Target: Kuro

"This is bad!"

"Pirates are here!"

"Everyone, run for your lives!"

On the village's main road, Usopp shouted in terror in every direction, hoping to alert the villagers. But after deceiving them so many times, he had long since lost their trust.

"Usopp is lying again!"

"Doesn't that guy ever get bored?"

"Ignore him. It's about time to get to work."

The villagers were utterly unmoved and carried on with their business. Compared to playing the "Pirates Are Here" game, farm work was far more important.

Usopp stood in the center of the village, feeling the disgusted stares around him. It was as though the entire world had abandoned him.

"Everyone, why aren't you running?"

"Pirates really are here!"

"Why won't any of you believe me?"

Usopp stared blankly, unable to understand the villagers' cold reactions, much less believe that he himself was at fault.

His usual pranks were only meant to bring some joy to this boring village. That was a good thing!

"Damn it!"

Usopp angrily ran toward the mansion at the edge of the village. That Luo Ya had said he was going to find a Marine named Fullbody.

Over ten minutes later, Fullbody hurried to the site of the battle. When he saw Luo Ya yawning boredly beside the pirates tied together, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Luo Ya raised an eyebrow, somewhat dissatisfied.

"You sure took your time."

"I didn't waste a single moment!"

Fullbody's face darkened. The instant he heard the news, he had rushed over, terrified that Luo Ya would not be able to handle things alone.

Apparently, he had worried for nothing.

"They're yours to deal with."

Luo Ya stood up and walked beneath the shade of a nearby tree, gently picking up the sleeping Young Lady Kaya.

"I'll take Miss Kaya back first. Oh, you'd better check the Coast too. These pirates may have accomplices."

"Don't worry, I understand."

Fullbody gave an OK gesture.

There were only three pirates. They had clearly come On the Island to gather intelligence, and there might be accomplices. There was likely a bigger catch behind them as well.

To have enough manpower to send out scouts, their crew had to number at least fifty. There were very few pirate crews in the surrounding waters with that kind of strength.

Night fell.

Syrup Estate, dungeon.

The three pirates were bound to torture racks, their hair disheveled and their bodies covered in bloody marks. They had clearly endured brutal interrogation.

Luo Ya emerged from the darkness, walked to Fullbody's side, and looked at the pirates without a trace of pity.

Before this, although he had never fought pirates himself, news of his comrades' deaths came every so often.

Pirates did not deserve sympathy!

"What did the interrogation uncover?"

"They're members of the Black Cat Pirates."

"So it was them after all."

The result was no surprise.

The Black Cat Pirates were the only overlords of the nearby waters. Their captain, Kuro, was very different from ordinary pirates—a clever man famous for plundering wealth through schemes.

If they were going to act, they acted big!

Every time the Black Cat Pirates set out, they swept away enormous wealth. Afterward, they would lie low for a long time, then repeat the cycle.

They understood the importance of intelligence. Several months ago, they had used it to severely cripple the main force of the 153rd Branch.

Fullbody's face was filled with worry.

"The Black Cat Pirates are making a move!"

Sending scouts was a sign of an impending raid.

Running out of money, exhausting supplies, or even simply wanting to slaughter people could all become reasons for a Pirate Raid.

Luo Ya's expression darkened.

Miss Kaya would soon be leaving to travel, and the Black Cat Pirates were about to act during this period. It would be troublesome if she ran into them.

"Any other intelligence?"

"No. We only know the meeting point."

Fullbody shook his head.

Kuro was very clever. To prevent his whereabouts from being exposed, he had arranged a meeting point. That way, even if the scouts were captured, the Marines would not be able to find him.

Luo Ya fell into thought.

Slowly accumulating seniority step by step was far too slow. Even given ten years, he would not be able to reach the rank of Marine colonel.

If he wanted to rise sooner, the best way was to catch pirates and earn merit!

And the Black Cat Pirates were the fattest, most valuable catch in these waters. If he could capture Captain Kuro, even if he merely played support from the sidelines, promotion and a raise would not be a problem.

This was an opportunity!

Luo Ya's mind raced, and he quickly made up his mind. "Fullbody, I have a plan to take down Kuro!"

To carry out his plan, he needed Fullbody's assistance, the entire Branch's fighting strength, and Kaya's Father-in-law's help. He could not defeat Kuro on his own.

He had to borrow strength!

After hearing Luo Ya's plan, Fullbody wore the constipated expression of someone thinking, I've read plenty. You can't fool me, with disbelief practically written across his face.

"Can this plan really work?"

"It has to work, even if it doesn't!"

Luo Ya's gaze turned icy.

Since he had decided to do it, he would throw every ounce of strength he had into it.

"Time waits for no one. Tomorrow morning, escort these three back to the Branch immediately and report the situation to Colonel Rhode. I'll convince Mr. Syrup myself."

"This... all right!"

Fullbody nodded forcefully.

It was the first time he had seen Luo Ya devote himself wholeheartedly to something. He seemed not to have considered the consequences of failure at all.

The plan was truly outrageous. There was not the slightest sign that it could succeed, and if it failed, the responsibility would be more than they could bear.

Yet for some reason, seeing Luo Ya's determined, unstoppable bearing, Fullbody felt that it could work. He was willing to trust his close friend.

Let's do it!

If Colonel Rhode refused to cooperate, then he... he... damn it, he would jump from the rooftop of the Branch Tower!

Early the next morning, Fullbody left while escorting the pirates away. Luo Ya also sought out Kaya's Father-in-law and informed him that pirates had arrived.

Luo Ya's tone was incomparably grave, even carrying a hint of intimidation. "Mr. Syrup, if nothing unexpected happens, 'Hundred Plans' Kuro, captain of the Black Cat Pirates, has set his sights on you and your family!"

"Kuro!"

Mr. Syrup's already unhealthy face turned even paler.

As a Great Pirate with a bounty exceeding fifteen million Beli, the name "Hundred Plans" Kuro was known to everyone. Moreover, Kuro particularly enjoyed plotting to seize the wealth of the rich.

Being targeted by Kuro was undoubtedly a nightmare. Even Colonel Rhode had once been defeated by Kuro. Who else could protect them?

His panic triggered a physical reaction.

"Cough, cough... cough, cough!"

Mr. Syrup coughed dryly for a long while, then lowered his bloodstained handkerchief and asked weakly, "Does Colonel Rhode know about this?"

"I've already informed Colonel Rhode!"

Luo Ya answered at once. The corner of his eye glanced at the bloodstained handkerchief, and he sighed inwardly.

Without outside help, his future Father-in-law and mother-in-law would both die of illness within three or four years.

Ordinary methods would not save them. With the Syrup Family's wealth, they could afford the finest doctors in the world.

They could only rely on extraordinary means, such as the power of a Devil Fruit.

Luo Ya steadied his emotions, and flames seemed to burn in his eyes.

"Please rest assured, Mr. Syrup!"

"Our 153rd Branch has always been pursuing the Black Cat Pirates. Now that we know their objective, we will do everything in our power to protect you and your family's safety."

"To wipe out the Black Cat Pirates, there is one more matter that requires your assistance!"