Nami frowned deepen by minute as she looks around the situation that they are in; she knows that the Grand Line is also called the Pirate's Graveyard, the ocean itself is treacherous that no one can survive for one day on the Grand Line, even though both Luffy and Zoro are strong that doesn't there strong to survive on their own.

"There's no way we can get to the Grand Line in our condition" she spoke in a serious tone, both Zoro, who was laying opened his eyes when heard Nami and Luffy whom her sitting on a figurehead, legs crossed and eating the core of the apple.

"You're right, I know we can't use these tubs of boats. We need a real ship if we are to sail the Grand Line. We need a real vessel as soon as possible." Luffy said as Nami smiled, happy that the girl knew their situation.

"And some Sake would be nice too" Zoro spoke then his face got hit by an apple thrown by one very ill-tempered red-head.

"Is that all you think about?" Nami asked Zoro.

"This is no laughing matter. 'sigh' If we head south, there's small inhabited island. It would be best to find good ship there" Nami exclaimed as she looks at the map.

"Ahh~ finally let's gets some meat!" Luffy yells as she throws her arms up in the excitement.

"And some Sake too" Zoro added.

"Why am I even bothered to talk to both of you anyway?" Nami sighed.

"Beats the heck out of me." Luffy smiled as Zoro laughed.
------------
Nami, Luffy, and Zoro finally made it to the island after sailing for days.

"It's been a while since I've been on land" said Zoro stretching his back.

"Ah, so the Village is further down that way, right Nami?" Luffy asked as she stare at the rocky slope that would lead to Syrup Village.

"Yes, although it's just a small Village, let's hope to find a good decent ship to get to the Grand Line." said Nami as she read her map and then out of the blue.

As Zoro yawned, he heard a rustling from the bushes; he swiftly put his hand on his katana.

"Be careful, we're not alone" muttered Zoro, and Luffy got excited.

"Where?" she asked as she looked around.

Then several Pirate flags emerged from the bushes surrounding the Straw Hat Crew.

Then they heard some laughing; they look up to see a boy with a long nose smirking at them with Pirate flag next to him, Luffy gasped in surprise and shock.

"Wait is that guy…?"

"I'm the Captain of the great Usopp Pirates and you three are trespassing in my territory, I strike fear in the heart of the citizen just for mentioning my name as Captain Usopp. Now, behold and beware as my eighty million men will crush like little bug if you don't leave!" said Usopp with much arrogance and overconfident as the flags around him flails proudly them, but Nami wasn't enthralled at all.

"It's a lie" she said bluntly.

"Oh no, she saw right through it" his smug demeanor just melted and changed into panic when he was discovered.

"See, he even said it" said Nami pointing that she is right, but Usopp cannot let her win, so he comes up with another lie.

"Okay, so eighty million men might be a bit exaggerating but I have much strong and powerful crew that still can beat you" and to prove his point the flags started to shake by Carrot, Onion, and pepper hiding in the bushes but Nami saw right through it again.

"I see only three of them"

"AHH~ SHE FOUND US, RUN!" and then those funny looking kids runs off to their Village leaving Usopp alone.

"Hey, you guys don't leave me!" Nami walked up and picked a small ball that used to shoot at Lara.

"A Pirate that uses pinball…I've never heard such a thing," said Nami examining the ball and Luffy just laughed after seeing the whole thing.

"You're pretty funny!" said Luffy, which made Usopp mad.

"Shut up, As you saw earlier, my slingshot skill that is better than a pistol" Usopp exclaimed.

Luffy didn't feel like using her powers on him, so she tipped her hat covering her eyes and spoke in a cold tone.

"Now that you draw your weapon, are you willing to use it?" then she lifts her head revealing only one eye and the mischievous smirk on her lips, Usopp got goose pump just by staring at the black haired girl's eyes.

He starts to sweat uncontrollably, and the silence didn't help much either until he dropped on his knees along with his slingshot.

"Oh man, real Pirates are so cool; a real Pirate's speech is much more intimidating; incredible" Usopp moped, Lara suddenly laughed.

"I stole that line" she said. Usopp didn't quite understand what she means and then she said.

"I stole that line from Pirate I admired, Shanks"

"Sh-Shanks, you mean you know Red-Haired Shanks?" said Usopp in disbelief, Luffy nodded confirming to him that she knew Shanks.

"Yeah, you're Usopp, right?"

"Uh, yeah, how do you know my name?" Usopp was surprised that this girl he just met already know his name.

"I know because I know your Father, Yasopp" once she said his Father's name Usopp gasped in utter thrill that he fell down the cliff, unharmed.

"It's true my Father's name is Yasopp, please tell me about my Dad!" before Luffy can reply, her stomach growl loudly, she blushed in embarrassment that her tummy made such loud noise.

"I'll tell about your Dad once we get something to eat" said Luffy smiled.

--------
After the gang introduces themselves, Usopp led them to the restaurant and ordered food as they enjoy the peaceful silent as they eat and drink, then Luffy strike up a conversation about Usopp's Dad.

"So my Dad is one of Red-Haired Pirates" Usopp asked excitedly and Lara nodded.

"Yep, that right, your Dad talked about you non-stop it made my ears bleed. You look so much like him except the nose."

"Wow, I never thought my Dad would be part of the famous Red Hair Pirates" said Usopp proudly.

"That right, he is considered as the best sniper in Shanks's crew, he can shoot an ant between his eyes, blindfolded. I saw it once, and it was so cool! Yasopp was and always a great Pirate" Luffy exclaimed as she took a bite of her steak.

"Yeah, to risk his own life and indulge himself in the vast and endless sea, I feel so proud of my Father" he said in all modesty and dreamed the life of adventure as Pirate just like his Father.

"Well then, this makes our decision much easier" said Nami.

"Hm, what do you mean?" asked Usopp.

"Do you know if there's anyone who can sail a ship or acquire a large ship in this Village?"

"Sorry no, as you can see my Village is pretty small so there is no way I can fulfill that request." exclaimed Usopp.

"What about that big mansion on top of the hill?" said Zoro, Usopp cringed.

"Hey, do you know them? I wonder if we can ask them to give us a little financial support" said Nami with hope in her eyes as she imagines millions of Berris that those rich people have.

"Stay out of that place" Usopp shout surprising everyone.

"Uh, I mean I suddenly remembered that I have something to do, so stay here and eat as much as you want and don't worry about paying the bills I already talked to the owner of this restaurant, he's a good friend of mine, bye " and then he's off running to wherever he's going leaving behind his new friends.

"I wonder why he's in such a hurry" Nami pondered at Usopp's strangeness but she shrugged it off, thinking is nothing to worry about and proceed to eat.

Unknown to them, they are been watched by the Usopp Pirates whom they thought that their brave Captain must have been held hostage by the Pirates.

"That's them" Pepper confirmed.

"C'mon, let's go inside and rescue our Captain before it's too late" said Onion concerned for his Captain's safety.

"But those are real Pirates, we might get 'gulp' eaten" said Carrot shaking in fear because he heard that Pirates are cannibals and eat human's flesh.

"You idiot, Pirates don't eat humans" said Pepper.

"Only Witches" exclaimed Pepper nodding himself.

"But there's no time for thinking now, we have Captain to rescue, this will be the Usopp Pirate's greatest battle ever," they each raised their wooden swords and their filled with determination as they barge in the restaurant startling the Straw Hat Crew.

"The Usopp Pirates Crew are here, prepare yourself Pirates!" the cried in unity try to make themselves look brave enough to scare those Pirates; however, they only greeted them is silence. The Usopp Crew were sweating cold sweat because not only they failed to make those Pirates timid of their presence, they don't see their Captain anywhere which made them even more worried. They sprint to the Pirates and Pepper spoke.

"Hey, you Pirates, what have you done with our Captain Usopp?"

"Where's our Captain?" said Onion and Carrot demanding them to speak now. Luffy drank her tea enjoying the silky warmth sliding through her throat ignoring their outburst.

"Ahh~ nothing like herbal tea after a good meal, it was delicious"

"M-meal?" the Usopp Pirates cringed and huddled together and eyes show only dread.

"Don't tell me the Captain is…" Onion doesn't want to finish this sentence out of terror and fear, and Nami is covering her mouth, giggling that they think they have eaten their Captain.

"Wh-what have you done to our Captain?" Pepper and other are shaking and sweating badly. And then Zoro just add a little more fun for him.

"You're Captain was…" with a terrifying look on his face.

"Delicious" and then the boys screamed in bloody scream and when they look at Nami they're eyes bugged out and screamed again.

"AHHHHH A WITCH!"

"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME!?" Nami yelled as she bashed the boy's heads causing a very large bump on their heads and out cold, and Zoro laughed all heartedly.

"Zoro, what did you do that, you almost scared them half to death" said Luffy frowning.

"It was only a harmless joke" said Zoro drinking his Sake and then Nami bashed Zoro's head causing to spit all the Sake and a big bump.

"You guys are nothing but idiots" Nami commented on how ill-mannered those boys are but Zoro considers it the worst of them all.

"Ah, it was only a joke, thank goodness" said Pepper sigh in relief, the Usopp Pirates were glad that Usopp is okay.

After the Usopp Pirates introduced themselves to Usopp's new friends that they took them where Usopp went, so the boys led the others to the big mansion that Zoro mentioned it before.

"Wow, this place is huge!" said Lara eyeing the mansion with glee.

"If you can't find the Captain around the town, he's probably here" said Onion.

"What does he come here for?" Luffy asked.

"He comes here to lie" said Carrot.

"That awful, he shouldn't be doing that" Nami scolded.

"There's nothing wrong with it; it's different" said Pepper defending his Captain.

"What do you mean?" Zoro questioned.

"Lady Kaya lives in this mansion, and she bedridden." Pepper explained the story.

"A year ago, both her parents fell ill and died a few days afterward. They left her the mansion, a huge wealth, and about a dozen servants, but she's been depressed ever since. There was nothing that could cheer her up." Onion added.

"That's why the Captain tells her stories to make her laugh. Captain's lying ability is first class, I'm sure you've never heard of a Pirate Captain like that before" Carrot spoke thus ending the story.

"So Usopp is a good guy" said Luffy smiling that what Usopp did was very sweet, the boys nodded in agreement.

"I like the way he keeps meddling in other people's business" said Carrot.

"I like the way he overreact to everything" said Pepper.

"I like the way he lies" then lastly Onion.

"And that cheered the lady up?" Nami is bewildered that Usopp's lies made the girl of the mansion happy and the boys nodded happily, she guessed she misjudged the long nosed boy.

"Good, then let's go in and ask her for a ship" Luffy suggested.

"The one that cheered her up is Usopp" Zoro remarked.

"We made good time, the guards must be on lunch break" Pepper concluded as they turn to where Lara was standing, only she's walking to the gates and opening them.

"Sorry to intrude!" Luffy said as she opened the gates and walked in.

Luffy looked around and found Usopp getting his attention and causing Kaya to be confused.

"It's okay Kaya; they heard how great I was, so they came to join the Usopp Pirate Crew" Usopp lied as Luffy got up from the ground.

"No, That's not it; we have a favor to ask." she asked politely.

"Favor? From me?" Kaya blinked.

"Yes, we need a large ship for our voyage and…"

"You there." Luffy was cut off as she and the other turn their head to see a man in a butler suit tottering toward them.

"Klahadore," Kaya whispered in discomfort, now that her butler is here who knows what he'll do or say.

"You're trespassing" he adjusts his glasses.

"And causing trouble here" he added, Usopp flinched that the mean butler is here and now he is going to be in trouble for sure. Luffy cocked her head to the side and mumbled.

"Who is this guy?"

---------------
Klahadore is very livid to see not only Usopp has trespassed and telling all those stories to Lady Kaya, but there are six people has invaded in the mansion and asking Lady Kaya a favor, this has gone far enough. Kaya sensed Klahadore's anger, she quickly said.

"Excuse them Klahadore, these people are…"

"You don't need to defend them, my Lady" he said sternly silencing her from speaking, and adjusts his glasses.

"I will listen to your explanation later, for now, I'd like all of you to leave this area at once or do you people have something to say" his words are harsh as blade, Luffy noticing his strictness.

"Under better terms perhaps, though we need a ship. Though I guess we could find one in the next town over." Luffy said earning Klahadore's attention.

"Perhaps we could chat about that another time, but not today." he said in a smooth tone that made Kaya look at him strangely. Klahadore never used that kind of tone with anyone, not even her.

Luffy didn't like the tone he had. It creeped her out.

Klahadore adjusted his glasses again as he stared up at the tree next to Kaya's window and started to say.

"Usopp" he called out to Usopp who is currently hiding behind the tree upside down.

"Crap" he cursed.

"I hear rumors about you all the time; you're pretty famous in this Village, aren't you" Klahadore asked doubtfully.

"You could say that" said Usopp as he climbed back up and chuckled.

"So, you have faced all kinds of danger before. That's really something at such a young age" he spoke in mock manner that poor Usopp didn't notice except Kaya, she has this look like something very bad is going to happen soon, and she won't like it one bit. Usopp put on heroic pose and pointed at himself and said.

"You may address me as Captain Usopp that will help spread my name throughout the world"

"Captain, eh" Klahadore snickered as pushed his glasses up.

"Then it's true that your Father was a filthy Pirate"

"What?" he cringed and Kaya gasped.

"Klahadore, stop this at once" Kaya ordered but Klahadore ignored her.

"You are Son of lowly, filthy Pirate" Usopp is shaking in fury while Luffy looked at him darkly.

"Although anything you do won't be much of a surprise, but would you please stop bothering Lady Kaya." said Klahadore, Kaya was upset at Klahadore for saying such an awful thing about Usopp's Father and the others are scowling at the butler.

"Who do you think you are? You have no right to call my Father like that!" Usopp growled, but Klahadore ignored him and continued.

"You come from a totally different world from our Lady. Do you seek her fortune? How many times did you try to deceive her?"

"THAT'S ENOUGH KLAHADORE, APOLOGIZE TO USOPP AT ONCE!" she yelled angrily. How dare Klahadore accuse Usopp of being a scoundrel, Usopp was surprised by her outburst and worried because she is nearly hanging out on the window.

"Hey Kaya, be careful"

"Why should I apologize to such a barbaric man, Lady Kaya, I'm just stating a fact but I do feel sorry for you. Your heart must've filled with hatred. Hated by your foolish Father who abandoned you and your Mother to live as a Pirate." Klahadore keeps on rambling and insulting Usopp's father.

"Klahadore" she whispered.

"You bastard, you'd better stop insulting my Father" then Usopp jumped down from the branch startling Kaya but relieved when she see a steel hook secured on the branch and Usopp easily slip down and landed safely on the ground, the hook unsecured and went back to Usopp's satchel.

"Why are you so agitated?" Klahadore pushed up his glasses.

"It's time like these that you should just do what you do best; lie. Why don't you lie that your Father was just marketing salesman or you have nothing to do with your Father or better yet that he's not you're real father…" just then Usopp snapped and punched Klahadore hard enough to knock him to the ground.

"Usopp!" Kaya gasped in shock.

"Captain" the Usopp Pirate Crew also shocked, they've rarely see their Captain this angry but to go so far, as for Zoro, Nami, and Luffy their expression are unreadable.

"See that! He immediately turned violently. No wonder they say 'like Father, like Son'" he babbled.

"SHUT UP!" Usopp shouts, and Klahadore flinched.

"I'm proud that my Father is a Pirate, being a brave warrior of the sea, I'm very proud of him, risking life and limb in the world. It's true I lie a lot, but I'm not ashamed of my heritage, it's something I should be honored about because his blood is running through my vein. For I'm Son of a Pirate!" he declared loudly to everyone who is near. Luffy smiled fondly at Usopp, he truly is Yasopp's Son, brave and respectful. A true Pirate indeed, just then Klahadore snorted.

"Pirates are brave warriors of the sea, huh? You're pretty naïve to have that belief" he got up and dusted his suit.

"What!"

"But you're right for one thing; you admitted that the Pirate blood flows within you. You like to lie and would resort for violence whenever something upsets you, you're ultimate goal was to get Lady Kaya's fortune and that's you get close to her."

"What are you talking about? I would never…"

"A Pirate is Pirate no matter what you say, and because you Father's a Pirate is proof enough." Klahadore shouts angrily.

"That's enough; I won't let you insult my Father ever again!" he grabbed his suit and ready to punch him again when Kaya stopped him.

"Stop it Usopp, please don't use violence again, Klahadore is not a bad person, he's only…he's only protecting me, so please" Kaya begged Usopp to stop, and as much as Usopp wanted to smack him to the ground, he can't hurt Kaya's feeling by hurting her butler, so he lets him go…for Kaya's sake.

"Get out now, and don't come close to Lady Kaya again." he said coldly.

"Yeah, you don't have to tell me twice." he walks passed Klahadore without glancing at him till he's out of sight. The Usopp Pirates are completely furious that they spat at Klahadore.

"You stupid butler, our Captain is not that kind of person!" cried Carrot.

"That's right, you idiot!" growled Pepper.

"Yeah, you idiot!" Onion added.

Klahadore glared menacingly at the children made then scream and cower behind Nami. And Luffy glared at Klahadore with intensity.

For some reason, Luffy did Not like that butler.

He gave her bad vibes.

She could still feel his gaze even though she left the mansion.

She would dislike him even more when she learned something important from what Usopp would discover.

--------------
It turned out Klahadore was really Kuro of a Thousand Plans, a pirate known for his carefully planned strategies, but they say he was captured and executed three years ago.

But to Luffy and the others it made sense.

Kuro 'died' three years ago, around the same time Klahadore became Kaya's butler. The death of her parents may or may not have been part of what plan he was up to, but he was after Kaya's fortune.

Usopp's neighbors would not believe him, but Luffy and the others were willing to help.

Usopp was determined to make sure the village would have another peaceful day.
-------------------
Plz comment!

Hope I made Kuro at least interested in Luffy-chan....