"Unfamiliar face... You're not from Syrup Village, are you?"
"When did Usopp find a helper like you? And where exactly?"
"What is your goal?"
Kuro faced Genrou, his tone full of undisguised killing intent.
"Goal? Isn't that obvious? Since I'm Usopp's nakama, of course I'm here to help him deal with you—and the Black Cat Pirates."
As he spoke, Genrou gently set Merry and Kaya down from his arms.
"Just you, to take on me and the Black Cat Pirates?"
"How could it be just me? Even if you don't count my other companions, Usopp himself is quite capable."
"Heh... the son of a fourth-rate pirate? A man who only knows how to lie? That's what you call capable? I don't know where you crawled out from, but your eye for choosing companions is clearly lacking."
At that, Genrou laughed.
"Fourth-rate pirate? Usopp's father is part of one of the four pirate crews that rule the very peak of these seas."
"He's also a top officer in that crew, with a bounty dozens of times higher than yours, Kuro."
"Calling such a pirate 'fourth-rate'? It's you who's blind."
A mocking smirk surfaced on Genrou's face as he spoke.
Merry and Kaya stared in disbelief at the man standing before them, stunned that Usopp had such a background.
Merry, remembering Genrou's own bounty, had no doubts about his words.
Kuro, however, didn't believe a word of it.
"Are you done with the nonsense? Hand Kaya over to me."
"If you behave, I can even give you a quick and painless death."
Kuro adjusted his glasses and stepped toward Genrou.
"How interesting. I'd actually like to see what kind of 'painless death' you're offering."
Genrou stood calmly, one hand on his hip, watching Kuro approach.
Kuro said nothing more. When he was just two meters away, he suddenly accelerated and threw a punch aimed straight at Genrou's face.
BANG!
A sharp crack echoed out. Kuro flew backward even faster than he had charged, slamming into the ground with a thud.
"W-What... what just happened?"
Kuro, nose bleeding, stared in confusion at Genrou's left fist, which had appeared out of nowhere.
"That's it? Don't tell me you couldn't even see how I punched?"
Genrou frowned, looking disappointedly at Kuro.
"Damn you! You bastard!!"
Kuro was completely enraged. Ignoring his confusion, he pushed himself up with both hands.
"You wait! I'll be back for you!"
Turning around, he quickly retreated toward the mansion.
"Tch. Why should I wait for you?"
Genrou's voice suddenly sounded beside Kuro's ear.
Before Kuro could even react in shock, a hand slammed into the back of his head.
The next second, Kuro's face was smashed forcefully into the ground.
With the power behind the move, his eyes rolled back, and he instantly passed out.
"How childish... 'Just you wait, I'll be back'?"
"I was going to let you spar with my companions."
"But if you can't even follow my punch, you're not qualified to even warm up with Luffy and Zoro."
Dusting off his hands, Genrou looked down at Kuro with disdain.
He knew Kuro had likely been trying to retrieve his weapons, but Genrou had no interest in playing games with him.
With Luffy and Zoro gaining strength every day through their Eirei (Heroic Spirit) templates, even that punch Genrou had just thrown would be something they could follow—and block.
If Kuro couldn't even track it with his eyes, there was no point in letting him continue.
"Thank you for saving us."
At that moment, Kaya helped Merry over and stood before Genrou, giving him a formal bow.
Although she still felt regret about Kuro being a pirate, Kuro's cruelty made it clear who the real villain was.
"No need for thanks, Kaya-ojou. Usopp is my friend—it's only right I help you."
Genrou waved his hand casually.
"But you really did save me, sir. If there's anything I can do for you, please let me know."
"Well, since Kaya-ojou insists... I'll make a request. I hope you and Merry can help us get a proper pirate ship. Right now, we don't even have a vessel worthy of the name."
"Of course you can."
Kaya nodded gently, turning to look at Merry.
Merry stepped forward without hesitation and promised to personally design and build a ship for Genrou and his friends.
'So this means the Going Merry is set in motion.'
Satisfied, Genrou smiled.
"Then I'll take Kuro with me and head to the village entrance."
"There might be more Black Cat Pirates that need cleaning up."
Saying that, Genrou grabbed Kuro by the collar and prepared to leave.
"Please wait, sir. Could you take me with you?"
Kaya stepped forward and grabbed Genrou's sleeve.
"Hm? Aren't you afraid of the danger, Kaya-ojou?"
"I am... but since the pirates came to this village because of me, I can't sit by and let you and Usopp face it alone. I won't feel at peace."
"In that case, I'll take you along."
Genrou nodded and hoisted Kaya onto his shoulder.
Merry: "Wait, Genrou-dono! This is too dangerous, please don't—"
Genrou: "I'm off!"
Before Merry could finish, Genrou leapt into the sky with a whoosh, disappearing into the clouds with Kaya and the unconscious Kuro.
Merry stood frozen for a long moment before she snapped out of it.
"Genrou's so strong... Kaya-sama should be safe... But still, I need to go check!"
With a sense of duty burning in her eyes, Merry ran out of the mansion.
…
"Waaahhhh!!"
"Genrou-san, this is so fast—so high!"
In the sky, Genrou sprinted across the air using Geppou (Moonwalk) toward Syrup Village's port.
Kaya, riding on his back, felt the wind rushing past and the thrill of the altitude. She couldn't help but shout in excitement.
"Heh, this is nothing."
"But we'll arrive very soon."
"Just remember, once we land, don't say anything until I tell you."
Genrou grinned.
"Of course, Genrou-san. But… are you sure it's okay not to step in yourself?"
Kaya twisted her head slightly, trying to look at him.
"No problem at all. My companions are strong—and Usopp is the kind of guy who'll fight when it matters."
"Hold on tight. We're dropping."
Genrou tapped her back, then halted in midair and gently landed on the thick branch of a large tree, setting Kaya beside him.
Kuro, still unconscious, was casually slung over a branch nearby.
"Thank you, Genrou-san."
Kaya gave him a soft smile, then turned toward the scene ahead.
Because Genrou had picked a tree close to the action, even Kaya could clearly see Luffy, Usopp, and others standing at the entrance of Syrup Village.
"Usopp really is there!"
"And those two I've never seen before—are they your companions, Genrou-san?"
"That's right. The one in the straw hat is Luffy, and the orange-haired girl is Nami."
"As for the guy who uses three swords… well, he's probably lost somewhere again."
As Genrou spoke, he activated Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) and indeed sensed Zoro's presence several kilometers away from the group.
At the same time, he also sensed a group of pirates disembarking at the island's shoreline.
"The guy with three swords?"
Kaya was about to ask more when cries and shouts rang out nearby.
She looked up and saw a group of pirates charging up the slope toward Syrup Village's entrance.
Even knowing how strong Genrou was, she couldn't help but grow tense.
…
(End of Chapter)
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