Kaya spoke with eager hope.
Her persistent illness had always been a burden on her heart.
Because of her illness, she couldn't even leave her home.
Let alone see the world outside the village.
If Reyno truly had a way to cure her illness, even if there was only a glimmer of hope, she was willing to try.
Facing Kaya's question, Reyno smiled, "Miss Kaya, curing your illness is the second reason I came here."
"I think it's more important to deal with the bad people around you first."
Not to mention that Kaya's illness wasn't a terminal one.
Even if it were an incurable disease, eating a Healing-Healing Fruit would quickly lead to recovery.
It was simply not an issue.
"Bad people?!" Kaya's beautiful eyes furrowed slightly.
Everyone around her was a good person; where could there be bad people?
"Mr. Reyno, have you made a mistake? They..."
"I haven't made a mistake. Am I right, Mr. Klahadore?!"
Before Kaya could finish speaking, Reyno looked at the butler beside her.
Being directly called out by Reyno with zero-frame initiation, even though Kuro was somewhat prepared, his pupils still instinctively contracted.
Although he quickly masked it the next second, Reyno's keen senses still caught it.
Klahadore adjusted his round glasses with an upward palm, his expression normal as he said, "Sir, I don't know what you mean."
"Mr. Reyno, you must be mistaken. Klahadore is my butler, and he has been with my family for three years," Kaya waved her hand repeatedly, actively defending Kuro.
Her meaning was simple: if he truly were a bad person, he would have had countless opportunities to act over three years; why would he wait until now?
"Miss Kaya, you are still too naive," Reyno shook his head and continued, "Kuro, Captain of the Black Cat Pirates, nicknamed 'Hundred Plans,' with a bounty of 16 million Berries."
"Three years ago, he was executed by Marine Morgan, a feat that also led to Morgan's successful promotion to Navy Captain."
At this point, Reyno paused, looking at the expressionless Kuro with a half-smile.
"But in reality, all of this was just part of Kuro's plan. He had his subordinates hypnotize Morgan, making Morgan believe he had executed Kuro."
"But the real Kuro had already changed his appearance, came to Syrup Village, and lived under a new identity."
"Is that so?! Mr. Klahadore?!"
"No, I should address you as Mr. Kuro."
Clap, clap, clap.
The moment Reyno finished speaking, applause immediately followed.
Kuro's lips curved into an intriguing smile, and he praised, "Mr. Reyno, your story is indeed very exciting, but do you have any evidence?!"
"I don't know what your intentions are in approaching Miss Kaya, to use such despicable methods to slander me."
"But I believe Miss Kaya will absolutely not believe your one-sided story."
Kuro's words were firm and resounding.
"This guy..."
Nami and Makino's brows furrowed simultaneously.
Sure enough, after hearing Kuro's words, Kaya spoke with a slightly displeased tone, "Mr. Reyno, if you don't have..."
"Of course I have evidence," Reyno smiled, interrupting Kaya.
"Identity and personality can indeed be hidden, but some instincts, etched into one's bones, can never be changed," Reyno paused, looking at the black gloves on Kuro's hands, and slowly said,
"According to the intelligence recorded by the Marine, the weapon used by the pirate Kuro, the Claws of Death, is hidden within his cat-claw gloves."
"Miss Kaya, if you have any doubts about this, you can send someone to investigate."
Upon hearing this, Kuro, who had been calm and composed just moments before, finally showed a subtle change in his expression.
"If I'm not mistaken, inside your gloves are your usual weapons, the Claws of Death, aren't they, Mr. Kuro?"
"Miss Kaya, you've spent three years with this butler, and I'm afraid you've never once seen him take off these gloves, have you?!"
Kuro remained silent; this was evidence he couldn't refute.
"Alright, you've been hiding your identity and staying by her side for three years, what exactly is your purpose?!"
Nami, who had long been annoyed, questioned loudly.
Makino looked at Kuro with a wary expression, her body instinctively leaning closer to Reyno.
"Mr. Klahadore..."
Kaya's bright eyes stared blankly at him.
After three years of care, Kaya had originally trusted Kuro deeply.
But when Reyno spoke those well-reasoned words, and with Kuro no longer defending himself, Kaya's heart finally began to waver.
"Mr. Klahadore, can you take off your gloves and let me see?" Kaya's voice trembled.
As long as he took off the gloves, the truth would be immediately clear.
"Hahahahaha..."
Just then, Kuro suddenly burst into laughter.
"Three years, a full three years..."
Kuro exhaled a long breath, his expression gradually turning sinister, "Do you know how I've lived these three years?!"
"Almost, I almost succeeded!!!"
"As long as I got Kaya's family fortune, I would no longer be a pirate, and I could live completely in the sunlight."
"Why, why did you have to come and ruin my plan!!!"
As he spoke, Kuro's aura suddenly changed.
Like a wild beast, extremely dangerous.
"You... you're really Kuro?!"
Kuro's menacing expression frightened Kaya, her face turning pale, and her body stumbled.
Reyno, quick as lightning, flashed to Kaya's side and gently steadied her.
Kaya looked at Kuro, who was now completely different from before, with terror, a chill running down her spine. She had actually lived with a pirate for three years?!
"Heh heh heh, Miss Kaya, do you see? Just like your illness, life is always full of surprises."
Kuro, whose identity had been exposed, finally stopped pretending, and his voice deepened.
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