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The sharp sea breeze blows, causing the surrounding trees and jungle to rustle.
Zyhark and Kuro stand a few meters apart, facing each other across the distance.
"Good to see you well, Boss Zyhark. I've been thinking about the meal I had at your place yesterday."
Kuro spreads his ten-blade cat claws, his dark gaze piercing through his glasses like a venomous snake ready to strike, coldly staring at Zyhark.
"It's an honor to have Captain Kuro remember us, it means our floating restaurant is doing something right," Zyhark replies with a smile.
His bold approach to the Black Cat Pirate Crew's territory was intended to draw the pirates out, saving him the trouble of searching for them.
After all, the floating restaurant isn't the navy, and the pirates have no reason to retreat or avoid confrontation.
"I don't recall placing a delivery order with you."
Kuro, seemingly in a hurry, pushes up his glasses and gets straight to the point, "So, what's the reason for your visit? Do you want my head, worth 14 million Belly?"
"Or... are you interested in what we took from Fuschia Village?"
From the information leaked by Colonel Morse's adjutant, Kuro knew about Zyhark's floating restaurant's visit to Fuschia Village.
Considering the blue-haired beauty who could summon floods, suspected of having eaten a Devil Fruit, he was certain these people knew about the existence of the Devil Fruit.
Only something as invaluable as a Devil Fruit could drive those in the floating restaurant business to take such risks!
"Young people make choices."
Under Kuro's watchful gaze, Zyhark lightly swings his dual blades, smiling calmly, "Sorry, but I want both."
"Seeking death!"
Recognizing the hostility, Kuro wastes no time, his feet tapping the ground rapidly as he charges at Zyhark in a blur, using his assassination technique: Silent Step.
His shadow moves through the jungle, the slender, sharp blades reflecting a chilling light.
Zyhark feels a strong wind brush against his face, and the next second, Kuro, cloaked in his pirate cape, appears before him.
Ten blades sweep through the air, sealing off space on both sides!
Fast, but not hidden from the observation Haki.
Zyhark spreads his arms, his dual swords blocking the path of the cat claw blades accurately.
Clang!
Sparks fly, and the sound of blades clashing resonates.
One sword blocks five sharp claws, easily stopping Kuro's seemingly flawless attack.
"You, you have the ability to sense attack trajectories."
Kuro smirks, his smile chilling, not surprised his attack was thwarted.
"Too bad, compared to your feeble strength, it's nothing!"
Kuro's arms tense, his palms coming together, exerting a powerful force.
The blocked blades tremble violently, inching towards Zyhark's shoulders, sides, and thighs.
Kuro, with his extensive combat experience, quickly identifies Zyhark's greatest flaw: strength!
But as Kuro increases his force, intending to slice Zyhark into pieces,
Zyhark swiftly retracts his swords, abandoning resistance!
Zzzt.
In a flash, ten blades fall, biting into Zyhark's sides like the gaping maw of a ferocious beast.
"Damn, he's this tough?"
Kuro's pupils dilate, the feeling from his claws hitting Zyhark, akin to striking hard stone!
Zyhark seizes this brief moment of surprise, not wasting any words, his swords slashing towards Kuro's exposed chest!
A surge of adrenaline forces Kuro to react instinctively, retracting his claws and stepping back just a second before the blades strike, narrowly avoiding the slash.
Stepping back several meters to his original position, Kuro glances at his shirt, sliced open, his expression growing darker.
"Your strength doesn't seem that great, Captain Kuro."
Zyhark pats the side of his body where he was hit.
The skin shows fine indentations, with a few beads of blood visible upon close inspection.
"So, you rely on your reaction speed, on par with the Silent Step, and your formidable physical defense to declare war on us, the Black Cat Pirate Crew?"
Kuro's arms hang loosely, his slightly furrowed brow betraying his unease.
"Against the entire crew, I can't say, but to deal with you, I think it's enough," Zyhark says with a light laugh.
He looks forward to this battle, an opportunity to gain real combat experience without the constant threat of sabotage.
Upon encountering Kuro, Zyhark had instructed Aqua to follow their battle plan and head to the mountaintop to deal with the other Black Cat Pirates.
Kuro made no move to stop her.
"Before that, didn't you wonder why I let your companion pass?"
Kuro flexes his fingers, considering Zyhark's challenging presence, deciding to attack his morale first.
"To be honest, I've set numerous traps and ambushes on the way to the mountaintop. Your companion is probably lying among various blades and spikes by now."
Traps and ambushes?
Zyhark momentarily wavers upon hearing this but quickly regains his composure.
Aqua's keen senses and adaptation to observation Haki far surpass his own, making ordinary traps unlikely to harm her.
And for regular pirates, it's doubtful they could even land a hit on Aqua, now strengthened by several rounds of divine power.
As for her questionable intelligence...
Surely even a foolish goddess wouldn't bring harm upon herself?
Thus, Zyhark has complete faith in Aqua!
"My companion doesn't need your concern."
Zyhark looks up at Kuro, "You should worry about yourself instead."
Seeing Kuro's puzzled look, he continues, "If I'm not mistaken, Colonel Morse of the navy should be arriving soon, right?"
No one would bother setting traps in a hideout they're prepared to abandon at any moment.
Their decision to attack the Black Cat Pirates was spontaneous, and Kuro's surprise at their arrival showed he was unaware.
Thus, the only one who could have prepared Kuro in advance was Colonel Morse, who had dealings with the Black Cat Pirates!
After all, the navy capturing pirates is nothing out of the ordinary!
"I underestimated you. Do you also have people in the navy?" Kuro's voice is unexpectedly cold.
"No, it's just a guess."
Zyhark crosses his swords in front of him, smiling brightly, "But now, it seems that guess was spot on."
"Daring to play me..."
Realizing he's been tricked, veins throb on Captain Kuro's forehead.
This time, he's truly enraged!
(End of Chapter)