章 4: Leaving Syrup Village
I was back near the trees.
I had saved a particular trap for Kuro. I knew he'd be far more complicated than the siblings —he wasn't just fast; he was calculating. His Shakushi technique allowed him to move at blinding speed, and I'd have to be careful. The key would be patience and precision. Confronting him head-on wouldn't do me a favor; I wouldn't be as fast as him.
The smoke from my smoke bomb cleared. I saw Kuro stand in the clearing, his glasses catching the dim light as he adjusted them, his fingers twitching. He had his claws on. He already knew I'd taken down his men and a girl.
"Do you think all these tricks will save you, Ghost of East Blue?" Kuro's voice was low and threatening. "I've killed a hundred bounty hunters after my head. You'll be no different."
I didn't answer. I watched, waiting. The moment Kuro moved, I felt it—his presence flickering like a shadow. My Observation Haki and an acute sense of smell alerted me just in time as he disappeared.
Kuro was fast, but not faster than my instincts.
I jumped from the tree I'd perched onto the ground below just as his claws slashed through the air where I had been standing. Kuro reappeared, sneering. "Lucky guess."
"Not luck," I said, reaching into my pouch. "Just skill."
He lunged again, but I was ready. I fired a series of rapid shots from my crossbow —small explosives designed to disorient. The first one detonated at his feet, the concussive force throwing him off balance for a second.
But Kuro wasn't easily tricked. He regained his footing almost instantly, his claws tearing through the air again. I dodged narrowly, feeling the wind from his strike as it passed inches from my face and injured my left forearm.
Fuck! That's hurt!
"Getting tired, Ghost. Or should I say, Usopp?" Kuro taunted, his voice dripping with malice.
I bite my teeth under the mask. "Not even close."
Kuro charged again, using his Shakushi to vanish and reappear behind me. But this time, I anticipated it. I felt his presence flicker to my left, and with a burst of strength, I dodged just as he swung his claws down.
Before he could recover, I fired one of my trick projectiles—a special bolt filled with a sticky resin. It splattered across his glasses, blinding him.
"Damn you!" Kuro roared, clawing at the resin.
I picked up another set of compact bombs from my pouches. This one had a higher explosive output than my other bombs. With Kuro distracted by the resin on his glasses, I threw the bomb directly at him.
Boom!
The explosion wasn't enough to kill him, but it sent him flying, crashing into a tree with a thud. He groaned, struggling to get up, but I didn't give him the chance.
I aimed my crossbow one last time, loading an oil bolt. I fired, and the bolt hit its mark, coating Kuro in slick oil. Before he could react, I fired a second shot—a small fire bolt. It ignited the oil, flames roaring to life around Kuro.
He screamed, rolling on the ground to extinguish the fire, but by the time he stood up, I beat him. Burned, bruised, and humiliated.
"You… you think you've won?" Kuro growled, his voice hoarse.
I stepped forward, my mask reflecting the flames. "I didn't win because I'm stronger, Kuro. I won because I'm smarter."
Kuro collapsed, defeated, dead in agony, in a location where he intends to commit theft.
I felt squeamish inside. Kuro wasn't my first kill, for killing was never easy, but I'm not selfish enough to let a murderer roam free, probably searching for revenge against me. I wasn't invincible sufficient to allow my enemy to live and attempt to kill me again later.
I took a shaky breath, calmed my trembling hand, and left.
***
The sun dipped low over Syrup Village, casting a warm glow on the dock as Sham and I prepared the ship for departure. I secured my worn journal and blueprints in a hidden compartment beneath the cargo room, ensuring our plans remained safe. Sham, though begrudgingly, assisted with loading supplies, her teal hair catching the fading light.
"Is this necessary?" she muttered, dropping a crate onto the deck with a thud.
"Every bit counts," I replied, adjusting the straps on a barrel. "We need to be prepared for anything."
A familiar voice called out from the dock as we tightened the last ropes. Turning, I saw Kaya standing in her favorite outfit: a long blue gown with a cardigan draped over it, her long blonde hair cascading down to her thighs. Beside her were suitcases, likely filled with essentials and, knowing Kaya, a substantial amount of money.
"Kaya?" I stepped closer; confusion was evident in my voice. "What are you doing here?"
She smiled, a determined glint in her eyes. "I'm coming with you, Usopp."
My heart skipped a beat. "Kaya, it's dangerous out there. You're not a fighter. I wasn't serious when I invited you before."
She reached into her bag and pulled out a sleek pistol, aiming at a distant buoy. With a steady hand, she fired, hitting it dead center. Lowering the weapon, she met my gaze. "I wasn't an anchor, Usopp. And I know medicine. My parents were accomplished doctors from Flevance, remember? I can help."
I hesitated, memories of her recent depression surfacing. "But… you've been through so much. Are you sure you're ready for this?"
Kaya nodded, her expression resolute. "I was depressed for a year after my parents died, but I'm better now. I want adventure, Usopp. I want to make a difference."
I glanced at Sham, who shrugged indifferently. Turning back to Kaya, I sighed. "Alright. But you have to promise to follow orders and stay safe."
She beamed, stepping onto the ship. "I promise."
As we were ready to set sail, Kaya approached me, her curiosity evident. "Usopp, who is she?" She gestured toward Sham, who was adjusting the sails.
"That's Sham," I explained. "She was… an adversary, but now she's our navigator."
Kaya raised an eyebrow. "An adversary?"
"It's a long story," I said, glancing at Sham, who met my gaze with a smirk, her black leather choker visible on her smooth neck. "But she's on our side now."
Kaya nodded slowly, accepting the explanation so far. "I trust you, Usopp."
As the village disappeared into the horizon, I felt excitement and apprehension. I had two girls in my crew who weren't exceptionally skilled. Could I venture to the Grand Line and confront the monsters that awaited there?
クリエイターの想い 
Oyakodon_Master
Oyakodon_Master So far, I have chosen a trio of characters. I picked two less popular female characters from One Piece. Well, Sham is a girl in the live-action adaptation only. I decided to pair them with Usopp as his companions because I wanted a diverse set of harem members. I aimed for characters that haven't been fully developed yet, allowing me to create my interpretations of them in my story.
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