"Seems like the Pokémon energy within that slash is even stronger than before!"
Watching Zoro use Pokémon energy to forcefully unleash a sword technique that was still far beyond his current limits, the smile on Red's face deepened.
From a purely swordsman's perspective, Zoro had not yet reached the realm of cutting steel—let alone the level required for a true swordmaster to use a flying slash.
Yet under the amplification of Pokémon energy, Zoro had directly leapt past the steel-cutting stage and unleashed a sword technique of this caliber.
While this was certainly connected to the special nature of Pokémon energy, what mattered even more was Zoro's own willpower and talent.
No matter how one looked at it, in the eyes of most swordsmen, Zoro already qualified as a genuine great swordsman.
Luffy's Armament Haki.Zoro's stance as a swordmaster…
These two really did have a knack for surprising people.
Red smiled in satisfaction, then lightly leapt down from the second floor into the courtyard.
Because the sword technique Zoro had just used was so violent, the ground of Kaya's courtyard now looked as though it had been ravaged by a storm, the soil overturned everywhere.
Even so, Kuro—who had been swept up by the sword tornado—was somehow still barely alive.
"M–My plan… will… never… fail…"
With bloodshot eyes, he stared viciously at Red, as if trying to engrave his figure into his memory forever.
"What tenacious vitality~"
Seeing Kuro still glare with murderous intent even after the tendons in his limbs had been severed, Red couldn't help but sigh.
Though this man was far from a good person, in the East Blue he could still be considered a rare talent.
"What a shame."
Red bent down, picked up a broken fragment of a cat claw blade from the ground, and flicked it forward with force.
Puchi!
The sharp blade instantly pierced Kuro's forehead, penetrating his brain and embedding itself deep into the ground.
And just like that, the great East Blue pirate who had endured in secrecy for three whole years just to successfully retire finally found his rest.
Everything settled into silence.
…
…
Evening.
Under the reassurance and guidance of the butler Merry, the villa's staff gradually returned to their respective posts.
Although the villa had undergone a major upheaval, none of the staff had been injured—and in a world of pirates, incidents like this weren't exactly unheard of.
As a result, everything within the villa soon returned to normal.
At this moment, inside the reception room.
With Merry attending her side, Miss Kaya, the owner of the villa, stood up and bowed deeply toward the Straw Hat crew.
"Thank you all so very much for your help!"
"If it weren't for you, I truly don't know what might have happened."
"As for your request, I already understand it."
"I spoke with Mr. Merry just now, and there is indeed a newly completed light sailboat at our family's shipyard."
"And the designer of that ship happens to be Mr. Merry himself."
"However, the ship still needs a few more days of adjustments before it can sail. Could you please wait a few more days?"
Kaya asked gently.
After learning from Usopp that the Straw Hat crew had come here specifically to help them deal with the pirates, Kaya was deeply grateful from the bottom of her heart.
So when she found out that Red wished to ask them to provide a ship, this wealthy young lady agreed without the slightest hesitation.
What puzzled Kaya, though, was…
Red seemed to understand that ship even better than Merry, its very designer.
But such trivial matters were quickly pushed aside.
After what had happened today, she had escaped death by sheer luck—and still didn't know what plans awaited her in the future.
That was what she needed to think about most now.
On the other side of the table—
After hearing Kaya's request, Luffy immediately burst into laughter.
"No problem! Of course that's fine!"
"It's just a few days, right?!"
With his very own pirate ship soon to be theirs, Luffy was barely able to contain his excitement.
More importantly, Red had praised that ship time and time again, saying it would be the greatest pirate ship in the world!
Hearing Luffy agree so readily, Merry—standing behind Kaya—finally let out a long sigh of relief.
Stepping forward, he spoke politely to everyone:
"Thank you all very much for your understanding."
"During these few waiting days, please stay here at the estate."
"I'll make sure everything is arranged."
"And also…"
Merry paused briefly before continuing.
"I just contacted the Marines. They don't seem inclined to pay out bounties for pirates whose wanted status has already been revoked."
"So Kuro's body no longer holds any value."
"Huh? How could that be?!"
Nami, who had been waiting eagerly for that news, was instantly devastated.
Sixteen million Beli was no small amount.
She had thought she could strike it rich!
Seeing the crew's obvious disappointment, Merry quickly added:
"But it's not a problem, miss."
"To repay your kindness, the Kaya family is willing to offer twenty million Beli as compensation for resolving this pirate crisis."
"Ah!? Really?!"
Upon hearing that there was still money involved, Nami's eyes immediately lit up with dazzling brilliance.
Unfortunately…
That money was destined never to reach her hands.
"Wait a moment, Mr. Merry."
Red suddenly spoke up, interrupting gently, then smiled.
"Miss Kaya, we gratefully accept your feelings."
"But as for the reward, let's forget it."
"That ship is already the best gift we could ask for."
"Besides, we didn't come here for a reward in the first place."
"Isn't that right, Usopp?"
Red suddenly turned his gaze toward Usopp—who was sitting among them yet painfully uneasy, as though needles pricked his skin.
"H–Huh?!"
Completely unprepared to be dragged into the conversation, Usopp tensed up instantly.
To be honest, earlier he'd only agreed to everything on impulse, desperate to save Kaya.
But after witnessing the battle between Zoro and Kuro, the fundamental question returned to his mind—
What qualities did he have that made this crew want him?
He'd been thinking about it ever since Kuro's defeat.
Even now, he still didn't have an answer.
At that moment, Luffy chimed in loudly in agreement:
"Exactly! Helping companions doesn't need a reward!"
"Companions?"
Kaya and Merry both turned their curious gazes toward Usopp.
They hadn't yet learned that Usopp had joined the Straw Hat crew.
"Ahaha…"
Feeling their questioning looks, Usopp scratched the back of his head shyly.
"That was earlier today. I've already accepted their invitation and joined the Straw Hat Pirates."
"What?!"
Shock instantly appeared on Kaya's delicate face.
"Usopp… you mean you're going to sea… as a pirate?"
"Yeah." Usopp rubbed his nose. "Before long I'll be setting sail with Luffy and the others."
"One day, Kaya, you'll definitely hear lots of heroic tales about me on the seas!"
"..."
Kaya suddenly lowered her head, falling silent.
Just as Usopp began to worry, she lifted her head again and nodded firmly.
"Yes! I believe you can do it, Usopp!"
As she spoke, a faint glimmer of tears shimmered in her eyes—quickly concealed.
Usopp was an incredibly important presence in her life.
Whether it was sneaking into the estate day after day to tell her wonderful adventure stories, or appearing at her side today when she was at her weakest and most vulnerable…
Usopp's figure had already been deeply etched into Kaya's heart.
She truly didn't want him to leave Syrup Village—nor to leave her.
But thinking of how going out to sea had always been Usopp's dream, she forcefully buried her feelings deep inside.
She didn't want to become the obstacle standing in the way of his dream.
In fact, even in the original timeline…
If Usopp hadn't chosen to set sail, he might have long since become the wealthiest man in Syrup Village—and lived happily ever after with Miss Kaya.
It could only be said—
Usopp, you're truly unforgivable!!!
…
…
A peaceful night passed.
After having dinner at Kaya's home, the Straw Hat crew returned to the rooms arranged for them by Merry.
Not long after, a flash of white light passed before Red's eyes—
And he found himself back at the Pokémon Center in Cerulean City.
Standing beside him was a lovely orange-haired girl…
(End of Chapter)