Never again!
From now on, it's starting to get more interesting. Today I'll be writing on the Syrup Village Arc, so prepare for some action. And thanks for the reviews, I will continue with everything I've got. Sit back and enjoy the story!
Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece
Chapter 5: Usopp the lying hero
After one hour of sailing, talking and laughing, the Strawhats reached Syrup Village. They docked on the northern coast.
Previously, a boy Luffy's age ran from a horde of angry villagers. They were angry because he always lied to them. But as always, the long-nosed liar got away due to his immense running speed and durability. His hiding skills were impressive too.
Said boy and his three loyal followers then noticed the three young pirates coming out of their boat. Not only were those four liars, they were also cowards. So, their captain decided to try scaring the foreign pirates away.
"Hold on pirates, this is territory of the Usopp Pirates! I'm Captain Usopp and have 80 Million men, so better go back where you came from!", the inexperienced pirate lied. His followers waved six flags.
"80 Million? More like three!", Nami spoke, seeing through his obvious lie.
"They found out!", the three kids exclaimed, running away like rabbits.
"O-okay, 80 Million was an overstatement, but I'm still a mighty warrior of the sea, Captain Usopp!", he stated.
"So you're Usopp! That's good, I've finally met you!", Luffy loudly said.
"You've heard of me? I mean, of course you've heard of me, I'm Captain Usopp!", the boy lied – again.
"Your father Yasopp always told me about you.", Luffy told, sounding truthful.
"Wait, you know my father?", Usopp asked, his interest arosen.
"Yes, he was in my village when I was young, he used to tell me a lot about how great you are.", Luffy explained.
"If that's the case, how about I invite you to a meal?", he offered. "There you can tell me abou my father."
"Sounds great!", Luffy called, excited about the meal. "By the way, I'm Monkey D. Luffy, future king of the pirates."
…
In a small restaurant, the Usopp Pirates and the Strawhat Pirates talked about what they've done and Luffy told his future sniper about his father.
"… and that's how he left.", Luffy finished. Usopp had stars in his eyes, admiring the fact that his father is one of a yonko's best men.
"Now that's what I call an interesting childhood!", Zoro commented.
Nami didn't say anything. 'His childhood was a lot better than mine', she thought, remembering the bad things Arlong did to her and her family.
Usopp then looked at his pocket watch, realizing he's got to go. He stood up, put some money on the table and ran off. "I gotta go now, can't say where!", he loudly exclaimed, running at high speed.
His nakama, who came in a minute later, walked over to the Strawhats. They saw Zoro rubbing his stomach, so they assumed something weird.
"W-where is our captain?", one of them asked, scared of the Strawhats.
"Your captain", Zoro began, scaring the three even further, "was delicious!"
"AAAAAAH! THEY'RE CANNIBALS!", they screamed in a unison, running for their lives.
"Are they for real?!", Nami yelled, annoyed by their gullibility.
"Letsh ook fo' Yusop! (Let's look for Usopp!)", Luffy exclaimed with lots of meat in his mouth.
'Ugh, that glutton!', both Nami and Zoro thought, annoyed by their captain's bottomless pit.
…
On the other side of Syrup Village, there was a mansion where Kaya, Usopp's girlfriend lived. Usopp went there every day to cheer her up with his stories, because she was sick and her parents died a year ago. However, her butler Klahadore AKA Captain Kuro was against it, saying Usopp was "bad influence" for her.
This time, like many other times, Klahadore went to check the garden. He wasn't surprised to see Usopp there. "Miss Kaya, haven't I told you so many times to stay away from garbage?", he scolded, deliberately not addressing Usopp, due to him being disgusted by the lying boy.
"Klahadore, Usopp isn't garbage!", she scolded back, defending the boy she cares for.
"He is, he is the son of a pirate, a pirate! These criminals should all be thrown into prison, and never be allowed to get out again!", he shouted.
"Hey! At least my father is a proud man!", Usopp yelled, defending his father's pride.
"A pirate's pride isn't worth anything, they're all dirty-", he was about to say, until he was interrupted.
"AAAAAAH!", a bunch of people screamed, who came flying over the mansion's fence. They were Ninjin, Tamanegi, Piiman, Nami, Zoro, and Luffy.
"Oh no, even more unwanted intruders.", Klahadore muttered.
"Captain Usopp, you're alive!", Ninjin, Tamanegi and Piiman exclaimed, happy to see their captain.
"What? Of course I'm alive, who told you I was dead?", Usopp asked.
"I-I thought you were eaten!", Ninjin cried.
"Eaten by this scary man!", Piiman cried, pointing at Zoro.
"We thought we lost our captain!", Tamanegi added, almost crying.
"Ahem, I've had enough of all of you! You seven, leave now and leave this house and Miss Kaya alone!", the butler ordered.
Usopp wanted to punch him, but Luffy held him back. "Leave him Usopp, he's not worth it."
The captain of the Straw Hat Pirates decided it would be the best if they left. Despite Usopp's heavy protests, he took him with him and left Kaya's property. After leaving, Usopp wanted to yell at Luffy, but he told him other things.
"Why did you stop me from punching him? He insulted my father! And worse than that, he insulted my father's pride!", Usopp yelled, furious at Luffy.
"He's not worth it Usopp.", Luffy just said. "People like him aren't worth the energy and time you would waste on them."
"But-", the long nose began, but Luffy interrupted him.
"We can talk about this later, how about a walk to the cliffs to calm down?", he suggested.
"Yeah alright.", the sharpshooter mumbled.
…
After some minutes of walking and a few discussions, Usopp started to laugh again. He quickly forgot the event with the fake butler. But his happiness was short-lived. As they were on the cliffs, they looked down to see Captain Kuro and his first mate Jango. The two pirates were talking about their plan consisting of killing Kaya and the entire population of Syrup Village. After that they would rob all their belongings and escape.
Usopp felt rage building up inside of him. Luffy felt it too, but he didn't express it. To prevent Kuro and Jango from hearing them, Luffy put his hand in on Usopp's mouth, closing it effectively. Despite heavy protests from Usopp, Luffy held his friend's mouth shut until the two top Black Cat Pirates disappeared. Then Luffy took his hand off Usopp's mouth.
"WHY DID YOU PUT YOUR HAND ON MY MOUTH?", Usopp angrily asked, just as Luffy expected.
"What would you think would happen if they heard us?", Luffy asked back.
Usopp was calm. "I guess you're right, but I've got to warn my people, they're in danger, especially Kaya!", the sniper spoke.
"Don't bother.", Luffy began. "They wouldn't listen to you, since you're known as the liar of the village… WAIT, THAT'S IT!"
"What is it, Luffy?", Usopp curiously asked.
"Run through your village and yell 'Pirates aren't coming tomorrow at sunrise from the northern coast!'. Since they are not going to believe you, they will prepare themselves.", The 17-year-old said.
"Yes, you're right, I will just use my lies! Thanks for this idea Luffy, you're a genius!", Usopp exclaimed.
"Yosh, go to your village now, and I'll go tell my nakama.", Luffy spoke, running off.
…
"PIRATES AREN'T COMING TOMORROW AT SUNRISE FROM THE NORTHERN COAST, PIRATES AREN'T COMING TOMORROW AT SUNRISE FROM THE NORTHERN COAST!", Usopp yelled, running through the village.
"What bullshit is this rascal talking again?", a villager angrily asked to his neighbor.
"He's saying that pirates aren't coming tomorrow at sunrise from the northern coast, but that's surely a lie.", the neighbor answered.
"But if that's a lie… Oh no, quick! Tell everyone to arm themselves and be at the northern coast at sunrise!", the villager shouted, fearing for his village.
Luffy already told his nakama about all this and observed the situation from a hill above. 'Oh Usopp, you're the best liar I've ever seen!', he thought.
…
The next day was pretty calm. Everything was silent, nobody was to see. Captain Kuro marched down the road down to the northern coast. From the furthest depth of the horizon, a pirate ship approached it was the ship of the Black Cat Pirates. After some time, the ship landed. First mate Jango came out of the ship to meet his captain.
"Is everything going as planned?", Jango asked.
"Yes, they didn't realize anything. Now call all men, we're ready to attack!", Kuro ordered.
The villagers who watched from the woods stared at Kuro in disbelief. All this time they haven't suspected 'Klahadore' of being Captain Kuro.
As the Black Cat Pirates started running up the road that leads to the village, the inhabitants of Syrup Village blocked their way.
"We have seen everything, Captain Kuro!", a villager snarled, spitting the last two words out like they were venom. "We might not be as strong as your crew, but we will defend our village to the last man!"
"Hahahaha!", Kuro laughed. "Defending your village? What a futile attempt! But since you've discovered my true identity, I will have to kill every single one of you insects in cold blood."
"You won't lay a single finger on them!", a male teenage voice yelled from the shadows.
"Who is there? Show yourselves immediately!", Kuro angrily ordered.
Seven people came out of the shadows. They were the Usopp Pirates and Straw Hat Pirates, their captains leading their nakama respectively.
"Ah, it's just you brats! Just thinking alone of being somehow able to defeat us is an insult for me, this especially applies to the Usopp Pirates!", Kuro spat.
"Don't you ever make fun of me again! I might not have 80 Million men or been to the sea once, but I am a proud warrior who will save his village and defeat you once and for all!", Usopp declared.
The inhabitants of Syrup Village didn't think much of the village's liar before, but this time, they were truly impressed by his courage and love for his home.
"Don't make me laugh! You're nothing but filthy garbage, just like I told you yesterday at Kaya's mansion.", the 16 Million Berry man snarled.
"The only garbage here is you, Klahadore."
The voice came from a blonde girl Usopp's age, who came walking down the road in a big coat. Kaya.
"Well well, if it isn't my main target!", Kuro laughed. "Tell me, what did you see when you stepped in the living room?"
"My loyal servant Merry covered in blood, thanks to you, Captain Kuro.", she coldly said, pulling out a flintlock, shocking everybody.
"Now now, take that down Miss Kaya, weapons are not toys.", he mocked her.
"Did you kill my parents?", she asked in a rather loud tone, but hiding her anger.
"As much as I wanted to kill you, your parents really died due to sickness.", Kuro explained.
"Why did you want to kill me, Kuro?", she asked, tears coming out of her eyes.
"Do you remember the beautiful memories we shared, Miss Kaya? Remember when we went shopping, ate the cakes you made, and sang together? They were beautiful memories – to you. To me however, all of it was an ordeal. Three years ago, I came here to give up my life as a pirate. I've had enough of being chased by the Marines. At first I made Jango hypnotize a crew member of mine to believe he's me, Captain Kuro. Luckily, he was looking similar enough, so that the stupid Marines actually believed he was me. When a Marine ship attacked us AGAIN, I killed everyone on board except one, former Lieutenant Commander Morgan. I ordered Jango to make him believe he captured me. So he brought my lookalike, Nugire Yainu, back to 153rd Branch. After Yainu was executed under the name of Captain Kuro, Morgan was promoted to Captain. To really make people believe I am dead, I came here to live a new life, as butler of your family, Miss Kaya. Now I ask you something: Can you imagine the painful humiliation a pirate captain who was once worth 16 Million Berry had to suffer after becoming a servant of a spoiled little girl? To recompensate my suffering, I have to kill you and gain your inheritance.", Kuro coldly answered.
Everybody looked at Kuro as if he was a monster. Kaya just dropped the weapon and sank to her knees. It was almost impossible for her to digest the hurtful words that came out of this monster's mouth. Usopp, seeing how he hurt his precious girlfriend, couldn't control his feelings either. He lashed at Kuro with his fist at full force, giving his cheek a red mark.
"How dare you do this to Kaya, you monster!", he yelled at Kuro.
Kuro, already angry, finally lost control. "You insolent little rat! You're gonna pay for laying your filthy hand on my face. I sentence you to death."
Usopp was shaking in fear. Kuro was getting out his claws, which were beyond deadly. After attaching his claws, Kuro prepared to slash Usopp's face, but Luffy anticipated.
"Gomu Gomu no Pistol!", Luffy exclaimed, hitting Kuro with his arm stretched forward.
"Ah, a devil fruit user!", Kuro called. "Time to attack, men! Kill everybody who's in your way!"
The Black Cat Pirates attacked. The normal pirates fought with the villagers and easily overpowered them. Nami helped the villagers and knocked some normal pirates out. Zoro fought with the Nyaban brothers, but easily defeated them due to his new 'Tora Gari' technique. Usopp and his nakama ran away protecting Kaya. And Luffy fought with Kuro himself.
"I will not let you thwart my plan! Nuki Ashi!", Kuro shouted.
'To others he may seem extremely fast, but in my eyes he's moving like a snail.', Luffy thought. He then dodged him.
"You're fast, but not as fast as me! Creeping Cat!", the former butler shouted, determined to take the strawhat down..
Luffy dodged him again and again, due to the fact that his techniques are slower than CP9's Soru.
"If sheer speed alone can't defeat you, I'll use my deadly claws! Shakushi!", Kuro yelled.
His technique was the same as before, only with claws. Luffy easily grabbed his hands and crashed his claws deep in a rock. The 17-year-old then stomped his hands on the ground, breaking the claws.
"No! My claws!", Kuro yelled in anger.
Luffy then jumped high in the air to execute his final attack. "Gomu Gomu no Stamp Gatling!"
Feet came down in Kuro's face like rain. It felt like one thousand anvils hitting him. Captain Kuro then went down as the loser, much to each spectator's shock.
After coming down from the air, the Strawhat glared at the remaining conscious Black Cat Pirates. He then spoke to Jango. "Gather together your damn crew including your captain, then leave this island and never come back! Once you've done that, go to the closest Marine base and hand them over your captain. Tell them I was the one who defeated him. My name is Monkey D. Luffy, and if you refuse to comply my orders, I'll make you sorry, understand?"
Jango was terrified to the core by that teenager. "U-understand, Strawhat, please don't kill me!", he screamed, running away like a coward.
The villagers started cheering for Luffy. "You saved our village!", they cheerfully exclaimed.
Kaya however, cheered for Usopp instead of Luffy. "You're my hero, Usopp!", she spoke, making the lying sniper blush.
Nami and Zoro just watched the scene. 'What a strong captain we have!', they thought, somewhat happy to be Luffy's nakama.
"Now everyone.", Luffy began. "If you make copies of this flag,", Luffy explained, showing the people of Syrup Village the jolly roger of the Straw Hat Pirates, "it would mean that this village is under our protection."
Some citizens disagreed. "But you're a pirate, and we just got attacked by pirates!", one of them spoke.
"Listen, there are good pirates and bad Marines. We, the Straw Hat Pirates, are some of those good pirates, who want to tell the world that not all pirates are bad. So please accept this gift, it won't cost you a single Berry.", Luffy explained.
"If you're telling the truth, we are gladly accepting your offer!", a villager said, others agreeing with him.
"Let's have a banquet for our saviours!", a man loudly suggested.
"Oh yeah, that sounds great!", Luffy exclaimed, excited about all the meat he's going to eat.
…
Later that day, the Usopp Pirates and Straw Hat Pirates visited Kaya who had invited them. She wanted to give them a special present for what they've done. Merry was with her. He was there to show them the present.
"This is the 'Going Merry'!", he spoke, showing the friendly pirates a real ship.
"WOW!", both Luffy and Usopp exclaimed with stars in their eyes.
Nami and Zoro were impressed too, but they decided to keep it silent.
"I have designed it and am proud of it, although it's not the greatest ship.", he further explained. "Miss Kaya is giving you this as a present. There's also some food inside, so that you have something to eat while overseas."
Luffy then turned to Kaya. "Thank you very much, it's so great!"
"My pleasure.", she said after shyly giggling.
The Straw Hat Pirates got on their new ship to admire it and then set sail. Their captain walked over to the rear side of the ship. "Oi Usopp!", he exclaimed. "Come with us!"
"Whaat?! You want me to come with you?", he asked, staring at Luffy in (positive) disbelief.
"It's not a request, it's an order! From now on you're the sniper of the Straw Hats.", his new captain answered.
"But I can't leave, Kaya is-", he began, but was interrupted by the girl he mentioned. "Usopp, I will stay to become a doctor, once I'm healed, I will be able to look after myself. And you can become the brave warrior of the sea you always wanted to be."
"O-okay!", he shouted, running to his house to get his stuff. One day he promised Kaya to become a brave warrior of the sea, and he didn't want to break his promise.
…
A few minutes later, Usopp came back with his stuff. His own Nakama were unhappy due to their captain leaving.
"Captain Usopp, I know we can't stop you, so please become a brave warrior of the sea!", Tamanegi cried out, tears flowing down his eyes.
"Captain!", Piiman and Ninjin cried.
"Usopp Pirates, from now on *sob* this crew will be disbanded, so always look after yourselves!", the fourth member of the Straw Hat Pirates shouted, crying.
"Ready to set sail!", Nami exclaimed, addressing Luffy.
"Leeet's goo!", Luffy cheerfully exclaimed.
Zoro was just smirking and Usopp still had tears in his eyes.
While slowly sailing away, the four pirates waved their hands at their five friends standing on newly claimed Straw Hat Territory.
Oh man, this chapter was even longer than the one before! But then again, this is the entire Syrup Village Arc in one chapter. So what do you think of the Straw Hats claiming territories? Leave it in the comments! Also, Nami and Zoro sometimes have the same thoughts and act the same, eventual ZoNa maybe? Leave it in the comments! Constructive criticism allowed. Rate and review if you like.