A calm, open sea under a clear blue sky. The small sailboat drifts steadily toward the horizon.
---
Luffy sat at the bow of the boat, his straw hat tipped back as he stared at the endless expanse of water. Zoro leaned against the mast, arms crossed, while Nami stood at the rudder, expertly steering the vessel.
"How far is this Syrup Village?" Zoro asked, breaking the silence.
"Not too far," Nami replied without looking up. "With the wind on our side, we should be there by morning."
"Syrup Village, huh?" Luffy said, grinning. "I hope we meet someone interesting."
"Knowing you, we'll end up in some kind of trouble," Nami muttered.
"That's the best part," Luffy said cheerfully.
---
Arrival at Syrup Village
By dawn, the small boat approached a picturesque coastline. Syrup Village was a peaceful settlement, its rolling hills dotted with quaint houses and farmland.
"This place looks quiet," Zoro observed.
"Too quiet," Nami added.
As they disembarked and began walking through the village, the locals greeted them warmly but with curiosity. It was clear that visitors were a rare occurrence.
"Hey, strangers!" called a loud, enthusiastic voice.
The trio turned to see a lanky young man with a long nose and a mischievous grin sprinting toward them. He wore a sash around his waist and carried a slingshot tucked into his belt.
"Welcome to Syrup Village!" he said, striking a dramatic pose. "I am Usopp, the great captain of a pirate crew!"
Luffy tilted his head, studying the boy. "You're a captain?"
"Of course!" Usopp declared, puffing out his chest. "My crew is the fiercest on the seas! You'd better watch yourselves, or I might unleash their fury!"
Nami raised an eyebrow. "Where's your crew?"
Usopp faltered for a moment before quickly recovering. "Uh… they're busy… plotting our next big raid!"
Zoro sighed. "This guy's a terrible liar."
Luffy, however, grinned. "You seem fun. Want to join my crew?"
Usopp blinked, caught off guard. "Your crew? Wait, you're pirates too?"
"Yep! I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!" Luffy declared confidently.
Usopp stared at him, a mix of disbelief and admiration on his face. "King of the Pirates, huh? That's… ambitious."
"You didn't answer my question," Luffy said, his grin widening. "Are you in?"
Usopp hesitated, scratching the back of his head. "Well, uh… I don't know…"
---
Trouble Brewing
Before Usopp could finish, a loud crash echoed from the nearby hills. A cloud of smoke rose in the distance, and the sound of shouting reached their ears.
"What's going on?" Nami asked, frowning.
Usopp's expression darkened. "That came from the Kaya estate."
"The Kaya estate?" Zoro repeated.
"It's where the richest person in the village lives," Usopp explained. "Kaya's a friend of mine. If something's happening there…" He trailed off, already running toward the hills.
"Guess we're going too," Luffy said, following without hesitation.
Nami sighed. "Why does this always happen?"
"Because you're with him," Zoro replied, smirking as he jogged after Luffy.
---
Meeting Kaya
The group reached the estate, a grand mansion surrounded by lush gardens. At the gate, a tall, stern-looking butler with glasses blocked their path.
"Usopp, what are you doing here?" the butler demanded.
"Something's wrong, Klahadore!" Usopp said urgently. "I heard the noise—what happened?"
Klahadore adjusted his glasses, his expression unreadable. "There was a minor incident. It's nothing for you to concern yourself with."
"Minor? It sounded like an explosion!" Usopp argued.
Klahadore sighed. "Miss Kaya is resting. She doesn't need your antics disturbing her."
"Hey, don't talk to him like that," Luffy said, stepping forward.
Klahadore's eyes narrowed. "And who might you be?"
"I'm Luffy," he said with a grin. "We're Usopp's friends."
"Friends?" Klahadore repeated, a hint of disdain in his voice. "Then I suggest you all leave. This is private property."
Before anyone could respond, a soft voice called out from the house. "Klahadore, let them in."
A frail-looking young woman appeared in the doorway, her pale complexion contrasting with her warm smile.
"Kaya!" Usopp exclaimed, rushing to her side. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Usopp," she said gently. "But what brings you here?"
"I heard the noise," he said, glancing around. "What happened?"
Kaya hesitated, her smile faltering. "It's… nothing. Just an accident."
Luffy watched her carefully, his instincts telling him there was more to the story.
---
A Mysterious Plot
As they sat in the estate's parlor, Kaya recounted her version of the events—a supposed kitchen accident that caused the explosion.
"That doesn't explain why the staff looks so nervous," Nami muttered under her breath.
Klahadore stood nearby, his demeanor cold. "Miss Kaya has told you all there is to know. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have matters to attend to."
After he left, Usopp leaned closer to Luffy, Zoro, and Nami. "I don't trust him," he whispered.
"Neither do I," Luffy said simply.
"I think he's hiding something," Usopp continued. "And I'm going to find out what it is."
"Sounds like fun," Luffy said, his grin returning. "We'll help."
Usopp blinked. "You will?"
"Of course," Luffy replied. "That's what crewmates do."
Usopp stared at him for a moment, then smiled. "Thanks."
---
End of Chapter.