Kaya's Illness and Kuro's Unease

Nami and Makino walked on either side of Rafe, each holding one of his arms. When Usopp saw the three of them come ashore, he approached them first.

"Are you pirates? What are you doing here?"

They did not look quite like pirates, but he still asked what was on his mind. Rafe did not bother hiding it.

"We are pirates. As for why we're here..."

He smiled faintly. "I heard a vicious pirate was hiding in this village. He has his eyes on a young lady from a wealthy family and plans to steal her fortune. I came here to punish evil." Nami looked away.

If he wanted to find a beautiful woman, he could just say so. Makino, on the other hand, looked at Rafe with bright eyes.

'How righteous.'

What? Usopp froze. The wealthy young lady of Syrup Village could only be Kaya. But who was the pirate? No, wait. Usopp immediately grew wary. He had nearly been fooled by Rafe. He had lived in Syrup Village for years. If there were pirates here, wouldn't he know?

What pirate would dare appear in front of him? The villagers all thought Syrup Village lived in peace because it was remote and rarely targeted. The true reason was that he was here. After indulging in that fantasy for another moment, Usopp puffed up with righteousness.

"The person you're looking for isn't here. You should leave."

"Otherwise, the great Captain Usopp..."

Before he could finish, a long blade rested against his neck. Usopp shuddered. Oh no. This was real.

"Lead the way," Rafe said, not interested in wasting time.

Feeling the cold edge against his skin, Usopp went pale. Sweat poured down his face, and his legs began to tremble. He had no doubt that if he said no, his head would hit the ground. He was always bragging that he feared nothing under the sky.

But when he truly faced a pirate, the pressure was suffocating. He could not resist at all.

"D-don't do anything reckless. I'll take you there."

Under that threat, Usopp had no choice but to obey. Led by Usopp, Rafe, Nami, and Makino entered Syrup Village. Along the way, Usopp kept glancing at Rafe from the corner of his eye. Finally, he gathered enough courage to ask, "Sir... was what you said earlier true?"

"Is someone really targeting Kaya?"

Rafe frowned, but still nodded.

"Yes. He lives in Kaya's house."

Usopp fell silent for a while, then suddenly quickened his pace. Before, he had not believed it. But now that a blade had actually touched his neck, Rafe had no reason to lie. If a pirate really had hidden himself in Kaya's home, then she was in danger.

Rafe glanced at the anxious Usopp and silently mocked him. With a gentle, innocent young lady like Kaya, if Rafe had been in Usopp's place, they would already have a family by now. Following Usopp, the three soon arrived before a closed gate outside a large mansion.

This was clearly Kaya's home. Usopp started to knock, then hesitated, still half doubtful.

"Is the pirate you mentioned really in here?"

As far as he knew, the butlers and servants in this house had served Kaya for years.

"You're done here," Rafe said with a wave. "Leave."

Usopp opened his mouth, but Rafe sounded impatient, so he turned away. He did not go far. Instead, he found a large stone and hid behind it to watch. Rafe did not care. At his look, Nami stepped forward and knocked. Knock, knock, knock.

A moment later, the gate slowly opened, and a man in servant's clothes stepped out. Merry, Kaya's servant.

"Mr. Merry, is Usopp here?"

A soft voice came from inside the gate. Merry turned back, then opened the gate wider. Rafe saw a young woman with short blond hair and a sickly pallor in her face. Kaya. Nami and Makino both looked at her with curiosity.

She truly looked like a young lady from a wealthy family. Her appearance and bearing were both outstanding. Even illness could not hide her beauty. Nami's mouth twitched. Makino's gaze shifted slightly.

"Miss, the wind is strong outside. Please mind your health."

Beside Kaya stood a butler in a black suit, his hair combed neatly back. His voice was full of concern.

"Mr. Klahadore, just a moment won't hurt me."

Kaya answered with a faint smile. Klahadore turned his head and stared at Rafe's group with clear displeasure. His gaze flickered. When he looked at Rafe, his brow tightened almost by instinct. Something about this man made him uneasy.

"It isn't Usopp. May I ask why you've come here?"

Kaya asked Rafe gently. Rafe met her eyes, then lifted two fingers with a smile.

"Miss Kaya, I came here for two reasons."

"First, to deal with a bad man."

"Second, to cure your illness."

"Absurd!"

The moment Rafe finished, Klahadore snapped in anger. "There is no bad man here, and you don't look like a doctor."

"Merry, send them away."

Kaya rebuked him softly.

"Klahadore, they are guests. Please don't be rude."

"Miss, they..."

Kuro gave a cold little huff but said nothing more. The unease in his heart only grew stronger. Rafe glanced sideways at the anxious Kuro and sneered inwardly. If he were not worried about leaving a knot in Kaya's heart, he would kill the bastard without another word.

"Sir, please come in and talk," Kaya said, inviting Rafe and the others through the gate.

Inside the mansion's hall, Merry poured tea for Rafe, Nami, and Makino. After a few polite exchanges, Kaya went straight to the point.

"Sir, can you really cure my illness?"

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