Dawn started to rise on the sleepy Syrup Village, a town situated on the Gecko Islands. As the villagers started to wake up and get into their morning routine, a loud yelling rang out.
"Big trouble, everyone! There's pirates attacking! Everyone run for your lives!"
A young lad by the name of Usopp ran through the town yelling at the top of his lungs about the sudden attack. Soon, he eventually ran out of breath.
"The... Pirates... Were a complete and total lie! I made the whole thing up!"
He laughed at his practical joke until he felt a large pot slam his head. The villagers started coming out of their homes carrying brooms and other tools, all very annoyed with Usopp's lie.
"It's every day you do this, Usopp!"
"When are you gonna quit it?!"
"At this point, I can set my alarm clock to your whole routine!"
Usopp ran for it with a big grin on his face, laughing all the while.
Meanwhile, Luffy, Lithos, Merone, Ferros, Ariala, Zoro, and Nami were sailing towards the Gecko Islands on their schooner.
"The best place to dock would be Syrup Village. It's quiet and out of the way, so we'll go unnoticed while we barter for a new ship and bigger supplies." Lithos suggested.
"Yeah, we could really use some good quality booze for this voyage," Zoro said.
Merone frowned. "You drink way too much alcohol. I'm surprised your liver hasn't shriveled up and died."
"Should we be concerned that this crate the soda was in has Buggy's Jolly Roger on it?" Nami asked.
"I doubt it'll cause trouble. We're not flying any colors or flags." Luffy said.
"You'd have to be stupid or a naive kid to think we're with Buggy's crew just from one small crate." Ferros chuckled. "Speaking of which, we should see if there's anyone on the islands we can add to our crew. Seven people aren't going to be enough to handle the Grand Line."
Usopp had given the villagers the slip, hiding in the nearby trees. He chuckled as he wiped some sweat off his brow while leaning against the trunk.
"Another job well done. Someone's gotta inject some excitement into this sleepy little town."
"Captain Usopp!"
Usopp perked up and jumped down to see two little boys running over to him; Ninjin and Piiman.
"Hey, guys! No sign of Tamanegi today?"
"He went out scouting the shore, Captain," Piiman explained.
"We've got trouble!"
The three looked to see Tamanegi running in, a panicked look on his face.
"Pirates are coming! I saw a boat with a large skull mark coming in at the north shore!"
"Wait, real pirates are attacking?! I thought I just made that up!" Usopp gawked before cringing in annoyance. "Crap, we can't warn the villagers after the stunt I just pulled, they'll never believe it!"
"We can't chicken out now, Captain. You always wanted to be a great pirate! Well, a pirate wouldn't be scared of other pirates!" Ninjin said.
"That's true, but there are times when fear is the smarter course of action." Usopp pointed out. "Tamanegi, what sort of mark did you see on their sail?"
"It wasn't on their sail, it was on a crate on their ship. But it was unmistakably the Jolly Roger of Buggy the Clown."
"Wait... You only saw the mark on a crate? How big was the ship?"
"Just a small schooner with only seven people on board."
Usopp nodded as he began planning. If he did things right, he might be able to handle seven people...hopefully.
"Alright then, Usopp Pirates! Let's go and protect the village!"
"AYE-AYE!"
Back on the shore, the team had just finished landing their schooner. Zoro grunted as he stretched out from the long trip.
"Good to be back on dry land."
"Syrup Village should be just beyond that rocky pass there. Looks like a pretty small one." Nami noted.
"Let's start by seeing if there's any place we can get food. I'm eager for some good meat right about now." Luffy said.
"Is food all you think about when we come to a new island?" Ariala asked in exasperation.
"Yep!"
Suddenly, the group heard a faint rustling and put their guard up. Zoro started to unsheathe one of his swords halfway carefully.
"I think we have company."
The group looked around, and suddenly Luffy started dancing to avoid shots fired right at his feet. Ferros gave an impressed whistle even as the pellets flew through the bodies of him and his siblings without harming them.
"Whoever they are, they've got spectacular aim."
Nami quickly got to cover near the schooner as several Jolly Rogers were raised above the cliff, the skulls having elongated mouths.
"That's way too many flags all at once. Pretty cool looking though." Luffy noted.
Usopp laughed as he appeared on the cliff.
"I am Captain Usopp, leader of the great pirates who reign over this village!"
"Huh, he looks kinda familiar..." Ariala noted.
Lithos nodded. "He does, almost like..."
"If you plan on attacking this village, then you will face the wrath of my 80 million subordinates!"
"You're lying through your teeth!" Nami accused. "There's no way 80 million people live here!"
"SHE SAW RIGHT THROUGH ME!"
"Wow, just outright admit it at the first accusation. You are bad at this." Ariala snarked.
Usopp shook his head to recompose himself.
"Okay, so I was exaggerating about the 80 million subordinates. But I assure you I do have several powerful allies under my command!"
As it happened, Ninjin, Piiman, and Tamanegi were working the flags to try and make three people look like three hundred.
"What, like three whole people?" Merone asked.
"SHE SAW THROUGH IT!" The kids cried out in shock as Nami picked up one of the pellets.
"I gotta say, I've never heard of a pirate that used a slingshot before."
"Hey, don't underestimate me!" Usopp called out. "My marksmanship skills are top-notch! I can fire a slingshot with greater accuracy than any gunman with a pistol!"
He pulled out his slingshot, but Luffy just tipped his hat down.
"Now that you've drawn your weapon, it's time to put your life on the line. That's not a tool for threatening people."
Zoro smirked as he readied his sword.
"I definitely chose the right captain to serve under... You're looking at real pirates here! You sure you wanna do this?"
Usopp was nervous, both Luffy and Zoro looked really intimidating. He somehow couldn't even injure Lithos, Merone, Ariala, and Ferros, and even Nami had a look of "don't mess with me" on her face. Usopp wound up dropping to his knees.
"Holy crap... Real pirates have way more punch behind their words... So awesome..."
Then to his surprise, Luffy started laughing.
"Hate to burst your bubble, but I actually stole those lines from my idol Shanks."
Usopp nearly fell over. "You mean Red-Haired Shanks?! You know him?!
"That is correct. And your dad's name is Yasopp, right?" Merone asked.
That name got Usopp so excited he wound up falling right off the cliff before picking himself up, a hopeful look on his face.
"You guys know my old man?"
Later Usopp took the group to a local restaurant to get some lunch. Luffy was digging into a large hunk of meat while Merone was scarfing down several fried shellfish. Lithos was helping himself to some stew while Ferros chugged a large mug of ale as Ariala ate some baked goods.
"So how do you even know Shanks?" Usopp asked.
"We met him when we were little," Merone explained.
"That's right! Yassop told me he had a son my age!" Luffy beamed.
"So my old man's sailing on Shanks's crew, serving under one of the Yonko..."
"You look a lot like Yasopp actually, that's why we figured you had to be his son. Though he didn't have such a long nose," Lithos said.
"Yeah, this I got from my mom," Usopp explained. "But I did get a lot from Dad, especially my skills as a sharpshooter."
"Yeah, Yasopp always was a crack sho. He could hit an apple from forty yards away using his pistol." Ferros chuckled. "He even bragged that he could shoot an ant right between the eyes."
"Not to mention he was always talking about you, Usopp. Especially when he was drunk. In fact, he wouldn't shut up about you." Ariala giggled.
Usopp chuckled. "When my old man decided to live out on the sea with his life on the line, I was actually proud of him. I wanted to be just like him when I grew up."
"Then maybe you know someone around here who knows how to sail. Or at least can get us a larger boat." Nami said.
"You'd have to try one of the other islands in the archipelago for that. Syrup Village is actually pretty small." Usopp replied. "Although, I do have a friend that lives in a large mansion up the hill from here. One of her caretakers is great at shipbuilding. But I'd stay away from that place."
He then perked up as he stood up and started to head off.
"That reminds me! There's something I need to take care of. Feel free to eat as much as you like."
The mansion in question was under heavy guard. Inside the bedroom was a young woman named Kaya, who was currently bedridden. Attending her was her butler Klahadore.
"Young Miss, you really shouldn't be seeing Usopp anymore. That man is nothing but trouble." Klahadore said as he finished pouring some water for her, then adjusted his glasses in a peculiar manner, using the edge of his palm near the wrist. "He tells nothing but tall tales. He's even known as the village's biggest exaggerator. Someone in your weakened condition wouldn't be able to handle his stories. Your late parents gave me strict instructions to protect you to the full extent of my abilities, and that's exactly what I intend to do. Now, I've left your medicine by your bedside. Make sure you take it."
Kaya sighed as Klahadore left the room.
"He just doesn't get it. Those stories are what keep my spirits up."
Meanwhile, outside, Usopp had carefully removed a section of the outer hedge cut into a block, letting him slip into the mansion grounds. He climbed a nearby tree and tossed a pebble into the window of Kaya's bedroom. She cheerfully opened the window to greet him.
"Usopp! It's so good to see you!"
"Hey, Kaya. Are you doing okay?"
"Sort of. I wish I could invite you in as a real guest, but Klahadore is a real cheapskate. He's so kind to me, I just wish he'd extend that kindness to my friends."
"Hey, don't let his actions get you down. Honestly, as a brave warrior of the sea, I'd only feel cramped inside a house."
He started getting into one of his stories about his "great adventures". Kaya knew they were just made up, but hearing them always made her happy.
Meanwhile, after they had finished eating, Luffy and his crew were being led by the Usopp Pirates to Kaya's mansion.
"So why would Usopp come out here for?" Luffy wondered.
"He did say he had a friend here. Maybe he went to see them." Merone pointed out.
"His friend is the girl whose family owns the mansion. Her name is Kaya, and she's been suffering from depression as of late. So Captain Usopp tries to cheer her up by telling tall tales of his adventures." Piiman explained. "She knows they're fake, but they bring such a smile to her face anyway because Usopp is such a great storyteller."
"She lives here all by herself?" Nami asked.
"Her parents died from illness a year ago and it's left her upset ever since. All the money she inherited can't put a smile on her face when all she wants is her family back." Ninjin said. "But that's why she cherishes her friendship with Captain Usopp because he's able to make her laugh and smile again."
"Sounds like a great guy. No wonder you kids look up to him." Ariala smiled.
Luffy grinned. "If he can cheer up Kaya until she's all better, then maybe we can get him on our crew. We should get inside and speak with him!"
"Good luck with that. See those guards over there? They watch the place like a hawk." Tamanegi said.
However, everyone saw that Luffy had grabbed onto the fence and pulled back to stretch out his arms. They quickly realized what he was trying to do and quickly grabbed onto him.
"PARDON THE INTRUSION!"
The entire group was flung into the air from Luffy's spring jump. As they came down, Usopp noticed them from his tree perch and freaked out. Luckily, everyone wound up hitting the dirt instead of the tree or the mansion.
"Luffy... Next time try and look before you leap..." Lithos groaned.
"Are you kids okay?" Merone asked, having landed in a bush while shielding the kids.
"Y-Yeah, thanks miss..."
"Are you all okay?!" Kaya called out.
"We're fine!" Luffy said as he reinflated his flattened body. "We're just here to talk to Usopp!"
"Uh, yeah! They're new recruits who wanted to join the Usopp Pirates!" Usopp said.
"Actually, we were wondering if YOU would like to join OUR crew." Ferros clarified.
Usopp was actually surprised by what he heard. However, it was then that Klahadore came over.
"You there! What are you doing here?! I don't appreciate you breaking in here without permission!"
He adjusted his glasses, and the Children of Whitebeard noted the odd way in which he did so.
"Are you one of the guards here?" Ariala asked.
Klahadore huffed. "I'm the butler of this household, and I must ask you all to leave."
"Oh, we were just here for Usopp. We don't intend to stay any longer than necessary." Luffy said.
Klahadore scoffed. "That's fine. But I'll warn you here and now, he's nothing but the son of a filthy pirate!"
"That father's name is Yasopp, and he actually made sure to bathe at least five times a week," Merone said. "Also, don't go throwing around the word 'pirate' like it's a slur. That word is nothing more than a label, one which those who bear it use for whatever the hell they want."
Klahadore seemed to flinch at Merone's words, especially the sharp way she said them, but he otherwise remained composed.
"I'm not here to argue semantics. I'm simply looking out for the young lady's best interests."
Luffy frowned. "Well, you're kinda failing. From what I heard, Miss Kaya is suffering from depression, correct?"
"Yes, from the passing of her parents a year ago," Klahadore replied.
"Then what she needs more than anything is something to lighten her mood, which is what Usopp is clearly trying to do." Lithos pointed out. "He doesn't need a reason for it, just trying to help out someone in need."
Klahadore placed a hand behind his back so he could clench his fist out of sight. He was trying to get a rise out of Usopp to have reason to throw him out but he was the one who was starting to lose his cool, something he couldn't afford just now.
"I'll say no more on the matter. I have other duties to attend. Kindly take Usopp and leave, before I am forced to call the guards."
He started to walk off but Usopp angrily stood up from his perch on the tree.
"Klahadore! Let me say one thing first; It's true that I make up stories and tell fibs to get attention, but never have I once been ashamed of what my father is! If anything, I'm proud that he chose to become a warrior of the sea!" He called out as he dropped from the tree using a grappling hook. "And personally, I think anyone who would deride a person's choice to become a pirate, even a bad one, is nothing but scum!"
Klahadore gritted his teeth. "Don't you sugarcoat what a pirate is! They're nothing but barbaric savages! Just filthy degenerates who leave behind homes and family all for the lust of treasure! And for what?!"
"Now who's exaggerating? Even I don't think pirates are that bad." Nami said.
Usopp scowled as he clenched his fist tightly, looking fully ready to slug Klahadore one but Lithos gently stopped him with a hand on his shoulder and shook his head. Realizing what the Earth Logia was trying to tell him, Usopp sighed before scoffing as he settled for glaring at Klahadore.
"Right, you're trying that old trick again. Claiming I'm just cozying up to Kaya because I want her fortune. Well, let me make something else clear... Even if I did just want money, I have a better way of getting it. I have dreams of becoming a pirate like my father. The only thing stopping me is the lack of a ship." The boy said. "If you really want to talk about people who seem like the type to try and steal Kaya's fortune...THEN MAYBE YOU SHOULD LOOK IN A GODDAMN MIRROR!"
That got Klahadore to snap and punch Usopp in the face. Kaya cried out in shock at the act, and Klahadore himself quickly seemed to regret his actions. He grunted and took a second to recompose himself, then walked off without another word.
"Are you okay?" Ferros asked as he and Zoro helped Usopp up.
"Damn, it took real courage to stand up to that guy and not sink to his level," Zoro said.
"Well, I have you guys to thank for the encouragement. I would have just snapped and tried to attack the guy." Usopp admitted. 'But you guys went out of your way to stand up for my old man."
He looked up to the window and noticed Kaya had gone back inside with a saddened look on his face.
"Though I'm a little worried what this shock might have done to poor Kaya. She hates seeing violence, and for some reason, she never saw Klahadore as anything but kind, no matter what insults he slung at others."
Later, Nami and Zoro were hanging out outside town with Piiman and Ninjin.
"So where did the others go?" Nami wondered.
"Probably to speak with Usopp. From what Lithos told me, once Luffy decides to make someone his crewmate he never lets up about it. Speaking personally I can say he's not wrong." Zoro replied before looking over to the kids. "By the way, isn't one of you missing?"
"Yeah, Tamanegi always slips off," Piiman admitted.
"Then comes running back in a panic yelling about something," Ninjin added.
"We've got trouble!"
Sure enough, Tamanegi ran over with Ninjin and Piiman sighing.
"See, like we said. You can set your watch to it."
"Some weird guy is walking backward through the town! He had long hair, and wore a big coat with a wide-brimmed hat and heart-shaped sunglasses!" Tamanegi said.
He pointed to where said guy was approaching, and sure enough, he was somehow walking backward with a sliding step.
"Hey, who's been calling me strange? I'm not strange at all."
"You seem pretty strange to me," Nami pointed out.
"Come on now, I'm just an ordinary hypnotist who's passing through." He then pulled out a ring pendulum. "Here, let me give you a demonstration. Watch the ring closely."
He started swinging the pendulum in front of the kids.
"You'll start to feel sleepy at the count of 'one, two, Jango'."
The whole time the kids' eyes were following the pendulum as the hypnotist counted off.
"One, two, Jango!"
The kids fell asleep, but so did the hypnotist, having been watching his own pendulum. Nami couldn't help but chortle at the sight.
"What kind of hypnotist winds up hypnotizing themselves?"
"Either a really lame one or one that is too skilled for even themself to handle." Zoro shrugged.
Meanwhile, Luffy and the Children of Whitebeard were with Usopp, who was still pretty upset about earlier.
"Can't believe that damn butler would insult my old man like that."
"Something about him seemed too dangerous. The way he adjusted his glasses...it didn't look normal." Ariala said.
Lithos nodded. "Kinda reminded me of something actually."
"What I wanna know is what that guy's beef with pirates is. Sure Nami hates them too, but at least she has the excuse that a pirate crew killed someone close to her." Ferros said.
Luffy noticed something. "Maybe if we go down there and ask him."
Usopp and the others were surprised to see Klahadore walking on the shore below with the hypnotist Zoro and Nami encountered earlier.
"What's he doing out here?"
Down below, the two men were talking. Needless to say, Klahadore was less than pleased with the hypnotist.
"I told you not to do anything to make yourself stand out, Jango. And yet you wind up sleeping in the middle of the village."
"I got caught up in my own act. You know me, I'm a big-time showman."
"Well, all that aside, I assume preparations for the plan are ready?"
Jango nodded. "Yeah, we can go anytime...The Rich Girl Assassination Plan!"
That got Usopp freaking out, realizing their scheme had to involve Kaya.
"First of all, don't go yelling out the name of the plan. You never know who might be close enough to overhear." Klahadore chided. "Second, don't call it an assassination. That has a bad ring to it."
"Right, forgot that we're supposed to be making it look like an accident. If we flat out kill her, then the plan's a flop."
Klahadore nodded. "Exactly, it's the only way I can claim her inheritance without raising any suspicion. However, a mere butler can't inherit by default. So before she dies you are to hypnotize Kaya so that she writes a will in which I inherit her entire estate."
"Holy crap..." Usopp muttered in horror. "I was only taunting him when I said he might be after Kaya's money... But that really was the case?!"
"Shhhh!" Merone shushed urgently.
"After three long years working to gain the trust of everyone around me, it wouldn't be suspicious for the young lady to leave her inheritance to me should anything happen to her," Klahadore said.
"So this is how the great Captain Kuro plans to settle his retirement. We were all shocked when you said you wanted to give up life as a pirate three years ago. You even went so far as to set up a subordinate to be your double, letting him get executed in your place." Jango noted. "Small wonder they call you Kuro of a Thousand Plans."
"Proud as I am of the title, I discarded the name Kuro three years ago. What I want more than ever now is peace of mind. Settling down with several million Berris is certainly a good start. No pesky government on my back either. I pride myself on being a pacifist."
Jango scoffed. "Some pacifist. Killing off an entire rich family just to settle down in peace?"
"Actually, the death of Kaya's parents was entirely natural. "I had nothing to do with that, and it wasn't part of my plans. Just a happy accident that allowed my plans to accelerate a little." Kuro clarified.
"Well, it makes no difference, we're just waiting on your signal. The crew's been sitting in the waters near here for a whole week now. And they're really starting to get impatient." Jango said.
"They're planning on attacking the village!" Ariala whispered in shock.
"I thought that butler seemed familiar...Captain Kuro fights using a set of blades he keeps on each finger to use like cat claws, which is why he developed that method of adjusting his glasses, so he wouldn't cut his face." Lithos realized.
"This is bad! Kuro is said to be the smartest and most brutal pirate of them all!" Usopp said.
"Eh, he's not even in the top ten. Dangerous, sure, but his last known bounty was only at 16,000,000 Berris." Ferros said. "That's not even the biggest bounty in the East Blue, let alone the rest of the world.
Merone hummed. "But I thought the Marines had managed to execute him three years ago."
"Yeah, remember that asshole Captain Morgan?" Ariala spoke up. "He was the one who finally captured Kuro, or at least that's what everyone thought. But it looks like he pulled a fast one on them.
Lithos nodded. "I guess a member of his crew must have had a good likeness if no one realized what they caught was really a body double."
"And he later hid himself as Klahadore the butler, all to find a way to get Kaya's fortune." Usopp realized in horror. "If we don't do something, then Kaya will..."
Luffy started to get up to confront Kuro and Jango, but Lithos and Merone quickly stopped him.
"Let's wait until they discuss their plans more. We might get vital information that can be used to stop them."
"Just have the Bezan Black ready at the north shore. We'll make our move tomorrow morning." Kuro told Jango.
"The north shore?" Luffy asked.
"Yeah, it's a narrow rock pass. Very identical to the south shore here." Usopp explained.
"Come to think of it, we actually arrived here at the north shore." Ariala realized.
"Make sure the crew does a good job tearing up the town. Kaya's poor health combined with her inability to handle violence... No one would bat an eye if it was said her heart gave out from seeing the attack." Kuro ordered.
Hearing this, Usopp clenched his fist. He remembered the first time he met Kaya. Having grown up in Syrup Village, he naturally heard about it when Kaya's parents died. When he learned that Kaya was suffering from depression, he decided to do what he could to cheer her up, which is when he developed his penchant for making up tall tales. Kaya had tried to turn him away at first, but it wasn't long before she was laughing at his absurd yet charming stories.
"We need to do something...We can't let them kill the people of the village! This place... It's been my home for as long as I can remember!" Usopp said, tears budding in his eyes. "I love everyone here, even when they chase me or call me a troublemaker!"
They noticed Jango walking off, but Kuro stayed behind for a bit.
"It won't be long now... I'll get rid of every loose end, everyone that knew about my past as Captain Kuro. Once my plan is complete, only Klahadore will remain."
"Wait...He said he'd get rid of anyone who knew his past. But that would include his crew. Does that mean that...?" Usopp spoke up.
"Kuro's going to kill his entire crew once his plan is complete!" Ariala realized.
A look of pure rage contorted on Luffy's face as he suddenly stood up, catching everyone's attention.
"Luffy?"
"Usopp, do you have any paper and pencil?"
"Y-Yeah, sure!"
Usopp hurriedly handed the items to Luffy, freaking out at the uncharacteristic look of pure rage on the normally cheerful and absent-minded boy's face. Luffy then calmly wrote a black symbol on the paper with the pencil.
"W-What's that supposed to be?"
"It's called the Black Spot...Basically, it's a pirate's death sentence." Merone explained.
"Should a pirate captain ever commit an act so heinous even other pirates would call it evil, this message is sent to let that captain know he will be killed for his actions. In this case, while it's within a captain's right to execute a crew member who screwed up, killing their entire crew is something no captain would or even should stoop to." Lithos said. "Kuro has just committed a pirate's blasphemy... And now he'll pay."
"To a pirate a crew is family, and to want to kill one's family is considered the highest form of evil." Luffy snarled. "We aren't just stopping Kuro's plans, we're making sure he can't hurt anyone else!"
Down below, unaware that his plans had been overheard, Kuro looked out to sea and spotted the Bezan Black, flying a Jolly Roger, the skull looking like a cat's head. Kuro smirked, certain his ultimate plan would succeed. Once he was gone, Usopp finally let himself breathe again.
"I can't believe we got through all that without being spotted!"
"Let's let the others know. We need to start prepping to make sure those pirates can't attack the village." Ferros said.
Kuro is about to get FUCKED UP! If anyone has any ideas for what I should do next, speak up in the comments!
Also, if you have any ideas for OCs to add into this story, I'm all ears.