The group stood at the iron gates of the mansion on the hill.
"Is this the place?" Nami asked, her eyes sparkling at the sheer size of the villa. "Looks expensive."
"This is it," Onion, one of the Usopp Pirates, chirped. "The Captain should be inside."
"Excuse us!" Luffy yelled, vaulting over the gate without a second thought.
"Is that even allowed?!" the kids gasped.
"Well," Zoro shrugged, already climbing. "He's inside, so we don't have a choice."
Darian and Nami followed, Darian adjusting the white mask on his face.
They found Usopp sitting in a tree outside a window, chatting with a pale, sickly girl inside.
"So you're the 'Miss'!" Luffy announced, popping up beside them.
"Gah!" Usopp nearly fell out of the tree. "What are you guys doing here?!"
Kaya, the young heiress, looked confused but polite. "Usopp, who are your friends?"
Usopp, ever the storyteller, wrapped an arm around Luffy's neck. "Ah! These are travelers from distant lands who heard of my greatness! They came to join the Captain Usopp Pirates!"
"No," the group chorused instantly.
Usopp slumped. "Come on, guys..."
"We want to ask a favor!" Luffy shouted, stretching his arms wide. "We need a big ship!"
"A request?" Kaya blinked.
"What are you doing here?"
A cold, sharp voice cut through the air.
A man in a black suit with round glasses and slicked-back hair walked into the garden. He adjusted his glasses with the palm of his hand—a strange, unnatural movement.
It was Klahadore, the butler. Or rather, Captain Kuro, the pirate known as "Hundred Plans," with a bounty of 16 million Berries.
He didn't look like a pirate. He looked like a bored accountant. But Darian knew better. This man had murdered Kaya's parents and spent three years playing the loyal servant just to steal her fortune legally.
Kuro sneered at them. He insulted Usopp's father, called them trash, and ordered them to leave.
Darian watched silently behind his mask. Kuro was smart, patient, and utterly ruthless. To endure humiliation for three years just for money? That took a special kind of dedication.
Later that evening, the truth came out.
Luffy and Usopp had overheard Kuro's plan on the coast. But when Usopp rushed back to warn the village, no one believed him. He was the boy who cried wolf. Even Kaya had slapped him and told him to leave.
On the coast road, the group reunited under the moonlight.
Usopp sat on a rock, tears streaming down his face. "They won't believe me. I lied too much."
"You're a nice guy," Zoro chuckled, leaning against a tree. "You deliberately made the kids hate you so they'd run away and stay safe. You plan to fight the pirates alone?"
"Okay!" Luffy slammed his fist into his palm. "We'll help you!"
"Let's be clear," Nami said, holding up a finger. "All the treasure is mine."
Then, everyone turned to look at Darian.
"Why are you staring at me?" Darian sighed. "My wife is joining the fight. How can I sit this out?"
Kick!
"Idiot!" Nami blushed, kicking his shin. "Who's your wife?!"
Usopp looked at them, stunned. "Why? Why would you risk your lives for me?"
"Because you're scared," Luffy said bluntly.
"I am NOT scared!" Usopp yelled, his legs shaking like jelly. "I am the brave Captain Usopp! I don't need your pity! Get out! Get out!"
"We're not doing it out of pity," Zoro smirked. "We're doing it because you stood your ground."
"Who would risk their life for pity?" Luffy laughed.
Usopp wiped his eyes, overwhelmed.
"Wait a second," Darian interrupted, his voice serious behind the mask. "Usopp. There are two roads into the village. Which one will the pirates take?"
"Uh..." Usopp froze.
"Also," Darian continued. "We can handle the pirates. But what about Miss Kaya? Her butler is Captain Kuro. If his plan starts at dawn, he's going to kill her tonight to make it look like an accident or pirate raid."
The realization hit Usopp like a truck. "Kaya! She doesn't believe me! I can't go back there!"
Darian looked at Usopp. Honestly, he didn't like the guy. Usopp was weak, cowardly, and a compulsive liar—everything Darian used to hate about himself before he got his powers. Seeing Usopp reminded him of his own past flaws. But Darian also knew that Usopp had heart.
"This is the price of lying," Darian said coldly. "When you cry wolf, you lose your voice when it matters. Remember this feeling."
Usopp hung his head, trembling.
"However," Darian softened his tone slightly. "We can split up. You guys guard the coast and stop the invasion force. I'll go to the mansion."
"You?" Zoro raised an eyebrow. "Kuro is worth 16 million. Can you handle him alone?"
"I'm very strong," Darian smiled beneath his mask. "I killed a 15 million Berry pirate just two days ago. Kuro is just another paycheck."
"Be careful," Nami whispered, grabbing his arm.
"Honey," Darian leaned in, his eyes twinkling. "Aren't you going to give me a goodbye kiss?"
"Idiot! Go to hell!"
Nami kicked him again, harder this time. But then she stood on her tiptoes, pulled down his mask slightly, and planted a soft kiss on his lips.
"Don't die," she murmured.
"I won't."
Darian adjusted his mask, turned, and sprinted toward the mansion on the hill. Tonight, the Black Cat was going to meet a real monster.
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