The village restaurant was small and homey, with wooden tables worn smooth by years of use and the smell of grilled fish and fresh bread filling the air. The owner—a cheerful woman with flour-dusted hands—had nearly fainted when Luffy ordered "everything on the menu twice."
Now, plates covered every available surface, and Luffy was working through them with the single-minded focus of a natural disaster.
Usopp sat across from them, his eyes wide as he watched Luffy inhale an entire roasted chicken in four bites. "How is that even possible?!"
Zoro, working through his third bottle of sake, smirked. "You get used to it."
Nami picked at her fish delicately, though her eyes kept drifting to the bill that was accumulating at an alarming rate. "We're going to run out of money at this rate."
Shiro, sitting at the end of the table with a simple bowl of soup, spoke calmly. "We have Buggy's treasure. We can afford to eat well for once."
Nami's expression softened slightly. "I suppose that's true."
Luffy swallowed a massive bite, then turned to Usopp with sparkling eyes. "So! About that ship! Where can we get one?!"
Usopp nearly choked on his water. "W-well, like I said, Kaya might be able to help, but—"
"Then let's go ask her!" Luffy declared, already standing up.
"Wait!" Usopp grabbed Luffy's arm, pulling him back down. "You can't just barge into her mansion! She's... she's been sick. And her butler is really strict about visitors."
Shiro's awareness had been spread thin across the village since they'd arrived, mapping locations, tracking presences. But now, something caught his attention—a presence at the mansion Usopp had mentioned. Dark. Controlled. Dangerous.
Not just strong. Hidden strong.
Someone pretending to be weak.
Shiro's eyes narrowed. Kuro.
He set down his spoon, his mind working quickly. His telepathy wasn't like his telekinesis—it required something specific. Connection. Acknowledgment. He couldn't just push thoughts into someone's head without their implicit permission.
But if he warned them aloud and they acknowledged him, accepted his presence in their mind, then the connection could form.
He looked at Usopp, then at the others. "Before we go anywhere, I need to tell you all something."
The table quieted. Even Luffy stopped eating.
Shiro's expression was serious. "My psychic abilities aren't just telekinesis and spatial awareness. I have telepathy—the ability to communicate directly with your minds. But it only works if you accept it. If you acknowledge me."
Zoro's hand moved to his sword hilt instinctively. "You can read our thoughts?"
Shiro shook his head. "No. I can't read anything. I can only send messages if you let me. Think of it like... opening a door. You have to choose to open it."
Nami frowned. "Why tell us this now?"
Shiro's gaze was steady. "Because I'm sensing something at that mansion. Something dangerous. And if we're walking into trouble, I need to be able to warn you instantly, even if we're separated."
Luffy tilted his head, then grinned. "That sounds cool! How do we do it?"
Shiro took a breath. "Just... acknowledge me. Accept that I can reach your mind. Think of it like trusting me to be in your head for a moment."
Luffy nodded immediately. "Okay! I trust you, Shiro!"
The moment Luffy accepted it, Shiro felt the connection click into place—a thin thread linking his mind to Luffy's, warm and chaotic, like touching a storm that somehow felt friendly.
Shiro tested it. Can you hear me, Captain?
Luffy's eyes went wide, and he jumped out of his seat. "WHOA! YOUR VOICE IS IN MY HEAD!"
The entire restaurant went silent, staring at them.
Shiro sighed. "Quietly, Luffy."
Luffy sat back down, grinning like a child with a new toy. "That's so cool!"
Zoro watched this exchange, then grunted. "Fine. I'll accept it. But if I feel you poking around where you shouldn't, I'm cutting you."
Shiro nodded. "Fair."
The connection formed—sharp, disciplined, like a blade waiting to be drawn.
Nami hesitated, her expression wary. "This isn't... you're not going to spy on me, are you?"
Shiro met her eyes evenly. "I can't. I can only send, not receive. Your thoughts are your own."
Nami studied him for a long moment, then sighed. "Alright. Fine. But one weird thing and I'm out."
The connection formed—cautious, calculating, like touching a locked door that might open later.
Shiro turned to Usopp, who was staring at all of them like they'd lost their minds. "What about you?"
Usopp swallowed hard. "Y-you want to connect to my brain?!"
Shiro's expression softened. "Only if you want to. But if you're coming with us to the mansion, it might save your life."
Usopp looked at Luffy, who nodded encouragingly. Then at Zoro, who just shrugged. Then at Nami, who looked exasperated but didn't object.
Finally, Usopp took a shaky breath. "O-okay. I trust you. I think."
The connection formed—nervous, flickering, but there. Like touching someone who wanted to run but chose to stay.
Shiro felt all four threads now, linking him to each of them. Not invasive. Just... present.
He spoke aloud, but his voice also echoed in their minds simultaneously. There's a strong presence at the mansion. Someone dangerous pretending to be harmless. Be careful.
Usopp's face went pale. "Dangerous? At Kaya's mansion?!"
Shiro nodded. "Very. Whoever it is, they're hiding their true strength. I can feel it."
Usopp's hands started shaking. "Kaya... Kaya's in danger?"
Luffy's expression turned serious. "Then we go now."
Usopp stammered, his mind racing. "But—but what if—what if you're wrong?!"
Shiro's gaze didn't waver. "I'm not."
Usopp stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. "I have to warn her. I have to—"
He bolted for the door.
"Wait!" Nami called, but Usopp was already gone, running at full speed toward the mansion on the hill.
Luffy stood immediately. "Let's follow him!"
Zoro was already on his feet. "If there's a fight, I want in."
Shiro left money on the table—more than enough to cover the meal—and the crew rushed out after Usopp.
The mansion confrontation
Usopp ran like his life depended on it, his lungs burning, his mind screaming. Kaya. Kaya's in danger. I have to warn her. I have to—
The mansion loomed ahead, white walls and elegant architecture that spoke of wealth and comfort. But now, it looked like a trap.
Usopp stumbled through the front gate, ignoring the startled groundskeeper, and ran toward the main entrance.
"KAYA!" he shouted, his voice cracking. "KAYA, WHERE ARE YOU?!"
The front door opened, and a tall, thin man in a butler's uniform stepped out. He wore small round glasses, and his expression was one of cold disapproval.
Klahadore.
But Shiro's awareness, still tracking Usopp through their connection, felt the truth underneath the calm exterior.
Kuro. Captain Kuro. The "Thousand Plans" Kuro.
The butler's lip curled in disgust. "You. Again. I thought I made it clear you were no longer welcome here."
Usopp skidded to a halt, breathing hard. "I need to see Kaya! It's important!"
Klahadore adjusted his glasses with the heel of his palm—a gesture that seemed practiced, almost theatrical. "Miss Kaya is resting. She doesn't need to be disturbed by a worthless liar like you."
Usopp flinched. "I'm not—"
"You are," Klahadore said coldly. "A liar. A coward. A burden on this household. Miss Kaya has tolerated your presence out of pity, but her kindness has limits."
"That's not true!" Usopp's voice shook, but he stood his ground. "Kaya and I are friends! She—"
"Friends?" Klahadore's smile was thin and cruel. "You honestly believe a girl of her station considers you a friend? You, a filthy urchin who spends his days telling fabricated stories to children?"
Each word was a knife, precisely aimed.
Usopp's fists clenched, his eyes burning.
The crew arrived at the gate just in time to hear Klahadore's final words.
"You are nothing, Usopp. A stain on this village. Miss Kaya would be better off if you disappeared entirely."
Luffy's expression darkened instantly. "Hey."
Klahadore turned, his cold gaze sweeping over the newcomers. "And who are you?"
Luffy stepped forward, his usual grin completely gone. "Someone who doesn't like bullies."
Klahadore's eyebrow arched. "Bullies? I'm simply stating facts."
Zoro's hand moved to his sword. "You talk a lot for a butler."
Klahadore's eyes flicked to Zoro's swords, and for just a fraction of a second, something dangerous flashed in his gaze. Then it was gone, replaced by calm professionalism.
"If you're friends of this boy," Klahadore said smoothly, "then I suggest you leave. Miss Kaya needs rest, not—"
"Klahadore?"
A soft voice came from the doorway.
Everyone turned.
A young woman stood there, pale and thin, wrapped in a shawl despite the warm weather. Her blonde hair framed a kind face, and her eyes—though tired—held genuine warmth.
Kaya.
She looked at Usopp, then at the crew, confusion crossing her features. "What's going on?"
Usopp stepped forward, his voice desperate. "Kaya, I need to talk to you. It's important. These people—they're pirates, but they're good pirates, and—"
Klahadore moved smoothly between Usopp and Kaya. "Miss Kaya, please go back inside. You shouldn't be out in this condition."
Kaya frowned. "But Usopp—"
"Is a disturbance," Klahadore finished. "As always."
Kaya's expression softened, and she looked at Usopp with genuine concern. "Usopp, I'm sorry. I really do need to rest. Could you come back later? Maybe tomorrow?"
Usopp's face fell. "But Kaya—"
"Please," she said gently. "I promise I'll listen then."
Usopp opened his mouth, then closed it. His shoulders sagged.
Kaya turned to go back inside, Klahadore following her like a shadow.
But just before the door closed, Klahadore glanced back at the crew.
And Shiro saw it.
The cold calculation. The predatory assessment. The complete lack of humanity in those eyes.
Kuro knows we're a threat.
The door closed with a soft click.
Usopp stood frozen, staring at the closed door, his hands trembling.
Luffy walked up beside him. "That butler guy is bad news."
Usopp's voice was barely a whisper. "That's... that's not just a butler.?"
Zoro stepped forward. "You know who he really is."
Shiro turned, his eyes calm like a ocean, "I've seen his face before. On a wanted poster. Years ago. His name isn't Klahadore. It's Kuro. Captain Kuro of the Black Cat Pirates."
Zoro's eyes sharpened. "Black Cat Pirates?"
Shiro nodded. "Kuro the 'Thousand Plans.' He's a strategist. Ruthless. He faked his own death three years ago to escape the Marines. If he's here, pretending to be a butler, it means he's planning something."
Nami's face went pale. "Planning what?"
Shiro's voice was cold. "Probably to kill Kaya, inherit her fortune, and disappear."
Usopp's legs gave out, and he collapsed to his knees. "No. No, no, no. Kaya. She's in danger. I have to—I have to—"
His voice broke, tears streaming down his face.
Luffy crouched down beside him, his expression serious. "Usopp."
Usopp looked up, his vision blurred.
Luffy met his eyes. "Join my crew."
Usopp blinked. "W-what?"
"Join my crew," Luffy repeated. "Right now. Become our sniper."
Usopp shook his head frantically. "I can't—I'm not strong enough—I'm just a liar—"
"You're not," Shiro said firmly, crouching down on Usopp's other side. "You're brave. You stood up to a pirate captain pretending to be a butler, even though you were terrified. That's not cowardice. That's courage."
Zoro crossed his arms. "And if you join us, we'll help you save Kaya. No questions asked. No repayment needed."
Shiro nodded. "We don't abandon our crew."
Usopp stared at them, his mind reeling. "You'd... you'd help me? Even though I'm weak?"
Luffy grinned. "You're not weak. You're just scared. That's different."
He held out his hand. "So? You joining or not?"
Usopp looked at Luffy's hand, then at each of their faces.
Strangers. Pirates. People he'd just met.
But they were offering him something he'd never had before.
A crew. A purpose. A chance to be more than the village liar.
Slowly, shakily, Usopp reached out and took Luffy's hand.
"I... I'll join. But only if we save Kaya."
Luffy's grin widened. "Deal."
He pulled Usopp to his feet, and for the first time since they'd arrived at the mansion, Usopp felt something other than fear.
He felt hope.
Shiro stood, his mind already working through plans. "We need proof. If we go in there accusing the butler of being a pirate without evidence, Kaya won't believe us. She trusts him."
Zoro frowned. "Then what do we do?"
Shiro's eyes glinted. "We get evidence."
He reached into his jacket and pulled out a folded piece of paper—a wanted poster he'd taken from the Marine base in Shells Town.
He unfolded it carefully.
The face staring back at them was unmistakable. Sharp features. Cold eyes. And that distinctive way of adjusting his glasses.
WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE
CAPTAIN KURO "OF A THOUSAND PLANS"
BOUNTY: 16,000,000 BELI
Usopp stared at the poster, his hands shaking. "That's him. That's exactly him."
Nami's eyes widened. "Sixteen million? That's... that's huge for East Blue."
Shiro nodded. "He's dangerous. Smart. And if he's been planning this for three years, he won't go down easily."
Luffy cracked his knuckles. "Then we'll just have to hit him really hard."
Zoro smirked. "I like that plan."
Shiro folded the poster carefully. "Tomorrow, we show this to Kaya. We prove who he really is. And then..." His eyes hardened. "We end this."
Usopp wiped his tears, his jaw setting with determination. "I won't let him hurt Kaya. I won't."
Luffy clapped him on the shoulder. "You won't have to. We'll all protect her."
The crew stood together at the gate of the mansion, the sun beginning to set behind them, casting long shadows across the ground.
Inside, Captain Kuro stood by a window, watching them leave.
His expression was unreadable.
But his mind was already working.
So. They know.
He adjusted his glasses with the heel of his palm, a gesture that had become habit over the years.
No matter. Plans can be adjusted.
And these fools have just made themselves part of mine.
He turned away from the window, his lips curling into a cold smile.
The game had begun.