Chapter 10: Kuro was shot in both legs
"I'll take these pirates!" Kael said, throwing a bag containing ten million Berries to Eric, who was happily tying up Jango and the Meowban Brothers. Eric, greedy for the money, took it without sharing with Van Auger.
Van Auger said nothing, but a chill ran down Eric's neck when he saw the pirates being fitted with slave collars. He noticed the strange look in Kael and Van Auger's eyes.
After dealing with the Black Cat Pirates, the three warships and one captured pirate ship sailed towards Syrup Village. The cannon fire and wind blades that Kael had banished earlier suddenly reappeared, crashing violently onto the sea surface, creating a bizarre scene.
At Syrup Village, four warships sailed into the port. Kael, who had been cultivating, finally disembarked, intending to personally meet Kuro of a Hundred Plans, who possessed the Silent Step ability. Eric, disappointed to miss out on the bounty for Kuro, still wanted to see Kael's true strength.
"Kuro of a Hundred Plans's bounty has already been canceled," Van Auger said indifferently. He saw that Eric, who was still hoping to leave, had become Kael's next target. If Eric didn't show respect, he would likely be exiled or collared.
Meanwhile, Usopp and his friends, seeing the strangers, rushed back to Kaya's house to report. As Usopp shouted, "An army is landing in the village!" a villager cursed him, saying, "An army isn't pirates, what are you afraid of?" Usopp's panic turned into a cold sweat when he realized his status as "Captain Usopp of the Usopp Pirates."
Kuro, disguised as the butler Klahadore, appeared at the mansion's entrance with a gloomy expression. He instantly recognized the bounty hunters Eric and Van Auger, and his face changed dramatically. He had faked his death and hidden in Syrup Village for over a year to seize Kaya's fortune. He believed his former First Mate, Jango, must have betrayed him.
"Damn it! Who exposed me?" Kuro gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with madness. "Jango, if you really betrayed me, I will definitely slice you into a thousand pieces!"
Just then, Van Auger opened fire. "Bang!" x3. Kuro narrowly dodged the shots, but blood dripped from his shoulder. Usopp, hearing the gunshots, covered his head in fear, his pants feeling warm.
Wounded, Kuro rushed back to his room and pulled out his Cat-Claw Blades. "You all must die!" he shouted, his eyes filled with killing intent. He used his Silent Step to attack Van Auger, but Van Auger simply watched Kael.
"Silent Step, huh? But you've already entered my domain," Kael said slowly. Kuro's afterimage vanished. Eric became even more wary, fearing that Kael might exile him.
Kael slowly drew his golden flintlock pistol and fired a shot into the air. "Bang!" With the gunshot, Kuro suddenly appeared in front of him. Pfft! He was shot directly in the thigh and collapsed.
"The Celestial Dragons' golden imperial pistol has good power, doesn't it?" Kael asked with a light smile.
"It's more than five times stronger than market-grade flintlock pistols," Van Auger calmly replied, assessing the high-quality weapon.
"How is this possible! You actually managed to hit me!" Kuro couldn't believe it. He had once slaughtered an entire warship of soldiers, and now he couldn't even dodge a single bullet.
"Don't believe it? Then have another shot!" Kael raised his hand and fired again. Kuro, trying to use his Silent Step, was shot again, this time in the other leg.
"Ah!" Kuro cried out in disbelief. Had his skills really regressed so much?