OP: The Flame Pillar Of Justice

"The identities of 32 remaining members of the Black Cat Pirates have been confirmed!"

A Marine reported promptly.

"Good! Have you ensured there are no stragglers?"

"Well..."

"What's the matter?"

"Since we're dealing with remnants, we don't have an accurate number for their total crew. However, comparing it with the report from when Captain Kuro of the Black Cat Pirates was captured, the number matches."

"We can't rule out the possibility of new recruits joining or original members deserting!"

At Rengoku's sharp observation, the reporting Marine broke into a cold sweat.

Seeing this, Rengoku patted his shoulder reassuringly and said, "Don't worry! We'll figure out the details as we investigate further!"

"Understood!"

After dealing with the Black Cat Pirates and dismantling their pirate ship, another report came in.

"Vice Admiral! Near the area where we eliminated the Black Cat Pirates, we discovered a small rowboat bearing the Jolly Roger of Buggy the Clown!"

"Is that so? Any notable details?"

"Well... aside from a hefty sum of 5 million Berries, there's nothing unusual!"

Five million Berries?

The hypothesis resurfaced that the young boys and girls aboard Buggy's crew might have deserted, taking the money along the way.

"Hmm! Even if it belonged to civilians, anything found aboard a pirate vessel is contraband! We will confiscate the entire amount!"

"Yes, sir! What should we do with Buggy's rowboat?"

"Dismantle it, store any usable timber in the supply warehouse, and burn the rest."

"Understood!"

"It's currently 19:29. Complete the task by 21:00 and then move to Chirolo Island for rest."

"Yes, sir!"

"Additionally, inform Lieutenant Tashigi to remain in the village for now and ensure the ship is ready for departure by 10:00 tomorrow!"

"Understood!"

...

Meanwhile, along a secluded stretch of the Syrup Village coastline...

"Ugh...!"

Jango, the strange captain of the remnants of the Black Cat Pirates, emerged onto the shore, his clothes half-burnt and in tatters as he struggled to gather his strength.

"Phew... At least I picked up a new recruit to make up the numbers. That should stop them from chasing me. Even if they have a wanted poster... I hope the hypnosis worked well on that newbie."

"I never thought I'd use Captain Kuro's tricks in a situation like this... Swapping places with a shadow decoy... Brilliant! Truly brilliant, Jango!"

Panting heavily, Jango staggered into a coastal cave. This was the hidden spot where the Black Cat Pirates had previously stashed their ship.

"I got carried away... Launching the ship early in my excitement only to get caught by the Marines... what a blunder. No transponder snails either... I'll have to wait until dawn to regroup with Captain Kuro."

...

Thus, Kuro's plan was effectively thwarted.

However, neither Kuro himself nor the Straw Hat crew, who had uncovered his scheme, were aware of this development.

"What should we do? By tomorrow, the Black Cat Pirates will attack this village..."

Usopp's legs were trembling uncontrollably.

"Don't worry! We'll protect it! Shishishi!"

"I've lived my whole life as a liar... At moments like this, no one ever believes me."

"All the more reason to turn this into one of your lies," Zoro said calmly. "We just have to stop them at the coast."

Encouraged by Luffy and Zoro's words, Usopp steadied his nerves and spoke to them.

"Alright, let's all head to my house first. We can come up with a plan there!"

At the same time, at Kaya's mansion...

"Honestly, that boy Usopp is truly hopeless. Imagine accusing you of being a pirate, Klahadore. Ha ha! His lies are getting more and more out of hand. Someone should really put a stop to him."

"Indeed, you're absolutely right. Hahaha... hmm?"

Butler Klahadore smiled as he gazed at the crescent moon outside the window.

Then, something unfamiliar caught his eye.

"Merry, what is this?"

Klahadore picked up a small gift box, prompting Merry to explain.

"That's a gift Miss Kaya specially prepared for you," Merry explained. "Tomorrow marks your third anniversary working here, Mr. Klahadore. She noticed your glasses slipping frequently and thought you might appreciate a new pair. Oh, how kind-hearted she is!"

Hearing this, Klahadore unwrapped the package and took out the purple-tinted glasses inside.

"A gift for the third anniversary... Indeed, tomorrow is a special day. Hehehe..."

He removed his old glasses and replaced them with the ones Kaya had bought.

"Ah... I see. How do I look now, Merry? Do they suit me?"

"Oh~ as expected, Miss Kaya has an excellent eye! They suit you perfectly, Mr. Klahadore!"

"Hohoho... Merry, come over here and take a look outside the window. The crescent moon is out."

At Klahadore's prompting, Merry walked to the window and gazed at the night sky.

"Isn't it beautiful?"

"Yes, it's truly a lovely crescent moon."

"Haha... On nights like this, when the moon is like that... don't you feel it? Like your blood is boiling, your emotions becoming uncontrollable..."

"Pardon?" Merry blinked, startled.

Crack!

Klahadore swiftly grabbed Merry from behind and lightly twisted his neck, rendering him unconscious.

Thud.

"Sigh... It seems I've grown rather soft, Merry. Honestly, I'd like nothing more than to kill you, but I feel like that would unnecessarily jeopardize tomorrow's big plan. For now, you'll need to stay quiet until morning."

After finishing his words, Klahadore dragged the unconscious Merry into his room.

The next morning, at the scheduled time for the Black Cat Pirates' attack...

"What's going on? Why isn't anyone showing up?"

"Yeah, we even went to the trouble of oiling everything and preparing our secret weapons..."

"Hey, Usopp, are you sure this is the right place?"

"Of course! Luffy and I saw them meeting here yesterday!" Usopp said confidently in response to Zoro's doubts.

"Wait a second!"

Nami suddenly noticed something suspicious.

"They met here yesterday, but that doesn't mean they'll necessarily come to this exact spot today, right? Isn't there another coastline leading to Syrup Village?"

"Huh? Really? Usopp, is there another one?"

"Luffy, don't just ask Usopp—think about it yourself! This isn't even where we docked our ship!"

"That means this isn't the only route they can take, right?" Zoro said, frowning.

"Usopp, think carefully. Are you sure this is the only place?"

At Nami's question, Usopp suddenly remembered.

"Now that I think about it, there's another beach just three minutes north of here that's identical to this one! Damn it! They might be coming from there!"

"Hmm... What should we do, Captain?" Zoro turned to Luffy.

"They could be coming here and just running late because they overslept, or they might be coming from the north instead. But if we try to block both places, we're at a huge disadvantage with our numbers."

As the captain, Luffy was tasked with making a decision. However, deep thinking wasn't exactly his style.

"Then let's head north! If it's only three minutes away, we can cover everything no matter where they come from!"

"Got it, Captain."

"Alright! Let's move out!"

At the same time, over at Kaya's mansion, Kuro was fuming at the stupidity of his crew for failing to show up on time.

"Useless idiots! They can't even stick to a schedule? It's already been an hour past the designated time!"

His growing impatience was making him increasingly irritable and violent.

"Tch... I guess I'll have to go and check on them myself."

Rising to his feet, Kuro set off for the planned ambush site.

As he passed through Syrup Village, he was greeted by the annoying pleasantries of the villagers.

Kuro's nerves were on edge, and he wanted nothing more than to tear them apart on the spot.

However, for the sake of his plan, he suppressed his impulses and returned their greetings with forced politeness.

When Kuro finally reached the outskirts of the village, he spotted a few figures that made his blood boil.

That long-nosed Usopp and the Straw Hat kid...

The same troublemakers who caused chaos yesterday.

"Huh?"

Another unexpected figure was approaching from the distance.

"Jango...? Why are you coming alone? And what's with that state you're in?"

...

Meanwhile, Jango's heart sank as he spotted Usopp and Luffy's group.

That Straw Hat kid—didn't he fall to his death yesterday?

Why is that long-nosed liar here?

And who's this crazy guy carrying three swords?

Oh? A cute girl.

Though his emotions were a mix of confusion and panic, one thing was certain: this was the worst possible moment for Jango.

"Ah! It's that weird guy from yesterday!"

"The hypnotist!"

"What's going on? Why is he alone?"

"And what's with those clothes? Did something happen to him?"

Luffy's group began throwing questions and comments at Jango, one after another.

"Oh, uh, this is..."

Jango seemed as though he was about to explain himself but quickly shut his mouth.

"Indeed... Jango... what is the meaning of this?"

Behind Luffy's group, an enraged Kuro was approaching.

"Captain Kuro! It's—it's a disaster!"

"A disaster?"

"The pirate crew has been wiped out!"

Jango's shocking revelation stunned not only Kuro but also Usopp and Luffy's group.

"What? How could the entire crew be wiped out? Stop spouting nonsense!"

"It's true! The Marines themselves showed up! The ship was completely burned, and all the crew members were captured!"

This shocking news caused Kuro, already on edge, to snap completely.

"You call that an explanation? You worthless scum!"

Shakushi

In a flash, Kuro unleashed his technique, moving at incredible speed and slashing indiscriminately at everything around him.

The technique was nearly impossible to defend against unless one was prepared—something Luffy's group and Usopp were not.

Even for formidable fighters like Luffy and Zoro, who clearly didn't belong in the weak East Blue, Kuro's Shakushi, executed at such close range, was too much. Their bodies were slashed and sent flying.

Usopp was drenched in blood, Nami's wooden staff was shattered, and she tumbled down to the shoreline below.

Kuro wasted no time. He grabbed Jango by the collar and stormed off toward the heart of Syrup Village.

"Wait! Captain Kuro! What are you doing?!"

"Shut up, you useless fool! Now that the plan is ruined, the only option left is to slaughter the residents of Syrup Village and steal all of Kaya's fortune!"

"That's too dangerous! It'd be better to regroup and wait for another opportunity!"

"Another opportunity? Are you telling me to wait three more years? If I have to endure this farce for six years, I might as well remain a pirate!"

For Kuro, there was no turning back.

He hadn't anticipated the repercussions of attacking Merry yesterday, which only added fuel to the fire.

The only silver lining for him was the lack of strong guards in Syrup Village. The residents, unarmed and defenseless, approached him without suspicion.

"Klahadore? This person is... kyaaa!"

Some of the villagers, noticing the battered Jango being dragged along by Kuro, approached him cautiously. However, they were all struck down by Cro's blades, sustaining injuries.

"H-Hey! Have you gone insane? Are you seriously attacking the villagers too? What if the Marine battleship from yesterday is still nearby?"

"I couldn't care less... No, Jango, hypnotize me."

"What?"

"I said, cast an enhancement hypnosis on me!"

"Captain Kuro... you..."

"Do it now!"

Unable to defy Captain Kuro's authority, Jango reluctantly pulled out his chakra pendulum, holding it before Kuro and beginning the hypnosis.

"Now, look at this ring."

"One, two... Jango says, you will become stronger!"

"Make it even more powerful!"

"Uh... your strength will increase, you won't feel any pain, and all wounds will heal in an instant!

As time passes, you'll grow even stronger, and all the stress you've accumulated will fuel your power!

Stronger... stronger..."

"One!"

"Two!"

"Jango!"

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