Eiichiro Oda and Toei Animation Studios own One Piece Manga/Anime respectively. I'm honestly glad I don't own them. I am no match for Oda's greatness.

The Dark King's Apprentice

Last Chapter Recap

A few days of long boring sailing later and the crew plus one hesitant navigator were nearing a large island. "That's Gecko Island. There is a small village there named Syrup village. I only know because there is a really rich family that lives there somewhere." Nami mentioned. The two men nodded and got ready to beach the boat...

A young man of about seventeen years old. He had a wild afro under a brown checkered bandanna, wearing dark brown coveralls, with a slingshot in his back pocket, and a large satchel strung over his shoulder. He was running through Syrup Village shouting at the top of his lungs. To the great annoyance of all the residents in ear-shot.

"Pirates! Pirates are coming! Everyone evacuate, they'll kill us all!" The young man shouted. You would think the people of this village would appreciate the warning. But no, they seemed to be highly agitated and angry instead. Shouts from the various residents could be heard. The general consensus of these shouts? "You damned liar!" "Shut your lying mouth!" "We'll catch you Usopp!" And so on.

"HAHA! Catch me if you can!" The now named Usopp shouted running down the road away from the town. The boy met up with two smaller children that each had a unique hair style shaped like a vegetable.

"Hey! Captain! The Usopp Pirates are here! Did you warn everyone in town already today?" One of the boys asked. Usopp nodded and smiled brightly.

"Good morning! Piiman, Ninjin, Where's Tamanegi? Yeah I scared the villagers but good!" Usopp proudly admitting to his lying. They suddenly heard a voice in the distance shouting "It's terrible! TERRIBLE!" Once the person shouting got closer they seen that it was Tamanegi.

"Pirates are coming! Pirates are here! There boat is near the shore now!" He was very tired and very scared. Usopp and the rest of the boys were confused by these claims.

"Tamanegi, that's a lie. I say it every day." Usopp said. Tamanegi shook his head furiously. "No, I'm telling you the truth this time!" Usopp gained a terrified expression and shouted something about going for snacks. The boys screamed at him.

"Captain Usopp! Don't you want to be a real pirate one day? We have to protect the town. It was flying the flag of Buggy "The Clown"!" At the name Usopp got even more fearful.

What Tamanegi said next actually boosted boosted Usopp's confidence. "I only seen three people in the boat!" Usopp stood straight up, putting up a brave front.

"All right men! Let us prepare for battle! Usopp Pirate Crew! We will protect our home!" The children cheered and they all ran to the beach to confront the pirates.

Luffy, Zoro, and Nami were stretching their legs as they beached the boat. Luffy was commenting about eating some meat to Nami's ever present aggravation. Zoro was looking around. Always mindful of his surroundings, as any good swordsman would be. When he heard a rustle in the bushes up on a short cliff side. He instantly became alert, thumbing his treasured blade, Wado Ichimonji.

"Be careful. We're not alone" Zoro said. Getting a questioning look from Nami, and a nod from Luffy.

"Yeah, I know. They aren't a threat though, so don't worry." Suddenly multiple pirate flags came up out of the bushes. Usopp came out firing a volley of pachinko at Luffy, Luffy casually weaved in and out of them. Usopp finally stopped firing and stood boldly.

"Hey you pirates! I'm the great Captain Usopp! Leader of Eighty million pirates!" Usopp shouted proudly.

"Eighty Million! SUGOI!" Luffy shouted in pure excitement.

"He's lying Luffy." Nami said to Luffy. "Aren't you... Captain Usopp?" Nami asked Usopp, cocky smirk on her face. Luffy palmed his face.

"Of course he's lying Nami eighty million people wouldn't even fit on this island! Shishishi! I was just trying to play along with him! Why you gotta ruin all my fun?" Luffy asked with a slight pout.

"You caught me! You saw through my lie?! This is bad!" Usopp shouted, seconds later all the flags waving from the bushes fell to the ground in a clatter as the kids courage broke. "AHHH Don't leave me you guys!" Usopp screamed at the retreating figures. Usopp turned back to face the pirates

"Don't laugh at me! I'm a man of great pride!" Usopp growled out, loading and drawing his slingshot. Aiming it at Luffy. "My skill with a slingshot is better than any pistol!"

Luffy's entire persona suddenly changed. He lowered the front of his hat so that his eyes were shadowed. "Being a Pirate isn't all fun and games you know? Weapons aren't toys. You shouldn't aim a weapon at another Pirate unless you intend to use that weapon. If you let that pachinko fly, I will have to respond, won't I?" Luffy asked, with his full 'Pirate King' persona going.

Usopp's knees started shaking. Sweat rolling down his brow. He finally dropped his pachinko and slingshot. "I should have known. I could never stand up to the real deal. Do what you will." Usopp sighed in resignation. Luffy and Zoro laughed.

"Shishishi! I've been looking for you for a long time Usopp, son of Yassop!" Usopp's head shot up as if he had been struck by lightning. "You know my dad? How is that possible?" Usopp asked. Large radiant smile on his face.

"Yeah! Your dad was with Shanks crew when they came to visit me and my teacher on our island! He couldn't stop talking about you shishishi! Luffy said. Usopp just smiled.

"You wanna come get some food? My treat. You can tell me some stories about him if you want." Usopp nearly begged. Luffy, Nami, Zoro followed Usopp into town to a restaurant named "Meshi" roughly translating to "Food".

Luffy had just got done telling Usopp about the time Yasopp had ricocheted a bullet off 5 surfaces to hit a fly knocking the wings off of it yet leaving it alive. Angry I'm sure, but very much alive.

"Sugoi! That is so COOL! My dad is the best! Did you say he is with the Yonko, Red Hair Shanks crew?" Usopp asked, excitedly. Luffy nodded. Nami turned to Luffy.

"I still find it hard to believe someone like you knows someone as famous as a Yonko." Nami said, disbelievingly.

Zoro raised his hand and counted off. "Captain can Fly, stop bladed weapons with his bare hands, knock people out without even touching them... I'm sure he's hiding more secrets. I have no trouble believing he knows a Yonko at this point. Besides he did tell me about Shanks the first day we met." The others were quite shocked. Nami had seen some of these feats while Usopp had only seen the dodging feat.

"You can fly?" Usopp questioned. Understandably doubtful. Luffy shrugged. "It's not really flying, but close." Luffy said.

"I won't believe that till I see it!" Usopp said. Shoveling more food into his mouth. Luffy shrugged. It's not like he had to prove himself to anyone.

"Hey Usopp, we need a new boat. You know anyone on this island that may be able to help us with that? We have money so there's no issues with that." Zoro asked. Nami had a few tick marks on her forehead. 'That's my gold damn it!' Usopp grew thoughtful for a moment.

"Maybe Kaya-san would be able to help you. But she's been sick, and her butler won't let her receive any visitors." Usopp said. Luffy shrugged, he didn't care about butlers.

Usopp looked out the window and realized it was getting late. "I gotta go! Don't go see Kaya-san! You're not allowed!" Usopp booked it out the door as fast as he could.

"What was that about?" Nami asked. Luffy and Zoro shrugged, just as confused as she was. A few minutes after Usopp left, the three boys that were with Usopp earlier, Ninjin, Piiman, and Tamanegi ran into the restaurant pointing crudely made wooden swords at the three pirates.

"Where is our captain!" They shouted, attempting to be as threatening as was possible for three children with their legs shaking. Luffy sighed in contentment at that very moment.

"Ahhh That meat was good!" Realization was dawning on the boys faces. Zoro looked at them, a dark sinister glint in his eyes "Your captain... He was delicious!" The kids jumped up into the air, then promptly fainted.

"Why did you have to do that!?" Nami screamed as she punched Zoro in the top of the head sending him face first into the table. Zoro's head was smoking and had a giant bump.

"You witch!" Zoro shouted at her in impotent anger. He would never strike an unarmed woman, his swordsman's code would never allow such a shameful act. So what else could he honestly do?

A few moments later the three children woke up, they were told the truth and actually laughed at themselves. Luffy asked where their 'captain' went at about this time.

"Captain goes to tell the ojo-sama lies!" They said in unison. Nami looked shocked at this. Zoro as usual shrugged. Luffy laughed.

"What do you mean he tells her lies? Isn't that a bad thing?" Nami asked. The three kids shook their heads.

"No, since she's sick Usopp goes there and tells her stories that make her happy. He's trying to help her feel better. But that darn butler won't let him stay for long!" Tamanegi said.

"Yosh! Let's go help cheer up the sick lady!" Luffy shouted. Zoro just chucked at Luffy's attitude. Nami sighed but followed anyways. The kids ran after them.

"But I want to see Usopp-san! Klahadore, why won't you let me? He only wants to help!" A pale, fragile looking young woman that had light blonde hair, wearing a white sun dress asked in exasperation. Ger butler named Klahadore sighed.

"You cannot see that ruffian any longer because he harasses the townsfolk and causes no end of trouble. Your health cannot handle the extra stress his lies put on you Ojo-sama." Klahadore said. He is a rather slim tall man. He wore a traditional black outfit. His hair was greased and tightly slicked back. He wore extremely thin wire-framed glasses that he was pushing his glasses back into their proper place with the palm of his hand.

Outside the the gated houses property, Usopp was sneaking about until he came to a slightly discolored section of the hedge fence. After pulling the cutout away, he slid through. Replacing it behind him. He climbed a large tree next to an open window. "Kaya-san! It's good to see you. You don't look as weak as you usually do!" Usopp said, giving her a kind smile. She returned his smile.

"Usopp-san! I wanted to invite you in as a proper guest... But Klahadore wouldn't let me." She pouted. Usopp just laughed "I don't need to come in! This is fine. After all I am a brave warrior of the sea!" Usopp and Kaya laughed together.

"That remind me of the time I found the Giant Island Goldfish when I was a little kid!" Usopp said. Kaya looked confused by the name.

"Giant Island Goldfish" Kaya asked. Usopp nodded.

"The Goldfish is so large that when it poops it leaves behind Islands! HAHAHA!" Usopp and Kaya laughed at the absurdity of it all. If only they knew...

Luffy, Zoro, Nami, and the Usopp Pirates were all approaching the mansion. The kids pointed at all the guards and fences.

"That's why we can't get in. Captain has a secret way, but he won't show us." The kids looked down depressed. Luffy walked up to the fence looked at the height. Nodding to himself. His arm snaked out and grabbed Nami, and the kids around the waist, causing them all to shriek in terror at the sight.

"What the hell are you doing Luffy?" Nami shouted.

"Shishishi! I'm getting us past this fence!" He flexed the muscles in his legs. The intense workouts that Rayleigh forced him to do coming into effect here as he jumped and cleared the ten foot high hedge fence as though he was hurdling a knee-high wall. Even Zoro was impressed with the feat of leg strength and followed suit. Luffy and his passengers were shocked further when Luffy used Geppo to stop a foot off the ground and set them down gently. They heard more sounds of surprise from the mansion.

"He-He can fly? That's amazing." Usopp said, He could hardly believe his own eyes at the moment. Kaya agreed completely.

"Are these your friends Usopp-san? Kaya asked. Usopp turned to her and nodded happily.

"Yeah! They have come from far and wide to join the Usopp Pirates! Can you believe it?" Usopp said, but his head fell when he heard a resounding "NO!" from everyone around. Kaya laughed at that.

"Excuse me, Lady. Can I ask a fav-" Luffy was rudely interrupted before he could finish his request by Klahadore.

"What is the meaning of this? You people are trespassing on private property. If you do not vacate this property at once I will be forced to call security." Kaya objected adamantly.

"Klahadore, these are Usopp-san and his friends! There is no need to be so mean." She pouted. Never understanding why her butler did not listen to her wishes. Luffy looked at the man with more than just his eyes.

"Zoro. Watch out for this guy. He has a lot more fighting power than someone should as a butler." Luffy said, quietly. Zoro nodded.

"Usopp-san! I've heard about you. I hear about you every day. You seem pretty famous in our small town." Klahadore said. Usopp brightened up at this.

"Really? Well then you may address me as "Captain Usopp!" Usopp said, proudly. Klahadore sighed.

"Captain you say? I've even heard stories about your father." Usopp looked excited at this but Kaya looked angry.

"Klahadore stop this at once!" She begged. Klahadore shook his head in the negative.

"You're just the son of a Low-Class pirate!" Klahadore said, raising his voice as he spoke his hurtful words. Luffy's hat was lowering over his eyes as his good friend Yasopp and Yasopp's son were being insulted right in front of him.

"You need to stop pestering Ojo-sama!" Usopp glared at the man.

"You called my father low-class just now? Is that what you said?" Usopp demanded. Klahadore ignored him.

"You and the Ojo-sama are from completely different worlds. What is it you really want, son of a pirate? Money? How much to get you to leave Ojo-sama alone?" Kaya shouted at her butler.

"Klahadore! That's enough! Apologize to Usopp at once!" she demanded. Yet again her hired help refused to acknowledge his lady's demands.

Usopp turned to Kaya "That's dangerous, don't get too excited." He said trying to calm the feeble girl down.

"Why should I apologize to such a low class peasant as this? Ojo-sama?" Klahadore had a dangerous aura to himself now, he sounded angry at his own Lady. Luffy stepped forward.

"Maybe you should stop because your boss told you to? Isn't that what Butlers do? What they are told?" Luffy asked. The sneer that appeared on Klahadore's face could have killed a lesser man. However Luffy just shrugged it off like it was a gentle breeze.

"I do what is best for my Lady, even if it is not her wish! You all need to get out There is no need for ruffian scum and the spawn of a pirate on this property!" Klahadore ordered them to leave. Usopp using a rope and hook from his pouch swung to the hedge fence.

"Fine I know when I'm not wanted! I'll never come back again!" He then jumped past the fence, leaving a crying Kaya, an angry butler and several confused spectators behind. Klahadore turned to Luffy and his crew.

"I thought I told you to get out!" Klahadore's temper was flaring. Luffy just glared at him from under his hat. This man's arrogance knew no bounds it would seem.

"You did. But I don't take orders from butlers." Luffy said, cold as ice. "But I will be leaving now. It was nice meeting you Kaya." He smiled at Kaya. Then he grabbed Nami and the kids and jumped back over the fence. Klahadore's gaze following him as he left.

'That man... He could be a problem for the plan. I haven't felt such a presence in a while.' Klahadore turned and walked back into the mansion. He had plans to make.

"So, tell me where does your captain go exactly, when he gets sad and stuff?" Luffy asked the Usopp Pirates. They looked at each other and nodded.

"Captain goes to the coast and looks out at the ocean, longing for the days he can be a great warrior of the seas!" The three boys said in unison as if it was a rehearsed bit. Luffy smiled and turned to his friends.

"Wait for me here, I'll be going to see our future sniper! Oh and Zoro." Luffy said, turning to Zoro. "Yes, Captain? He asked.

"You should try meditating while you wait for me to get back! It'll help later!" Luffy said as he used Soru to head off to the west side of the island. His speed was so fast that none of the five people there could see him move. Nami blinked and asked what she and the Usopp Pirates were all thinking. "Did he just disappear?"

"No, he just moved so fast that you couldn't see him move. At least that is what I think... I've seen him do it before in a battle with Captain Morgan in Shells Town." Zoro answered.

'He is so fast that I couldn't even see him move? I've never seen Arlong move that fast... I wonder if he's strong enough? NO! What am I thinking, No one is as strong as that monster!' Nami thought, almost slapping herself for gaining hope.

Zoro noticed her slightly hopeful face sharply drop, he just shrugged. 'Not my business, she's not even in our crew yet...' Zoro said down in the traditional meditative position and closed his eyes, calming his mind. He had a decent amount of experience meditating, as a swordsman a calm spirit is essential. Nami looked at him oddly.

"What are you doing Zoro?" she asked. Zoro did not even open his eyes, but answered in an annoyed tone anyways.

"I'm following my captains suggestion. What does it look like woman?" Nami growled at him, considering hitting him in the head again. But chose not to push her luck with the violent swordsman.

Usopp was sitting with his back to a tree overlooking the ocean on a high cliff. He was so out of it that when he heard a twig snap behind him and nearly jumped off the cliff in fright. Luffy laughed as he grabbed Usopp's shirt to stop him from falling to a painful death.

"Usopp. Why don't you join my crew! We'll have great adventures. Someday I'll take you to see your old man!" Usopp was genuinely interested in the offer but shook his head intensely. Luffy looked disappointed.

"Why not Usopp? Don't you want to be a real pirate? Isn't this pretend shit getting old? You are a man now. It's time to move on." Luffy said, trying to convince the young man. He had a damned promise to keep after all. Usopp sighed.

"I do want to go with you, but I can't leave... Just yet. There is something I need to do first." Usopp said, Luffy nodded.

You don't have forever Usopp, we will move on eventually. Hold on... Someones coming" Luffy looked down and seen that stupid butler, meeting a strange man on the beach. "Usopp, come here but be quiet alright?" Usopp nodded and crawled over to the edge of the cliff.

"Captain Kuro! How... Nice to see you again." Said a strange man in a large wide rim black hat, black trench coat, brown pants. With heart shaped red sunglasses and a four or five inch long 'Egyptian Pharaoh' goatee.

"Do NOT call me that name again, Jango! How many times must I tell you. Captain Kuro is dead. Only Klahadore will live after this plan is complete. And I don't need your loud, idiotic mouth ruining my well laid plans!" The now named Kuro shouted.

With Luffy and Usopp. "Captain Kuro! He's a dangerous Pirate... I thought the marines killed him years ago?" Usopp whispered fearfully. Luffy just shrugged.

Back with Kuro and Jango. "The plan's right on track Klahadore-san. We will rush the town tomorrow, kill a few people here, damage a little property there, then kill the Ojo-sama as you requested." Jango said. confirming Usopp's worst fear.

Kuro palmed his face in frustration. "You cannot just kill her damn it! How many times must I tell you this plan. I am beginning to question your ability to carry it out! She must first write a will, naming me as Klahadore, NOT KURO! As her sole heir and then she can die, but only in an accident, do you understand!?" Kuro shouted, losing his patience with the backwards man. Jango nodded.

"Yeah boss, I got it, Ku-Klahadore, Make Will, and then Accident... Alrighty. We'll start the raid tomorrow at dawn, sound good?" Jango asked, wanting to get away from his angry boss as soon as possible.

Kuro wanted to strangle the man, he herd his near slip. "You better get this right Jango. If you mess up my plan... You will beg me for death, before I am through with you. You hear me?" Jango nodded, sweat pouring down his face at the cold as ice threat that he knew, without a shadow of a doubt Kuro would carry it out.

"What are we gonna do? What am I going to do!? I gotta warn the town! They could all die! Kaya-san! I gotta tell her!" Luffy used a small amount of Conquerors Haki on Usopp breaking him out of his self induced panic attack. Usopp's eyes darted around trying to locate the source until they landed on Luffy who looked a little too intense at the moment for his liking.

"Y-y-you did that didn't you? What was it?" Usopp asked.

"Yeah, I did it, had to, you were freaking out on me. It's just a special power I can do. If you join my crew I'll tell you about it. But what are you gonna do if you tell the townspeople. Don't you do the same thing every day? What's the difference this time?" Luffy asked. Usopp wanted to scream in his helplessness.

"I don't know! But I can't do NOTHING!" I'll loose all my friends, Kaya! I can't lose her!" He sniffed wiping tears away from his eyes. Luffy suddenly understood.

"You like her, don't you?" Luffy asked. Usopp could only nod. "I understand! We'll help you protect your nakama Usopp! Then you can become our nakama! Ok?" Luffy shouted. Usopp's eyes lit up.

"You would do that for me? But you hardly know me? Why waste your time with me, or with this town you just arrived at?" Usopp asked, he never thought a pirate would consider helping someone like him.

"Because we're friends! That's all the reason I need. Let's go, we'll meet up with Zoro and the others and plan the attack!" Luffy cheered, his love of a good fight showing. Usopp cried tears of happiness as the ran to meet with the others.

Luffy kicked a sleeping Zoro in the side. While Usopp woke Nami and the others a little more gently. Zoro grunted as he woke up.

"What the hell, Captain? Why the hell you kicking me while I'm asleep?" Zoro asked in indignation. Luffy laughed.

"The better question is why were you all sleeping in the street?" Luffy asked. Zoro looked around realizing Luffy was right. Then it hit him.

"Some weird guy hypnotized us. Making us fall asleep!" Zoro said, describing Jango. Luffy nodded.

"We've seen him, and he was working with that bastard butler. But the butler is actually a pirate named Kuro, a pirate that was pretty famous a few years ago, at least that's what Usopp tells me." Luffy said, not really concerned at all. Nami looked a little surprised at the name.

"Kuro? As in Kuro "The Thousand Plans"? That guy was a tough pirate, he was said to be able to plan a thousand moves ahead of the enemy. His bounty if I recall right was Sixteen Million!" Nami shouted. Thinking they were all going to die if they fought such a dangerous pirate. Luffy thought about that for a moment.

"That's a pretty good bounty for East Blue." Luffy said offhandedly. Zoro nodded in agreement. Nami thought it was concern. "That's right, it is! He'll kill us all if you fight him!" Nami said trying to talk sense into them.

"I wonder if my first bounty will be better than that shishishi!" Luffy said, completely ignoring Nami's concerns. Nami punched Luffy in the head, sending him face down into the dirt. Her teeth looking suspiciously like a certain sawshark fishman she hates very much.

"Yeah captain. It better be. Otherwise I may have to assume command." Zoro said, ignoring his captains predicament. Enraging Nami even further. Luffy got up brushed his clothes off and laughed.

"Shishishi! Yeah I can't be looking bad in front of my first mate, can I?" Nami just gave up. She couldn't win with these idiots.

"Well we're gonna fight Kuro and his crew tomorrow so they can't hurt Usopp's girlfriend! You gonna be ready Zoro? Nami, Usopp?" Zoro nodded, he was always ready for a fight. Nami looked affronted.

"Hell NO! I ain't fighting a bunch of blood thirsty pirates! I'll rob em though!" She shouted as her eyes turned into Beli signs. Usopp jumped back and turned to the male members of the crew.

"Does that happen often?" He asked. Pointing at Nami's eyes.

Luffy and Zoro nodded "Yeah when ever the witch thinks about money" Zoro was the first to answer. Nami tried to punch him again but Zoro saw it coming so he stepped aside. Nami growled at him for dodging what was in her opinion his rightful punishment. Luffy laughing loudly at the two arguing.

"Let's plan the battle already, you guys. It's gonna be dangerous. What do you guys do exactly? Usopp asked.

"I steal" Nami said.

"I cut" Zoro said.

"I stretch... And beat people up! Shishishi!" Luffy laughed.

"I hide!" Usopp said as though it was a great skill. They all turned to him and shouted.

"Not this time! You'll help. Its your town you want to protect right?" Usopp nodded, slightly ashamed of himself. Nami turned to Luffy.

The next morning the Straw-hats plus Usopp made it to the slope that led to the beach were the Black Cat Pirates were disembarking their ship with Nami and Usopp trailing behind. Zoro drew his blades and got himself ready for battle. Luffy lowered his hat, glaring at the men down on the beach.

"Black Cat Pirates. I'm Monkey D. Luffy. Future Pirate King! And I'm here to stop you from hurting Usopp's FRIENDS!" Luffy shouted.

*Chapter End*

I hope you enjoy. As always. Read/Review, Thanks!