Usopp is a Liar.
He knows it. Kaya knows it. Everyone in the village, even the most gullible children, knows it.
Hard to not to, when Usopp run through the village every morning, shouting "Pirates! Pirates are coming!" despite there was no pirate. At all.
Merry told her it was a coping mechanism. His father sails away to become a pirate, then his mother fell it. Usopp start telling lies so his mother would hold on a little longer. And after she passed away, he continue telling lies because he get used to it. Start weaving other tall tales. Maybe hoping that if he tell enough lies, if he tell lies enough times, it will come true.
Kaya… can't exactly blame him.
And neither does the villagers, whom quickly get accustomed to the daily lie. In fact, since Usopp keep shouting Pirates at certain time in the morning, it become a routine. Some even use it as alarm clock.
At some point, she stops knowing of Usopp and started to actually knowing the boy. The silly long-nosed boy visiting her and tell her about lies. About him being brave warrior, a strong pirate, with many followers. An absurd number, several times of the Village population.
Kaya let him be.
It was all lies, but it was very entertaining lies. Usopp is a good story teller.
She also grow to enjoy his company. Being sick sucks, and aside from staff, she has nobody else. Her parents passed away when she was quite young herself. And none of the children form the villager approach her. Not since three years ago after Kuro start shooing them away, citing they were filthy and made her sick. Or sicker that she already was.
Only Usopp who dares to find a loophole and visit her anyway.
Lately, Usopp not only tell tale about "Brave Captain Usopp" but also about other people. He told her story about Demon Sword Asura who despite blind in both eyes determined to be the Master Swordsman along with his trusty swords. About a Prince who was ostracized because he has feelings and kindness in his heart and choose to abandon his throne to become the Greatest Chef who feed starved people. About a Silly yet lovely and courageous Sun God who descent to human world from heaven to spread joy and laugh.
Today tale was about a Weather Witch. A Witch who can command hail and storm with her staff and change the weather at whims. Kaya was in tears when Usopp told her why the witch is obsessed with money and demands hefty payment for her service.
"She… she want to help her ill mother." Kaya wiped her tears. "She's a good sister."
"Yes! The Loan Shark is truly cruel man for preying on weak mother and holding her sister hostage." Usopp nodded in agreement. "Fortunately, the Witch found good friends who told her that she doesn't have to squeeze other dry to save her family! Now that she has grow up and become strong, she will go and beat the Loan Shark and save her family! And her friends can keep her sister and mother safe so that the Loan Shark from hurting them or use them as shield! No more will they lived in fear!"
Kaya smiled.
She love happy ever after ending.
"Wow~ That was a superb story~" A voice teased.
Kaya looked down to see several head popped out from the bush. A boy with black hair and scar under his eye, a young men with green hair and one closed eye, and a girl with orange hair and cat-like grin.
"You know Usopp? You really should try your hand at writing novel." The girl teased. "You will make a killing."
"S-shut up Nami!" Usopp shouted, blushing.
Nami? That was a new name. Did Usopp have friends? Stupid Kaya. Of course he does. Why wouldn't he? He was healthy boy. She remember him being trailed by three kids.
But why she never saw this particular trio before? Or heard about them?
"Usopp? Who are they?" Kaya asked.
"Right. Kaya, this is Nami," the girl waved. "Zoro." The green haired man nod in greeting. "And Luffy." The boy waved wildly. He's pretty excitable and it made Kaya smiled.
She want to be like that.
"They just docked this morning."
Ah. No wonder she never heard them before.
"Guys. This is Kaya."
"Hi Kaya!" Luffy greeted. "I'm Monkey D. Luffy and I gonna be the Pirate King!"
Kaya blinked, then smiled.
Pirate King… that was a big dream. As big as Usopp's dream to be a Pirate and Brave Warrior of the Sea. She likes hearing people talk about tehir dream. Making her wanting a dream of her own.
"Hello Luffy," Kaya greeted back. "A Pirate King, huh? Does it means you have a large crew?" Usopp used to talk about his many "imaginative" followers.
"Shishishishishishishi!" Luffy laughed in his odd, yet charming laugh. "Nope! It's just Zoro, Nami, and Me for the moment." There's something in his eyes when said for the moment, as if there's a secret. Hm… what kind of secret? Kaya is kind of excited to know. "And I don't want a large crew! I just need my First Mate, Navigator, Sniper, Chef, Doctor, Archeologist, Shipwright, Musician, and Helmsman! They're my precious and irreplaceable Nakama! Might pick others up but too many! Too Big crew means I can't keep track of my Nakama! I wanna grow close to each of them!"
Kaya saw Usopp look at the side and rub the back of his neck sheepishly. Red creeping up his face.
Yeah. She feels him. Having a large follower is awesome… but a tight-knit crew whom you know well and loved with all your heart is priceless beyond any treasure.
She has her staff, but she's only close to Klahadore and Merry. They're more important to her than anyone else… except maybe Usopp. He's pretty high in her admittedly pitiful list of important people.
"Miss Kaya."
Kaya sighed.
Klahadore and Usopp both are good to her, but they absolutelycan't stand each other. Never have. Klahadore tends to pokes on Usopp and saying nasty thing to him until he left and Kaya scolds him. He always said it was for her own good, but she doesn't want it to be at Usopp's expense!
Also, Usopp also start to bite back and say sharp words. He smiles but it was not the same smiles he give to Kaya and Merry. Merry pondered that maybe Usopp is more bothered than he let others know and he might have reached his breaking point. There's only so much insult one can take, after all.
Yeah. That… is a thing, isn't it?
"Hey. Who's that guy? He looks like Kuro." Zoro asked.
"I." Klahadore gritted, somehow angrier than usual. "Do not know who this Kuro is."
"Huh?" Zoro huffed. "Maybe you should read newspaper often. You look pretty identical to him. Can't have Marine arrest mistakenly arrest innocent man, can you?"
Nami elbowed him. "Kuro is dead three years ago." She told him. "His Bounty is off the circulation. Though," She narrowed her eyes at Klahadore. "I don't blame you for being suspicious. For a butler, he is sure a rude one, even to his own master. Miss Kaya must be really nice. Any other house would kick you out and blacklist you from any employment for that attitude alone."
Klahadore get angrier and kick them out. They just laughed and walks away.
Later, that evening, Kaya would ask Merry if he know about this Kuro person.
"Kuro… they must be talking about Thousand Plans Kuro." Merry mused. "Yes. He was caught and executed three years ago. I think I still have his Bounty Poster in my office. I can bring it here, if Miss like."
"I do." Kaya nodded. She want to see how he looks if Zoro said Klahadore looks identical to him. Also, "Why do you have Bounty Posters?"
Merry smiled indulgently. "After Usopp keep talking about Pirates, I start collecting pictures in case any of those Pirates actually come to the Island. Never mind that News Coo often come with updated Bounty Posters."
Ah. That made sense.
Soon, Merry returned with a rolled up Poster. His face is a little pale. Before Kaya could ask him why, he unroll the poster and show it to her.
The one in the picture is Klahadore. Or someone who could've been his identical twin.
"Oh." Kaya gasped.
"Miss." Merry called her. "This Captain Kuro was executed three years ago." Kaya nodded. Nami did said it. "…Klahadore arrived at Syrup village three years ago."
Kaya froze.
It could've been unfortunate timing, she tried to reasoned. But… but the timing is suspicious to be a coincidence.
Nami mention Klahadore has been rude towards her, a behavior unbefitting for a butler. And comparing him to Merry just…
No.
Klahadore can't be Kuro. Kuro is dead. Has been dead for three years. He has to be. He Has.
Someone sighed.
"I was hoping you will ignore that loudmouth liar as you usually do. But it seems having someone backing him giving any liar a credential to his story. How… vexing."
The last thing Kaya saw before darkness consume her was someone stabbed Merry from behind.
When she come to consciousness, she found herself being bound to a chair. A table in front of her, in which her hands are tied to it. A paper sit neatly and next to it was a pen. Kaya's eyes tremble as she recognize the paper as Last Will and Testament.
"W-what the…" Her eyes darted around the room. She recognize it as one of the room in her mansion.
Her eyes finally landed on her butler, who was standing there. Menacingly.
"You really ought to ignore that lying bastard, Kaya." Klahadore tut-tutted. "He's a bad news. Had you didn't listen to him, I won't have to resort to this. Well," he shrugged, "I suppose this have to happen sooner or later so I may have to send that lying liar a basket gift for speeding up the plan."
"Klahadore." Kaya gulped. "Why… why are you doing this?"
Klahadore-no, not Klahadore, Kuro, look at her with nasty smirk that made her skin crawl. "Why. Money of course." He answered. "Being a pirate is such a hassle. Being chased by marine, bounty hunters, stupid crew, and most infuriating of all, false lead to treasures. It's a high risk and low reward job. One can't be blamed to be tired of such life…"
Kaya is made to listening to most heart-striking, horrifying, tale she had ever displeasure of listening. Unlike Usopp, Kuro's story made her gut churns.
He was never working for her. He was never loyal. Klahadore is a lie. The truth behind it all… he was after her wealth.
With quivering voice, Kaya tried to be brave. "What… what if I refuse to sign?" She challenged.
What she got was Kuro yanking her hair, making her cry in pain. "Then perhaps you don't care to your little liar friend? Or the kids who trail after him like stupid lost ducking?" Kaya froze. "What about your silly sheep of butler? I wonder if he's still alive? He's bleeding pretty hard."
Kaya felt tears pickled at corner of her eyes.
"Enough. Stop." She weakly plead. The image of Merry, her best friend, her uncle, dying, was too much for her to bear. "Don't you dare… don't…"
"Then perhaps if you sign this paper." Kuro tapped at the will. "I might consider releasing you. Who knows, maybe if you're fast enough the old sheep might be saved."
Trembling, Kaya picked up the pen.
Just as the tip of it touched the paper, something broke through the window and crashed onto Kuro. The ex-pirate scream a bloody murder as that something slathered his face. Kaya tentatively sniffled the air and winces at the spicy scent that assault her sense and making her eyes watery for new reason.
"Who the fuck-"
The window was broken open and a boot stomped on Kuro's back.
"That's for Merry!" Usopp bellowed and shot Kuro point blank with something when the older man turned to look at him. "And that's for Kaya!"
"Usopp!"
The teen turned to her and without much further ado, tookout a small knife and cut off the rope that binds her to the chair.
"Hi Kaya!" Usopp greeted with a smile. A tensesmile. "Are you alright? He didn't hurt you, did he?"
Kaya notice Kuro is getting up behind Usopp and brandished a weapon she didn't know he has. "Usopp! Watch out!"
Usopp pulling her down with him, before a feet lashed out and kicked Kuro in a high kick. One of the blades, or some, hard to see, nicked his leg.
"Ow ow ow ow." Complained Usopp in flat voice. Testing the leg. "Knew I should've wore something thicker."
"You…"
"Yeah. Me. Hi." Mocked Usopp. "You are being rude to Kaya and Merry! And I won't let you harm them any further!" He pushed Kaya to get out of the harm's way, but she can't exactly leave the room. The door, as she found out the hard way, is locked.
And she was on second floor.
"I ought to kill you!" Snarled Kuro. "You and your mouth… your story made me sick! If you think you can play pirate, then I show you true pirate! Pussyfoot Maneuver!"
Kuro began to move erratically. Faster than Kaya could track him.
But Usopp could, since he tripped Kuro with ease. Almost bored even.
"Dude. Pussyfoot?Lame." He deadpanned."No. Seriously. You named a knock-off Shave "Pussyfoot"?I never heard lamer name and I know tons of Lame names for skills! You probably could kill Grand Line pirate via laughing to death, though."
Kuro's face turned red from anger and shame.
"I show you lame!" He attacked again, but like before, it was as if Usopp had anticipated him and fought him off.
"Hey bud! Eat rotten egg!"
Kuro was blown back when the egg hit him, and Kaya can see the egg landed on his mouth.
"How did you…"
"In a certain country," Usopp grinned "I am called God."
From thereon the fight was entirely in Usopp's favor. No. Since the beginning Usopp is already winning it. It was something that Kaya never expected. She know Usopp embelished lies to make himself look great. And yet, seeing Usopp almost effortlessly take down Kuro, alone, made her reconsider that maybe, maybe there's a truth to his story.
It doesn't take too long for Usopp to beat Kuro, and tied him up with ropes, the ones Kuro used to bind Kaya.
It was after that Usopp inform her thathis new friends had seen actual pirate ship sailing close to Syrup Village and overhear them talking shit about their captain who pose as some rich girl's butler and planning to do something bad to her. Since Kaya is a rich girl, and Usopp has been suspicious of Kuro, he went to check on her while his new friends beat up the Pirates.
He found Merry bleeding, so he had to take him to village's doctor first before he can save her. He bowed and apologize for taking so long.
Kaya doesn't care.
She just… she's relieved everything is alright.
"Thank you." She thanked Usopp. She thanked Luffy, Zoro, and Nami, all of whom beat up the pirates that tried to harm her and Merry for their greed. "Truly thank you. I… I owe you for saving my life. What can I do to repay you?"
"We're looking for a ship!" Luffy exclaimed. "Do you know where we can get one?"
Merry meet Kaya's eyes. She understands.
That lovely ship has been anchored to the port for years. It was the time for her to sail the seas once more.
"If it's a ship you seek, I know one."
Merry led them to the harbor, and showing them a Ship Kaya know so well. It was her family's ship.
"Allow me to introduce you to my pride and joy: Going Merry."
The trio was silent. Kaya, fearful and hesitant if they feel insulted, take a look at them. What she find was they, alongside Usopp, was choked up and… is that tears?
"She's perfect." Nami whispered. "I… I love her."
"We love her." Zoro corrected.
Luffy laughed in his strange laugh, but it's wet and choked up with tears. "Yeah! Merry is awesome! Awesome ship for King of Pirates!" He stated. "I can't… I can't wait to sail the sea with her!"
"Heel, cap. Heel." Nami hold him by collar. "We need to put on supplies first. Can't go starving on the sea, can we? Sanji will be furious and worried. And there's buncha other stuff we need."
"Oh yeah."
Merry stepped forward. "If I may, I can be of help."
Zoro raised an eyebrow. "You sure old man?" He pointed at the bandages, in which Nami coughed and mutter something that sounds like "hypocrite".
"Nah!" Usopp hit his chest with a fist. "Leave it to the Great Usopp!"
Kaya watched the interaction, and she just know.
Usopp will be going with them.
She was surprised to find herself stung with loss, despite it was not a final decision just yet, despite Usopp haven't said anything. It just… she just know.
Usopp admire pirates. Has been dreaming to be a Pirate as far as she could remember. And now when the opportunity present itself… what could hold him back in Syrup Village? Already, despite only knowing them for a short time, Kaya can see how close Usopp with the trio. Much closer than he is with the kids that were following him.
"Kaya, I…"
"I know."
Silence stretched between them. Merry, alongside the trio (and they will be a quartet soon, once Usopp joins) are busy visiting stores. Gathering up supplies for long voyage.
"Hey. Um, you know." Usopp scratched his head. "Since I won't be around for much longer, think you up for one last story?"
Kaya tilted his head. Curious and excited.
She always love Usopp's story.
She hope this story is as good as other story-or preferably, better.
"What story?" Perhaps it's about his title as God and how he came to it?
"About Klaubatermann."
"Klaubatermann? What is that?"
Usopp glanced back at where the dock is. Where the Going Merry is. He turn back to her and smiled.
"Do you know, that if the ship is incredibly loved by the crew that sail with it, the ship would come alive?"