I thought involuntarily, as associations with red-haired twins surfaced in my head.

- Perhaps he is… - I started to say, but a new voice interrupted me.

- What's going on here? - a presentable man with blond hair asked as he left the mansion.

- Sir, the bounty hunter is here… - the first one said respectfully.

- And he said that a dangerous pirate had infiltrated us… - and finished the second. It looks like they really used to talk like that…

'So this is Kaya's father. He is still alive. Looks like I made it in time…' - I thought, looking at the man, who easily recognized the features of his daughter.

- Is that true, young man? - the man asked in all seriousness as he passed through the fence gate.

- Yes. This is Kuro of a Hundred Plans, the former captain of the Black Cat Pirates. A few months ago, he got into a fight with the Marines. He was caught and executed, but as it turned out, it was a staging. To some high-ranking member of the Marines, the whole situation seemed suspicious and he ordered the body of the executed pirate to be exhumed.

It turned out that in fact it was a man named Nugire Yainu. The ship's carpenter whom Kuro took on shortly before that battle, just in order to use it as a fake, since outwardly they were very similar. - I told briefly, lying, but one order to Nelson, and all this will become true.

- And why do you think this person is here? - Lord asked seriously, looking at me with skepticism.

- Recently, I ran into the rest of the Black Cat team, and when I neutralized them, they told me that Kuro is here, planning to get the entire fortune of one rich man. - I said, again faking it a little.

- And you think the person Kuro wants to rob is me? - the man asked, trusting me more.

- Well, in this small village, I don't see any other options. - I said with a smile, pointing to the mansion.

- Yes, I think you're right. And what does this Kuro look like? - the man asked, allowing himself a little smile, although internally he was now very worried.

- Here is his old flyer. I understand that the photo is not very good, there are too many shadows, but I think the common features are visible. - I said, passing the paper to a man whose name I still do not know.

- Yes, I see. I recently hired a Klahadore person and he does look a bit like the person on this flyer. But I find it hard to believe that such a polite young man, in the past, was a cruel pirate. - Lord said thoughtfully, examining the piece of paper.

- Kuro is just the same known for being a good actor and will do everything to make his plans come true. The words of his team and what I have learned from you are proof enough already, so could you tell me where he is? Although, if it's just a misunderstanding, then no one will get hurt and I'll just leave. - I said politely, complaining to myself:

'Too much talk. Next time, I'll stick with Luffy's method.'

- Mm, I understand that in a situation like this, when dealing with dangerous pirate, it's better not to hesitate. But I still would like to make sure that Klahadore is really Kuro. Maybe he has some special signs by which can easily distinguish this person? - said the man, a little stubbornly, who obviously did not want to believe that he had made a mistake by letting a pirate into his own house.

- If I'm not mistaken, Kuro has a very unusual way of adjusting his glasses. He does this with the base of his hand. It has to do with the weapon he uses. - I said, seeing the man's eyes widen.

To finally convince him and end this useless conversation, I added: - Kuro also wears a jacket for some reason, with poop-shaped lapels...

But before I could finish the sentence, I felt the danger coming from behind. Rolling to the side and dodging the blades, I saw that it was the same one, Kuro, who put on his cat claws (two gloves with five blades attached to them). He obviously did not like that I was able to avoid his attack and now, Kuro was looking at me very angrily.

- It's not poop, it's two beautiful swans… - Kuro said with anger in his voice, pointing at me with his blades.

- No, just poop. It simply cannot be otherwise. The author said so… - I said with a smile, taking out my Escrima sticks.

- Exactly, exactly, it's poop... - one of the guards supported me, who, together with his partner, began to take his master away.

Luckily they know how to do my job and I won't have to worry about a hostage situation...

- Really poop... - added the second, closing the gate behind which they hid with the owner of the mansion.

- And you shut up. Once I'm done with this hunter, you're next. I've only been here for two months, but you've already managed to get me with your manner of speaking… - Kuro shouted angrily, not taking his eyes off me.

- So it's true, Klahadore? Are you really a pirate and entered the mansion to steal my fortune? - the Lord asked softly.

- Ididn't mean to steal it, I wanted to legally obtain it, along with this mansion. There would have been an accident, and the little miss would have remained an orphan, and then she would not have endured loneliness and would have committed suicide, having previously left her entire fortune to her butler, who took care of her. But now, my brilliant plan is ruined and all because of you. - Kuro said calmly, looking at me angrily.

- You… - Lord said angrily, understanding all the hidden implications of Kuro's words, and then ruthlessly said: - It's really poop.

- How did you all get me! - Kuro shouted furiously, after calming down a little and saying: - I will gladly kill you all.

- And then what? Will you return to your crew? - I asked, starting to move away from the fence to get more space to fight.

- You, as a future dead man, do not need to know about this. - Kuro said arrogantly.

- Is that how? Too bad, I just wanted to say that you have nowhere to go back. Your team is no more. - I said with a smirk to irritate this guy even more.

- Those guys were useless anyway, so anyway…. - Kuro said ruthlessly, and after becoming serious looked at me, saying: - But you ruined my plans. And for that, you will pay with your life.

Finally, the conversations ended, and Kuro rushed at me, wanting to cut me with his claws. Even though Kuro is clearly the strongest person I've fought since I went to sea, he was still inferior to me in skill and physical strength, so I dodged the attack without any problem and quickly counterattacked, hitting Kuro in the chin.

Not expecting such a speed from me, Kuro flew a few meters away, after which he stabilized his position, and seriously looked at me, rubbing his chin.

- So you're good at something… - Kuro said, starting to treat me like a worthy opponent.

- Did you really think it would be so easy? - I asked with a smirk, taking a fighting stance.

- I guess I'll have to be serious… - Kuro said with a smile, Kuro, also taking a stance and naming his trademark technique: - Nuki Ashi (Pussyfoot Maneuver).

Kuro kicked the ground several times and really disappeared from view. I expected this, so I was on my guard, waiting for him to be around. And although I couldn't follow him with my eyes, I could feel him perfectly with my telepathy.

And when I felt that Kuro was close to me, I abruptly ducked and missed the claws, right under my head. A little more, and I would have become a few centimeters shorter.

- Ugh, that was dangerous… - I said as I jumped away from Kuro, before adding with a cheeky smile: - You almost cut my shirt. She's brand new.

- Better worry that I don't cut your pretty face… - Kuro said angrily, who was pissed that I was again able to dodge his sneak attack.

He used his move technique again and lunged at me, this time trying to attack me from behind. My telepathic detection is, of course, far from Observation Haki, but I could feel the minds of people in a radius around me, so it can be said that I have eyes in the back of my head, and I was again able to dodge Kuro's attack, at the same time hitting him in the ribs.

After several more unsuccessful attempts to cut me, Kuro only got a few more painful blows from me, so he decided to change tactics.

- I didn't want to, but I'll have to use… - Kuro said after wiping the blood from the nose that I broke for him, giving the name of her strongest technique: - Shakushi.

Kuro let his arms hang limply and began to slowly rock from side to side to enter a kind of trance to perform this movement. When he finished preparing, he disappeared from view again and this time, it was much faster than before...

That Kuro reaches his maximum speed, he does not control his direction at all and therefore he is dangling back and forth. He moves so fast that he doesn't even know he's attacking.

And even my telepathy could not keep up with him, because at the moment when five cuts appeared on the ground not far from me, I felt Kuro already in a completely different place. This technique is much better than I expected...

When a small scratch appeared on my arm, which luckily couldn't damage my suit, I realized that at the moment my base state was not enough to withstand Shakushi.

The next moment, I activated my diamond form, and I must say, just in time, as I heard a very distinct sound of a blade hitting my impenetrable skin.

- Devil Fruit? - Kuro asked in shock, interrupting his technique and looking at his glove, who was left without blades, as they broke against me.

- I repeat, but id you really think it would be so easy? - I said in my cold voice.

Now, Kuro realized what ass he got into. He couldn't beat me in my base state, let alone my diamond form, which also boosts my physical stats.

- You… could easily defeat me all along? - Kuro, obviously tired, said with difficulty.

- Always. - I said with a grin.

- But why? - Kuro asked helplessly.

- I was interested in your technique of movement. I wanted to see her in action. - I said honestly.

- YOU… - Kuro growled angrily, feeling doomed.

- Daddy, what's going on here? - A young girl's voice suddenly rang out.

- Kaya, get out of here. It's dangerous here. - The Lord shouted with excitement. who all this time was in safety and watched Kuro and me fight.

- What… - asked a 14-year-old girl, who returned from the village at such an untimely time, incomprehensibly.

- Damn… - I said displeasedly, noticing Kuro's bloodthirsty smirk.

The next moment, he used Nuki Ashi again and rushed to Kaya to take her hostage, since she was his only chance to get away from me.

- There couldn't be a better time, little miss. - Kuro said happily, being near the girl and already about to grab her.

- You ruined all the fun… - I said displeasedly, appeared between the girl and Kuro, thanks to the Outsider's Mark Blink.

Kuro only had time to be surprised at my appearance, as he received a thunderball from my Element Gun. Having received several thousand volts in his face, Kuro let out a wheeze and limply fell to the ground.

- Are you okay? - turning to Kaya I asked as I returned my weapon to my inventory.

- Ah… yes, yes… thank you… - Kaya said, not fully understanding the whole situation, and also embarrassed to look at me. Hm…

- Eh, that was a disappointing ending… - I muttered as I kicked the fried Kuro.