Luffy's gaze sharpened as Klahadore stepped into view. The butler, always composed and polite in front of Kaya, now exuded an air of menace. His once-gentle smile had twisted into something cruel, his glasses catching the moonlight as he adjusted them with slow precision. His steps were light, almost elegant, but each one carried the weight of a predator approaching its prey.
"Well, well," Klahadore mused, his voice smooth yet laced with contempt. "I expected a few rats to scurry about tonight, but I must say, you've been quite the nuisance." His eyes swept over the scene, taking in Luffy, Zoro, and Usopp with a cold calculation.
Luffy's fists clenched, his shadow tendrils coiling and uncoiling around him like restless serpents. They pulsed with his heartbeat, ready to strike. "Cut the act. We know you're not just some butler," Luffy said, his voice low and dangerous.
Klahadore chuckled, lifting his hand as razor-sharp claws extended from his fingers. The moonlight gleamed off the metallic sheen of his deadly weapons. "Sharp, aren't you? But it's too late. Tonight, Syrup Village belongs to us." His tone was almost playful, but his eyes held nothing but malice.
Zoro stepped forward, unsheathing his swords with a smooth motion. The sound of steel cutting through the night air was crisp and final. "You talk too much," he growled.
In an instant, Klahadore moved—his speed unnatural. One moment he was standing calmly, the next he was behind Luffy, claws swiping toward his back with lethal precision. But Luffy was ready. His shadows surged, forming a dense barrier that blocked the strike with a deafening clash. Sparks flew as the claws scraped against the dark tendrils.
Klahadore's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "Oh? This is new," he murmured, stepping back lightly.
Luffy spun, his tendrils lashing out like whips. Klahadore leaped back with inhuman agility, dodging them with ease. He landed gracefully, brushing nonexistent dust from his sleeve. "Impressive, but predictable," he said with a smirk.
Before Luffy could close the distance, Zoro rushed forward, slashing in a deadly arc. Klahadore sidestepped with the grace of a dancer, his claws deflecting the strike with unnatural speed. The air rang with the clash of steel against his reinforced nails.
"You'll have to do better than that," Klahadore sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. He countered with a swift kick to Zoro's side, sending the swordsman sliding back a few feet. Zoro gritted his teeth, feeling the force behind the attack but holding his ground.
Meanwhile, Usopp, from his vantage point on the rooftop, lined up a shot. His heart pounded, but he took a deep breath to steady his aim. He aimed for Klahadore's face and fired. A steel pellet whizzed through the air with deadly accuracy, but at the last second, Klahadore tilted his head slightly, dodging with almost lazy precision.
"Oh dear, was that meant to hit me?" he mocked, his grin widening.
Usopp's stomach tightened. This guy was too fast. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he quickly reached for another pellet, knowing that precision alone wouldn't be enough.
Nami, having slipped into the mansion unnoticed, finally reached Kaya's room. She paused to check the hallway before easing the door open. Inside, Kaya stirred weakly, her pale face turning toward Nami in confusion. Her voice was faint, trembling. "W-Who…?"
"No time to explain," Nami whispered urgently, quickly moving to help her up. She placed an arm around Kaya's frail body, supporting her weight. "We have to get out of here. Now."
Kaya's eyes widened in realization. "Klahadore—" Her voice cracked with fear.
"Yes. He's a monster. And we're stopping him," Nami said firmly, tightening her grip. She knew the battle outside was intensifying. Every second mattered.
Back outside, Luffy flexed his fingers, his expression hardening. His connection to the shadows deepened. He could feel them responding to his rage, eager to consume his enemy. His tendrils darkened, lengthening, moving like extensions of his will.
"This ends tonight," Luffy said through gritted teeth.
Klahadore's smirk never wavered. "Oh, I'm looking forward to it," he purred, adjusting his glasses once more. The moonlight danced off his deadly claws.
The real fight was only beginning.
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