"Vice-Captain, we really didn't do anything… the villagers just ran away the moment they saw us!"
The crew following behind Lucky Drake complained helplessly.
Captain Red and Alvida were guarding the ship at the coast.
"Don't worry about the villagers. Just follow me—I guarantee you'll get a good meal today."
Lucky Drake said calmly.
His destination was Kaya's mansion.
At this point in the timeline, the pirate Kuro had become the mansion's butler, plotting to marry Kaya and steal her entire fortune.
Meanwhile—
Usopp tried to enter Kaya's estate, but Kuro's men blocked him and refused to let him meet her.
He climbed over the wall, only to be captured and thrown out again.
"Yo, isn't this Usopp?"
Lucky Drake arrived at the mansion entrance with his crew, just in time to see Usopp being tossed out.
"Ah—p-p-pirates?!"
Usopp saw Lucky Drake and the group behind him. His face went pale, and he nearly fainted.
"Hmph. That's right—we're from the Thunder Pirates."
Lucky Drake said. "By the way, can you repair ships?"
Usopp, sweating coldly, immediately shook his head.
"Hahaha! As expected of the great liar Usopp!" Lucky Drake laughed.
Usopp didn't reply. He scrambled up and ran away as fast as he could.
"Vice-Captain, should we chase him? What a coward—we didn't even touch him and he nearly collapsed."
"No need. We're going into this estate first."
Lucky Drake walked to the large iron gate and knocked.
Bang, bang!
"Who are you people? …Pirates?"
A suited security guard peered nervously from inside.
If it were only one or two visitors, he would have yelled arrogantly.
But Lucky Drake had brought too many people.
"Hehe, yes—we're pirates. No need to panic. We're just passing through and want a good meal and some drinks."
Lucky Drake replied.
The guard had no intention of letting them in.
He suspected these pirates wanted to rob the mansion.
"W-wait here. I need to go ask."
He finally said.
"Oh? Go ahead. Tell Butler Kuro that the Thunder Pirates are here."
Lucky Drake said with a faint, inscrutable smile.
Soon, the guard relayed the message to Butler Kuro.
Kuro's forehead vein throbbed.
Damn it—why are pirates here??
But then he calmed down.
The Thunder Pirates were small fry.
He, Captain Kuro—the man who repeatedly escaped Colonel Nezumi—had nothing to fear.
So Kuro went to greet them himself.
"Gentlemen, what business brings you to Syrup Village?"
Kuro asked calmly, though he was sneering inside.
"Kuro, we're from the Thunder Pirates. I heard Colonel Nezumi say you always slipped away from him—seems you're quite strong.
So, I'm here to challenge you."
"Sir, I don't know what you're talking about."
Kuro frowned and pretended ignorance.
"Cut the crap. I'll give you one chance to summon your old subordinates. Otherwise, don't blame us for bullying you alone."
Lucky Drake said arrogantly.
"And prepare good food and wine. Don't make us ask twice."
Kuro's temple twitched.
These fools—back when he was feared across the East Blue, this brat was probably still drinking milk.
"Hmph. You'd better leave. I can give you some money, but you won't gain anything else here."
Kuro said coldly.
If they didn't listen, he would simply slaughter them somewhere quiet.
CRACK!!
Before he finished speaking, the locked iron gate was sliced open in an instant.
Lucky Drake's blade mastery had reached its peak. Combined with his internal energy, it was equivalent to the fourth level of swordsmanship—easily strong enough to cut through locks and steel.
"Hehe, since you're not cooperating, Kuro, I'll just kill you first."
Lucky Drake kicked the gate open and walked in with his crew.
Kuro sneered and motioned with his hand—over a dozen guards surrounded them.
"Kill them all. Leave none alive."
Kuro ordered coldly as he adjusted his glasses.
He viewed the Thunder Pirates as a group of idiots.
"Yes, sir!"
The guards drew pistols.
"Six Meridians Divine Sword."
Lucky Drake didn't waste time. If Kuro wanted to die so badly, he would oblige.
He focused his internal energy through two fingers—unleashing a single meridian sword strike.
Whoosh—
An invisible blade shot forward, piercing Kuro's skull from behind.
Kuro never expected he would die before even making a move, killed instantly.
"W-what?!"
The guards were stunned stupid.
Butler Klahadore—dead?!
And the man only flicked his fingers!
Gulp.
Terror spread through them.
The enemy was too strong… too unreal.
"Hmph. If you don't want to die, don't resist. We Thunder Pirates don't kill without cause."
Lucky Drake said lightly.
The system chimed in his mind—mission completed.
He gained 2500 lottery points.
Behind him, his pirate crew puffed up arrogantly.
"Yeah! We don't kill without reason—but if you don't listen, we'll beat you so hard your own mom won't recognize you!"
Just then—
The frail Kaya appeared, supported by her horned butler.
"Mr. Klahadore… what happened outside?"
Before she could finish, Lucky Drake said:
"Sorry—your butler is dead.
But I indirectly saved your life.
If you understand gratitude, you can hand over half your family's fortune to thank the Thunder Pirates."
Behind him, the crew silently admired their vice-captain.
Such a reasonable way to rob someone…
It almost sounded justified!
~~--------------------------------
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