Nightfall. Kaya's Mansion.
"Creak—"
The quiet of the night was broken as Kaya's bedroom door slowly swung open.
She was fast asleep, her breathing soft and even.
A shadow slipped into the room—glasses gleaming coldly under the interplay of moonlight and the faint flicker from a single flame-blossomed rose resting on the nightstand.
It was "Hundred Plans" Kuro, disguised as the loyal butler Klahadore.
"…Still burning. Just as I suspected—this flower is unnatural."
Kuro cast a glance at the slumbering Kaya before fixing his cold gaze on the fiery rose.
Ever since he'd caught wind of Ace's presence and overheard his cryptic comments, Kuro had been on edge. Especially regarding this eerie rose—the flame nestled in its petals had shown no sign of going out, not even once.
"Is it the work of a Devil Fruit? Or something else?"
Kuro narrowed his eyes, thoughts whirling beneath that calm exterior.
Regardless of the answer, he knew one thing for certain: he needed to investigate.
Caution and cunning—that was who Kuro was.
He inspected the flame-rose with meticulous care. No traps. No devices. No outward signs of a mechanism or ability user. But just as he reached out a hand—
"Fwooosh—!!"
The flame in the center of the rose suddenly surged to life.
"Not good—!"
Kuro tried to leap back, but the flame's speed far outpaced him.
In the blink of an eye, it transformed into a spear of fire, piercing straight through Kuro's shoulder and pinning him to the wall like a butterfly to cork.
Fire was one of the most excruciating pains known to man.
The searing agony was immediate—enough to rip a scream from Kuro's usually composed lips.
"Who's there?!"
The commotion jolted Kaya awake. Disoriented and alarmed, her eyes darted to the wall—
"Klahadore?!"
She gasped as she saw the butler impaled against the wall by a glowing spear of flame.
"Shinka: Shiranui."
"I've been waiting for you, Captain of the Black Cat Pirates... 'Hundred Plans' Kuro."
The window burst open. Portgas D. Ace landed lightly on the windowsill, one finger extended—now a column of blazing fire—aimed at the shadowed, grimacing figure of Kuro.
This wasn't an ordinary Shiranui.
This was a custom-modified version Ace had devised using his unparalleled comprehension of his Flame-Flame Fruit powers—crafted specifically to deal with Kuro.
The fire hidden within the rose had been lying dormant for days—up to a full month of latent burn-time.
At the right moment, triggered by danger to Kaya, the embers were activated and channeled into a Shinka: Shiranui—a fire lance burning hot enough to pierce steel.
Ace theorized that if he ever awakened the full potential of the Flame-Flame Fruit, he might one day produce eternal flames—akin to the climate-altering blaze on Punk Hazard.
But for now, this version was more than enough for Kuro.
"Ace?!"
Kaya's fear turned to surprise, and then confusion.
"A-Ace, did you just say... Klahadore is a pirate captain?!"
She stared at him in disbelief.
"Don't believe him, ojou-sama! He's the one who attacked me!"
Kuro, refusing to give up, shouted through clenched teeth.
Ace didn't even blink.
"That rose only reacts when you're in danger, Kaya."
"And tell me—why would a 'faithful butler' sneak into your bedroom in the middle of the night while you're asleep?"
Ace's tone was mocking, eyes sharp as he looked at Kuro like he was watching a failing stage magician.
The trigger mechanism had been modified—no longer reliant on Ace's powers alone, but instead attuned to respond to Kaya's peril.
Kuro, who knew nothing about Ace's abilities, could only stare—trapped and outplayed.
And Kaya? She didn't need more convincing. With a mix of fear and resolution, she quietly stepped behind Ace, seeking the safety of his presence while eyeing Kuro warily.
After all, Kuro had only just begun playing the role of butler. He hadn't earned her trust—not like he might have three years from now.
"..."
Kuro said nothing, teeth grinding so hard they might shatter.
Why?
Everything had been perfect.
His plan was flawless.
This... wasn't supposed to happen.
And then came the final blow.
Ace yanked a rope with one swift motion.
Three limp bodies crashed to the floor like discarded puppets.
"Jango, Buchi, Sham?!"
Kuro's eyes went dark as he recognized his crew. Shock. Disbelief. Fury.
He should've known.
If even he had been caught by this kid—what chance did they stand?
From the window, Nami leapt into the room, landing with her usual grace.
"Kaya! That man is 'Hundred Plans' Kuro—a notorious pirate with a 16 million Berries bounty!"
She pointed straight at the impaled Kuro, unmasking him without hesitation.
"Damn it—!"
Kuro bared his fangs, struggling to move—
But Ace lifted a single finger. The fire lance flared violently, and Kuro let out another scream—his resistance scorched away by pain.
"Don't move. I'm a Logia-type Devil Fruit user—the Flame-Flame Fruit.
You know what that means, right?"
Ace's voice was calm. Casual. Deadly.
Kuro's expression twisted into pure despair.
A Logia?!
This brat had one of the most powerful and rarest Devil Fruits of all?
Kuro understood perfectly:
In the East Blue, that made him practically invincible.
"Alright," Ace said, turning to one of the crumpled figures.
"You. Put him under hypnosis. Make him spill everything—his plans, what he's done since infiltrating this place."
He nudged Jango with his boot.
"I—Even if I do, I'll just be executed afterward anyway," Jango muttered bitterly.
"I'll spare you. For the sake of my ship's doctor."
Ace's voice dropped, soft but clear—as he glanced at Kaya, who was still trying to process everything.
That hesitation was all it took.
"…Fine. I believe a man like you keeps his promises."
In the background, Kuro shouted curses, but Jango ignored him, stepping forward with his tools.
Maybe on a normal day, Kuro could've resisted the hypnotic suggestion with sheer willpower.
But now?
His mind was drowning in pain.
Under Jango's command, Kuro spoke.
Every secret. Every step. Every murder.
How he infiltrated Kaya's home.
How he assassinated her parents.
How he intended to take her life next.
Kaya trembled.
Tears spilled freely as she collapsed into Ace's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
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TL/N:
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