While Shano and the others were excitedly touring the inside of the ship…
In a relatively remote inn northeast of Sherry Island…
A tall figure draped in a black cloak sat coldly on the balcony, gazing out at the sun slowly setting over the sea.
"What a boring life…"
The man named "Hundred Tricks" Kuro murmured to himself.
He had roamed this sea for many years. As he entered middle age, the blood-pumping excitement of his youth had long faded. He had grown tired of this kind of life.
Especially in recent years.
Every pirate in the East Blue with a bounty over ten million—except for that clown Buggy who fled back to the Grand Line—had been killed by that man named Shano.
Only he was left.
Standing alone above the crowd made him a glaring target. Those Navy dogs and greedy bounty hunters pursued him even more relentlessly, often dragging him into exhausting battles.
This stop at Sherry Island was because they had no choice but to engage in a sea battle a few days ago.
The ship had taken serious damage, and they had to come here to find a professional shipyard for repairs.
Maybe… it's time to find a way out of this situation.
Then go buy a peaceful countryside estate with beautiful scenery and live a few quiet years like a rich retired gentleman.
Just as Kuro was deep in thought, he suddenly heard hurried footsteps coming from the staircase.
"Back so soon?"
Kuro didn't even need to look to know who it was. He frowned. "Didn't I tell you two to check out a few more shipyards and compare the prices?"
If it didn't cost too much, that would be acceptable.
If the price was unreasonable, he could always shove a gun in those shipwrights' faces and see if they still dared to make such outrageous demands.
"Boss! We found a big one, a big one!"
Sam and Butch rushed in excitedly, their hands trembling as they held out a photo. "Look, we secretly took this close-up just in case!"
"A famous blade?"
Kuro's eyes were instantly drawn to the Wado Ichimonji in the photo, and his expression lit up in delight. "Must be a Grade Sword? Could be a Great Grade too… Probably worth a hundred million Berries…"
Then his face suddenly changed, as if he'd noticed something.
Before Sam and Butch could react, their captain had vanished into thin air. In the next instant, a chilling clawed blade was pressed tightly against their throats.
"I'm asking you…"
A cold, ghostly voice came from behind them. "Did you two go behind my back to find a new captain? Or maybe you're trying to set up your own crew and betray me?"
"Blood! We're gonna bleed, boss!"
Sam shrieked in terror, his face twisting in fear. "W-What are you talking about? We're completely loyal to you! Why would we ever betray you?!"
"Yeah, that's right!" Butch swallowed hard and turned his head with a nervous smile. "You know us, right? Where would we get the guts for something like that…"
"It's because I know you wouldn't dare! Otherwise, I would've killed you already!"
Kuro sneered and suddenly jabbed a finger at the photo. "Tell me—are you two blind? Can't you see who that man is?!"
That man?
Sam and Butch stared blankly at the photo.
Because the camera had focused on the sword, the people next to it were all a bit blurry. But one of the men's facial contours did look a bit familiar. They'd seen him somewhere before…
"It's Shano! That Shano—the most famous swordsman in all of East Blue!"
Shano?!
Hearing that familiar name, Sam and Butch gasped sharply. At last, the realization hit them like a lightning bolt.
"You mean the guy who wiped out the entire Arlong Pirates a few years ago?!"
"And the Krieg Pirates too! They were completely destroyed by him not long ago!"
The more they thought about it, the more terrified they became. Cold sweat poured down their backs, and they felt like they had just escaped death.
Thank goodness they hadn't made a move back at the Whale Company earlier. Otherwise, they might not have even made it back to report—just ended up as corpses in the street.
"Now you know fear?"
Kuro's clawed blades suddenly slashed through the air in front of them, ten icy glints tearing the photo into shreds.
"What are you waiting for?! Go tell Jango to gather everyone—we're setting sail immediately! We can't stay on Sherry Island any longer, we'll find another place to repair the ship!"
"Huh? But we just got here."
Butch pouted, clearly unwilling. "Why not just avoid provoking that guy? We haven't made landfall in almost a month. I was hoping to hit the red-light district tonight…"
"Shut up, idiot!"
Seeing Kuro's face grow darker by the second, Sam quickly covered his mouth. "Better safe than sorry! Don't you understand the risk?! What if that guy notices us? Do you want the Black Cat Pirates to get wiped out too? Let's go, hurry up and gather the crew!"
That's more like it.
Watching the two of them rush out the door, Kuro let out a cold snort, the killing intent in his eyes gradually fading.
These useless subordinates… each one dumber than the last. Just spending time with them made him feel like his own intelligence was slipping.
"The strongest swordsman… Shano…"
Looking at the shredded remains of the photo on the ground, Kuro felt a lingering sense of dread. He couldn't shake the feeling that something very bad was about to happen.
That man was far too dangerous. They needed to get away—as far away as possible!
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As for pulling a stunt like that fool Krieg—provoking Shano just to raise his bounty and fame?
Laughable.
Considering the vast difference in strength, the odds of success were far too low. He was "Hundred Tricks" Kuro, known for his cunning, a master of survival. He wasn't about to do something so idiotic.
...
Half an hour later.
The Black Cat Pirates' ship departed in haste. Kuro leaned over the railing, staring intently at the neon sign of the Whale Company in the distance.
Only when the sign had shrunk to a tiny, barely visible speck in the horizon, and no ship came chasing after them…
Did he finally relax and slowly recline back on his lounge chair, feigning calm.
"Boss Kuro, your wine."
First mate Jango offered a wine glass. Kuro grunted and took it, but he had no intention of drinking, simply placing it to the side.
"Boss, if you ask me, you've just been running for too long lately. You're a bit too wound up." Jango chuckled. "How about I hypnotize you to help you relax?"
"No need."
Kuro frowned and declined flatly.
Jango was the only one among his crew he truly trusted, and his hypnosis ability was indeed useful—but Kuro simply didn't like the feeling of losing control.
"Captain!" the lookout suddenly shouted, "Ten o'clock direction! A small boat is heading toward us!"
A small boat?
Kuro's pupils contracted. His back tensed as he sprang to his feet. "Look closely! How many people are on it? Is Shano among them?!"
"Just one person!"
The lookout replied, "Looks unfamiliar. Not Shano, not any bounty hunters we know. He's waving at us—looks like he's asking for help. Tch, and that boat's tiny! Like a coffin, really—barely fits one person…"
Not Shano?
Kuro finally let out a breath of relief, but a strange mix of shame and anger boiled up inside—Some nameless nobody scared me like that, and now wants help?
"Blind idiot…"
He sneered and gave the order coldly, "Head straight toward him! Crush both him and that tiny boat!"
"Yes, Captain!!!"
A thunderous cheer erupted from the pirates on deck.
...
On the sea not far away.
Seeing the pirate ship suddenly charging at full speed toward him, Mihawk raised an eyebrow in slight confusion, then sighed softly and reached for the black sword on his back.
All I wanted… was to ask a local for directions to Cocoyashi Village.
Why do they insist on doing this kind of thing…?