Cursed Seas and Slashing Tides

A Change in the Winds

The battlefield was eerily silent. Everyone stood tense, eyes locked on Kuro, bracing for whatever might come. The cold wind swept across the field as the former butler prepared his next move. Before anything could happen, Kaya emerged from the forest, already knowing the truth about her trusted butler from Merry.

“Klahadore…stop this!” Kaya’s voice trembled with a mixture of shock and sadness. “If it's my family's fortune that you want, I'll give it to you, but please just leave!”

Kuro’s eyes, once full of feigned loyalty, now glinted with malice. “You’re a fool if you think that's enough. If I want to live a peaceful life, I'll need to kill you.”

Kaya’s plea was cut short when Usopp charged toward Kuro in a fit of rage. “You bastard!” he yelled, launching an attack that missed. Kuro, moving with lightning speed, prepared to strike him down.

But before the blow could land, Luffy’s fist connected with Kuro’s side, sending him skidding across the ground. “Back off!” Luffy growled, his eyes burning with anger.

Just as they regrouped, Usopp quickly instructed the kids, “Take Kaya and run! Get her out of here!”

Kuro slowly rose to his feet, brushing off the dirt from his coat, his eyes now gleaming with pure hatred. “So, I have to do everything myself, huh?” His voice was calm, but there was no mistaking the bubbling fury behind it.

“For a plan that's been in the making for three years, it sure fell apart quickly.” Ryomen taunted, a smirk playing on his lips.

“You won’t be so cocky for long.” Kuro’s words barely hung in the air before he vanished, reappearing right in front of Ryomen, moving faster than the eye could follow.

“Dismantle!” Ryomen’s counter was instantaneous, and slashes appeared across Kuro’s arm, forcing him back.

Kuro’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Two Devil Fruit users?”

Before Kuro could regain his composure, Usopp acted, “Lead Star!” he shouted, firing a shot with his slingshot. Kuro evaded it effortlessly, moving in for a strike. But Zoro was ready, blocking Kuro’s attack with his swords.

In a flash, Nami scattered spikes around the group, trapping them in a small area. “This should keep him in check for a while.”

Luffy, always quick on his feet, extended his arms to Usopp and Zoro. “Grab on!”

Both men grabbed Luffy’s hands as they were pulled out of the danger zone, leaving Kuro momentarily trapped with the spikes.

“Do you really think this would stop me!?” Kuro sneered, glaring at them with disdain.

“No!” Nami shot back, “But this will!”

Kuro turned his head to see what they were planning, and his eyes widened in shock. Ryomen and Nami had pulled Luffy back, using Zoro and Usopp as makeshift poles, creating a human slingshot.

“I-I don’t like this!! Don’t crash into me, Luffy!” Usopp shouted, his voice filled with fear.

“Shut up. We’re in this together.” Zoro grumbled, sweat forming on his brow as he held his ground.

“Hahaha!!” Luffy’s joyous laughter echoed through the air as they released him, launching him high into the sky.

“What the hell are you doing!?” Kuro shouted, his eyes darting between Luffy and the rest of the crew.

Luffy flew overhead, coming down fast, and with a wide grin, he pulled his fist back, preparing for a massive blow. “Gomu-Gomu no…Rocket!”

Kuro tried to dodge, but the sheer speed of Luffy’s descent was too much. Luffy crashed down into him with a devastating punch, driving Kuro into the ground with a thunderous impact.