DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING, EXCEPT RAGNAR AND ALL VIKINGS IN THIS STORY! ONE PIECE BELONGS TO EICHIRO ODA, VIZ MANGA, TOEI ANIMATION AND FUNIMATION ENTERTAINMENT/CRUNCHYROLL LLC
Chapter 17: Anger Explosion! Kuro vs. Luffy! How it Ends!
As the battle on the coast raged on, Kuro slashed the air inches away from Luffy's face, only to appear just behind the boy. Luffy knew exactly what was happening: the man of a thousand plans was finally slowing down. He couldn't keep this up any longer.
"Getting sloppy, aren't you?" He asked, turning to stare down Kuro, "I bet you're getting tired, after all that dancing around you've been doing."
"Don't get cocky, boy," Kuro hissed, "That was simply a warm up. The real fight begins now! Soon, I will be feasting on your fear, complimented by the sweet wine of your agony." He began swaying once more, ready for another bout, "Now! OUT OF THE BAG ATTACK!" He yelled, and then took off at full speed, cutting anything in his path. This time, Luffy was finally able to see Kuro thanks to his Observation Haki. This battle on the coast would end here and now! Instantly, he grabbed Kuro's leg by the ankle and pulled, causing the madman to crash face first into the ground, then snaked his arms around Kuro's arms and locked his legs around the ex-captain's waist, so that there was no escape.
"I got you now! Give it up!" Luffy growled, now knowing that victory was all but assured. Only a fool would lose this battle.
"Damn you! Let go of me!" Kuro demanded, struggling to move his body.
"I told you before, Kuro, it's over! Your plan of three years is a complete and total failure!" Luffy only replied, determined to not let anyone die today.
The Black Cat Pirates looked on in awe at the sight: that rubber-kid finally caught Captain Kuro. He saved them from certain death! Even Sigrun and her warriors were confident that victory was certain.
"He'll never get away now!" Sigrun exclaimed, "Kuro is done for!"
In the forest, the sight of Ragnar's throwing axe was all that the Usopp Pirates needed to use the shovel Onion brought with them as a battering ram, and shove the tip of the spade right into his rear.
"Stupid little brats!" Jango growled as he kicked them so hard, they were sent flying to the ground, before he grabbed Kaya by the throat, only to see Zoro and Ragnar galloping towards him at top speed. "Ha! Looks like you're one step too late, warriors!" Yet he didn't see that Zoro was smiling as he slashed a tree branch in a single move, while he and Ragnar rode out of the way. Jango was now looking straight at Usopp, who loaded his bow with a special type of arrow, the tip of which was rounded rather than barbed.
"Eat this, hypnotist!" He shouted, "EXPLODING ARROW!" Then he let the arrow fly from the bowstring, sending it flying towards Jango's face, exploding before it made impact. The force of the blast was so powerful, it caused Jango to let go of Kaya, who covered her ears and crouched down for cover. Wooden splinters flew everywhere as the arrow burst, but the threat on Kaya's life was over now.
Down on the coast, the Black Cat Pirates suddenly began cheering for Luffy! He saved their lives! Only he could take down Captain Kuro now. Yet Luffy was too angry to even care. The Vikings of the Wolf Clan looked on in silence.
"Get off me you damned brat!" Kuro yelled, only for Luffy to head butt him into silence.
"Just shut up!" Luffy grumbled at the Black Cat Pirates, then stretched his neck out towards them, glaring daggers at the lot of them, "YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO CHEER ME ON!" He yelled at them, then lifted his head back at Kuro, "GUM-GUM BEEEEEEEELLLLLLL!" He roared as loud as he could as his head and neck stretched back towards the Captain of the Black Cat Pirates.
"YOU WORTHLESS INSECT!" Kuro screamed, watching his whole life till now flash before his very eyes, "MY PLAN WILL ABSOLUTELY NOT BE DISRUPTED!" Yet it was too late for him. Luffy's head finally connected his face, sending him backwards. The force of the impact was so strong it knocked him out cold. He flew slowly in midair for a moment, blackened blood spewing from his mouth, and then crashed face first onto the ground. Luffy was right: his plan of three years was a colossal failure. Silence fell over the entire battlefield, but it was clear as to the outcome: Kuro was defeated, and Luffy and his allies had won. The Black Cat Pirates all looked on in total fear.
"That crazy rubbery kid beat Captain Kuro!" One of them muttered.
"Not even the Marines were a match for Captain Kuro: The man of a thousand plans, and this kid still beat him!" murmured another.
"Just…Just who the hell are you!?" One of them finally asked, finally getting the nerve to do so.
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy," said the Straw Hat, turning to face them, "The only time a pirate should abandon his name is when he dies. I will never lose to any coward who abandons his name, betrays his friends, and runs from life on the high seas! So, remember my name well, all of you! Because I'm the man who's gonna be King of the Pirates!" Then he picked up Kuro, and threw him back towards his crew, all while the Vikings of the Wolf Clan amassed behind Luffy, ready for what they trained for. "NOW GET OUTTA HERE! AND NEVER COME BACK!"
And with those words, the terrified Black Cat Pirates fled rapidly to their ship all with the war cries of dozens of bloodthirsty Vikings in hot pursuit armed with swords and axes. That day would be forever remembered in Ulfthorpe for generations to come, immortalized in the songs of the skalds.
Nami managed to disembark the ship with her haul just as she saw Luffy demand that the Black Cat Pirates leave and never come back to this island. She was just in utter shock at Luffy's sheer determination to live, his refusal to accept defeat or die, and his desire to protect the ones he loved. In that instant, she finally made her decision.
'I can't believe it…! If anyone can take down Arlong, it's gotta be Luffy. I'm sure of it! But I can't ask him right now…not when the time isn't right…' She only looked up at the sky, lost in her thoughts, 'Don't worry, Mom. The nightmare will all be over soon, and you'll be able to rest peacefully.' Nami only noticed how Luffy wasn't smiling in celebration, only to see him fall forward. Instinctively, she set down the hoard of treasure she pinched and caught her captain in her arms. "You did great today, Luffy," she told him, smiling ever so softly. She only sat down, letting him lean against her, watching the Black Cat Pirates sail out to sea, never to return again. "I'd expect even you to collapse after that hard a battle. Though, I gotta ask. What made you so mad at Kuro?"
"Because I truly hate people like him," Luffy explained, his voice weak from all that yelling and shouting, "Men like Kuro are so wrong. That is not how friends should act."
"You're right about that," Nami told him, handing back his Straw Hat, which had fallen off during the fight. "Most pirates aren't the brave honorable people like the Vikings. I'd say Captain Kuro is pretty standard."
"Well, like I told Kuro: I'll never be like him. I promise," he reassured her, only for his stomach to growl loudly, "Man…all that fighting made me hungry. I could sure use some meat right now." Hearing this, Nami only burst out laughing.
"You are so unbelievable, sometimes, you know that?" She asked with a giggle, only watching the Vikings of the Wolf Clan below cheering in celebration. They emerged victorious against all odds! At that moment, Sigrun then approached Nami, wielding a winged spear in both her hands.
"As jarlskona of the Wolf Clan and Usopp's guardian, I would like to personally thank you and your companions for your aid today," she told Luffy and Nami, "We are planning to commemorate this day with a victory feast at Ulfthorpe. You are all more than happy to join us, but before that, I have a gift." Then she held out the spear and presented it to Nami, "This spear has been in our clan since the days when Odin walked Midgard. The last man to wield it was my brother, the previous jarl of our clan. It would be a great honor, Nami, if you wielded this weapon with pride."
Nami grasped the spear with trepidation, but found that it handled beautifully in her hands. It had perfect weight and balance, and the craftsmanship that went into it was exquisite, as detailed in the intricately etched spearhead and the shaft, carved with all sorts of patterns.
"It's beautiful, Sigrun!" She exclaimed happily, "Thank you. I'll make sure it gets put to good use."
In the forest, meanwhile, Ragnar and Zoro sheathed their weapons, standing over the unconscious Jango. The blast only knocked him out, rather than kill him. The two then leaned against two separate trees, looking over Usopp and his friends.
"Hey guys, think you can keep everything that happened today a secret?" He asked.
"What!? Why would we wanna do that?" Carrot asked.
"Yeah! Why!? We put our lives on the line to save the village!" Pepper added.
"Now you'll be known as Usopp the hero!" Onion declared.
"The boys are right," said Kaya, looking to her friend, "Really, Usopp. You gotta clear up this misunderstanding." Yet Usopp only smiled at her.
"Misunderstanding? I was only the village liar because I lied all the time, Kaya," he explained, "They were right to not believe me. Besides, there's no point in scaring people with something that's already over, and I seriously doubt anymore pirates like Kuro and his crew will show up. There's no reason for pirates to attack our out of the way village." Then he looked towards the Usopp Pirates, "So, listen up: pretend this never happened, okay? This was just one of my great big lies. Now, I won't force you to, but…" as he was about to finish, Carrot cut him off.
"No! I can do it!" He declared, "I'll do whatever it takes for the good of the village, Captain!"
"Yeah! Me too!" Pepper added.
"My lips are sealed!" Onion replied. Then Usopp turned to Kaya.
"Kaya, what about you? Will you tell?" He asked her, only smiling as she shook her head happily. Their secret would be safe. The people of Syrup Village would never know that a pirate attack nearly came to their doors.
The Straw Hats and the Usopp Pirates, even Kaya and Merry all soon made their way with the Wolf Clan to Ulfthorpe. Even though Syrup Village would never know about the battle, the same could not be said for this fine town. The longhouse was raucous with a huge celebratory victory feast, just the way the Vikings liked it. Food was plentiful in both quantity and quality: roasted game of the highest quality, along with suckling pigs and copious amounts of ale, cider and mead.
"Oh man, this is so good!" Luffy exclaimed as he stuffed his face full with a huge bite of roasted boar meat.
"Thanks, guys, for all your help," said Usopp with a chuckle, "I wouldn't have been able to protect the village without you."
"Give credit where credit's due," said Zoro, wiping his mouth from a swig of ale, "If you'd just stood by and done nothing, I wouldn't have done anything either."
"Yeah, same here," Luffy added.
"This wouldn't have all been possible without you, Usopp," said Ragnar. Nami, however, was happy to get some loot from all of it. Usopp then looked out at the roof of the longhouse, where the sunlight filtered in.
"Everything that happened here today helped me," he told them, "I've just come to a very difficult decision…"
Later that afternoon, Usopp met with his crew at their self-proclaimed hidden cove. He knew this was going to not be what they wanted to hear, but he had no choice.
"Captain Usopp, what did you wanna talk to us about?" Carrot asked, as he and his friends stood before their so-called captain.
"The three of you fought well against those terrible Black Cat Pirates," he told them, "As your captain, I couldn't be prouder of you for being so brave and courageous."
"You're too kind," Carrot muttered.
"We're nothing compared to you," Pepper added.
"You're embarrassing us," said Onion.
"I'm serious. You were very courageous," he continued, "You were scared to death, but you kept your cool, worked together as a team and kept Kaya safe. Thanks to you, we overcame our biggest and most important battle since we formed the Usopp Pirates five years ago. Now, I know this is all so sudden, but…I've decided to set out to sea by myself." The Usopp Pirates looked on in confusion. What did their captain mean he was setting out on his own? "I'm finally gonna leave this place and become a real pirate!" He then only glanced to the sea behind him, "At first, I wasn't sure what I would do. I couldn't decide if I wanted to stay here forever or not. But once I saw Luffy and his friends in action, I knew deep in my heart what I must do. I feel that, as a man, I must set out to the vast ocean. So, I'm leaving this place behind." Then he rushed to a series of logs he used for archery practice and declared, "I leave for one reason: When the great Pirate Flag beckons, you must heed its call!"
"Captain! Say it isn't so!" Carrot cried.
"Isn't that a bit hasty? I thought you loved this village!" Pepper added.
"What's gonna happen to the Usopp Pirates without you?" Onion asked.
"You've been so good to me, guys," Usopp told them, "Sigrun, Kaya and the Wolf Clan all know about my decision. I planned to leave without telling the villagers…so give them my regards." Hearing this, the boys couldn't help but cry.
"No! I don't wanna!" Pepper cried.
"No, don't go, Captain! Just stay here, please!" Onion begged.
"Usopp Pirates, do you remember this place?" Usopp asked them, tears forming in his eyes, "This is where we first met and formed the Usopp Pirates." He couldn't help but cry at the thought of those years they had together, chasing dogs and lizards and thinking them to be hell hounds or dragons. "A lot's happened since then, huh?"
"Please don't talk about the old days! I can't stand it!" Pepper sobbed.
"That's right…it's all too painful," Carrot added, "You're not serious…are you?" Usopp didn't answer any of them. He only looked out at the sea, before turning to face the three boys with a forced smile.
"Alright men! Tell me what all your ambitions are!" He told them.
"When I grow up, my dream is…to run a tavern!" Carrot declared.
"My whole life, I wanted to be a master carpenter!" Pepper replied.
"My goal is to become a writer!" Onion cried.
"Then, swear to me now that each of you will continue on your paths!" Usopp told them, "Promise me that you will never let the fires of your ambitions die out!" He couldn't help but let the tears flow down his cheeks, even as he forced a smile. This was perhaps the most painful moment in his life thus far, but he had to stay strong, even as he cried, "As of today…our group…the Usopp Pirates…ARE DISBANDED!"
Meanwhile, the Straw Hat Pirates reconvened at the restaurant they were at the previous day, namely since Luffy's insatiable appetite was acting up again. Zoro, Nami and Ragnar didn't eat anything, as that feast was more than enough to tide them all over.
"Now that we've eaten, we should probably get going," said Zoro, knowing that they couldn't stay here long forever."
"Yeah, you're right," said Luffy, gnawing away on a fish bone.
"A shame that we didn't get a decent ship, though," Ragnar lamented. At that moment, however, the doors to the restaurant opened, and Kaya came in, wearing a striped orange and yellow blouse over an orange dress.
"There you are!" she exclaimed happily.
"Hey, it's Kaya!" Luffy replied happily.
"Are you all right being out of bed?" Nami asked.
"Yes. I think now, I can truly start recovering," she explained, "You see, my sickness this last year was caused by the mental shock of losing both my parents, and Usopp's friendship helped me start getting better. I can't stay bedridden forever, you know." The Straw Hats all chuckled at that remark, "You've all done so much for me, and I can't thank you enough. I've prepared a present for you from the bottom of my heart to show how grateful I am for everything you've done here. I'd be honored if you accepted it."
Meanwhile, on the far side of town, Usopp sat on his now empty bed, having stuffed every single item of clothing, and accessory, and even the art from the walls into his green backpack.
"Phew! All packed up!" He muttered looking at the empty home he grew up in ever since he was a boy, "Guess it's farewell to this house, too." Yet then he realized there was another farewell he would be needing to include. He looked out to see Kaya's mansion in the distance from his window. This would probably be the last time he ever saw her for years on end. Still, he got up, knowing it was time to go before he had any second thoughts. However, he barely made it out the front door when he got stuck. "I…can't get out!" He muttered, having overstuffed his bag with all of his belongings, he couldn't leave. "Stupid backpack!" He muttered, pulling with all his might, until finally, he popped out, with his backpack leading him tumbling down the hill towards the northern shore…
At that same time, the Straw Hats followed Kaya down to the north coast. There, they found a bandaged Merry waiting them, and behind him, in the water was quite the surprise: a ship fit for a long sea voyage! She was complete with a single main mast and a lateen sail at the stern, with a cabin, two gunwales for cannons, and a ram for a figurehead.
"Oh wow! A real caravel!" Nami exclaimed, surprised that a ship of this make was hiding on this isle all along.
"Are you actually giving this to us!?" Luffy asked in sheer disbelief and excitement.
"Yep! As a token of my appreciation," Kaya replied.
"It's a slightly older model, but I personally designed her and she sails like a dream," said Merry, "She has a carvel make caravel with lateen sails and a central stern rudder. She's a fine ship, and her name…is the Going Merry!" He then continued, "Now, allow me to explain the rigging. First, about the Kruger net yard adjustment. It may seem a little…" before he could finish, Nami stepped forward.
"Hold on! You'd be better off just explaining all the technical stuff to me," she told him, all while Luffy and Ragnar inspected their new vessel.
"What a cool ship!" Luffy muttered, "Have you guys seen the front? It's totally awesome!"
"Reminds me of one of our longships," Ragnar remarked, "We always carve the heads of animals or mythical creatures for the figureheads, to distinguish the different clans."
"We've loaded her with all the provisions you'll need on a long voyage," said Kaya.
"Thanks! It leaves nothing to be tired!" Luffy told her happily.
"That's 'leaves nothing to be desired,' you idiot," Zoro muttered, quietly enough so that his captain couldn't hear him.
"Hmm? Everyone, listen," said Ragnar, putting a hand to his ear, "Do you hear that?" At that point, everyone gathered heard the same thing: the screams of a man rolling downhill due to an overstuffed backpack.
"SOMEBODY, STOP THIS THING!" A voice cried out, as a familiar face was knocked around like a billiard ball in a game of pool. It was Usopp, and he was heading right for the ship!
"Oh no! Usopp!" Kaya gasped.
"Hey, what's he doing?" Luffy asked, "It looks fun, but also pretty painful."
"Painful is definitely the right word," Ragnar muttered.
"Well, we'd better stop him," said Zoro, "That archer's on a collision course with our ship." As Usopp rolled down the slope, right towards the Going Merry, Zoro, Luffy and Ragnar each held out a foot and brought the archer and his backpack to a halt, with the former two planting their feet directly into his face.
"Oh…gee, thanks guys!" He uttered out.
"Anytime," replied Luffy.
As the Straw Hats began boarding, Ragnar unfurled one of his own personal belongings: a raven banner that all Vikings flew in times of war atop the masts of their longships. It fluttered proudly atop the aft mast. Yet Usopp was still standing on the beach, having one last talk with Kaya.
"So, you're really doing it, aren't you?" She asked, "You're gonna take to the sea."
"Yeah. I decided to get going before I have any second thoughts," said Usopp, "Please, I'm asking you not to stop me."
"I won't. I know it's time for you to go."
"Kaya, don't be so sad about it," Usopp told her, trying to put on a brave face, "Just think about it: when I return, I'll have all sorts of tales to tell you about my adventures that'll sound more like lies than the ones I used to tell."
"Good. I look forward to it," she replied, "But first…" then she leaned forward and kissed him on the lips, much to his surprise. Quickly he held her in a soft embrace.
"I'm gonna miss you, Kaya. I promise I'll write to you daily," he told her.
"I'll miss you too, Usopp," she replied, trying to wipe a tear from her eye, "I look forward to reading every letter." She reluctantly let go as Usopp looked up at Luffy and the other Straw Hats.
"You guys take care!" He called out, "I hope we'll meet again sometime!"
"How come?" Luffy asked.
"Well because…are you antisocial or something?" Usopp asked, confused as to what to think, "I'm taking off for life on the high seas, and I hope we'll eventually meet again someday, that's all."
"What are you talking about?" Zoro asked, pointing to the deck of the ship, "Just get on already." Hearing this only shocked Usopp. Was this an invitation to join Luffy's crew?! The smile from Ragnar only seemed to confirm it.
"C'mon. We're friends, right?" Luffy asked, "So, get on." Those words meant the world to Usopp! He was finally going to follow in his father's footsteps, and this time with friends.
'He…This is it!' He thought, as he immediately jumped for joy and declared, "I'M REALLY A PIRATE CAPTAIN NOW!"
"Don't be stupid, Usopp! I'm the Captain!" Luffy reminded him, while Ragnar, Zoro and Nami only laughed in amusement. This was Usopp's moment, and he was now officially the Straw Hat Pirates' resident sharpshooter, gunnery officer, engineer, and archer.
Usopp climbed aboard the Going Merry, taking his position on deck, while Ragnar manned the helm. The ladder was rolled up, before she weighed anchor, and set sail off into the East Blue.
"May Ægir and Njord bless our voyage," prayed Ragnar, offering a libation of mead into the sea for a successful maiden voyage, with Gecko Island soon going far behind them as their course was set for the northeast. Once they were finally on smooth sailing, Ragnar joined Luffy, Zoro, Nami and Usopp as they unloaded a barrel of beer.
"Cheers! To a new ship and a new crewmate!" Luffy exclaimed, and they all raised their tankards in celebration, laughing and cheering happily as they began the next chapter of their saga…
A/N: And so here it is, the finale of the Syrup Village Arc, Usopp joins the crew, and we also have the debut of the Going Merry! Don't worry, Jango's still alive. Usopp's arrow didn't kill him, but it did knock him out long enough for him to be abandoned by the Black Cat Pirates. As for Nami getting a proper spear, I figured that it would make sense to be used to wound, but not kill. And yes, Usopp will still definitely make modifications to her new weapon.
Let's take a look, however, at the spear Nami was given as a gift. This spear has a broad pointed head for slashing, and tapers to a point for thrusting. The spearhead also has metal wings which flares out to either side, which can be used to parry attacks, disarm an enemy, and even hamstring opponents, so that she can knock them out while they're on the ground.
Also, did Kaya just kiss Usopp?! Yes, you read that right! I took a bit of inspiration from the live action Netflix series with that one.
But let's now take a moment to talk about the Going Merry, shall we? We know that she's a vital part of the Straw Hats' lives and careers as pirates, but what's the history of her ship type?
In our timeline, a caravel was a light sailing ship invented by the Portuguese, and was one of the main ships that kicked off the Age of Discovery. Originally developed for exploring the coasts of Africa, these vessels helped men like Henry the Navigator, Vasco da Gama and even Francisco de Almieda accomplish what most people of the late Middle Ages thought as impossible: circumnavigating around the entire African continent, thus bypassing the Venetian-Islamic monopoly on Mediterranean trade routes, and finding an alternative maritime route to India and the rest of Asia - home of spices, silks, and other exotic goods. The caravels also carried Pedro Álvares Cabral to make landfall in Brazil by accident.
Anyway, stay tuned for the next chapter!
