Chapter 29 – Syrup Village 08.

Chapter 29 – Syrup Village 08.

[Chapter Size: 2875 Words.]

Third Person POV

Syrup Village, East Blue.CHeCk for new stories on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m

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A few hours later, the group gathered at Kaya's mansion. The tension that had dominated the previous moments had given way to a sense of relief and gratitude for having averted the imminent danger that loomed over the village. The battle against Kuro and the desperate fight to protect the peaceful Syrup Village were still fresh in the minds of Usopp and Kaya, but most of the village residents remained unaware of the true peril they had faced.

Usopp, injured during the confrontation, had been brought back to the mansion and was being taken care of. Kaya's emotional reunion with her friend, who had risked everything to protect her, had been a touching moment.

"You're really a mermaid!!!" Kaya exclaimed in amazement as she saw Shirahoshi's tail on the sofa, revealing the secret the princess had guarded so carefully. Surprise and admiration shone in her eyes as she beheld the majestic mermaid tail.

"Yes, I am, Kaya-Sama," the princess responded with a shy tone, her voice revealing a mix of pride and humility in the face of recognition.

Nami's announcement added extra excitement to the atmosphere. "So, for our help, I believe we deserve at least 10 million berries!!" Nami exclaimed, referring to the payment for the assistance provided. Her eyes sparkled with the prospect of a reward, while Merry, who was sitting in a corner of the room, watched with a surprised expression at the audacity of the group's current maid.

The atmosphere in the mansion had transformed into a space of celebration and gratitude. The group came together to celebrate the success of their mission in helping Kaya and the village rid themselves of the threat posed by Kuro and his gang. The tense mood that had dominated the village had been replaced by a feeling of relief and gratitude, and everyone enjoyed this moment of shared joy.

The atmosphere in the mansion was relaxed as the group enjoyed a brief moment of peace and celebration. They all settled in, savoring the delicious treats Merry had provided, demonstrating that her culinary skills extended beyond making tea.

"This tea is delicious, Merry," Kuina commented serenely while sipping her favorite drink, maintaining a dignified posture that set her apart from the others.

"The sake is great too!" Zoro added, drinking directly from a barrel, his throat burning from the liquor he enjoyed. Meanwhile, Kuina couldn't help but make a playful comment, "And to think that idiot Zoro has become an alcoholic."

"What's the problem? Sake is really good!" Luffy chimed in cheerfully, drinking from another barrel nearby. However, Kuina couldn't let the opportunity pass and complained again, "Great, the captain is an alcoholic too!"

"Woof! Woof!"

"SHARKY!"

However, the relaxed atmosphere was abruptly interrupted when the group's pair of pets, the shark and the dog, began to express their displeasure with barks and growls. Zoro, curious, asked, "Why are they so mad?"

"Hahahaha, it's because I ate most of the food!" Luffy proudly replied, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. Although he didn't consume food with the same voracity as the original Luffy, his body still required a significant amount of food to maintain his manatee form. His insatiable appetite was a notable characteristic, and his joy at the meal was evident on his face.

Kuina watched the scene with a perplexed expression, not surprised to see that the captain was also a voracious glutton, just like his friends. "No surprise there, the captain is a glutton too," she muttered, somewhat lost in the midst of the gastronomic festival.

Luffy laughed merrily, ignoring Kuina's observation. "Hehehehehe. Don't worry, there's more food, Merry! Ask for more food!" Kaya suggested with a warm smile, appreciating the lively interaction among her guests.

However, the relaxed atmosphere was momentarily disrupted when Nami noticed Yamato eating raw fish. She exclaimed, leaving Merry behind and pointing with disbelief at Yamato's unusual meal. "Hey, why are you eating that raw fish!?"

Yamato looked at Nami and, with her mouth full, replied with a muffled voice, "It's Oden's favorite food!" She picked up a piece of salmon and savored it.

Nami was clearly perplexed. "Who?"

Yamato tried to explain, but her mouth full of food made her words unintelligible. "Hmm hmm hmm."

Nami shook her head, feeling frustrated with Yamato's lack of clarity, and then ignored her, turning her attention back to the food and the pirate group she had infiltrated.

Meanwhile, Usopp was sitting alongside the animals, sharing stories and laughter with the group, despite his injuries, which had been properly bandaged after the intense battle. His eyes roamed the scene, absorbing the nuances and peculiarities of that eclectic group.

Usopp couldn't help but notice the special dynamic that existed among these people and animals with such diverse personalities. The room was filled with an atmosphere of camaraderie and mutual respect. Despite their striking differences, they seemed perfectly in tune, like a true crew. It was hard for Usopp to believe that they had come together and formed this bond so quickly, in just a few days.

"So, this is how crews are..." Usopp murmured to himself, his voice almost a whisper as he reflected on what he saw. He looked at his own hands, which he observed with a glint of realization in his eyes. Those hands were witnesses to the changes that had occurred in the past few days. He had finally found the courage to protect what he considered most precious, a desire rooted in his childhood, which had led him to aspire to become a brave sea warrior. Now, he glimpsed the possibility that this dream was not as far off as he had imagined.

Kaya waited for the opportune moment and, amidst the atmosphere of camaraderie that pervaded the room, she addressed everyone with words of gratitude and reflection. Her tone was gentle and cheerful, a contrast to the concerns that had haunted the village before.

"You came to us like ill-intentioned pirates, but in the end, you saved our lives," declared Kaya, her voice filled with sincere appreciation, causing everyone to turn their attention to her words.

Luffy, as always, responded with simplicity, as if it were a common occurrence in his hectic life. "It was nothing. At first, we came here to sell a ship. It was mere luck that we found someone with so much potential and a butler hiding his true identity."

Luffy's unpretentious comment brought a smile to Kaya's face. She admired the casual way Luffy treated remarkable deeds, as if they were nothing more than everyday actions.

However, the impact of Luffy's words did not go unnoticed by Usopp, who was still stunned by the idea that someone would believe so much in his potential, something that had seemed unattainable until then.

Kaya was not about to let the gratitude go unexpressed. She made a surprising announcement: "Even so, all of this resulted in saving our lives. As a token of my appreciation, in addition to buying your ship, I intend to gift you with your own vessel!"

"Everyone, I have fantastic news! We have a new member joining us!" Luffy announced with excitement, casting a warm glance in Usopp's direction.

The news was received with enthusiasm and curiosity by all crew members, who looked at Usopp, awaiting a brief introduction, even though they already knew the boy.

"This is Usopp, the brave and courageous sharpshooter we met on Syrup Island," Luffy proudly introduced Usopp. "He's incredible and will help us in our adventures! Welcome, Usopp!"

"A new member!" Shirahoshi exclaimed, her voice sounding like music to Usopp's ears.

"WOOF!" Chouchou barked cheerfully, making Usopp smile.

"Sharky! Sharky!" Megalo also joined in the celebration, greeting Usopp with enthusiasm.

Zoro greeted Usopp with a simple nod of his head, but there was a hint of recognition in his eyes.

"Hahaha, we have a new crewmate!" Yamato expressed her joy with a warm smile, despite her earlier complaint.

Nami and Kuina remained silent, observing the scene with neutral expressions, but they couldn't help but smile at Usopp's happiness.

Kaya, seeing the warm interaction between the crew members, felt a twinge of sadness in her eyes, knowing that her friend was about to leave in pursuit of his dreams. However, Usopp's happiness was contagious, and she couldn't help but be happy for him.

"Thank you... I think..." Usopp responded timidly, still processing the warm reception from his new crew.

Luffy made the announcement with his typical enthusiasm, but with a touch of seriousness.

"Anyway, let's save the celebration for the ship. We're leaving as soon as possible, so I'd like Usopp to prepare his farewell and collect any equipment that is still useful from the fight against Kuro. Meanwhile, the rest of you should also get ready. I'll take care of business with Kaya and Merry here," Luffy communicated, making it clear that time was of the essence.

"Wait! Let me go with you!" Nami quickly shouted, showing her eagerness to handle financial matters.

"Alright, you might be useful!" Luffy thought for a moment and agreed to the idea of taking Nami with him. He knew that Nami had a talent for squeezing every bit of money out of any situation, and he didn't want to miss the opportunity to make the most of the people's generosity in front of him.

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