One piece: Black Cat

"I'm so glad you all made it back."

Zephyr's massive frame enveloped each of the younger Marines in turn, his weathered arms trembling as he held them close. Their bodies bore the marks of their ordeal, bruises that had turned sickly yellow, cuts that were still healing, and trembling hands that couldn't quite stay steady. Some could barely remain upright, yet when they'd heard that their former instructor wanted to see them, they'd dragged themselves here despite everything.

Of course, there were others who couldn't bear to face anyone, and some who lacked even the strength to respond to visitors...

"Instructor... yes, I'm back."

Among the group stood one female Marine who appeared almost untouched by the horrors the others had endured. Her only visible injuries were purple bruises around her wrists and neck where restraints had bitten into her skin, a few shallow scratches, and some defensive wounds on her arms from fighting back. She was the sole Marine who had disembarked from Kuro's ship, and been taken into custody just before the naval battle erupted.

"Yes... I see." Zephyr's voice caught in his throat.

"You must have felt lost, didn't you? Of course you did. I understand all too well the feelings of those who stayed behind."

As she bowed her head in shame, the weight of dozens of stares pressed down on her shoulders. Some eyes held gratitude for her survival, while others burned with darker emotions, envy, perhaps, or something closer to resentment.

"Instructor... Professor Zephyr... I... I..."

But she seemed oblivious to those accusing gazes, her head remaining bowed as tears carved silent tracks down her cheeks. As Zephyr's calloused hands gently caressed her trembling shoulders, he found himself speaking words he knew were cruel.

"...Did you want to stay with them?"

He knew it was a terrible question to ask. Zephyr understood how unfair it was, but the words tumbled out before he could stop them.

The Marine, fighting desperately to hold back sobs that threatened to tear her apart, neither confirmed nor denied his suspicion. But when her knees buckled and she collapsed to the ground, Zephyr knew with painful certainty what her heart truly desired.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry...!"

Her apology rang out for those who had teetered on the edge of slavery, for those who had been tortured and broken while enslaved. She apologized for the Navy's corruption, the same Navy that should have stood against such evil. Was this her attempt at atonement for her own powerlessness? No matter how hard she trained, no matter how many pirates she captured, it never seemed to matter.

"I'm truly sorry...!"

The veteran instructor, like the wounded Marines around him, fought against the tears that threatened to spill. He struggled to contain his grief, knowing that his tears would be an insult to those who had endured the unthinkable while he remained safe in his ignorance.

Once the Marine had regained some composure, Zephyr spoke again, his voice gentler now.

"This isn't an interrogation. Just a conversation, call it curiosity from an old man."

"Please, tell me what you witnessed."

"Tell me about the pirate who saved you all. About the man called Kuro."

•°•

"Well, I figured he'd make waves eventually, but isn't this a bit too much, too fast?"

In the officers' quarters at Marineford, Kuzan sat in stunned silence as he read through the reports flooding in from West Blue. The papers rustled between his fingers like autumn leaves, each one more incredible than the last.

The first reports had arrived two months ago, stories of pirates flying an unusual flag bearing claw marks and a black cat's silhouette, appearing throughout West Blue's waters and wreaking havoc on local pirate crews and mafia operations. Naval scout ships observing the situation reported tales of a pirate crew with unnaturally advanced naval combat skills, and those in the know immediately recalled the image of a bespectacled youth with long black hair tied back in a ponytail.

Vice Admiral Tsuru, renowned as the Navy's chief strategist, had analyzed their tactics with professional admiration. "The wind favored them somewhat, but they also exploited every weakness in that hastily assembled fleet with surgical precision."

Though most details remained hidden due to Kuro's careful planning, the threat level had escalated dramatically. Consequently, the bounty on "Kuro" had skyrocketed to staggering heights.

And that wasn't the only factor driving up the numbers.

"...It's only been two months since they raised their flag, and they're already a dominant force in West Blue."

Presumably due to mafia involvement in the aforementioned Marine slavery incident, special bounties had been placed on Kuro and his crew beyond the government's official rewards. Yet somehow, they'd managed to fend off every attempt on their lives.

Under normal circumstances, a Lieutenant General or higher-ranking officer from headquarters would have been dispatched to investigate such a rapidly growing threat. After all, there was no question that Nico Robin, a source of deep concern for the World Government, sailed with them.

Nevertheless, the Navy found itself unable to spare the personnel for such a mission.

"Hey, weren't you supposed to be meeting with Admiral Sengoku?"

"Ah... well, I'm already leaving." Kizaru's lazy drawl carried a hint of genuine concern.

"Another pirate problem?"

"Yes, unfortunately."

"Apparently, revolutionaries have begun stirring up trouble."

It's always easier for the downtrodden to simply endure. It's also easier to take their suffering for granted.

"Could this be connected to that pirate?"

Kuzan shook his head at his colleague's suggestion.

"No, this happened on an island deep within the Grand Line. Kuro is still operating in West Blue, so he's unlikely to be involved."

However, both Kuzan, Aokiji, and Kizaru found themselves frowning with unease.

If this were Kuro's doing, it would be far too early for such bold moves.

While the young pirate had acknowledged the World Government's existence, he'd also expressed doubts about its structure. No one would have expected him to resort to revolution so soon, though it wouldn't have been entirely surprising if he had.

But there will come a time when that will no longer be possible.

Someone else had taken the first step toward rebellion, and anger toward the World Government was spreading like wildfire across the seas.

"Aokiji, did you hear the latest?"

"What now?"

"Apparently, officers in West Blue have begun petitioning for 'Kuro' to be offered a position in the Seven Warlords of the Sea."

Aokiji pressed his palm against his forehead, feeling a headache building behind his eyes.

"There's no way the higher-ups would swallow that proposal... especially with Nico Robin involved."

"Sengoku was pulling his hair out, apparently. He mentioned that doubts about Nico Robin's alleged crimes are beginning to spread among the ranks."

Aokiji found himself thinking, with detached amusement, that he'd undoubtedly suffer many more stomach aches related to that troublesome young pirate in the future. He recalled the words Nukiashi had spoken during their previous encounter.

"If circumstances were different, I would have liked to speak with him properly. This Kuro is still a pirate, after all..."

"So why haven't you?"

"He's become something of a legend within headquarters itself. I heard Sengoku say that after Vice Admiral Momonga reported the words he'd heard from the pirate Kuro, the Fleet Admiral commented, 'Those are powerful words, I'd like to use them in a lecture.' Even Akainu, who typically curses all pirates regardless of their actions, remained silent about 'Kuro.'"

Kuzan was genuinely shocked that Akainu had held his tongue, but when he remembered Kuro's confrontation with the Five Elders, he understood why.

Kuro was probably the first pirate to ever move Akinu's rigid heart.

"Well, it's impossible from the Navy's perspective, regardless."

Spread across the desk before him were wanted posters that had become household names throughout West Blue:

— Kuro "Nuiashi" (Sly Cat): 138,000,000 berries — Nico Robin "Devil of Ohara": 79,000,000 berries

— Daz Bones : 15,000,000 berries — Perona "Ghost Princess": 6,000,000 berries

"You can't negotiate with dangerous criminals like these, no matter how eloquent their words might be."

•°•

Two months had passed since the founding of their crew, and their days were filled with base construction, rigorous training, and strategic raids.

"Captain, there's been no movement from the mainland mafia families. It seems they haven't detected our presence yet."

The salty sea breeze whipped across the deck, carrying the scent of gunpowder and anticipation. Moonlight painted silver paths across the dark water, while our three ships cut through the waves like silent predators.

"I was wondering if we could practice our artillery skills while conducting a night raid, and this opportunity seems perfect."

"Understood... Amis, relay instructions via Den Den Mushi. All gunners, prepare to engage."

"Roger that, Captain! All ships, prepare for bombardment!"

Amis snapped to attention, his black suit, emblazoned with a large pirate flag cat emblem on the back and a smaller one on the right chest, catching the moonlight as he saluted crisply. His voice carried clearly across the water through the Den Den Mushi's amplification to our escort vessels.

This raid targeted a human trafficking operation that had surged in activity following the resolution of the Marine slavery incident. Intelligence from reliable sources indicated a major trafficking base on this island, so we'd deployed our crew's top intelligence operatives, Perona and Robin, to investigate. Their findings confirmed our suspicions, and we'd waited for nightfall to launch our assault, ensuring our artillery wouldn't harm any captives already held within the facility.

(They'd planned to infiltrate with a small elite team, but somehow we've grown into a full pirate fleet with three ships...)

Regarding their raiding activities, several of the five major families involved in the Marine slavery cases were also deeply connected to other human trafficking and kidnapping operations. These became their primary targets, with systematic attacks on their bases and vessels.

During these liberation efforts, people who had been freed before they could be sold, along with others whose families had been taken hostage and were powerless to act, all expressed interest in joining the crew. Before anyone realized it, the group had tripled in size since its founding.

How... how did this happen?

This rapid expansion forced them to dramatically increase their raiding and development activities to secure adequate resources for everyone...

I felt genuinely sorry for Daz, who had to abandon practicing those impressive blade techniques he'd showcased in his original battle with Zoro, instead using his abilities to plow fields and put finishing touches on the cave system I was expanding with my kicks.

...Actually, he seemed to be having the time of his life building our base.

He'd even gone out of his way to purchase numerous construction and engineering manuals with money earned from raids.

Both Perona and Robin, along with everyone else including the former Marines, threw themselves into farm work and carpentry with infectious enthusiasm... though they looked nothing like traditional pirates.

The sight of them grinning broadly as they hoed soil and planted seeds was more reminiscent of happy farmers than feared sea criminals.

When you considered that they also dedicated time to combat training and evacuation drills, they bore no resemblance to the pirates of popular imagination.

(Well, I suppose we should hurry toward the Grand Line once we've established the minimum necessary infrastructure...)

"Even so, Captain, it seems the enemy hasn't noticed our cannon positions in the water."

"I thought painting the ships black would help them blend into the night, but honestly, even I didn't expect the camouflage to be this effective."

Among their plundered supplies were numerous weapons, swords, pistols, ammunition, gunpowder, and even several cannons. One cannon was mounted on their original vessel, while two each were installed on the second and third ships, converted from captured ex-mafia vessels.

"Captain, our gunner reports targeting complete."

"Status on the other ships?"

"Second ship ready. Third ship... just completed targeting."

While their crew included individuals with special abilities and even those capable of flight, naval combat ultimately came down to sinking the enemy vessel. In addition to standard combat training, they needed to significantly improve their naval warfare capabilities.

I'll need to practice more once we return to base.

"All right, all ships—open fire!"

"Aye, Captain! All ships, commence bombardment!"

Amis echoed the command, and simultaneously, five cannons roared to life across their small fleet. The target location sat on the outskirts of a sizable island with an established port town. Apart from the thunderous noise, no civilians would be harmed by their assault.

"Perona, are you ready?!"

"Horo horo horo! The landing boats are prepared!"

Over the deafening artillery barrage, Perona's distinctive laugh rang out in response to his shouted question.

"Good! Daz and the other combat specialists, board the boats! We'll fire the designated number of rounds, then disembark! Eliminate remaining resistance and begin the salvage operation!"

Simply going on a rampage would accomplish nothing in this Great Age of Pirates—they'd be crushed quickly by superior forces. The crew needed proper combat experience and training to function effectively during genuine crises.

"Lord Kuro."

Suddenly, the informant who had joined them on this mission called out from beside him.

"I want to participate in the battle as well. You listened to my plea to save my people and provided me with a ship. I would lose face if I didn't at least contribute as a fighting force."

The man standing behind him at the bow, watching the unfolding assault, the only one wearing a white vest among the crew dressed in black suits, was a fishman.

Just the other day, this fishman acquaintance ended up on our island by chance. It turns out he's an incredible martial artist, a master of both Fishman Karate and Fishman Jujitsu.

...The name sounds vaguely familiar, maybe even recognizable...

Well, that was fine for now.

"I appreciate the offer. Our fighters are still developing their hand-to-hand combat skills, not to mention naval warfare expertise. Your assistance would be invaluable."

"Yes, leave it to me."

Regardless of whether they would develop a lasting friendship, it was fortunate to have met a fishman who could understand and communicate with him effectively.

I'll explain how I met Huck in the next entry.

---

The First Arc "Raising the Flag" ends here.

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