The Sun of The Strawhat Pirates

13: The Chase

The slope fell silent when Captain Kuro arrived, as if both sides were waiting to see what would happen next.

Kuro couldn't help but chuckle at the scene before him. "I didn't expect you to be held up by some kid," he said, glancing at an angry Naruto. "The Black Cat Pirates have been reduced to a truly sad state," he added, glaring at Jango. "Isn't that right, Jango?" he asked.

Jango was afraid and quickly replied, "B-but you said we could let the kid go because he wouldn't affect our plans."

"Yes, I did say that," Kuro agreed.

Naruto gulped, unsure of what to do.

"So what if I did tell you? I expected him to come after us, but I didn't expect all of you to be so useless," Kuro stated.

"Useless?" Buchi said as he glared at his old captain.

Sham got up from the ground and stood next to his brother. "Don't look down on us. "Captain" Kuro," Sham stated. "You were indeed powerful in the past, but that was all in the past." He said with a smug smile as he got ready to attack.

"What are you trying to say?" Kuro asks as he glances at the two brothers.

"That was three years ago!" Stated Sham. "You have pampered yourself in this village! The once great Captain Kuro is now a butler." Sham scoffs at the thought. "What's so great about you?" He asks.

"Do you think you can beat us?" Buchi asks. "You have been inactive for years!" He stated as the two brothers ran closer to Kuro, getting ready to attack him. "You're no longer our captain!" Buchi yells, raising his hand for his claws to strike.

"Instead of being killed by you silently, we might as well kill you first!" Sham added as he also raised his claw to attack Kuro. The two brothers swung their claws simultaneously, but their claws hit the air. The next thing they knew, Kuro was suddenly behind them.

...

Naruto's eyes widen. "Woah, that's fast." He said in awe. Then he notices something on Kuro's hands. He wore gloves but had long blade-like things on the tips of them. "Zoro, what are those things on his hands?" He asks.

Zoro tensed as he kept a watchful eye on Kuro.

"What weird-looking weponds." He mumbled.

...

"You're right," Kuro said as his arms surrounded Sham and Buchi. "I don't really feel too active. The two brothers gulped in fear.

"You're also right that I am no longer your captain." Buchi and Sham start to cry and shake in fear. "I am only the "client" in this plan!" Kuro stated as he raised his blades up to Buchi and Sham's throat. "I am also the client that will kill if this plan fails." He threatens.

...

"Those guys are scared," Naruto said, his voice tinged with concern. "Are they pretending to be scared, like they did with us?" He asked.

Zoro shook his head slowly. "No, kid. Not this time," he replied, his voice grave.

Naruto's eyes widened as he took in the seriousness of the situation. "Then we should help them!" he exclaimed, ready to act. But Zoro stopped him before he could move, blocking his way with one of his swords.

"What's wrong? If we don't help them, they might die!" Naruto protested, his fists clenching in frustration.

Zoro's tone was serious as he explained their priorities. "This isn't our fight. We have to stop anyone from passing through this slope. Got it?"