Chapter 28: The Premature Decisive Battle
The night was deep, and the sea breeze howled.
At the edge of the cliff on the coast of Syrup Village.
A staggering figure finally fled back to the base by the shore.
Intense pain made Kuro unable to support his body weight any longer.
He knelt heavily on the edge of the cliff and roared with all his might toward the hidden pirate ship below:
"Jango—!!"
This shrill roar instantly shattered the silence of the coast.
On the "Bezan Black" below, several pirates on night watch immediately swarmed out.
They looked toward the source of the sound in confusion, and by the faint moonlight, what they saw made their eyes widen in horror.
Captain Kuro, who in their hearts was unrivaled in resourcefulness and terrifying in strength.
Was now covered in blood, and most horrifying of all—his left arm was gone, severed cleanly at the root!
"Is that... Cap... Captain Kuro?!"
"The invincible Captain Kuro actually..."
A commotion broke out on the deck.
"Everyone shut up!"
With a lazy yet panicked shout, the hypnotist Jango, wearing heart-shaped sunglasses, strode out of the cabin.
When he saw the tragic scene on the cliff, his jaw nearly hit the floor.
Not daring to delay for a second, he immediately led several confidants up the cliff.
"Captain! What... what happened? Your hand?!"
Jango supported the staggering Kuro and asked in horror.
"Cut the crap!"
Kuro's face was distorted, his eyes so gloomy they seemed capable of dripping water.
He angrily pushed Jango, "Get the doctor to stop the bleeding first! Quickly!!"
"Yes! Yes! Hey, you guys! Quickly carry the Captain back! Be gentle!"
Several pirates scrambled to carry Kuro back to the pirate ship and gently placed him on the soft large bed in the Captain's quarters.
Soon, the ship's doctor rushed in, carrying a medical kit and drenched in sweat.
"Hey! Treat the Captain immediately!" Jango roared.
"Yes, Lord Jango, I'll treat him right away!"
The doctor knelt by the bed, his hands trembling as he cut open the tattered cloth Kuro had wrapped around the stump of his arm to temporarily stop the bleeding.
When that mangled section of broken bone was exposed to the air—
"Aaaaah!!!"
Kuro couldn't help but let out a suppressed roar, veins bulging on his forehead as cold sweat instantly soaked the sheets.
He gritted his teeth hard, forcing himself to stay conscious.
"Captain... what... what on earth happened?" Jango watched with a racing heart, "Could it be... that someone from Marineford has arrived?"
Kuro took several deep breaths to ease the piercing pain, then said through gritted teeth:
"A few pirates came today... I was ambushed by that red-eyed brat among them. And... that bastard knows my identity..."
"What?!"
Hearing this, everyone in the room gaped in shock.
To be able to injure Kuro like this, what a ferocious great pirate that must be!
Jango's eyes widened even further as he sucked in a breath of cold air:
"Knows your true identity? How is that possible? That plan was seamless!"
By now, the doctor had begun suturing the wound. Kuro trembled all over from the pain, but the killing intent in his eyes grew more intense.
"In short, the infiltration plan has completely failed."
A crazed light flickered in Kuro's eyes, his voice sounding like that of a rabid beast:
"In that case! We'll settle everything the pirate way!"
Jango wiped away cold sweat and looked hesitantly at the night outside the window:
"I understand, Captain. But it's the middle of the night...
"Most of the brothers are resting. Why don't we stick to our original plan and launch the raid at dawn..."
"No! Now! Immediately!!"
Kuro snapped his head around, his bloodshot eyes glaring intensely at Jango, who stumbled back two steps in fear.
"Assemble the Nyaban Brothers! And all members of the Black Cat Pirates! I want to attack now!"
"I'm going to slaughter everyone in that Village, and those damn brats too! Leave no one alive! By then, all the Village's treasures will be ours anyway!"
Feeling the Captain's tangible killing intent, Jango immediately snapped to attention and saluted:
"Yes!! Captain Kuro! I'll go assemble everyone right away!"
"Captain Kuro! We will avenge you!"
"Kill them all!!"
"Hahaha! Leave no one alive!"
The pirate ship was instantly filled with bloodthirsty fanaticism.
...
Meanwhile, at the hilltop villa.
Kaya's room was brightly lit and surrounded by a group of people.
After a round of intense and "friendly" physical exchange with the villa guards.
Luffy and the others finally convinced them that they meant no harm, while also revealing Kuro's true identity.
At this moment, the butler Merry, who had a sheep-like hairstyle, was holding a hot towel and anxiously wiping the cold sweat from the unconscious Kaya's face.
"I really didn't expect this..."
Merry looked at the pale young lady, his voice trembling, "That Klahadore... was actually a ferocious great pirate.
"He lurked here for three years, likely to seize the vast fortune of Miss Kaya's family."
"Hmph, I knew that four-eyed butler was no good!"
Usopp stood to the side with his arms crossed. Though his face was full of worry, he spoke proudly, "My intuition is spot on!"
"Now is not the time for this."
Nami's brow was furrowed as she said worriedly, "We have more to worry about than just him.
"Since that guy is a Captain, his Black Cat Pirates might be lying in wait near the Village. If the main force attacks, that's the real danger."
Hearing this, Tatsuya, who had been leaning against the wall resting with his eyes closed, opened them.
He nodded and said with a smile:
"Impressive, Nami, you guessed correctly. Yes, the Black Cat Pirates are right under the cliffs of the north coast."
"Wh-what?!"
Nami instantly bristled, rushing to Tatsuya and grabbing his collar, "You knew?! Why didn't you say so sooner!!"
After shouting, she realized there was a patient in the room and quickly covered her mouth, glaring fiercely at Tatsuya.
Zoro stood to the side holding Wado Ichimonji, analyzing calmly:
"In that case, if Kuro is allowed to escape back, he definitely won't let this go.
"For the treasure, and to cover his tracks and seek revenge, he'll have his pirates wash this place in blood immediately."
*Munch munch...*
Luffy was still chewing on some meat on the bone he'd swiped from the kitchen, saying indistinctly:
"Ah, so that means we're going to fight, right?"
"Exactly."
Tatsuya added, his smile widening, "A wounded beast is the most crazed."
"With the plan exposed and himself severely injured, Kuro has gone mad. They'll attack immediately, probably within the next hour or two."
"How could this be..."
Merry turned pale with fright, the towel dropping from his hand, "What should we do... I'll call the nearby Marine branch immediately..."
As he spoke, he hurriedly reached for the Transponder Snail on the nightstand.
*Slap.*
A slender hand pressed down on Merry's wrist.
Merry looked up and met Tatsuya's smiling eyes.
"Butler Merry, by the time the Marines arrive, the battle will be long over, and the Village will likely be burnt to ashes."
Tatsuya's tone was confident and calm.
"We'll handle this for you. In exchange—give us that big ship, how about it?"
"Ah! Right! Big ship! Big ship!"
Hearing "big ship," Luffy immediately jumped up in excitement, his eyes shining.
"What are you so happy about! That's a full-strength great pirate crew! The Captain's bounty is a full 16 million Berries!" Nami complained.
"Hmph, there's no other choice." Zoro's grip on his hilt tightened, a bellicose smirk curling his lips.
"Hey! Is anyone listening to me! That's the Black Cat Pirates!" Nami said anxiously.
Merry looked at the composed, red-eyed youth before him.
Then he looked at Luffy and Zoro, who were noisy but showed no fear. After a moment's hesitation, he finally gave a heavy nod.
"Fine! As long as Miss Kaya and the Village can be protected, what's a ship! Just as long as you can win!"
"Yosh!!"
Luffy shouted, swallowing the last bite of meat, "Deal! Let's go now!"
"Butler Merry."
Tatsuya let go and began arranging the tactics.
"Send someone immediately to notify the villagers and lead everyone to this high ground to take refuge.
"As for the battle, leave it to us to intercept them at the coast."
Merry wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, his gaze becoming firm: "Alright, I understand! I'll go send the guards to notify everyone right away!"
"Um... I'm going too!!"
Just as everyone was preparing to set out, a resolute voice rang out.
Usopp gripped his slingshot tightly. Though his legs were shaking, he roared:
"Even though I hate this! Even though I'm scared! This is the Village where I grew up! I want to protect it too!!"