Out in the sunny fields, Roya leaned against a huge tree, his eyes darting around, always on the lookout for trouble. He wanted to make sure everything was safe.
Not too far away, Kaya was laughing and running through the tall grass.
"It feels so good to relax for once," Roya thought. Since we set sail, I've barely had time to train. It's like a bodybuilder who misses a workout and feels all out of sorts.
He felt the same way.
Life at the Marine Branch was so different from being out in the world. It took some getting used to, but he also loved the simple beauty of everyday life.
Like the scene in front of him.
Calm and peaceful.
If only Kaya was a little older, with a sweet little daughter by her side, picking flowers and chasing butterflies together …
Roya imagined it, and a smile spread across his face.
This must be what happiness feels like.
Kaya came closer, tilting her head with curiosity.
"You look really happy! What are you thinking about?" she asked.
"Yeah, I was imagining what things might be like ten years from now," Roya replied.
His lips curved into a smile, and he felt even more eager to work hard. Isn't that what it's all about? Working to make a better future?
"Ten years from now?" Kaya seemed puzzled, not understanding what was so funny about the future.
"You're so strange, Roya!" she exclaimed.
"I guess I am," Roya chuckled. Maybe being in the military camp for so long has lowered my standards. I'm already thinking about names for my kids, and nothing's even settled yet!
Kaya? Or maybe Keli?
Kaya sat down next to Roya, breathing a little faster. She'd been playing so hard that she was now tired.
After resting for a bit, she curled up, hugging her knees, and asked in a quiet, shy voice, "Roya, can you tell me about the world outside this village?"
"Of course!" Roya replied with a grin. A client's wish is my command!
He started trying to think up a thrilling adventure, ready to brag about his amazing skills, when suddenly…
"Something's happened!"
"The pirates are coming!"
"Everyone, run for your lives!"
A young boy came running from the forest toward the beach, shouting in a panic, "The pirates are coming!"
Roya's face turned serious. He jumped up, placing himself between Kaya and the danger, his eyes narrowed. "Miss Kaya, don't worry. I will protect you!" he said firmly.
"Oh, thank you, Roya," Kaya replied, hiding behind him and nervously grabbing the corner of his coat.
The boy stopped when he reached Roya and Kaya, his eyes wide with fear.
"Run! The pirates are coming!" he yelled.
"Calm down!" Roya shouted, his voice strong and commanding. The boy stopped in his tracks. "How many are there? What does their pirate flag look like?"
"Well…" The boy, Usopp, was caught off guard.
He'd only been telling stories to scare the villagers for fun. There weren't any real pirates, so how would he know about their numbers or flag?
Roya looked at the boy, who was now speechless, and realized he might have overreacted. I didn't expect Miss Kaya to be in danger on my first day here. I'm a little on edge.
"I'm sorry if I scared you," Roya said, softening his voice. "I'm Roya, a Marine from the 153rd Branch. Please tell me about the pirates. I promise, our Marines will keep Syrup Village safe!"
"Ah, I…" Usopp was even more nervous now.
The man in front of me is a Marine? I'm done for! I was just making a joke. How do I get out of this? Will I be arrested and tortured?
Just as Usopp was about to faint from fear, three rough-looking men with weapons burst out of the forest, heading toward the beach.
"Boss, there really is a village ahead!" one of them shouted.
"Gahahaha! Lucky that kid led us here!" another roared with laughter.
It was the pirates!
They had spotted Usopp and followed him, and sure enough, he led them to the village. It was perfect for figuring out the village's defenses. When they saw Roya and the others by the road, they grabbed their long knives, their eyes full of bad intentions.
Roya took a deep breath and turned to Kaya, who was clearly terrified. A girl her size wouldn't be able to run, she'd be out of breath after a few steps.
I could carry her and run, but that would mean turning my back to the enemy. Besides, I'm a Marine, I can't just ignore the people of Syrup Village.
Roya smiled gently, trying to reassure Kaya. "Hide behind that tree," he said softly. "Close your eyes and count to one hundred. When you're done counting, it will all be over."
"Okay!" Kaya nodded, trying to be brave.
She was smart enough to know she would only get in the way. The best thing she could do was to stay out of Roya's way.
The girl hid behind the tree, closed her eyes, and began to pray for Roya.
After making sure Kaya was safe, Roya turned to the panicked Usopp and said in a firm voice, "Boy, I'll stop them. Go warn the villagers to hide, and then go to the Syrup family's mansion and find a Marine named Fullbody."
There might be other pirates, I have to be ready for anything.
"Ah, okay!" Usopp stammered, then turned and ran as fast as he could. He hadn't expected real pirates to show up. Fear took over his heart.
Run! Run far away!
Seeing Usopp run, the pirates started chasing after him. If he warned the villagers, their plans might be ruined.
But then, a figure stepped in their path.
Roya stood alone in the middle of the road, his voice cold as he asked, "Who are you?"
"We are the Black--"
"Shut up! Do you want the Captain to kill you?" one of the pirates snapped, cutting him off. He clearly didn't want to reveal their pirate crew.
They're scouts! Roya realized.
The stronger the pirate crew, the more careful they are when planning a raid. Many villages are so poor they can barely feed themselves, let alone have anything worth stealing.
Pirates don't want to waste their time.
Sending scouts to gather information was a common tactic for big pirate crews. They could quickly find out which islands had the most wealth and choose the best targets.
I need to capture them alive! Roya decided.
The three pirates realized that Roya was not going to be easy to beat. They exchanged glances and quickly came to an agreement.
"Kill him!" they shouted, and charged forward, their long knives aimed at Roya's head, chest, and legs, each attack coming from a different direction.
They might not have had formal training, but years of living a desperate life had made them fierce and dangerous!
Facing the three pirates, Roya remained calm and focused. His mind automatically calculated the best way to dodge and counterattack.
He took a half-step back, letting the tip of one knife pass just in front of his eyes. At the same time, his left foot shot out, kicking the pirate coming from the side. Then, quick as lightning, he grabbed the wrist of the pirate on his right.
He had stopped all three attacks at once.
"Crack!"
Roya squeezed the pirate's wrist with all his might. There was a sickening "crack," and the pirate screamed in pain. Roya then used the screaming pirate as a weapon, throwing him at the pirate in front of him, knocking him to the ground.
"Bastard!" the leader of the pirates shouted angrily, pushing off the pirate who was lying on top of him. He tried to stand up, but then he saw a sharp blade sticking into the ground right next to his head, making a clear, ringing sound.
He froze.
"98, 99, 100."
Behind the tree, Kaya finished counting.
She opened her eyes and peeked out from behind the tree. The three pirates were tied up together, their faces bruised and swollen…
"Yo!"
Roya sat on a nearby rock, casually crossed his legs, and greeted her with a smile.
"Did I do okay?" he asked.
"Yes!" Kaya exclaimed, her hand over her heart.
He's so amazing!