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Kuro pulled off his mask and shrugged, his voice low and calm.
"Miss Kaya, life's full of surprises. The difference is—your illness can't be cured... but mine can be fixed."
Kaya stared blankly at him, dazed.
The elegant, gentlemanly butler she'd known for years was gone.What stood before her now was cold, cruel, and dangerous.
Thinking back on the past three years she'd spent with him, a chill ran down her spine.
"I spent years planning this," Kuro said, a shadow falling across his face. "Didn't expect a damn kid to mess it all up. But… once I get rid of you, everything will still fall into place."
As his voice fell, thin, white blades suddenly sprang from each of his gloved fingertips.
His weapon—Ten Blades.
"Nami, Makino, take care of Kaya." Logan handed the trembling girl over to them.
"Logan, don't you dare let that bastard go!" Nami shouted, clenching her fist, glaring daggers at Kuro.If she weren't so outmatched, she would've gone after him herself.
Makino, the ever-gentle older sister figure, held Kaya gently, but her face twisted in disgust at the sight of Kuro.
"Captain," she said quietly but firmly, "teach him a lesson."
If even kind-hearted Makino was this angry, you could imagine how furious she really was.And Logan was no different.
He'd originally planned to expose Kuro's scheme and end it quickly.But the bastard just had to go and bring up Kaya's illness, rubbing salt in the wound.
That was a death wish.
"Heh... teach me a lesson?" Kuro sneered. "My Ten Blades haven't tasted blood in three years. Today, I'll let them feast."
He vanished.
"Silent Step!"
The sound of air cutting split the hall as Kuro's figure blurred—Only for the sharp crack of breaking metal to echo seconds later.
In disbelief, Kuro watched as his precious Ten Blades snapped in two.
"Pathetic," Logan said flatly, lowering his blackened arm.
Before Kuro could even react, Logan grabbed him by the shoulder.
"Target lock—long-range teleport."
The next moment, they reappeared on a desolate island.
Kuro froze, eyes darting around the unfamiliar surroundings.His voice trembled.
"W-What… how did you…?!"
This wasn't Syrup Village.It wasn't even the same sea.
Logan didn't bother answering. A cruel smirk curled on his lips.
"I was going to give you a clean death. But now…"
Run.
That was the only thought in Kuro's mind.He couldn't win.
He kicked his speed up to maximum—But he could never outrun Logan.
Then came the sound of bones breaking.
Shoulders. Collarbone. Fingers. Arms. Legs.Every non-lethal bone in his body was shattered.
His limbs twisted at wrong angles.
Kuro's agonized screams echoed across the island, scattering birds deep in the forest.His face contorted from pain, almost unrecognizable.
Logan appeared several meters away, a blade forming in his hand.A casual swing—And a dozen sharp slashes of sword energy cut through the air, slicing Kuro's body in different places.
After a few seconds of stunned silence, Kuro's pupils dilated, and a demonic howl ripped from his throat.
Logan had turned him into a human pig.
He'd done it from a distance on purpose—He didn't want the stench of blood on him.Neither Nami nor Makino would've liked that.
"Stay here and repent."
Logan glanced coldly at the blood-soaked figure on the ground, then locked onto his next teleport point—Kaya's mansion.
A flash—he was gone.
"Where did Mr. Logan go? He's not in danger, is he?" Kaya asked worriedly when they vanished.
If Kuro was really the captain of the Black Cat Pirates, his strength must've been formidable.A 16-million-Berry bounty in East Blue was no small thing.
Nami and Makino exchanged nervous looks.Truth was, they didn't know how strong Logan actually was—But his speed was terrifying.
Just as worry filled the air, Logan reappeared in the hall, unharmed.
Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.
"Mr. Logan… where's Kuro?" Kaya asked hesitantly.
Logan walked up to her, gently placing a large hand on her forehead, his tone soft.
"Don't worry. I sent him somewhere he can't cause trouble again."
Kaya nodded obediently, though her eyes lingered on him.They'd only just met today—And yet he'd risked everything to save her.
There really were people like that in the world.She was moved.
"Kaya, how about coming out to sea with us?" Logan asked suddenly.
She blinked, then nodded without hesitation.
"I want to."
Then her expression dimmed.
"But… my body…"
Before she could finish, Logan pinched her cheek playfully, grinning.
"Did you forget? I didn't just come here to beat up bad guys—I came to cure you, too."
"You thought I was kidding?"
"Really? You can really cure me?!" Kaya's eyes widened, hope lighting them up.After what just happened, she had no reason to doubt him.
"Of course," Logan said with a nod. "But… you've been sick too long. It won't be easy. Most importantly, we can't be interrupted."
He smiled slyly.
"So, let's go to your room. I'll check your condition properly and figure out how to treat you, alright?"
Kaya nodded without a hint of suspicion.Wasn't that how rare illnesses were treated?
After telling Merry to take care of Nami and Makino, she led Logan upstairs.
Nami watched them go, pressing a hand to her forehead.
"Another flower about to be picked…" she muttered.
Makino covered her mouth, giggling softly.
"Ah, so the captain does use a new excuse every time," she whispered, glancing at Nami. "So, what excuse did he use to get you aboard?"
Nami's face turned red instantly.
She couldn't exactly say she'd joined for the money—How embarrassing would that be?
"A-Ahaha, Makino, you're so nosy! Come on, let's grab something to eat—I'm starving!"
Makino smiled warmly and let her off the hook.
"....."