noveldrama
Chapter 25 - Kuro’s Shattered Dream!
Chapter 25 - Kuro’s Shattered Dream!
Chapter 25: Kuro’s Shattered Dream!
Nighttime. Kaya’s Mansion.
Creak
In the dimly lit room, Kaya slept soundly, her breathing soft and even. The door eased open, and a dark figure slipped inside. His glasses gleamed coldly under the moonlight, reflecting off the eternal flame at the centre of a burning rose. It was Kuro—the former captain of the Black Cat Pirates, now living under the false identity of Klahadore. His expression was unreadable as he approached the rose, his eyes narrowing.
It still hasn’t burned out. This flower is definitely not normal.
Ever since he had discovered Ace and Nami’s presence, Kuro had been on edge. More than anything, however, it was this bizarre rose that disturbed him the most. A flower whose flame never died.
A Devil Fruit ability? Or something else?
Kuro’s mind raced, trying to piece together the truth. He started investigating. Carefully, he extended a hand towards the rose.
Fwoosh!
A sudden surge of fire erupted from the flower’s centre.
“Tch—!”
Kuro jerked back—but it was too late. A blazing spear of fire shot out, piercing through his shoulder and pinning him against the wall. The searing pain was instant and overwhelming. Kuro was a man who had mastered stealth and strategy, but he hadn’t expected this. A sharp, burning pain sent a guttural scream tearing from his throat.
“Damn it! What is this fire?!”
“Who’s there?!” ‘
Kaya was startled awake, her eyes widening in horror. Her voice caught in her throat as she took in the sight before her: “K-Klahadore?!” Her heart pounded as she stared at her trusted butler, now impaled by a flaming spear, his face twisted in pain.
Another voice broke the tension. “Divine Flame—Unknown Fire.” The window burst open, and a figure stepped onto the windowsill. His hand glowed, a pillar of fire dancing at his fingertip. It was Ace. With an easy smirk, he pointed his flaming hand at Kuro. “I’ve been waiting for you, Captain Kuro of the Black Cat Pirates.”
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This was no ordinary attack. Ace had specifically crafted this technique, a modification of his Divine Flame: Shiranui[^1]. He set a trap waiting to be triggered by Kuro himself. The rose had been planted with an ember that could last a month, lying dormant until activated. All it had needed was Kuro’s touch. If Ace’s theory was correct, then once his Flame-Flame Fruit awakened, he would be able to create eternal flames, much like how Punk Hazard’s climate was forever altered. But what he currently had was more than enough to deal with Kuro.
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“Ace?!”
Kaya gasped, relief flooding her tearful eyes. But then, her expression darkened, “Ace… you said Klahadore is the captain of a pirate crew?” Kuro’s eyes flickered. “No! Do not listen to him, Lady Kaya! He attacked me first!” His voice rose in desperation.
Ace simply smirked. “Kaya, this Flame Rose only reacts when you’re in danger.” His gaze never left Kuro. “And if he was innocent, tell me, why was he sneaking into your room in the middle of the night?”
Kaya stiffened. Her breath hitched, and instinctively, she moved behind Ace, her hands trembling. Even without proof, the doubt had already been planted. And Kuro could see it in her eyes: She no longer trusted him.
Damn it… damn it all!
Kuro’s hands clenched into fists. His mind raced for a way out. This was never meant to happen. My plan was perfect. Everything was supposed to fall into place. Because of this one man, Ace, Everything is falling apart.
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Ace gave one sharp pull on a rope at his feet. With a loud thud, three beaten figures crashed onto the floor. Kuro’s eyes widened. “No…! Zango… Buchi… Sham…?!” The three members of his crew were tossed aside like discarded trash. Kaya’s eyes darted between them and Kuro, her body shaking.
“This man is ‘Hundred Plans’ Kuro, a pirate with a 16-million-Berry bounty.” Nami jumped through the window, landing gracefully beside Ace. Her finger pointed directly at Kuro.
“That’s the truth, Kaya!”
Kuro’s jaw tightened.
“Tch—!”
With a burst of rage, he tried to move, but Ace extended his hand, and the flaming spear intensified, burning hotter. Kuro let out a pained scream, his body writhing against the wall.
“Don’t move.”
Ace’s voice was light—almost teasing. “You know how Logia fruits work, don’t you?”
[Logia (??? / Zì rán xì) – A Devil Fruit category that grants users the ability to transform into and control elements, making them near-invincible.]
Kuro’s face paled. A Logia user…This brat is a Flame-Flame Fruit user, a Natural-Type Devil Fruit. This means Ace is untouchable in battle.
He… he was invincible in the East Blue from the moment he set sail…
A wave of despair crashed over Kuro. His plans, his years of preparation, his ambitions— All crushed by a single man.
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Ace nudged Zango with his foot. “Oi, Hypnotist.” Zango groaned, barely conscious. “You’re going to hypnotise your captain.” Ace’s grin widened. “Make him confess everything.”
Zango froze. “If I do that, I’ll just be killed anyway…!” Ace’s eyes flickered to Kaya, who was still shaken. He then looked back at Zango. “Do it for my ship doctor—and I’ll let you live.” Zango hesitated. But faced with death or survival, he chose the latter.
“Fine… I’ll do it.”
Kuro snarled, but he was too weak to resist. Under Zango’s hypnosis, he revealed everything— How he had orchestrated the deaths of Kaya’s parents, how he had planned to steal her fortune, and how he had intended to kill her. Kaya’s legs gave out. She collapsed against Ace’s chest, sobbing. Ace simply wrapped an arm around her, letting her cry. Nami, standing nearby, watched silently. Her gaze flickered between Ace and Kaya, and for the first time, she thought to herself—
This man isn’t like any pirate I’ve ever known…