Paper Paper Fruit In One Piece

"Uh, I apologize for what happened earlier."

By the woods at the edge of the town,

Roman clasped his hands together and sincerely apologized to the dejected Usopp.

"Let me heal your wounds as an apology. But—"

"I wasn't joking earlier. The butler beside Miss Kaya is 'Hundred Plans' Kuro himself. With someone like him around, it's normal for Miss Kaya to suddenly 'die' at any moment."

Maybe because he had been around Luffy and the others for too long, Roman had gradually picked up the habit of joking. But now was not the time for jokes, because:

"No one believes me... no one..."

Usopp, clutching the wanted poster tightly, stood in front of Roman and the others, holding back tears. He had been shot in the arm, but after Roman cleaned the wound with his 'surgical paper knife' and bandaged it with 'paper bandages', he was fine.

"Even Kaya..."

"Alright, Usopp." Nami, unable to bear it, comforted him, "Maybe Roman made a mistake; maybe Captain Kuro really has turned over a new leaf..."

Poor Usopp, because he lied so much usually, this time when he told the 'truth', no one believed him. Even with Kuro's wanted poster, he was accused of 'resorting to any means' to frame him.

Yes, that's right.

Although the boy named Usopp was full of lies, he actually had three talents: shooting, engineering, and art.

The wanted poster was mistaken for something he 'drew'...

With such talent, he could easily become a wealthy artist.

"Actually, proving whether he's really Captain Kuro is simple."

Roman clapped his hands, attracting everyone's attention.

"I'll just cut him once."

If he can dodge Roman's attack, he's definitely the captain of the Black Cat Pirates; if he can't...

"Don't worry, trust my skills. There won't be any accidents where I kill someone."

"Hey, hey, you said 'kill', right..."

"So, do you have any other ideas?"

Faced with Roman's question, Luffy, Zoro, Nami, and even Usopp shook their heads. Even if the butler was a ruthless pirate, who would believe what they said?

They were facing a problem that couldn't be solved by beating, cutting, stealing, or lying...

"So... should we just ignore this?"

"Absolutely not!"

Faced with Luffy's firm refusal, Roman spread his hands, "So, you can't come up with a solution, but you want to handle this. Why not:

"Just listen to me."

———————

"Usopp, really..."

In the backyard of the mansion, on the bed by the window, the frail girl Kaya, who had to stay in bed for a long time due to illness, flipped through the book in her hand but couldn't read a single line.

"Saying that Klahadore is a pirate, and even taking out a 'wanted poster'... This joke is too much!"

However, thinking of the boy who insisted on telling stories to comfort her every day, the anger on the girl's face gradually disappeared, turning into a warm smile.

"...Hmm, if Usopp can apologize to Klahadore, I'll forgive—"

"Kaya,"

A familiar voice brought the anxious girl back to her senses. She turned her head to look at the boy outside the window, surprised to put down her book.

"Usopp? Your injury... cough, cough,"

Realizing she was acting too 'happy', the girl's face turned serious, and she earnestly advised:

"I know you and Klahadore don't get along well, but you shouldn't..."

"Good afternoon, Miss Kaya."

A voice interrupted the frail girl's words. Roman, with a smile on his face, stood beside the bowed Usopp.

"And you are..."

"My name is Roman," the handsome boy introduced himself, "Torkovich-Roman."

"A pirate."

?

"Ah..."

"Well then, Miss Kaya."

Roman raised his hand, and sheets of white paper flew out from his palm.

"Please cooperate,"

"It's kidnapping time!"

---

The butler named Klahadore had his own room. Today, first, that Usopp caused a scene with his 'wanted poster', and then he discovered that a group of rather powerful pirates was still wandering in the town, making him feel a bit uneasy.

Should he postpone the plan?

Bang!

"Bad news, Klahadore!"

The door was suddenly pushed open, and a butler with sheep-shaped hair rushed in anxiously. — He was the other butler of the house, named Merry.

"Miss Kaya has been kidnapped!"

?

"What?!"

Klahadore, whose real identity was Captain Kuro of the Black Cat Pirates (formerly), suddenly stood up! Seeing that his plan was about to succeed, the opportunity to cut ties with the past and become a respected gentleman was within reach, and now—

"What happened?"

Merry, who was grabbed by the collar, thought his 'colleague' was just concerned about the young lady and immediately explained everything:

"It was Usopp!"

"He colluded with those foreign pirates to kidnap Miss Kaya and wants us to prepare a ransom—"

Smack,

Throwing the butler named Merry aside, the anxious Kuro turned around, grabbed a long, narrow suitcase from the room, and strode out! — He wasn't worried about the owner here: Miss Kaya, but rather:

Damn it, I must find those pirates first!

Otherwise, if someone else finds them first, they might take all the property to exchange for that sickly girl!

Rushing out,

However, this was a bustling town, so even in a hurry, the man named Kuro had to slow down, silently tracking his way through the calls of 'Mr. Klahadore' and 'Butler, where are you going...' Thus:

He gave the butler Merry, who was desperately chasing behind, a target.

——————

"Miss Kaya."

"Please don't get agitated, it's bad for your health."

In a clearing in the woods, Kaya was tied to a chair with long strips of paper, her mouth also taped shut. Facing Roman's words, the girl didn't feel scared but looked at Usopp, who was turning his face away, with a heartbroken expression.

Beside her were Luffy in a captain's coat, Nami with an eyepatch, and Zoro polishing his katana. Along with Roman's cold smile, the 'pirate' aura was overwhelming!

"Don't worry, we just need a ship."

Playing the 'bad guy' role, Roman folded a paper crane while coldly smiling at the weak and angry girl Kaya.

"Once we receive the ransom, we'll naturally let you go."

"Roman..."

"Don't speak!"

Roman glared back at Luffy, who was making a 'bitter melon face,' afraid that if he spoke, the serious atmosphere would be ruined.

...

"They're here."

Soon, Roman's folding of the paper crane paused, as a figure emerged from the woods into the clearing.

It was a man in a suit, with slicked-back hair, round glasses, and a suit with a pattern that seemed to be... poop. He was carrying a long briefcase in one hand and adjusting his glasses with his wrist.

"Miss Kaya! I'm here to save—"

"Klahadore... no, Captain Kuro."

Roman's words cut off the man's 'performance,' — being able to find this place so quickly showed that he was agile and a skilled tracker! But now, with his heavy steps and panting appearance...

Who are you fooling?

"Although I'm curious why a pirate captain like you would hide in such a small place,"

"One hundred million Berries," Roman held up one finger and shook it, "Just give us that money, and we'll pretend nothing happened. Also,"

With a flick of his wrist, the paper crane in his hand magically turned into a dagger.

"And we'll release your lady."

Roman placed the dagger next to the slender neck of the girl named Kaya, making Usopp almost draw his weapon on him.

Silence—

The man who had just been 'excited' now had a dark expression.

"Huh? Captain Kuro, what do you mean, you can't bear to—"

"Wait, wait!"

"Haha, hahaha..."

At this moment, a man with sheep-like hair ran over, also in a suit. He looked like a butler from a wealthy family.

"Please don't hurt Miss Kaya,"

The panting sheep-headed man, hands on his knees, urgently looked at Roman and the 'kidnappers,' not even caring about the 'accomplice' Usopp beside him.

"Please give me some time, whether selling assets or borrowing from loan sharks, we will definitely get the hundred million Berries—"

Splat!!

However, before the loyal sheep butler could finish, a few flashes of light, and he fell to the ground, bleeding from his chest! The attacker was:

"That money is all mine,"

The bespectacled butler, Captain Kuro, who had somehow taken out a weapon from the briefcase, raised his head. His eyes were filled with endless coldness and killing intent!

"Who allowed you to save that useless person, hmm?"

----

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