A Favor Returned: Kuro of a Hundred Plans

Roya looked at Arlong before him with a smile at the corner of his lips.

This only made Arlong even more furious.

He absolutely could not tolerate being looked down upon by a human.

Landing on the ground, Arlong charged at Roya like a spinning top, his eyes bloodshot.

"Shark ON Tooth Wheel!"

Arlong wanted to use his most trusted teeth to tear Roya apart!

Roya shook his head slightly and said softly, "The games are over."

As soon as Roya finished speaking, he fiercely thrust the drawing pen in his hand forward.

In an instant, the air spiraled around the tip of the pen, and a slash shot straight toward Arlong's heart with a howl!

The sword intent of a peak Great Swordsman was displayed by Roya in all its splendor at this moment.

Yet Arlong had completely lost all fear by then.

His eyes held only Roya.

He did not even try to dodge.

It was as though he wanted to perish together with Roya.

But the slash swiftly pierced through Arlong's heart.

"Pfft!"

Everything had happened far too quickly.

Arlong only felt powerless all over as darkness engulfed him.

"Five-Turn Illusion!"

Roya murmured, and five phantoms appeared out of thin air, tidying up the scene.

At this moment, Cocoyasi Village returned to peace once more.

Then the real Kensuke arrived with the villagers.

They had heard the commotion at the market and come over together to investigate.

They had not expected to see such a sight the moment they arrived.

They froze for a moment, but then erupted into cheers!

It was the joy of seeing the mountain crushing their hearts shattered.

Although Arlong and Nezumi were weak, mere cannon fodder on the Grand Line, they were indeed extremely powerful in the East Blue!

Faced with these two "powerful" men, these commoners truly had nowhere to turn for help!

But Roya's arrival had rescued them from their miserable plight.

Kensuke came before Roya and, on behalf of the villagers, thanked him. "Thank you, truly, thank you so much, sir. If it hadn't been for you, we truly wouldn't dare imagine what our lives would have become in the future."

"You shouldn't thank me. You should thank them."

As he spoke, Roya pushed Nami and Nojiko out from behind him.

Kensuke naturally understood what Roya meant.

Some of them adults did not even possess the courage of these two children.

If they had not stepped forward and told Admiral White Dove about these matters, they would likely have continued suffering here.

Nami crossed her arms over her chest, her pretty face full of pride.

At that moment, Kalifa returned to Cocoyasi Village, carrying a large amount of Belly in her hands.

"Everyone, I found evidence of Nezumi accepting bribes, along with this Belly, in his office. No matter how much Belly was forcibly collected from you, you can claim it from me."

While Kalifa distributed Belly to the villagers.

Roya was dragged by Nami and Nojiko into the small courtyard behind the house.

The courtyard was filled with orange groves.

Then the system's electronic voice rang out in Roya's mind.

[ Ding, congratulations to the host for checking in at the orange grove. Obtained: Encyclopedia of Navigation. ]

Seeing the system reward, Roya glanced at Nami beside him.

This reward was useless to him, but for this girl who yearned for the sea, it was likely priceless!

Nami and Nojiko picked several plump oranges for Roya, placed them in a basket woven from vines, and handed it to him.

"Roya, this is just a small token from us. Please don't mind it."

Nami winked at Roya.

Nojiko tugged at Nami beside her, then said to Roya, "Lord Roya, we have nothing good to give you. All we have are these oranges, grown with all our effort. Please accept them and do not dislike them!"

Hearing Nami and Nojiko's words, Roya immediately said, "How could I possibly dislike them? I like them too much already!"

As he spoke, Roya seemed to perform a magic trick, producing an Encyclopedia of Navigation from beneath his cape and handing it to the sisters.

"I didn't bring anything good with me when I set sail this time. This is all I have. I hope you'll like it."

When Nami saw the nautical charts in the book, her eyes immediately lit up.

"Of course I like it."

"That's good, then. It's getting late, and we should be leaving as well."

Looking at the somewhat reluctant Nami, Roya said softly, "Nami, Nojiko, remember what I told you. If you want to live freely on this sea, you must work hard to make yourselves stronger!"

After leaving the orange grove, Kalifa had also settled the matters involving the villagers of Cocoyasi Village.

After meeting up, the two sailed their warship away from Cocoyasi Village.

Nami and Nojiko stood at the harbor, watching Roya and Kalifa gradually disappear into the distance.

Nami clutched the navigation book in her hands and swore in her heart: One day, I will become Roya's personal navigator!

--

Out at sea, Roya and Kalifa basked in the sun on the deck.

Seeing a News Coo flying through the sky, Kalifa took out one hundred Belly and bought a newspaper.

"Roya, you're in this issue's newspaper again."

"Oh? What does it say this time?"

"What else could it say? It can only praise how wise and mighty you are, Roya~"

As Kalifa spoke, she looked at Roya and gave him a seductive wink.

But Roya did not pay Kalifa any attention. Instead, he narrowed his eyes and enjoyed the bright sunlight.

Just then, his admiral-exclusive Den Den Mushi began to ring.

A phantom flickered, and in the next second, the Den Den Mushi had appeared in Roya's hand.

The moment he answered it, chaotic voices could be heard coming from the Den Den Mushi.

"This is the G-53 Branch Marine fleet in the waters near Syrup Village. We request support!"

"Kuro of a Hundred Plans is slaughtering Marines here! Anyone capable of fighting, please come provide support immediately!"

Upon hearing the voice from the Den Den Mushi, Roya instantly recalled him.

Kuro of a Hundred Plans, the man who had created Shakushi in the original story!

From a certain perspective, Kuro of a Hundred Plans was indeed a genius, but he yearned for a peaceful life.

"Kalifa, let's hurry over and provide support!"

--

Elsewhere, in the waters near Syrup Village.

Kuro looked at the corpses scattered across the ground, a savage smile appearing at the corner of his lips.

He said to Jango beside him, "Jango, is the hypnosis not over yet?"

"Morgan's willpower is a little stronger than I expected. It will probably take another five minutes or so. I need to give him deep hypnosis!"

"Hurry up. I estimate Marine reinforcements will arrive soon!"

As he spoke, Kuro used the Ten-Blade Cat Claws in his hand to stab to death the Marine soldier beside him who had tried to ambush him...