"This is awful!"
"Pirates are coming!"
"Run for your lives, everyone!"
Usopp sprinted through the village's main street, his face a mask of pure terror. He yelled his warning, trying to make the villagers understand the danger. But his constant tall tales had ruined his credibility.
"Usopp's lying again!" someone called out.
"Doesn't he ever get tired of this?" another villager grumbled.
"Just ignore him; it's almost time for work," a third said dismissively.
The villagers didn't even flinch. They continued their daily routines as if Usopp wasn't there. Farm work, in their minds, was far more important than playing "The Pirates are Coming" with the village boy.
Usopp stood in the center of the street, feeling the villagers' annoyed stares. It's like the world has abandoned me, he thought.
"Why aren't you running?" he pleaded, his voice cracking with desperation. "The pirates are really coming this time! Why won't you believe me?"
His eyes were wide and frantic. He couldn't grasp why the villagers were reacting so coldly. It's not my fault, he insisted to himself. My pranks are just to liven up this boring village. It's a good thing!
"Damn it!" he shouted, finally giving up.
Fueled by anger and fear, Usopp raced towards the mansion on the edge of the village. It was the place Roya had mentioned, where a Marine named Fullbody could be found.
About twelve minutes later, Fullbody burst onto the scene, panting and sweating. He stopped short, relief flooding his face as he saw Roya casually yawning, surrounded by pirates tied up like unruly packages.
Roya raised an eyebrow, a hint of displeasure in his eyes. "You're really slow," he commented dryly.
"I didn't waste a single moment!" Fullbody protested, wiping sweat from his brow. He had rushed over as soon as he heard the news, worried that Roya might be overwhelmed.
Looks like I was overthinking things, he admitted to himself.
"They're all yours now," Roya said, waving a hand dismissively. He strolled over to a shady tree nearby and gently scooped up the sleeping Miss Kaya.
"I'll take Miss Kaya back first. Oh, and you should probably check the coast. These pirates might have accomplices."
"Don't worry, I understand," Fullbody replied, giving a thumbs-up.
Only three pirates? They were obviously here to scout things out. There has to be more of them, some bigger force behind them. To have enough men to spare some as scouts, the crew must have at least fifty men. Only a few pirate crews with that kind of strength operated in these waters.
----
Night had fallen, blanketing the world in darkness.
Inside the Syrup Estate, deep in the dungeon, the three captured pirates were bound to racks. Their hair was tangled and matted, their bodies bruised and bloodied - clear signs of a rough interrogation.
Roya emerged from the shadows, walking to Fullbody's side. He looked at the pirates without an ounce of pity.
I haven't fought pirates before, but I've heard enough stories about my colleagues losing their lives. Pirates don't deserve any sympathy!
"What did you get from them?" Roya asked.
"They're members of the Black Cat Pirates."
"As expected," Roya replied, unsurprised.
It was the answer he had anticipated. The Black Cat Pirates were the dominant force in the area, and their captain, Kuro, was unlike most pirates. He was cunning and known for his elaborate schemes to steal wealth.
He either doesn't do anything at all, or he goes all in!
The Black Cat Pirates were known for their meticulous planning. They would sweep away fortunes, then vanish for long periods before resurfacing again.
"They know how important information is," Fullbody said grimly. "A few months ago, they used information to cripple the 153rd Branch."
Fullbody's face was etched with worry. "The Black Cat Pirates are about to make a move!" he exclaimed.
Scouts were a signal that an attack was imminent. Running low on money, needing supplies, or even just wanting to cause chaos were common reasons for pirates to attack.
Roya's expression turned serious. Miss Kaya was planning a trip, and the Black Cat Pirates were gearing up for an operation. This could be bad if they cross paths, he thought.
"Is there any other information?" he asked.
"No, just the meeting point," Fullbody replied, shaking his head.
Kuro was too clever to reveal his exact location. He had arranged a meeting point to prevent the Marines from finding him, even if his scouts were captured.
Roya fell into deep thought. Climbing the ranks slowly is too slow. Even if I had ten years, I wouldn't reach the rank of Marine Colonel.
The fastest way to climb the ranks is to catch pirates and earn glory!
And the Black Cat Pirates were the biggest catch in the sea. If he could capture Captain Kuro, even with some help, he would be guaranteed a promotion and a pay raise.
This is an opportunity!
Roya's mind raced, and he quickly made a decision. "Fullbody, I have a plan to take down Kuro!" he declared.
To make his plan work, he needed Fullbody's help, the full force of the Branch, and the cooperation of Mr. Syrup. He couldn't defeat Kuro alone.
I need to borrow some power!
After hearing Roya's plan, Fullbody looked skeptical, as if to say, "I don't believe you." He nearly said it out loud.
"Are you sure this plan will work?" he asked doubtfully.
"It has to work!" Roya replied, his eyes hardening.
If I'm going to do this, I'm going to do this with everything I've got.
"There's no time to waste. Tomorrow morning, you'll escort these three back to the Branch and report to Colonel Rhodes. I'll go and convince Mr. Syrup."
"Alright!" Fullbody nodded, trying to sound confident.
It was the first time he had seen Roya so determined, so focused, as if he hadn't considered the possibility of failure.
The plan is outrageous. I don't see how it can possibly work. If it fails, we're going to be in big trouble.
But for some reason, seeing Roya's unwavering determination, he felt that it could work. I'm willing to believe in my friend.
"Let's do it!" Fullbody exclaimed. If Colonel Rhodes refuses to cooperate, then I'll... damn it, I'll jump off the roof of the Branch Tower!
----
The next morning, Fullbody escorted the pirates away, while Roya approached Kaya's father to warn him about the pirates' arrival.
Roya's tone was serious, even a little threatening. "Mr. Syrup, there's no doubt about it. The Black Cat Pirates' Captain Kuro has targeted you and your family!"
"Kuro!" Mr. Syrup's already pale complexion grew even whiter.
As a notorious pirate with a bounty of over 15 million Berries, "Kuro the Schemer" was a name that instilled fear in everyone, especially the wealthy, since Kuro loved to steal from them.
Being targeted by Kuro was a nightmare. Even Colonel Rhodes had been defeated by Kuro. Who could protect them?
Panic triggered a physical reaction.
"Cough cough ~ cough cough!" Mr. Syrup coughed, his frail body shaking. He lowered the blood-stained handkerchief and asked weakly, "Does Colonel Rhodes know about this?"
"I've already notified him!" Roya responded quickly, his eyes glancing at the blood-stained handkerchief. If I don't intervene, both Kaya's parents will die in a few years.
Ordinary methods wouldn't save them. Even with the wealth of the Syrup family, they could afford to hire the best doctors.
I need a special means, such as the power of a Devil Fruit.
Roya controlled his emotions. His eyes burned with determination.
"Please rest assured, Mr. Syrup!" he said. "Our 153rd Branch has been tracking the Black Cat Pirates. Now that we know their target, we will do everything in our power to protect you and your family's safety."
"To defeat the Black Cat Pirates, I need your help with another matter!"