Chapter 15: Chapter 15 - Khaladore
wo Usopp received the bottle of antibiotics from Ame, he felt an undescribable feeling swell up inside his body.
He realized that Ame, along with Luffy, Zoro, and Nami had understood his real intentions from his unusual actions and even then. They decided to help him despite not knowing if he was telling the truth at all.
The undescribable feeling swell up even more, and there he realized what that feeling was. Gratitude, Happiness and most importantly, Indebtedness.
Favours that he would've never thought in his life would he be able to have the honor of receiving because for him, a liar like him does not have the privilege of receiving or asking goodwill and favours from anyone. A consequence he had no choice but to live with becauss of his past actions.
He hurriedly entered Kaya's room and handed over the bottle of medicine that Ame gave him. "Here Kaya, drink this. It'll keep your illness from worsening at the very least, until we can find a more permanent solution to it." Kaya noddied and complain nor doubt Usopp's words.
Outside, the Straw-hats were waiting for Usopp to come outside of Kaya's room when Nami asked Ame about something, "Hey Ame, I'm curious but I'm sure you knew that Usopp was quite possibly, lying to us about fixing our boat or even getting a new one right?"
Ame heard Nami's question and simply answered, "Yes, why do you ask?"
Nami threw back amother question to Ame, "Then why did you choose to help him? Aren't you mad that he was just going to use us without even getting anything in return?"
Nami's question attracted Luffy and Zoro's attention as they listened attentively to Ame's reason.
"Well, I offered him help before he could use us, so that technically doesn't count right? Sure, if we are talking about material benefits-wise then we are in a lose-lose situation here but, I think we already have more than enough of those, right?" Nami was about to argue about Ame's logic until he said something that somehow made Nami choose to keep quiet.
Ame smiled brightly from ear to ear, "Besides, don't you think the greatest reward we can ever receive is the sincere and heartfelt feelings of gratitude and happiness of someone? The feeling of saving and helping a life? By that logic, I don't think we would ever need any reason to help someone, don't you think so Nami?"
To Luffy and Zoro, Ame's response was to be expected. He was the type of person to even save an enemy from danger, even if it risks his own life just because he doesn't want to see someone end up with a horrible fate when he could've done something about it to change it.
Both of them however, came to a conclusion that they'd stop him if it really is something impossible, or if its someone that is wicked to the core, even if it costs him to resent them. At least he is there, to resent them.
Nami's reaction was something else entirely. One part of her, didn't understand as to why a man like him even chose to become a Pirate. While another began to develop a deep sense of respect towards his ideals.
Maybe towards Ame, being a Pirate didn't mean being a wicked, horrible, and a scum of the ocean. Maybe for him, it meant being the free. Free to explore, and traverse the world. Free to help and aid anyone, in the way he wants.
At this point, Nami stopped thinking of Ame, Luffy, and Zoro's crew as a pirate crew. She thought, it was more like a band of fools sailing around the seas and doing whatever the helps anyone.
In this world where scums roam the seas and the lands, where personal interests and material benefits prevails over peace and harmony, such a band of fools was without a doubt, a ray of hope for those who wish for a change.
Nami lightly smiled, the feelings and melancholy visible through her eyes as she pondered what could've been if she was free, just like them. If her town was free, just like them. She wanted to sail the seas along with them, be like them, and abandon the life of a petty thief she once was. A life she dreamt of since the beginning of her life.
Nami's quiet and pessimistic thoughts were cut off by a ray of sunshine that shone brightly through her eyes, a beam if sharp light cutting away her worried and negative thoughts. In an instant, her consciousness returned as she realized what it was.
It was just the scene of Ame, Zoro, and Luffy right in front of her, doing their usual bickering, fighting, and joking as they start laughing around. Yet, unbeknownst to her, her heart was already a part pf the Straw-hats, she felt home. Although, she was not aware of it.
Nami giggled while looking at Luffy and the others bickering, she thought. "Home huh? I didn't even notice that I have gotten attached to these dumbasses from tthe brief moments we all spent time together. I wonder how Nojimo is doing now? Are our tangerines okay? I miss home already."
Nami walked towards the trio right after, trying to stop their little fight using her own effective way.
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"Usopp, please thank your crew members for me, especially that young man with a strange closed eyes!!" Kaya's opinion of Ame's eyes may be weird, but she still relayed her utmost gratitude for Ame to Usopp.
Usopp stood up from her bed and lifted her harm as he thumbs upped, telling Kaya not to worry about it.
Just as when Usopp was about to leave, the door to Kaya's room slowly opened, revealing a tall suited man with an eye-glasses who slowly entered the room.
It was the second closest butler of Kaya, and the scariest of them all. "K-Khaladore, hello there, please don't mind Usopp, we were just talking!"
"Miss Kaya, I cannot simply ignore this scum lingering around someone of your stature Miss Kaya. Especially not the son of one of the most wicked pirate belonging to the most horrid pirate crew in the whole world." Khaladore's words was aiming towards Usopp, as if trying to initiate a fight but Usopp knew better and stood down.
Usopp gripped his hands, although he wanted to deny and defy his words, he chose not to for the sake of Kaya. He didn't want this small event to worsen her condition.
Usopp gazed at Khaladore and Kaya as he said, "Don't worry Khaladore, I'm simply visiting Kaya for a bit, as a friend worried for his friend."
Khaladore interjected, "You are no friend of Miss Kaya, you are undeserving of such privilege, Liar scum!"
At this point, Usopp was already close to his breaking point, barely keeping it together but to his surprise, before he could argue Khaladore's words. Someone already has beaten him to the punch.
"Oi Usopp, what's with this rude glasses dude talking about?" Khaladore and Kaya was surprised and Usopp quickly turned around to the source of the noice, it was Luffy, Ame, Zoro and Nami on top of the tree witnessing the conversation.
Luffy continued, "If there's anyone more deserving of being her friend, then it's you no? Usopp?"
Nami grinned and added, "That's true and a matter of fact, those who tell others that they are undeserving of something, are most likely people who hasn't felt the love of his parents. Where's your family, 'Khaladore'? Don't tell me you're so jealous of Usopp and Kaya's relationship that you felt compelled to insert yourself between them, just to prevent their happiness?" Nami entered Kaya's room with Luffy, Zoro and Ame, as she mused, "How pathetic, so even the captain of the Kuro Pirates has fallen this low."
Nami's words felt like a giant cannonball dropping on top of Usopp and Kaya. Kaya was the most affected. Terror and fear filled her eyes as she looked back at her most "Second most trusted butler." Hoping that what Nami's said was false, that it wasn't real, that she was merely speaking lies...
Unfortunately, Kaya's hope was utterly crushed as she saw "Khaladore" or now known as Kuro brandish huge claw like weapons, who said, "I don't know how you found out, nor how did you remember, but that doesn't matter. Speeding up my plan doesn'tmake a difference after all, I'm not alone after all."
Kuro's statement was met by the Straw-hats mockery and laughter, Nami held her stomach from laughing too much, while Zoro and Luffy spared no effort in making Kuro feel like an idiot, while Ame took the opportunity to explain, "Oh yeah, you're definitely alone, out-numbered and outpowered. You wanna know why? Actually, you'll see once we throw you over the window. Your weak and pathetic unconscious buddies are waiting for you over there."
Outside the window were countless unconscious people, some were even dressed as butlers while some wore basic clothing, but one thing was the same, they all were part of Kuro's crew. Ame held his staff and pointed it towards Kuro and said, "Matter of fact, we won't keep you waiting."
After Ame's words, the trio of Luffy, Zoro, and Ame swiftly moved around the room while also being careful enough to not drag Kaya into the fight. Luffy stretched both of his hands towards the left side of Kuro, while Ame extended his staff towards the right side of Kuro.
Contrary to popular belief of Nami, Usopp and Kaya. Luffy and Ame didn't miss, they purposely evaded Kuro's exact location, in order to give a straight, proper, clean, and narrow path for their swordsman, to finish the Job. "This is going to hurt, stay retired in impel down, old man Kuro. ONI-GIRI!"
Just like that, the once former trusted butler of Kaya, Khaladore or the wicked and once feared captain of the Kuro pirates. Fell down all the same, just like his goons. Just like a normal, pathetic, weak, and trashy pirate.
After the Straw-hats victory against Kuro. They all felt the need to apologize to Kaya for such a large commotion and for the trou le they brought unto her, but instead, Kaya profusely thanked them. Although still devestated, atleast he was now safe for any further harm.
Kaya's actual most trusted butler, Merry. Was contacted by Kaya and made aware of the situation with Khaladore which undoubtedly made him furious and immediately contacted the nearest marine base to take him and his goons away.
Usopp told Kaya about what he promised the Straw-hats and happily agreed, saying "It's my pleasure to help my benefactors!" Although it was revealed that Usopp lied about then being his crewmates, but Kaya didn't mind such a small thing. After all, He was doing it to save and help her.
Nami, Luffy, Ame, and Zoro celebrates when they heard about Kaya's approval and gift to them. Not only did they receive a free repair for their boat, with also a lot of modifications essentially making their old ship better. Kaya also wanted to give them their latest ship Going Merry. As for the matter of attaching it, Kaya's shipwright crew took care of it, making the Going Merry and Ame's S.S. Ame R. Ica attached and stick together like a fleet vessel.
With all of these work in queue, the Straw-hats made the decision to stay in the Syrup Village. For the entirity of their stay, the crew has helped not only Kaya, but also the citizens of the Village greatly by assisting them and helping them with their requests, inquiries, and troubles day by day. Making the Villagers hail them as the Village's honorary Heroes.
After a few weeks, the Straw-hat's new and absolutely modified and new boat was finished. Marking the end of the crew's stay on the Syrup's Village, laving as the Village benefactors.
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{Chapter - Fin}
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A/N: Sorry for the late and very short chapter! I didn't feel well yesterday, but here's yall's well deserved chapter! Hope its still up to par with your standards! I didn't want to spend too much time with a minor antagonist like Kuro so I wanted to get it done and over with. I hope it's okay to you guys! Also, one last chapter before we decide whether Kaya joins or not, so please tell me if she should join, or not. Thank you!
P.S: I'm keen to her joining hehe.
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