"As expected," Jango said. At Kuro's blunt words, his own expression settled, and he met Kuro's gaze.
'I had a hunch the moment I saw him,' Jango thought. 'Someone who could waltz in and get me out of there wasn't just hauling bricks at a construction site. And from the sound of it, he's some kind of instructor now.' He hadn't, however, expected Kuro to be quite so direct.
After a moment of silence, Jango glided into a lazy dance step, his movements fluid as if he'd fully recovered. A smirk on his lips. "Well, this is a surprise. To think the great Kuro of a Hundred Plans, former captain of the Black Cat Pirates, would end up taking orders from someone else."
He punctuated the statement with a graceful turn.
"Give me some time to think it over, will you? I've been hauling bricks for days, and I'm exhausted. Right now, I just want to have some fun." His gaze swept over the bustling street. "Place is really buzzing. Is there some kind of festival?"
"It's the end of the year," Kuro said, turning to take in the lively scene. "Everyone celebrates during this time, a chance to unwind after a year of work. It's my first time seeing it. It is… surprisingly festive."
Kuro didn't seem bothered by the non-answer, as if he'd already anticipated it. It made sense. Jango had been a captain himself while Kuro was away being a butler, and he had his own ambitions. He wouldn't just sign up with some unknown organization on a whim.
'Even for me,' Kuro mused, 'becoming a full member came at a considerable cost.'
But Kuro didn't press the issue. He simply adjusted his glasses. "Well then, let's have a look around."
"Lead the way, Instructor Kuro," Jango said with a grin.
As they strolled through the streets, Jango saw that Kuro was right. The entire Conomi Archipelago was alive with celebration, like one enormous, island-wide banquet. The air was filled with the sounds of laughter and cheerful chatter.
"I always figured you for the butler type," Jango remarked. "Never pictured you as an instructor."
"There was… an incident."
"Those trainees seem to respect you, though. It's almost unbelievable."
"I've seen a much bigger world," Kuro replied simply.
And so, the two walked, conversing as they went.
Just then, a warm, peaceful voice called out, "Instructor Kuro!"
They both stopped and turned to see a burly figure approaching. The man's sheer size was imposing, and Jango flinched at the sight of him. At his side stood a small girl with pink hair.
"Mr. Kuma," Kuro greeted him, his expression calm as he adjusted his glasses. He seemed unsurprised by the man's appearance. His gaze then shifted down to the little girl, and the corner of his mouth twitched into a faint smile. "And look at you. Up and walking around now, able to walk around now?"
"Catwalk Man!" Bonney chirped.
"I told you I'm not the Catwalk Man!" Kuro snapped.
"Uncle Mock taught me!" Bonney continued.
"Don't learn anything from that scoundrel. I'll kill him one day." The faint smile on Kuro's face vanished, replaced by a deep scowl. He looked up at the still-smiling Kuma. "Is her illness cured?"
"She still needs a bit more treatment," Kuma said, shaking his head. He wore a gentle smile as he stroked Bonney's hair. "But she can walk on her own now. When she heard about the festivities, she begged to come, so I brought her for a look. She just can't stay in the sun for too long, given her…" He seemed to catch himself, noticing Jango's presence, and trailed off before adding, "But it won't be long. Soon she'll be fully recovered and able to run around in the sunshine."
"Is that so?" Kuro glanced at the grinning girl under Kuma's hand and nodded. "Then we won't keep you. And you," he added, pointing a finger at Bonney, "stop calling me Catwalk Man, you impolite brat."
"Got it, Catwalk Man!"
"..." Kuro's eye twitched.
"Thank you very much for your concern!" Kuma bowed formally to Kuro. "I won't disturb you either!"
With a smile, he turned with Bonney, preparing to continue their stroll, Kuro still frowning. Bonney had been confined for a long time, even in Sorbet Kingdom, she'd been confined to hiding in the church. So, even if only for a short time, he wanted Bonney to experience things. "Bonney, where do you want to go?"
"Anywhere is fine, as long as I'm with you, Daddy! Ooh, can we go get some Captain's Chicken? I'm craving it again after last time!"
The father and daughter continued on their way, the little girl's happy laughter echoing whenever she spotted something new.
Jango wiped a bead of cold sweat from his forehead. "Is that guy a giant? His build is terrifying."
"No, he's not."
"Then he's your new boss?" Jango asked, still staring at Kuma's broad back. "Seems like a happy father, though."
"That's 'Tyrant' Kuma from the South Blue. Bounty of 296 million Berries," Kuro stated flatly. "He's a major player on the Grand Line, but he's not my boss." He glanced at Jango. "For him, I suppose this is what happiness looks like."
"296 million Berries?" Jango seemed shocked by Kuro's introduction, looking at him in surprise. "Someone that impressive isn't your new boss either? So who *is* your new boss? Could it be... the East Blue Overlord?"
"Don't mention that scoundrel to me," Kuro snapped, his calm demeanor instantly replaced by a dark glower. "How is that idiot even considered a notable figure?"
Jango stared at him, completely bewildered. 'Wait, back then, even you were shocked when the Overlord showed up,' he thought. 'Why are you calling him an idiot now?'
"So it's not the Overlord either? Then who is it?"
"I can only tell you that I've joined the Marine 16th Branch," Kuro said, his gaze steady. "What have you decided, Jango? If you don't agree, then I'm afraid I'll have to send you back."
"Is that really the only option?" Jango asked, a wry smile on his face as he took another dance step. "You've really changed, Captain. That place sounds exhausting, and I've still got my own dreams, you know? The Marines just aren't my style. But never mind that… what's your relationship with East Blue Overlord, anyway?"
"No relationship whatsoever," Kuro denied instantly, his expression grim. "He's just an idio-"
He was cut off before he could finish.
"Wahahaha! Catwalk Man, you're here!"
A booming voice cut through the air from behind them, making Kuro's face reddened even further. Before he could react, a large, thick hand suddenly clamped down on his shoulder.
"Perfect! You want to come to Romance Dawn with me? I heard you haven't been yet. That's no way for my partner to act!"
"The Overlord of East Blue!" Jango exclaimed, eyeing the huge man who had appeared behind them with a mix of surprise and caution. He shot a strange look at Kuro. "Didn't you say you had no relationship?"
"So you're the partner Catwalk Man was talking about!" Mock said, finally noticing Jango. His eyes lit up. "Hey, I remember you! You're the new captain of the Black Cats!"
Kuro and Jango both shot Mock an identical, withering glare. 'Black Cat Captain?' The thought echoed between them.
Kuro took a deep breath and deftly slipped out from under Mock's heavy arm, frowning. "What are you doing here?"
As he spoke, he noticed a familiar, regal figure standing beside Mock and was taken aback for a moment before composing himself and offering an elegant bow.
"King Cobra."
Indeed, it was the King of Alabasta himself.
"There's no need for such formality, Mr. Kuro," King Cobra said cheerfully. "Vivi is always talking about this place, so I grew curious. I decided to come along with her this time."
"Welcome," Kuro said with a nod, seeming to recall something. He then turned his disapproving gaze back to Mock. "And you came with this man…"
"Oh, Mr. Mock offered to show me the fun at Romance Dawn," the king continued, still beaming. "He said it's very interesting and would be a wonderful way for me to relax!"
At those words, Kuro's thought. 'If I remember correctly,' he thought, 'Princess Vivi's relationship with the Boss is... unusual. And this idiot brought her father to Romance Dawn? He's got some nerve.'
But before he could say anything, Mock cheerfully slung an arm back around Kuro's shoulders. "It's a great place! Catwalk Man hasn't been either, so let's all go together! You're my best partner, after all! My treat today!"
"I-"
"What 'I'? Let's go! Don't worry, you won't have to pay! You too, Catwalk Man's friend, come on!"
Before Kuro could protest further, Mock was already enthusiastically dragging him toward Romance Dawn. After a moment's hesitation, the invited Jango shrugged and followed them.
A few minutes later, led by the seasoned regular Mock, the four of them arrived before a magnificent, gilded building. Not long after that, they were inside.
A collective sigh of pure comfort escaped from Kuro, Jango, and the king.
"Feels good, right?" Mock said proudly. "Every time I come back, I make a special trip here to unwind. The prices are steep, but we get discounts. Sometimes there are even employee benefits, like full reimbursement."
He glanced over at Jango, who was already sprawled in a plush chair, groaning in contentment. "So, Catwalk Man's friend," Mock said cheerfully, "what do you think? Want to join us? The Boss takes pretty good care of his own."
Before Kuro could even purse his lips in disdain at the idiot's clumsy recruitment attempt, Jango's eyes lit up behind his heart-shaped glasses. "Is that right? Discounts and sometimes even free? I'm in!"
Kuro stood frozen, as he stared at Jango in disbelief. 'You scoundrel,' he thought. 'What happened to your dreams? You're joining without a second thought?' He took a slow breath, his gaze shifting to the cheerfully grinning Mock. 'It seems this oaf… isn't quite as stupid as I thought.'
--**--**
Meanwhile, on another side of the festival, Kuma and Bonney ran into Dante along with others. When they saw Bonney walking around in the daylight, even for a short while, they couldn't help but smile. It turned out that their combined efforts were proving effective. After his initial assessment, Dante had passed along the treatment plans from Crocus and Doctor Kureha to Vegapunk, and the input from the two veteran doctors had yielded some new insights.
"Mr. Dante, have you seen my father?" Vivi asked as she walked over, a puzzled look on her face. She greeted Bonney and Kuma before frowning. "I wonder where Daddy ran off to."
"Princess Vivi," Kuma said with a bow. "King Cobra is with Mock. I saw them just as we were coming over."
"Mock?" Vivi repeated, looking confused. "Where did Mock take my father?"
"It seemed to be…" Kuma hesitated for a moment, but under Vivi's expectant gaze, he finally answered. "Romance Dawn."
===============
Dear Readers and Fans,
For those eager to dive into next chapters earlier before others, I invite you to join us on Patreon. By becoming our Patron, you not only gain access to exclusive advanced chapters but also help us continue this endeavour and expand it further.
https://www.pat reon.com/8Ashes8
(no space)
You can read upto 7 Chapters in advance.