Chapter 24: The Black Cat Pirates
"I am Kuro of the Hundred Plans, Captain of the Black Cat Pirates."
Kuro was aghast that he had lost control and revealed his true identity.
"Why have you been poisoning Kaya?"
"Every day, I poisoned her, gradually weakening her health to make her death seem natural. For three long years, I've waited to claim the wealth of this pampered young lady, and I was on the brink of success! Can you comprehend how long I've waited to execute my plan?!"
Kuro was in disbelief that he had disclosed the truth of his scheme, exposing all his actions over the three years he had spent here.
"I even covertly murdered her father to expedite my plans! But you've foiled everything!"
"Miss Kaya, did you hear what your devoted servant just said?"
Hector inquired as he gazed at her. Kaya was in tears, covering her mouth with her hand, looking at Kuro with shock and fury, horrified to learn he was also behind her father's death. Simultaneously, the staff regarded Kuro with disappointment, anger, and hatred for harming their Mistress.
"Why did you do it, Klahadore?!"
She stared at Kuro, now in handcuffs, who was observing everything with a look of disbelief, not understanding why he was confessing the truth. Hearing Kaya's question, who was silently weeping, he gazed at the privileged girl before him and burst into insane laughter.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Why did I do it? To escape the pirating life and its incessant headaches! I planned to live peacefully in this village once my scheme succeeded! Foolish girl!"
Hector, Nami, Nojiko, and Carina silently observed the unfolding drama. The girls were unaware that Klahadore was the pirate Kuro, but it mattered little to them. Then, seeing him peruse a wanted poster, they glanced and recognized the individual depicted. They finally understood that their captain had known Klahadore was a pirate all along.
Kuro of the Hundred Plans, Captain of the Black Cat Pirates
16,000,000 Berrie
Dead or Alive
"Please... I need to be alone for a bit and rest"
Kaya whispered.
Hearing her request, Hector gave a nod of understanding and signaled to Mary to assist as he escorted the lady to her room for rest. The staff quietly exited, trailing behind the lady, exchanging glances filled with concern.
As soon as Kaya entered her room, she burst into tears. Mary attempted to soothe her, but to no avail. With a heavy sigh, he spoke clearly.
"Thankfully, Mr. Hector saw through Kuro's facade, or else I dread to think what might have occurred."
Hector had no intention of torturing Kuro or anything similar. He forcefully grabbed Kuro by the hair, gave him a threatening look, and spoke in a cold tone.
"Call your crew to come to this island tomorrow!"
"How did you know?!"
Pow!
"Argh!"
Hector delivered a direct punch to Kuro's stomach.
"Ask stupid questions, get stupid answers! Well? I said call your crew now!"
Struggling for air, Kuro eventually managed to breathe normally again.
"In my jacket pocket, there's a Den Den Mushi I use to communicate with one of my crew leaders."
Without another word, Hector searched Kuro's clothes thoroughly and found a small Den Den Mushi in the right pocket.
"Take it and call them. I want them here on this island by tomorrow evening. Don't try anything, or you'll suffer a fate worse than death. Trust me, I'm not exaggerating."
With another threat, Hector made Kuro nod in agreement. Kuro didn't plan to warn his crew; he remembered from the storyline that Kuro had killed his crew members for trivial reasons. His plan was to drag his crew into the chaos with him. Since he was going to die, he thought, "Why don't we die together?" With this in mind, he dialed the private number and called his first mate.
"Hello... Captain Kuro."
The Den Den Mushi emitted a strange sound and transformed into an unfamiliar face, but Ren recognized that this person was Jango, the second-in-command of the Black Cat Pirates and Captain Kuro's first mate, with a bounty of 9 million Belly.
"Listen, Jango, we need to accelerate our plans; we'll strike tomorrow evening. You have a few hours to inform the rest."
Kuro lied to his first mate without a flicker of emotion, knowing he was facing death and feeling no remorse for betraying his comrades. Even if it weren't a matter of life and death, he wouldn't hesitate to kill and betray his crew.
"Eh?? Captain Kuro, wait!"
Jango's response was cut off as the message ended because Hector quickly hung up after Kuro had done what was asked of him.
"Well done, now you can go to hell."
Slash!
Splat!
With a single slash from Yubashiri, he ended Kuru's life.
Ding!
[Secret Quest: Slay Kuro of the Hundred Plans. Complete]
[Reward: Super rare Gold-tier item Devil Arm Balrog]
Devil Arm Balrog:
Balrog is a set of gauntlets, greaves, and shoulder pads created with the sealed power of the king of Fire Hell. All of Balrog's components are metal and plated in such a way that they look like magma once the fire starts flowing through them. The gauntlets have yellow eyes on the back of the hands that have black slit pupils. The shoulder pads have two large spikes that curve out to the sides of Dante before curving upwards. During certain attacks, the gauntlets increase in size.
Looking through his reward, he was expecting to receive the Devil Arm Balrog Skill Scroll, to know the weapon's functions. He wagers that he'll probably receive it once he defeats the Black Cat Pirates.
"Arise!"
[Kuro: Assassin LV6]
Rank: Elite
He decided to keep Kuro's name unchanged, feeling no need for something cooler. To bolster his crewmates, Hector perused his inventory and the system store. Currently, he possessed 11.4 million MSP, accumulated over ten years in this world. To further expand his crew, he embarked on more quests, acquiring Haki and Rokushiki Awakening Skill Path Scrolls, which cost 200,000 MSP each, in contrast to the regular Awakening Skill Path Scrolls priced between 25,000 to 50,000 MSP, and the uniform price of 50,000 MSP for all Skill Scrolls.
Hector had invested 2 million MSP in Nami and Nojiko, securing Skill Scrolls and elevating their Haki and Rokushiki Skill Ranks to B. By now, his two partners were likely the most formidable entities in the East Blue, second only to him.
As night descended on Syrup Village, the weary villagers retreated to their homes for sleep and respite. Unbeknownst to them, a mysterious pirate ship lurked nearby, set to anchor at the shore the following evening. This vessel bore the emblem of the Black Cat Pirates and featured a distinctive mast shaped like a cat's head.
-Near evening, the next day-
Usopp was no hero; he'd be the first to admit it, even if others disagreed. He often projected an image of bravery, adventure, and heroism, a facade of bravado, yet it couldn't mask the truth: Usopp the Liar was indeed a coward.
Yet, beneath the surface, the young marksman harbored a protective instinct. He couldn't idly watch injustice unfold or endure the sight of suffering. Perhaps that's what drew him to Kaya initially. Usopp found it impossible to overlook the girl's sorrow.
Hence, he now stood atop the hill with his comrades, who, by rights, should have been recuperating in the hospital after their encounter with the mightiest pirate in the East Blue. Together, they watched a pirate ship approach the shore.
His legs trembled and sweat drenched his brow as the evening neared. Usopp gritted his teeth, suppressing the impulse to flee as the pirate ship docked and its crew disembarked. He poised his slingshot, determined to defend the island and Kaya.
He observed the pirates conversing among themselves, too distant to catch their words. Their failure to notice his team didn't deter him. The crew seemed unimposing—about forty men, yet all bore severe injuries. Usopp reassured himself, 'These pirates are a joke!' His contemplation was interrupted as he scrutinized the crew below. He blinked, wondering if he was hallucinating or if something was in his eyes.
Each pirate was heavily bandaged. Some limped, others relied on crutches or each other for support, and intermittent groans punctuated the air. The only uninjured one appeared to be the odd hypnotist, who hopped among his battered crew, issuing commands. Overall, the men looked as though they had survived a fierce battle.
"You're not hurting any innocent villagers today villainess scum! Wait didn't we already deal with you guys before?"
Said Hector in the air, getting the attention of Lifffy's group and the Black Cat Pirates.
"Oh, come on... We barely escaped you last time... and you took more than half our crew... And now... you're back... again."
Said Jango, stuttering in fear.
RACE: Human■■■■■■
NAME: Hector Barbossa■■■■■■
Level: 25
Health Points: 5,800
Mana Points: 4,320
Stamina Points: 2,900
Attunement: 216
Vitality: 145
Endurance: 145
Strength: 145
Dexterity: 250
Perception: 145
Skill: 145
Safe Rewards From Daily Quest:
+Stat Points: 5
+Skill Points: 1
Skill Tree:
+Haki:
-Observation Haki: A Rank
-Armament Haki: A Rank
-Conquers Haki: S+ Rank
+Rokushiki
-Moon Step: A- Rank
-Iron Body: A Rank
-Tempest Kick: A+ Rank
-Shave: A+ Rank
-Finger Pistol: A Rank
-Kami-e: A- Rank
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone