The Pirate King Is Dead - Long Live The Pirate King

Part 3 of a Four Part Saga

By Aoikami Sarah

Chapter Seven - Usopp Returns To Syrup Village

Nami bragged that she had mapped the north of East Blue by the time she was seven years old. As they navigated easily into one of Syrups only feasible landings, no one doubted her. Luffy donned his cloak and helped Nami into the dingy. He picked up the oars before he realized they were alone.

"Usopp?" Nami asked, turning and wondering at him. He remained on the boat, staring at the coast's intimidating cliffs. "What are you waiting for? You're home!"

He turned and faced the sea. "I know," he said, shaking slightly. "I'm scared."

"Eh!" Luffy cocked his head to the side. "Why now? This is the safest place we've visited in years! You've been to way scarier places than this!"

Nami put her hand on his shoulder. "Usopp, you're afraid to see Kaya, aren't you?"

He nodded. "It's been five years," he said, not facing them. "She beautiful, rich and sweet as can be… If she's not married yet, she's probably engaged or…"

"Nonsense," Nami insisted. "You won't know till you ask."

"She's a friend of yours. If you don't at least say 'hi' she'd be sad, right?"

Usopp sighed and turned around. "Right…" he said gloomily. Nami grabbed him by the arm. "Come on," she urged. "The sooner you see her, the sooner you can relax."

Usopp made a nervous whining sound, but allowed her tow lead him away from the boat. Luffy chuckled and raised the cloak hood over his head.

They wandered up through the tiny village and marveled at how little things had changed in the time they'd been gone. Across the way, Usopp scanned the shops for familiar faces. A man emerged from the bakery carrying several bags, boxes and a bouquet of flowers. He was tall, dark haired, incredibly muscular and handsome. He thanked the shop keeper and walked to his next errand.

"See," Usopp moaned. "A guy like that would be perfect for Kaya."

Nami smacked him against the side of his head. "Stop that," she scolded. They were distracted by three things in the small town that had changed in the last five years. Three teens pointed at the group and hurried toward them. Nami tugged Luffy's hood down further and stood between him and them.

"Can it be…?" the one with glasses asked.

"Is it you!" one with hair in his eyes marveled.

"Captain!" the third cried.

Usopp's jaw hung open. "Guys!" he shouted. "I hardly recognized you! Holy crap! You're so tall! Well, most of you," he said, noting that Tamanegi was still quite short. They ogled him right back, noting that Usopp was taller, tanner and muscular. His coveralls were worn and patched several times over, but his goggles and other gear and clothes were like nothing they had ever seen before.

"Where have you been all these years, Captain?" Ninjin asked.

Usopp grinned, his fear abating for a moment. "You wouldn't believe it if I told you…" He leaned in and told them in a deep, serious tone, "the Grand Line!"

"No way!" the shouted.

"It's true," Nami said, putting her hands on her hips. "We were with him." Luffy nodded from under his hood.

Suddenly, Usopp straightened up. "Well, I'd love to say and chat, but I'll be back in a bit!" he shouted and ran off for the countryside.

"Oh, ok…" His confused old friends waved.

"Usopp!" Nami called after him.

"It's ok." Luffy pointed to the mansion on the horizon. "He went that-a-way." Slowly, the couple followed him.

Usopp got to the tall, wrought iron fence and stopped. He had seen the handsome man from earlier head this way. "Can he really live here!" he fretted. One of the maids came out to empty the trash and Usopp darted in through the back door. He had only been in the mansion once, just before he left his home five years ago. He had no idea where to go. Voices startled him and he hid in a small linen closet under a set of stairs.

"Oh, aren't those flowers lovely!" a young maid chimed. Usopp used a sniper's mirror to peer through the crack in the door at her. Sure enough, the handsome man was showing his purchases to her.

"Do you think they'll do with these?" he asked and showed off an expensive box of chocolates.

"Oh, perfect, Ferris! I'm so jealous! You two are so cute!" He laughed and smiled, embarrassed but obviously pleased. "Happy anniversary!" she said, going back to work.

Ferris thanked her and went upstairs. Usopp put his spying device back in his bag and slumped down inside the closet. "What did you expect, Usopp," he muttered to himself. "She's married. She's happy. I mean, duh. He's 'perfect' and cute… not that I'd know anything about that…" he grumbled.

He was so lost in self-pity that he didn't hear the maid approaching the closet until she opened the door. She looked down at the tan, scruffy stranger in her linen closet and paused for a dramatic moment, long enough for Usopp to smile awkwardly before issuing an eardrum-piercing scream.

When Nami and Luffy reached the gates, they could hear a commotion coming from the mansion. Nami's brow twitched. "I don't want to know."

"I do!" Luffy laughed. "Should we go in the front door?"

"Please," Nami replied.

Merry burst into the sun room, startling his mistress. She was seated at a table in the sunshine, surrounded by medical books and journals, a few of which were open or book-marked. A pot of tea sat in the midst of this, forgotten. "Kaya Ojou-sama!" Merry shouted. "I'll protect you!"

Kaya jumped up out of her chair. All traces of her illness were gone. Her pale skin held a healthy glow. "What's going on, Merry!"

"There is an intruder in the house!" he cried and brandished a pistol. Merry stood with his back to her and guarded the door.

"Merry, be careful with that thing!" Kaya warned.

"Don't worry, Ojou-sama. Ferris will find this scoundrel and teach him a lesson," Merry said with a reassuring grin.

"Oh, thank goodness," Kaka said with a sigh. She sat back down and watched the doorway intently, but was sure that she was safe.

In the foyer, Nami rolled her eyes. "What is he doing?" she grumbled. Footsteps resounded through the upper floors, down stairs and around the house as the staff chased Usopp. Luffy pulled his hood down further to try to hide his snickering.

At the top of a staircase at the back of the house, Ferris finally cornered Usopp. "Give it up, Hooligan!" he bellowed. "I won't let you hurt Kaya Ojou-sama!"

"I'm not going to, just let me out of here!" he cried. Ferris lunged at him and Usopp pulled something out of his satchel. "Take this, Mr. Perfect!" he shouted and tossed a flash-bomb at him. Wearing his goggles, Usopp safely made his getaway, jumping down the stairwell. Through the thick, dark lenses he saw daylight to his left and ran for it.

"Hold it right there!" Merry shouted, his voice shaking. He aimed the pistol at the intruder. Recognition dawned on his face as Usopp skidded to a halt. "Can it be…?" he muttered. Behind Merry, Kaya stood and gaped.

Looming behind Usopp, Ferris growled and raised his fist. Usopp followed Merry's startled glance up and turned. "Ferris, no!" Merry cried as the fist met Usopp's face and laid him flat.

To be continued…