Jango was like Kuro's right-hand man, the second in command of the Black Cat Pirates. Everyone knew Kuro trusted him most. Roya figured, If I can get him on our side, taking down Kuro will be much easier.
"I've seen it happen so many times," Jango began, his voice low. "Kuro uses his Silent Step and accidentally kills his own crew. And does he care? Not one bit!"
He leaned in closer, his eyes intense. "If you get in his way, even if you're one of his own, he'll kill you without thinking!"
"Do you understand?" Jango pressed. "He's a monster, plain and simple. We're all just tools to him, to be used and thrown away!"
Jango went on, describing Kuro's power and cold nature, telling stories of the past. It seemed like he was trying to scare Roya, to make him back down.
"Even me," Jango confessed, a hint of fear in his voice, "if Kuro suspects anything, even the slightest thing, he'd get rid of me without a second thought, just to be safe!"
The room went silent.
Jango looked pale, his fear was obvious. Kuro's cruelty was chilling. The nickname "Kuro of a Thousand Plans" wasn't just for show; it was a warning.
Kuro was strong, but it was his mind that made him truly dangerous. He was more than the sum of his parts.
Roya's expression was strange as he looked at Jango. He asked a question that cut to the heart of the matter: "If you're just a pawn, why are you still loyal to Kuro?"
Jango's brain seemed to freeze.
He's right!
Kuro didn't trust anyone, not even him. There was no real friendship, no bond between them.
So why am I loyal?
Fear?
Yes, it was fear.
I'm afraid of him! I'm afraid he'll kill me!
Roya's lips curled into a sly grin. Like a devil whispering temptations, he leaned in close to Jango. "Instead of living in fear, why not help us? Help the Marines put an end to Kuro's reign of terror!"
"If you help us take down Kuro," Roya promised, "that's enough to save you from the death penalty."
"And," he added, "I can guarantee the 153rd Branch will vouch for you in court, so you won't even go to prison!"
"You'll be free from Kuro, truly free."
Roya paused, his voice soft. "Isn't freedom the most important thing for a pirate, Jango?"
Freedom?
Jango's eyes widened slightly.
How long had it been since he'd heard that word? When he first set sail, didn't he want freedom and treasure?
Sweat dripped down his forehead.
Ten minutes passed.
Jango finally looked up, his collar soaked, his body trembling with exhaustion. His lips were cracked and dry, and his voice was hoarse.
"Tell me," he croaked, "what do I have to do?"
"It's simple!" Roya said, smiling.
Getting Jango on their side was a good start. Now he needed bait, something Kuro couldn't resist. And luckily, the bait was standing right next to him.
Roya laid out his plan for Jango.
He thought for a moment, feeling uneasy. What if Jango's acting isn't good enough? What if Kuro sees through it? All this will be for nothing.
"Jango," Roya began, "you're good at hypnotism, right?"
"Of course!" Jango puffed out his chest.
Hypnotism was his greatest skill, the reason he was the Vice Captain.
"Perfect!" Roya said, his eyes narrowing. "Hypnotize yourself!"
"Huh?" Jango was confused.
"I said, hypnotize yourself!" Roya repeated, his voice hard. "Make yourself forget you agreed to help us. Set a trigger, a signal that will bring back these memories later. Can you do that?"
"I can," Jango swallowed hard.
This Marine is even more careful than Kuro! He's even thought about my hypnotism!
This way, Kuro will never suspect a thing. Hell, I won't even know I betrayed him!
What a sneaky devil!
Roya still felt uneasy. He decided to add another layer of protection. He pointed to Fullbody, who was shaking beside him, and his grin widened.
"Just to be sure you don't betray us at the last minute, there's one more thing."
"Fullbody and I are counting on you. If we fail, we'll face military court!"
"I don't care what happens to me," Roya shrugged, "but Fullbody will probably spend the rest of his life in Impel Down, being tortured and betrayed by his friend."
Roya fixed Jango with a cold stare. "You wouldn't want your friends to suffer, would you?"
Jango's face turned white.
This guy is a demon!
Kuro's nothing compared to him!
"Clap, clap, clap!" Roya clapped his hands, satisfied.
"Good, I know you understand the gravity of the situation. Let's begin. Forget what you know, and plant some information for Kuro."
"Alright, Roya," Jango agreed.
Half an hour later.
Jango woke up on a small boat outside the port.
"Huh? Did I escape?" He looked around. He was alone. The Marines were gone.
Seeing the warship docked at the port, he quickly rowed away, flipping them off as he went.
"Bye-bye, stupid Marines! You'll never catch me!"
"I have to get back!"
"I have important information for Captain Kuro. He'll give me a big share of the treasure this time!"
"Dada da, spin around, jump around~"
Back on the deck of the Syrup Village...
Roya watched the small boat disappear into the distance. Next, he just had to wait for Kuro to take the bait.
"Hey, Bro, what's wrong?"
Roya looked at Fullbody. He seemed strange, his eyes wide and scared.
Sensing Roya's gaze, Fullbody trembled and forced a smile.
"Roya, no, Bro Roya, call me Lil' Fullbody from now on!"
Roya was speechless.
Did I scare him that badly?
Fullbody hesitated. "Um, if we fail, will I really be locked up in Impel Down?"
"What are you talking about? I was just scaring him," Roya said, rolling his eyes.
"If we fail, surviving will be a miracle. We wouldn't even have a chance to go to military court!"
"Oh yeah!" Fullbody snapped his fingers.
Wait, that's even worse!
He never wanted to fight the Black Cat Pirates. He planned to protect Kaya and report to Marine Headquarters.
Why did I get dragged into this mess?!
"Roya, we're bros, right?"
"Of course!"
"You won't sell me out, will you?"
"Absolutely not."
"Is it too late to quit now?"
Roya chuckled. "What do you think?"
He was a Marine now. There would be countless dangerous situations in the future, and the super quest, "Summit War."
If you want to avoid danger, you might as well stay home and raise pigs!
"Let's go, let's have a drink to calm our nerves!"