The Great Voyage: The Props Master on the Straw Hat Ship

"Although I don't know their identity, since they dare to call themselves pirates, they are definitely not good people, and may even be harmful to you, Miss."

At this point, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and he shouted at Link and the others:

"You filthy pirates, get out of here right now! This is not a place for you!!"

At the same time, he didn't forget to label Usopp:

"What are you up to by bringing the pirates here? Are you colluding with them to do something indecent to Miss?!" If this can create a rift between Kaya and Usopp, that would be fantastic.

In this way, his goal can be implemented and achieved more quickly and smoothly.

Just as the butler, Krabatel, was thinking this, and Kaya was hesitant to speak, she heard:

"This isn't a place for pirates?"

Link asked with some surprise, "Then why are you here?"

He looked directly at the butler, "Krabatel".

"The captain of the Black Cat Pirates, a notorious pirate with a bounty of 16 million Berries, [Hundred Strategies] Kuro?"

Captain of the Black Cat Pirates? A great pirate with over ten million Berries? [Hundred Plans] Kuro?

The list of titles Link rattled off surprised everyone in the room.

"【Hundred Plans】Kro?"

Nami frowned in thought, "I remember this was the pirate that Morgan captured back then, and he was promoted because of this achievement."

"Wasn't that pirate already executed by the Navy? Why...?"

Nami's words were abruptly cut off before she could finish speaking.

Suddenly, a bounty poster appeared in Link's hand; it was the wanted poster for "Hundred Strategies" Kro.

The photo on it was exactly the same as the butler, Krabatel, standing in front of them!

"Ah, the person on the wanted poster looks exactly like this uncle!!"

The outspoken Luffy blurted out, "So, sir, you're a pirate too?!"

After Luffy finished speaking, Nami subconsciously took a step back, and Zoro placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Butler Krabatel, also known as "Hundred Strategies" Kro, suddenly had a gloomy look flash across his eyes.

His hands, which were behind his back, clenched slightly, but then relaxed instantly.

He'd been lying low here for three years, all for a respectable identity and a new life living in the open. How could he possibly fall here?!

"No!!"

Before Kro could even organize his thoughts, his master Kaya immediately retorted:

"Mr. Krabatel is my butler. He was rescued by my parents three years ago and has been taking care of me in our family ever since!!"

"He's not a pirate at all. The portrait in the photo just looks like him!!"

Seeing Kaya so eager to protect him, Kro's eyes flickered, and a triumphant smile quickly disappeared from the corner of his mouth.

"Although I don't know where you got this photo from, you're making a big mistake if you think you can use it to slander me."

Kro stood there straight and calmly said, "I am Krobatel, the butler here. I have no idea what [Hundred Plans] Kro is."

"Personally, I despise pirates, especially those lowlifes who will stop at nothing to achieve their goals, even resorting to slander to deceive and gain favor!" he said casually, his words clearly directed at Link and his crew! He was accusing them of shameful framing!

028 Do you know how I've spent the past three years? [Seeking flowers and votes!!]

"This guy……"

Nami frowned.

Regardless of whether the butler was a pirate or not, his condescending tone, attitude, and the content of his words really angered her.

I agree with what you said.

Link didn't react much; instead, he looked at Chloe with considerable admiration.

"Pirates who use deception to achieve their goals are indeed despicable pirates. You have such a clear understanding of yourself, and you can still say these words without changing your expression."

"Such shameless behavior has truly opened my eyes!!"

"No wonder he's a great pirate with a bounty of 16 million Berries. He's definitely different from ordinary pirates."

Link exclaimed in admiration and gave Chloe a thumbs-up.

Trying to annoy us? This sarcastic tone is nothing compared to my keyboard warrior style, which dominates the forums! You should probably practice for a few more years!

Zoro grinned after hearing this, while Nami covered her mouth, her eyes crinkling into a smile.

The anger that Kro had expressed earlier had dissipated considerably, and his words were indeed quite satisfying.

Ah, pirates are pirates.

Kuro, however, did not seem to be affected by Link's words. As the character with the highest IQ in the entire East Blue Saga, besides Ben Beckman, he was not affected at all.

He still possesses the most basic patience; he has concealed it for three years, and he will not fail at this final moment.

"You lot, even though you're Mr. Usopp's friends, aren't you being incredibly rude?"

Kaya frowned and said to Link, "Mr. Krabatel is just my butler, he..."

"Don't speak so absolutely, Miss Kaya."

Link interrupted her with a chuckle.

"Some things can indeed be hidden, such as identity and personality, but some things are ingrained in one's bones and can never be changed."

Link slowly looked at Kuro, "As a pirate, even if you want to change your identity and live in the sunlight, you can never forget the habits and fighting style you accumulated from the days of walking in the dark and licking blood from the edge of a knife."

"After all, forgetting these things means you're not far from death."

His gaze fell on Crowe's arms, or more precisely, on his hands clasped behind his back, covered by black gloves.

"【Hundred Plans】Kro’s most proficient weapon is the 【Ten Blades】, which is hidden in his cat paw gloves."

"This is information recorded within the naval base. If Miss Kaya still doesn't believe it, she can contact the Navy to inquire and see if it's as I said."

Everyone's attention was focused on Link's words, and the calm and composed expression on Kro's face gradually turned expressionless.

"If I'm not mistaken, even though you've lived a peaceful life for the past three years, what you experienced as a pirate must have made it hard for you to let go of your old fighting habits, right?"

"So, your black gloves must contain a hidden [Espada] weapon, right, Captain Kuro~~~"

After Link finished speaking, Usopp, who had been covering his mouth to keep himself from saying anything, immediately jumped out excitedly.

He had been listening intently, and when Link presented such detailed evidence, he could no longer contain himself.

"Hey, Krabatel, no, I mean Kro!! What is your purpose in getting close to Kaya while hiding your identity?!" He questioned Kro loudly, his eyes fixed on him.

No one expected that a pirate worth tens of millions would be hiding right next to them.

Looking back now, it only evokes a sense of dread and fills Usopp with endless worry for Kaya.

“Mr. Krabatel…”

Kaya stared blankly at Chloe.

One good thing about the world of One Piece is that the people here are very simple and honest.

People generally believe what others say, as long as it's not too outrageous.

This is why ambitious individuals like Crocodile and Doflamingo can easily frame others and gain the trust of the people.

Kaya originally believed that the housekeeper who had taken care of her for three years was definitely not a bad person.

However, after Link spoke his reasoned and logical words, coupled with Kro's expressionless face, Kaya began to waver.

"Three years..."

Kro suddenly let out a long sigh. "Do you know how I've spent the last three years?"

“Every day I have to put on that so-called warm smile and face other people with a completely fake face.”

He tugged at his collar and muttered to himself, "To be a competent butler, you have to do the work of a servant and have to be mindful of other people's feelings."

He lowered his head, reached out, and adjusted his glasses with his palm.

When he looked up again, his eyes were filled with murderous intent!

"Especially having to accompany this little girl, doing those utterly ridiculous things every day—I'm a notorious pirate feared throughout the seas!!" His face gradually contorted with rage. "And I have to follow this little girl around, enduring all this humiliation!!"

029 That's all for today!

"If it weren't for the desire to live in the sunlight and completely break away from that damned pirate life, I wouldn't want to stay here and do these disgusting and repulsive things!!"

After he finished speaking, his entire demeanor changed.

He transformed from a gentlemanly butler into a ruthless and vicious pirate who kills without blinking an eye!

“Krobatel…”

Kaya was so frightened that her face turned pale and she fell to the ground, her expression a mixture of terror and disbelief.

How could someone who had been the most trusted and considerate butler for the past three years turn into such a notorious pirate?!

Such a shock and disparity was difficult for Kaya to accept.

"So this guy was a bad guy after all!!"

Luffy suddenly realized what was going on, while Nami and Zoro also became alert.

"You consider these all humiliations..."

Link's expression gradually turned indifferent as he listened to Kro's words.

"Therefore, you can only live in a dark world, with no room for even a glimmer of light in your heart."

"Stop spouting those grand principles."

Kro said expressionlessly, "If it weren't for you, my plan would have been executed flawlessly. In two days, the owner of this mansion, Kaya, will pass away due to illness, and I, as her most trusted butler, will inherit her property in her will and live a normal life from then on."

"I never expected that today, a group of pirates would suddenly appear and ruin everything. However, although the plan has some flaws, the problem is not too serious."

Dark shadows loomed over his forehead. "Once I've dealt with you all, there won't be any problems!!"

Click! !

As soon as he finished speaking, snow-white blades suddenly emerged from the fingertips of his jet-black gloves.

It's his signature weapon, the [Ten Espada]!!

"If you hadn't known so much about me, including the 'Espada,' I probably wouldn't have admitted it like this..."

His tone was filled with a chilling murderous intent, "Why are you so sure that I am Chloe?"

"Because we went to Shells Town before and sent Monka, who was promoted for his meritorious service, to prison, we learned some information from there."

Link flicked his wrist. "At the same time, the way you held your glasses up with your palm was a bit too obvious, and with your face that looks exactly like Chloe's, it really makes people suspicious."

"I see

Chloe nodded. "Now I know how to better conceal myself after inheriting the estate."

"You seem to think you can take care of all of us?"

Link looked at him calmly.

“I’m going to take the inheritance. Even God can’t save you. I’m telling you.”

Although his words were calm, they revealed Klose's strong confidence.

Clearly, he didn't take Link and his group seriously at all.

Except for Zoro.

"Roronoa Zoro, the three-sword style swordsman and pirate hunter?"

Kuro glanced at Zoro. "After I stopped being a pirate, you became a rising bounty hunter?"

"I'll tell you, I'm not even in the same league as those small fry you captured before!!"

"Then I really want to give it a try!!"

Zoro raised an eyebrow, his eyes revealing undisguised provocation.

"Why, Krabatel..."

Just as the atmosphere was becoming increasingly tense, Kaya suddenly spoke up.