Chapter 12: Shadows Behind Masks
Arriving at Hurricane Island
The crew's next destination was a little-known but naturally rich island called Hurricane, so named because of its occasional unpredictable storms.
"There's an old settlement here, hidden from the sea charts," Nami explained. "Sometimes pirates come here for cover."
"A perfect place for an ambush," Katsuro noted, frowning. "But if the Navy knows about it, we can wait."
Luffy just yawned and stretched.
"If anyone wants to stop us, let them try."
Reconnaissance and Preparation
They docked at a hidden bay. Katsuro, Nami, Zoro, and Sanji watched the reconnaissance. The settlement looked abandoned, but too... quiet.
"Too clean," Zoro whispered, touching the recently trampled ground. — There were people here. Recently.
Katsuro closed his eyes. His Vein responded — not with an overt attack, but a strange warning. An alien presence. Invisible, but very close.
"Don't trust the streets. They breathe alien breath."
Navy Ambush: First Encounter
As soon as they walked deeper into the village, a memorable light flared right in front of them — smoke bombs, and people in black cloaks with the emblem of the Navy, but without ranks, jumped out of the alleys.
"These are not ordinary soldiers," Nami said. "This is a special unit! NSA or CP?"
"No," Katsuro said sullenly. "These are... "The Silent Ones." A secret observation corps. I heard about them back in Sabaody... their tactics come to mind.
"What are you, a major Navy?" Sanji was surprised.
- Something like that, - Katsuro dodged. - We'll talk later.
The battle begins
Zoro immediately rushed to the attack, Sanji went to the flank, and Katsuro stayed to cover Nami. He fought without fruits, but his speed, instincts and wave technique did not decrease.
At some point, one of the agents threw a spiked whip right in Nami's direction - Katsuro intercepted it with his bare hand, and the wave energy passed from his palm into the whip, destroying it from the inside.
- What the... - the agent recoiled. - You didn't just use strength... was it body energy?
Katsuro did not answer. His eyes were burning. At that moment, he felt a sense of emotion - fear, confidence, confidence, the decision to begin.
"You are at the threshold again. You see, not with your eyes. You feel - with your soul."
Victory and escape
Seeing that the battle was lost, the agents gave the signal to retreat - they disappeared as quickly as they appeared.
"They left," Zoro breathed out, hiding his sword.
"But they'll come back," Katsuro added. "And next time, they'll probably order their destruction."
Conversation with Nami
Already on the ship, at night, Nami went into Katsuro's cabin, where he was treating a cut.
"You covered me again," she said quietly. "And you fought like a beast. And you're also holding something inside… and it's bothering me."
"You don't have to worry," he answered calmly.
"I'm still worried," she blurted out. "I know your heart is… like a storm. But I want to be there, even if I get sucked in. And even if you see me as just… a sister."
He fell silent. He turned to her. He wanted to say something, but a voice sounded in his head:
"Your future with her can be anything. But your soul is already calling for another."
He smiled slightly - warmly, brotherly.
- Thank you, Nami. You are dear to me. And I did not allow anyone to harm you.
It folded a little sadly... and left.
The end of the chapter
Meanwhile, on the Navy ship, one of the agents reported to the captain:
- His power is non-standard. He has a rare type of perception. We suspect... a non-canonical awakening, perhaps ancient-class abilities.
- What else?
- He did not eat the fruit. But he is still dangerous.
- Observe. For now. But if he crosses the line... destroy.