"Hum hmm huh~"
In her room, Kaya was humming her favorite tune. Although her complexion was still a bit pallid, her expression had greatly improved. She no longer lost her temper, and her gentle demeanor had returned. Now, what Kaya looked forward to most each day was the visit from Ace and Nami.
"Crunch."
"Miss Kaya, it's time for your meal."
Kuro entered, pushing a dining cart, and rubbed his eyes with his palms as he spoke.
"Klahadore, have you prepared more today? My appetite has been quite good lately."
Kaya felt a twinge of guilt as she fibbed, but she truly wished to save her favorite dishes for Ace and Nami.
"Are you awaiting those two? There's no need to wait today," Kuro said, pressing on his eyes.
"Why?!" Kaya was taken aback.
"Miss, in your current state of health, you shouldn't be troubled by strangers," Kuro stated impassively.
"They are not strangers; they are my friends. What have you done to them, Klahadore?" Kaya demanded, her voice rising with emotion.
"I've done nothing to them. I merely suggested they cease bothering you, Miss."
At this point, Kuro had not yet secured Kaya's absolute trust and reliance as he would three years later. However, Kuro had felt compelled to act, having discovered traces of Ace and Nami in recent days.
During his surveillance, he overheard a conversation between the two that nearly petrified him.
"Why does Kaya's butler bear a resemblance to 'Hakuji' no Kuro, the captain of the Black Cat Pirates, whom the navy claimed to have vanquished? But that can't be. The Navy has widely celebrated the downfall of the Black Cat Pirates…"
Had it not been for Ace's final remark, Kuro might have erupted in fury then and there. Fortunately, Ace harbored only suspicions, and without evidence, his likeness to others in the world was not incriminating.
Yet, to safeguard his scheme to acquire wealth, Kuro resolved to eliminate the troublesome duo. He had covertly summoned several members of the Black Cat Pirates for this purpose.
Surely, those two nuisances had been dealt with by now, hadn't they? They would be presumed victims of piracy, while he, Kuro, remained the devoted servant to the young Miss Kaya, above any suspicion.
With this thought, a sly grin spread across Kuro's face.
"Why, why? Ace and the others are my friends; why would you want to drive them away? Ahem!" Kaya protested, her voice tinged with desperation.
"Miss, your well-being is paramount. Besides, am I not here for you? Allow me to handle these dubious matters," Kuro offered, moving toward the rose by Kaya's bedside.
What puzzled Kuro was the persistent flame at the heart of the rose.
"Stop, Klahadore!" Kaya's voice was sharp, a rare fury etched on her usually serene features as she clutched the rose protectively.
"This is my cherished possession; it has nothing to do with you. Please, step back," Kaya commanded, her face flushed with anger.
"Is that so? Then, Miss, I shall leave you be," Kuro conceded, observing Kaya's resolute stance.
Nonetheless, Kuro was not perturbed by Kaya's current defiance.
Time, after all, is the most enchanting of healers. Kaya's dissatisfaction with him will be forgotten with the passage of time. In the end, Kaya will only remember him as the most trustworthy butler.
"Miss, please hurry up and eat. Your health is not very good." After making a butler's salute, Kuro slowly withdrew. He also wanted to confirm with Jango and the others whether those two 'brats' were indeed dead.
After Kuro left, Kaya stared blankly at the flame rose in her hand. In the flame that had not been extinguished after burning for so many days, Kaya thought she saw a blurry face.
"Ace…and Nami, even if you leave, you must say goodbye to me," Kaya murmured, biting her lip.
Time passed, and Kaya, seeking some solace, took a medical book from the bedside and began to read it carefully.
Meanwhile, Jango and the others, who had placed their hopes in Kuro, were sprawled on the ground, defeated and motionless.
"Are you kidding me? Why would a person of this caliber appear here?" Jango raised his head with difficulty, looking at Ace, who was sitting casually on a tree stump, a flicker of fear in his eyes.
Next to Jango, Buchi and Sham, each with a bounty of 7 million Baileys, lay as still as if they were lifeless, uttering no sound.
Reflecting on the recent encounter, Jango realized it hadn't been a battle at all. In just a moment, they were completely overpowered without even grasping what Ace had done.
Jango had no doubt that if Ace had desired their demise, they would have been slain instantly. "A person of this level should not be here at all! He belongs in the Grand Line!" Jango thought, knowing even their captain, Kuro, possessed no such formidable power.
"Nami, tie them up. This is a gift from me to my ship's doctor," Ace said, looking at Jango and the others, a hint of amusement in his smile.
Nami nodded, still feeling a little shocked by the revelation of Ace's strength.
Ace's power was immense! She wondered, who was stronger, Ace or Arlong?
Surely, it must be Arlong; that creature was a monster.
Lost in thought, Nami continued to secure Jango and the others.