Cats Have Weaknesses

The sky began to brighten as two figures walked one after the other along the road leading toward the coast.

"Seriously, why would a member of the Mink Tribe appear in the East Blue?" Buggy walked in front, glancing back with a speechless expression at Mikuru, who was following him with a provocative air. Upon closer reflection, it wasn't actually that surprising; after all, didn't the pirate crew of Trafalgar Law, who was born in the North Blue, have a bear among them?

"Stop following me... The static electricity from the Mink Tribe is a bit of a headache. You can keep those treasures; I won't come after you." Buggy cast a sidelong glance behind him. "However, don't overestimate the manners of a pirate..."

"Red-nose pirate, what exactly is your relationship with Nami? If you don't tell me, I'll crack your head open!" Mikuru said, carrying her pack and putting on a rather blustering show of force.

She wouldn't go out of her way to provoke the Navy, but when faced with a disorganized pirate, she felt no timidity whatsoever.

"Don't call me Red-nose!" Buggy turned around and roared.

He then let out a heavy sigh, put on an expression of feigned surprise, and looked up at the sky. "Oh... a UFO?"

"Huh? A UFO? Where?" Mikuru looked around curiously. "By the way, what is a UFO?"

When she looked back, Buggy had already shrunk into a small black dot, leaving a trail of dust in his wake, and was on the verge of disappearing from her sight.

"You bastard Red-nose, you actually tricked me! Don't run!!!"

Mikuru stomped her feet and chased after him in annoyance.

At the summit of Syrup Village.

The window on the second floor of the villa was pushed open, and the warm sunlight spilled into the young lady's bedroom. Kaya had woken up early, leaning against the windowsill in a daze, lost in thought as she stared at the large tree in the courtyard. After a while, she looked up at the rising sun.

"Usopp didn't come by last night. He must be with that strange pirate. He's such an adventurous person; perhaps he'll even set sail with that pirate."

Kaya lowered her head, looking at the small birds on the windowsill in a trance. "I feel much better... the doctor's medicine is truly effective. Everyone is so kind and cares for me so much; how could I ever run away alone? But Klahadore is truly a pirate. What is his goal? Who can tell me? What should I do..."

Knock, knock, knock.

It was a knock at the door.

"...Please, come in." Kaya's voice trembled slightly.

Klahadore pushed the door open and walked in, dutifully pushing a cart laden with toast and milk. He adjusted his round glasses with his wrist, walked to Kaya's side, and firmly shut the window.

The small birds on the windowsill scattered in a flurry.

"My lady, the breeze is not conducive to your recovery. For the sake of your health, please do not open the window again from now on! Even if you don't consider yourself, you must think of the late master and mistress!"

Kaya's body stiffened. She didn't say anything, only gave a soft "mm," lowered her eyes, and returned to bed with Klahadore's assistance.

Although Kaya tried her best to hide her emotions, Klahadore keenly sensed the subtle change in her attitude. He was a pirate by origin and had drifted on the sea for many years; his intuition for external matters was extremely sharp, or he would not have become one of the most trusted people in this villa within a few years.

He adjusted his round glasses with his wrist, and his face, shrouded in shadow, immediately broke into a very kind and affectionate smile. He placed his right hand on the back of Kaya's hand.

"Time flies so fast; it's been over two years... I recall the days we spent together, sharing sorrows and joys. When we went shopping, I would follow behind you carrying all the bags. When you were ill, I stayed by your side day and night, taking meticulous care of you. In our spare time, I happily listened to you recount the stories you read in books, and we would laugh together..."

Klahadore's eyes flickered as he reminisced, his expression gentle. "I have poured my whole heart into you. You are like a younger sister to me. I truly wish to watch over you like this, to keep watching you until you marry, until you grow old..."

"Klahadore..." Kaya's expression softened.

Klahadore pushed his glasses down with his wrist and held them in his hand, his voice filled with sorrow.

"I lost my parents when I was very young and drifted alone on the sea, struggling to survive in those cruel waters. At that time, I didn't know what I was living for. I couldn't find any value in my existence until, after I was injured, the master and mistress saved me... Only then did I truly feel the warmth of a family..."

Klahadore covered his eyes with his hand. "I'm sorry, my lady. I shouldn't say these things in front of you, but I... I cannot control my emotions. I just want my heart to return to peace and to be a simple, ordinary person..."

As he spoke, he sobbed softly.

"Klahadore, don't say anymore..." Kaya patted his back, her heart aching for him. "I understand. I believe you."

A long time passed.

Only then did Klahadore wipe the tears from his eyes with his wrist, put on his glasses, and regain his composure.

"My lady, your breakfast is here. Please eat as soon as possible. I will take my leave now; please make sure to get plenty of rest!"

After speaking, he rose to leave and slowly pulled the door shut.

As he turned away, his eyes buried in shadow, a cunning, cold sneer curled the corners of his mouth.

"After today, everything will return to normal... Still, it would be safer to go there in person."

Near the east coastline of Syrup Village.

Mikuru, her figure concealed by a cloak, confronted Buggy.

Buggy looked somewhat helpless. "Why are you pestering me?"

Mikuru said righteously, "Because you still haven't answered my question about Nami! You bastard pirate, why did you follow Nami here? Don't you underestimate me; Nami's business is my business. Are you, a lecherous scoundrel, trying to make a move on Nami..."

Listening to her babble on, Buggy picked at his ear. "Mohji, is there any way to deal with a cat?"

Mohji stroked his chin in thought, then pulled a ball of yarn from his person. "Captain Buggy, try this!"

Buggy took the ball of yarn, looked at Mikuru, and, half-doubting, threw it in a parabolic arc toward her.

"Hey, you lying pirate, do you think I'll let you go just because you don't say a word..."

Mikuru was halfway through her sentence when a look of pure infatuation appeared on her face. Her eyes, like green agates, slowly widened and seemed to sparkle. She pounced on the ball of yarn like a kitten.

"Roll, roll~ so much fun~" She squinted her eyes, hugging the ball of yarn as she rolled around on the ground. Her ears twitched incessantly, and a flush of uncontrollable excitement spread across her face, making her look incredibly obedient and docile.

When it comes down to it... it really is a cat, isn't it!!

Buggy wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"So cute, too cute~ I really want to keep a cat like this!"

"I can't take it, how can there be such an adorable cat? It's a foul, it's just too much of a foul!"

Several pirates from the Buggy Pirates clasped their hands together near their mouths, striking maiden-like poses.

Thump, thump, thump...

Buggy retracted his slightly stinging fist. With large, red, swollen bumps atop their heads, the pirates lowered their heads in shame and said, "Captain Buggy, we were wrong!"

"Prepare to set sail. There's no point in staying in a backwater village like this any longer; we'll continue heading west."

"Yes!"

"Wait, no!" Mikuru snapped back to reality. Clutching the ball of yarn like a treasure in one hand, she pointed righteously at Buggy and his crew with the other. "You haven't answered my question yet, you rude pirates! Tell me at once!"

As she spoke, she began to lose herself in playing with the yarn again. "Twirly~ twirly~"

Buggy wanted to say something more, but Shuma, who was shielding his eyes with one hand to look into the distance, spoke first: "Buggy, a sea beast 'ship' is approaching."

The hazy black shadow on the distant sea surface gradually grew larger, drawing closer to the shore. On its sail was painted a skull that looked just like a cat...

The Black Cat Pirates!