"Caution" Can Also Be a Weakness

[T/N: Four chapters of One Piece: I'm Destined to Be the Son-in-Law King! today! 🏴‍☠️🎉 Get ready for an adventure! Let me know your thoughts in the comments, and Power Stones are always a treasure! 😉 Happy reading! And in other news, my new project, Young Master, Please Become Hokage!, has officially launched! Don't forget to also check out Naruto Paradise: An Evil Uchiha's Rise! 😄]

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The Black Cat Pirates had a hidden base, and as time ticked by, their scouts trickled back, waiting quietly.

When the day they'd agreed on arrived, a little boat appeared on the horizon. It was there to guide them, to ferry them back to the Hundred Tactics Black Ship. This was a trick they often used, dodging Marine ambushes with ease. Even if the Marines spotted the small boat, it could easily outrun them on the open sea.

Besides, the Black Cat Pirates weren't scared of a little Marine base.

After half a day, the small boat finally reached the main ship.

The scouts gathered on the deck.

They were fewer than when they'd left, about a third gone. Some were killed by other pirates, others betrayed, and some just missed the boat. It was all part of the game.

Pirates were always fighting, snatching territory, growing stronger by swallowing each other up.

Losing a few men meant nothing to the Black Cat Pirates; they could quickly find replacements by taking over other pirate crews.

Kuro sat in his captain's chair on the deck, pushing up his glasses. His eyes were like ice behind the lenses.

"Alright," he said, his voice sharp. "Tell me what you've learned."

The pirates' palms grew sweaty.

Their Captain Kuro was a cruel, heartless man. If they came back empty-handed, they'd surely be killed.

Captain Kuro hated waste!

"Captain, I went to Orange Town..." one began, his voice trembling.

"Captain..." another chimed in, fear evident.

They spilled the information they'd gathered, mostly about the wealth of towns and villages, and the richest people in the area.

As usual, the Captain would pick a target to rob.

It wasn't enough for a place to be rich; it had to be easy to raid, too. They couldn't drag things out; that would attract the Marines.

They weren't afraid of the Marines, but fighting them was pointless. It would weaken their crew and stop them from stealing treasure.

When the reports were done, the deck was so silent you could hear a mouse squeak.

Kuro's head was bowed, his chin resting on his hands, saying nothing. His men knew this meant he was unhappy.

The pirates held their breath, waiting.

The Black Cat Pirates didn't control much land. There were only a few rich towns they could raid. Unless they expanded, they were running out of targets.

But expanding meant fighting other powerful pirates, and their Captain was too careful to take risks.

What could they do?

Kuro took off his glasses, pulled out a silk cloth, and began to clean the lenses, his frustration growing. He was disgusted with the whole situation.

These men are useless! Pirates are all useless! he thought.

Jango, clutching his hat, shuffled backward and stood next to Kuro, a confident smile on his face.

It was time for his big moment!

"Captain Kuro," he said, his voice smooth, "I've found something very interesting. I think you'll want to hear this."

"..."

Kuro paused as he wiped his glasses, then stood up.

"Come with me," he said, his voice low.

They went to the Captain's room.

Jango told him about Glass Bead Island, leaving out the dancing, of course. He focused on the rich family he'd found.

The Syrup family!

They sponsored the Funky Dancing Competition, owned fancy ships, and were personally greeted by the mayor.

This rich family lived in an ordinary village, and Syrup Village was in the Black Cat Pirates' territory.

It was the perfect target.

If they pulled this off, they could live like kings for a year.

"It's a shame," Jango said, shaking his head. "They're both sick and won't live long. And their daughter is weak and frail."

"If someone could marry her, they'd be set for life."

"Too bad for them."

Jango spoke excitedly, already picturing the Black Cat Pirates destroying the Syrup family.

He didn't know that his words were exactly what Kuro wanted to hear.

Kuro's eyes narrowed, and joy filled his heart. Could this be the legitimate life I've dreamed of?

He could sneak into the Syrup family, earn their trust, and then let the parents die from their illness, maybe without him even lifting a finger.

The helpless little girl could be controlled easily.

Of course, he didn't want to marry her. He only wanted their status and wealth.

The little girl would have to die, too!

Jango was getting more and more excited, urging him, "Captain, let's go now!"

"Not so fast," Kuro said, raising a hand and pushing up his glasses.

He wanted more than wealth; he wanted stability. If he let his stupid men run wild, they'd ruin everything.

They couldn't raid the Syrup family. They had to stop other pirates from doing it, too.

Before he put his plan into action, he had to see for himself to be sure!

"Jango," he ordered, "take us to Syrup Village!"

"Understood!"

----

Meanwhile, on Glass Bead Island.

After having fun for two weeks, Kaya was happy but tired. She missed the quiet life at home.

She missed Syrup Village.

The Syrup set sail for home.

Inside the ship, Roya hung up the phone, sighing in relief. The worry he'd felt for the past month had finally lifted.

Fullbody rushed over.

"How is it?" he asked eagerly.

"It's stable!" Roya said, smiling.

"By the way, Fullbody, how did you convince Colonel Rhodes?"

"Hehe," Fullbody chuckled, looking proud. "I stood on the roof all day!"

"..."

Roya was silent for a moment, then gave him a thumbs up.

----

At the 153rd Branch, in the war room.

All the officers were gathered.

A map hung on the wall, showing the island where Syrup Village was, with surveillance points marked on nearby islands.

"Lieutenant Lipar, you will guard the eastern coast of Syrup Village!" Colonel Rhodes ordered.

"Sergeant Monka, you are responsible for..."

Fullbody had brought back three Black Cat Pirates. They told them about the pirates' meeting place.

They couldn't use this to attack Kuro directly, but it wasn't useless. The surveillance ship followed the boat, finding out where the Black Cat Pirates were headed.

It seemed they were going to Syrup Village, which made Colonel Rhodes believe in Roya's plan even more.

"Pay attention," he said, his voice firm. "Watch the waters around Syrup Village 24 hours a day. If you see the Black Cat Pirates, tell me immediately!"

"Understood!" the officers said, their eyes fierce.

They wanted to defeat the pirates, especially the Black Cat Pirates, who had killed many of their men. This was a blood feud.

No one would forget the crushing defeat from half a year ago!

The meeting ended.

Colonel Rhodes went to the roof, looking towards Syrup Village.

"That kid should be arriving soon, right?" he muttered, a smile on his face.

When Fullbody told him about Roya's "Black Cat Pirates Elimination Plan," he was shocked.

It wasn't just wishful thinking; it was crazy.

He couldn't risk the entire base on one plan. Even if it was a joke, the cost would be too high.

But after Fullbody "threatened" him, he reluctantly agreed to watch and make some preparations, thinking they might be useful later.

It wasn't until Roya and Fullbody captured Jango that he took Roya's plan seriously.

And when Roya destroyed the Tulip Pirates, it gave him a boost. That kid was more promising than he was and would become a pillar of the 153rd Branch, and even go further!

He decided to go all in with Roya this time!