Things have just taken the most unexpected turn. Who would have thought that Usopp, of all people, would summon the courage to actually throw a punch in a fit of rage? I'm honestly quite taken aback, because his usual demeanor doesn't really hint at that kind of behavior. And let's not even get started on that butler.
"That butler... what was his name again?" I say, rubbing my chin thoughtfully as I search my memory. "Oh right, Klahadore, I believe," I add, shooting a quick glance at Zoro and Nami.
The events that unfolded were quite something. Usopp, simmering with rage as he was, stormed off without uttering another word. His anger was almost palpable, even from where the rest of us were standing. I must admit, even I would've been infuriated if someone treated me in the same manner. With Luffy off on some adventure of his own, probably searching for Usopp, we were left to grapple with the aftermath.
Returning to the present, Nami raises an eyebrow at me from her perch atop a fence, her expression full of curiosity. "Yeah? What's on your mind?" she inquires. Zoro, lying down nearby with his arms folded, also seems intrigued, casting a glance my way.
I shift my weight and cross my arms, adopting a contemplative stance. "Well, it's just that... that butler doesn't sit right with me," I confess, my gaze shifting between Nami and Zoro. "Kaya is obviously the one in charge, yet he spoke as if he held all the power," I continue, my tone reflecting my growing unease. It's all just so puzzling.
Nami leans against the fence, her brow furrowed in contemplation as she offers her insight, "You know, I think it's possible that his concern for her runs really deep. He might genuinely care about her, and his actions could stem from a belief that she lacks the knowledge or the confidence to voice her own opinions." Her fingers curl around the metal bars, steadying herself.
Listening to Nami's perspective, I chip in, my expression still puzzled, "I see where you're coming from, but I have this lingering feeling that there's more beneath the surface. It's like there's a hidden layer of significance. I can't quite put my finger on it, but the butler's behavior just felt strangely out of character." My arms fold across my chest, and I take a quick glance at them before continuing.
Zoro, his curiosity piqued for an entirely different reason, raises an eyebrow and interjects, "Hold on a second. How can you be so sure about how a butler should behave? Did you manage to recover your lost memories or something?" His genuine intrigue is evident in the way he gazes at me.
Perched on the ground, I ponder Zoro's question before responding, "I'm not entirely sure, Zoro. It's just that something deep within me insists that this isn't how a butler should conduct themselves. If I were in the mistress's position, I wouldn't stand for being treated in such a way." My words carry a sense of resolve, reflecting my personal convictions on the matter.
Wait! Hold on a moment, it's quite perplexing to me. I can't help but question why I'm experiencing these emotions. Strangely, even though I wasn't personally involved, the way the butler treated his mistress managed to evoke a sense of frustration within me. Odd, isn't it? Given that I don't have a butler myself, these feelings seem rather out of place. It's really quite infuriating, especially when I consider how much I wish I could recall my past. There's a nagging feeling that it must be connected somehow.
As if on cue, Nami interjects with a pondering expression, "I can't help but wonder where Luffy might have disappeared to." Zoro, without so much as a glance in her direction, swiftly chimes in, "Who's to say? Perhaps he's gone in pursuit of the 'Captain'." With his arms firmly folded, his trio of swords rests neatly to his right.
Suddenly, one of the children pipes up with excitement, exclaiming, "Actually, we happen to know where the captain has ventured off to!" The other youngster eagerly joins in, chiming, "Yep! He's headed to the beach! Whenever there's any commotion, that's his go-to destination!" they both proclaim in unison.
"Wanna see?" one of the kids piped up, a mischievous glint in his eyes, as if he held some secret worth sharing. He leaned in slightly, clearly eager to reveal their hidden treasure trove.
Observing this, Zoro, known for his stern demeanor, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the proposition. With a hint of amusement, he responded, "No thanks," his voice carrying a nonchalant undertone. His expression remained unchanged, giving away nothing of his thoughts.
A chuckle escaped my lips, a glint of playful exasperation in my eyes. "Damn Zoro, couldn't you have considered it for a moment?" I quipped, my tone light-hearted. "I mean, they're just kids, after all," I added with a grin, as if Zoro's stoic response was somehow amusingly out of place.
As the conversation seemed to hang in the air, Nami stepped in with her characteristic knack for redirection. Her gaze shifted to the kids as she casually remarked, "Hey, aren't you missing someone?" A knowing smile tugged at the corner of her lips, her tone implying she might have noticed something amiss.
The two kids exchanged glances, their expressions momentarily puzzled before realization dawned on them. Among the children, a particular figure was conspicuously absent – the one with a head that resembled a union symbol, along with a slightly chubby frame.
A chorus of agreement followed Nami's query, with one of the kids chiming in, "Yeah, Union." His voice held a note of humor, hinting at the irony of the situation. The missing child was, quite aptly, the one whose appearance was distinctive due to his union-shaped head.
The conversation took a whimsical turn as one of the kids to the right added, "He always disappears." His words were accompanied by an amused shake of his head. His friend to the left, perhaps used to completing each other's thoughts, finished the sentence, "And then he comes running back screaming," his tone infused with a mixture of amusement and mild exasperation, as if the scenario had played out more times than they could count.
Amid the excitement of the day, a unique twist unfolds to make things even more amusing. It's none other than Union, the spirited and often dramatic member of their crew. His voice trembles with urgency as he sprints towards our group, a trail of raised dust following his hasty footsteps.
"WAAAHHH! It's horrible!! A backwards man!" Union's shrill cry fills the air, accompanied by a comical display of beads of sweat meandering down his furrowed forehead. The rest of the kids look at each other, their eyes wide with anticipation. They've come to expect the unexpected whenever Union is involved.
"Union!" One of the kids calls out, their voice a mixture of exasperation and amusement. But Union's panicked momentum doesn't waver. He barrels on, his scream of terror repeating like a broken record, "It's horrible WAAAHHH! A backwards man!!"
Finally reaching the group, Union bends over, hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. He manages to regain just enough composure to utter, "There's a strange man headed this way walking backwards!" His finger juts out dramatically, pointing in the direction from which this supposed backwards man is approaching.
Skepticism hangs thick in the air, and one of the kids, clearly finding the situation a tad too fantastical, can't help but scoff, "Liar!" His disbelief is palpable, yet Union remains unfazed, his attention fixated on the unfolding spectacle.
Undeterred by the incredulity around him, Union stands tall, a determined look in his eyes. "It's true!! Look!!" he insists, punctuating his statement with another emphatic point towards the figure that defies logic by walking in reverse. The rest of the kids follow Union's gaze, their expressions transitioning from skepticism to a curious blend of confusion and amusement. And just like that, the backdrop of an ordinary day transforms into a scene straight out of a whimsical adventure.
We quickly lock onto the very person Union had pointed out earlier. There's an undeniable element of anticipation as we watch him walk in reverse, a cautious grip on his hat, seemingly afraid it might tumble off. "Who would've thought? There's actually a man walking backwards right towards us," I can't help but quip, a hint of amusement in my tone.
Nami, her curiosity piqued, chimes in, clearly finding the sight of the guy oddly fascinating. "Urg! What's up with him walking backwards?" She glances over at him, her expression a mix of confusion and intrigue. Zoro, never one to shy away from his own inquiries, raises a brow and adds, "Yeah, seriously. How does he even know where he's headed?" The bewilderment in his voice is evident as he grapples with the strange scenario.
After what feels like an eternity, the man finally reaches our vicinity, his journey marked by a series of near-stumbles and graceful recoveries. "Hey! Who's the one labeling me as strange? I'll have you know, I'm not strange at all," he retorts with an impromptu twirl, his gaze fixating on us, as if challenging our perceptions.
Nami, with her knack for observation, can't resist a wry grin. "Well, walking backwards and defending your uniqueness isn't exactly ordinary, you know." She raises an eyebrow, clearly unafraid to engage in some playful banter with the enigmatic man.
With a bemused smirk, I join in the teasing. "Yeah, not everyone takes a reverse stroll to make an entrance. You must have a good reason for it, right?" my question carries a hint of sarcasm, but also a genuine curiosity about the man's motivation.
Undeterred, the man finally straightens up, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Reason? Who needs reasons when you can add a dash of mystery to life? Plus, it's a great way to catch people's attention." He strikes a theatrical pose, clearly embracing his role as the center of our conversation.
As we exchange glances, it becomes clear that this encounter holds more amusement than we initially expected. The man's quirks have certainly made an impression, sparking an unexpected camaraderie among us as we find ourselves united by a shared bemusement at his backwards antics.