"Hmm~ hmm~ hmm~"
Soft humming filled the room as Kaya swayed gently to a melody she loved. Her skin was still pale, a lingering trace of her long illness, but she looked far better than she had in weeks.
Her usual petulance had faded, and the kind, gentle nature that defined her had finally returned.
These days, the moments Kaya looked forward to most were the visits from Ace and Nami.
Click—
"Ojou-sama, it's time for your meal."
Kuro entered the room, pushing a meal cart. He adjusted his glasses with a gloved hand, his expression neutral as always.
"Klahadore, did you prepare a little extra today? My appetite's been pretty good lately."
Kaya's attempt to lie was unconvincing, even to herself—but she really did want to set aside some of her favorite dishes for Ace and Nami.
"You were waiting for those two again, weren't you? There's no need to wait today."
Kuro's voice was calm, but his words cut straight through.
"Eh?!"
Kaya froze, startled.
"Your condition is still very delicate, ojou-sama. Strangers like them have no business disturbing your recovery."
His voice was completely devoid of emotion.
"They're not strangers! They're my friends! What did you do to them, Klahadore?!"
Kaya's voice rose sharply, her eyes filled with sudden panic.
"I didn't do anything," Kuro replied, pushing up his glasses again. "I merely informed them they were no longer welcome to bother you."
At this point in time, Kuro had yet to earn Kaya's full trust and dependency the way he would three years later. But now, he had no choice but to take certain risks.
Just days ago, he'd spotted Ace and Nami near the mansion—and he'd eavesdropped on a conversation that had nearly given him a heart attack.
"That butler of Kaya's... doesn't he look a bit like 'Captain Kuro of a Hundred Plans'? The one the Marines claimed to have eliminated with the rest of the Black Cat Pirates?" Ace had said casually.
If not for that last line, I might've snapped right then and there.
Fortunately, the fool seemed to dismiss the idea. After all, there were plenty of people in this world who looked alike, and he had no proof.
Still, Kuro wasn't about to risk everything over a careless suspicion. For the sake of his meticulously crafted plan to inherit Kaya's wealth, he had already sent word to several of his old subordinates in the Black Cat Pirates.
By now, those two brats should have been "taken care of."
Two meddlesome pests slain by pirates—while he, the ever-loyal Klahadore, had been tending to Kaya's every need. No one would suspect a thing.
The corners of Kuro's lips lifted into a subtle, satisfied smile.
"Why?! Ace and Nami are my friends! Why would you drive them away?! Cough, cough!"
Kaya was visibly upset now, her voice rising with emotion.
"Your health is what truly matters, ojou-sama," Kuro replied calmly. "And besides... you have me. Let me take care of this suspicious thing for you."
He reached toward the single rose resting in a small vase by Kaya's bedside.
But something about it made him hesitate.
Why was there fire burning at the heart of the rose?
"Don't you dare touch it, Klahadore!"
For the first time, true fury crossed Kaya's usually gentle face. She snatched the rose protectively into her hands.
"This is something precious to me. It has nothing to do with you. Leave."
Her voice was firm—unyielding.
"Is that so? Then I'll take my leave for now, ojou-sama."
Kuro gave a shallow bow, his expression unreadable. He knew better than to push her further today.
But he wasn't worried.
Time, after all, was the most powerful force in the world. Whatever displeasure Kaya felt now would fade with time. Eventually, all she would remember was that he had always been there—her most dependable butler.
"Please be sure to eat, ojou-sama. Your body is still very weak."
With another courteous bow, Kuro quietly exited the room.
He still needed to confirm with Jango and the others whether those two meddlesome brats were really dead.
"..."
After Kuro left, Kaya sat still, gazing down at the flame blooming in the center of the rose. A fire that had burned for days and yet never gone out.
And within the flickering light, she thought she saw a face.
"Ace... and Nami... If you're going to leave me, at least say goodbye."
She bit her lip, clutching the flower tighter.
After a long while, Kaya reached for a thick medical textbook from her bedside and began to read—her expression steady, determined.
Meanwhile, far from the mansion—contrary to Kuro's delusions of success—Jango and the others lay sprawled on the ground like corpses.
"You... You've got to be kidding... Why would someone like that show up in a place like this?!"
Jango's voice trembled as he struggled to lift his head. His eyes locked onto the figure sitting casually atop a tree stump.
Ace.
There was fear in his gaze.
Next to him, Butchie and Sham—each with bounties of 7 million berries—were completely unconscious, sprawled like lifeless dogs.
Thinking back to the fight… No, it hadn't even been a fight.
It was over in an instant. None of them had seen what he did. Just one moment, and they were all on the ground.
Jango had no doubt: if Ace had wanted to kill them, they'd all be dead right now.
A man like that didn't belong in a sleepy little town like this. He should be sailing the Grand Line!
Even their captain, "Captain Kuro of a Hundred Plans," didn't hold a candle to this monster's strength.
"Nami, tie them up. Consider it a gift—for our ship's doctor."
Ace stood, his expression cool as his lips curled into a faint smirk.
"Got it," Nami nodded, though her heart was still pounding in awe.
Ace's strength was unbelievable.
She couldn't help but wonder—who would win in a fight? Ace or Arlong?
...It had to be Arlong, right? That guy was a brutal monster.
Still, the thought lingered in her mind as she tied the unconscious pirates up, her hands moving almost on autopilot...
---
TL/N:
Access 40 chapters in advance on my Patreon: [email protected]/juanfiction (Replace @ with 'a')