Thank you all for your comments. They're very inspiring. Before I begin this chapter, there some things I want to address a few questions. Is Luffy still canon stupid? No he is not, he is just acting that way. It's a mask to hide all the sorrow he's gone through.

Also you guys ask why certain events had to happen and others didn't. Well that has to do with how time works. Right now, James believes that if they still follow the original timeline it should put everything back on track. There are certain events in time, that if changed could have devastating consequences, i.e. Ace dying, Sabo supposed death, Arlong attacking Cocoyasi. While those events shouldn't be changed, that doesn't mean that other events can't be. You'll see in this chapter and following ones.

I do hope I haven't made James OP, but I mean he is about 200 years old. But that doesn't mean I'm gonna have every opponent he faces lose as fast as Cabaji. That only happened because Cabaji is just weak.

Anyway, enjoy.

The Sea Sprite II pulled ashore onto the beach of Syrup Village. The crew gathered on the forward deck, "So, anyone want to explain why we're here?" Zoro asked. "We're here for two reasons; One, we're gonna need a bigger or second if we want a bigger crew, and Two, I have contact here I want to check up on and our next crew member is here." James replied. He looked behind him to the cliff, "In fact, here he is now." As he finished that sentence, dozens of flags, bearing a skull with a long nose and a slingshot, popped out of the bushes and tree line lining the cliff.

A young man stepped out onto the path on the hill, he had short, black curly hair and an abnormally long nose. "Hahaha! Tremble in fear lowly pirates, for you now face The Great Captain Usopp! Destroyer of…" Usopp continued to rant. Wondering how he knew they were pirates, they looked at their flag to a crudely painted version of the Straw Hat's Jolly Roger on it. Everyone on the ship sweat dropped, sans Luffy, who just laughed at his friend's antics. "…so leave now face my army of 10,000 men!" On that cue, the flags began to shift back and forth.

"He seriously doesn't expect us to by that, right?" Nami asked. Makino and James hung their heads and said, "Sadly yes."

"Hey, Usopp!" Everyone turned to see Luffy shoot of from the ship towards Usopp, using his powers. Nami, having never seen them before (and Luffy forgetting to mention them), and Usopp's jaws dropped. Due to his shock, he was unable to avoid the Luffy missile. After they crashed, he found himself in a friendly hug by Luffy. Unfortunately, the three boys operating the flag mechanism, didn't see it that way. "Ahh, they've caught Usopp!" said the onion head shaped one. "Don't worry Captain we'll save you." Said the other with a pepper shaped hairstyle.

Luffy looked at the three confused, having not paid them much mind his first time around, didn't remember their names. He got up, dusted himself off and helped Usopp up. Usopp looked at him with suspicion, "Do we know each other?" Luffy scratched the back of his head, realizing that Usopp didn't know him yet, "No, but I know a lot about you from you're father. He wouldn't shut up about you." Usopp's eyes went wide at this, but before he could ask any questions, a fist sent Luffy's head to the ground.

"Idiot! You can't go rushing off like that Luffy." Nami yelled. Luffy stood back and grinned at her, sheepishly, "Sorry Nami." The rest of the crew came walking up, "Well I'll be. I thought that was you Usopp. Man, you sure have grown from the little challenging me to a fight, saying 'you had fought over 100 men with one arm tied behind your back, huh." Usopp turned to James, as recognition fell upon his face, "James?"

"You know anyone else this handsome?' Jutting his thumb at himself. That earned him a dope slap from Makino, "Sigh. Hello Usopp, my name is Makino. This is Nami, Zoro, and you already met Luffy." He concentration on the bounty hunter broke when he remembered what he meant to ask Luffy, "Hey, wait, Luffy right? What did you mean you knew my father?"

"Why don't we talk and walk? I do have someone to see." James interrupted. Everyone nodded and began to walk towards town, with Luffy telling Usopp everything he knew about Yasopp, Makino even spoke of some of their adventure's together. They soon arrived at the big mansion on the hill next to town. James walked up to the gates, and before Usopp could say anything, James opened up the gate, "Wha, how did you do that?" Usopp asked. "What do you mean?"

"Every time I came up here those gates were always locked." James shrugged, "Someone must have forgotten to lock it." He said mysteriously.

James walked up to the door rapped on it three times. A few moments later, the door opened up to reveal a weird goat/man hybrid. James smiled, "Merry." Merry looked at James with surprise and delight, "James, it is good to see you again my friend" he said as the two shook hands, "please come in." Everyone walked in through the front door, Usopp more hesitantly so. "Ah, Usopp. It is good to see you face-to-face for once. Heh. Miss Kaya will be most pleased to hear that you two are here." Usopp nervously nodded.

They walked to the main waiting room and sat down. "So James, how do you know these people?" Nami asked. James smiled, "Well I arrived on this island about a few weeks before I met Luffy."

Flashback

A younger looking James, is walking through the town of Syrup village. "Okay, the flux trail has gotten faint and that maelstrom destroyed my boat. Sigh. I need a new boat, I wonder if anyone around here can help." He goes around town asking the townsfolk about buying a boat. They all point him towards the mansion on the hill outside the town.

As he was making his way towards the mansion, he heard a disturbance behind him. He turned around to see a young man with short black, curly hair and a long nose running towards him with an angry mob chasing him. He raised an eyebrow at the scene and sighed. As soon as the man got close, James closed lined him, knocking him out. He picked him up, fireman style, and turned towards the mob, "Thank you young man, you don't know how long we've been chasing him." One of the people said. "And what exactly did he do to earn your ire?"

"Every day he comes through the town, screaming at the top of his lungs about pirates are on the island. We have gotten tired of it!" Other villagers shouted in agreement. James frowned at that, "So, instead of trying to peacefully talk to this young man about toning it down or stopping, you decided the appropriate action was to resort to violence." Most of the villagers looked down in shame at that comment. "I'll take him with me and talk to him," he turned and started walking towards the mansion, "try and stop me." The villagers didn't know why, but they felt if they did try, they would regret it.

Usopp woke up half way to the mansion, "So, finally wake up." He turned his head to look at the stranger caring him. Before he could react he was dropped to the ground. James walked over to a fallen tree and sat on it. He patted the place next to him, "Well come on." Usopp, not knowing what else to do; also a bit scared of the man in front of him; got up and walked over to him and sat down. "Now that we can talk properly, let me introduce myself. I'm James." He said sticking out his hand. Usopp snapped out of his stupor hearing the cheerful town, "Uh, U-Usopp."

James laughed at his name, "What's so funny?" James wiped away a tear, "Sorry, it's just that I came across a book once, called Aesop's Tales. It was filled with the most outrageous and far-fetched tales and stories, and from what those villagers were talking about, you're the town liar. Are the two of you related?" Usopp laughed at that too, "Maybe we're long lost brothers, separated at birth." They both were laughing now.

They both calmed down before Usopp asked, "So, why are you here?" James gave him a hurt expression, "What, do I need a reason to be here?" Usopp chuckled, "This village is on island out of the way of most traveling ships. You intended to come here. Why?" James looked at him with respect, "Very astute. Yes, I came here for a reason. You see I'm sort like a bounty hunter, I'm chasing a very dangerous man. Unfortunately, I lost his trail a few months back and have been getting whiffs of him here and there."

Usopp's eyes widened, "Wait, you mean there could be a criminal in the village!" James put a calming hand on Usopp's shoulder, "Don't worry, I can tell you now that he is not here. I can kind of sense him." James tried to explain without giving too much away. "Wait, did you eat a Akuma no Mi?" James had heard of those from his travel across the East Blue. "No, it's kind of like er… okay it's really hard to explain."

Usopp shrugged, "Uh, okay then."

"Anyway, I also heard about a young girl in that mansion that is very sick. I studied medicine for many years, so I thought I could help." Suddenly Usopp got a serious look in his eyes, "And that's all?" James nodded, not disturbed in the least. "I swear…"

"You must truly care about her to threaten a complete stranger because you suspect they mean to do her wrong." Usopp's jaw dropped. James smirked, "You must see her as a kindred spirit having lost both your parents as well."

"Huh?"

"How did I know? It's elementary, my dear Watson. The villagers went after you, rather than confront your parents." James was trying to hold back his laughter, "But, The only thing I can't figure out is if you like her or if you LIKE her?" When Usopp blushed and became a spluttering mess, James lost it. He laughed so hard he fell off the log.

After both calmed down James spoke again, "If truly do wish to protect her, you'll need put a little meat on your bones," he said, poking Usopp's skinny arm, "I can give you a daily routine that can help with that." Usopp's eyes lit up at that, "But, I need you to promise me one thing." Usopp arched an eyebrow, "What?"

"Please tone it down on the lying, for the villager's sake and sanity." When Usopp heard the condition he laughed, "Okay, fine I can do that. Oh, could possibly also train me, like spars. I'm good at long range, but my hand to hand combat is to say, lacking." James nodded his head, "Well I need to get going if I want to make it before sunset." He said as he got u. They shook hands and parted.

Mansion Front Gates

James stood in front of two burly guards at the front gate. "I'll say it again. I'm a wandering therapist and heard of the young miss's problem and thought I could help." One of the guards scoffed, "Yeah, and I'm a World Noble. Beat it." James sighed, then smirked. "I've so wanted to try this since I saw the first movie (which is episode IV, period)." He concentrated his magic in his mind and released the persuasive magic, "The Lady of the house is expecting me. You will let me in!" The two guards suddenly became really stiff before one shook his head, "Oh I'm so sorry sir, here let me get the gate."

James nodded, before a wicked grin came over his face, he waved his hand in front of himself, "These are not the droids you're looking for." The guards repeated what he said. He laughed to himself as he walked in. Merry greeted him at the door after he knocked on the door.

Flashback End

So for the next three weeks, I stayed on the island helping Usopp train and Miss Kaya with her trauma."

"And I am very grateful for your help, James."

The new voice shocked everyone; sans James, Merry and Usopp. A woman with a slightly pale complexion and long blonde hair was standing in the doorway. James smiled, "Kaya, you're looking better, you've been getting out more." She nodded, she walked over and sat next to Usopp, "I have, because of your help James," She placed a hand on Usopp's lap, causing Usopp's face to light up bright red, "You have not only helped me but Usopp too. Thank you, very much." James chuckled, "Hey I just pushed you two in the right direction, the rest was all you guys."

Everyone chuckled, Kaya spoke up, "So what brings you and your friends here James?"

Suddenly a mysterious voice spoke up, "Yes, I think we would all like the answer to that question, James?"

Oh aren't I cruel, leaving you guys with that cliff hanger. Thank you all for your support, I'm sorry about the late update but there have been some unfortunate events. I lost my grandfather, about right after my last update, along with having to deal going through a state of depression. I've gotten better, somewhat, but I hope to make writing this story as a good outlet for my anxiety. So please bear with me. And to all you flamers out there, please continue your rants, your fires all help keep me and the crew nice and warm. Until next time, Ciao.