Kaya looked up with hopeful eyes.
Her chronic illness had long been a burden on her heart.
Because of her frail condition, she hadn't been able to leave her home—
let alone explore the outside world.
If Reno truly had a way to cure her, even the slightest chance was worth taking.
Reno met her gaze and smiled gently.
"Miss Kaya, healing you is the second reason I came here."
"But first… I need to deal with the villain living right under your roof."
Truthfully, her condition wasn't even incurable.
And with the Healing Fruit, it could be resolved instantly.
No big deal.
"Villain…?" Kaya frowned slightly.
Everyone in her home was kind and loyal.
Where would a villain even come from?
"Mr. Reno, you must be mistaken. They—"
"You're not wrong," Reno interrupted, turning his eyes toward the butler beside her.
"Isn't that right, Mr. Klahadore?"
The moment Reno dropped the name, Kuro's pupils shrank—if only for a fraction of a second.
He quickly regained composure, but Reno noticed.
With a calm demeanor, Kuro pushed up his round glasses.
"I'm not sure what you're implying, sir."
"Reno, I'm sure you misunderstood," Kaya added, rushing to defend him.
"Klahadore has been my butler for three years now."
If he were a villain, wouldn't he have done something by now?
"Miss Kaya," Reno said, shaking his head, "you're too kindhearted."
"Kuro. Captain of the Black Cat Pirates. Alias: 'Hundred Plans.' Bounty: 16 million Berries."
"Three years ago, reported executed by Marine Captain Morgan—an event that earned Morgan a promotion to Commodore."
Reno paused, then looked at Kuro with a cold, knowing smile.
"But the truth? It was part of Kuro's plan. He used hypnosis on Morgan, making him believe he had executed the real Kuro."
"In reality, the man standing before you simply changed his name and appearance… and settled into Syrup Village under a new identity."
"Isn't that right… Kuro?"
Clap, clap, clap…
Kuro slowly applauded, a sly smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Impressive story, Mr. Reno," he said, voice steady. "But do you have proof?"
"I don't know what your true motive is in approaching Miss Kaya, but to throw around such vile slander?"
"I'm sure Miss Kaya wouldn't trust baseless accusations."
His tone was righteous, unwavering.
"Tch… this guy…" Nami and Makino frowned in unison.
As expected, Kaya's expression grew troubled.
"Mr. Reno, if you don't have—"
"I do have proof," Reno said with a smirk, cutting her off.
"Personality and identity can be hidden. But instinct? That's carved into your bones."
Reno paused, eyes falling to the sleek black gloves on Kuro's hands.
"According to Marine records, Kuro's weapon of choice—the 'Ten Claws'—is hidden inside a pair of special cat-paw gloves."
"If you doubt me, Miss Kaya, you're welcome to have someone inspect them."
At that, the confident expression on Kuro's face finally cracked.
He remained silent, but the tension in his jaw betrayed him.
"I'd wager," Reno continued, "those gloves of yours conceal the very weapons that made you infamous, Mr. Kuro."
"Miss Kaya, in all your time with him, I imagine you've never once seen him take those gloves off… right?"
Kuro remained silent.
There was no rebuttal.
"You've been living by her side for three whole years," Nami snapped. "What were you really after?!"
Makino edged closer to Reno instinctively, her body tense with alertness.
"Klahadore…" Kaya whispered.
She stared at him, wide-eyed and trembling.
She had trusted him.
Three years of loyal service… and yet, now doubt had crept into her heart.
"Mr. Klahadore," Kaya asked, voice shaking, "can you… take off your gloves and show me?"
That would settle it.
One glance would reveal the truth.
But—
"...Hahahahahahaha!"
Suddenly, Kuro burst into laughter.
"Three years! Three whole years…"
His face twisted, eyes filled with fury.
"Do you have any idea what I've endured these past three years?!"
"I was this close! Just a little longer and I'd have succeeded!!"
"If I could just get my hands on Kaya's fortune, I'd be done with piracy. I could live in peace, under the sun."
"Why—why did you have to ruin it all?!"
With those words, the air around him shifted—like a wild beast unleashed.
Danger radiated from him like a storm.
"Y-You… You're really Kuro?!"
Kaya's face went white.
She stumbled back, nearly collapsing.
Reno moved in a flash, steadying her before she could fall.
She clung to him, trembling.
Three years.
She had lived under the same roof as a pirate—for three years.
"Miss Kaya," Kuro sneered, voice low and cold,
"Life is full of surprises… just like your illness."
Now fully exposed, he dropped the act completely.
The voice, the demeanor—everything had changed.