Hello everyone. I like to apologize but my updates may be delayed some. I recently lost two family members, my grandfather and his brother. My grandfather was on tour with the Marines during the Agent Orange fiasco in Vietnam. It unfortunately led to him developing liver cancer, the man never drank in his life. It was depressing seeing the man I idolized turned into a wheezing husk, a shell of the former man.

Two weeks later, his brother died from liver cancer as well, though he did drink. After all that, I find out I have move with my parents, to the mountains. We had to move in with my grandmother to help take care of her. She took my grandfather's death hard, they had been married for about 50 years. She became really depressed, turning to wine and smoking to ease her pain. She is also slowly mentally slipping. It is difficult but we're managing.

We are also trying to sell their old house, move everything from ours to here and preparing our old house to sell. Along with all that, I'm having to find a new college and/or job. So my schedule is pretty packed, but I'll try to get uploads done when I can.

Enough of my rambling, Enjoy.


Everyone turned to the doorway of the room to see a figure, shadowed, standing there. James didn't need to look to recognize the man's voice.

Still playing the 'Butler' role, huh Klahadore. I wonder how Luffy is going handle being in front of you again? James looked over at Luffy as he thought this and to his surprise, Luffy hadn't even looked at Klahadore. He was silently and calmly sipping his tea that Merry had prepared earlier.

"Klahadore you're back early from the market." Kaya said.

"Yes," he paused to push his glasses up with palm of his hand, "News of James's return had reached the market and I want to find out for myself, so I came back because I knew I'd find him here." He scanned the room, "Though I didn't expect him to bring company." Then his eyes fell upon Usopp, where there eyes met with an intense glare.

"Usopp."

"Klahadore."

Both spoke with a small amount of edge in their voice, challenging the other. "I thought I made it very clear last time I saw you, to stay away from Miss Kaya. Yet you refused to listen to my warning. Why? Do want something, is it money? Wouldn't surprise me being the son of a filthy pirate…" Klahadore continued with his rant.

Now in another time, if Usopp hadn't met James, he would have reacted violently and struck out at the 'butler'. Instead he remembered what James taught him, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm his anger. When he opened them, gone was Usopp the Liar; in his place was Usopp, Brave warrior of the Sea (in training).

"Klahadore, I may be a renowned liar in the village but there a few things I don't lie about; who I am, who my father is and who my friends are."

Klahadore was taken aback by this. He hadn't expected this kind of reaction out of Usopp. Could James have had that big of an impact on him? James smirked, Well said Usopp. Usopp sighed, "I gonna go blow off some steam."

He walked out of the house as Kaya tried to call him back, "Wait Usopp! That wasn't nice of you Klahadore! I want you to apologize next time you see him."

Klahadore bowed his head, "I'm sorry Miss Kaya. I was just looking after your best interest. I thought that an uncouth man like him would negatively affect you."

Kaya sighed as she turned to James, "I meant to ask, how long do plan to stay?"

"I don't know, as long as it takes for our captain, whom by the way slipped away, to convince Usopp to join our crew." Everyone looked around to see that Luffy had disappeared. "So if I had to guess about 3 to 4 days." Klahadore was furious but kept a cool demeanor. You will not ruin all my planning brat.

Kaya jumped up and down with joy, "Oh fantastic. You all must stay here, I insist."

James nodded, "Okay, okay. Calm down, you really have gotten better." She quieted and blushed from embarrassment, "If you'll excuse me. I need to find our captain before he does something stupid. Again."

TKTP

It was just getting dark and James was just about to give up when he found them sitting on cliff, chatting.

"You know, you two are the hardest people to find. I've been looking all over the island!"

The two shrugged at James, who sighed in defeat, as he sat down joining them. "So what were you talking about?"

Luffy grinned, "I was telling Usopp stories about his dad and Shanks."

Usopp looked in awe, "I still can't believe it, my old man, traveling the seas with a man like Shanks. Wow."

James and Luffy laughed at their friend's amazement. "So Usopp, you have been keeping up with your routine, right." Usopp gulped, nodding; scared of the grin and the twinkle in the brunette's eye, afraid of the consequences. "Good." He said as he went back to normal.

Suddenly voices were heard from below the cliff, on the beach, "…find you sleeping in the middle of the road." All three were peering over the edge, "Hey isn't that the butler dude?" Luffy whispered

Usopp nodded, "Yeah, but what is he doing here at this time?"

James kept quiet, having already known what was going to happen. This was why he hated using his family's special ability, their Time Web. It was what allowed him to see the timeline and all its branches. But like all powers, it also has its pros and cons. Pro: You know everything that happens before it happens. Con: You know everything that happens before it happens. (You just can't win)

"Forgive me Captain K-" The man began but Klahadore cut him off. "I told you before, don't use that name." The man chuckled, "That's right, what do the villagers call you? Oh, that's right Klahadore." Their conversation continued as the three listened in.

After they left, the three stood up, "Okay we first need a plan and we have a day to work with; that's good." James said as he started pacing. "Now we're facing the Black Cat Pirates; that can only mean one thing, Klahadore is Captain Kuro."

Usopp's eyes widened at that notion. "We need traps, on both beaches. Oh, also a battle plan." Usopp snapped out of his trance then, "Wait, you plan on fighting them." James grinned, "Of course, you think I would let you fight alone."

"Yeah and what kind of captain would I be if I abandoned my sniper." Luffy laughed.

"Huh?"

"Oh that's right. I meant to ask, do you want to join my crew as our sniper/marksman?"

At that, Usopp felt conflicted. On one hand he always wanted to sail the seas like his father, but on the other he was worried. Was he really ready? More "What if?" scenarios went through his head before he felt a hand on his shoulder, it was James, who nodded his head at Usopp.

Usopp understood and nodded back. He looked at Luffy, "Yes, I will join your crew captain." They both grinned before shaking the others hands and all three laughed.

TKTP

The next day the Straw Hat Pirates began to discuss their plan for dealing with the pirates. They set up oil and trip wire traps on both hills of the beaches, along with caltrop launchers in case they get past that. In the midst of their discussion, Carrot, Pepper and Onion came up to them, "Captain!"

Usopp looked up at them, "Oh hey guys. Sorry about leaving you guys yesterday. Oh yeah, this is James," gesturing to James, "the one who helped me."

The three looked at James in awe. "Thank you for helping our Captain!" They said, bowing. James scratched the back of his head embarrassed.

"Captain we heard what you're planning and we want to fight too." Onion said

"Yeah, this is our home too. Let us help." Carrot shouted.

"And don't tell us to go run and hide or that you're lying. If you're fighting so are we, you're not only our Captain, you're our friend." Pepper added.

Usopp looked the three with pride, "Okay men. Now you're to follow my orders to the letter, no arguing." The three straightened at seeing their captain being serious. "What I want you three to do is protect Kaya with your lives?" The kids were about to object when Usopp stopped them.

"Guys understand. I'm giving you the most important mission. The pirates are here to kill Kaya and take her fortune. If they get past us, you must make sure Kaya is safe. Do whatever you must, but keep her safe."

The three looked at their captain in amazement before saluting him, "Yes Captain!"

Zoro smirked at the scene, "He sure knows how to motivate."

James nodded, "Story tellers, liars, etc. all weave tales that move people in ways we can't understand. Usopp has been telling tales for a long time, so it comes naturally to him, even if he doesn't realize it. Good people like him are rare." Luffy nodded in agreement.


Timeskip- One Hour before Dawn


"So wait, my dad was a lush last you saw him." Usopp asked.

Makino nodded, "I worked at the Inn, located in the village me and Luffy lived. The Red Haired pirates had settled down there for a while, so I saw a lot of them. People don't know this, but they're actually really nice when not in battle."

Usopp sighed and shook his head. The crew was waiting, on the south slope, for James to return. All he said was that "he was setting up a transportation system".

Suddenly in a bright flash, James appeared in front of the group. "Okay, I set up the marker, so I should be able to transport us to the other slope in case they come that way. What?" Everyone was looking at him shocked at what happened.

Usopp pointed a finger at him, "How did you do that?"

"Do what?"

"That thing. You weren't here then flash, you're here. How?"

"Oh that's a technique I know, and how it works," he looks left then right and then motions for Usopp to come closer. Usopp does and James whispers in his ear, "It's a secret." Usopp face faulted causing James to clutch his gut and laugh. "You have to admit Usopp, you walked into that one."

Usopp grumbled as he got up, but had to admit James was right, not that he would say that out loud.

At the Mansion

Pepper, Onion and Carrot had all woken up early to do their job. They had armed themselves with whatever they had; Pepper a baseball bat, Carrot a frying pan and Onion a shovel. They ran towards Kaya's Mansion, but when they arrived they found the gates open wide and the guards were on the ground bleeding from multiple long slash wounds.

The three looked at each other and gulped before they heard Kaya scream, "Miss Kaya!" They ran into the building to find Kaya kneeling next to a bleeding Merry. Kaya turned to see who had entered, "You guys." They ran over to Merry and tried to help him, "Why are you here?"

"We are here to protect you and make sure you're safe."

"Yeah, it was a direct order from our Captain."

Kaya gasped, "Usopp, why would he do that?"

"He and those other guys are down on the beach. Pirates are coming to attack the town and take your wealth and that evil butler is there captain." Onion said.

Kaya couldn't believe what she was hearing. Suddenly Merry started coughing up blood, "They speak the truth Miss Kaya. This is all Klahadore's doing. I'm sorry, I failed you."

"No Merry, you didn't fail me." She turned to Pepper, "Pepper, go to my room and bring me my medical bag, hurry!" Pepper nodded and ran off. "Don't worry Merry you'll be fine. Trust me, I'm a doctor." Merry weakly laughed at Kaya's little joke.

Straw Hats

James perked his head up, "Huh, do you guys hear that?" Everyone stopped and strained their ears. "Yeah, it sounds like shouting. And it's coming from the northern cliff." Nami responded. James nodded his head.

"Dammit." Usopp said as he clenched his fist. James placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "Hey, take it easy. This is why we have a Plan B." Usopp took a deep breath, calmed down and agreed with James, "Yeah, okay."

"Okay guys, huddle around me. Now make sure each of you have a good hold on me." Everyone did as he said. "Everyone ready, good. Here we go!" The Straw Hats were engulfed in a huge flash of light. When it vanished so did the crew.

TKTP

"Come on you imbeciles! Stop mucking about!" Jango yelled at the group of pirates trying to climb the slope, trying being the key word. The oil slick was keeping them from traversing further. "Hurry up, or have you forgotten how well the captain takes failure!" That seemed to get every moving in fear of what Kuro would do. A bright flash a light appeared at the top of the slope. When the light vanished, the Straw Hat crew stood in its place.

The Black Cat pirates started panicking, "Demons!"

"No Witchcraft!"

"One of them must have eaten a devil fruit."

"Yeah, that's the only explanation."

The Straw Hats

When they appeared everyone but James fell to the ground with nausea. James looked sheepish, "Hehe, did I forget to mention the nausea? Whoops. Well you get used to it, eventually. It'll disappear in minute." After the nausea went away, they finally stood up and looked down at the Black Cat pirates down the slope.

"Oh Come On!" James shouted. Everyone looked at him funny.

"What?" Luffy asked.

"These guys are only grunts. I wanted to fight someone strong." James whined. Luffy laughed at his friend while the rest of the crew sweat dropped, thinking, That's what you're upset about.

Jango was getting really worried now. They were taking too long and if they took too long, Kuro would get mad. Jango shivered at that thought. "Men, the first of you who is able to get up that slope and past those brats will get a bigger cut of the fortune."

The men knew he was trying to persuade them, they didn't like it but knew if they failed, they would face Kuro. They charged up the slope, doing their best to fight the oil. James sighed and sat down, "You guys go ahead, I'll sit out this fight." They nodded and Nami, Zoro and Luffy charged down the slope while Usopp and Makino provided cover fire.

The fight, though James couldn't call it that, was over very quickly. Luffy took out a huge portion of the men along with Zoro, while Nami took out about twenty. James was happy about her progress. He summoned some popcorn from one his scroll and started munching on it, "Oh, it looks like it's getting interesting."

Jango had brought Sham and Buchi out to fight Zoro. Jango pulled out two chakram he used for hypnosis and started to fight Luffy, who used his Armament Haki covered fist. James kept watching when Kuro appeared and gave the pirates an ultimatum, finish off the Straw Hats in 5 minutes or everyone dies.

While everyone was distracted, Nami ran towards Zoro's swords. Unfortunately for her, Jango saw her, "Oh no you don't girlie." He threw one of his chakram at her.

"Tch. Bad mistake on his part." James said aloud.

Luffy saw this and saw red, "NAMI!" As she kicked Zoro's swords to him she turned to see the weapon coming at her. Shit! She thought. Luffy appeared in front of her, taking the chakram to his face.

He then showed that it was in his mouth, which he then broke by biting it. "If you think I'm going to stand by and let you hurt Nami again, think again!"

Again? Nami thought confused. Luffy started attacking Jango with new ferocity. Kuro spoke again, "Three minutes left." Kuro looked over at James curiously, "Why aren't you fighting?" James shrugged not really answering Kuro.

The fight continued when Zoro finally beat the Meowban Brothers and Luffy knocked Jango out, right on the 5 minute mark. Now Kuro was annoyed, "That's it. You imbeciles are useless. If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. Prepare to die, brats!"

"Klahadore!"

Thank you all for reading, see you on the flip side. Ciao.