Kuro vanished.
Though nothing seemed different from before, Silk's expression shifted.
Her face, turning swiftly, betrayed shock. Neither Kiri nor Usopp could grasp why.
A gasp escaped her lips, as if she'd seen something unbelievable.
"Wha—!?"
Instantly, a pirate halfway up the slope was slashed apart.
A lethal strike. The blade carved deep, leaving claw marks from abdomen to chest, blood spraying. Chaos erupted. The attack was familiar.
Silent high-speed movement, a ferocious strike fueled by velocity—Kuro's signature move.
Impossible to track or stop.
The air grew heavy. Pirates' screams echoed their dread.
The three atop the slope stared down, bewildered.
What was happening? Only Silk seemed to understand.
Usopp and Kiri saw nothing.
Amid overlapping screams, Usopp shouted in panic.
"What's going on!? Why are they being attacked!?"
"Silk, was that him?" Kiri asked.
"Y-Yeah. He went that way. But why his own crew…?"
Next, the cliff was slashed. Claw marks scarred the rock, a grating sound jarring eardrums. Everyone turned.
The pirates understood now.
They knew this technique—Kuro at his most terrifying.
Fear gripped them, their screams uncontrollable, faces pale with terror. None stayed calm.
"Shakushi!?"
"We're all gonna die…!"
"Hey, you said you could beat Captain Kuro! Help us!"
"We don't wanna die!"
Claw marks tore through everything—cliff, trees, grass, even flesh. Merciless. The pirates cowered, frozen.
The three struggled to regain composure.
He was fast. One moment a wound appeared there, the next he'd crossed dozens of meters. Too swift to track, accelerating endlessly.
A surreal scene.
Usopp trembled in fear; Silk gasped at the rampaging storm.
"What the hell's happening!?"
"It's him," Silk said. "Running at insane speed… his attacks are chaotic. He's not targeting us. The wind's path is unpredictable."
"Seems you know this move," Kiri noted. "Everyone's terrified."
Another pirate fell, blood gushing, once an ally.
Objects were sliced, harsh sounds lingered, yet no footsteps were heard.
Violent yet eerily silent.
The dissonance fueled fear, forcing acknowledgment of his strength. Pirates' screams grew louder, recalling that terror.
"Shakushi's indiscriminate assault from silent high-speed movement! He's too fast to see his surroundings! He cuts anything he touches—friend or foe!"
"He's gonna kill us! Someone stop him!"
Silk and Usopp's faces twisted at the anguished cries.
They were terrified, sobbing like children facing death.
Kuro showed no sign of stopping.
Trees fell, grass flattened, pirates collapsed. The trio's surroundings weren't spared. Claw marks marred forest and ground—a miracle they weren't hit.
Silk's face stiffened, her voice shaky.
Her grip on her sword tightened, composure slipping.
"It's awful… hurting his own crew. Why…?"
"He never planned to let them live," Kiri said. "He'd kill them after his plan succeeded, to cover his tracks."
"So they helped their own execution!?" Usopp gasped.
"They didn't know," Kiri replied. "That's why they're panicking."
A paper dome was slashed. Despite its hardened defense, a section tore open, shockwaves reaching inside.
No one was hurt, but the terror was enough.
"Kyaa!?" Silk cried.
"Milady!" Kiri shouted.
"Damn it!" Usopp yelled.
Kiri hurriedly manipulated paper to seal the breach, layering more for defense. Papers floated, adhering to the dome.
For now, the five were safe.
But counterattacking seemed impossible.
Kiri met Silk's eyes with a serious gaze.
"I'm using all the paper for defense. Can't help fight."
"That's fine," Silk said. "I'll handle it."
"Hey, let me up too!" Usopp climbed atop the dome, scanning the chaos.
The terrain was transforming. Cliffs crumbled, trees fell—an unimaginable scene for one person's power.
Usopp shuddered.
Not just a fast man.
His weapon, sturdy enough to cleave rock and wood, gained devastating force with speed.
Usopp could do nothing but leave it to Silk.
She descended the slope, stopping a short distance from the dome.
"Kiri, can it take a hit?" she asked.
"One hit," Kiri replied.
"Don't be reckless!" Usopp warned. "Kaya and the others are in there!"
"Just one hit," Silk said. "I'll stop him."
She raised her sword, closing her eyes briefly.
A storm raged. Winds tore through, too fast to counter.
Then she'd strike so he couldn't dodge.
Deciding instantly, she timed her move and opened her eyes.
Wind wrapped her blade. She spun in place, like a top, each rotation strengthening the wind around her sword.
She calculated when to release but struck almost blindly.
No clear reason, just instinct—she unleashed the wind.
Blades of air radiated from her, too powerful, invisible, and fierce. They caught Kuro mid-sprint, slashing his abdomen. Blood sprayed as he fell limply from the air.
The wind carved the cliff further, nicked pirates' skin, and blew through a wall of flames. On the opposite side, it grazed the dome.
The five inside, glimpsing the outside, were stunned.
Usopp was floored.
He'd been terrified by Shakushi, yet a girl his age stopped it with one blow. He couldn't even discern what she'd done before Kuro fell.
Kiri grinned beside him.
"She's got talent. I couldn't use my ability like that when I started."
"She stopped him," Usopp marveled. "She's incredible."
"You're no slouch either," Kiri said. "You took down an officer and landed a hit on their captain. Be proud."
"That's a different league… Is this a real pirate?"
They watched as Kuro rose, bloodied and exhausted, but unyielding. His tenacity was chilling.
Yet Silk faced him unfazed, sword steady.
"Guh… You…!" Kuro growled.
"It's over," Silk said. "You've lost."
"Don't mock me! After all my effort…"
His upper body slumped, arms limp.
"All the time I spent…"
He raised his face, glaring at Silk with bloodshot eyes.
She met his gaze coolly.
"My plan will not fail!!"
He tensed to charge.
But Silk was faster, swinging her sword, releasing another wind blade.
This one was different—denser, a compact storm shaped like a blade, stronger than before, almost another sword.
Invisible.
Kuro couldn't see it.
"Kamaitachi!"
"Gaaah!?"
Kuro was slashed again, blood spraying. He collapsed, unconscious, carried some distance to land before his crew. They recoiled in shock.
All eyes turned to Silk, who stood tall, glaring.
"Get on your ship and leave. Or do you still want to fight?"
"Hii!?"
"I can strike from here."
"S-Sorry!"
The pirates fled toward their ship, but Zoro waited below, drawing one sword to intimidate.
"Hey, you're forgetting something."
"Hii!? Him too!?"
"Take him, or I'll deal with you all. Choose."
He gestured at Kuro.
They wanted to abandon him—waking, he'd be a threat.
But fearing attack, they grabbed Kuro and scrambled aboard.
"S-Sorry!"
"No challenge," Zoro muttered. "Just those two, huh?"
He sheathed his sword, letting them flee.
The landscape had changed drastically—either Kuro's strength or Silk's rampage.
Having done little, Zoro crossed his arms, bored.
Stronger foes than the Nyaban Brothers existed. Maybe he'd acted too soon.
Post-battle, he craved a tougher fight. No sweat, no thrill—just boredom.
As he mused, Nami approached, holding a heavy sack, her demeanor unchanged.
"Finally done? Took longer than expected."
"Nah, easy," Zoro said. "How'd you do?"
"Total bust. Their ship's treasure was pathetic."
"Rough. Well, we wrapped up here."
"'Wrapped up'?"
"I was sidelined. That idiot said it'd be a hassle."
"Typical," Nami sighed.
"Hmph. Annoying, but whatever."
They climbed the slope.
Atop, Kiri and Usopp descended from the dome, collecting paper. The odd sight startled the kids, but they focused on Usopp's injuries.
Awkward tension lingered.
He'd risked himself for the village; they'd doubted him.
Kaya gazed at Usopp, her eyes sad, wordless. Guilt overwhelmed her usual warmth.
Merry, too, bore regret. He'd drawn a pistol to protect Kaya, injuring Usopp's arm.
The kids were quiet, uneasy.
Silence hung as they watched the fleeing pirates. Usopp spoke first.
Kiri, done collecting paper, answered.
"Over?"
"Yeah," Kiri said. "They're gone. Probably won't return."
"They almost died," Usopp said, wiping sweat. "Phew."
Relief hit. His actions sank in; his legs nearly gave out. But he braced himself, not wanting their concern. Standing tall, he grinned at the girls.
"Wahahaha! Fooled you all! I lie daily, so telling the truth tricked everyone! High-level tactic!"
"Usopp-san, I…" Kaya began.
"It's fine. It's over. I'll keep lying, and no pirates came. Just another peaceful morning."
"Captain, you mean—"
"Injuries? Nothing new. We've had worse adventures, right?"
Their shocked faces met his bright grin. Something had changed—he seemed larger.
No longer a cowardly kid.
He was the same, yet different.
"Nothing happened here. Can you stick to that?"
"Why!? You saved the village!"
"Everyone would respect you! This beats any adventure!"
"You don't have to lie now…!"
"I get it," Usopp said. "But stirring panic's pointless. This tiny village isn't a pirate target. Things stay normal. Besides, I'm gonna make legends. This is small. Bigger tales are worth bragging about."
The kids bit their lips.
Not the usual Usopp, but not unlikable.
He met their eyes, speaking firmly.
"You're my crew. I'll make real adventures so you can say you're proud of the Usopp Pirates."
"Yes!"
"We'll never tell!"
"We'll be a crew you're proud of!"
"That's my proud Usopp Pirates!"
Nodding, he turned to Kaya, his face serious.
She listened intently, sensing something in his words, a fragile smile on her lips.
"Kaya, you okay?"
"No… Usopp-san."
"Hm?"
"Thank you. And I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize. Just did my usual."
His grin warmed her, easing her heart. Gratitude overwhelmed her.
She glanced at three strangers—Luffy asleep, Kiri beside him, Silk approaching. Quiet, calm presences.
He'd spoken of real adventures, not his usual tall tales.
His resolve shone through, stirring joy and sorrow. She spoke.
"You're leaving?"
"Yeah," Usopp said. "I'm joining them, heading to sea."
His firm words made Kaya lower her eyes.
Merry and the kids were stunned, disbelieving.
"I'm becoming a real pirate. One reason: the pirate flag calls me!"
"Captain, a pirate!?"
"You're leaving the village!?"
"Why so sudden!?"
"You've helped me tons," Usopp said. "I'm leaving the village to you. Say something clever so I can slip away quietly."
He looked at his crew—Carrot, Pepper, Onion—smiling at each.
No tears. A new expression—gentle, reliable, resolute.
No longer just a boy, but a man.
Merry and Kaya sighed in awe.
"Protect Kaya and the village. Blood or not, they're my family. I'm entrusting them to you!"
"Yes! We'll protect them!"
"Captain, we'll be apart, but we're Usopp Pirates forever!"
"I'm proud to be your crew!"
"Heh, good. I'll always be your captain."
He rubbed his nose, voice steady despite emotion, and grinned brightly.
This was goodbye, maybe for years. Words overflowed, but he said little.
"Got dreams?"
"Run a tavern!"
"Master carpenter!"
"Novelist!"
"Since I was a kid, I dreamed of being a brave sea warrior!"
The kids' tears flowed. They bit their lips, but couldn't stop. Tears streaked their cheeks.
Usopp didn't cry.
He felt the parting but burned with adventure. Joy surged, urging him to run and shout.
Hope, not loneliness, filled him.
His resolve was unshakable.
"Never let your ambitions die. Charge your path! No matter how far, we're always crew!"
"Yes!"
The vow rang out, heard by all, even the Straw Hats, who smiled.
Usopp, the liar, seemed reliable. His words proved his resolve.
Kiri glanced at Silk, sharing a smile.
Then Luffy, thought asleep, spoke.
"Hey, Kiri."
"When'd you wake up? We were busy."
"Turned out fine, didn't it?"
Laughing, Luffy muttered happily.
"Good guy, huh?"
"Yeah," Kiri said. "Nice eye, Captain."
"Shishishi, right?"
"But sleeping at the crucial moment? Points off. Maybe no dinner."
"What!? I need food to live!"
"Everyone does," Kiri teased.
Luffy's protests turned to laughter. Silk smirked at their usual banter.
This village stop wasn't wasted.
They gained a crewmate. The battle helped Silk understand her powers, setting new goals.
A small but valuable step.
Watching the two, she toyed with a faint breeze at her fingertips.
Notes:
Silk's technique "Kamaitachi" is borrowed from Tashigi's game-original move. I'll likely continue using her game techniques for Silk.
Kiri's techniques involve paper-related names, mentioned occasionally without shouting.
---------------------------------------------
🚀 Want more?
📖 On Patreon you can read 20+ chapters ahead, plus there will be exclusive stories available only there.
💖 If you'd like to support me, check it out: patreon.com/Greyhounds
🔓 Patreon will always stay ahead of the public release — and some stories won't be published anywhere else.
✨ All support is completely optional — even if you don't join, I'm still grateful to have you here reading!