Chapter 46 — The Black Cat Pirates' Shadow
(Sunny POV)
Morning sunlight spilled into Kaya's mansion like golden wine. The girl herself sat upright in bed, color back in her cheeks after weeks of pale suffering. My little cocktail of knocking techniques and Jirō's anatomical tricks had flushed her body with life again.
"Y-you really… fixed me," Kaya whispered, still looking stunned at her own reflection in the mirror. Her hands trembled, but not from weakness—this was joy.
"Fixed?" I smirked. "You make it sound like you were a broken toy. I just gave your body a nudge. You did the healing."
"Wow, Sunny!" Lucy beamed, bouncing on the bed so hard Kaya nearly fell over. "You're like a doctor! No—you're like a super doctor! Doctor Captain Sunny!"
Zoro snorted from his corner chair. "That sounds stupid."
"No stupider than 'Pirate Hunter,'" I shot back.
"Oi."
The tension broke with a laugh from Kaya. Even Usopp, who had been hovering anxiously, relaxed for the first time.
Naturally, I couldn't resist. "You know, Usopp, you looked like a worried boyfriend this whole time. Sitting by her bed, holding her hand, staring into her eyes…"
"W-what?! I wasn't—! She's not—I—!" Usopp sputtered, face red enough to rival Nami's hair.
Kaya, equally flustered, fiddled with her blanket. "I-it's not like that! …is it?"
Lucy gasped, clasping her cheeks. "Kaya-chan and Usopp are in love! It's a romance arc! Nami, quick, draw them a heart!"
Nami, leaning against the doorframe, smirked like a cat with cream. "Oh no, I'm too busy watching Usopp combust."
Usopp did combust, metaphorically—arms flailing, voice cracking, until Zoro finally muttered, "Loud," and threatened to nap through it.
I stretched, satisfied. "Don't worry, Usopp. I ship you two."
"STOP SAYING THAT!"
The Butler's Shadow
Later, as we were led downstairs for tea, Kaya's ever-present butler waited. Klahadore—slick hair, spotless suit, and a face so stiff it could have been carved from wood.
"Miss Kaya, you shouldn't strain yourself," he said, bowing. "And as for our… guests…" His eyes flicked to us with icy disdain. "Surely, you've had enough of their company. Pirates are dangerous people."
Lucy crossed her arms. "We're not dangerous! We only sank like, what, two ships last week? Maybe three?"
"...you're not helping," Nami hissed.
I tilted my head, watching Klahadore's aura ripple. My Observation Haki picked up a sharp spike of bloodlust buried under his polite smile. Dangerous. Calculating. He wasn't what he seemed.
So I gave him a gift. Just for him.
For a split second, I let my façade slip. In his vision only, my grin turned sharp—predatory, edged with shadow. A dark smile that promised ruin.
His pupils shrank. His heart skipped a beat.
But when Kaya looked at him, she saw only a perfectly calm servant. "I… yes, Miss Kaya. I'll prepare the tea."
He retreated, back stiff, not daring to meet my eyes again.
Usopp's Warnings
That afternoon, Usopp burst into the sitting room, panting. "Pirates! Black Cat Pirates! They're coming here, I swear!"
Kaya frowned. "Usopp, you always say that. It's just another story, isn't it?"
"It's not! This time it's real!" Usopp's voice cracked with desperation. "I saw them near the shore!"
I leaned back, folding my arms. "He's telling the truth."
Everyone blinked at me.
My Haki was already brushing the forest's edge, tasting the oily intent of men moving in shadows. "They're closer than you think."
Lucy gasped. "See?! Usopp is a psychic storyteller! We should believe all his lies!"
Zoro sighed. "You're insane."
But Nami's eyes sharpened. "If Sunny says it's true… then it's true."
Usopp almost cried with relief. "Finally! Someone believes me!"
I clapped his shoulder. "Of course I do. You're the heroic boyfriend, remember? Protecting Kaya's mansion from pirates."
"W-WE ARE NOT—!"
Kaya's face went bright red again.
The Plan
"We'll split up," I said. "Zoro, perimeter patrol. Lucy, you… stay inside and don't destroy the mansion."
"Whaaaat?!" Lucy whined. "But I wanna fight the kitty pirates too!"
"Exactly why you're staying inside," Nami muttered.
Usopp puffed his chest. "I'll warn the villagers!"
"Good man," I said.
Kaya looked worried. "Isn't this too dangerous? Maybe you should just… leave?"
"Sorry, Kaya," I said softly. "But I don't like bullies. And anyone who thinks they can scare you in your own home…" My smile sharpened. "They picked the wrong address."
Nightfall & Romance
That night, the house was quiet. Too quiet.
Nami tugged me aside onto the balcony, moonlight painting silver across her hair. "Sunny… you don't always have to carry everything. You've already saved me, Lucy, even Kaya. You don't need to be the wall between us and the world every time."
Her eyes were soft but fierce, like storm winds tamed.
I chuckled, pulling her close. "If I'm the wall, then you're the navigator keeping me upright."
She huffed, though her cheeks flushed pink. "Cheesy."
Our foreheads touched. Her lips hovered near mine, the temptation heavy.
{Ego}: "D-don't let her distract you, stupid! You have a fight tomorrow! Idiot! Moron!"
[System]: "Master… her lips are stealing too much of your oxygen. Shall I remove her? Permanently? ♥"
I ignored both, pressing my lips to hers. A short kiss, soft but charged.
When we parted, Nami swatted my chest lightly. "Focus tomorrow. After that… we'll see."
Cliffhanger
As she slipped back inside, I stayed at the railing, letting my Haki spread like a net.
There—shadows moving along the treeline. Dozens of them, creeping toward Kaya's estate.
The taste of bloodlust grew stronger.
I smirked, teeth flashing in the dark.
"They're here."