A Ninja's Greeting, Only One Strike!

"What do you mean, lying?"

Facing Nami's question, Chinjao adjusted his glasses and glanced in the direction of the mansion.

He then briefly explained how Usopp was a "big liar" who came every day to tell adventure stories in order to comfort the sickly Miss Kaya.

"I see."

Nami stroked her chin, looking as though she had suddenly understood.

"So it was to make that sick young lady happy... No wonder he was so nervous earlier. He was afraid we'd expose him."

"Hehehe, what an interesting guy."

Luffy pressed down his Straw Hat and grinned at the tall wall. "Hey, let's go in and take a look."

"But the wall is so high, and there are iron bars too. We can't climb over it." Chinjao looked up and said discouragingly.

"Heh heh, leave this to us."

Nami suddenly wore a sly smile.

The next second, she shamelessly leaped onto Victor's back while he stood nearby with his hands in his pockets.

"Vice Captain, jump over!"

"Are you an idiot?"

Victor staggered from being strangled, his face darkening. "So now you remember I'm the Vice Captain?"

Though he complained, he still sighed helplessly.

Then he reached out and picked up Carrot and Onion from the ground, one in each arm like little chicks.

"Whoa! You're so strong!"

"Thanks, big bro!" the two brats shouted excitedly.

"Hey, Zoro." Victor turned toward the swordsman beside him and nodded toward the remaining Chinjao.

"This kid named Chinjao suits you perfectly. Come help out."

"Huh?!"

Veins bulged on Zoro's forehead as he stared darkly at the expectant Chinjao.

"How does he suit me at all, you bastard Victor?!"

Though he cursed under his breath, Zoro still silently stepped forward and scooped Chinjao up.

"Our hair is both green!" Chinjao said in surprise from Zoro's arms.

"Shut up, brat! Keep talking, and I'll throw you down!"

"Alright! Here we go!"

Ignoring everyone's dawdling, Luffy burst into laughter. His arms suddenly stretched out, gripping the iron bars high above.

"Gum-Gum Rocket!!"

"Whoosh!"

Luffy launched himself inside like a slingshot.

"Whoa!"

Seeing that, Victor bent his knees slightly as Chakra surged beneath his feet.

"Hold on tight."

"Bang!"

The ground cracked faintly as Victor, carrying Nami on his back and holding the two children, lightly sprang over the high wall.

Zoro also sighed. Relying on his astonishing jumping power and arm strength, he carefully climbed over with Chinjao.

"Thud."

With a soft sound, Victor landed steadily on the neatly trimmed lawn.

Carrot and Onion excitedly jumped out of Victor's arms, their eyes shining.

"Wow! That was amazing!"

"That wall was so high, but you jumped right over it! B-Big brother..."

Their voices suddenly stopped as they blankly looked upward.

Victor had his mouth wide open, his face turning blue as he struggled to slap at the arm around his neck.

"Urgh... let go... I'm going to suffocate..."

Nami, still shaken by the sensation of flying through the air, had her eyes tightly shut behind him.

Her hands were locked firmly around Victor's neck, with no intention of letting go.

"She really is a female demon," Onion muttered quietly.

"Terrifying..." Carrot deeply agreed.

"Bang!"

Just then, a tremendous sound came from ahead. It was the sound of Luffy's face hitting the ground first.

The huge commotion instantly drew attention.

On a branch of the large tree ahead, Usopp, who had been telling Kaya a story, was so startled that he nearly fell again.

His eyes widened as he stared at the uninvited guests, lowering his voice in horror.

"Y-You guys came too?!"

"Usopp, who are they? Are they members of the Usopp Pirates too?"

At the second-floor window, Kaya—a pale but gentle-looking young woman—leaned out curiously.

Usopp's whole body stiffened. He immediately turned back and forced himself into a proud pose, thumping his chest.

"Ah! Y-Yes!

"They're all new crew members I just recruited! They came to admire their captain's heroic bearing!"

"Ptooey, ptooey."

Luffy pulled his head from the dirt, spat out the mud, and mercilessly retorted.

"No, we're not your crew. We came because we need your help with something."

Kaya leaned farther out in surprise, looking at the Straw Hat boy below.

"Help? You came to see me?"

"Yeah!" Luffy said with a grin. "We want a big ship!"

Zoro also walked over and added, "Don't worry, we're not bandits. We can pay for it."

Kaya froze for a moment. Looking at the strange group, she thought for a bit before gently saying,

"As for a ship... I remember there really is an unused one at home..."

"Ah! Really?!" Luffy cried in delight, his eyes instantly lighting up.

Victor finally managed to pry Nami off his back.

He straightened his collar, stepped forward, and gave Kaya at the window his usual smiling gentleman's expression.

"Beautiful miss, we truly need a large ship to set sail.

"May I ask how much it would cost? Or is there anything we can help with?"

Victor's voice was gentle and magnetic. The instant his black eyes looked toward Kaya, a nearly imperceptible flash of red gleamed within them.

"Um... I need to ask my butler about that..."

Kaya had wanted to politely decline, but as she looked into Victor's eyes,

her voice grew quieter and quieter, while her gaze gradually became unfocused.

In her vision, the scenery around her suddenly changed.

It was as though she was no longer trapped within this cage-like mansion, but standing upon a beautiful sea.

The sea breeze brushed against her, blue skies and white clouds seemed within reach, and the scent of freedom washed over her.

It was the world she had always dreamed of.

A second later, the Genjutsu was released.

Kaya abruptly came back to herself, her eyes wide as she looked at Victor in surprise and delight.

"Amazing! That just now... was that the sea? Was it magic?!"

"W-What happened, Kaya?" Usopp asked worriedly from the tree. He had not seen anything.

"Usopp, just now I..."

"Hey! Who are you people?!"

A cold, angry voice suddenly interrupted everyone's conversation.

"What a nuisance. You actually dared to trespass into a private residence!"

The butler Krahador (Kuro), dressed in a black suit with slicked-back hair, walked over.

He pushed up his round glasses with his palm, his cold gaze sweeping over Victor and the others.

"Th-That, Krahador, they are..."

"Please do not defend them, Miss Kaya."

Kuro rudely interrupted his young mistress, his tone stern.

"You are too kind, and you are easily deceived by this scum from the bottom of society.

"Now, leave immediately! Otherwise, I can only have the guards 'escort' you out!"

"Hey, you're the butler she mentioned, right? We want a ship!" Luffy said cheerfully, completely unconcerned by the other man's attitude.

"No!"

Kuro refused without hesitation. Then his gloomy eyes turned toward the trembling figure behind the tree.

"Usopp!"

Usopp awkwardly revealed himself from behind the tree and forced a smile.

"O-Oh! Hello, Krahador."

"You filthy pirate's son!"

Kuro's tone instantly became vicious. "How many times do I have to tell you? Do not come near this mansion!

"You trash who can do nothing but lie have the same filthy blood as your pirate father running through your veins!"

The smile on Usopp's face froze instantly, and his fists clenched tightly.

"Krahador, don't say that..." Kaya cried anxiously.

Hearing this, Luffy abruptly raised his head, his gaze sharpening.

"You..."

"Hey, Mr. Butler, can we have a chat?"

Victor suddenly spoke, interrupting Kuro just as he was about to continue humiliating Usopp.

He stepped out from behind Luffy, his unchanging smile still on his face.

"Who are you?" Kuro frowned at the red-eyed youth, an inexplicable feeling of discomfort rising within him.

Victor ignored him and instead looked up at the window.

"Miss Kaya, may I speak with your butler alone?

"Regarding the ship, I believe I can find a way to convince him."

Kaya had been affected by Victor's "magic" just now and naturally felt grateful toward him. Hearing this, she looked at Kuro pleadingly.

"Krahador... please listen to what they have to say."

Kuro's eyes flickered, and his gaze narrowed behind his lenses.

He sighed, seeming to compromise reluctantly, though a trace of killing intent flashed in his eyes.

"Since it is the young lady's request... very well."

He coldly swept his gaze over everyone and raised one finger.

"One minute. I will give you only one minute."

Victor smiled and nodded, signaling for the butler to follow him somewhere quiet.

"What is that guy planning?" Zoro frowned as he watched their backs.

"Dunno." Luffy picked his nose.

At a secluded corner of the mansion.

Kuro stopped and turned around, impatience and malice showing on his face.

"Speak, lowly pirate. If you cannot satisfy me, I will..."

Before he could finish, his pupils suddenly widened.

There was no warning.

There was no unnecessary chatter.

The instant he turned around, Victor moved.

Body Flicker.

Kuro only felt his vision blur before a cold stabbing pain came from his chest.

He lowered his head and stared at his chest in disbelief.

A black Kunai had already sunk deeply into it, leaving only the handle exposed.

Blood instantly stained his suit red.

"You..."

Kuro tremblingly raised his head, instinctively trying to adjust his glasses, only to realize he no longer had any strength left.

Victor stood before him, his scarlet Sharingan staring at him coldly as if he were already dead.

Then Victor leaned close to Kuro's ear and whispered with a smile,

"Go die, Hundred Plans—Kuro."

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