The next day, they set out with the dawn in the precise direction of Gecko Island, courtesy of Nami's infallible navigational skills. Around noon, when the sun was shining directly down on them, Nami stopped in regarding the map she'd stolen from Buggy. "We can't continue like this. No respectable crew, pirate or otherwise, can sail around in two rafts! We need a proper ship on the double!"
Luffy paused in biting into an apple. "Believe me, Nami, we're in these dinghies by necessity, not by choice. As soon as I get wind of a chance to get a decent pirate ship, I'll jump on it. Even if I have to use my powers to get it."
Zoro shrugged. "Would be nice to walk around while at sea. You and I could finally have our spar, Luffy! And a hammock is nicer than wooden planks."
Nami nodded, satisfied that they were all on the same page.
Within the hour, they were in sight of their destination. As they sailed up to the shore, Luffy tilted his head. "What do you know? The guy we came here for is our welcoming committee. He thinks we're a scouting party from Buggy's crew and that he can intimidate us with some silly lie about having 80 million followers."
Nami rolled her eyes. "What is he, 4? What kind of idiot would believe such an obvious lie?"
Luffy chuckled. "Believe it or not, before I ate my Fruit and got my powers, I was pretty much the dullest tool in the shed. 7 year old me would have been excited about getting to fight that many guys at once."
Zoro tilted his head. "You've talked a lot about what your Fruit lets you do to other people. But it lets you do stuff to yourself as well, doesn't it?"
"So I never forget anything and can do calculus in my head. An improved intellect doesn't really seem as exciting as being able to read every thought someone's ever had or making them sing and dance on a whim," Luffy waved off.
Nami eyed her employer. "How does photographic memory even work? Wouldn't you get lost in a sea of perfect recall every time something reminds you of something?"
"How to describe it… for most people, their memories are like trying to find the right book in a dusty, ill-lit, disorganized book shop. I've got a bright, clean, perfectly indexed library. I could spend hours reliving memories second for second, but usually I just take a quick peek to get the gist of what I want or need and then return to the present, where I'm constantly generating new memories. For example, I could repeat this entire conversation word for word this time next week if you asked me to. But it's not like I'm going to spend all of next week repeating this conversation in my head to practice. I'd just 'refresh' my memory when you asked and then just do it." Luffy scratched the back of his head. "If you want, I could try to rearrange your minds to have eidetic memory too. I've never done something that complicated, but how hard could it be?"
Zoro and Nami both traded looks. "No offense, Luffy, but unless it's absolutely necessary, stay far, far away from my head. Please," Nami tacked on.
"Yeah, and I'm fine forgetting stuff. Most of it's boring, anyway," Zoro shrugged.
Luffy shrugged. "Well, offer's there if you change your mind."
They made their way the rest of the kilometer to shore and moored their rafts on the beach they landed on. They all got off their craft and stretched, appreciating the chance to be back on terra firma. Luffy finished his little routine for when he landed on an island after a time at sea, and he looked up at some bushes atop the nearby cliff. "Usopp, son of Yasopp. We mean you and your island no harm. Come out so we can discuss things like men instead of your childish ruse you were going to pull."
There was a squeaky sound but then a young man came out from hiding in the bush. He was visibly trembling, but he kept his head high. "Who are you, how do you know me, and what are your intentions on this island, p-pirate?"
Luffy chuckled and laid a hand on his hat. "I am Monkey D. Luffy. This is my crew, Zoro and Nami. I know you because I met your dad when I was young and he never shut up about you. Plus my Devil Fruit lets me know things about people. My intentions are to get you to join my crew and be my Nakama! And possibly to get a decent ship if this island has a shipyard."
Usopp stopped shaking and went to his knees to lean over the edge of the cliff, as if to get a closer look at Luffy and his crew. "Really? You met my father? Wait, you want me to join your crew? We just met!"
Luffy felt a gurgle in his stomach. "How about we discuss all this over lunch? You can bring your little friends along with you if they want to come."
Luffy and co walked up the path between the two cliffs, meeting up with Usopp and his vegetable-themed minions when they reached the same elevation. The children all eyed Luffy with mixed wariness and awe. Sure, this guy had come to steal their captain away, but he was also a REAL pirate! He'd gone on adventures out there on the ocean! Imagine the stories he could tell, they might even put Captain Usopp's lies to shame.
They made it to a charmingly small town that Usopp declared was named Syrup Village. Luffy had never seen such a peaceful place. They went to the one restaurant in town and Usopp assured them it was his treat. Once they got their food and drink, Usopp turned to Luffy across from him. "So, you knew my dad?"
"It might be easier to just show you. Permission to use my Devil Fruit on you?" Luffy asked.
"Um, will it hurt?" Usopp asked warily.
"Just a headache," Luffy promised.
"Then sure, I guess." Usopp watched as Luffy narrowed his eyes and then memories not his own flooded his head. Watching Yasopp show off his marksmanship, talking with him over food and drink at the pub, how Yasopp went on and on about his son Usopp. Usopp blinked and tried to straighten out his mind as the foreign memories settled into place. "What… what did you just do?"
"I gave you copies of all my memories of Yasopp. I also have copies of Yasopp's memories if you want to learn even more about your father," Luffy explained as he cut his next bite. "I have the Mind-Mind Fruit. I'm a very powerful psychic. Copying and sharing memories is relatively simple for me."
"You… you could show me memories from my dad? I could see the world the way he did?" Usopp asked.
"Sure… if you join my crew," Luffy grinned.
Usopp gulped. "That's dirty," he accused.
"Pirate," Luffy shrugged.
"Why do you want me on your crew in the first place? Just because I'm Yasopp's son?" Usopp questioned.
"I want you on my crew because you're a talented sniper in your own right, and beneath the cowardice and lying you're a good man. But, it's up to you whether you accept or not. I don't want halfhearted Nakama on my crew. Either you're all in or you're all out," Luffy stated plainly.
"I'll join your crew… if you name me Captain," Usopp said with a smirk.
"Non-negotiable no. I'm the Captain," Luffy shot down without blinking.
Usopp pouted. "Then it seems we're not meant to be. Oh, well. Anyway, you all enjoy your meal. I have an urgent appointment." With that, Usopp took off at impressive (for East Blue) speeds.
"Well, looks like we're not getting a marksman," Nami shrugged.
"He'll come around. The sea's in his blood. He won't be able to resist. And it just so happens that his friend, the heiress in the mansion on the hill, has a caravel she's not using," Luffy revealed as he finished his plate.
Zoro chugged a tankard of weak ale. "Then I guess we better go ask her what she'll sell it for. You can afford it, Mr. Billionaire." He turned to the Veggie Trio. "Oi. Make yourselves useful. Take us to the mansion."
They followed the three children up the road to Mistress Kaya's mansion. The kids explained that the heiress was sickly after the death of her parents. Captain Usopp came to offer comfort in the form of his over-the-top lies.
"I like the Captain's cowardice," Carrot said.
"I like the way he sticks his nose in people's business," Pepper said.
"I like the way he lies," Onion said.
"That's not really stuff you should admire," Nami said with a sweatdrop.
"He's the most exciting thing in this village, it's natural that they'd imprint on him," Luffy shrugged. They reached the front gate. Luffy waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. "We're friends of Kaya, let us in." The guards, eyes going blank, opened the gate and let them in. The Veggie Trio marveled at the display of mind control. They walked in and went towards the tree by Kaya's window. Usopp was perched on a tree branch, talking with a pale blonde leaning out her open window.
"Mistress Kaya. I am Monkey D. Luffy. I have business to discuss with you," Luffy said, crossing his arms.
"Crap, he found me!" Usopp flinched.
"Usopp, who is this?"
"Oh, just fans of mine that want to join my crew," Usopp waved off.
"Correction, I want him to join my crew. But that's neither here nor there. I understand you have a ship in your possession, the Going Merry. I'd like to discuss the sale of this ship to my possession," Luffy said formally.
Kaya tilted her head. "You want to buy the Going Merry?"
"Yes, please. Price is no object," Luffy said plainly.
Kaya was thinking of a decent price for her family's old caravel when there was the sound of an authoritative shout. "You all are trespassing! Leave immediately."
"Damn, the butler," Usopp muttered.
Luffy turned to the new person and scanned his thoughts. He tensed as he realized who he was dealing with. "Mistress Kaya, who is this?"
"This is my head butler, Klahadore," Kaya answered.
"Yes, and it is my duty to take out the trash. Get out!" the butler said, adjusting his glasses with the bottom of his palm.
"And he started working for you 3 years ago, correct?" Luffy asked.
Both Kaya and Klahadore paused. "Yes, how did you know?" Kaya asked.
"I have eidetic memory. I remember every bounty poster that ever came in the newspaper." Luffy explained. He turned to stare at Klahadore. "You think you're the first pirate to fake his death, Kuro of the Thousand Plans?"
Usopp gaped. "Wait, he's a pirate?"
Kaya covered her mouth. "No… it can't be."
The revealed Kuro glanced side to side. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Don't try to lie, I can read your mind. Why don't you tell your boss your nefarious little plan?" Luffy asked before narrowing his eyes as he focused.
Kuro went blank-eyed. "Tomorrow, my former crew will attack the village. In the chaos, my hypnotist will force Mistress Kaya to write a will leaving everything to me. Then he'll kill her. And then I'll kill all my crew to protect my secret. Wealth and peaceful life, my ultimate ambition."
Kaya was crying. "Klahadore… after all we've been through… how could you?"
"I invested 3 years of my life into this ruse, into becoming a pillar of the community, into earning your and your fool parents' trust. This is my reward," Kuro said, still under the truth compulsion.
Luffy turned to Kaya. "I suggest we tie him up and hand him over to the Marines. Though I ask that you wait to do so until after my crew and I leave. Marines and pirates, even the good kind, don't mix well."
"O-of course. I'm sorry, this is an awful lot to take. Bring him inside, we should be able to find some rope," Kaya said, seemingly drawing on some inner strength.
They all went into the mansion, where the situation was explained to an incredulous Merry. Nami took the rope and expertly tied up Kuro. Once he was immobilized, and the hidden knives on his person removed by Luffy, Luffy had him go to sleep. He was placed in a closet to be forgotten.
"Now, Captain Luffy, I understand you want to purchase the Going Merry?" Kaya asked.
"Yes, Mistress Kaya," Luffy nodded.
"Then here is my price: defend the village from the pirate attack tomorrow. Protect us all. Do this, and I'll gift you the Going Merry."
Luffy bowed. "Consider it done." He turned to his crew and a dithering Usopp. "This should be easy. Zoro and I will handle most of them, Nami will fleece them blind, and Usopp can pick them off at a distance."
"Oi, oi, oi. I'm not part of your crew," Usopp protested.
"No, but pirates are about to attack your hometown. Are you going to cower in your home and hope they don't get to you, or are you going to fight to save those you love?" Luffy asked pointedly.
Usopp gulped but he straightened his posture. "Okay. I'll help out."
"Excellent. So, do we sail out to their ship and attack on their home turf or do we wait until dawn when they come ashore?" Luffy mused.
"I say we get them today. Why waste time?" Zoro asked, hands on his swords.
"No way, we should trap the hell out of their landing ground," Nami argued.
"Can't Luffy just make them all fall asleep or give up without a fight?" Usopp asked.
Luffy winced. "I don't like using my powers like that. I like the illusion of a fair fight."
"Then I also vote we wait for them to land. I have plenty of traps we could use to give us an advantage in a fight," Usopp said.
"Fine. Majority rules. We wait," Luffy said. "They're going to attack on the same cliff where we docked. We might as well start preparing."
They made a quick stop at Usopp's home to pick up a couple of barrels of oil and mikaboshi spikes. They reached the cliff where they'd stashed their boats. They covered the lower half of the slope with oil and the upper half with the spikes. Usopp brushed his hands with satisfaction. "No way any of them are getting up this slope."
"So you and Nami will be safe up here, where you can snipe them, while Zoro and I get down there to fight the crew," Luffy mused.
Usopp looked from Luffy down to the trapped slope. "How do you plan to get down there without getting hurt?"
Luffy casually jumped and then, to the other three's shock, began jumping on thin air. "It's called 'Moonwalk', one of six secret martial arts techniques taught to the Cipher Pols and high-ranking Marines. I'll carry Zoro down there and we'll wreak merry havoc on the Black Cat Pirates."
They waited through the night, taking sleep in shifts. At dawn's first light, the Bezan Black sailed in and docked on the beach. The Black Cat Pirates disembarked. The crew quickly noticed that the way forward had been blocked. A random pirate said "Captain Jango, the path's booby-trapped!"
An… oddly dressed man with heart-shaped sunglasses looked up. "Who said I'm weird?"
"Er, nobody, Captain," an underling said with a sweatdrop.
Luffy called out to them. "We are the Straw Hat Pirates! This village is under our protection! We've already dealt with Kuro! Turn around right now and save yourselves a lot of pain!"
Jango, the interim captain of the Black Cat Pirates, considered his options. "How do I know y 've actually beat Captain Kuro?"
Luffy vanished in a blur of speed. 10 seconds later, he returned with Kuro's tied-up body. He dropped it at his feet. "This proof enough?"
Jango's eyes widened behind his sunglasses.
Usopp stared at Luffy. "Did you seriously run back to the mansion, grab him, and get back here that fast?"
"Another of the Six Powers, I'll show you later if you want," Luffy explained.
Kuro stirred. He looked up and saw his former crew assembled. "Jango! Release me! Kill these brats!"
Jango looked from his crew to the trapped path, to his immobilized captain. "Frankly, Captain, you're not worth the effort. Men! Back aboard. We're not raiding anyone today."
"Aw, we haven't had a good raid in months," whined one pirate.
"Idiot, those kids managed to beat Captain Kuro! We're getting off lucky here!"
The pirates reboarded the Bezan Black and took off in a faraway direction.
"We didn't get to fight," Zoro all but pouted.
"I didn't get to loot them," Nami said, put out.
"Why fight when you can negotiate? All one needs is the proper leverage," Luffy shrugged as he laid a foot on Kuro's body.
"So you're the order of action is talk, fight, Devil Fruit?" Usopp asked.
"In that order, yes."
Kuro squirmed but Nami did good work. "I'll kill you all!"
"Go to sleep," Luffy ordered. Kuro was out like a light.
They carried Kuro back to the mansion, the townsfolk gaping at seeing 'Klahadore' in ropes. There was something of an angry mob forming when Kaya ventured out her mansion to address the crowd. "My fellow villagers, be at peace. Klahadore has been revealed to be a pirate in disguise. These young people saved my life from a dastardly plot to kill me and inherit my fortune. This is not Klahadore, but Kuro of the Thousand Plans!"
The Syrup villagers gaped, but they weren't going to doubt Kaya's word. They went back to their homes, muttering about how you never really knew a person.
"You seem to be doing better," Luffy commented as he stuck Kuro back in his closet.
"My sickness was caused by my grief over my parents' death. Usopp's stories helped to alleviate the pain. I've decided I can't live in mourning any more," Kaya said with a faint smile. "Anyway, the Going Merry will be ready this afternoon."
"Which gives you a few hours to pack, Usopp," Luffy said with a grin.
"Hey, I never agreed to join your crew," Usopp protested.
"Ask yourself, Usopp, how do you want to be remembered? As the town liar, or as the sniper to the Pirate King, a brave warrior of the sea?" Luffy asked solemnly.
Usopp felt his resistance start to crumble. "I could die."
"True enough. But what a chance to live before you do," Luffy grinned. "Plus, this could be your only chance to meet your father. He's not leaving the New World anytime soon. But we're headed there."
Usopp bit his lip. Kaya came forward to lay a hand on his shoulder. "Do it, Usopp. Go live your dream. Imagine the stories you can tell me when you come back."
Usopp looked to his friend and found his resolve. "I'm co-captain!" he declared.
"Second mate, and be glad I'm giving you that much," Luffy brutally countered.
"Fine. I've gotta go pack!" Usopp went and ran for his home.
Luffy and his crew bought supplies for their journey and loaded them into the Going Merry while its creator Merry finished calibrating everything. Finally, in the afternoon, the butler declared "She's ready!"
The Straw Hat Pirates admired their new ship. While Merry told Nami about the technical information, Luffy and Zoro just admired their new home. At that moment, Usopp came rolling down the hill with a backpack bigger than he was. Luffy sighed and caught the human wrecking ball before it impacted the ship. "Does the phrase 'travel light' mean anything to you?" Luffy asked his new sniper.
"I didn't want to forget anything," Usopp protested.
Usopp had a private goodbye with Kaya. Then he boarded the Going Merry. As they set forth, Luffy filled four glasses with ale. "To our new ship and new crewmate. Cheers!"
"Cheers!" the other three echoed, clinking their glasses.