Night settled over Syrup Village like a calm veil, the breeze gentle and the moon full above. The stars glimmered against the deep indigo sky, and the crickets' song played faintly in the background. On a flat clearing near the cliffside overlooking the sea, Zoro stood barefoot, swords at his waist, stretching his arms out while cracking his neck. The scent of salt air mingled with the faint aroma of campfire smoke.
Across from him stood Haru, arms folded, his long ponytail fluttering in the breeze. His odachi and katana rested peacefully at his waist. His posture was relaxed—almost too relaxed, Zoro thought—but his eyes were sharp and unwavering, like twin blades themselves.
"Ready?" Zoro asked with a half-grin. "I've been curious about your swordsmanship since I saw you move without even drawing."
Haru nodded calmly. "Then let's test ourselves."
They stepped forward, the grass crunching beneath their feet. Nami and Luffy sat on a large rock nearby, observing with wide eyes. Even Usopp pirates had stayed to watch, though they hung nervously behind a tree, peeking out.
The two warriors bowed, a mark of respect, and then—
Clang!
Steel met steel in a flash. Zoro had drawn two of his swords instantly, going into his two-sword style. He moved fast—faster than most swordsmen would expect from someone carrying three blades. But Haru was faster.
With one clean step to the side, Haru dodged the initial horizontal slash and tapped the back of Zoro's blade with his sheathed odachi, redirecting it harmlessly. He still hadn't drawn either sword.
Zoro grinned. "Not bad."
"Not trying yet," Haru replied simply.
Zoro pressed harder, switching into Tora Gari (Tiger Hunt)—a powerful, diagonal, crossing slash. The momentum was strong, and Haru actually had to draw.
Clink—clang!
In one smooth motion, Haru unsheathed Honjo, his katana, deflecting both of Zoro's blades with a single upward parry. He spun lightly on his heel and flicked his sword out in a circular arc—not attacking, just showing that he could.
Zoro's eyes narrowed. "You're messing with me."
"No," Haru said, stepping back. "I'm measuring."
Zoro bared his teeth. "Then stop measuring and fight."
With that, he switched to his three-sword style, placing Wado Ichimonji in his mouth and assuming his signature stance. He launched forward with blinding speed—Oni Giri!
It was a fast, lethal technique. But to Haru, it was predictable.
CLANG!
At the last second, Haru drew his odachi with his left hand and blocked Zoro's incoming X-shaped cross strike perfectly—one sword against three. The sheer strength caused a gust of wind to kick up around them. Luffy and Nami shielded their eyes.
Zoro staggered back a step. "What the—?"
Then came the counter.
Haru surged forward. His katana blurred into a controlled flurry—quick, sharp, and precise. Each strike aimed not to cut but to disarm. Zoro blocked twice, parried once, but the fourth strike slapped Wado Ichimonji from his mouth. Before he could recover, Haru's foot swept under him and knocked Zoro off balance.
He hit the ground hard, and when he looked up—
Haru's odachi was pointed directly at his chest. Not touching—just hovering.
Zoro blinked, breathing hard. "You… win."
Haru slowly sheathed both of his blades, offering a hand to Zoro. "You're strong. But you come at opponents like a storm. Sometimes, storms can be redirected."
Zoro took the hand, smirking. "Guess I needed that."
From behind the bushes, Luffy whistled. "Wooooah! That was so cool! You guys are awesome!"
"I'll admit," Nami muttered, arms crossed. "That was impressive."
Zoro nodded as he dusted himself off. "We'll fight again someday."
"We will," Haru said with a slight smile.
Suddenly—footsteps. Rapid ones.
"GUYS! GUUUUYS!"
Usopp sprinted into the clearing, panting and waving frantically.
"Calm down, long-nose," Zoro said.
"You won't believe this!" Usopp gasped. "I overheard something… something bad!"
"What happened?" Luffy asked, hopping to his feet.
Usopp pointed toward the village. "I was out by the slope where the forest meets the path, near the cliffs, right? I saw Kaya's butler—Klahadore—talking to some weird guy with swirly glasses… name's Jango."
"Jango?" Nami raised an eyebrow.
"He's a hypnotist!" Usopp said. "And guess what? I heard them talking—Klahadore is actually Captain Kuro! The former leader of the Black Cat Pirates!"
The group went silent.
"You're sure?" Haru asked, eyes narrowing.
Usopp nodded furiously. "Jango kept calling him 'Captain Kuro,' and they were talking about a plan—to kill Kaya and take over her fortune! The Black Cat Pirates are planning to attack the village tomorrow at dawn!"
"That's insane," Nami whispered. "But it makes sense now. His attitude, the arrogance…"
"We can't let that happen," Luffy said, cracking his knuckles.
Zoro glanced at Haru. "Black Cat Pirates, huh? Guess we'll be cutting loose after all."
Haru nodded. "This time, we use our blades."
Usopp gulped but stood tall. "I know I lie a lot… but this time, I'm telling the truth. Kaya's in danger. I have to protect her!"
"You won't do it alone," Haru said firmly.
"Yeah!" Luffy added. "Let's smash those cat creeps!"
The Preparation Begins
By midnight, the crew had gathered at the slope leading down to the beach—the perfect ambush point. Nami helped draw a simple map of the terrain, marking the likely path the pirates would take.
"I scouted earlier," Usopp said. "They'll come from the north shore and cut through the slope. We hit them here."
Luffy stretched. "I'll take the middle."
"I'll handle their swordsmen," Zoro added.
"I'll move ahead into the trees," Haru said. "I'll delay them and scatter their formation before they reach the slope."
Nami hesitated, then looked at Haru. "Be careful."
He gave her a calm nod, his voice quiet. "I always am."
As the moon hung high and the first signs of dawn began to color the sky in soft purple hues, the group steeled themselves. The battle for Syrup Village—and Kaya's life—was about to be