As soon as Ian finished speaking, a soft sound abruptly rang out.
Following the sound, Merry, who had just stepped out of a second-floor bedroom, looked as if she had been struck by lightning. She fell to her knees, her face filled with terror, staring blankly at the calm and collected Ian in the living room.
After a brief two-second daze, Merry stammered, her voice trembling, "C-Celestial Dragon!"
Kuro clearly hadn't expected Ian's background to be so formidable. Upon hearing Merry's startled cry of 'Celestial Dragon,' he shot up. Even though he was once a pirate who roamed the East Blue, even though he was one of the few ruthless characters in the East Blue who openly attacked the Marine and successfully used them to execute his 'Golden Cicada Escaping its Shell' plan to become the current Klahadore, he still didn't have the courage to offend a Celestial Dragon!
Because once a Celestial Dragon was offended, it wouldn't be the branch Marines of the East Blue coming to apprehend him, but a Marine Headquarters Admiral personally.
However, Kuro still harbored doubts about Ian's identity.
He had seen Celestial Dragons who visited some World Government affiliated countries in the East Blue. Unlike those Celestial Dragons he had seen, who wore uniform attire, Ian not only wasn't wearing Celestial Dragon clothing, but he also didn't have a large number of bodyguards accompanying him.
If Ian was an impostor Celestial Dragon, then there was only one truth: Ian's true purpose for this trip was also the enormous wealth left behind by Kaya's parents.
Thinking of this, Kuro's eyes gradually turned cruel, and he sneered, "How dare you impersonate a Celestial Dragon! You have a lot of guts! But it doesn't matter, since you know my true identity, you can all die!"
Before he finished speaking, Kuro suddenly lunged forward, attacking Ian with lightning speed.
"You're asking for death!"
Although Kuro was very fast, Gunko was already prepared. Just as he lunged, Gunko had already stood in front of Ian, and at the same time, she swiftly and powerfully delivered a side kick.
Bang—
A sudden explosion rang out. Kuro, who had just lunged in front of Ian, was instantly kicked away like a cannonball. With a crash, he smashed a large hole in the wall before rolling into the yard outside the living room.
"Wah—"
As soon as he rolled to the ground, Kuro couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of fresh blood.
But before he could even catch his breath, an arrow, wrapped in bandages, flashed out of the living room at an astonishing speed, instantly piercing through his body.
With a 'thud,' the arrow pierced through his body, carrying a mist of blood, and strung Kuro up high in the yard like a skewer.
"Damn it!"
Kuro, his body pierced, hung in mid-air, his face aghast as he looked towards the living room, exclaiming, "A Devil Fruit user!"
In the living room, Gunko, who had ended the battle in an instant, didn't immediately come out. Instead, she stood in place, looking at Ian, and bowed slightly, "Young Master, are we... still playing the game?"
"It's boring, too low-class!"
Ian waved his hand, "Kill him!"
Kuro's class was indeed too low, so low that Ian lost the mood to continue playing.
Normally, Kuro, having lived incognito in the mansion for three years, should have been better at enduring, but he unexpectedly lost his temper after a few words from Gunko, not at all as cunning as rumored.
At the same time.
On the second floor of the living room, due to the sudden outbreak of battle, Merry woke up from his shock and fear.
Taking advantage of Gunko's action to send Kuro flying, he didn't hesitate. Suppressing his fear, he scrambled back to Kaya's bedroom.
"Merry, what's happening in the living room?"
Kaya was clearly startled by the commotion in the living room. Before Merry could speak, she rolled out of bed and anxiously asked, "Did Klahadore the butler neglect the distinguished guest?"
Merry, who had arrived in front of Kaya, clearly hadn't recovered from Ian's Celestial Dragon identity. He spoke incoherently, "C-C-Celestial Dragon! Mr. Ian is… is a Celestial Dragon! Waaah, we're doomed, Young Lady!"
"What did you say?"
Kaya blinked slowly, "What Celestial Dragon?"
"Mr. Ian is a Celestial Dragon from the Holy Land!" Merry's body trembled with nervousness. "He said it himself, he said he is the Young Master of the Nerona Family from the Holy Land! Also, they've already killed Klahadore the butler, and now it's our turn. Young Lady, climb out the window, Merry... Merry will distract them!"
After speaking, Merry pushed Kaya towards the window, pointing at the large tree outside the window, "Quick, it'll be too late if you wait any longer!"
"Merry, calm down!"
Although Kaya was sickly, she wasn't foolish. If Ian truly was a Celestial Dragon from the Holy Land, they wouldn't be able to escape at all!
Not only would they not be able to escape, but once they left the mansion and hid, they would definitely implicate the villagers of Syrup Village.
After calming Merry down, Kaya put on her slippers and grabbed a coat to put on, then bravely said, "Come on, let's go out!"
Merry, now calm, was still fearful, but for Kaya's safety, he still gritted his teeth and quickly followed.
When the two walked out of the bedroom and into the second-floor corridor, Gunko had already killed Kuro and returned to Ian's side.
Under the oppressive aura brought by Gunko's powerful presence, Merry again couldn't help but tremble all over. Every step he took behind Kaya felt like dancing on the tip of a knife.
Kaya, bringing Merry to the first-floor living room, was also afraid, but she still mustered her courage and went straight to the point, asking, "Mr. Ian, are you a Celestial Dragon from the Holy Land?"
"Absolutely genuine!"
Ian smiled and nodded.
Although it was only Ian's word, Kaya still chose to believe him. She pulled Merry down to his knees in front of Ian and said, neither obsequious nor arrogant, "Kaya greets Saint Ian!"
She was indeed a wealthy young lady, frail in body but not lacking in manners.
This was precisely what it meant to be well-read and sensible.
"Rise and speak."
Ian slightly raised his hand, then continued, "Klahadore the butler has been executed by This Young Master. But you don't need to feel sad, nor do you need to be afraid. Because Klahadore the butler's true identity is a pirate, formerly known as The Hundred Plans, and his real name is Kuro!"
"Three years ago, he killed all the Marine soldiers on a warship, and by doing so, he shed his skin and transformed into Klahadore, gaining your parents' trust to become the butler of this mansion. The reason he took such meticulous care of you these past three years was merely to usurp the enormous fortune left by your parents!"
"However, even if This Young Master has eliminated The Hundred Plans Kuro for you, you may not be able to hold onto this family inheritance!"
"Now, I give you a choice!"
"Become my woman, and This Young Master promises you a splendid future!"
"As long as you willingly follow This Young Master to the Holy Land, you will become one of the freest women in this world!"
"Of course, you can also choose to refuse. This Young Master will not kill you, but will only order the Marine to wipe Syrup Village off the map!"
—