3: The Schemer The sea breeze, carrying the faint scent of saltwater, gently brushed against his cheeks.
The air was pleasantly cool rather than dry, the sunlight was just right, and the entire atmosphere carried a faint sense of drowsiness.
Rodney remained hidden in the tree, keeping his attention focused on everything below.
Not far away, Kuro walked silently, his footsteps so light that they were almost impossible to hear.
His movements were graceful and cautious, much like a cat stalking its prey.
A man wearing glasses soon emerged from the house.
He was dressed in a black suit with a distinctive pattern and a pair of well-polished leather shoes.
His neatly combed-back hair glistened slightly under the sunlight.
There was a faint smile on his face, but beneath that smile was an unmistakably dangerous aura.
“Miss Kaya, it’s a beautiful day today.” Kuro stepped out through the back door.
A fair-skinned girl wearing a white dress followed him.
Her short, light-blonde hair swayed gently in the breeze, and she looked unusually cheerful.
“Yes, Kuro.
The weather is really nice today.” The girl smiled sweetly.
She looked innocent and adorable.
From his position in the tree, Rodney couldn’t help but feel a little troubled.
If things developed as planned, this girl would probably end up seeing a rather unpleasant scene.
He sighed inwardly.
There was no helping it.
He couldn’t afford to be careless.
Rodney quickly formed a series of hand seals.
Using the Transformation Technique, he changed his appearance into that of Scarface Locke, a pirate whose name he had deliberately chosen for this occasion.
Then, without hesitation, he jumped down from the tree.
The moment Rodney landed, Kuro’s expression changed.
Although he had abandoned his pirate identity for several years, his instincts had never disappeared.
The instant he sensed danger, his body reacted almost before his mind had finished processing the situation.
Kuro immediately grabbed Kaya and pulled her away.
He moved with astonishing speed, carrying her toward the back door in a few quick steps.
He then turned toward the servants and said calmly, “Miss Kaya, we have an unexpected visitor today.
Merry, take care of her.” A servant with distinctive sheep-like hair immediately stepped forward.
“Understood.” Merry nodded and took Kaya into his arms.
Kuro closed the door behind them.
Then he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose with the palm of his hand.
It was a habit he had developed during his years as a pirate.
Even after abandoning that life, the habit had remained.
More importantly, so had his vigilance.
Kuro turned his head and looked directly at Rodney.
“Scarface Locke?
Why are you here?” News from Syrup Village had not yet reached this place.
As far as Kuro knew, Scarface Locke had already been killed.
So seeing the supposedly dead pirate standing in front of him naturally came as a surprise.
Rodney smiled.
“Oh?
I didn’t expect the famous ‘Hundred Strategies’ Kuro to still be alive either.” His eyes swept over Kuro from head to toe.
“And not only are you alive, you’ve even become a butler for a little girl.” Rodney clicked his tongue.
“Tsk, tsk.
Is this what they call retiring from piracy?” Kuro’s expression darkened.
He hadn’t expected to be recognized so quickly.
His death had been carefully staged.
Everything he had done since then had been part of a carefully constructed plan.
He had come to the Kaya family’s estate under a false identity and gradually earned the trust of Kaya’s parents.
He had carefully cultivated his relationship with Kaya, integrated himself into the village, and patiently waited for the right opportunity.
Everything he had done had been for one reason.
The Kaya family’s fortune.
Kaya could not die yet.
Her parents also had to remain alive.
If Kaya died now, his carefully constructed plan to inherit the family’s wealth would collapse.
Kuro stared at Rodney coldly.
“I’ve already made up my mind.
I don’t want to be a pirate anymore.” His voice was calm.
“I have no connection to you, and I have no grudge against you.
So why are you here?” Why?
Rodney almost laughed.
Obviously, he was here to kill him.
“You are a pirate for one day, and a pirate for the rest of your life.” Rodney’s smile widened.
“You may have fooled everyone else, Kuro, but I know exactly what you’re planning.
The famous ‘Hundred Strategies’ Kuro is secretly plotting to take control of this family’s fortune.” He raised one hand.
“I’m here today to get rid of you.” The moment his voice fell, Rodney’s body moved.
“Konoha Senpū!” His leg shot forward with incredible speed.
The powerful kick swept toward Kuro’s head.
Kuro’s pupils contracted.
He was not the kind of person who would simply stand around and wait to be killed.
Before he faked his death, he had been a pirate with a bounty of 16,000,000 Beli.
His speed was one of his greatest strengths.
At the last moment, Kuro leaned backward and avoided the kick.
Then he retreated several meters in an instant.
One step.
Two steps.
Three.
His body blurred.
Before Rodney could follow, Kuro had already disappeared between the trees and buildings.
Rodney stared at the empty space.
“…” That guy could really run.
“Your sister, you’re way too good at running, aren’t you?” Rodney hadn’t expected Kuro to retreat so decisively.
But before he could pursue him, he suddenly heard hurried footsteps.
A group of bodyguards rushed toward the scene.
They were carrying guns, clubs, and other weapons.
Rodney clicked his tongue.
Rather than waste time fighting a group of ordinary guards, he jumped onto the roof.
He stood there with a large grin on his face.
“Kuro!” His voice echoed through the area.
“I’ll give you one hour.” “If you don’t come out within that time, I’ll make sure your name spreads throughout the entire East Blue.” Rodney laughed.
“Believe me, I have the ability to do it.” “The people at the East Blue newspapers will definitely love a story like this.” He paused dramatically.
“I’ve even thought of the headline.” Rodney put a hand against his chin as though seriously considering it.
“‘Shocking!
The Hundred Strategies Kuro Wasn’t Dead After All—and Has Been Living as a Butler!'” “Hahaha!” “I’ll be waiting for you in the northern forest.” “One hour.” After saying that, Rodney turned around and left the rooftop.
His figure disappeared in the direction of the forest.
Inside Kuro’s room, silence filled the air.
He had heard every word.
His face was extremely ugly.
He had spent years carefully constructing his current identity.
He had worked tirelessly to earn the trust of Kaya’s parents.
He had slowly grown closer to Kaya.
He had even gone out of his way to mingle with the villagers.
To ordinary people, these actions might have seemed foolish.
To Kuro, however, every single one had been necessary.
Everything was part of his plan.
The only reason he had endured all of this humiliation was because of the enormous fortune waiting for him at the end.
Kuro understood that being a pirate and stealing money was illegal.
But becoming a respectable member of society and legally taking control of someone else’s wealth?
That was different.
That was why he had been willing to endure everything.
He had been willing to wait.
He had been willing to pretend to be a harmless butler for years.
All for that enormous fortune.
And now Rodney’s sudden appearance had completely disrupted his plans.
Kuro narrowed his eyes.
He had to eliminate this unexpected variable.
Otherwise, everything he had worked for would be ruined.
He walked toward his bed.
Then he bent down and pulled a package from underneath it.
Inside was the weapon that had once made him famous.
His Cat Claws.
Kuro slowly removed the weapon from the package.
Ten sharp blades extended from his fingers.
He slipped the Cat Claws onto his hands and moved his fingers slightly.
The sharp blades reflected the light with a cold metallic gleam.
A cruel smile appeared on his face.
He would tear that man apart.
Once Rodney was dead, everything would return to normal.
His plan would be restored.
Kuro pushed his glasses upward with his palm.
That small gesture was another habit left behind by his years as a pirate.
Although he hadn’t used his weapons seriously for several years, his combat instincts had never disappeared.
He had never allowed himself to become careless.
Kuro quietly opened the window.
He looked outside.
There was no one nearby.
Immediately, he jumped out.
His body disappeared from the window, and he began moving toward the eastern forest at his maximum speed.
As he moved, Kuro recalled everything he knew about Scarface Locke.
A pirate with a bounty of 4,500,000 Beli.
He was said to be extremely strong and specialized in using a hacksaw to cut his enemies apart.
He was known for his foul mouth and brute strength.
Kuro’s eyes narrowed.
“Hacksaw…” He suddenly stopped.
“Hacksaw?” Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
If this man really was Scarface Locke, where was his weapon?
Furthermore, a pirate with a bounty of only 4,500,000 Beli had somehow recognized him despite his false identity.
That alone was suspicious.
But there was something else.
Why had Scarface Locke deliberately provoked him?
Why had he threatened him?
And why had he attacked with his legs?
Kuro’s expression became increasingly serious.
He had heard rumors that Scarface Locke was particularly skilled at using his legs in combat.
Yet the man he had just encountered had demonstrated a completely different fighting style.
There were too many inconsistencies.
Kuro had discovered several blind spots.
“That bastard…” His eyes became cold.
“There must be a trap waiting for me in the forest.” But even if it was a trap, could he simply refuse to go?
If he didn’t go, he risked allowing Rodney to expose his identity.
If that happened, the Marines could become involved.
Once the Marines arrived, his entire plan would be ruined.
Kuro gritted his teeth.
That bastard had deliberately given him a choice that wasn’t really a choice.
Whether he went or not, Rodney had already gained the advantage.
If Kuro went, he would be entering an unknown trap.
If he didn’t go, he risked exposing himself.
And Rodney had clearly calculated this.
For the sake of his plan, Kuro could only allow himself to be led by the nose.
The realization made him furious.
Who was he?
He was the great Kuro of the Hundred Strategies!
He had spent years manipulating everyone around him.
Yet now, someone else was manipulating him.
He absolutely could not swallow this humiliation.
“Damn it.” Kuro’s eyes flashed with killing intent.
“I must kill that bastard.” He paused.
“Jango isn’t here.
Otherwise…” If his deputy captain and hypnotist, Jango, were here, dealing with this situation would have been much easier.
Unfortunately, Jango was nowhere nearby.
Kuro had ordered him to remain away from the village and stay out of sight.
Therefore, he could not simply appear now without risking the exposure of Kuro’s carefully constructed identity.
Kuro could only rely on himself.
Fortunately, that was more than enough.
The eastern forest wasn’t far away.
Kuro accelerated.
His body became almost completely silent.
He used his unique movement technique, moving across the ground without producing even the slightest sound.
He was like a cat hunting its prey.
Silent.
Patient.
Deadly.
Occasionally, the cry of a bird could be heard in the forest.
Sunlight passed through the gaps between the leaves, scattering patches of light across the grass.
The scenery was peaceful.
Almost too peaceful.
Kuro’s eyes narrowed.
He had arrived.
“Scarface Locke.” His voice echoed through the forest.
“I’m here.” There was no answer.
The forest remained silent.
Unnaturally silent.
Kuro frowned.
“Come out.” Nothing.
His instincts screamed that something was wrong.
But he refused to retreat.
Instead, he decided to break the silence himself.
“Is this all you’ve got?” A voice suddenly answered from nearby.
“Perfect timing.” Kling!
Kling!
The sound of metal striking metal suddenly rang through the forest.
Kuro’s eyes widened.
A black object flashed toward him.
He twisted his body at the last moment.
A shuriken flew past his face.
Kuro’s expression changed.
“One?” No.
There had been two sounds.
His instincts immediately warned him.
Something was coming from behind.
He twisted his body, but he was already too late.
Pain struck his back.
Two shuriken embedded themselves into his back.
Another struck the tree behind him.
Kuro gritted his teeth.
“What?” He immediately realized what had happened.
The shuriken hadn’t been fired randomly.
Their trajectories had been manipulated.
The technique was based on controlling the flight path of a shuriken by striking it with another shuriken.
A technique requiring both precision and timing.
Kuro’s expression became solemn.
“Uchiha-style shuriken manipulation…” Kling!
Kling!
Another metallic sound rang through the forest.
Kuro reacted instantly.
He swung his Cat Claws.
The sharp blades struck the incoming shuriken and knocked it aside.
At the same time, Kuro’s body flashed forward.
He reached a nearby tree in an instant.
His arm moved.
Slash!
The Cat Claws tore through the tree’s crown.
The upper branches were cleanly severed.
At that exact moment, a figure jumped out from behind the tree.
“Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!” A gigantic fireball emerged from Rodney’s mouth.
The flames were enormous, blazing toward Kuro like a miniature sun.
The fireball was nearly the size of a house.
Kuro’s pupils contracted.
He immediately stepped onto the tree trunk he had just severed and pushed himself backward.
The fireball slammed into the tree.
BOOM!
Flames engulfed the trunk.
The tree began burning almost instantly.
The intense heat produced by the chakra-enhanced flames rapidly blackened the wood, turning it into charcoal.
Kuro landed several meters away.
His expression was grim.
“What terrifying power…” He stared at Rodney.
“A Devil Fruit user?” Rodney landed lightly on the ground.
He glanced at the burning tree.
Sure enough, his flames had not killed anyone.
That was intentional.
He wasn’t trying to kill Kuro with the fireball.
He had merely wanted to force him into a predictable position.
Rodney smiled.
Kuro noticed the expression.
His heart sank.
He had fallen for it.
“Silent Step!” Kuro’s body suddenly disappeared.
Rodney’s eyes narrowed.
The next instant— Kuro appeared behind him.
The ten blades of the Cat Claws were aimed directly at the back of Rodney’s neck.
One downward movement would be enough.
The blades would tear through his neck.
Kuro’s eyes were filled with confidence.
“I win.” Slash!
The Cat Claws tore through Rodney’s body.
But there was no blood.
Kuro’s expression froze.
The body that he had just cut apart suddenly transformed.
Thud.
A wooden log fell to the ground.
Kuro stared.
“What?!” A substitution?
At that moment, Rodney’s voice came from beneath him.
“That’s enough.” “The game is over.” Kuro’s eyes widened.
“Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique!” A hand suddenly emerged from beneath the soil.
It grabbed Kuro’s ankle tightly.
“What?!” Kuro attempted to react.
But the hand pulled with tremendous force.
His body was dragged underground.
Kuro’s proud speed was useless.
His movements were restricted.
His greatest advantage had been taken away from him.
Rodney had deliberately created this situation.
From the beginning, he had been calculating Kuro’s reactions.
First, he had provoked him.
Then, he had forced him into the forest.
He had used the fireball to control his movement.
He had allowed Kuro to believe that he had found an opening.
Then he had used the Substitution Technique.
Finally, he had dragged him underground with the Earth Release technique.
Mental calculation against an opponent’s lack of preparation.
Kuro had been caught completely off guard.
Not long afterward, Rodney emerged from the soil.
His clothes were covered in dirt.
He shook himself vigorously.
“Damn, I’m filthy.” Rodney looked down at himself.
He had originally planned to leave without getting dirty.
Unfortunately, the technique had forced him to crawl through the soil as well.
He sighed.
“I need to find somewhere to take a shower and change clothes.” Rodney dispelled the Transformation Technique, returning his appearance to normal.
He glanced back at the forest one last time.
The battle was over.
Kuro had been defeated.
Without wasting any more time, Rodney turned around and began walking back toward the village.