Usopp woke up to the smell of eggs cooking. He rolled out of bed and shuffled into the kitchen, where he found Nami preparing breakfast.

"Morning," she said without turning around. Usopp stared in wonder: The eggs were turning themselves over in the pan, and as he watched, the pepper sprinkled itself in, and the pan lifted itself from the stovetop, separating the eggs onto two waiting plates.

Nami caught the pan before it fell, set it in the sink, and turned around with a smile, holding her wand. "Breakfast is on."

Usopp blinked. "Uh . . . yeah. Okay."

He sat himself while Nami brought the food to the table.

"That was . . . really amazing," he said in awe.

Nami grinned. "Do you think so? It's not anything too special."

"But it is!" Usopp took a bite, waving an arm as he spoke. "It's so cool, seeing things working by themselves like that, and you make it look so easy!"

"Innate talent," Nami said, though she held her head high with a proud blush. "I'm more relieved you reacted the way you did, really."

"Even if I was a jerk about it, you probably could've done something terrible to me with magic," Usopp pointed out, shuddering at the thought.

"I would've had to remember the spell for wiping memories," Nami said. "I always forget what it is. And by the way, you need to go to the market today."

"Right, right," Usopp said. He made a face. "You need mushrooms again?"

Nami hesitated. "Maybe I don't. I'm thinking about giving up."

"Giving up?"

"Those mushrooms . . . I had needed them for a potion I was experimenting with," she said absently. "Something for permanently getting rid of scars. I haven't had much luck so far."

"Scars?"

Nami lifted her shirt, showing him her stomach and chest. They was marred with horrible whitish scarring, a sight which made Usopp gasp.

"When did you get those?" he exclaimed.

"When I died by falling," she said matter-of-factly, dropping her shirt again. "Anyway, don't bother with the mushrooms."

Usopp sat back. "Okay."

They ate in silence, and once they'd finished, they went to the parlor.

"How'd you like to approach tonight?" Nami asked, pursing her lips thoughtfully.

Usopp coughed. "It's gonna be a bit awkward. I ran away in the middle of the dance last night."

Nami pinched the bridge of her nose. "Okay, let's think this through . . ."

"Usopp!"

"Hey, bro!"

Usopp grinned as he sat at a table in the workshop, resting his head in his arms. "Hey!" He had brought the groceries back home not long ago and had time left before he had to go to work.

"Sorry you had to miss the ball," Chopper exclaimed. "It was really fun!"

"Was it?"

"There was a really suspicious guy," Franky said with a scowl. "Had a Pinocchio nose, and he acted like he knew us."

"He was a secret agent," Chopper explained.

Usopp glanced away, shifting where he sat. "Oh."

Franky tilted his head. "You okay, bro?"

"Yeah."

"Alright." Franky grinned. "Other than that, it was great! Hope you had a good night, yeah?"

"Mm-hm. Nami and I just played cards," Usopp lied, "and I went to bed early. Pretty boring night."

"Can you tell a story while you're here?" Chopper asked hopefully.

Usopp grinned. "But of course! Any requests?"

"Make up something with the secret agent man!" Chopper exclaimed.

Usopp coughed. "Oh! Uh, okay!" He cleared his throat. "Once upon a time, in a quaint little town, there was a poor man. Despite his lack of wealth, he was content with his life; he had good friends, a roof over his head, and food to eat. But one day, a surprise came: the man happened to meet with the King himself!"

"This sounds . . . familiar," Franky remarked. "Go on."

"The poor man fell in love with the King," Usopp continued with a smile. "It was love at first sight! No, perhaps not first—perhaps second, or third—but one way or another, the peasant had a hopeless crush."

"What'd he do?" Chopper exclaimed, eyes shining. Franky gestured to him and he hurried over to pass Franky some heavy machinery.

"As it happened, a royal ball was to be held," Usopp continued, clenching his fist, "but the peasant was convinced he could not attend, as poor as he was. And he was ready to accept this . . . until he met with someone wonderful!"

Usopp grinned. "It was a woman who knew of his situation, and she wished to help him. She told him she was his, uh, fairy godmother, and she could get him to the ball! Before the man knew what was happening, she had waved a magic wand and granted him fine clothes and a fine mask to wear!"

Franky smiled. "Uh-huh. What next?"

"Naturally, the man hurried to the ball at once! It took quite some time, but the King himself joined in the dance, and the man, brave as ever (for he was very brave, I assure you), asked the King to dance!"

Usopp paused to clear his throat. "The brave man was happy to dance with his love at last, and he hoped the King felt the same way . . . but alas! When the clock began to strike the midnight chimes, he felt the magic begin to fade! At risk of being discovered, he fled the scene . . . vowing to return to see the King, if he was able."

Usopp took a deep breath and found Chopper and Franky staring at him.

"What?"

"We didn't mention the part where the secret agent danced with King Sanji," Chopper said, frowning. "Or when he ran out the door at midnight. How'd you know?"

Usopp jumped up. "Shoot, I'm running late, I have to get to the tavern! Part two of the story will be revealed tomorrow!"

He ran out of the shop.

Customers milled around the tavern and greeted Usopp amiably as he entered, heading for the back room.

"Hey, Usopp," Koala said, smiling. "There you are."

"I'm a little late, I know, sorry," Usopp exclaimed, disappearing and returning with his things. "Got held up talking to Chopper and Franky—"

"Well, we'll chat later, I've got customers to attend to," she said with a grin. Usopp hurried to his corner to set his things up while Koala returned to her work.

As usual, the customers thinned out as the sun sank in the sky, and by the time sunset came, the tavern was empty save for Koala, Usopp, Zoro, and Brook.

"Too bad you missed the ball, Usopp," Koala said, throwing him a cheeky grin.

"Ah, yeah," Usopp said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh, hope you had a good time?"

"The food was good," Zoro said with a nod. He glanced at Brook. "By the way, I've been meaning to ask, how'd you get a gig with the musicians there?"

"It was as simple as sending a letter to King Sanji," Brook said with a chuckle. "I played a song for him, he liked my music, and the rest is history."

"Speaking of King Sanji . . . someone got a dance with him," Koala said with a sneaky smile at Usopp.

Usopp sat up straighter, failing to hide a smile. "Oh? What was he like?"

Zoro frowned. "How'd you know it was a he?"

Usopp gulped. "Uh, I talked to Franky and Chopper earlier, they mentioned someone, so I just guessed."

"Hm." Zoro spun his mug on the counter, watching it wobble. "Then they already told you what he was like, right?"

"Chopper called him a secret agent, but that's about it."

"Well . . ." Koala looked up in thought. "I talked to him before the dance. He was a bit weird, but pretty nice. He knew my name for some reason, too . . ."

"I didn't get a good look at him, but he seemed familiar for some reason," Brook remarked. Zoro gave a nod of assent.

"Anyway, he ran out the door at midnight," Koala finished. She glanced at Usopp again. "Wow, I thought for sure you'd be more upset. What're you smiling about?"

"Nothing!" Usopp exclaimed, ducking behind the canvas. He peeked around again. "Upset?"

"Oh, never mind," Koala said, rolling her eyes.

They looked up as the door opened and two people entered.

"Evening," Sanji said with a smile, accompanied by Luffy. "I hope you all enjoyed the ball?"

Usopp ducked behind his canvas as the others assured him it was lovely and thanked him for the event.

"Usopp—red wine, please—I didn't see you there," Sanji added, glancing to where Usopp had hidden himself. He paid for his drink and went over to sit next to him, pulling himself up a chair while Luffy sat at the bar to chat with Zoro and Brook.

"Um . . ." Usopp swallowed nervously. "I-I'm . . . sorry, Your Majesty, I couldn't make it."

"Oh, too bad," Sanji said in disappointment. "I was looking everywhere for you . . ."

"I—what? Why?" Usopp exclaimed. "Uh, I'm, I don't mean to be rude, Sire—"

Sanji sighed. "Never mind." He watched Usopp out of the corners of his eyes as he went on, "I did get a dance with a nice young man."

Usopp straightened up, barely hiding a grin. "Oh? Th—That's great!"

"I never got a look under his mask, but I'm sure he was very handsome," Sanji continued. "He had a lovely voice, too."

"Thank y—that is, I'm—very happy for you, Sire," Usopp said in a high-pitched voice, smiling.

Sanji's own smile faded and he stood, finishing off his wine. "We should go," he said abruptly. "Luffy, come on."

"But we just got here," Luffy complained.

"I said we're leaving." Sanji placed his glass on the counter and offered a tip and a smile for Koala. "Thank you as always."

Koala nodded. Once Sanji and Luffy left, she turned to Usopp and threw a washcloth at him.

"Hey!" he exclaimed indignantly. "What was that for?!"

"You're such an idiot!" she exclaimed, now throwing a wet rag. It slapped against his face and he peeled it off, blinking in confusion.

"What did I do?" he demanded.

"Can I throw things, too?" Zoro asked.

"Hey!"

Koala huffed and crossed her arms. "Your work day's about over," she informed Usopp. "Start cleaning up."

"Um . . . okay," Usopp said, gathering his things and carrying them to the back room, cautiously eyeing her for fear she would start hurling things again.

"Did anything interesting happen at work?" Nami asked as they ate dinner together.

Usopp relayed what had happened with Sanji. Nami promptly threw a piece of bread at his face.

"Not you, too!" he exclaimed indignantly. "I don't know what I did!"

"You are an idiot!"

"You can't just say that without explaining why!"

Nami folded her arms with a glare. "You would not believe me even if I told you! Now hurry up and eat if you want to meet him."

"You are sure you don't want him to know yet?" Nami asked, leaning against the wall by the front door.

"Of course I don't!" Usopp exclaimed. "I said it before, there's no way he'd like me like this—" He gestured to his cheap overalls, spotted with paint. "I need to work up to it, okay?"

Nami stared at him and sighed very loudly.

"What?!"

"You are stupid." She raised her wand. "Get out of here as soon as the clothes appear—I can give you until ten. The more time you have, the better."

Usopp held still, eyeing the wand apprehensively despite that he knew Nami would not harm him.

Nami repeated the chant from the previous evening, and as before, Usopp's clothes were replaced with finer things, a mask covered his face, and his ears were nowhere to be found.

"Seriously, what's with the missing ears?" he said, feeling the sides of his head. "It's so weird—"

"Go," Nami reminded him, suddenly clutching his shoulder as if using it for support.

"Right, okay! Thank you, I'll be back later!"

Usopp turned away and hurried out the front door. As soon as it shut, Nami shuffled against the walls, her vision growing dark as she fell across the couch into unconsciousness.

Usopp hurried down the street, glancing around. Few people were out that late, and no one paid him any mind.

It was not long before he reached the castle. With a deep breath, he ascended the stairs, confident that he would not be recognized for who he was.

"Halt," ordered the guard (Sabo) at the door. Usopp froze. "What business have you here?"

Usopp cleared his throat. "I request . . . an audience with King Sanji," he said, his tone growing bold. "I must speak with him about recent events."

Sabo eyed him. "Oh, you're from last night," he said at last. "I'll fetch him, but you're to leave immediately if he refuses."

Usopp gave him a nod, and Sabo entered the castle. He twiddled his thumbs as he waited, scratched his nose, glanced around—

"It's you."

Sanji stood at the entrance, staring at Usopp curiously. Sabo stood nearby, fidgeting.

"Your Majesty," Usopp said, dipping his head. "I wanted to apologize for fleeing last night. The ball was lovely, and you are a wonderful dancer . . . but I had an important matter to attend to. That is all."

"I see." Sanji cocked his head. "Well, thank you."

Usopp hesitated where he stood. "I . . ."

Sanji gave him an almost sad smile. "Would you like to come inside? I've made cake."

"Y—Yes, thank you, Sire," Usopp exclaimed in surprise.

"You, too," Sanji added to Sabo.

"What about guarding the doors?" Sabo said indignantly, though he seemed happy at the prospect of cake.

"Forget it, I'm sure these old things can do without an escort for now," Sanji said carelessly, patting the wood. "That cake won't eat itself."

Sabo sighed and followed him, Usopp trailing behind.

The room seemed so empty without the crowd from the ball and the buffet table. It was sparkling clean as if scrubbed by magic. Sanji led Sabo and Usopp to a door behind the thrones, after which they went down a hallway and turned left into a lovely room with a long dining table.

At the head of the table was an interesting sight: A fluffy coconut cream cake sat covered on the table, and Luffy and Ace were reaching for it with pained looks, the only things stopping them being the woman Usopp had seen next to Sanji the previous night and—to his surprise—the girl he had seen at the ball with the blue hair. Her mask was gone, revealing lovely large eyes, and her dress was not quite as formal; the choker still rested around her neck.

"Welcome back," the woman said pleasantly without looking up or releasing Luffy from the headlock. "And who is our guest?"

"Robin, lemme go," Luffy whined. He paused. "Guest?"

He and Ace looked up, momentarily distracted from their mission, to see Usopp standing behind Sanji and Sabo.

"Oh, you're the guy from last night," Ace said at last. He yawned and glanced behind him. "Hey, let go . . ."

The girl shook her head, refusing to release him from the bear hug. "King Sanji said to not touch it right now," she reminded him.

"I did," Sanji agreed. He motioned for Sabo and Usopp to follow as he approached the four. With a scowl, he looked at Ace and Luffy and said, "You guys can't even wait a damn minute?"

"Nope," Luffy said. He wriggled under Robin's grip. "Lemme go!"

"Shall I?" Robin asked Sanji.

Sanji tapped his chin. "Oh, I don't know . . ."

"Hey!"

"Sure. You, too," he added to the girl with a smile. Ace and Luffy were released, and both dove for the cake but were promptly stopped by Sanji flinging a leg up to block them.

"I'm going to cut it, just wait," he hissed. They sat down impatiently as the other two seated themselves. Sabo started reaching for the cake when Sanji turned his back, but Robin gave him a very stern look and he meekly retreated.

"Where are the . . . Robin?" Sanji said distractedly.

Robin placed plates, forks, and a cake slicer upon the table.

"You're wonderful," Sanji said gratefully. He glanced at Usopp. "Well, what are you standing around for? Sit, sit . . ."

Usopp quickly seated himself next to Luffy, who was busy staring at the cake.

"Sire, you said you made this?" Usopp said, now drawing attention.

"Oh, yes, I love to cook," Sanji said as he sliced up the cake, serving it upon the plates. "I made quite a bit of the food from last night."

"It was all delicious," Usopp said in wonder as he received his slice. "You're a fantastic cook, Sire."

Sanji smiled proudly. "Oh, sorry, let me introduce you all," he said suddenly. "These are Luffy, Ace, and Sabo, my guards; Robin, my lovely advisor; and this young lady is—"

"More," Luffy demanded, holding up his empty plate with Ace.

"How did you—oh, never mind," Sanji said in exasperation. He gave them each another slice, and then Sabo one when he held up his plate hopefully as well.

"And . . . I never got your name," Sanji added to Usopp. The others stared at him expectantly, Robin and the girl eyeing him curiously. Robin murmured something to the girl, who gave a nod in response.

"My name," Usopp said. "My name is—"

"Why don't you have ears?" Luffy interrupted, staring at the side of his head.

Usopp self-consciously clapped his hands over where his ears should have been. "It's nothing, don't worry!"

The girl clasped her hands together, staring at Usopp pensively.

"Your name?" Sanji repeated, settling down at last.

Not Usopp, don't say Usopp, think of something cool, what did Franky say the other day, something about Japanese—

"So-ge-King-Sanji," Usopp said, a little too quickly.

Sanji frowned. "Pardon?"

"Excuse me—Sogeking, Sire," Usopp repeated, going with his mistake.

"Interesting name," Robin murmured, eyeing Usopp speculatively. "Not your given one, I would imagine . . ."

"It is a nickname," Usopp agreed. "For I am known as the finest marksman throughout the land."

He tried the cake and found it delicious. Indeed, he was quite the sniper, though he had only ever practiced with a slingshot and a tree.

"Are you now?" Sanji said with a smile. "Yet I've never heard of you."

"Sadly, 'Finest marksman' is not a well-spread title," Usopp said mournfully, shaking his head in despair.

"Right, yes," Sanji said in amusement.

"How was your day, Sire?" Sabo asked, glancing at Usopp curiously.

Sanji sighed. "Not too good."

"He got rejected," Luffy announced.

"Thank you," Sanji snapped.

"Rejected?" Usopp repeated.

Sanji shook his head. "I'm very interested in someone, but . . . I don't think he reciprocates."

"You're in love with someone?!"

The table turned to stare at Usopp at his outburst, and he shifted nervously.

"My apologies," he whispered.

Sanji raised an eyebrow. "No worries. I do like someone, yes, but if he doesn't return the sentiment . . ." He shook his head. "I should try to move on."

Robin leaned over and patted his shoulder comfortingly, while the girl next to her smiled sadly.

"Mr. . . . Sogeking," she said, turning to Usopp, "if I may . . . why do you not remove your mask?"

Luffy reached for the mask, intending to take it, but Usopp leaned away. "I should not remove it," he said by way of explanation. "For you see . . . I am under a terrible curse!"

Sanji snorted. "Hate to disappoint, Mr. Sogeking, but curses aren't real unless you mean the swearing kind. Your story's fanciful enough as it is, isn't it?"

"I—"

Robin cleared her throat. "With all due respect, Sire . . . curses and magic and the like are indeed real."

The others looked at her in surprise, and the girl sitting next to her shifted in her seat.

"What do you mean?" Sanji said at last.

"This may sound odd, but I can sometimes sense magic in the air," Robin continued. Her eyes flickered to Usopp and she gave him a subtle wink. "It's happened before."

"Oh . . . huh." Sanji turned back to Usopp. "In that case, Mr. Sogeking . . . what kind of curse would cause you to keep your mask on?"

Usopp bowed his head. "It has given me a hideous appearance," he said dramatically. "Men have fainted at the sight of my visage, and I am forced to wear this mask lest I spread fear and horror."

Sanji cocked an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

"I wanna see," Luffy insisted, reaching for the mask again. Robin gave him a stern look and he backed off.

"Why were you cursed?" Sabo asked, eyeing the mask curiously.

Usopp heaved a sigh. "'Twas my own fault, I'm afraid! One fine day I was practicing archery, and a stray arrow made its way into a sorcerer's yard. He threatened to take my bow and arrow, and I grew bold and stated that he could take my possessions, but never my good looks! As luck would have it, he cursed me on the spot, and I've been hideous ever since. In fact, it was this very same curse which took away my ears, though thankfully not my hearing."

"You're quite the storyteller," Sanji remarked with a smile.

Unseen, Usopp's eyes widened. "Th—Thank you, Sire," he said, struggling to keep his voice a normal pitch.

Ace nestled his head into his arms, falling asleep in seconds.

"Sabo, should we take him to bed?" Luffy asked, poking Ace's arm.

"Yeah," Sabo agreed, standing. He looked to Sanji. "Thank you for dessert, it was delicious as always."

"Yeah, his cooking's the best," Luffy agreed. He and Sabo got on either side of Ace and hoisted him up, half-carrying, half-dragging him out of the room.

"Mr. Sogeking, I see you've finished as well," Sanji said, looking to Usopp's empty plate.

"Oh, yes—I've never had a better cake," Usopp said, and this, at least, was not a lie.

Sanji smiled. "That's good to hear," he said happily.

"I'll clear these away," Robin offered, standing. She glanced at the girl. "Would you like to help wash dishes, or would you rather retire?"

"I'll help," the girl said, standing. "It's no trouble at all."

"Really, I can do it," Sanji said gently.

The girl shook her head. "You know I don't mind, Sire . . ."

Robin gathered the plates up, holding three in each hand, and looked at the last one. "Oh, dear," she said. "I just can't carry anymore. I'm awfully sorry to ask, Mr. Sogeking, but would you mind getting yours?"

"He is a guest," Sanji said half-heartedly.

"I don't mind," Usopp said quickly, taking his plate and standing. "I could meet you back here in just a minute, Sire?"

"If you like," Sanji said with a little shrug.

Usopp followed Robin and the girl out the door, down a small hall, and into the kitchen. It was magnificent—high ceilings, vents, and fine stoves and ovens made for an ideal birthplace of gourmet food.

"Who are you working with?"

They had reached the sink, and Robin had only set the dishes on the counter. When Usopp registered she was talking to him, he hesitated. "Come again?"

Robin turned to him with a serious look, and the girl made as if to reach into her sleeve, holding her hand at the ready. "You should know that even if you could take down the guards, you would have to get past not only us—" Here she glanced to the girl— "but King Sanji himself is a skilled fighter. I wouldn't try anything if I were you."

"You—You think I'm—" Usopp took a step back, wary of the threats. "I'm not here for any malicious reason, I assure you!"

"Your story was quite fanciful," the girl remarked, though she lowered her hand, as if deciding against whatever threat she'd been planning.

"Perhaps . . . parts were exaggerated," Usopp admitted, shifting on his feet. "But I promise, I don't want to hurt anyone."

"Who are you working with?" Robin repeated.

Usopp gulped. "I . . . I'm sorry. I dunno how you knew, but . . . I promised I wouldn't tell. They mean no harm, either."

Robin and the girl glanced at each other.

"Very well," Robin said at last. "If not to assassinate, why are you here—?"

A sudden noise made the three look around. Luffy had crept into the kitchen, and he looked around shiftily. When he spotted the three, he froze and tiptoed backwards, straight into Sanji.

"Hi, Sire!" Luffy yelled. He tried to run, but Sanji seized the back of his shirt and held him.

"I won't have you stealing food," he snapped. "How many times do we have to talk about this? I left some dinner rolls in your room, so go have that."

Luffy grinned. "Really? Thanks!"

Sanji released him and he was gone in the blink of an eye.

"Sorry about that," he said to Usopp with a smile, turning to him and coming forward. "I hope we weren't interrupting?"

"Not at all," Robin said with an easy smile. "Just having a little chat. We can take care of the dishes if you'd like to excuse yourselves."

"I could do it, really," Sanji offered. "Ladies shouldn't—"

"Sire, we do them most nights," the girl pointed out.

Sanji shrugged. "If you insist. Thank you very much." He offered a smile to Usopp, who followed him out of the kitchen, glancing a nervous look back at the ladies.

"Sorry to ask, but what's the time?" Usopp asked suddenly.

"About nine," Sanji replied.

"Ah, I see," Usopp said in relief. "I have a very important engagement at ten o'clock, you see . . ."

"Do you now?" Sanji said, a smile in his voice. "What's this engagement?"

Usopp cleared his throat. "The Queen of the Underground World has asked to speak with me," he said, sitting on a sofa at Sanji's silent invitation.

"Underground World, hm?"

"Oh, yes! For a long time, its inhabitants have searched for a map—which, if found, would bring them inordinate amounts of money! 'Tis a small population it has, the Underground World, and its inhabitants have been so unfortunate to have been struck with poverty."

"Poor devils," Sanji murmured.

"But the Queen has asked to meet with me now," Usopp continued in a hushed tone, "for the Guardian Wolf believes he has captured someone wearing a red hood . . . someone who knows the location of the map!"

"Ah, and of course they want you to help interrogate this person?"

"I would assume so. Speaking of interrogation, I was once on a mission of espionage . . ."

Usopp's stories, intertwining and weaving amongst themselves, went on throughout the hour. When he realized how long it had been, he jumped to his feet.

"My apologies, Sire!" he exclaimed, taking Sanji's hand on impulse. "I must make haste or I will be late! May I return tomorrow eve?"

Sanji glanced at his hand and lifted it with Usopp's, standing. "I don't see why not," he admitted with a shrug. "We are at peace, and frankly I don't have many duties to attend to."

"Many thanks!" Usopp exclaimed. He hesitated before bolting down the hall, sprinting for the front entrance.

A few minutes passed, and Robin came to find Sanji sitting on the sofa again.

"Sire?" she said. "I didn't want to interrupt earlier . . ."

Sanji looked up and smiled. "Oh, you're fine! Where's . . . ?"

"She's gone to bed." Robin sat next to him. "That man . . . Sogeking . . . what do you think of him?"

Sanji rested his chin in a hand, staring at the wall. "He's nice," he said at last.

"You've allowed him to come back tomorrow."

Sanji shrugged. "I like his stories, and . . . he reminds me of someone I know. But for the life of me, I just can't think of who." He smiled. "Maybe seeing him more will spark something. There's no harm, in any case, he seems genial."

"Perhaps you're right." Robin stood again. "Will you be retiring now?"

"Oh, I think I should look at some recipes, and then I'll go," Sanji said idly. He stood and stretched. "Robin . . ."

Robin waited.

"I know I should move on, but . . . I still wish that Usopp . . . had felt the same way."

Robin patted his shoulder. "Can't have everything in life, you know. You could send your guards after him if you wanted and make him stay here until he reciprocates."

"I could never do that!" Sanji exclaimed.

"Only teasing."

Usopp stayed in the alley (void of streetlamps) until he had transformed back. He straightened his overalls, checked his ears, and strolled down the street casually.

When he reached his house, he knocked softly and entered to find Nami sitting on the couch, eating a piece of bread.

"Hello," she exclaimed, looking up as if embarrassed. "Sorry, I was hungry. How did it go?"

"It was great," Usopp exclaimed, sitting next to her with a grin. "Did you know he cooks?"

"The King?"

"Yeah, he's great!" Usopp stretched and yawned. "And no one knew me at all!"

"Who else was there?" Nami said curiously.

"Well, the guards Ace, Sabo, and Luffy," Usopp said. "And a woman named Robin, Sanji's advisor, and . . ." He paused. "A girl? I never got her name."

"And what happened?"

Usopp relayed the events, and hesitated before telling her what had happened in the kitchens.

Nami narrowed her eyes. "They knew you weren't acting alone," she murmured. "But how?"

Usopp spread his arms in a shrug. "Beats me. I think they'll leave me alone now, I promised I wasn't there to hurt anyone."

Nami nodded slowly. "Okay. That's good. And King Sanji likes someone else, you said?"

Usopp sighed. "Yeah, I don't know who, but he must be really great to catch his attention. I'll just have to try really hard, since apparently he rejected Sanji. Jerk." He hugged himself and grinned. "But, y'know—it's so much easier to talk to him when I'm in disguise! It's like I'm way more confident and cool!"

Nami eyed him. "Didn't I tell you earlier?" she said. "That is part of the spell. It gives you a confidence boost."

"Oh, that explains it," Usopp exclaimed. "Yeah, no way I could not be nervous in any other situation. You're the best!"

"I know." She yawned. "I will be off to bed."

"Me, too. G'night."

"Goodnight."