A/N: And here, we have the new chapter for the story. And this time, we're introduced to Atreyu, Kaya's brother (voiced by Sunny Suljic) and Daffodil, Kaya's youngest sister (voiced by Lara Woodhull) as a reminder in case I haven't mentioned who voiced the two siblings.
One Piece: Adventures of the East Blue Sea
Chapter 10: The Weirdest Guy Ever!; Jango the Hypnotist!
At that moment, a couple of people resembling her, only one is a boy and the other, a younger girl, entered, looking slightly panicked, that is, until they saw Kaya.
"Oh. You're back already, Kaya... Thank goodness...", the boy sighed in relief.
"See? I told you I'd be back, Atreyu.", Kaya grinned.
"We were getting worried.", the little girl said.
"Oh, I'm so sorry to have worried you guys.", Kaya apologized.
"Hey. We're just glad you're back home safe and sound. That's all that matters.", Atreyu spoke before Kaya turned to the Straw Hats outside, who became puzzled.
"Wait a minute. Are those your siblings, or something?", Nami asked.
"Mm-hmm. By the way, I can understand Usopp, but who are you guys?", Kaya asked.
"Us? I'm Monkey D. Luffy. Hi. You've met my big sis, Salvia.", Luffy greeted.
"Hi.", Salvia waved.
"My name's Nami.", Nami greeted.
"And that's Zoro. The greatest swordsman in the world.", Salvia added, earning his scoff.
"Wow... Nice to meet you all. I'm Kaya.", Kaya greeted.
"I'm her brother, Atreyu.", Atreyu responded.
"And I'm Daffodil.", Daffodil added.
But before anymore pleasantries can continue, a butler suddenly spoke up and glared at them.
"You there! What do you think you're doing?", the butler spoke up.
"Klahadore...", Kaya spoke up.
"Get out. I'll have you know that this is criminal trespassing.", the butler warned, tilting his glasses up a bit with the bottom of his right palm, puzzling everyone, Luffy, most of all.
"Hey, guys, who's he?", Luffy puzzled.
Meanwhile, someone was walking backwards in an odd way before turning around, revealed to be wearing red heart-shaped shades. But as he was moving, something else moved, attracting his attention.
"Who's there?", Jango asked, turning toward where the noise was heard.
It turned out that it was a sheep that was eating grass that made the noise.
Back at the mansion, while Atreyu and Daffodil frowned at him, Kaya spoke up to Klahadore.
"Uh, actually, Klahadore, these people are...", Kaya began.
"Not now, Kaya. You can tell me all about this riff-raff after they've left. Now, get out! All of you! Leave now unless you have some business with me.", Klahadore demanded.
"If we could, we would, but we need a bigger ship. We barely made it there as it is with small boats.", Salvia explained.
"And you can leave just as well with them.", Klahadore only retorted.
Salvia growled angrily at his response before Klahadore looked toward a certain liar.
"Usopp!", Klahadore shouted.
"Crap...!", Usopp exclaimed.
"You have quite the reputation. You are very well-known in the village.", Klahadore spoke as Usopp climbed up the branch and chuckled nervously.
"Sure am.", Usopp said.
"I hear you've been on many an adventure. Quite impressive for someone as young as you.", Klahadore added as Atreyu and Daffodil glared at the butler, tensing with hidden anger while the latter's face cheeks puffed up a little in said anger.
"Usually, people who admire me so much call me 'Captain'. So, it's Captain Usopp to you.", Usopp retorted.
"'Captain', huh? Your father also had something of a reputation.", Klahadore glared with a chuckle.
"What?", Usopp asked in shock.
"Klahadore, please just stop!", Kaya pleaded in worry.
"You'll never be anything more than the son of a filthy pirate!", Klahadore discouraged.
"A filthy pirate?!", Usopp reacted in rising anger.
But he was not the only one getting angry. In fact, Atreyu and Daffodil were growing just as angrier if nor more so.
"Who knows what sort of trouble you're up to now? All I ask is that you and your kind leave this respectable lady alone. You and she are from completely different worlds and you know it! Is it money you're after? How much do you want?", Klahadore asked.
"Cease this at once, Klahadore! Apologize to him!", Kaya demanded, surprising Usopp.
"Hey, calm down, Kaya.", Usopp said, surprised by Kaya's outburst.
"I don't believe there is any reason to apologize to this savage young man, my lady.", Klahadore only spoke, making Salvia angrier as her growls grew louder.
"Just who does that creep think he is?! He thinks he can say all those horrible things and get away with it?! He's not just wrong...! HE'S DEAD WRONG!", Salvia thought angrily.
"My goal isn't to slander. I am merely stating the truth. I sympathize with your situation. You must hate your great idiot of a father for abandoning his family AND his village because of his mindless lust for treasure.", Klahadore guessed.
"Klahadore, stop!", Kaya shouted.
"SHUT THE HELL UP!", Atreyu snapped.
"Yeah! You take those words back, you meanie!", Daffodil added.
Frankly, Luffy, Nami, Salvia, and Zoro were surprised to see that kind of response.
"Huh?", Luffy puzzled.
"Did they just...?", Salvia began.
"Bad-mouth that butler? Yeah. I guess they did.", Zoro added.
"But why would they do that for Usopp?", Nami puzzled.
"Don't you dare insult my father ever again!", Usopp glared angrily toward Klahadore before jumping off.
"Usopp!", Kaya spoke in worry.
Of course, Usopp used his hook to descend safely down and retract the hook back into his bag.
"Why have you gotten so worked up, Usopp? It's times like these when you should do what you do best and lie. Tell me about how your father was really a travelling salesman. Or about how you weren't really related by blood.", Klahadore mocked.
This made Usopp finally snap!
"ENOUGH!", Usopp roared, charging toward Klahadore and striking him right in the cheek, making Kaya, Atreyu, Daffodil, and the others gasp in surprise.
"Whoo! Go, Usopp!", Salvia thought excitedly.
Klahadore landed on the ground before the Usopp Pirate trio, who had caught up earlier and saw what unfolded, was shocked.
"Captain!", the trio shouted.
Nevertheless, Klahadore sat up.
"Case in point, he resorts to violence. I guess the apple never falls far from the tree, does it?", Klahadore asked.
"SHUT UP!", Usopp snapped, startling Klahadore a bit.
"My father listened to his heart and chose a life of risk and adventure! I am proud to say that my old man is a brave warrior of the sea! You're right. I have been known to exaggerate from time to time, but I will NEVER lie about who my father is! I refuse to be ashamed of my heritage! I AM THE SON OF A PIRATE!", Usopp shouted.
"Captain...", Carrot spoke.
Frankly, everyone was touched by Usopp's resolve. Well, almost everyone. Klahadore only chuckled.
"Pirates are brave warriors of the sea, are they? That's quite a twisted way of putting things. You don't seem to understand that you are living proof of his savage blood. You run around spouting lies and use violence when you don't get your way. To top it off, you cozy up to the lady of the house to steal her fortune.", Klahadore stated.
"You're wrong! I only...", Usopp began.
"YOUR FATHER IS A FILTHY, NO-GOOD PIRATE! TREACHERY IS IN YOUR BLOOD! OF COURSE YOU WOULD HATCH SUCH AN EVIL SCHEME!", Klahadore accused.
"You won't let up, will you?!", Usopp exclaimed angrily, threatening to hit strike him again.
"SHUT UP AND GO TO HELL, KLAHADORE!", Atreyu shouted, launching a vase toward Klahadore, shocking both him and Usopp.
Of course, the latter was puzzled for a moment before realizing what's going on. The vase only landed on the ground near Klahadore and shattered, though.
"USOPP'S A GOOD PERSON! A LOT BETTER THAN YOU ARE!", Daffodil shouted, tossing out a plate toward him next.
This time, the plate hit Klahadore in the head, making him yell out a bit in pain. Of course, Usopp had to dodge out of the way to avoid getting hit himself. Nevertheless, Usopp smiled; if not for how they were attacking Klahadore, then definitely for showing some support for Usopp.
Even the Straw Hats were speechless on account of further surprise that they'd attack Klahadore instead of just telling him off. Granted, some of the things thrown at Klahadore missed while the rest didn't but still.
"Wow. Look how mad they are.", Luffy said.
"Telling him off was one thing, but I can't believe they'd even resort to attacking their own butler.", Nami said, in slight shock.
"After what he said? It's hard not to believe it.", Zoro responded.
"You got that right.", Salvia agreed.
"OUR MOMMY AND DADDY ARE GONE BECAUSE OF YOU!", Daffodil shouted.
"OUR LIVES WOULD'VE BEEN FAR BETTER OFF IF YOU NEVER CAME INTO OUR LIVES!", Atreyu shouted.
"STOP IT, EVERYONE! PLEASE!", Kaya pleaded, ceasing the attack.
"No more violence! I can't take it! Klahadore isn't a bad person! He's just... He's just trying to do what he thinks is best for me and sometimes, he goes too far.", Kaya assured.
But it didn't seem to be good enough for Atreyu.
"Goes too far...? Goes too far?! HE'S GONE OFF THE DEEP END!", Atreyu snapped.
This shocked Kaya, who gasped as did the Straw Hats (except Zoro).
"Yep. He finally went too far with that one.", Zoro commented.
"Atreyu... Daffodil...", Usopp commented in worry.
But Atreyu was quick to realize the words he said out loud as he saw how tearful Kaya was now.
"Oh, no. Kaya, I didn't mean...", Atreyu began.
But no word came. Instead, she tearfully slammed her window shut, shocking everyone, especially her brother and sister.
"Kaya...!", Usopp gasped in worry.
Klahadore then slapped Usopp's hand away.
"I'm only going to say this one more time: Leave this place. You are NEVER to come here again!", Klahadore ordered.
"Yeah. I get it. You don't have to tell me twice, buddy.", Usopp said before he started off, away from the mansion.
"This is the last you'll ever see of me...", Usopp said, walking away.
"No... Usopp...", Daffodil gasped with a whimper.
This, however, caused Atreyu to snap at Klahadore.
"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT, KLAHADORE!", Atreyu snapped before the Usopp Pirate trio ran up to join him, surprising him.
"HEY, you butler jerk! Our captain's not that kind of guy!", Carrot scolded.
"You stupid jerkface!", Pepper added.
"Jerkface!", Onion added.
"Jerkface!", Daffodil added.
"JERKFAAAAAAAAACE!", Luffy roared only for Zoro to hit him slightly from behind.
"Shut up. You don't have a bone to pick with him.", Zoro stated.
But while one glare from Klahadore frightened the Usopp pirate trio into hiding behind the straw hats, Atreyu and Daffodil both stood their ground with the coldest glares they could ever give as only Salvia took notice of this.
"What are you doing?! Don't hide behind me!", Nami exclaimed.
Of course, Zoro had to hold Luffy back.
"Luffy, this isn't our fight...!", Zoro grunted.
"Let me go, already! Come on, Zoro! I'm serious! Put me down! Put me down! I'm gonna kick his butt!", Luffy demanded.
"I'll let you go when stop acting like an idiot, you hear me?!", Zoro grunted as Klahadore moved his glasses up with his hand.
"You will all leave IMMEDIATELY!", Klahadore demanded.
"AND YOU WILL GET THE HELL OUT OF OUR SIGHT, KLAHADORE! IMMEDIATELY!", Atreyu snapped, making Klahadore widened his eyes as Atreyu was seen vehemently glaring while Daffodil glared, too, but with her cheeks slightly puffed up.
Meanwhile, Kaya had already gone outside and was peeping by the side of the mansion yard as everyone was leaving, even the bitter Atreyu and Daffodil. But to make matters worse, Klahadore spoke to Atreyu.
"If I could have saved your mother and father, I would have. You know this, don't you, young master?", Klahadore asked.
"You have no right to speak about them...!", Atreyu glared before taking off with Daffodil in his arms, surprising the little girl as he took off away from Klahadore and out of the mansion.
"Clearly, I guess you don't.", Klahadore said to himself.
"Oh, Atreyu... Why can't you and Daffodil get along with Klahadore?", Kaya thought sadly as she left.
Speaking of Klahadore, he walked away, too.
Meanwhile, though, Nami, Zoro, and the Usopp Pirates were walking away with Luffy and Salvia missing as elsewhere, the same man walking backwards was now in the woods.
"Hey. Where'd Luffy and Salvia go?", Nami asked.
"Who knows? They probably ran after that captain.", Zoro guessed.
"I bet they're at his secret spot.", Pepper guessed.
"Yeah. Over by the shore. He always goes there when he's gonna think something over.", Carrot realized.
"Should we go see?", Pepper asked.
"Huh? They're fine.", Zoro assured.
"Luffy and Salvia can take care of themselves, but where's your other friend?", Nami asked.
"Oh, yeah. Onion.", Pepper and Carrot realized.
"Come to think of it, he just up and disappears a lot.", Pepper stated.
"Yeah. And then, he shows up out of nowhere, all freaked out.", Carrot added.
Then, as if on cue, Onion shouts in a panic like before.
"TERRIBLE NEWS, GUYS!", Onion shouted as he ran to catch up to them.
"You see?", Carrot said before Onion finally caught up.
"Listen to me! Some nutjob is on his way here and he only walks backwards!", Onion shouted.
"You liar...", Pepper and Carrot spoke in disbelieving unison.
"It's the truth! There he is!", Onion shouted, pointing to him.
Then, the group looked and saw the man in question as he walked backwards before he turned his face toward them.
"Now, which one of you people has the nerve to call me 'weird'? I'm just a normal guy.", the strange man spoke.
"Is that so? You look insane.", Nami commented.
"Don't be silly. I'm just an ordinary run-of-the-mill hypnotist.", the man responded.
"A hypnotist? Really? Awesome!", Onion said.
"Show us something!", Pepper adde.
"Yeah, do something!", Carrot added.
The strange man then turned to the trio.
"What? You fools. What makes you think that I'd want to reveal my masterful hypnosis techniques to a bunch of roadside strangers?", the man glared for a moment before suddenly changing his mind.
"Okay. you convinced me. Now, watch the ring closely.", the hypnotist said, holding out his ring with a string.
"What a ham...", Zoro sighed as the hypnotist started swinging his ring around.
"So, by the count of Jango, you'll be in a deep sleep. All right, are you ready? 1..., 2..., JANGO!", the hypnotist spoke before the Usopp Pirate trio, along with the hypnotist, all wound up asleep.
"Who is this freaky weirdo?", Zoro commented.
Meanwhile, Atreyu and Daffodil were frantically looking around everywhere in the forest for Kaya. Of course, who should appear, but a butler with a lamb-like appearance on his head.
"Atreyu? Daffodil! You two seem more stressed than usual...", the man spoke in worry.
"If it's about Klahadore, Merry, then with all due respect, you can just drop it. We have nothing to say to you.", Atreyu said, looking through branch after branch.
"We need to find our big sis, Kaya! Where could she have gone?", Daffodil added, looking through every bush.
But then, after a moment, she gasped.
"Wait a minute! Why didn't I think of this before?", Daffodil asked.
"Think of what?", Atreyu asked.
"Remember where big sis Kaya usually goes?", Daffodil asked.
Then, Atreyu widened his eyes in realization.
"Oh, yeah! Why didn't we think to go there first?!", Atreyu said, annoyed with himself before he and Daffodil took off.
"We'll talk later, Merry!", Atreyu shouted as he took off.
"Uh..., okay, Master Atreyu! I guess we'll talk later...", Merry said to himself before sighing.
"He's never going to let that go, is he...?", Merry worried.
Near the edge of a cliff, Usopp and Kaya were alone together, sitting next to a tree, which had a carving shaped like a heart onto it with the initials "U + K" on it. In the ensuing flashback, with a ripple, Kaya was revealed to have been the one to carve that onto the tree.
"You think your mother would like it, Usopp?", Kaya asked.
"Seriously? I think she'd love it.", Usopp responded, making Kaya giggle a bit as she grinned before it went back to the present where Kaya was now frowning.
"What's the matter? I don't think it exactly has anything to do with that butler. At least not entirely, right?", Usopp asked.
"It's my brother and sister... Ever since our mom and dad died, they've been nothing but cold and distant toward Klahadore... And the worst part is, I don't even know how they could even bear to hate him for 3 whole years as if he was responsible for their deaths...! If only I could find some way to help them find some common ground...", Kaya spoke sadly.
"Well, I'll tell you now, it's really hard to find some common ground with a real piece of work like him, that's for sure.", Salvia spoke up, surprising both Kaya and Usopp as they turned and noticed her from behind.
"What the...?! It's you!", Usopp exclaimed.
"Yep. But I didn't come alone.", Salvia giggled a bit before Luffy hung down just behind Kaya and Usopp.
"Hi. What are you two doin' here?", Luffy greeted.
"Uh, we came here to be alone.", Kaya said.
"Yeah, but I guess that's not happening! Did you two follow us? What do you want?", Usopp asked.
"We wanted to see how you two were doing since what happened back at the mansion...", Salvia responded as Luffy then managed to get himself down, though not without some minor pain.
"Ouch...", Luffy chuckled.
"I can't believe that butler... insulting my old man like that...", Usopp said.
"Not hard to see why. I really hate that guy, too. Don't we, Luffy?", Salvia asked.
"Uh-huh.", Luffy said.
"But I'm sure he's only doing what he thinks is best.", Kaya responded.
"Well, he didn't have the right to do it that way. No matter what anyone says, Yasopp was a great pirate.", Luffy responded.
"Yeah, really! I've always looked up to my old man for living every day with his life on the line. Out in the open ocean. He made a brave choice and I admire him for that. And then, that stupid, snotty butler stomped all over my pride.", Usopp said.
"He did something worse than that. And that's the one thing we can never forgive him for...", Atreyu spoke up as he and Daffodil stepped up toward the group.
"Oh, hey. Atreyu, Daffodil. It's you two.", Usopp said.
"You're the ones who attacked Klahadore earlier...", Salvia said.
"Uh..., yeah. About that... I'm sorry I snapped at you earlier, Kaya. I wasn't really angry with you. It's just that... well.., we still haven't recovered.", Atreyu apologized.
"We've already lost Mommy and Daddy...! We just didn't want to lose Usopp. That's all. I can't help it... I miss them more and more every day...! It won't stop hurting...!", Daffodil said, starting to sob.
"Daffodil...", Usopp spoke in worry as her sobs grew worse.
"Mama...! And Daddy...! I'm so lonely without you...!", Daffodil sobbed as everyone who saw this grew sad.
"I wish that there was something we can do to help... Want a hug?", Salvia asked.
Daffodil turned to her and sadly nodded before softly sobbing as she hugged Salvia by the belly. After a moment, though, Daffodil started to calm down some.
"Your belly feels soft...", Daffodil spoke in a cute muffle.
"Uh-huh. Wanna bounce on it? Maybe it could help you get back in good spirits again.", Salvia offered.
With that, Daffodil looked up to Salvia, teary-eyed, but starting to smile. She even gave a small giggle as she nodded.
"Ah, there we go. We're off to a good start, already.", Salvia grinned as she laid down on her back, her belly sticking up as it wobbled a bit. "Well, go ahead."
Then, Daffodil started giggling as she then started to bounce on Salvia's belly as Salvia watched with a smile.
"Kaya! Atreyu! Lookit! I'm bouncing up and down!", Daffodil giggled, making Kaya and Atreyu grin from seeing Daffodil happy as the rest were already smiling.
"I'll tell you one thing. You guys sure know how to cheer people up.", Usopp grinned.
"Oh, it was no big deal, really.", Salvia assured as Daffodil stopped for a moment and laid down, giggling.
Then, Atreyu took a deep breath and sighed before turning to Kaya, who turned to him with a worried look.
"Why can't you and Daffodil at least try to find some common ground with Klahadore?", Kaya asked.
Atreyu was hesitant for a moment before he decided to speak.
"Sorry, Kaya, but... no. We can't do that. Not when there's a very good reason that you should know about now. Although, you probably won't like what you're about to hear.", Atreyu responded.
"What are you talking about?", Kaya asked as Daffodil got off Salvia and then looked down at the edge only to spot, unexpectedly, Klahadore and the strange man who walked backwards.
"The reason we hate him so much is because...", Atreyu began before Daffodil gasped and turned to Atreyu with a whisper-shout.
"Big brother! Come quick! Klahadore's down there!", Daffodil whisper-shouted.
"What?!", Atreyu puzzled before he, Usopp, Luffy, Kaya, and Kaya joined Daffodil and saw the man in question.
"You're right...!", Kaya spoke.
"What in the world is he doing down here?!", Usopp exclaimed, pressing Luffy's head against the ground.
"Hey, what's the big idea?", Luffy asked with a muffle.
Then, Klahadore turned around and spoke to the weird man.
"Hey, Jango. I specifically ordered yourself to keep yourself inconspicuous. That doesn't mean sleeping in the road.", Klahadore spoke.
"Relax, man. I perfected the skills of the chameleon. I blend in.", Jango responded.
"It looks like there's some kind of weird man down there with him, too. Probably his accomplice named Jango.", Atreyu said.
"But why?", Daffodil asked.
"I've never seen him before. Who is he?", Usopp asked.
"What do you mean 'accomplice'?", Kaya asked.
"I think you're about to find out the hard way. And Kaya? You're not gonna like hearing this...", Atreyu warned.
"So..., have all the necessary preparations been made?", Klahadore asked.
"But of course...", Jango began, Atreyu and Daffodil tensing a bit as they glared at Klahadore. "We can start any time... ON THE RICH GIRL MURDER PLAN!"
Hearing that was a grave shock to Kaya, who gasped as her wolf ears, claws, and wolf nose popped up as her eyes started giving off orange mists from her eyes as Atreyu and Daffodil tensed while everyone else was half as shocked, but definitely concerned.
"Murder...?!", Usopp gasped.
"No way...!", Salvia added.
Atreyu and Daffodil tensed angrily toward Klahadore and Jango.
Act II
A crab was seen trying to climb up the rocky wall, but failing as it fell down while Klahadore spoke to Jango.
"Don't call it murder, Jango. I don't like the sound of it.", Klahadore spoke.
"Oh, right. Accident. It's an accident, that you planned.", Jango smirked.
"Uh, what are those guys talking about?", Luffy asked.
"Just be quiet, Luffy...", Salvia whispered.
"Yeah. maybe if we listen a little closer, we can find out.", Usopp said while Atreyu and Daffodil tensed, as if they know what the plan is.
"We can't simply kill her. It is critical to our plan that Ms. Kaya perishes in an unfortunate accident. But not before that bothersome Atreyu and Daffodil do. So, don't screw that up.", Klahadore warned before Jango sat down.
"So, basically, on your signal, the men and I storm the village and manage to accidentally kill the little rich girl. Then, you get her inheritance and we all get paid, right?", Jango asked.
"You moron! Your ignorance is astounding! We're not related like Atreyu and Daffodil are, so how could I inherit anything from her like they can?", Klahadore asked.
"You'll work very hard to, though they are going to be tough to compete with.", Jango said.
"No, Jango. I won't. Nor would they even begin to compete with me. Now, listen to me. This is the most important part. You can kill Atreyu and Daffodil however you want, first. But after that, before you kill her, you use your hypnosis to make Kaya write her will. 'And it will say I leave my entire fortune to my butler, Klahadore.'", Klahadore spoke, shocking both Usopp and Kaya while Atreyu and Daffodil's glares grew worse.
"Then, and only then, will I have undisputed control of her enormous fortune. And no one will suspect a thing. I have spent 3 long years gaining the trust of everyone around me, so that it would be unsurprising for her to leave the entirety of her inheritance to me. Apparently, all except for Atreyu and Daffodil, which is why they need to be removed from the picture first.", Klahadore spoke.
"Klahadore...!", Kaya gasped with a whimper.
"The worst part is, that's not even his name...!", Atreyu growled.
"Then, what IS his name...?", Kaya asked worriedly.
"3 years as a butler for this, huh? You sure had us scared back then..., Captain Kuro.", Jango spoke, making Kaya gasp in horror.
"3 years ago, you suddenly said you were giving up life as a pirate. In no time at all, you set up someone to be your double. Then, you let the world see Captain Kuro get executed. Only now do I understand that was just the beginning of this plan. You are the man of a thousand plans.", Jango smirked.
"Never call me that again! I abandoned that name years ago. I now wish to attain my wealth without attracting the attention of the government. In other words, I'm a pacifist.", Kuro smirked.
"HAHAHAHAHA! Some pacifist you are! Murdering an entire family doesn't exactly qualify as peaceful.", Jango smirked as Atreyu and Daffodil's glares grew worse than before, Atreyu's hands scraping the grass in anger at Jango's mention of "murdering an entire family".
"That's why you hated Klaha... No, Captain Kuro for 3 years?! Because he killed our parents?!", Kaya whispered.
Atreyu never answered, too angry to even do so, which basically confirms this.
"Hold on. I haven't murdered an entire family. Even if Atreyu and Daffodil do paint me as a villain for this, this is only thanks in part to their grief. Besides, the father's death wasn't planned.", Kuro corrected.
"That doesn't change the fact that they've been quite irate with you for 3 years straight.", Jango said.
"Unfortunately, as I said, those are the damaging effects of their grief. As far as they know, they still blame me for not being able to save their parents.", Kuro explained.
"Did you hear that, Atreyu?", Daffodil asked.
"Yeah. It sounds like he doesn't know that we know he's really Captain Kuro.", Atreyu whispered.
"Whatever you say, it makes no difference to me. If it's all the same to you, hurry up and give the word. The crew is getting bored. We've been waiting in the waters near here for over a week. And the men are growing more anxious by the minute...", Jango smirked.
"All this time...! All this time, and I never knew that's why they hated him so much until now...!", Kaya thought as her fangs were bared and her tears started to shed.
"This is horrible...! This is really horrible...!", Usopp thought.
"I can't... believe they'd do this...!", Salvia spoke in just as much shock.
"What are they talking about? Is it bad guy stuff?", Luffy asked.
"Were you even paying attention, Luffy?!", Salvia whisper-shouted in annoyance. "Shanks once said that there are rumors that Kuro has somehow survived and was laying low until he's ready to strike back! Guess those rumors were true, after all..."
"And those guys aren't just bad. They're evil! Captain Kuro is known to be the most devious, scheming pirate around! And though he's known for his smarts, he's legendary for his brutality! Word had it that the marines caught and executed him 3 years ago. But Captain Kuro is alive and well, posing as Klahadore the butler, and he's had his diabolical sights on Kaya's fortune for the last 3 years!", Usopp spoke in worry.
"And if his big plan's anything to go by, first they'll attack the village. And then, they'll go after us next, right before Kaya...!", Atreyu spoke as it then showed a red scene with the pirates sending the villagers into a panic and then barging into the home before then charging in and slashing at Atreyu and Daffodil, feeling them before going toward Kaya next before going to the present.
"This is bad! This is seriously bad!", Usopp whimpered.
"But he doesn't know that we know. And that gives us the advantage.", Daffodil beamed happily.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. That's right. You two've known about this for 3 years, right?", Usopp asked.
"Yeah. We couldn't tell her before because we didn't want to break Kaya's heart. Besides, there might've been a chance that he'd figure us out and threaten us to keep quiet or else anyway. But seeing as he hasn't done it so far, I'd say now was a good time for an explanation. Point is, as long as he doesn't know that we know, that gives us the time we need. We have to warn everyone.", Atreyu spoke.
"You're right...", Kaya agreed as Daffodil nodded.
But then, Luffy stood up.
"Luffy, what are you doing?", Salvia whispered.
"Hey, get down... They'll see you!", Usopp spoke in worry.
Then, a crab once again fell into the water and Luffy called out to Captain Kuro and Jango.
"HEY, BAD GUYS! YOU BETTER STAY AWAY FROM THAT GIRL AND HER BROTHER AND SISTER!", Luffy shouted, attracting Kuro and Jango's attention, urging Usopp, Salvia, and the others to react and fall to the ground.
"Who are you?!", Jango spoke in shock.
"Crap...! He's spotted Luffy! Get back...!", Salvia whispered before she, Kaya, Atreyu, and Daffodil moved back behind a bush while Usopp tried to reason with Luffy.
"You idiot, they've spotted you! Come on, hurry up and hide before they decide you need a long, slow death!", Usopp panicked, grabbing Luffy by the arm.
Unfortunately, Kuro spotted Usopp, too.
"Well, now... if it isn't Usopp, the mischievous town liar.", Kuro glared.
"AAAAH! Oh, no! I'm spotted, too!", Usopp panicked.
"Did you... hear anything?", Kuro asked.
"Uh, nope! Uh, nothing at all! I don't know what you mean! We didn't hear a peep! We just got here! So, we didn't hear anything about anything!", Usopp fibbed in a panic.
"We heard it all.", Luffy only responded.
"Shut up!", Usopp panicked, covering his mouth.
Kuro only chuckled calmly and turned to Jango.
"Well, if you say so...", Jango spoke before walking forward and presenting a ring tied to a string. "Pay attention, boys! And watch this ring closely!"
"Hmm? Okay.", Luffy responded.
"Don't you get it? It's some kind of weapon! We gotta run!", Usopp worried.
"That idiot...! What does he think he's doing?!", Salvia whispered in worry.
"By the count of Jango, you will be in a deep sleep. Are you ready? 1..., 2..., JANGO!", Jango shouted.
"Run for cover! He's gonna kill us!", Usopp panicked as he ran and ducked from the other side during the countdown.
After the countdown, though, Luffy was fast asleep as was Jango, who was now leaning on an annoyed Kuro.
"Jango, you idiot! I see you're still falling asleep on the job!", Kuro spoke in annoyance.
"What just happened?", Daffodil asked whisperingly.
"I think he just put Luffy to sleep.", Atreyu guessed.
Then, Luffy suddenly started leaning forward in his sleep.
"Hey, be careful! You're gonna fall!", Usopp warned before Luffy quickly fell down and landed with a thud head-first, his rubber body sticking out like a radish, let alone a turnip, much to Kaya, Atreyu, Daffodil, and Usopp's shock while Salvia just groaned, facepalming herself.
The thud, though, woke up Jango with a snort before he saw what happened.
"He had to go and fall off a cliff, didn't he? A pity, really. I didn't mean to kill him. But there's no way he could've survived.", Jango sighed.
"This can't be happening...! They killed him...! He's really... dead...!", Usopp spoke in shock.
"Oh, no...! Poor Luffy...!", Kaya whimpered.
"Nope. It'll take more than that to get rid of him.", Salvia assured.
"Huh?", Kaya, Atreyu, and Daffodil puzzled.
"It'd take more than a fall like that to kill him. And I should know. Believe it or not, this isn't the first time this kind of thing happened.", Salvia said.
"You think he's gonna be okay, though?", Kaya asked.
"Yeah. Although, he would be a bit sore when he wakes up...", Salvia replied, giving a bit of a nervous chuckle.
"What about the other one? Shall I take care of him?", Jango asked.
"There's no need. Everything he could say would sound like lies.", Kuro assured, worrying Usopp.
"Jango, tomorrow at daybreak, the men are to attack the village. Rough up the villagers some and tear up their homes a little for good measure. And above all, make sure Ms. Kaya and her siblings' deaths look accidental.", Kuro stated.
Play One Piece Music: "Imu Destroys Lulusia Kingdom"
"Tomorrow...?!", Usopp panicked.
"At daybreak...?!", Kaya whispered.
"Just accept it, Usopp. There is nothing you can say or do to warn the villagers of this impending tragedy.", Kuro smirked.
In a hurry, Usopp turned and ran away, anyway.
"Kaya, you better go with him. He's gonna need some help.", Salvia urged.
"What about you?", Salvia asked.
"I have a few friends who might be able to help. Now, go...!", Salvia urged whisperingly.
"All right...!", Kaya nodded before she took off after Usopp.
"Come on, Daffodil. Us, too!", Atreyu urged.
"Okay.", Daffodil nodded with both dashing off in Kaya's direction.
"Are you sure about that one?", Jango asked.
"Of course I am. My plans are flawless.", Kuro smirked.
Meanwhile, Salvia groaned a bit as she saw Luffy snoring a bit with Kuro and Jango unaware of this.
"Oh, you better hope you wake up before I get back here, Luffy, because if you don't, you are gonna pay!", Salvia groaned before taking off in her own direction.
Meanwhile, Usopp was understandably panicked as he ran straightaway for the village.
"I can't believe this! This is terrible! I gotta do something! Everyone in the village I grew up with is in danger! And Kaya and her brother and sister are gonna be killed! I can't let that happen to the people I love!", Usopp shouted.
"Neither can we!", Kaya shouted.
Usopp turned and saw Kaya, Atreyu, and Daffodil.
"Kaya..., Atreyu..., Daffodil!", Usopp spoke in surprise.
"As far as Kuro knows, we weren't there. Maybe we could use this chance to warn them.", Atreyu panted.
"And help them fight those mean pirates, too!", Daffodil added.
"Hold on. Fight them? Seriously?", Usopp puzzled.
"I know we might not make it out of this... But still, we owe it to everyone to at least try and survive and push past the attack so that we may one day have adventures on the sea for real!", Kaya responded, flashing back to how she and Usopp first met.
"Who are you?", Kaya asked.
"I'm Usopp, brave warrior of the sea.", Usopp said before chuckling as Atreyu and Daffodil grew puzzled.
"I heard you've been a little down lately, so I thought I'd tell you a story to cheer you up.", Usopp said.
"You don't seem like the kind of pirate we always heard about.", Atreyu said.
"Yeah. We heard that they're mean and nasty.", Daffodil added.
"Uh..., well, not all of them are like that, though.", Usopp responded in bafflement.
But Kaya didn't seem willing to listen.
"You would do well to mind your own business! Please leave or I'll call someone who will make you leave!", Kaya threatened.
"WAIT!", Atreyu shouted, surprising Kaya.
"Atreyu...", Kaya said.
"Sorry. It's just... Can't you at least give him a shot?", Atreyu asked.
"Yeah. He seems fun.", Daffodil added.
Kaya was hesitant, but after some time, she started giggling happily.
"And then? What happened after that?", Kaya asked.
"I've fought, of course. And bravely, at that. First, for the giant cat, I used what else but a giant cat-tail plant!", Usopp fibbed before Kaya laughed as it then went back to the present.
"You're a very good person for her, Usopp!", Daffodil spoke.
"We won't let anyone tell you otherwise if we could help it, and you shouldn't either.", Atreyu panted.
"Wow. You guys are amazing judges of character for people your respective ages.", Usopp said.
"I know...! That's what Mom always used to say to us!", Atreyu said.
"If and when we do find someone who believes the truth about Kuro, Usopp, we're all going to have to prepare!", Kaya warned.
"Prepare? What do you mean?", Usopp asked.
"As of this moment..., we're all at war!", Kaya responded with a fierce glare as her eyes gave off wisps of mists with a glow.
Meanwhile, though, unaware of Kaya's plan for preparation, Kuro and Jango confidently looked out past the unconscious Luffy and out toward the Black Cat Pirate ship, the former pirate captain smirking as a crab climbing the rocky wall, tried, and failed again, falling into the ocean.
TO BE CONTINUED
End One Piece Music: "Imu Destroys Lulusia Kingdom"
A/N: Looks like things are getting just as intense, but thankfully not as hopeless as before. Who knows what might happen before Kuro's pirate crew arrives this time around? Either way, one thing is definitely certain: Captain Kuro isn't just in for a surprise; he's in for a rude awakening!