Morning arrived without warning.
A thin mist covered the Syrup Village shoreline. The salty air mixed with the scent of wet wood and seaweed. Small waves rolled onto the sand in a slow rhythm, as if the world itself had no idea that blood would soon be spilled here.
I stood behind a jagged rock and watched the sea.
The Black Cat Pirates' ship was clearly visible now. No effort to hide. There was no need anymore. The plan was set. Their men had already slipped in during the night. All that remained was the signal.
"Everything's on schedule."
I breathed out slowly.
"And that schedule needs to stay intact."
Shadow Sense spread outward. Not sharp like last night, but dense. Too many movements. Far more than I could handle alone. I didn't try to control everything. I only chose the most dangerous points.
Footsteps crunched against the sand.
Four of them.
They moved sideways, not toward the main beach. Toward a narrow path that led straight to Kaya's mansion from the shore.
"This is the fast route."
I picked up a small stone and tossed it into the sea some distance away. Water splashed. The sound was enough.
Two of them turned their heads.
"What was that?"
"Check it."
Two moved toward the noise. Two stayed behind.
I waited for two breaths.
Then I moved.
I sprinted low and fast toward the remaining pair. The first caught sight of my shadow and raised his weapon.
I kicked the side of his knee.
The joint buckled and he dropped to the sand with a short cry.
I didn't stop.
I twisted and drove a straight punch into the second man's jaw.
He staggered but stayed on his feet.
He slashed at my abdomen with a short blade.
I blocked with the side of my arm and stepped into his range.
My elbow slammed into his stomach.
His breath collapsed.
I grabbed his collar and threw him into the sand.
He tried to rise.
I planted my foot on his chest and struck the back of his neck.
His body went limp.
I turned just as the other two came running back.
"Bastard!"
The first lunged with a straight thrust.
I shifted left and caught his wrist.
I twisted, broke his balance, and slammed him into the sand.
The second swung a small axe at my head.
I stepped back half a pace and let the axe bite into the ground.
I kicked him in the gut.
He flew backward.
I jumped to the first man and struck the side of his neck with precision.
He collapsed unconscious.
The last one tried to get up and run.
I chased him two steps and kicked the back of his leg.
He fell forward.
I pinned his arm and pressed his face into the sand.
"How many other routes?"
He gasped and struggled.
I pressed harder.
"How many."
"Two!" he panicked. "One through the forest. One over the hill."
I nodded.
I struck the back of his neck.
Silence returned.
The system appeared.
—
[Hidden Quest Progress Updated]
Significant intervention detected
Intervention limit approaching
—
I straightened and looked back toward the sea.
The Black Cat ship was moving closer. More men were landing on other parts of the shore. Too many.
I didn't chase them all.
I moved toward the small hill overlooking the main beach.
And there I saw them.
The straw hat.
The swordsman.
The Straw Hat crew had arrived right on time.
"Good."
I spoke quietly.
"Now I only have one job left."
I slipped away from the main route. I didn't want to be seen. Didn't want to be involved directly. But Shadow Sense screamed again.
Two figures emerged from the brush.
Not ordinary crew.
Their steps were lighter. Their movements sharper.
Sham and Buchi.
I stopped.
"This is too close."
I couldn't touch them.
They were Zoro's opponents.
I restrained myself and circled wide, slipping between rocks and trees, watching from another angle.
The main battle exploded elsewhere.
I heard shouting. Explosions. Luffy's voice.
But my focus stayed on the side path.
Three Black Cat pirates tried to slip toward the village while everyone's attention was on the main beach.
"No."
I ran.
I burst from the trees and slammed into the last one with my shoulder.
He crashed into the man ahead of him.
The third raised his sword.
I ducked and kicked his ankle.
He fell.
I punched his jaw.
He went out.
The other two recovered and attacked together.
One stabbed.
I twisted aside, letting the blade miss.
I struck his chest.
The other swung from the side.
I blocked with my arm and countered with a punch to the nose.
Blood sprayed.
He screamed.
I kicked his knee.
He collapsed.
The last one tried to flee.
I chased and kicked his back.
He fell hard.
I finished it with a single strike to the neck.
I stood there, breathing hard among the bodies.
"That's enough."
The system issued a sharp warning.
—
[Warning]
Intervention nearing maximum limit
Existence instability detected
—
I closed my eyes briefly.
"Calm down."
I looked toward the main beach from a distance.
Luffy was already facing Kuro.
Zoro was fighting Sham and Buchi.
Canon was moving.
I slowly retreated back into the shadows.
I couldn't go any further.
I had done enough.
The morning grew brighter.
And the shadows began to fade.
—————
I slipped into the trees as a heavy impact shook the main beach.
Luffy slammed Kuro with a force I didn't need to understand anymore. Zoro laughed as he held off two opponents. Every eye was fixed on them. This was the moment I could not touch.
But Shadow Sense refused to settle.
There was one more movement.
Fast. Focused. Not heading for the main beach.
Heading for the village.
I turned and ran.
My feet cut through a narrow path between the bushes. My breathing stayed steady. My body was exhausted, but not empty. I saw him just ahead. Faster than the others. Calmer.
Not Kuro.
But dangerous enough.
He ran without looking back. His focus was singular.
Kaya's house.
I accelerated and jumped.
I landed behind him and slammed my shoulder into his back.
He flew forward, rolled, and sprang up in one smooth motion.
A short sword came up.
"You again."
He grinned.
"You're not part of the plan."
"Correct."
I stepped closer.
"And you're not getting into the village."
He attacked with a diagonal slash.
I ducked. The blade passed inches above my head.
I countered with a straight punch to his stomach.
He blocked with his elbow and twisted his blade toward my ribs.
I parried with my arm and kicked his shin.
He stumbled but didn't fall.
He came again. Faster.
I retreated two steps. The sand betrayed my footing.
He took advantage and slashed toward my shoulder.
I twisted, letting the blade tear fabric.
Heat burned across my skin.
I ignored it and drove forward.
My shoulder smashed into his chest. My fist cracked against his jaw.
He fell into the sand.
He tried to rise.
I stomped his wrist.
The sword dropped.
I stepped on his chest and raised my fist.
He glared up at me.
"Who are you?"
I paused.
"Someone who arrived too early."
I struck the back of his neck.
His body went limp.
I stood there, breathing hard.
Blood trickled down my arm. Not deep. But enough to remind me how fragile this body still was.
The system's text trembled faintly.
—
[Warning]
Existence instability critical
Intervention limit exceeded
—
The world felt off. The sound of waves grew distant. Light dulled.
I forced myself upright.
"Not yet."
I muttered.
"Just a little longer."
I walked away from the body and entered the forest, away from the beach, away from the village.
Shadow Sense slowly calmed.
Then the system appeared again. Steadier.
—
[Main Quest Completed]
The Village of False Peace
—
I stopped. My breathing finally slowed.
Another window opened.
—
[Rewards]
Equipment Acquired
Dual Karambit Unbound
System Mask Prototype
—
Attributes Increased
END increased
WIL increased
—
Specialization Access Unlocked
Shadow Support
Shadow Assassin
—
I stared ahead.
The mask appeared in my hand as if it had always been there. Matte black. No reflection. Perfect weight. Fully covering the face.
I lifted it slowly.
"So this is it."
I didn't wear it yet.
Not now.
I stored the mask and took the two curved blades that appeared alongside the notice. Karambits. Balanced. Familiar. Like extensions of my hands.
I exhaled deeply.
From far away, cheers rose.
The battle was over.
Kuro had fallen.
The village was safe.
I didn't return to the beach.
I watched from behind the trees as the villagers emerged. Kaya lived. Usopp shouted hoarsely in victory. The Straw Hats gathered together.
I saw the ship.
The Going Merry.
The vessel that would carry them forward.
"You'll sail."
I said quietly.
"I won't."
I turned away before they moved toward the village. I didn't want to see more. Didn't want to get closer.
This arc was finished.
And I was still a shadow.
But now I carried blades.
And a mask.
And choices that weighed heavier than before.
I left Syrup Village without a trace.