At the same time...
[Syrup Village]
"Pirates are here! Everybody run!"
A sharp and urgent shout cut through the village's peaceful afternoon.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
Immediately afterward, the alarm bell hanging from the watchtower at the village entrance began ringing rapidly.
This harsh bell was the emergency warning used by every village along the edge of the East Blue against pirate raids.
The moment they heard this alarm etched into their bones, the villagers working in the fields or chatting in the streets all changed expression.
Everyone rushed home like a frightened flock of sheep, locking their doors and windows tightly and hiding in dark basements with their wives, children, and elderly family members.
In their simple understanding, aside from those extremely twisted pirates who enjoyed killing, most pirates would not slaughter civilians indiscriminately.
When they came to poor places like this, they were usually after money or women.
As long as they hid properly, the pirates would probably leave once they had looted enough supplies and satisfied themselves.
In the eyes of the panicked villagers, this attack should be no different.
Because through the cracks in their doors, they saw that only a single pirate had swaggered into the village.
The man carried a long gun and looked full of hostility.
But no matter what, he was alone.
How many households could one person really destroy?
As long as they weren't unlucky enough to be targeted, they just had to endure it.
———
At the highest point in the center of Syrup Village stood a three-story western-style house with a large estate and elegant decoration.
This was the manor of Kaya's family, the richest family in the village.
It was also where Usopp had lived for a long time after marrying into the family.
Although over the past two years, as their positions within the World Government continued to rise, Usopp and Kaya rarely stayed in the village for long periods.
Especially after Kaya became pregnant. To ensure everything was safe, they spent most of their time in Mary Geoise, where the environment was better and the medical facilities were countless times more advanced than those of East Blue.
"Hehehe... honey, did you feel that? The doctor said our chubby little boy is about to be born."
"Don't worry! As a real man, no matter how busy the script gets next, and no matter whether I have to go act alongside that idiot in the straw hat, I promise. When our son is born, I'll definitely be outside the delivery room."
Inside the spacious and bright room, Usopp was kneeling on the soft carpet without any concern for appearances.
His face, which usually carried a somewhat funny look, was currently smiling like a complete fool.
While making solemn promises, he carefully massaged the calves of his wife Kaya, who was reclining in a rocking chair with a noticeably swollen belly, treating her as if she were a queen.
"Alright, alright. I know you're the most family-oriented person."
Kaya gently reached out a fair hand and stroked Usopp's slightly messy curly hair with a smile.
Her face, a little fuller because of her pregnancy, was filled with the sweetness and happiness of becoming a mother.
"It's really fine. Don't be so nervous. The important work arranged by that lord comes first. You've already spent plenty of time with me lately."
"Besides, when you're out on missions, isn't Mother staying with me in the Holy Land? She's the best mother-in-law in the world," Kaya comforted him softly.
However, while the couple enjoyed this peace and warmth, the cries of "Pirates are here!" and the urgent ringing of the alarm bell drifted faintly into the manor from outside.
"Hm? What's going on?"
The foolish grin on Usopp's face disappeared instantly.
He frowned slightly and stood up from the floor with quick but careful movements.
"What bad timing. Let me see which suicidal pirate crew chose this moment to come looking for trouble in Syrup Village."
The moment the words left his mouth, Usopp's eyes became incredibly sharp.
An invisible wave of Observation Haki spread outward from the manor, instantly covering the entire village.
After only a brief pause, Usopp accurately locked onto the pirate aura that had caused panic among the villagers.
"It's... him."
The moment he saw that familiar and disgusting figure, his expression froze.
Then an uncontrollable rage burst into his eyes.
That beast who abandoned his wife and child.
Even if the man turned to ashes, even after more than ten years apart, there was no way he could mistake that bloodline aura carved into his bones.
"Usopp... what happened? You don't look well."
Sensing the fury that had suddenly risen from her husband, Kaya sat up slightly and gently held his trembling hand.
"Don't worry, Kaya. It's just a rat that wandered into the wrong place. I'm fine."
Usopp forced out a smile and was just about to bend down and comfort his startled wife.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Three rhythmic knocks sounded at the door.
Then a calm male voice came from outside.
"Lord Usopp. Lady Kaya. An uninvited guest has arrived at the edge of the village. A pirate."
The person standing outside was the manor's butler.
He reported clearly, "Based on my observations, that pirate has a very clear route. He is heading directly toward our manor. His target appears to be this place."
"Do you require my services, my lord?"
"Kuro. In your current role as the manor's butler, simply stop him at the gate."
Usopp turned his head, his voice cold.
He had absolutely no affection for Yasopp, his father in name.
The mother he loved most had suffered on her sickbed and waited in despair because of that irresponsible man.
And until today, for more than ten years, that beast had never once come home.
Moreover, from what he had sensed with Observation Haki, he didn't believe Yasopp's current state of murderous anger had anything to do with visiting a son he hadn't seen in years or a pregnant daughter-in-law.
That undisguised fury and killing intent made it obvious he was here to kill someone.
And in a remote place like Syrup Village, the only person connected to Yasopp whom he would remember should be Usopp himself.
That made the identity of his target obvious.
'How ridiculous. This is the world's greatest sniper?'
'This is pirate romance?'
"Remember, he probably won't try to kill you immediately. You're only a butler, after all," Usopp gave the order coldly, "But if... if he's truly insane enough to attack you, then I permit you to use your trump card and act as you see fit."
"Even if... you kill him directly, that's fine."
"Yes! I completely understand your meaning, my lord."
Kuro's respectful and emotionless voice came from outside the door.
Then came the sound of leather shoes stepping steadily across the wooden floor and moving away.
"Usopp... is it really okay for Mr. Kuro to handle this by himself?"
Hearing the killing intent in the conversation, Kaya tightened her grip on Usopp's hand.
The appearance of Kuro as their butler was actually somewhat dramatic.
Because Kaya's family had helped Usopp quite a lot in the past, even after Usopp was secretly recruited by the World Government and left the village for special training, he often found time to return and visit them.
Over time, both sides came to know each other very well, and their relationship grew close.
Then, more than three years ago, Kuro suddenly appeared in formal attire carrying a flawless resume and applied to become the family's butler.
But the moment Usopp saw him, he immediately realized that this man was anything but ordinary.
The hidden scent of blood and scheming around him was not something a normal butler would possess.
Although with Kuro's strength at the time, he was no threat at all in Usopp's eyes after he has already been trained by the World Government.
In the East Blue, where the World Government had deliberately restricted information and where strength was generally low, someone at Kuro's level was definitely a significant figure.
After Usopp used overwhelming strength to have an extremely friendly physical conversation with his fists, the badly beaten Kuro, bruised and questioning life, knelt down without hesitation and confessed his entire past.
It turned out that he was the famous East Blue pirate known as Kuro of a Thousand Plans.
But because he handled things too ruthlessly and had become too famous, he was constantly hunted by Marine fleets and endlessly pursued by bounty hunters.
He had grown tired of a life where he constantly feared for his survival.
So he carefully arranged his own fake death and planned to obtain a clean identity, replace someone in a wealthy family, and live peacefully on land.
Then, after Kuro was beaten into submission and learned that the ordinary-looking long-nosed youth before him had already been recruited by the World Government, and that even a wanted criminal like him had a chance to be pardoned if he followed this person, how could someone who prided himself on being intelligent hesitate?
Naturally, he immediately pledged his loyalty.
Later, as their contact deepened, Kuro gradually caught a glimpse of the hidden truth behind this world.
Not only did he completely abandon any thoughts of resisting or escaping, he became even more devoted.
As long as he performed every role assigned to him properly under this man's command, he could rise to the top and completely clear his name.
The second half of his life would not only be secure, but he could even obtain real power.
This deal was simply too profitable.
Besides, if his acting skills exploded and he performed exceptionally well in some important production, if he happened to receive praise from that god high above the clouds, then from that day forward, wouldn't Kuro of a Thousand Plans be able to do whatever he wanted across these vast seas?
"Don't worry, Kaya. Kuro is an extremely rare kind of smart person. When it comes to reading and manipulating people, he's much better than an amateur like me."
Thinking back on how he had recruited Kuro, Usopp patted the back of Kaya's hand and gave him very high praise.
After having his horizons completely broadened by the World Government's elite education, Usopp understood better than anyone else what kind of terrifying talent people like Kuro possessed.
Someone with no background whatsoever, who had relied entirely on his own mind to claw his way out of the mountain of corpses among low-level pirates.
If the two of them had been given the same resources and starting point, Usopp believed that when it came to schemes and plotting, Kuro would play him like a fiddle.
People were often like this.
The higher they climbed, the more they learned, and the more of the world's vastness they saw, the more respect they developed and the better they understood themselves.
"As for the mess outside, we'll leave it all to him."
Usopp took a deep breath and looked at his wife seriously.
"I'm contacting Brother Sanji right now and having him open a portal. We'll send you back to the Holy Land first."
He was angry, but he had not lost his reason.
There was no way he would leave a pregnant Kaya in a place where a major battle could break out at any moment.
That wasn't bravery.
That was using the lives of his wife and child to do something stupid.
"Okay! I'll do whatever you say."
Kaya smiled obediently and nodded without hesitation.
She was a smart woman.
She knew that following instructions, protecting herself and the child, and not becoming a burden to her husband was the greatest support she could give him.
Whatever he wanted to do, she would cooperate fully.
———
At the same time, in front of the ornate iron gates of Kaya's manor...
"Pirate, stop. This is not a place for you to cause trouble."
Dressed in a perfectly fitted black suit and wearing gold-rimmed glasses, Kuro stood quietly before the manor like an elegant statue.
He lightly raised a gloved hand and habitually adjusted the glasses that had slipped slightly down his nose.
Then he slowly lifted his head, his eyes cold as he looked straight ahead.
There, Yasopp, his face full of hostility, had already raised his custom long-barreled rifle without hesitation.
The dark muzzle was aimed directly at Kuro's forehead.
Bang!
Yasopp didn't waste a single word.
There was no warning either.
Along with the deafening gunshot, a custom bullet wrapped in black Armament Haki shot out of the barrel.
It tore through the air and screamed toward Kuro's forehead with deadly force.
It was a fatal bullet so fast that the eye could not track it.
If this had been three years ago, facing a Haki-coated bullet fired by an enraged Yasopp, not to mention one shot, even a hundred extra lives would not have saved Kuro.
A single hit would have been enough to kill him instantly.
But now, the man standing before Yasopp was Kuro after three years of hellish training under the World Government, completely transformed.
Faced with a bullet powerful enough to blow apart the skull of a small Sea King, Kuro neither dodged nor panicked.
He simply raised his right hand.
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