I do not own One Piece

It is owned by Oda

I just own my OC's

Enjoy!

One Piece: All Scope Adventure Pt.10

Usopp fell onto Kaya with a slash mark lined across his back. He had taken the blow for her as Kuro was about to strike her with his claws. Kaya had managed to roll out from under the town's liar, her face expressing worry for her friend.

"Usopp..." Kaya said with concern in her voice.

"Kaya..." Usopp croaked out. "What're you doing here?"

"Oh, Usopp..." Kaya cried. "I'm so sorry. I don't know how you'll ever forgive me. I just couldn't believe it. That Klahadore is a scheming, murdering Pirate-"

"Never mind that!" Usopp interrupted. "Why are you here?" Usopp questioned as he stared up at Kaya, the girl's eyes beginning to trickle tears. "Kaya, your life is in danger. I told you to run somewhere safe."

"I won't!" Kaya argued. "You're still fighting! I won't run!" Kaya's claim caused Usopp's eyes to widen. "You fought for me after I treated you so badly. Look at you, you're barely alive but your still so brave. I just-"

"This is no place for a lady," Kuro spoke in a soft tone interrupting Kaya's speech. "Madam, you need to leave." Kuro's request to Kaya caused her expression to change into a glare as she brought her attention to him.

"Please, stop," Kaya pleaded while gritting her teeth. "Don't do this." she stood up from where she was knelt down beside Usopp. "Stop! Stop this right now, Klahadore! I know what you're up to! Merry explained everything to me!"

Kaya's appearance had gotten the attention of everyone at the slope. Including, Zoro's, Jou's, and Nami's. All of them staring up at the girl who was now confronting her former butler.

"It's Kaya," Jou spoke as he leaned up from where he was previously laying down from his extended uses of Fade-Step.

"Why is the girl from the mansion here?" Jango wondered. His focus on Kaya much like everyone else.

"The reason that we're here is to murder that little rich girl?" a Pirate questioned.

"If she came down here, that means we don't have to go to the village," alleged another Pirate.

"Klahadore, please!" Kaya continued. "If you want my fortune, you can have it! Take it all and leave this village right now! I'm begging you!"

"I will gladly accept your fortune, Miss Kaya," Kuro replied as he pushed up his glasses. "Thank you. But I want more. You see, simply acquiring wealth isn't enough. More than anything else, I want peace."

"You want peace?" Kaya queried.

"Yes, peace of mind," Kuro stated. "It's simple, really. I have spent the last 3 years earning the trust of the entire village and to be honest, I find this new peace and tranquility quite comforting. When my plan comes to fruition, I will live with his sublime peace of mind." whilst Kuro spoke, Kaya took a step back and reached for something in her coat.

"The glorious comfort of a peaceful life will be mine, forever and ever!" Kuro exclaimed raising his arms. "In short, these Pirates are coming! And you..." Kuro pointed his blades at Kaya. "Will leave your fortune to me and die. Miss Kaya, these things will happen."

"N-No, you can't..." Kaya's voice shook as her eyes showed a look of dread and slowly began to pull out what she had from her pocket.

"Kaya, run!" Usopp pleaded as he grasped Kaya by her leg. "There's no point in trying to reason with him! Please!" Usopp watched as Kaya drew a pistol and trained it at Kuro.

"You're not Klahadore!" Kaya cried. "No! You're not!"

"Kaya..." Usopp muttered in surprise.

"Leave here, right now!" Kaya screamed. "Don't ever come back!"

"Oh, you'd point a gun at me?" Kuro questioned.

"Stop it! Just leave!" Kaya warned gripping her pistol, her whole body quaking. Kuro only stared at the girl with a delicate expression.

"Yes, I see," Kuro said. "You're all grown up now. So much has happened in the last 3 years, Miss Kaya..." as Kuro talked Kaya's body seemed to unwind from its tense posture.

"Don't you remember the things we went through?" Kuro asked as he took off his glove. "We spent so much time together. Even before your dear, sweet parents passed away. You were more than my master, you were my best friend, so much time..." Kaya looked like she was doing her best to keep back her tears.

"So many memories..." Kuro smiled at Kaya. "You and I suffered and rejoiced together. Like family."

"Klahadore..." Kaya could no longer hold in the tears that finally cascaded down her cheeks.

"We went on shopping trips to the city, I looked after you diligently when you were ill and we used to talk for hours and hours," Kuro thoughtfully listed down all of the activities he and Kaya would do as the tears rolled down her face.

"Kaya, listen to me..." Kuro spoke. "I was devoted to you. For so long..." he grabbed the gun in her hand. "For so long I endured it." Kuro's voice had venom laced into it. "I quietly suffered so that today I could end your life and take everything that I deserve!" he finally took the gun away from Kaya's hands. Pained tears still dripping from her eyes.

"I, who was the feared and respected Captain Kuro..." Kuro seethed. "And to bow and humble myself before some snot-nosed little girl." he let go of the gun, the weapon dropping onto the ground. "It went against every fiber of my being!"

"Damn you," Usopp cursed Kuro through gritted teeth.

"Do you understand the depth of these daily insults!?" Kuro spat. "CAN YOU UNDERSTAND THE RAGE BY THOSE TRANSGRESSIONS AGAINST MY PRIDE!"

Luffy's eye twitched as he listened to Kuro go off on Kaya, his hand clenching into a fist. Usopp sprung up to his feet and reached for the gun that Kaya dropped and directed it at Kuro.

"KURO!" bellowed Usopp as he fired a shot. Kuro easily avoided the shot using the Pussy-Foot maneuver and got behind Usopp.

"Thank you for reminding me," Kuro stated as he placed his blades around Usopp's head. "Usopp, I owe you for hitting me. Let's get even."

"Usopp..." Kaya gasped with a hand over her mouth.

"If I recall, you hit me as hard as you could," Kuro remembered as he stripped the bandage off his own cheek. "Right?"

Before Kuro could act, a quick-moving projectile slammed into Kuro's face. The projectile being Luffy's rubbery fist which sent the Black Cat Pirates Captain plummeting to the ground. Luffy's arm retracted back to him with a snap, a wide grin etched on his face.

"If he hates getting hit that much," Luffy commented. "He's about to have a really bad day!"

Kuro was laid flat on his back from the punch from Luffy that sent him flying. The Black Cat Pirates were astounded by Luffy knocking their Captain out and by the fact that Luffy's arm could expand to such a length.

"Great shot, Captain!" Jou smirked.

"I'll leave this to you," Nami stated toward Luffy and winced in pain from her shoulder wound. "I've got treasure to find!"

Jou saw Nami start running off to the ship and looked back at the others. Luffy and Zoro are strong, they could handle the rest of the fighting from here. Jou had a fight and he's already used up all of his uses of Fade-Step, so he chose to follow Nami who was making her way toward the Pirate ship.

"Hey, hold up!" Jou called her which made her stop in her tracks.

"What is it?" Nami questioned.

"You're going to look for treasure on their ship, aren't ya?" Jou asked. "Mind if I tag along?"

"What do you want to come along for?" Nami inquired placing a hand on her hip. "Oh, no!" she shook her head. "I learned my lesson letting you handle treasure when you left that 5,000,000."

"Still not going to let me live that down?" Jou said. "Don't worry, my 'treasure leaving' days are over, besides I wouldn't be much of a Pirate if I kept leaving treasure instead of taking it."

"Though, you still seem very interested in treasure," Nami challenged.

"True," Jou shrugged. "C'mon, let me help you find it and once we do, it's all yours. So, what do you say?" Nami seemed to think on it for a bit and then shrugged her own shoulders.

"Fine," she said. "But just so you know, I'm gonna keep my eye on you, Jou."

"I don't have a problem with that," Jou replied. "After you." Jou gestured for Nami to lead the way as they dashed toward the Black Cat Pirates ship.

-X-

Pepper, Onion, and Carrot had leaped out from the forest and started to wail on the downed Kuro, much to the worry of Usopp and Kaya. The Usopp Pirates came down to help since they felt bad that they didn't believe Usopp at first. Kuro orders Jango to go after Kaya to write her butler into her Will and kill her, Onion, Pepper, and Carrot. Zoro intercepts Jango but the hypnotists' orders Buchi to attack Zoro. Usopp gives them the three kids the job to protect Kaya.

Buchi had Zoro pinned against the cliffside. Zoro kicked the hypnotized Buchi and uses all three swords to slash down the other half of the Nyaban Brothers. Usopp began to try and get up off the ground as he heard a noise coming from the woods that made the birds fly into the sky.

"What was that sound?" Usopp wondered in worry.

"That is the sound of destruction," Kuro acknowledged. "Jango is likely tearing the place apart. See for yourself if you can get up."

"You heartless bastard..." Usopp cursed him. "Don't you even have a shred of pity!? You've lived with that girl for 3 years!"

"I've explained to you before, Kaya is nothing more than a pawn in a game I intend to win," Kuro said. "When she's dead, then I'll be grateful to her."

"Damn you...!" Usopp glared.

"Hey, Usopp!" Luffy called getting Usopp's attention. "Go find the others! Don't worry! We'll take care of this guy!"

"Go on!" Zoro smirked also giving Usopp the 'OK'. Usopp strained to pick himself up from the ground while growling in pain but managed to stand.

"Very impressive," Kuro commented. "You can still move."

"Shut up!" Usopp breathed out. "You won't get away with this! I won't let you! You've betrayed the villagers' trust! Not to mention you'd planned to take the life of a sweet, young girl! This is the last time you ever get your way!" Usopp's entire body shook as he tried to take a step but his body gave out which caused him to fall on his face.

"It hurts..." Usopp croaked out. "I can't move..."

"You really are a riot!" Kuro guffawed. "So I betrayed them, you say!? Oh, please grow up! A village liar who plays Pirates with the local kids has no place talking like a real Pirate! Just stay on the ground there! Even if you did somehow catch up to Jango, he'd end your life in the blink of an eye! Staying there is what's best for you!"

"I don't care that I'm weak..." Usopp rasped from where he laid on the ground. "I'll protect them! I'm Captain of the Usopp Pirates!" tears started to leak from his eyes. "A Brave Warrior of the Sea who fights for what he holds dear! I will protect everyone in the village if it kills me!"

-X-

Jou clambered on board the Black Cat Pirates ship. He looked across the deck to make sure there was nobody around. He had to admit, the ship was nice despite the fact that its own figurehead was torn off by his Luffy.

"Looks clear," Jou said as Nami hopped over and landed on the deck.

"Obviously," Nami stated. "The entire crew is down there and since Zoro beat those 2 brothers and you won against that other guy, it means the ship is completely empty. Which means this is the perfect opportunity to check this ship out for treasure."

"Makes sense," Jou remarked. "So how does this normally go? Just search every room ."

"Pretty much," Nami shrugged. "Look inside every room until we find the treasure room. Most Pirates got their treasure locked in a chest but it won't be a problem for a thief like me, picking it will be easy."

"Must be a normal routine for you," Jou smirked as he was certain Nami has been stealing from Pirates for quite a while now. She must enjoy it since she likes treasure as much as she says she does. Nami walked toward the door and was about to open it as Jou quickly stepped over to open the door himself.

"Ladies first," Jou smiled while gesturing Nami inside. Nami returned a smile back and started walking inside. Jou was about to step in and shut the door behind him until he heard something.

"ON MY WORD! YOU WILL NEVER SET FOOT IN THAT VILLAGE!"

Jou veered his head toward where he heard the voice. He knew who had screamed that. Nami herself also stopped in her tracks as she heard it.

"That sounded like..." Nami said.

"It's Usopp," Jou figured. "He's not giving up no matter how tough the situation is."

"Yeah..." Nami agreed. "You-do you wanna go help them? I can easily find the treasure on my own, it won't be too difficult."

"No," Jou shook his head. "Luffy and Zoro are strong enough to handle this on their own. C'mon, let's go find this treasure." Nami gave him a nod and continued walking further into the ship as Jou turned back toward the fight.

"Give that jackass butler hell, Luffy," Jou nodded before heading into the ship and closing the door behind him.

-X-

After Usopp's tearful declaration, the Black Cat Pirates all began laughing at him. That was it for Luffy as he took a large boulder in his hands and slammed it down at the Pirates causing them all to fly or scamper away.

"What're you all laughing at!?" Luffy growled at them as they retreated in fright from the boy in the straw hat.

"Luffy!" Zoro called him as he tossed Usopp over his shoulder. "Me and Usopp are gonna chase down that Hypno freak. Is that a problem?"

"No, hurry!" Luffy gave the swordsman the go-ahead.

"Thank you," Usopp said to Zoro while draped on the swordsman's shoulder.

"I'd be quicker if I was going alone," Zoro told him. "But I don't know those woods, so if we're gonna catch up to them, I gonna need your help."

"Hold it, you two," Kuro spoke to them. "Where are you off to? Who said you could leave?"

"I did!" Luffy exclaimed as he threw a punch at Kuro, causing the butler to lean backward to dodge the attack. "Usopp! Zoro! Get going!" Luffy called giving the two the opening to leave.

"Have another!" Luffy yelled as he leaped at Kuro with a rubbery punch. Kuro moved out of the way from Luffy's punch causing the boy to travel over him. Luffy landed on his feet and tried to catch his balance from nearly falling. It was Kuro's turn to go on the attack and went in to behead him but Luffy succeeded to evade it just in the nick of time with a handstand.

"Gum-Gum Spear!" Luffy pressed together and used them as a jab attack at Kuro. Luffy legs extended at the butler though his attack never hit as Kuro had vanished from sight.

"He got away again," Luffy sighed in annoyance as his legs snapped back to him and pushed off the ground with his hands to get back on his feet. "At least Zoro and Usopp got away. That's the most important thing."

"Before I kill you, I feel compelled to ask..." Kuro wondered. "What is an outsider like you doing budding into this village's business for?"

Before speaking Luffy smirked at him. "Because there's a man in this village that I don't wanna let die."

"Simple enough," Kuro said. "Are you okay with that being the reason that you die?"

"Sure am!" Luffy remarked with a grin. "But I'm not gonna die," he claimed with a clenched fist.

"We'll see about that!" Kuro exclaimed as he sped in to attack. Luffy stretched both of his arms and grabbed Kuro by the shoulders and put both feet out to kick him in the face. Kuro rolled his shoulders and as a result slammed Luffy into the ground. Luffy brought his arms back to him and rolled back up for another attack.

"Gum-Gum Whip!" Luffy whirled his right leg at Kuro. Kuro easily hopped into the air to evade the attack. Luffy soon followed up with a second attack as Kuro landed on the ground.

"And Pistol!" Luffy hurled a punch at Kuro but managed to avoid the punch by standing up on Luffy's elongated appendage.

"This is quite boring," Kuro commented with a scornful grin.

"You cocky jerk!" Luffy exclaimed. Kuro ran across Luffy's stretched arm like a tight-rope and landed a kick into Luffy's face, causing the boy to drop into the ground. It didn't take long for Luffy to bounce back from the attack as he slowly kneeled back onto his feet.

"He knicked me..." Luffy grunted in pain as he stroked his cheek. All during Luffy and Kuro's scuffle, the rest of the Black Cat Pirates watched their Captain do battle with the straw hat Pirate.

"Kuro laid him out flat," a Pirate commented. "A lot of good that Devil Fruit did him."

"Yeah," another chimed. "That's our Captain for ya." Soon the Black Cat Pirates started to praise for their Captain much to Kuro's objection.

"Shut up," Kuro muttered. "DON'T CALL ME THAT!" he roared at his so-called crew who all stopped their cheering collectively. "You all don't understand." he sent a glare their way. "You fools. This plan was devised so that I may rid of that name once and for all!" he shouted as he became more and more agitated. "I'm tired of it. Concocting every day for a bunch of barbarians who care only about havoc and mayhem. Relentlessly attacked by government dogs and bounty hunters. I'm tired of it. I AM SICK AND TIRED OF THAT ENTIRE CURSED LIFE!" he raised his voice at this declaration."And when my plan succeeds today, after 3 years of planning, revising, and waiting, my goal will be achieved in its entirety. Wealth and peace of mind will finally be mine. Do you understand now, boy?" he challenged Luffy. "I will not allow this perfect plan, years in the making, to fail! My plan will not be disrupted by an urchin like you!"

Kuro dashed at Luffy to impale him with his claws. Luffy leaned backward and reached his arms toward the large rock that was in the middle of the slope. Luffy placed the rock in front of himself which caused Kuro to pierce the rock instead.

"It would seem that you could do a lot more than just stretch," Kuro remarked.

"That's right!" Luffy claimed. "I've been toughening myself up to be a Pirate!" Luffy crushed the rock with his bare hands and pulled back which caused the cat claws on one of Kuro's claws to snap. "You know what, don't want a reputation...THEN DON'T BE A PIRATE!" Luffy yelled as he slammed the rock into Kuro's face. "You're just greedy, Kuro but I have ambition!"

-X-

The Black Cat Pirates ship interior was huge as the ship itself was large. Nami told Jou to split up and search the ship for its treasure room. Normally, Nami wouldn't let anyone go with her to search for treasure. She believed it would slow her down unless the person would be willing to be a distraction for the Pirates so she could have time to get her treasure. While Jou went to search another part of the ship, she searched her own side. Nami had also come across the Captain's cabin and decided it was worth the search. She checked inside the closet and only found a set of the exact same jacket and hat worn by Jango.

'How can a guy walk out wearing something as ridiculous as this?' she couldn't help but wonder.

Nami shook her head and left the Captain's room. It didn't take long for her to regroup with Jou who was just making his way toward her.

"Hey," he greeted. "What room is that?"

"Captain quarters," Nami answered. "No treasure in there. What about you?"

"Haven't found any treasure," Jou shrugged. "I did manage to find the armory." he gave an impressed smirk. "These guys got enough weapons to start a small war."

"The treasure has to be here somewhere," Nami sighed. "Here, come with me this time. You can make yourself useful."

"Well, aren't I always useful?" Jou asked as Nami let out a short chuckle.

"I think that's for me to decide," she commented with a hand on her hip as she wandered away.

"Have it your way," Jou smirked as he proceeded after Nami.

Eventually, the two came across a door with a lock on it. Nami figured there was no key around, believing it may be on Jango or one of the Pirates outside. But who needed a key when you could just pick the lock. The lock didn't look hard to open, it just seemed like most locks that she'd come across and she wouldn't be much of a thief if she didn't know her way around one. Once she pulled out her lockpick to try and open the lock, she felt a hand touch her shoulder. Nami turned around only to see Jou standing behind her.

"How about you let me handle that?" he asked. Nami couldn't help but raise a brow at him

"Yeah, right," Nami said. "I know how to handle a lock. I've done this sort of thing so many times."

"We don't have time to wait around," Jou told her with a wink. "Just trust me. I got this."

Nami didn't take Jou for someone who knew how to pick a lock. Though, he did have a few tricks so who's to say he couldn't. Plus, there's no way he'd be able to pick it as quickly as she could.

"Alright, knock yourself out," Nami smirked at him as she handed him her lockpick. Jou seemed like he was about to reach for it but instead, put her hand down with his own which surprised her.

"That won't be necessary," Jou said. "Just stand back. Gonna need some space for this."

Nami did as Jou requested to let him try his little trick to get the door open. She couldn't wait to shove the humiliation in his face once he realizes he can't get it open without the proper tool. But instead just flicked his left wrist and grasped his red chain.

"Wait, what are you-" Nami began to say as Jou with a single lash of his chain knocked off the lock easily. Soon following up with a swift kick to the door which fell off the hinges and fell flat on the floor with a thud. Nami could only stare in astonishment that that's what Jou had in mind as he turned to her, slinging the red chain on his shoulder with a smirk.

"Door's open," he stated proudly.

"Not what I had in mind," Nami remarked walking up to him. "But it'll do. We're just lucky there's no one on board but us to have heard that."

"True," Jou shrugged. "But we don't have time." Jou wrapped his red chain around his wrist and gestured for Nami to step inside. "Ladies first."

Nami only response was a shrug and smile. She walked into the room and what caught her attention was the large chest that was leaning up against the wall.

"Yes!" Nami exclaimed cheerily. "This has to be it!"

"How could you be so sure?" Jou questioned. "They could have anything stored in there?"

"Don't be so simple-minded," Nami retorted. "With a chest as big as this, they have to have loads of treasure in here. Only one way to find out." Nami once again took out her lockpick once more to fiddle with the chest as Jou watched her, leaning against the wall.

It didn't take long for Nami to open the lock. She heard it go 'click' which was exactly the sound she wanted. She didn't waste any time as she pushed up the lid. Nami's brightened in a big smile as she saw the gold and jewels that were stored inside.

"The treasure!" Nami exclaimed. "I knew it was here and it's all mine!" she reached and pulled a handful of the gold in both of her hands, happily brushing it against her face. Nothing can stop the excitement she was feeling right now.

"You look like you're enjoying yourself, huh?" Jou finally spoke up.

"What?" Nami wondered as she turned to face him.

"Sorry to interrupt your little moment," Jou said with a smirk. "I'll just leave you to fondling that treasure." Jou waved as he turned to leave but soon stopped in his tracks when Nami yanked on the back of his cardigan.

"Hold it, you can't leave yet," Nami demanded.

"And why is that?" Jou questioned.

"Cause I need you to carry the treasure up for me?" Nami asked. "Please?" she gave him a sweet smile that will probably get him to do what she wants. It's worked for other guys in the past.

"You sure you can trust me with all that gold?" Jou questioned. "You can carry it yourself, can you? Besides, aren't you worried I might end up leaving it again?"

"I'm over that now," Nami scoffed. "And I'm willing to let it go as long as you don't think to do it again." Jou seemed to think about it until he shrugged his shoulders.

"Okay," Jou said. "But on one condition: I want you to ask me again."

"Huh?" Nami mouthed in confusion.

"The way you asked me, it's seemed like you were just tricking me into carrying the treasure." Jou figured out. "In order to get what you want me to do."

'Was I really that obvious?' Nami thought.

"So, honestly ask me to carry the treasure," Jou smiled. "I'm a person, not a pack-mule."

Nami had to have known Jou wasn't dumb like the other men she had tricked. He was not wrong, she was just requesting and assuming he would cave-in to a cute smile and do as she said. Jou agreed to do it but he will do it if she asked him honestly. Jou was a strange yet different kind of person so, why not? She supposed it couldn't hurt.

"Jou, can you help me by carrying the treasure?" Nami asked in the polite and honest way that Jou wanted.

"Well, look at that," Jou grinned. "Was that so hard?" he chuckled. "Yeah, I'll do it." he knelt down and grabbed a nearby sack and started filling it with the treasure.

Nami watched him put the treasure in the sack with a smile and her arms folded. Nami knew that she and Jou didn't get along sometimes. She won't tell him but he didn't think he was all that bad, even if he were a Pirate.

"At least he's different than... 'him'..." she said quietly but didn't realize she had spoken it aloud.

"Huh, you say something?" Jou wondered as he paused to stare back her.

"Nothing, I didn't say anything," Nami sighed. "Keep going." she pointed at the treasure. "The bags not gonna fill and lift itself, you know?"

"Yes, ma'am," Jou replied with a hint of sarcasm as he resumed putting the treasure in the sack. Nami counted herself lucky Jou probably didn't hear what she said. Besides, he and the others are better off not knowing why she needs all this treasure.

-X-

Kuro had fallen face down on the ground from the force of Luffy's attack with the use of the large rock he had used. The Black Cat Pirates watching the two fight saw Luffy had broken one set of Kuro's cat claws.

"That leaves only 5 more of those weird swords," Luffy grinned as he laid the rock down.

"Don't worry, guys!" a Pirate exclaimed. "He can still fight plenty!"

"Yeah, he still has that other claw!" another agreed.

"You can do it! Rip that guy to shreds, Captain Kuro!" the Pirates all praised their Captain as Kuro got back onto his feet.

"Shut your mouths..." Kuro growled. "All of you!" his outburst caused every one of his Pirates to quiet down altogether. "Soon enough I'll deal with you in the only appropriate manner. Extermination. I'll also kill that fool Jango. When all of you are dead, this village will know who to blame for this atrocity. I never intended to let any of you mongrels leave this village alive. No one. No one who knows my true identity can be allowed to live to tell about it."

"You have already planned to kill every last one of us from the very beginning?" A pirate questioned frightenedly.

"Correct," Kuro said. "3 years ago, I planned to erase Captain Kuro and every last person who ever knew him. It's all part of my plan." the Pirates were all collectively scared at their Captain's proclamation to kill them all.

"You guys are dumb," Luffy commented. "The most uncool Pirates I know."

"We're uncool, huh?" Kuro replied pushing up his glasses. "Pirates are nothing more than savages incapable of rising above their animal nature. Without my plans what could they possibly accomplish? A crew is nothing to me. They are simply a means to an end. Crew members are just pawns in the captain's game. Whether my men live or die is up to me and me alone. If I tell them to fight they will fight and if I order them to die they'd better do it. They know the punishment for disobedience."

All throughout Kuro's speech, Luffy stayed silent giving the 'butler' a plain look. But the face the boy gave only agitated Kuro.

"THIS IS HOW PIRATES ARE!" Kuro bellowed. "DON'T YOU DARE TALK DOWN TO ME, BOY!"

"You know, no matter hundreds or how many thousands of men follow you as their Captain..." Luffy smiled. "You will never come close to Usopp."

"You fool," Kuro glared. "Are you implying that I am inferior compared to a lying kid acting like a Pirate!?"

"That's right," Luffy replied grinning. Luffy's statement caused Kuro to guffaw with laughter.

"Don't get all cocky with me just because you snapped off one of my cat claws!" Kuro exclaimed. "How exactly is he better than me? Let's hear it!" Kuro had started his Pussy-Foot technique and vanished before Luffy's eyes. Luffy wasn't deterred at all from the butler's trick as he only kept his grin.

"Because he's got heart," Luffy stated.

"He's got what...!?" Kuro questioned as Luffy extended an arm and spun around to face Kuro who was behind him.

"A guy like you doesn't know what a true Pirate is!" Luffy declared landing a solid backhand, knocking Kuro into the side of the cliff. Luffy's arm retracted back to him as he flipped through the air and landed on his feet. The Black Cat Pirates were impressed that Luffy was able to easily keep up with Kuro's Pussy-Foot maneuver. The cliff-side Kuro crashed into was covered in a dust cloud as it subsided to reveal the 'butler' standing up.

"How insulting," Kuro growled. "It would appear that you need a lesson in what real Pirates are like," he stated with a grin. "It's not pleasant. Your first lesson will be about terror. A lesson I learned well as I stared down death."

Once Kuro finished talking, he slowly began swaying his body and arms with his head pointed toward the ground. Luffy didn't have a clue to what Kuro was planning but it appeared that the other members of the Black Cat Pirates figured out what their 'Captain' was up to.

"Yeah, so what?" Luffy wondered with confusion. "He's just wobbling back and forth."

Luffy studied Kuro while he kept swaying, his eyes left completely white as Kuro had vanished before Luffy's eyes.

-X-

It was at this moment that Jou and Nami had finally left the ship's interior and soon made it onto the deck. Jou had a sack stuffed with treasure hanging off his shoulder. He carried it at the request of Nami but on the condition that she asked him in an honest way. The bag really wasn't all that heavy, hell, Nami could likely carry it herself but she was lucky Jou regarded himself a gentleman.

"For such a large group of Pirates, their stash seemed rather low," Jou commented. "It almost feels I'm carrying nothing."

"I know, right," Nami admitted. "I really thought they'd have more than treasure than this. Now, let's see if the others have finished this fight yet." Nami made her way toward the front of the ship but what she saw made her eyes widen.

"What's going on?" Jou wondered as he stopped beside her, placing the treasure sack on the deck. He took everything in and saw the Black Cat Pirates seeming more alarmed and can see Luffy still up and around but also on alert.

'Wait!?' Jou thought. 'Something doesn't feel right. Where's Kuro? Did Luffy already deal with him? No, that can't be it.'

"Something's wrong," Jou said.

"What do you mean?" Nami wondered. "Is it not over yet?"

"I think that's what we're about to find out," Jou stated which caused Nami's eyes to widen in confusion.

Suddenly, a Black Cat Pirate screamed in agony as a slash appeared on his chest with blood gushing from his body which seemed to cause the other Black Cat Pirates to panic even more. Jou had to wonder what could have happened to cause that man to suddenly spurt blood.

"Huh?" Luffy wondered shockingly. "How did he get over there!?"

'It's Kuro!' Jou exclaimed inwardly. 'But where the hell is he? He's hard to even pinpoint. He could be using a technique that makes him so fast no one can see him. Could it be he's using something similar to Fade-Step.'

Another Pirate shortly after was met with the same treatment as his crewmate and soon the side of the cliff next to Luffy was slashed apart.

"This guy is everywhere!?" Luffy exclaimed.

Jou watched along with Nami as more Pirates were cut down causing them to fall. Jou overheard one of the Pirates mention this technique as "Side-Step". Jou figured out that the trick was similar to his own Fade-Step. Similar names though both worked in a different way. Jou had to see where he's going in order to properly use Fade-Step and could use it for a limited amount. Whereas, Kuro seemed like he couldn't see where he was going, which caused them to go after his own Pirates instead of Luffy.

"What's happening out there!?" Nami said with a frightened look on her face, her hands clutching tightly on the back of Jou's cardigan. "People are just getting cut to ribbons!"

"Obviously!" Jou already figured out. "But here's my question: why is he cutting his men down like they don't matter to him at all!?" Jou already had the answer to his own question.

'They're expendable to him,' Jou conceived glaring his eyes down at the carnage below.

Luffy wasn't left unscathed through Kuro's barrage as a cut across his chest and forehead appeared. All after another handful of Pirates were soon met with Kuro's onslaught. Luffy received a cut in his stomach as another slash was traced on the ground near his foot. The more and more Pirates were cut down, the more and more Luffy became angered and had finally had enough.

"DON'T YOU HAVE ANY HONOR!?" Luffy bellowed. "THOSE MEN ARE YOUR FRIENDS!"

"Luffy..." Nami muttered concernedly.

"Luffy's right about that," Jou spoke causing Nami to look at him. "Pirate Captain's are supposed to treat their crew with respect. Not to mention, trust them." Jou's eyes narrowed angrily as his both his fists clenched tightly. "He's not supposed to cut them down like they're nothing to him."

"Jou..." Nami said giving the concerned look toward him.

It was downright sickening for Jou to watch. He may not care much for the Black Cat Pirates but even they didn't deserve to be torn to shreds by their own Captain. Jou knew for a fact that even his own mother would be absolutely disgusted with what Kuro is doing to own men.

'I'm sick of this guy!' Jou thought angrily. 'Finish him off already, Luffy! Show this jackass what it means to be a true Pirate!'

Luffy is sliced across his figure which allowed him to find Kuro. He grabbed Kuro and hurled him into the ground.

"Found ya," Luffy smirked.

"You bastard," Kuro grunted as he stood back up. "You should've accepted your fate like a good boy. Now, look what you've done. Thanks to you, my little pawns are still alive and in misery. It would've been better to let them die in the attack. So now what? Do you have something to say?"

"Yeah," Luffy stated. "No matter what happens to me. I will never be like you."

"Not will," Kuro glared pointing his remaining cat claws at Luffy's face. "Someone like you can't be like me. You see, you are going to die here today as you writhe in agony as I hack you up like a fish. I'm going to carve you up and I'm going to enjoy it."

Kuro once again used his Side-Step technique. Once he did, Luffy ran at Kuro to attack before he could disappear.

"You're not getting away this time!" Luffy shouted.

"Out of the Bag Attack!" Kuro faded away from sight as Luffy looked around with wide eyes. Kuro continued slicing his own men, causing them to keel over from their injuries. He appeared before Luffy and went to cut him but the boy simply leaned back to avoid the claw that was about to strike him. After Luffy dodged the incoming attack, Kuro soon came into view behind Luffy.

"Aren't you tired?" Luffy wondered turning to face Kuro. "I bet you are after all that dancing you've been doing."

"Don't get cocky," Kuro commented pushing his glasses up. "That was simply a warm-up. The real fight begins now. Soon, I will be feasting on your fear complimented on the sweet win of your agony. Now!" Kuro used his Side-Step technique one last time to terminate Luffy once and for all.

OUT OF THE BAG ATTACK!"

Watching all of this, Jou had figured out Kuro's Side-Step. It is essentially Fade-Step but with the draw-back that he can't see where he's going. Jou had also seen that wherever Kuro stepped he left foot-prints which made it easier to spot where he was and due to the dust he kicked around using Side-Step. All Luffy had to do was grab him before he got away. Luffy had tried but missed, it wasn't long after Luffy had gotten Kuro the second time by seizing his ankle. A cloud of dust was formed around Luffy and Kuro until it cleared for everyone to see what happened.

"Got him," Jou smirked as the dust dissipated for everyone to witness that Luffy had latched onto Kuro, restraining his limbs and hindering his ability to move altogether.

"Nice try," Luffy grinned. "You jerk."

"Damn you!" Kuro shouted as he struggled in Luffy's hold. "Get away from me!"

"Well, butler man..." Luffy said. "Right now your life really sucks. Your plan of 3 years is a complete and total failure."

"Let go!" Kuro said as he continued to struggle.

"Hey, look!" a Pirate pointed. "That weird kid caught Captain Kuro!"

"If that goofy kid manages to beat Captain Kuro then that means Kuro won't be able to slaughter us, right?" asked another.

"Yeah," said a third Pirate. "Get him, crazy rubber guy!"

"You're going down, you mean bastard!" the Pirates cheered together for Luffy to beat Kuro.

"Get off me!" Kuro kept trying to shake Luffy off of him until he was hit with a head-butt from Luffy.

"Shut up!" Luffy yelled and threw his head backward as he extended his neck toward the Black Cat Pirates to glare at them. "You have no right to cheer me on!"

"Let go of me!" Kuro continued to struggle but Luffy's hold on him was keeping him in place so he wasn't able to escape.

"Gum-Gum Bell!" Luffy elongated neck that was reeled all the way back to the Black Cat Pirates, retracted to his body, and used the momentum and slammed his forehead into Kuro's own. Luffy released Kuro and landed on his feet as the Black Cat Pirates Captain hit the ground, falling on his face unmoving and unconscious.

"He beat, Captain Kuro!"

"Just who are you?" the Pirates all wondered as Luffy turned around to stare them all down.

"I'm Monkey D. Luffy," he stated. "The only time a Pirate should abandon his name is when he dies. I would never lose to a coward who ditches his name, betrays his friends, and runs from a life on the sea."

Jou couldn't help but give a proud smile to Luffy's speech. Jou admired that Luffy really did know what it meant to be a true Pirate. This gave Jou all the more reason why Luffy should be the Captain of their crew.

'Luffy, you just keep surprising me,' Jou thought admirably and leaped off the Pirate ship.

"Luffy?" a Pirate wondered. "I've never heard that name before?"

"You should remember my name for the rest of your lives," Luffy smiled. "Because one of these days I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!" the Pirates all gave Luffy bewildered eyes when he mentioned that but didn't get to ask any more questions once Luffy picked up the unconscious body of Kuro.

"NOW GET OUTTA HERE!" Luffy roared as he tossed the Captain toward the Pirates. "AND NEVER COME BACK!" they did as Luffy said and took Kuro and made a mad dash to their ship without a second look back.

-X-

Once Jou dropped from the Pirate ship, Nami followed and grabbed the treasure before doing so. The Black Cat Pirates took their battered Captain and got in their ship and left once Luffy told them to. Luffy was about to fall face-first into the ground but Jou was there to catch him before he could hit the ground.

"Woah, easy there," Jou said. "I gotcha, Captain."

"You did good, Luffy," Nami commented. Jou placed Luffy on his back and made sure to be gentle since he must've obviously been exhausted with the fight he just had.

"That was amazing, Luffy," Jou smirked. "You really showed Kuro that you mean business. Plus, he's gonna have one hell of a headache once he wakes up." Jou chuckled as he sat down cross-legged on the ground and even picking up Luffy's straw hat.

"It's no surprise you're exhausted after what you just went through, Luffy," Nami said as she joined the boys, sitting down as well. Nami noticed that during Luffy's fight, when Kuro was slicing down his own men to ribbons, that seemed to really irate Luffy.

"Why were you so mad earlier?" Nami asked.

"Isn't it obvious," Jou expressed. "Kuro isn't a true Pirate Captain. A Captain should never try to slaughter their own crewmates, neither their friends."

"That's right," Luffy agreed. "I truly hate people like them. They're so wrong. That is not how friends should act."

"Took the words right outta my mouth, Luffy," Jou nodded as he took to spinning Luffy's hat around his index finger. "Friends shouldn't act that way toward each other."

Nami couldn't believe these two. They have this sense that Pirates are remarkable people that protect others when in reality they only look out for themselves.

"What're you two on about?" Nami questioned resting a hand on her palm. "Of course it isn't. Most Pirates aren't the brave, honorable people you always make them out to be. I'd say Captain Kuro is pretty standard."

"You're wrong, Nami," Jou replied as he continued to twirl Luffy's hat on his finger. "Not all Pirates are like Kuro. If you think like that then you have a lot of thinking to do."

"And why do you say that?" Nami wondered. "Tell me then, Jou? Do you happen to know any brave, honorable Pirates?"

Nami saw Jou direct his eyes at her once she asked that question. Maybe he could enlighten her since he assumes he knows so much about how a Pirate should be rather than what they really are. Nami felt she may have stumped him on her query, feeling she may have won this one but held that thought once he actually did answer.

"As a matter-of-fact, I did," Jou said. "About 10 years, I knew someone. A she, actually. She was a Pirate. One of the bravest people I knew." as Jou talked, he spun the brim of Luffy's straw hat on the tip of his finger. "And she had honor and when on the seas with her crew, she let them know they can trust her as she trusted them, they were her friends. I'll..." he sighed. "I'll never forget her or what she's taught me."

Nami could tell Jou was telling the truth even though it was hard to believe that there could be Pirates who aren't all so cruel. Though, he never said this person's name. She must have left quite an impression on him if he talks so strongly about her.

'Whoever this person is, she must have left quite an impact on him,' Nami thought. 'Since he talks so strongly about her. It... It almost reminds me of...'

Nami shook off her thoughts, she wouldn't dare give two Pirates the satisfaction of seeing her cry. Nami was still curious who this person Jou talked about was and was about to ask...

"I'm hungry," Luffy said with a straight-face. "I need some meat."

Nami scowled at the downed boy and had a half-a-mind to strangle him for interrupting her just so he could bring up that wants to eat meat.

"You know what...?" Jou spoke. "I'm hungry, too. Fighting could really work up an appetite." Jou stated while he continued spinning Luffy's hat. "Think that restaurant's open in the village?"

"I hope so," Luffy whined. "I so tired, I can't move at all."

"Don't worry, Captain," Jou smiled at Luffy. "Since your too tired, I'll eat your share for ya." Jou and Luffy only gazed at each other until the two howled in laughter. Nami only frowned at the laughing boys. Letting out a sigh of exasperation and thinking just how is it that she got caught up sailing across the sea with a pair of weirdos like them.

"You two are unbelievable," Nami groaned face-palming herself.

-X-

Zoro and Usopp soon joined the trio at the slope as Usopp was expressing his gratitude to the 4 in defending his village.

"Thanks, guys," Usopp laughed wholeheartedly. "I wouldn't have been able to protect the village without you."

"Give credit where credit's due," Zoro grinned. "If you just stood by and done nothing, I wouldn't have done anything either."

"Yeah, same here," Luffy agreed with a smile.

"Honestly, me too," Jou shrugged smirking. "But your village is safe and that's all that matters. Oh, and your girlfriend is safe, too. You must happy about that, right Usopp?"

"Yeah-" Usopp agreed until he blushed to recognize what Jou had said. "Hold on! Kaya's not my girlfriend!"

"Could've fooled me, dude," Jou stated as he, Luffy, and Zoro started to chuckle altogether as Usopp soon joined in the laughter.

"All I know is got my hands on this sweet, sweet treasure!" Nami exclaimed cheery smile while cradling the treasure. "And I couldn't be happier!" Jou turned his head giving her a sly smirk.

"Really?" Jou questioned with the same mischievous grin. "How about you let me hold onto it for you? I'll take good care of it."

"Not on your life," Nami said.

"Oh, you wound me!" Jou gave a mock gasp. "Why must you torment me this way, Nami?"

"You simply ask for it sometimes," Nami stated. Usopp knelt down beside Luffy and Zoro. Getting near to ask them a question.

"I've been wondering this whole time but are Jou and Nami a thing?" Usopp asked. "Or do they just have some kind of love/hate rivalry between them?"

"With those two, it's complicated," Zoro commented.

"Hahaha!" Luffy chuckled. "Jou and Nami are so weird!"

The pair in question were only staring at the other 3 and finally locked eyes with each other. Nami turned away with a scowl on her face.

"Gimme a break," Nami remarked. "Something between me and him could never happen."

"You got that right," Jou agreed. "That'd be the day we see a flying ship."

"A flying ship?" Zoro questioned. "That'd be a sight to see."

"That'd be cool!" Luffy exclaimed. "It's gotta have wings! Big ones!"

Usopp paid no attention to the crew and brought his attention to gaze out toward the open ocean.

"Everything that happened here today helped me," Usopp noted proudly causing Luffy to look at him with curious eyes. "I've just came to a very difficult decision."

-X-

Getting something to eat was definitely shared among the crew. Jou and the others were definitely a bit famished as stopping a Pirate raid can do that. They were seated in the booth at the restaurant Usopp took them when they first met the town liar.

"Now that we've eaten, we should probably start get going," Zoro stated.

"Yeah, you're right," nodded Luffy.

"Sounds good," Jou said taking a sip from a mug. "The sea's waiting for us." It was at that moment, the establishment's door opened to reveal Kaya. Her grin directed toward the Pirates.

"There you are!" she greeted them.

"Well, look who it is," Jou remarked turning around to face the girl.

"Hello there, Miss," Luffy waved.

"Are you alright being out of bed?" Nami questioned with a kind smile as Kaya made her to the 4.

"Looks like your feeling better," Jou smirked up at her.

"Yes," Kaya nodded in agreement. "I think now I can truly start recovering. You see the reason I was sick this last year was caused by the mental shock of losing both my parents and being Usopp's friend helped start getting me better. I can't stay in bed forever, you know." The Pirates collectively smiled at Kaya seeming to agree with her decision.

Jou understood where she was coming from since he knows losing a parent can be hard but it's great to see someone want to bounce back from the trauma of that feeling.

"Glad to see your finally up and at 'em," Jou commented. "So, to what do we owe you the pleasure?" he asked. "Not that seeing your smile is pleasure enough for us."

Kaya giggled into her hand. "You've all done so much for me, I can't thank you enough," she said. "I've prepared a present for you to show my appreciation from the bottom of my heart, to show you how grateful I am for everything you've done here." Kaya flashed a smile to everyone. "I'd be honored if you'd accept it."

-X-

The crew was surprised when Kaya told them to make sure to grab any belongings that they had. The crew didn't have much other than what they had on them. Nami had her bags of treasure and her maps. Jou only had his backpack filled with his own possessions. Once they had everything, they followed Kaya to find out what her present was for them. During the walk, Jou put on his silver-lensed aviator's on his eyes, his shoulder-strap backpack secured around him. Nami only turned to look at the Jou with risen brows.

"What's with the sunglasses?" Nami just had to question him since it was such an odd thing to find him wearing.

"What's wrong with them?" Jou wondered as he pulled them down to look at her from the corner of his eye. "You're just jealous cause I look good. Can't take your eyes off me?"

"Yeah, right," Nami snorted as she turned away.

"So, what's your present to us like?" Luffy asked Kaya excitedly.

"You'll see," Kaya answered before chuckling in amusement. "Just follow me. We're almost there."

Kaya brought the Pirates to the shore, Once there they spotted Merry and behind him is the gift Kaya spoke about was a ship. This caused the Quartet of Pirates to grow smiles once they saw it. The ship wasn't battleship-sized but it seemed like a well-crafted vessel. It had 4 cannons, 2 on either side. What really caught the crew's attention was the ram figurehead at the front.

"A real caravel!" Nami exclaimed happily with her hands clasped together.

"Not bad," Jou commented with a grin while slightly pulling down his shades.

"You're actually giving this to us!?" Luffy asked in astonishment.

"Mmhm," Kaya hummed. "As a token of my appreciation."

"It's a slightly older model," Merry explained. "But I personally designed her and she sails like a dream. She is a caravel with lateen sails and a central stern rudder. She's a fine ship and her name is the 'Going Merry'!" Merry proudly presented the ship toward the crew. "Allow me to explain the rigging-"

"Hold on," Nami paused the caretaker from going any further. "You'd be better off to just explain the technical stuff to me."

Luffy stepped up to get a closer look at the ship followed by Jou who stopped beside him.

"What a cool ship," Luffy said in awe. "Have you guys seen the front? It's totally awesome."

"The figurehead's interesting," Jou noted. "A ram wouldn't have been my first choice," Jou said with a grin. "But I can't say I hate it though. Thank you, Kaya. And thank you, too, Merry." he gave a nod of appreciation to the girl and her caretaker. "We'll take good care of her."

"Glad you all like it," Kaya replied with a smile. "We've loaded it with all the provisions you might need on a long voyage."

"Thanks," Luffy said gratefully. "It leaves nothing to beat tired." Jou couldn't help but snicker into his hand at the fact that Luffy pronounced the saying entirely wrong.

"That's leaves nothing to be desired, idiot," Zoro corrected his Captain with a bit of annoyance.

Everyone heard a scream in the distance and turned to the source and what they saw was Usopp rolling down the slope with an unusually large backpack. One could describe the way he was coming down like a pinball, hitting either cliff-side and pleading for someone to help him.

"Oh no, Usopp!" Kaya exclaimed worriedly, a hand cupped to her mouth.

The town liar continued cruising at a great speed in the most bizarre yet comedic way possible as he made his way toward the group.

"That looks fun," Luffy mentioned.

"We better stop him," Zoro suggested. "He's on a collision course with our boat."

"Leave it to me," Jou declared as he stopped just in front of everyone. Jou put his hand out and easily stopped the rolling Usopp to a complete halt. Usopp's face collided into Jou's hand, his nose in-between the chain-wielders fingers.

"Ease up there, speed demon," Jou remarked.

"Thanks," Usopp muffled his gratitude into Jou's gloved hand.

"No problem, bud," Jou grinned as he steadied the younger teen onto his feet and started climbing onto the crew's new ship. Though, the huge backpack that was much larger than Usopp himself, it was like he packed his entire house and caused him to almost lose his balance.

"Usopp, you're leaving?" Kaya wondered making it easy to hear the sadness in her voice.

"It's something I gotta do, Kaya," Usopp assured her.

"You're really doing it," Kaya said. "Your gonna take to the ocean."

"Yeah, I decided to get going before I have any time to change my mind," Usopp declared. "Please, don't stop me."

"I won't," Kaya shook her head. "I know it's time for you to go."

"Kaya, don't be sad," Usopp added with a smile. "Just think the next time I come here, I'll tell you about adventures that'll sound more like lies than my old ones."

"Good," Kaya flashed a smile back at him. "I'll look forward to it." Jou cleared his throat which got the couple's attention to them.

"So, this has to be part when you two start making out, am I right?" Jou wondered with a harmless smirk. "I'm sure there's a room here incase you two kids want privacy. Just go for it, you'd make a nice couple."

This leads to Usopp and Kaya's cheeks to darken red as the jest caused everyone to erupt with laughter.

"C'mon, I can't be the only one who thought it," Jou shrugged. "Even the caretaker thinks so." Jou directed a finger at Merry, who gasped in surprise and began whistling to himself.

"You guys take care!" Usopp called to the crew as his blush died down. "I hope we meet again sometime!"

"How come?" Luffy questioned with a tilt of his head.

"What are you?" Usopp asked. "Anti-social? I'm taking for life on the high seas and I hope that we'll eventually meet again, that's all."

"What're you talking about?" Zoro asked with folded arms. "Get on already."

"Huh?" Usopp mouthed in confusion.

"We're friends, right," Luffy stated blankly. "So get on."

"Yep," Jou smiled pulling down his shades as he sat on the ship's railing. "Hurry it up and get your ass up here."

It took a bit for Usopp to register what they were saying. But he got what they were asking in his own special way.

"I'M REALLY A PIRATE CAPTAIN NOW!" Usopp exclaimed with a leap of victory and pumping a fist into the air.

"Don't be stupid, Usopp!" Luffy yelled angrily. "I'M THE CAPTAIN!" Everyone around chuckled at the scene as Luffy and Usopp soon joined up in the all the merriment

-X-

It was now finally time for their new ship to begin its first take off from the island. Watching the ship sail away, were the now-former Usopp Pirates, Pepper, Onion, and Carrot watch the ship leave.

"There goes the Captain," Onion noted.

"He fell in with some pretty awesome people, so I'm not too worried," Pepper remarked.

"Yeah, he'll be safe," Carrot added. "I've never seen anybody as strong as they are. He's always talked about being a Pirate and now he's off to live his dreams."

"You know the villagers are gonna be sad when we break to news to them," Pepper commented.

"Our Captain was the only one who can liven things up around here," Onion stated. "And now he's gone."

"Hey, I just had a great idea!" Pepper vocalized to his fellow 'Usopp Pirates' as he relayed his plan with them.

-X-

Kaya was leaning against a tree as Merry stood beside her as they watched the ship get visibly smaller and smaller as it drifted from the island.

"They certainly were a pleasant bunch," Merry fondly vocalized.

"Merry?" spoke Kaya.

"Yes?"

"Lying hurts, a lot," she noted.

"Are you referring to Klahadore?" Merry queried.

"No," Kaya dismissed.

"You must be talking about Usopp?" Merry assumed. "You really wanted him to stay, didn't you?"

Kaya rested her head in her knees to hide the tears starting to brim from her eyes. It was no secret she was really going to miss Usopp and all the moments they shared when he'd told her his stories.

"Miss Kaya..." Merry solemnly spoke. "Years ago, one of the villagers told me a story about your good friend Usopp's childhood. Only a short time, after his father left the village to become a Pirate, his mother whom he was very close to, passed away."

Merry explained the story to Kaya about how he lost a mother who died of illness when Usopp was still very young. Merry mentioned after Usopp's mother died was when he began shouting his lies that Pirates were coming to the village.

"Perhaps, out of loneliness, he continued to shout it after his mother passed away in hopes that one day, his fathers' Pirate ship would be at the shore," Merry said. "Ready to spirit him away to the sea and give him a family that he never had. The villagers say that his outlandish lies contain his most heartfelt wish."

Kaya had tears pouring from her eyes after hearing Usopp's tale from Merry. But had a smile on her face through the tears.

"As someone else who lost both parents, he saw you as a kindred spirit and he couldn't sit by and ignore your suffering," Merry stated. "Now it's time for you, too, to rise from the ashes of tragedy and live up to the example that Usopp set so hard to set."

Kaya figuring that Merry was right that she should follow Usopp's example. She wiped away her tears from her face and kept her thoughtful smile.

"Yes," she agreed. "They said they were fighting to live, not to die. Usopp's wild stories and outlandish lies always spoke of the joy of being alive. They helped me through my grief by cheering me up and telling me to live."

"Indeed," Merry said in agreement with proud eyes toward Kaya.

-X-

Subsequently, Pepper, Onion, and Carrot decided to follow in their great Captain's footsteps.

"Pirates! Pirates are coming!" the trio of boys yelled as they ran through the village.

-X-

The Going Merry was a fantastic ship. Kaya wasn't kidding around that she and Merry stocked the ship with supplies to last the crew a while. There was a kitchen with a refrigerator stocked with food, a bathroom with a shower that can be drawn up by a special machine that creates electricity. Instead of a proper steering wheel, it has a pole with a head designed like the Going Merry's figurehead which only goes left or right allowing it to move in that direction.

The crew finished getting acquainted with their new vessel which will take them to the Grand Line.

"This ship is wonderful!" Nami commented happily as Luffy and Usopp agreed with her.

"Yo, guys!" everyone looked back toward the cabin that led into the kitchen to see Jou and Zoro. Jou held five mugs in both hands while Zoro was lugging a huge barrel over his shoulder. "I think this calls for a celebration." Jou smiled. "How about it?"

"Yeah!" Luffy agreed. "We definitely need to throw a party!" Luffy and also everyone else was in agreement about throwing a small party. They filled their mugs and got ready for a toast.

"I'd like to propose a toast to our new crewmate!" Luffy announced. "I'd like to welcome our new friend, Usopp, and a toast to our ship, the Going Merry! So here's to our new ship and crewmate!"

"Yeah!" the 5 cheered in unison and smashed their mugs. Now that they had a friend to join them on their voyage and finally a good ship, they felt prepared to take on anything that can come their way. More adventures and eventual adversaries lay in wait for them but that doesn't mean they couldn't handle a bit of danger especially when they have each other backs.

The 4th arc has been completed! Bet you all are sick of hearing this but damn I'm late!

Jou: Hell, I'm already sick of hearing it since you take too damn long.

Well, of course, this chapter was going to take long since it's an arc finale chapter. But let's not dwell on that.

Reviews...

Jonnie: Here you are.

Jou: Enjoy!

KP360: I mean, Jou having an opponent for this arc was to avoid him just standing around.

Jou: I'd like to point out that not all the enemies I face off against will be OC.

Most of them will, but sometimes Jou will fight against canon/non-canon opponents.

Guest:

Jou: Don't feel too bad. My author slacks off when he's not doing anything every chance he gets.

I'm working as fast as I can. I hope you liked the chapter. Thanks.

Darla Wolf:

Jou: Me falling on my face is probably going to be a regular thing. Probably...

searge:

Jou: Bet you missed me more!

Oh, I'm sure Nami will think of something... ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

...no, nothing like that! Get your mind outta gutters, you pervs!

Guest: As a matter-of-fact, he will. Jou will have his own story arc which will be important for his character. Not gonna happen 'till after Sky Island so we'll be waiting for a bit.

Jonnie(2):

Jou: The only thing my author knows how to draw is a stick figure...

Though, nothing is as worse as what Luffy conjures up when he draws.

Le055Li0n:

Nice.

Jou: Nice.

GunBlade2020: Not all Jou's opponents will have names that start with J's. That would be silly, though.

Jou: Haki?

Do you know what that is, Jou?

Jou:*thinks hard for a bit and soon gives up* Nope!

ShadowUzumaki55:

Jou: At certain points, my Fade-Step will improve to where I can use it more than 4 times.

That's right.

johannvanguard:

Jou: Well, I had my fight last chapter so...

I decided to have Jou follow Nami to find her treasure and I hope people are cool with how that scene went.

pokemonking0924:

Jou: I only used it about three times during the fight.

But a fourth when he used it to save Nami.

Okay, that'll be all. I'd say things are going smoothly and we're near to Arlong Park to which I have some new ideas for that point. In other words, expect the unexpected.

Jou: Also, hold off on throwing those tomatoes at him until then. I need a chance to hide.

I remember that this was the first arc in my previous story. When I showed Jou's SBS. I'm not going to do that here, so maybe next chapter if you'll still want to see it.

I see you guys next time

Jou: Of course there's gonna be next time. If they love me, they'll come back!

Well, aren't you full of yourself?

Later!