News About Usopp
Chapter 7
Once again morning arrived in the Syrup Village and with that the villagers began preparing for the new day.
Some distance away from the village, Piiman and Ninjin were standing under a tree and glancing now and then in the direction of their home village.
"I can't understand where Tamanegi is," Piiman huffed while holding his hands on his waist. "Is he still sleeping?"
"Probably. He may had been working late with his book idea," Ninjin stated while sitting against the tree trunk.
"Okay, let's wait a little bit longer then," Piiman decided.
Ninjin nodded. He picked up a newspaper placed next to him and opened it from the pages they had read four times already.
"This is amazing. Captain and his friends defeated Kaidou, one of the Four Emperors. And now that Luffy is one of the new Emperors!" Ninjin sighed with a proud smile.
"Yeah," Piiman agreed, his smile same as Ninjin's. "Our captain is now a member of Emperor's crew. His bounty rose as well."
"They even got that former Warlord to join them," Ninjin added. "I'm really starting to believe that Captain and his friends will find that Pirate King's treasure."
"That would be awesome! Villagers would be so surprised!" Piiman exclaimed eagerly. He glanced again in the direction of the village but Tamanegi was still nowhere to be seen.
The boys continued waiting in silence. Piiman walked around while Ninjin went trough other articles. Nothing else was heard but wind rustling in the leaves of the tree, birds singing and the rustling of newspaper pages.
Finally Piiman stopped. "I don't know about you but I'm getting tired for waiting," he stated to Ninjin.
"Same," Ninjin agreed as he folded the newspaper and stood up. "After all we decided times ago that we'll continue Captain's legacy even if all of us three aren't present."
"Let's do it," Piiman confirmed.
Together the boys inhaled and then opened their mouths to let out a shout everybody knew: "Pira-"
"Marines are coming!"
Their shout was suddenly cut short when they heard a familiar voice. With startled expressions, they turned their attention in the direction of the path leading to the village and saw Tamanegi running towards them.
"Marines are coming!" Tamanegi screamed with alarmed voice.
Piiman and Ninjin just stood still speechlessly until their friend stopped abruptly in front of them.
"Tamanegi… What was that just now?" Piiman asked cautiously.
"I shouted that the marines are coming to our village!" Tamanegi explained hastily.
Piiman and Ninjin turned to face each others with eyes widened in shock before they turned their attention back at Tamanegi.
"You're lying, right?"
"See? I wasn't lying," Tamanegi whispered.
The former Usopp Pirates were standing behind the corner of the shop and observing three marines who were walking through the village while watching around lazily.
"This can't be happening. Why are they here?" Piiman wondered quietly.
"I saw them arriving here this morning when I was on my way to our meeting spot. I heard their boss telling mayor Mornin that they're doing some kind of survey for a local Marine headquarter," Tamanegi told. He then gave a meaningful look to his friends. "Luckily I met you before you had time to spread the news about Captain among the villagers. Otherwise you would be in trouble."
Silence fell among the boys as they began thinking what would had happened if they had started to announce the news about Usopp while the marines were in their village. They could have been taken for questioning or even jailed!
"Guys… How about we stay quiet until the marines leave?" Ninjin asked from others with hushed voice.
"Yeah. Let's do that," Tamanegi replied. "That's what Captain would do too."
"Okay," Piiman muttered. "Try to look as oblivious as poss-"
"What are you boys doing?"
The boys almost jumped in fright. They turned quickly in the direction of the voice but calmed down immediately after they noticed Tawny and Liane standing nearby.
"You boys aren't planning to cause any trouble, are you?" Liane asked with warning tone.
"No, no. No at all," Ninjin assured as the former Usopp Pirates stepped away from the corner of the shop and walked to the women.
"Thank goodness," Tawny sighed with relieved expression. "Marines have arrived here."
"We know. We saw them a moment ago," Piiman told.
Both of women stared at the boys with startled expressions.
"Please tell me you were quiet about Usopp and your imaginery pirates," Tawny asked quietly.
The boys nodded in response and the women relaxed visibly.
"But anyway. Have you already read what Captain and his friends have done?" Piiman asked eagerly with hushed tone.
The question made the women grimace a little bit but despite that Tawny answered quietly: "Yes. They defeated an another pirate crew in a foreign country."
"One of the Four Emperors," Tamanegi clarified with smile.
"Now Straw Hat Luffy is one of the Emperors and Captain's bounty rose as well," Ninjin stated proudly.
"Yes…" Tawny conformed quielty while Liane remained silent. "It's great that Usopp is fine but I'm worried about the direction his life is going."
Their attitude to the news thinned the boys' enthusiasm. Of course it was nothing new but still!
"Why do you always have to take that attitude when we're talking about our captain?" Piiman groaned.
"Well… He's a pirate," Tawny explained. "It's sad that he decided something like that at such a young age. He would surely have found something useful to do here."
"But the pirate flag called him. And he had to answer that call," Ninjin insisted.
"And if he had stayed here, then he would have missed out all those incredible adventures," Tamanegi noted before sighing dreamingly. "I can't wait for Captain to return and tell about all those amazing adventures he had experienced."
"Umm…" Liane muttered cautiously. "Maybe it would be better if Usopp didn't return."
The boys' mouths dropped open in shock. Tawny turned her gaze to stare at the seamstress with shocked expression.
"W-what do you mean?" Piiman demanded, not bothering to lower his voice. "Why shouldn't Captain return back to his home village?"
"You see…" Liane began explaining reluctantly. "I'm afraid that he isn't the same harmless prankster anymore. He may even… attack our village."
"That's not true!" Ninjin argued. "I'm sure that Captain is still the same person he was when he left. Just less weaker and less cowardly."
"I'm sure you're right," Tawny commented with conciliatory smile.
"But still," Liane insisted. When the seamstress saw that none of people around her seemed to agree with her, she sighed. "Excuse me but I have to go now."
"Same here," the mayor's wife stated before she turned her attention back at the boys. "Remenber to be careful. I don't want you to get trouble with the marines."
"We will," Piiman replied while Ninjin and Tamanegi nodded.
Tawny smiled at them before following Liane to the shop.
As the shop's door closed behind the women, the boys went to walk through their home village.
"I can't believe that Liane-san would say something like that," Piiman huffed.
"Yeah," Tamanegi agreed with serious expression. "Captain is Captain. He won't become a some kind of ruffian just because he chose to follow his dream."
"Do you want to go to visit Kaya-san?" Ninjin asked from his friends. "At least she would be proud about Captain's achievements."
"Of course!" Piiman and Tamanegi replied eagerly.
They arrived at the mansion's gate and noticed that the guards, Gary and Stanford, weren't there, which meant that the mansion's workers were having a lunch. But since the boys were regular visitors, they expertly climbed over the fence surrounding the mansion. After they had got back to solid ground, the boys headed towards a back door they knew was usually open.
The trio walked through empty corridors and soon arrived at a pair of doors that led to a mansion's hall. Hearing Kaya's voice from there made them grin. She would surely be pleasantly surprised by their visit.
Piiman grabbed a door handle and shoved one of the doors open. "Kaya-san! Have you heard what Captain and his friends have done in Wano?" he asked eagerly as the former Usopp Pirates entered into the hall.
Kaya was sitting in an armchair while Merry stood nearby. Both of them stared at the boys with surprised and little bit startled expressions.
Opposite them were two marines, one sitting in another armchair and another standing behind him.
Silence fell in the hall as everybody was staring at the boys and the boys stared at the marines.
"Oh, boys," Kaya finally opened her mouth. "What a surprise! I wasn't expecting your visit today."
"S-sorry, Kaya-san. We didn't know that you had guests," Ninjin explained awkwardly.
"Sorry for bothering you," Piiman and Tamanegi exclaimed in unision.
One of the marines, a high-rank looking middle-aged man with brown hairs and short beard, turned his gaze from the boys to Kaya. "Are these children your acquaintances?" he inquired.
"Yes, Commodore Strond. They're my good friends who sometimes come to keep me company," Kaya told.
Commodore Strond glanced suspiciously at the boys who were still standing nervously at the door.
Merry cleared his throat. "With your permission, Kaya-sama, I'll take the boys to the kitchen to wait until you're free to meet them," he suggested calmly after getting his mistress' attention.
"Do it and offer them tea and cookies as well," Kaya requested.
"After we're done with your mistress, I want to ask the boys a couple of questions," Strond informed the butler.
"Of course, Commodore," Merry replied with bow. He walked to the doors and guided the boys out.
They arrived in the kitchen where two maids and a lackey were cleaning after their lunch.
"Continue your works normally. I take care of the guests," Merry told them as they stared at the butler with questioning expressions.
The servants nodded, finished cleaning and left the kitchen. After the door closed, Merry turned to glare at the embarrassed looking boys.
"Why? Why you had to come for a surprise visit today when the marines had arrived in our village?" Merry demanded. "And you also mentioned Wano and Usopp-kun! Do you have any idea what kind of trouble you have put Kaya-sama in?"
"We didn't know that they would be here!" Piiman spoke up.
"We thought that they would be just meeting the mayor," Tamanegi said.
Merry sighed. "Well, what's done is done. We can't do anything else but follow the situation and prepare for the worst."
Merry walked over to a long table in the middle of the kitchen and took something from his suit's pocket. The boys gathered around the table as well.
"Oh, a baby transponder snail," Ninjin noted as he recognized the animal Merry had placed on the table.
"Indeed but stay quiet for now, please. Another one is placed under the coffee table of the hall," Merry revealed as he turned on a device attached on the transponder snail.
The boys covered their mouths with their hands before they leaned closer the transponder snail just when it began to talk.
"Since then we have spent time together. They accompany me often when I go out," the transponder snail spoke imitating Kaya's voice and eyes.
Then its expression turned stern and its voice became Strond's low voice: "And who's this captain they mentioned and what does he has to do with Wano?"
You could feel tension in the air as Merry and the boys stared fearfully at the transponder snail.
"Actually, he's a fictional person. One of the boys, Tamanegi, wants to become an author when he grows up and the main character of his stories' is an adventurer called Cap Tain whose adventures are inspired by present-day events," Kaya's voice explained. "Sounds like the boys have made up an another adventure for him in an island similar to Wano."
The kitchen's atmosphere eased a little bit with Kaya's words but the tension was still strongly present.
"'Cap Tain'? That's a weird name," the transponder snail spoke in a voice that obviously belonged to the another marine, a tall blond man who hadn't looked older than twenty.
The boys glared at the transponder snail but Merry waved his hand as a sign that they should continue staying quiet.
"I think it's an inventive and unique name," Kaya's voice stated.
"Alright. Enough with literature opinions," Strond's voice announced. "Tell me why you didn't report the theft of your ship two years ago?"
The boys couldn't help but gasp in shock. Merry gave them a cautionary look before he turned his attention nervously back at the transponder snail.
"You see…" Kaya's voice sounded wistful. "Two years ago I was still recovering from my illness caused by my parents' death. When my butler told me about the theft, I couldn't care less about it." A sad sigh followed her explanation. "I had so many dear memories from those times when I sailed with my parents on Going Merry but at that time those memories felt so painful."
"Oh. My condolences, miss," the marine gasped sympathetically.
"Mine as well. But you didn't report to the Marines after your recovery either," Strond's voice pointed out sharply.
"It had been months since the theft, so I thought that reporting about it would be useless. Besides, I didn't believe that I wouldget it back intact after it had been made into a pirate ship. Not that I have a courage to go to sailing these days," Kaya's voice noted calmly.
"Fear not, miss. After we have strengthened our troops in this area, you can be sure that you're safe from pirates," the marine announced with audible voice.
"Oh, thank you. I really value how hard you work," Kaya replied kindly, making the transponder snail to smile.
Piiman and Tamanegi shared knowing looks while Ninjin rolled his eyes after hearing the marine's eager tone. Merry in other hand just stared dissatisfiedly at the transponder snail.
The transponder snail's smile turned into a frown. "Thank you, Apprentice Shinbert, but youdidn't have a permission to speak," Strond noted with strained voice. A moment later his voice addressed Kaya: "Do you have anything else to tell about this case?"
"No, Commodore. My ship was the only thing that was stolen back then," Kaya's voice told.
The transponder snail fell silent. Merry and the boys stared at it while sweating nervously as they waited what would happen next. A sudden sound from the transponder snail startled them.
"Very well," Strond's voice grunted. "I want to talk with those boys now."
"Of course, Commodore," Kaya replied. "I'll take you to the kitchen."
Merry turned the transponder snail's receiver's off and turned to stare at the boys sternly. "Make up an explanation for your emblem quickly," he ordered sharply.
When Kaya, Strond and Shinbert arrived in the kitchen, the former Usopp Pirates were sitting at the table with cups of tea and a large plateful of cookies. Merry was standing in front of a stove and keeping an eye on a kettle before he turned his attention at his mistress and the marines.
"Ah, Kaya-sama. I thought that the guests would like some tea," Merry stated with sincere expression.
"No thank you. I'll ask some questions to these boys and after that we'll leave. Apprentice Shinbert will stay here until then," Strond announced. Then he turned his eyes at the boy trio. "Come with me to the lobby, boys."
Obediently the boys stood up and followed the commodore out of the kitchen.
In the lobby Strond ordered the boys to stand in a line and paced in front of them with stern expression. "Now. Who's this captain you were talking about earlier?" Strond demanded.
Tamanegi grinned. "Cap Tain is strong and smart adventurer who defeats all his enemies," he told while clenching his hands into fists in excited manner. "He fights against monsters and bad guys and rescues princesses and people in trouble! I have already started planning his first adventures for my books."
"Is he a pirate or a marine?" Strond asked.
"Neither," Tamanegi informed.
"What is his motivation for adventuring then?" Strond incuired.
Tamanegi fell silent. Piiman and Ninjin observed their friend who seemed a little unsure and pondered if they should participate in the discussion. Then again, Tamanegi had said earlier that he wanted to take care of that lie about "Cap Tain".
"Because it's awesome! And all children wants to read awesome stories," Tamanegi announced finally.
The commodore studied Tamanegi with his gaze for a moment before he turned his attention at Piiman and Ninjin. "Why do you have a Jolly Roger in your clothes?" he demanded as he gestured at the emblem of the Usopp Pirates.
Piiman straightened his back. "It's for scaring off the bad guys," he told proudly.
"That's right," Ninjin confirmed. "We're Kaya-san's bodyguards. Our job is to protect her from leeches and vultures."
Strond raised an eyebrow sceptically. "Leeches? Vultures? How do you recognize them?"
"By their expensive clothes and bribes," Piiman explained.
"And by their wrinkles and the valuables they carry with them," Ninjin added.
"And has it worked?" Strond incuired.
Ninjin shrugged. "At least it had evoked negative feelings in them, which is a good start."
"I see…" Strond commented with a hint of sceptism his tone. "Have you seen any suspicious looking activity in this area?"
"Like what?" Tamanegi asked.
"For example, new people with exceptional behavior? Or ships with emblems you don't recognize?" Strond clarified.
The commodore's words brought back a memory of the events of two years ago to the boys' minds. And the promise they had given to their captain.
"We don't usually see new people around here," Piiman informed. "A some traveling salesman came here to sell brushes door to door last year but he left soon."
"Ships never come to our village's beach," Ninjin told. "We have been so many times there, watching the passing ship and usually we can't even see them properly because they are so far away."
"Is that so?" Strond muttered as the commodore stared sternly at the trio. The boys stood still and tried to look like a young model citizens.
After a moment of silence Strond said finally: "If you see here something that seems like an illegal activity, ask your parents to report to the nearest Marine headquarters. And get rid of that emblem or you'll be in serious trouble in the future!"
"Yes, sir!" the former Usopp Pirates promised in unision.
Strond turned his head in the direction of the kitchen's door. "Apprentice Shinbert! We're leaving!" he bellowed so loudly that the boys almost jumped.
A couple of seconds later they heard approaching footsteps and soon Shinbert hurried in the lobby with Kaya and Merry.
"Here I am, Commodore," Shinbert announced as he stopped in front of Strond.
Strond turned his attention at Kaya who was standing nearby with Merry. "From now on you'll report all grievances to the Marines. Is this understood, miss?" he asked sternly.
"Of course, Commodore," Kaya replied with a polite smile. "I wish you a nice day and success with your missions."
Strond nodded curtly and began walking towards the front door followed by Merry. Shinbert saluted Kaya with a smile but he quickly followed his superior after hearing him clear his throat audibly.
"Apprentice, you did the Marine salute incorrectly again. And you don't do it to the civilians," Strond instructed with annoyed tone as he and embarrassed Shinbert left through the door Merry held open.
The lobby's atmosphere relaxed immediately after Merry closed the door. Kaya glanced at the boys with worried expression. "Are you alright, boys? I hope the commodore wasn't too strict with you."
"Everything is alright, Kaya-san," Piiman assured.
"We told him nothing about our captain," Ninjin told with smile.
Kaya smiled in relief. "That's good to hear."
"But what was that talk about the theft of Going Merry?" Piiman asked. "You gave it to Captain and his friends as a thank you for rescuing the village."
"It's true but an employee of a ship registration office found Going Merry's papers short time ago and told about them to the Marines. Commodore Strond came to ask why the ship was no longer owned by me, so I thought that it would be better for everybody if I claim that it was stolen," Kaya told.
"And you also told them that Captain was just a character from my stories. You have become really good at lying, Kaya-san," Tamanegi commented in admiring manner.
"It was impressive how you remained calm the whole time," Ninjin noted with respectful expression.
"Yeah! It was amazing!" Piiman praised.
"That's one more thing I have to worry about," Merry sighed heavily which made Kaya and the boys chuckle.
"But by the way, Kaya-san," Piiman said suddenly. "Have you already read about the victory of the Straw Hat Pirates in Wano?"
"Yes, I have. And Usopp-san's bounty rose too," Kaya replied with a smile. "I'm so proud how far he has gotten with his dream."
"We too but can you believe what Liane-san said? She claimed that it could be better if Captain wouldn't return here since he's a pirate. Isn't that stupid?" Ninjin huffed.
"What?" Kaya gasped, almost slapping her hand over her mouth. "Did she really say that?"
The former Usopp Pirates nodded grimly.
"That's a price of Usopp's dream, unfortunately," Merry noted with serious expression as he placed himself next to his mistress. "Although we know that he isn't an immoral ruffian, the bad reputation of the pirates has given a negative impression of him to others."
Suddenly Tamanegi's eyes widened in horror. "The villagers won't turn against Captain, right?" he asked fearfully, earning worried looks from others.
"I'm sure they won't do that. And when Usopp-san returns, the villagers will see that his heart hasn't changed at all," Kaya assured before her face broke into a smile. "Maybe deep inside they're proud of Usopp-san's achievements but are just too scared to say it aloud."
"Well, that would be nice," Ninjin stated with a slight smile.
The atmosphere was filled with agreeing sounds and trustful smiles. Even if the whole world would proclaim him as an enemy, the sniper of the Straw Hat Pirates would always have his little group of supporters in his home village.
To be continue...