While Shanu and the others excitedly toured the interior of the ship, northeast of Shelly Island, in a somewhat remote inn…
A tall figure draped in a black cloak sat on the balcony, expression cold, gazing at the sun sinking slowly into the sea.
"What a boring life…"
The man known as "Hundred Plans" Kuro murmured to himself.
He had been roaming this sea for years. As he entered middle age, the fiery enthusiasm of his youth had faded, leaving him weary of this lifestyle.
Especially in recent years.
All the East Blue pirates with bounties over ten million, except for Buggy who escaped back to the Grand Line, had been killed by the man named Shanu.
And yet, Kuro remained, an isolated survivor.
Standing out like a crane among chickens, he became a target. Navy hounds and greedy bounty hunters pursued him relentlessly, forcing him into bitter battles from time to time.
His stop at Shelly Island this time was because his ship had suffered heavy damage in a naval skirmish a few days prior.
He had no choice but to seek a professional shipyard for repairs.
Perhaps it was time to figure out a way to escape this predicament, and retreat to a scenic countryside estate to live a few peaceful years like a retired wealthy man.
As he pondered this, he suddenly heard rapid footsteps—thump, thump, thump—from the staircase.
"Back already?"
Kuro didn't need to look to know who it was. Frowning, he muttered, "Weren't you supposed to check out several more shipyards and compare prices?"
If the price was reasonable, it would be acceptable.
If not, he could always put a gun to the shipwrights' heads later and see if they dared overcharge him.
"Boss! Big catch! Big catch!"
Sham and Buchi couldn't hide their excitement, trembling as they held a photograph.
"Here, look! I took this just in case, sneaking a close-up shot!"
"A famous sword?"
Kuro's eyes were immediately drawn to the Wado Ichimonji in the photo. A hint of delight showed on his face. "It should be a Skillful Grade sword… maybe Great Grade… worth at least a hundred million Berries…"
Suddenly, his expression darkened sharply.
Before Sham and Buchi could react, the captain vanished into thin air. In the next instant, icy clawed blades pressed tightly against their throats.
"I said…"
A cold, ominous voice came from behind. "You two… didn't sneak over to the new captain, or plan to betray me, did you?"
"Blood! Blood's about to be spilled, Boss!"
Sham screamed, panicked. "What… what are you talking about?! We're loyal to you! How could we betray you?!"
"Y-Yeah." Buchi swallowed nervously and forced a smile. "You know us… we'd never dare…"
"Exactly because you wouldn't dare! Otherwise, I'd have killed you already!"
Kuro sneered and pointed at the photo. "I ask you, are you blind?! Can't you see who that man is?!"
"That man?"
Sham and Buchi stared blankly at the photo.
The camera had focused on the sword, blurring the other figures slightly, but one man's face looked somewhat familiar, as if they had seen him somewhere before…
"It's Shanu! That famous East Blue strongest swordsman, Shanu! You two blind fools!"
"Shanu?!"
Hearing that familiar name, Sham and Buchi gasped, finally snapping awake.
"The same Shanu who wiped out the entire Arlong Pirates a few years ago?"
"And the Krieg Pirates too! Completely annihilated by him not long ago!"
The two shivered with fear, drenched in sweat, feeling like they had narrowly escaped death.
Good thing they hadn't acted rashly at Whale Shipbuilding, or they wouldn't even have seen Captain Kuro.
"Now you're scared?"
Kuro's cat-like claws slashed in front of them, shredding the photograph into pieces. Ten icy streaks of light cut it apart instantly.
"What are you waiting for?! Go tell Zango! Gather all the crew! Set sail immediately! We can't stay at Shelly Island, move the shipyard elsewhere!"
"Eh? But we just got here…"
Buchi pouted, reluctant. "We could have avoided that guy… we haven't even docked for a month. I wanted to hit the red-light district tonight…"
"Shut your mouth, idiot!"
Seeing Kuro's expression grow darker, Sham hurriedly covered his companion's mouth. "Better safe than sorry! Don't you understand risk? What if that man noticed us? You want the Black Cat Pirates wiped out too? Let's go and gather the crew!"
That was more like it.
Watching the two hurry out, Kuro snorted coldly. His subordinates were all fools, being around them made him feel his own intelligence slipping.
"The strongest swordsman… Shanu…"
Looking at the shattered photo on the floor, Kuro felt a lingering unease. Something bad was bound to happen today.
This man was far too dangerous. He had to stay away, far away.
As for foolishly going to provoke him like that idiot from the Krieg Pirates to raise one's bounty and fame?
Ridiculous.
Given the difference in strength, the chance of success was extremely low. He was "Hundred Plans" Kuro, known for intelligence and prudence. He would never do something so stupid.
…
Half an hour later.
The Black Cat Pirates' ship hurriedly set sail. Kuro leaned on the railing, eyes fixed on the neon sign of Whale Shipbuilding.
Until the sign was nothing more than a tiny speck in the distance, and no ship had followed them.
He finally withdrew his gaze, forcing himself to lie back on the sun lounger calmly.
"Boss, your red wine."
Vice-captain Zango handed him a glass. Kuro nodded and took it, but set it aside, having no mood to drink.
"Boss, I think you've just been too tense from being chased lately," Zango said cheerfully. "Want me to hypnotize you and relax a bit?"
"No."
Kuro frowned slightly, refusing.
Zango was the only subordinate he trusted, and his hypnotic ability was indeed useful, but Kuro hated losing control.
"Captain!" The lookout suddenly shouted. "At ten o'clock, a small boat is heading our way!"
A small boat?
Kuro's pupils contracted. His back stiffened as he sprang to his feet. "Look carefully! How many people? Is Shanu on it?"
"Just one!"
The lookout replied. "This person looks unfamiliar, not Shanu, not the bounty hunters chasing us before. They're waving at us, like they want help. This boat is tiny… it's like a coffin, barely enough space for one person…"
Not Shanu?
Kuro exhaled in relief, but a surge of shame and anger rose, some unknown little nobody had the nerve to ask for help?
"You clueless fools…"
He sneered, ignoring it further, and ordered, "Get closer! Crush that guy and the boat!"
"Yes, Captain!!!"
The pirate crew on deck roared in response.
…
On the nearby sea,
Hawk Eyes paused at the sight of the pirate ship barreling toward them at full speed. He let out a small sigh and reached for the black blade on his back.
I just wanted to ask a local where Cocoyashi Village is.
Why do these people have to go and do something like this…