CHAPTER 6: SYRUP VILLAGE (II)

Usopp approached the mansion on the edge of the town with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. The grand estate was surrounded by a high fence, but that had never been a barrier for him. Taking a deep breath, he glanced around to ensure no one was watching and then slipped through a gap in the fence. He moved swiftly and silently across the lawn, his eyes locked on the large tree that stood next to the mansion. Its branches reached up to a second-floor window, his usual point of entry.

With practiced agility, Usopp climbed the tree, carefully choosing his steps to avoid making any noise. Reaching the window, he peered inside. Kaya, the mansion's frail but beautiful young owner, was seated on a plush chair, gazing out at the garden. Her delicate frame and pale skin stood in stark contrast to the vibrant colors of the room. Her long, golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her blue eyes had a melancholic depth that tugged at Usopp's heart.

He tapped lightly on the window, causing Kaya to turn her head. A small smile spread across her face when she saw him. Usopp opened the window and climbed in, landing softly on the carpeted floor.

"Usopp! You came," Kaya said, her voice weak but filled with genuine warmth.

"Of course, I did," Usopp replied with a grin. "I couldn't leave my favorite audience waiting."

Kaya chuckled softly. "Tell me another one of your amazing stories, Usopp. I could use a good adventure right now."

Usopp's face lit up. "Well, you won't believe what happened this time. I fought off a hundred sea monsters single-handedly with nothing but a spoon!"

As Usopp began his tale, Kaya listened intently, her eyes sparkling with amusement and a touch of admiration. Despite the outlandishness of his stories, she cherished every word. For her, Usopp's visits and his fantastic tales were a precious escape from the confines of her illness and isolation.

Meanwhile, outside the mansion, Goku, Nami, and Zoro had just arrived at the fence Usopp had slipped through. They exchanged glances before following his path, moving with caution and stealth. They soon found themselves under the same tree Usopp had climbed.

"Looks like he went up this way," Nami whispered, eyeing the tree.

Goku nodded. "Let's go. We don't want to be left behind."

One by one, they ascended the tree, finally reaching the window. As they peered inside, they saw Usopp gesticulating wildly, Kaya laughing softly at his animated storytelling. Deciding to make their presence known, Goku tapped on the window.

Usopp and Kaya turned towards the sound. Kaya's eyes widened with surprise and curiosity, while Usopp looked momentarily startled before breaking into a broad smile.

"Goku! Nami! Zoro! What are you doing here?" Usopp asked, opening the window wider to let them in.

As they climbed in, Goku introduced himself with a polite bow. "Hello, I'm Monkey D. Goku. We're friends of Usopp and we're looking for a ship."

Kaya, still seated, greeted them with a gentle smile. "Any friend of Usopp's is welcome here. I'm Kaya. Please, come in and make yourselves comfortable."

Nami stepped forward, her eyes scanning the room with keen interest. "Thank you, Kaya. We've heard a lot about you."

Kaya's cheeks flushed slightly. "I hope Usopp hasn't been telling too many tales about me."

Usopp chuckled nervously. "Just the good ones, I promise."

As they settled into the room, Kaya offered them tea, which a servant quickly brought in. They sat around a small table, sipping their drinks.

Goku leaned forward, his tone serious. "We're in need of a ship, Kaya. We plan to sail the Grand Line, and we need something sturdy and reliable."

Kaya nodded thoughtfully. "I see. Well, you're in the right place. We have a fine shipyard here in Syrup Village. I'm sure we can find something that suits your needs."

Before they could discuss further, the door swung open, and Klahadore, the mansion's butler, entered the room. He was tall and slender, with sharp features and glasses that glinted ominously in the light. His demeanor was cold and aloof, but there was an undercurrent of menace that Goku and Zoro immediately sensed.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"What is going on here?" Klahadore asked, his voice dripping with disdain as he eyed the group. "Miss Kaya, you should not be entertaining such ruffians."

Goku's eyes narrowed, sensing a hidden bloodlust in the butler. Zoro's hand instinctively moved towards his swords, a feeling of familiarity nagging at him.

"We're here as friends of Kaya," Goku said firmly, not backing down from Klahadore's gaze.

Klahadore scoffed. "Friends of Usopp, you mean. That lying ruffian and son of a no-good pirate. It's no surprise he would associate with such company."

Usopp's face reddened with anger. "Don't you talk about my father like that!"

Klahadore sneered. "Oh, touched a nerve, have I? Your father is nothing but a filthy pirate, and you are following in his disgraceful footsteps."

Unable to contain his fury, Usopp lunged at Klahadore and punched him square in the face, sending the butler sprawling to the floor. Kaya gasped, her hands flying to her mouth.

Klahadore wiped a trickle of blood from his lip, his expression unchanged. "Resorting to violence, just as I expected. You're nothing but a brute, Usopp."

Tears welled up in Usopp's eyes as he turned and fled from the room, unable to face the butler's cruel words any longer. Kaya called after him, but he was already gone. Nami ran after him, leaving Goku and Zoro glaring at Klahadore.

Goku's eyes bore into the butler. "There's something off about you."

Klahadore adjusted his glasses, his demeanor unperturbed. "You should leave now. Miss Kaya doesn't need your kind here."

Reluctantly, Goku and Zoro left the mansion, but not without casting one last, lingering glance at Klahadore. Outside, they found Nami standing in the road, panting heavily.

"He's too fast," Nami said between breaths. "I lost him."

Goku clenched his fists, worry etched on his face. "We need to find him."

As they deliberated their next move, three boys approached them. They were Usopp's friends: Pepper, Carrot, and Onion. Each had a distinct appearance – Pepper with his spiky hair and goggles, Carrot with his carrot-shaped hat, and Onion with his round glasses and bowl haircut.

"We know where Usopp goes when he wants to be alone," Onion said, his voice earnest.

"Yeah, we'll show you," Carrot added.

"Follow us," Pepper said, leading the way.

Goku, Nami, and Zoro followed the boys, hoping to find Usopp and convince him to return. As they walked, Zoro couldn't shake the feeling that he had seen Klahadore somewhere before. Goku, on the other hand, was more concerned about Usopp's state of mind.

"We need to get that ship," Zoro said, breaking the silence. "But first, let's make sure Usopp is okay."

Nami nodded in agreement. "We'll figure something out. We have to.”

---

Usopp sat at the edge of a cliff, overlooking a remote beach. The waves crashed rhythmically against the shore, the sound soothing yet somehow distant. His mind was a whirlpool of thoughts and emotions. He missed his father terribly. Yasopp had left to follow his dreams, joining Shanks' pirate crew, and though Usopp was proud of him, he couldn't help but feel abandoned. What did the future hold for him? Should he follow in his father's footsteps and become a pirate? And then there was Kaya. His feelings for her were a constant, tender ache in his heart. She was the only one who truly believed in him, who laughed at his stories and saw beyond the lies to the boy who wanted to be a hero. But Klahadore, the butler, with his sneering disdain and hidden malice, filled Usopp with a burning hatred. He knew there was something sinister about Klahadore, something dangerous.

Lost in thought, Usopp didn't hear the rustle of the bushes behind him until Goku emerged.

"Hey, Usopp," Goku called softly, trying not to startle him.

Usopp turned quickly, surprised but relieved to see Goku. "Goku, what are you doing here?"

Goku shrugged, smiling. "I was worried about you. You ran off pretty fast back there."

Usopp sighed, looking back at the ocean. "Yeah, I needed to clear my head."

Goku sat down beside him. "Thinking about your dad?"

Usopp nodded. "I miss him. But I'm also proud of him, you know? He followed his dream. He joined Shanks' crew and became a great pirate."

Goku's eyes softened. "It's not easy being left behind. But you've got your own dreams, right?"

Usopp was silent for a moment. "I guess I do. I want to be a brave warrior of the sea. But... I'm not sure what that really means for me."

"And Kaya?" Goku asked gently. "You care about her a lot, don't you?"

Usopp blushed deeply, his gaze dropping to his hands. "Yeah, I do. She's... she's special. She's always believed in me, even when no one else did. I just want to protect her, make her happy."

Goku nodded. "I can tell. The way you look at her... it's more than just friendship."

Usopp managed a small smile. "What about you and Nami? I've seen the way you look at her."

Goku's turn to blush, though he tried to shrug it off. "Nami? She's... I don't know. There's something about her that draws me in. It's not just that I like her. It's like... fate or something. But I can't let myself get distracted."

Usopp chuckled. "Sounds like you're more confused than I am."

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of voices. They looked down to the beach below and saw Klahadore talking to a strange-looking man. The man was tall and thin, wearing a ridiculous outfit with a heart-shaped ring on his head and a hypnotist's pendant around his neck.

"Who's that?" Usopp whispered.

"I don't know," Goku replied. "But we should listen."

They crept closer, hidden by the bushes, to overhear the conversation.

"You have everything in place, Jango?" Klahadore, now sounding more sinister than ever, asked.

"Of course, Captain Kuro," Jango replied, his voice oily. "The plan will go off without a hitch. Kaya will sign over her fortune, and then she'll meet with an unfortunate accident."

Usopp's eyes widened in horror. "Captain Kuro? Klahadore is Captain Kuro?"

Goku nodded grimly. "It all makes sense now. He's been playing the long game."

Jango continued, "It's a shame about her parents. They never suspected a thing until it was too late. That little accident at sea was a masterpiece."

Klahadore smirked. "Yes, it was. And soon, I'll have everything I need to disappear forever. No more Captain Kuro, just the wealthy and respectable Klahadore."