One Piece: Scourge of the Seas

Early this morning, after landing on the northern coast, Maude instructed Lafitte and the others to depart immediately.

According to Lafitte's estimate, a round trip to and from Monmon Island would take at least twenty days.

In other words, before Lafitte and his crew returned, Maude would spend a minimum of twenty days in Syrup Village.

What could be accomplished in that time?

Aside from harvesting experience from Captain Kuro, Maude planned to teach Usopp a few things to the best of his ability.

That way, even if Usopp eventually went out to sea, he might endure less hardship.

Although such efforts wouldn't fully repay Yasopp's gift of a gun and his life-saving grace, they would at least count as a small favor in return.

If possible, Maude wanted to do even more for Usopp. Returning a favor was a principle he lived by.

However, considering Usopp's current state, it was clear that mastering Observation Haki in around twenty days was impossible.

But Usopp had potential in this area. As long as a seed of Observation Haki was planted, its awakening would be a matter of time.

Maude sat on a tree stump, with a campfire built from dry wood before him. A plump, oil-dripping rabbit roasted over the flames.

Nearby, Usopp sat cross-legged on the ground, his expression brimming with excitement.

It wasn't the roasted rabbit that excited him, but the fact that Maude was going to teach him the mystical skill known as Observation Haki.

"Maude, do I really have talent for this?"

"Of course. After all, you're Yasopp's son. Have some confidence."

"Oh, I see."

Usopp chuckled sheepishly, then began asking more questions about Yasopp.

While turning the rabbit on the skewer, Maude answered Usopp's queries.

To be honest, Maude thought Yasopp was rather unreliable as a father. Fortunately, his wife and son didn't resent him; they even took pride in him.

It just went to show that everyone has a different temperament, leading them to make distinct choices and responses in the same circumstances.

As their conversation continued, the rabbit gradually cooked to perfection.

"Eat up," Maude said, handing the roasted rabbit to Usopp.

He had already eaten aboard the ship before landing, and this rabbit was meant for Usopp.

"Then I won't hold back!"

Usopp took the roasted rabbit, tore off a leg without hesitation, and began devouring it.

"Wow, this is delicious!"

Usopp sang its praises as he ate.

Maude smiled but didn't take it to heart.

The rabbit had been roasted without any seasoning, and the heat was uneven. How good could it really be?

While Usopp ate, Maude pondered how to help him grow stronger during this time.

But first, he needed to deal with Captain Kuro.

Before long, Usopp had finished the entire rabbit, leaving only the clean bones behind.

Setting the skeleton aside, Usopp turned to Maude, who seemed lost in thought.

Hearing movement, Maude set aside his training plans temporarily. Seeing the clean-picked bones, he smiled and asked, "Are you full?"

"Yeah, I'm full," Usopp replied with a vigorous nod.

It had been a long time since he'd felt this cared for.

"Good. Training will start tomorrow morning," Maude said.

"Ah, do we have to wait until tomorrow?" Usopp asked eagerly.

Maude nodded. He planned to deal with Captain Kuro before nightfall.

Just then, Usopp recalled the wanted poster he'd seen earlier that resembled Klahadore.

"Maude, the man on that wanted poster looks a lot like someone in the village named Klahadore."

"It's not just similar; they're the same person," Maude replied calmly.

"What?!"

Usopp was stunned. He'd only been suspicious, but to think they were actually the same person!

Seeing Usopp's disbelief, Maude said evenly, "Don't worry. I'll take care of him by the end of the day."

Near the outskirts of Syrup Village stood a lavish mansion that contrasted sharply with the humble village houses.

In the corridor, a gentle-looking man with a sheep-like hairstyle knocked softly on a door.

"Knock, knock."

Moments later, the door opened, revealing a bespectacled man with slicked-back hair and a composed demeanor.

"Oh, Merry," the man said with a smile. "I was just about to look for you. Are we heading to the neighboring town soon?"

"Klahadore," Merry replied warmly. "There's no rush for that. But there's a young man outside who calls himself 'Black Cat' and claims to be an old acquaintance of yours."

"Oh?"

Klahadore—Kuro's alias—frowned slightly, habitually adjusting his glasses with his palm.

Black Cat?

That was the name of his pirate crew before he went into hiding.

Seeing Kuro's reaction, Merry seemed curious and asked, "Do you know this young man outside?"

"Yes, I borrowed something from him in the past. He's probably here to retrieve it. My apologies for troubling you—I'll handle this," Kuro said with a polite smile.

He returned to his room and retrieved a black bag containing his signature weapon: the Cat Claws, a set of ten razor-sharp blades.

As for this so-called young man from the Black Cat crew, Kuro had never heard of him. But based on the name alone, he knew the visitor was unlikely to have good intentions.

To bring his weapon along without arousing Merry's suspicion, Kuro quickly concocted a plausible excuse. His sharp wit was evident.

Merry, unaware that the bag concealed deadly weapons, assumed the young man merely wanted his belongings back.

"I'll go send him on his way," Kuro said, flashing another polite smile before heading toward the mansion's gate.

As he walked away, his previously calm and refined expression turned icy with murderous intent, only to revert to a polite facade moments later.

Taking a route through the kitchen to avoid encountering the mansion's owner, Kuro circled to the front gate.

Outside the wrought-iron gate stood a tall young man, nearly two meters in height, with jet-black hair. He wore a loose black coat, and his sharp, angular features exuded an undeniable air of confidence.

Kuro's gaze quickly swept over the young man's waist.

Despite the concealing coat, his experienced eyes easily discerned the presence of a flintlock pistol and a prominently sheathed long blade.

"Were you looking for me?"

Standing behind the gate, Kuro observed the young man with feigned composure.

The young man was, of course, Maude.

"Long time no see, Klahadore," Maude said with a calm expression.

The name was one he'd learned from Usopp. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to draw Kuro out so easily.

"No, wait—should I call you 'Kuro of a Hundred Plans'? Or better yet, Captain Kuro?"

"…."

At Maude's words, veins bulged on Kuro's forehead.

His plan was exposed.

Was it because of those incompetent fools?

In an instant, Kuro thought of his Black Cat Pirates.

The plan to usurp the mansion's wealth was a secret only they knew. They were supposed to wait two more years before coming to Syrup Village, ensuring absolute discretion in the meantime.

"That name hasn't been mine for over a year," Kuro said coldly, his eyes bloodshot.

"Does that really matter?" Maude replied with a faint smile.

As his words fell, Kuro swiftly donned his Cat Claws, the ten blade-like extensions gleaming with cold, murderous intent as he slashed toward Maude through the gate.

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