Chapter 7: The Black Cat's Curtain Fall
"...Um, thank you."
Usopp looked up and thanked Reiner and Nami beside him.
He honestly thought he was dead, facing a pirate worth 16 million Beri.
Although he usually talked big, he knew his own limits.
He hadn't expected Luffy, Reiner, and the others, despite having met only yesterday, to be willing to offend the once-infamous Kuro for their sake.
"You misunderstand."
Reiner racked the bolt of his rifle, glancing at Usopp and Kaya sitting on the ground.
"First, we came looking for Kuro regardless of you. Second, there's a ship here."
He paused, then added, "Let's just consider it a transaction. After we defeat Kuro, you give us the ship."
Kaya looked at the man before her, his expression lazy and indifferent. She couldn't tell if he was genuinely helping out of kindness or just after her family's ship.
However, as long as they could get through this crisis, it didn't matter even if his intentions weren't pure.
After all, he had just saved her and Usopp's lives; at least the outcome was positive.
"I understand. Thank you again for saving us."
Kaya was much more sensible than Usopp, understanding that even if they were plotting something, she had no other choice.
Reiner grinned, showing his teeth. "Hey Luffy! We've secured our ship too!"
"Shishishi! All the more reason to beat this guy senseless!"
Luffy grinned eagerly at Kuro, rubbing his fists together as he charged forward.
Zoro followed close behind. Reiner didn't hesitate either, commanding his two demons to surge forward.
The clang of blades echoed continuously, sparks flashing in the air intermittently.
"These guys... each one is more ridiculous than the last..."
Kuro felt like grinding his teeth to dust, secretly alarmed by the force transmitted through his 'Ten Blades':
"Any single one of these four possesses strength comparable to mine! How have I never heard even a whisper of such a powerful pirate crew?"
It wasn't Kuro's fault; this was only their second day at sea.
They had just caused trouble at the 153rd Branch yesterday and arrived at Syrup Village this morning.
Even the best-informed person couldn't possibly get news that fast.
After just a few exchanges, Kuro found himself completely suppressed.
Suddenly, caught off guard, he took a heavy punch to the stomach from Luffy.
Kuro clutched his belly, only for the Chainsaw Devil to slash another deep wound across his back.
"Ah!"
Intense pain washed over him. Kuro gritted his teeth, forcing himself to endure it as he used his Silent Step to create distance.
Cold sweat poured down his forehead and face. A dark shadow flickered in Kuro's eyes.
"...I have no choice but to use that technique."
Shakushi. Kuro's strongest technique, an advanced form of Silent Step.
It was so fast that even he couldn't clearly see what he would hit. Once activated, it was a relentless assault that wouldn't stop until he exhausted his stamina.
Kuro raised a hand and pushed his glasses up with his palm. He crossed his arms, his Ten Blades flashing with a chilling light.
"Shakushi!"
In the next instant, Kuro's figure vanished. A fierce wind swept across the lawn – a killing wind as sharp as knives!
"So fast!"
"I can't see him at all!" Luffy and Zoro were astonished by his speed.
Schwing! Schwing! Schwing!
Deep claw marks suddenly appeared on the ground, then on the walls, then on tree trunks.
Without warning, with no discernible pattern.
"Hey, let's get away from this area first!" Reiner frowned, his expression turning serious.
He protected his vitals, one arm around his neck, the other shielding his chest, as he backed away.
Usopp pulled Kaya away to safety.
Nami had already smartly hidden herself earlier; she knew that if even these guys were struggling, she would only get in the way.
CLANG—
Suddenly, sparks flew from the Katana Devil's sword, and several gashes inexplicably appeared on its leg.
"Luffy! You two fall back, let these two tank it!"
Reiner shouted to the two in the field. Shakushi was a technique comparable in speed to 'Soru'.
They currently lacked the ability to track him. Their only option was to gamble!
Gamble that Kuro would run out of stamina first, or try to grab him when hit – which depended on whether the hit struck a vital point.
However, with Reiner's two undead creatures present, things were much simpler.
Just let them tank the hits!
Undead have no concept of life. If they break, they get repaired; it just costs a bit of stamina.
"Got it!"
Luffy and Zoro decisively retreated. This wasn't a formal duel; they weren't foolish enough to just wait to be cut.
On the field, the Katana Devil and Chainsaw Devil stood back-to-back, raising their arms defensively.
They remained motionless, letting themselves be struck on the back.
Until the next moment, when several slash marks suddenly appeared on the Chainsaw Devil's chest. Both 'men' instantly reacted, bringing their swords and saws down violently.
"AHHH!!!"
A bloodcurdling scream echoed as a spray of blood appeared out of thin air. The Katana Devil had luckily landed a blow.
Kuro, moving at high speed, stumbled heavily, crashing to the ground and rolling several times.
"My arm!!!"
Kuro gritted his teeth, staring at his empty right shoulder, trembling from the intense pain.
The Katana Devil and Chainsaw Devil blurred into motion, holding their weapons across their chests as they shot forward, skimming across the ground.
Watching the two figures hurtling towards him, Kuro actually felt a sense of relief. He knew his life was at its end.
"...Is it over?"
Kuro's expression dimmed; he no longer had the strength to dodge.
"...This is why I hated this kind of life."
"Every day, either terrified some strong opponent would show up, or constantly harassed by ants."
"...It's just so annoying."
"If I had known..."
"Maybe I should have just stayed hidden like that."
Schlick! Schlick! Schlick!
Blood spurted.
Kuro's vision gradually blurred. His body, unable to support itself any longer, pitched forward, collapsing face down onto the crimson lawn.
Reiner felt nothing regarding Kuro's death.
There were plenty of ways to live a stable life; he could have even hidden away at Kaya's mansion forever. But in the end, he was greedy.
Every choice has a cost, and Kuro had failed. That was all.
"Is he dead?"
"Yeah, completely dead."
Reiner answered Usopp and walked over to collect Kuro's physical information template.
His leg strength and explosive power were impressive. His fragility could be compensated for with Reiner's abilities.
His strength was also lacking, but with weapons, his attack power would be sufficient in the early stages.
Reiner had high expectations for him.
Soon, Kaya's household guards came out to clean up the scene. The group was invited into the mansion as guests.
Led by the butler Merry, they entered the main gate, walked through a long corridor, and arrived at the reception hall.
The reception hall was incredibly spacious. A huge circular coffee table sat in the center, surrounded by luxurious leather sofas. An exquisite crystal chandelier hung overhead, and patterned tiles covered the floor.
Reiner leaned back on the sofa, observing the room. It was filled with expensive works of art, with at least ten paintings hanging on the walls.
No wonder Kuro was tempted; the contents of this reception hall alone were worth several times his bounty.
"I knew her family was rich, but I didn't expect it to be this extravagant..."
Reiner thought to himself. Looks like I'll have to extort a bit more. They must have plenty of good wine and cigars hidden away.
For Kaya's health, I should help her by taking these things off her hands.
What, you say I'm shameless?
Yes, that's me, correct!
Nami was currently tearing up silently. So many valuable treasures right before her eyes, yet she couldn't take them.
"Maybe I should just steal a few pieces... just a few."
"No, I promised myself I only steal from pirates."
"No, no, no, but we did save her life! Taking a few items isn't excessive."
"No, Nami! How is that different from being a pirate?"
"But I am a pirate now!"
Nami was having a conversation with herself, which Reiner found quite amusing to watch.
"Please stay for dinner today, everyone."
Kaya walked in from the doorway, offering a gentle smile. "Later, I will take you to see the ship. Merry designed it himself."
"This trip really yielded a full harvest." Reiner leaned back on the sofa, thoroughly satisfied.