Chapter 097: Captain, The Battle Here Seems Fierce!

Everyone was startled, their faces filled with terror.

This pirate was tall and imposing—his strength must be immense. What were they supposed to do now?

Gaimon, being a seasoned businessman who had seen his fair share of the world, was the first to react. He shielded Kaya behind him and forced a smile.

"Sir, I have plenty of gold and jewels. If you—"

Before he could finish, the pirate cut him off.

"Listen here, all that money already belongs to me!"

"And these two women? They're mine too! Hahaha!"

He brandished a massive cleaver, its edge glinting menacingly, as he strode forward with arrogance.

"As for you three men... I'll chop you up first!"

"Then I'll have some fun with these two little beauties!"

Hearing such vile words, the five of them knew there was no peaceful resolution. They were truly doomed.

Merry, ever loyal, rushed in front of Gaimon and Kaya, spreading his arms protectively.

"Master! Miss! Run! I'll hold him off—!"

"Merry—!"

Kaya's face twisted with worry. "No! We escape together!"

The pirate sneered, his grin cruel.

"Run? Where the hell do you think you're going?"

"Try it! Anyone who runs will get chopped to pieces when I catch them!"

His dark gaze swept over the five of them before settling on Kuro. He burst into laughter.

"You! That damn four-eyed freak—I'll kill you first!"

Without another word, he raised his cleaver and charged at Kuro.

"Kaya! Let's go!"

Gaimon could no longer afford hesitation—his daughter was his priority. He grabbed her hand and pulled her aside.

Makino and Merry quickly followed, scrambling for a way to survive.

Kuro adjusted his glasses with his palm, his voice icy.

"You damn pirates... you're all dead."

"You ruined my perfect plan."

With a click, his hidden cat claws extended, razor-sharp and gleaming.

"Shakushi (Utter Chaos)!"

Whoosh!

In an instant, Kuro vanished. His movements were silent, leaving no trace.

A second later—

Thud!

The pirate collapsed, dead before he even realized what had happened.

Kuro didn't hesitate. He dashed out of the room, his mind burning with fury.

He would slaughter every last one of these pirates.

His cover was blown—all because of these worthless scum!

Outside, the pirates' screams echoed endlessly.

The whole ordeal had happened too fast. The remaining four were still frozen in shock.

Gaimon was the first to snap out of it, staring at the corpse in horror.

"What just happened...?"

"Since when was Klahadore this strong? What the hell is going on?!"

Kaya, pure-hearted as ever, didn't think the worst. She clasped her hands together, relieved.

"Thank goodness! Klahadore is amazing! We're safe now!"

Then she quickly turned her head away, unable to bear the sight of the corpse.

"Father... is that what a dead person looks like? It's so scary..."

Merry, equally naive, didn't suspect a thing. He smiled weakly.

"Yes, Klahadore is incredible. We don't have to worry anymore!"

"I didn't even see what happened—that pirate just dropped dead! So fast!"

Makino, kind as she was, also assumed Kuro was a hero. She patted her chest to calm herself.

"That was terrifying... but thank goodness he was here."

But Gaimon was no fool. He was a businessman—shrewd and calculating.

"Let's get out of here. Klahadore isn't who he seems."

Without hesitation, he grabbed Kaya's hand and headed for the door.

Kaya blinked in confusion.

"Father? What do you mean?"

"Klahadore is so nice! Why would he be suspicious?"

Gaimon didn't explain. "No time, Kaya. Just follow me!"

The four of them rushed out of the room, heading for the deck.

By now, the last scream had faded. The ship was eerily silent.

The air reeked of blood. Corpses littered the deck—pirates and crew alike.

It was a scene straight from hell.

"Father... I feel sick..."

Kaya, who had never witnessed such carnage, turned deathly pale. Her eyes brimmed with fear.

Gaimon tried to comfort her. "Just hold on, Kaya. We'll escape soon."

Then—

A cold voice cut through the air.

"And where do you think you're going?"

Whoosh!

Kuro appeared in front of them, his gaze icy.

"Planning to take the emergency boat?"

"Don't bother. The first thing I did after leaving the room was destroy it."

He adjusted his glasses calmly.

"Now that my identity is exposed... did you really think I'd let you leave?"

Merry stepped forward, arms spread protectively.

"How could you, Klahadore?!"

"The master and miss treated you so well! How dare you betray them?!"

"I won't let you hurt them!"

Kaya stared at Kuro in disbelief, her voice trembling.

"Klahadore... you're joking, right...?"

"You'd never hurt me... right...?"

Makino frowned, placing a hand on Kaya's shoulder.

"Kaya... we've all been fooled."

"This man was never a friend. This was his plan all along."

Gaimon nodded grimly, glaring at Kuro.

"Klahadore—no, whatever your real name is—you know how we treated you!"

"When we found you half-dead on our doorstep, it was Kaya who begged me to take you in!"

"Without her, you'd be rotting in a ditch!"

"I'm begging you—for her sake, let us go!"

"I'll give you all the money you want! Just spare us!"

Kuro adjusted his glasses again and smirked.

"Let me make this clear. My name isn't Klahadore."

"It's Kuro."

"And now... you're all going to die."

"As for your wealth? I'll take it from Syrup Village myself."

He took a step forward—

Then, a loud voice interrupted.

"CAPTAIN! Looks like things got pretty heated here! Hahaha!"

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T/N:

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