Three years ago, on a new moon night, the notorious pirate "Captain Kuro" faked his own death. He washed up on the shores of Syrup Village, a tired man seeking peace—or so he claimed.
A year ago, Kaya's parents died mysteriously. The shock left their daughter bedridden and weak.
Tonight, the new moon returned. And with it, the wolf would finally shed his sheep's clothing.
Creak.
A window on the second floor of the mansion opened silently, then closed.
To anyone watching, it would have looked like the wind. But inside the room, a pair of invisible feet touched the floor.
"Phew," a disembodied voice muttered. "That lock was annoying. Nami makes it look so easy."
Darian stood in the center of Kaya's bedroom, completely invisible. His Devil Fruit's Human Path ability allowed him to alter the refraction of his silicone body until he was 100% transparent. Combined with his ability to absorb vibrations (sound), he was the perfect ghost.
He glanced at the bed. The pale moonlight illuminated Kaya's sleeping face. Her brow was furrowed, trapped in a nightmare.
Sorry for intruding, Darian thought. But better me than the butler.
He slipped out the door and headed downstairs.
The mansion was quiet. Too quiet. Kuro had dismissed the laundry maids and the guards earlier that day. The stage was set for a "tragic accident."
In the main hall, Merry—the loyal, sheep-horned servant—was polishing a chandelier. He was humming to himself, completely oblivious to the doom approaching his front door.
Darian leaned against a pillar, invisible and silent, and waited.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Footsteps echoed from the hallway. Not heavy boots, but soft, rhythmic taps. Like a cat stalking prey.
Klahadore entered. He was carrying a long, rectangular bag. A thick aura of murderous intent radiated from him, cold enough to drop the room temperature.
"Where is Miss Kaya?" he asked, his voice smooth as silk.
Merry looked up, smiling innocently. "Oh, Klahadore. She's resting. She had a rough day."
Klahadore sighed, loosening his tie. "That boy, Usopp... he is such a headache."
"Indeed," Merry laughed. "Always telling lies about pirates. He doesn't even use his brain."
Klahadore chuckled darkly. He adjusted his glasses with the palm of his hand—a habit born from years of wearing bladed gloves.
"What is this?" He picked up a wrapped gift box on the table.
Merry's face lit up. "Ah! Tomorrow is your three-year anniversary here. Miss Kaya noticed your glasses were sliding, so she ordered a custom pair for you. She truly appreciates you."
"An anniversary..."
Klahadore opened the case. He stared at the expensive glasses. A wicked, twisted grin spread across his face.
"Speaking of anniversaries," he whispered. "Tonight is the new moon. Nights like this... they make my blood pump."
CRUNCH.
He dropped the glasses and stomped on them. Glass and plastic shattered under his heel.
"Ah!" Merry gasped. "Klahadore! That was Miss Kaya's gift! Why...?"
"A gift?" Klahadore laughed, a low, guttural sound. "I'll accept it. But not the glasses. I'll take... the entire fortune."
Merry froze. The blood drained from his face.
He wasn't stupid. Kaya's parents dying. Usopp's warning today. And now this.
"It's true," Merry whispered, horrified. "Usopp was right. You... you killed the Master and Mistress."
"Three years," Klahadore sighed, looking at the ceiling with ecstasy. "Three years of bowing and scraping. Three years of playing the fool. It was torture."
He reached into his bag and pulled out his signature weapons: Cat Claws. Fur-lined gloves with ten razor-sharp katana blades extending from the fingers.
"Run, Miss Kaya!" Merry screamed at the ceiling. "Run!"
"Too late," Kuro hissed.
He swung his arm. The blades flashed in the candlelight, aiming for Merry's throat.
Cats are perceptive animals.
Mid-swing, the hairs on the back of Kuro's neck stood up. His instincts screamed: DEATH.
He twisted his body violently, aborting the attack and throwing himself to the side.
BOOM!
A blinding bolt of blue-white lightning erupted from the empty air near the pillar.
It missed Kuro by inches, slamming into the massive bay window behind him.
CRASH!
Glass exploded outward. The heavy velvet curtains caught fire.
"Who's there?!"
Kuro rolled to his feet, crouching low. His glasses flashed in the darkness. He scanned the room.
Nothing.
"No one?" Kuro's eye twitched. "That speed... invisible?"
From the shadows, Darian watched, impressed.
He dodged lightning? Darian thought. His reaction speed is insane. That 'Stealth Foot' technique isn't a joke.
Darian didn't want a melee fight. Kuro was faster, more experienced, and lethal up close. Darian had the power, but Kuro had the skill.
Range it is.
Darian raised his hand again, aiming at the crouching butler.
Crackle.
BOOM!
Another bolt fired from thin air.
This time, Kuro couldn't fully dodge. He saw the flash and tried to move, but electricity is faster than muscle.
"ARGH!"
The bolt clipped his right shoulder.
Kuro screamed as voltage coursed through his arm. His muscles seized, and the Cat Claw glove on his right hand dropped to the floor with a heavy clang.
Smoke rose from his tailored suit. He stumbled back, clutching his numb shoulder, his eyes wide with fear and rage.
"Show yourself!" Kuro roared at the empty room. "A Devil Fruit user?! Who are you?!"
Merry, who had collapsed on the floor in terror, looked around wildly. The chandelier swung above him, casting frantic shadows.
"God?" Merry whispered. "Is God punishing him?"
"God?" A voice echoed from everywhere and nowhere. "No. Just a guest."
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