The remains of their meal lay scattered across the table—empty plates, gnawed bones, and Luffy's contented belly stretched like a drum. The local tavern had been thoroughly pillaged, much to the owner's despair.
Makoto leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers behind his head. "Alright, now that we're all nice and full…" His eyes gleamed. "How about we go rob that fancy mansion up on the hill?"
Taiga perked up immediately, wooden sword thumping against the table. "Finally! Some real pirate action."
Usopp, who had been nervously sipping water, choked. "W-What?!"
Nami's lip curled in disgust. "Of course you'd suggest that." She stabbed her fork into the table. "We're not some band of marauders."
Makoto waved her off. "Oh, relax. I'm not saying we torch the place. Just… liberate some valuables. Maybe a chandelier or two." He grinned at Usopp's paling face. "What do you think, Captain? You know the area."
Usopp's fingers twitched around his cup. "I—uh—that is—" His voice cracked. "T-that mansion is cursed! Haunted! Full of—of—ghost butlers!"
Taiga rolled her eyes. "Ghost butlers? Really?"
Makoto's grin widened. "Even better. Ghosts don't need gold."
Nami crossed her arms. "You're disgusting."
Luffy, who had been half-asleep with a meat-induced coma, suddenly sat up. "Ooooh! A haunted house?! Let's go!"
Usopp made a sound like a deflating balloon.
Nami groaned. "Luffy, no—"
But Makoto was already standing, stretching lazily. "Great! It's settled." He shot Usopp a look that made the poor boy's soul briefly leave his body. "You coming, Right? Or are you gonna let us walk into danger alone?"
…
The fading sunlight painted Kaya's mansion in ominous gold as Makoto led their ragtag group up the winding path. Usopp trailed behind like a condemned man, his nervous sweat practically forming a visible cloud around him.
"Y'know," Taiga mused, twirling her wooden sword, "if we're gonna rob a place, we should at least case it properly. This is amateur hour."
Makoto flashed a shark-like grin. "Who says we're not?" He pointed to the third-floor window where a pale-faced girl stood watching, her hands pressed against the glass. "Look. Our welcoming committee."
Nami's eyes narrowed. "That's not a welcoming committee. That's a sick looking girl who—"
"Perfect!" Makoto clapped once. "Rich, fragile, probably keeps her jewelry in obvious places." He turned to Usopp. "What's her deal? Daddy issues? Forbidden love? Do we need to watch out for guard dogs?"
Usopp made a noise like a stepped-on accordion. "S-She's just— I mean— You can't— She's sick, you psychos!"
He darted in front of Makoto, arms flung wide like he could block the whole mansion with his scrawny frame. "Kaya's nice! She—she lets me tell stories, she—she's not like the other rich people!"
Makoto just stepped forward until his chest bumped Usopp's outstretched arms, looming over him with that infuriating, lazy grin.
"Stories, huh? You tell her stories, Captain Usopp?" He cocked his head, voice dripping false sweetness. "What a hero. And now you've brought real pirates to her doorstep—how tragic."
Taiga let out a snort. "You're awful." But she didn't bother to stop him.
Nami folded her arms, glaring daggers at Makoto. "We came here for supplies, not to shake down a girl in bed, you freak."
Makoto spread his arms in a theatrical shrug, opening his mouth to retort—
CRACK
The distinctive sound of a rifle cocking froze them all in place. From the shadowed veranda, a tall figure stepped forward - polished shoes clicking against stone, glasses glinting ominously in the fading light.
"Good evening," Kuro said in that eerily calm voice. His smile didn't reach his eyes. "I believe you're trespassing."
The temperature seemed to drop ten degrees. Even the cicadas stopped buzzing.
Makoto broke the silence with a delighted clap. "Oh ho ho! The plot thickens!" He spread his arms in mock greeting. "And you must be the... what was it Usopp? Ghost butler?"
Kuro's glasses flashed white. "Klahadore. The young lady's caretaker." His fingers twitched near his hidden blades. "Now. Leave. Before the scene take a bad turn."
Taiga's wooden sword hit her shoulder with a thump. "Ooooh, scary." She grinned, showing teeth. "Try it, four-eyes."
Nami grabbed both their collars. "WE ARE LEAVING." She shot Kuro her most disarming smile. "So sorry for the disturbance! We were just... admiring the architecture!"
Kuro's neck made an audible creak as he tilted his head. "Of course." The threat hung unspoken in the air. "Do admire it from the gate."
As Nami dragged them away, Makoto locked eyes with Kuro over his shoulder, His whisper carried just far enough:
"Till next time... Captain Kuro."
The butler's perfect posture stiffened almost imperceptibly.
Usopp looked ready to vomit. "We're all gonna die," he whimpered.
Luffy, completely missing the tension, waved cheerfully. "BYE GHOST BUTLER! ASK THE GIRL IF SHE HAVE SOME SPARE MEAT !"
To Be Continued...