Chapter 25: Kuro’s Dream is Shattered!

At night, in Kaya's villa…

"Crunch—"

Kaya was sleeping peacefully when the door opened softly. A dark figure entered quietly, the glasses reflecting the moonlight and the persistent flame of the rose in the room. It was Kuro, masquerading as Klahadore.

"It hasn't been extinguished yet. There is indeed something peculiar about this flower," Kuro mused, eyeing the sleeping Kaya before turning his attention to the flame rose. Ever vigilant since discovering Ace's presence and after overhearing his words, Kuro was particularly wary of the rose whose flame seemed inexhastible.

"An ability user?" Kuro pondered in silence. Regardless, he knew he had to investigate. Caution and cunning were his trademarks. After inspecting the flame rose and finding nothing amiss, Kuro reached out slowly…

"Huh! Bah!" The moment Kuro was about to touch the rose, the fire within it surged violently.

"Not good!" Kuro attempted to retreat, but the fire's speed outmatched his own. In a flash, the fire transformed into a spear, piercing Kuro's shoulder and pinning him against the wall. The intense pain of being burned was immediate and overwhelming, eliciting a scream from Kuro.

"Who?!"

Kaya awoke with a start, her eyes darting around in alarm. "Klahadore?!" She gasped in shock upon seeing Kuro impaled and affixed to the wall by a fiery spear.

 "I've been waiting for you, Captain of the Black Cat Pirates, 'Hakuji' no Kuro."

The window flew open, and Ace appeared on the sill, his finger alight with a column of flame aimed at the grim-faced Kuro, a slight smile on his lips. This technique, a tailored version of 'Holy Fire-Shiranui,' was Ace's creation, designed specifically for Kuro. The flame within the rose could burn for a month, and with the activation of the Flame Fruit's power, the unassuming flame could become the divine fire Shiranui's flame spear.

Ace speculated that if the Flame Fruit were to awaken fully, perhaps the flame could persist indefinitely, much like the altered climate of Punk Hazard. But for now, this ruse was sufficient to confront Kuro.

"Ace?!" Kaya's expression brightened at the sight of Ace, but confusion quickly clouded her features. "Ace, you're saying Klahadore is a pirate captain?"

"No, don't listen to him, miss. He's the one who attacked me!" Kuro protested vehemently.

"This flame rose reacts only in times of danger, Kaya," Ace explained. "And your panic betrays you. If you're innocent, why would you lurk in Kaya's room when she was sleeping?"

Ace regarded Kuro with a look of amusement, as if he were a mere jester. Though Ace had linked the rose's activation to Kaya's peril, Kuro was oblivious to the true extent of Ace's abilities.

Kaya, meanwhile, conveyed her emotions through her actions, standing behind Ace, her gaze fixed on Kuro with a mix of fear and wariness. Kuro had only recently assumed the role of butler and had not yet earned the trust he would come to have years later.

He remained silent, his teeth clenched in frustration. 

…Kuro couldn't comprehend the turn of events. Everything had been proceeding flawlessly until Ace's unforeseen intervention.

And what unfolded next pushed Kuro further into despair. Ace yanked a rope, and three figures, limp as dead dogs, thudded to the ground.

"Jango, Buchi, Sham?!" Despite the excruciating pain, Kuro's gaze fell upon the trio with a somber realization. It was unexpected, yet it made sense. If even he had been bested, Jango and the others stood no chance.

"Kaya, this man is 'Hakuji' no Kuro, a notorious pirate with a bounty of 16 million Baileys!" Nami leaped through the window, pointing at Kuro and exposing his true identity.

Kuro clenched his teeth in frustration, attempting to resist. But then, Ace simply extended his finger, and the flame spear intensified, eliciting a more agonized howl from Kuro.

"Don't move. I am the Flame Man who consumed the Flame Fruit. You know what a natural Devil Fruit signifies, right?" Ace said, his smile faint.

Kuro's face contorted with despair. The natural system? Indeed, Kuro, known as the "King of Hundred Strategies," understood the implications. It meant that in the feeble East Blue, he was unbeatable.

"Alright, you, hypnotize this man. Have him reveal his intentions and actions here," Ace commanded, nudging Jango with his foot.

"I cannot escape death," Jango muttered, his voice strained.

"For the sake of my ship's doctor, I'll spare your life after the hypnosis," Ace assured, glancing at Kaya, who remained stunned by the ordeal.

"Fine," Jango conceded, approaching Kuro with his hypnotic tools amidst Kuro's vehement protests.

Perhaps Kuro could have resisted with sheer willpower, but the overwhelming pain had eroded his resolve.

Thus, before Kaya's incredulous eyes, Kuro divulged his sinister motives for coming to her and the plot to assassinate her parents.

In the aftermath, Kaya, overcome with emotion, sought solace in Ace's embrace and wept bitterly.