Luchu Island. It was part of a kingdom in the West Blue that was not in the World Government. Now, bandits rule it. They steal from the people by calling it a "survival tax." The people there have no money or food.
This island was now being attacked by a pirate crew that showed up suddenly.
"I knew it was bad from our research, but this is worse than I thought…", Kuro said, speaking to his crew.
"What should we do then, Captain Kuro?" Amisu asked.
"We've beaten most of the bandits here," Kuro replied. "Once we move the bodies, let's give out food. Amisu, you're in charge of that."
"What if the bandits try to take the food? Should we capture them?" Amisu asked.
"No," Kuro said. "They just love being violent. We don't need to let them live. If they don't give up, cut them down."
The pirate crew's name was the Black Cat.
–
Hancock and her three sisters were staying with this crew now. They were so skilled, she thought they might be even better than the Kuja.
"Hey, Captain," Hancock called out. She was working for him now, so she called him 'Captain'.
"Ah, Hancock. How is your side?" Kuro asked.
"It's finished," she reported. "They were just weaklings who forgot how to fight. The phonies Mihawk fought were tougher."
"What about them?" Kuro asked.
"He cut them all down," Hancock said. "Said they weren't worth it. See? There's the signal smoke."
"Good," Kuro said. "All that's left is Daz's area and hunting the rest."
Hancock knew it, but this first job was way too easy. Just to beat these bandits, the man with the glasses and that blade-man were probably enough.
"Ah, the ones Mihawk cut down had slaves from the village," Hancock continued. "They should be freeing them now."
"...Everyone here really loves slaves," Kuro said with disgust.
"They really do," Hancock agreed.
She saw the slaves: thin men forced to work hard, and thin women covered in bruises. That could have been us, she thought, and it scared her.
"Amisu, give food to the slaves first," Kuro ordered. "It will help us talk to the other villages."
"Got it," Amisu replied. "We'll leave 5 guards and go. It's that old church to the south, right?"
Kuro nodded, and Amisu led her soldiers away.
'Warriors who can fight Mihawk for ten minutes... are now cooking and serving food to weak people', Hancock thought.
It had been two weeks since they made this plan. They raided mafia ships and bases, and turned most of what they stole into food that would last a long time.
"Captain Kuro, are we really just waiting?" Hack asked.
"Ah, sorry Hack," Kuro said. "But I don't know what these people would do if they saw how strong fish-men are..."
Hack was a hero to her. If he hadn't met Kuro, she and her sisters would be slaves right now.
"Also, I hear Fish-Man Island has problems," Kuro continued. "It's better if they are seen as fish-men who help the weak, not fish-men who kill humans."
"...Thank you, Captain Kuro," Hack said. "When I go back to Fish-Man Island, I will tell them about you. They will be surprised and happy."
This pirate was so strong, but he was still so thoughtful. It was strange.
"Well, it's probably bad for you to be seen helping a pirate," Kuro added.
"Hahaha! People will understand one day," Hack laughed. "They will see what the black cat on your back means."
"...I see. Then I'll just keep trying my best," Kuro said.
"Yes, and we will help you," Hack replied.
'I always thought a pirate captain would be... different from this', Hancock thought.
The Empress of Kuja and all the captains were proud. They made others serve them. They had to, or their crews would not follow them and would see them as weak.
"Mm... Captain, the fourth signal smoke is up. It looks like all the bandits are gone," Hancock reported.
"So Daz is done, too. Good," Kuro said. "Hancock, guard this spot. There might be more bandits. This is a big island with many places to hide."
"The hiding spots are far from the farms and the village. Why not just burn the hiding spots?" Hancock suggested.
"...That's an idea," Kuro mused, "But no, not this time. It would take too long to clean up."
"Ah, right. Fine," Hancock said. "We'll just guard the camp. You're bringing all the villagers here before sunset, right?"
"Yes. A freedom party. I want to make it as big as possible," Kuro confirmed.
'This pirate, Kuro, got things by giving, not by taking', Hancock thought.
But he could also be very mean when he decided to take things.
I still don't understand this man. But I need to. He might be an enemy one day. This outside world is bigger and meaner than I knew. I need to understand this man who fights for no reason. Besides, my sisters like this life...
"The real work starts at night," Kuro said. "When the guard is set, have the gaurds take naps in turns."
"I know," Hancock replied. "You should rest too, Captain."
–
Rest…
I'd like to, but I can't. This is a race against time. We have to work very hard until the first harvest next year, or we'll be crushed. The Marines are guarding the way to the Grand Line. We have to be strong enough to get through. It's funny... by trapping pirates here, they've made this sea worse. I would just send them to the Grand Line to fight each other... But I guess they really don't want me and Robin to get there.
"Lady Hancock is right, Captain Kuro," Hack said. "Amisu and Ms. Robin are worried that you look pale."
"I'm trying to be careful," Kuro sighed. "To be honest, I would rather read a book and drink tea than be a pirate."
"Books? Yes... that does seem to fit you better," Hancock agreed.
She was wearing one of their crew's black suits, but hers was changed. It was more like a dress, with thin pants that had small cuts at the ankles.
'She must be proud of her legs. Right, her special moves are all kicks. I wonder if she'll eat one of those Devil Fruits Amisu brought back…', Kuro thought.
I am still keeping them in the safe in my room on the ship.
"Captain," a small voice said.
"Mmm."
"Ms. Robin?" Hack asked.
"Is there movement?" Hancock added.
They both stared at the small mouth that just grew on Kuro's arm, next to an ear.
"You were right, Captain," Robin's voice reported from his arm. "There are two weird ships... just going around the island. And Perona says three more are coming from the north-northwest."
'Good, using the signal smoke as bait worked', Kuro thought.
"They're not trying to get closer?" he asked.
"No, it doesn't look like it," Robin replied. "Perona said she could use her ghosts to check their crew."
"Tell her not to," Kuro ordered. "I just need her to track their ships and numbers without being seen. Tell me and Daz right away if they try to land."
"Okay, got it."
"And stay with your guards," Kuro added. "I'll send Hack to you, just in case they already have someone on the island."
'It's probably the mafia,' he concluded.
"It looks like they took the bait," Hancock noted.
"Yes," Kuro said. "This will make the main plan much easier."
They chose this island to spread their name and build a base. But they also chose it because it was close to the lawless country they planned to take over.
"They know we are strong," Kuro explained. "So they will plan a surprise attack."
"They'll attack when we are celebrating or hurt," Hack added with a small smile. "It's a smart plan... if they weren't being watched."
Hack was smiling, but these guys are dangerous, Kuro thought. We need to beat them now and get rid of this problem.
"Hack," Kuro ordered, "go and help Robin and Perona, just in case. Take some fish-men who can fight with you."
"Hmm. And what is our job tonight?" Hack asked.
"After Robin and Perona see the enemy land, your team will attack and take their ships. I want to cut off their escape."
"I see... Understood," Hack said.
This is very different from the old plan, but we need more ships and men for this new plan. We need every ship we can get.
"Hancock," Kuro said.
"Hm?"
"We'll have the party as planned. After we give food and drinks to the villagers, we'll shoot fireworks from the cannons on the other ships."
"With bright lights mixed in, right?" Hancock asked.
"That's right," Kuro confirmed. "They'll probably land at sunset and hide. They will wait for the party to end."
"And that's when we, Daz, and Mihawk will attack them."
Exactly.
"We can't let them escape," Kuro continued. "This will test our teamwork. We need to use the lights and our powers to circle them. Stay in touch with Robin's team."
The main goal is to weaken our biggest enemy before the real fight. And, if we can, I want to get information from the prisoners... We don't even need to hurt them. Perona's ghosts can make them tell us everything.
"Hack," Kuro called out, "When you take the ships, find any Den Den Moshi and let them go. We need to move fast before they can tell anyone about us."
A fast attack is what we do best. We just had to plan more this time...
"Captain," Hancock said.
"Hm?" Kuro replied.
"Captain, you might be a scarier pirate than the ones who are just mean."
Why? Kuro wondered.
--
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