Chapter 20: Chatper 16
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The kids led the group to a cliff, one of them pointing ahead and saying, "This is where our captain usually hangs out, but I don't think that straw hat guy is here."
Goku walked toward the edge of the cliff and squinted into the distance. "Hey, guys! Look, it's Luffy!" he called out, spotting Luffy face-planted into the ground below. Without hesitation, Goku jumped down and landed next to him.
"Hey, buddy, you good?" Goku asked, crouching down.
Luffy stirred, stretched his arms lazily, and grinned. "Oh, hey, Goku."
The rest of the group climbed down to join them. As they gathered, Zoro crossed his arms and asked, "What happened to you?"
Luffy sat up, scratching his head. "Oh, right. So, while Usopp and I were at the edge of the cliff, we overheard that butler guy from the mansion. He was talking to some other dude, saying they're gonna attack the village and... kill Kaya."
The kids gasped in shock, their faces pale.
Zoro frowned, his tone sharp. "And after hearing that, you thought taking a nap here was a good idea?"
Luffy gave his signature carefree smile and laughed. "I don't remember falling asleep!"
The kids huddle together, whispering to themselves. "That means Kalahadore is a bad guy," one says. Another pipes up, "Yeah, and Usopp's probably going to warn the village so they can leave the island." The third adds, "We need to grab our stuff!" With that, the three kids dart off.
Luffy looks startled. "Oh no!" he exclaims.
Zoro raises an eyebrow. "What?"
Luffy grins, rubbing his stomach. "We need to restock on meat before it's too late!"
Zoro smacks him on the head. "Focus! That's the least of our worries right now."
Nami groans and says, "Come on, let's go after those kids. If they find Usopp, we need to know what he's planning."
Goku nods. "Right! Let's move!"
The group chases after the kids, eventually catching up to them near a hill. They spot Usopp walking up ahead.
"Hey, Captain!" the kids shout.
"Hey, guys!" Usopp waves at them, then notices Luffy and runs over. "What the—you're not dead?!"
Luffy grins lazily. "Nope! Had a great nap, though."
The kids interrupt, "Usopp, we know everything about those evil pirates! We need to warn the village now!"
Usopp hesitates before bursting into laughter. "What? Oh, no, no. I was lying, like usual. That butler guy just got on my nerves earlier, so I made up that story."
The kids freeze, their faces falling. One of them mutters, "Usopp... we're really disappointed in you."
Another adds, "Lying just to hurt someone—that's a new low, even for you."
Without another word, the kids turn and walk off, leaving Usopp standing there, stunned. The group watches in silence
As night falls, the group gathers near a small fire. Nami carefully tends to Usopp's injured leg, wrapping it with bandages. Usopp winces slightly but doesn't complain.
"Why did you lie?" Luffy asks, his usual carefree tone replaced with curiosity.
Usopp looks down, his voice trembling. "That's all I ever do—lie. Nobody was going to believe me anyway. Why would they?"
Goku leans forward, his expression serious. "But you're telling the truth, aren't you? The pirates are coming, and they're planning to destroy the village."
Usopp's fists tighten as tears well up in his eyes. "Yeah, they are. But no one will listen to me. So, I'll face them alone, even if it kills me. This is my village, and I have to protect it."
Zoro smirks, leaning back against a tree. "You're a brave guy, I'll give you that. Leaving all your cronies behind to take them on by yourself?"
Nami crosses her arms with a sly grin. "Well, I've got dibs on all the pirate treasure."
Luffy grins, standing up. "Need a little help?"
Goku punches his palm, his energy bubbling with excitement. "This is going to be fun."
Usopp looks at them, his tears flowing freely now. "You're… you're going to help me? But why?"
Goku gives a determined nod. "Because they're bad guys, right?"
Zoro adds with a teasing smirk, "And you look scared out of your mind."
Usopp stumbles to his feet, his legs shaking but his voice filled with bravado. "Me? Scared? No way! I'm Captain Usopp!"
Luffy chuckles "You think we're risking our lives out of pity? We're helping because you're a good person, Usopp."
Usopp wipes his tears, standing a little straighter as a new determination burns in his eyes. "Alright… let's do this!"
As Usopp stood tall, determination flickering in his eyes, he motioned toward the rocky beach ahead. "This is the only way to get through," he said, pointing to a narrow slope that led up toward the cliffs. "Everything else is surrounded by steep cliffs. If we can block them here, the village will be safe."
Luffy, grinning widely, slapped Usopp on the back. "Sounds easy enough!" he said, eyes full of confidence.
Usopp raised an eyebrow, giving Luffy an incredulous look. "It's not as easy as it sounds. You'll need more than just enthusiasm to pull this off. What exactly are your strengths?"
Zoro stepped forward first, a cocky grin plastered across his face. "I cut things," he said simply, unsheathing one of his swords.
Nami crossed her arms, smirking. "I steal," she added
Luffy puffed out his chest proudly. "I stretch!" he declared, stretching his arms above his head to show off his rubbery abilities.
Then Goku grinned, stepping up beside Luffy. "And I punch," he said with a chuckle,
Usopp, looking a bit flustered at the responses, sighed heavily. "I hide," he said, shrinking back slightly.
The group stared at him for a moment, and then, as one, everyone except Goku yelled in unison, "You said you were going to fight?!"
Goku, laughing in the back, clapped Usopp on the back with a huge grin. "Don't worry, buddy. We got your back," he said as Usopp fidgeted awkwardly, trying to salvage his reputation.
[Morning]
As morning light broke over the horizon, the group stood on the rocky shore, gazing out at the vast ocean. The air was cool, and the sounds of the waves crashing against the cliffs filled the silence.
Goku let out a frustrated sigh, his arms crossed. "Where are they?" he muttered. "It's morning, I thought we were supposed to have a big fight by now."
Luffy, equally impatient, scratched his head. "Yeah, where are they?"
Zoro, shrugged. "Maybe they overslept," he said, his tone nonchalant.
Usopp, looking a little more worried, shook his head. "No, they're coming. I know it."
But just as he said that, Goku's expression changed to one of focus. "Wait, I hear something," he said, his tone turning serious. "Battle cries… coming from somewhere."
Usopp's eyes widened. "No way... There's a shore to the north that looks exactly like this. They went north!" he exclaimed.
Luffy's eyes went wide. "We're at the wrong shore!" He turned to the group, urgency in his voice. "We need to hurry!"
Usopp nodded frantically. "It's straight north! You'll make it if you run!"
Nami, her eyes narrowing in thought, spoke up. "If they went north, that means they must have seen our ship. And if they saw it… they could steal our gold!"
Luffy grinned, unfazed by the potential danger. "Then we'll make sure they don't!" he said confidently.
Without another word, Goku dashed forward and called out, "Nimbus!" In an instant, the familiar, fluffy yellow cloud appeared beneath his feet, ready to carry them.
Luffy jumped onto the cloud beside him with a grin. "Let's go!" he shouted as they both lifted off the ground and sped toward the north.
Usopp stared up in awe. "What the…?!" he gasped, watching the two of them soar into the sky.
Nami looked up at the cloud, her curiosity piqued. "What kind of cloud is that?" she saw it once but not for long back in orange town
As Goku and Luffy soared through the sky on the Nimbus cloud, Luffy pointed ahead with a grin. "Look!" he shouted, his finger directed toward a ship anchored on the shore. A group of pirates were charging weapons drawn, ready for a fight.
Without hesitation, Goku and Luffy leapt off the cloud and landed with a thud on the ground, ready to take on the pirates. One of the men looked up in confusion.
"Hey, wha—" He didn't get to finish his sentence before Goku's power pole extended with lightning speed, slamming into his head and knocking him out cold.
Goku spun the pole around with expert precision, sending a wave of pirates tumbling to the ground, one after another. The air was filled with the sound of cracking bones and the pirates' yelps of pain as they were sent sprawling.
Meanwhile, Luffy grinned. "Gum Gum Gatling!" he shouted, his fists flying in all directions. The rapid barrage of punches left several pirates on the ground, dazed and defeated.
Jango, standing off to the side, watched in disbelief as his men were taken down effortlessly. "Damn," he muttered under his breath. "Captain Kuro was wrong… These aren't your average people."
"Captain Jango!" one of the pirates called out in panic.
Jango snapped out of his thoughts, barking orders. "Siam! Butchie! Do something!" he yelled.
Two figures emerged from the ship, each one an imposing figure in their own right. One was a tall, lanky man with long, messy hair and a cat-like grin, his movements graceful yet menacing.
The other was a heavyset man, his stomach bulging out with a bell jingling around his neck as he waddled toward the battle. They both stood ready, glaring at Goku and Luffy.
"Yes, Captain Jango!" the pair said in unison, each one preparing for the fight ahead.
Luffy grinned wide. "Finally, some real challengers!" he said, cracking his knuckles.
Goku looked equally eager, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Let's see what these guys can do!
Most of the pirates were knocked out, groaning and scattered across the ground. The remaining few looked terrified
One of them, shaking in fear, muttered, "Those guys are too strong…"
Jango, standing on the sidelines, was nearly frantic. "Do something!" he ordered, desperation in his voice.
Butchie, the large, bell-clad pirate, lumbered forward, ready to face the two invincible foes. Before he could even react, Luffy shot forward with a grin.
"Gum Gum Pistol!" With a massive punch, Butchie was sent flying into the ship, crashing through the wooden planks, knocked out cold.
Siam, the lanky, cat-like fighter, tried to dodge Goku's next move, but it was no use. With a swift "Rock!" Goku's fist connected with Siam's chest, sending him rocketing into the ship's hull, unconscious.
Jango's eyes darted from left to right, panic rising in his chest as his crew crumbled before him. "Are you serious?!" he yelled, his mind racing for a solution.
Goku smirked. "Scissors!" he called out, poking Jango in the eyes. The force of the poke shattered Jango's glasses, sending him flying backward into the ship's side with a crash.
Luffy laughed, wiping his brow. "Well, that was kinda fun," he said, looking satisfied with the quick and decisive victory.
Goku nodded, still grinning. "Yeah, I thought their captain would be way stronger."
From the sidelines, Usopp, Nami, and Zoro, who had been watching the entire battle, let out a cheer. Usopp jumped up and down, a huge smile on his face. "Yes! My village is saved!" he shouted, full of pride.
Nami, her eyes glinting with greed, glanced at the ship. "All the treasure is mine," she muttered, already picturing what she could steal.
Zoro crossed his arms, a little disappointed. "I thought we were going to have more action," he grumbled, unimpressed by the ease of the fight.
Suddenly, a voice shouted from behind them. "What the hell happened here?"
Everyone turned to see Kalahdore storming toward them, his face red with rage as he surveyed the wreckage of his men and the damaged pirate ship
Zoro stepped forward, his swords gleaming in the sunlight as he glared at Kuro. "Hey, Goku, Luffy. I've got this guy," he said, a smirk creeping across his face.
Luffy grinned. "You got him, Zoro."
Goku squinted, eyeing the pirate captain. "Dang, he seems stronger than that captain."
Kuro gave a cold, calculating smile , then tossed a briefcase high into the air. In the blink of an eye, he vanished.
Zoro's eyes sharpened. "What the—?"
Without warning, Kuro reappeared right in front of him. His clawed hand slashed through the air, aiming for Zoro's throat, but Zoro was quick, parrying the blow with a single sword and spinning to face his opponent.
"You're fast," Zoro said, narrowing his eyes as he took up a defensive stance. "I know that technique. Suro, right?"
Kuro smirked. "So you've heard of it. I guess I'll have to make this more interesting."
"You don't have any other fancy techniques like Iron person or Finger Bomb or whatever it's called?" Zoro asked with a smirk.
Kuro's eyes narrowed. "No... I don't."
Zoro's gaze sharpened. "I fought someone who used those techniques before... and I killed them. Guess I'll do the same with you."
Kuro's smile faltered for a brief moment, but then he sneered, his claws flashing in the air again as he darted forward. Zoro's reaction was immediate—he leaped backward, barely avoiding a vicious slash to his chest, and then he lunged forward with a counterattack.
The clash of steel rang out as their weapons collided, sparks flying. Kuro was fast—his movements like a blur—but Zoro's instincts were honed to perfection. Every time Kuro vanished and reappeared, Zoro was already one step ahead, his swords slicing through the air in anticipation.
"You've got speed, but that's all you've got," Zoro said, gritting his teeth as he fended off another clawed swipe. "That technique isn't going to be enough."
Kuro laughed, a low, bitter chuckle. "You think you can beat me, swordsman? You're too slow to keep up with me."
With a blur, Kuro disappeared again, reappearing behind Zoro. He swung his claws in a wide arc, aiming to cut Zoro down from behind.
But Zoro wasn't caught off guard this time. With a swift turn of his body, he swung his swords in a powerful diagonal cut, just as Kuro appeared in range.
The blades met their mark.
Zoro's swords slashed across Kuro's chest in a clean, decisive strike, drawing blood. Kuro's eyes widened in shock as he staggered back, clutching at the gash on his chest, his body faltering as he struggled to stay upright.
Zoro stood tall, his breath steady as he wiped the sweat from his brow. "You're quick, but I've got more than just speed."
Kuro stumbled, his eyes full of disbelief. "Impossible…" he muttered, sinking to his knees as the battle left him. "No... This can't be how it ends."
Zoro didn't speak. He simply turned away, his swords still gleaming with the strength of a warrior who knew the fight was won.
Kuro slumped to the ground, defeated.
"Guess that's that," Zoro said under his breath, glancing at Goku and Luffy. "What a waste of time."
Luffy grinned, clapping "Nice job, Zoro!"
Goku, grinning as well, added, "Told you he wasn't much."
Usopp cheered as Kaya and the three kids emerged from the woods. Kaya looked at Kuro, a tear rolling down her cheek as she turned to Usopp. "I'm sorry, Usopp, for not believing you... I now know Kalahdore was really a pirate."
Usopp smiled warmly. "No problem, Kaya. But could you guys keep this between us?" The kids looked at him in shock.
"Why?" one of them asked. "If we tell everyone, they won't call you 'Usopp the Liar,' they'll call you 'Usopp the Hero!'"
Usopp chuckled, shaking his head. "I know, but I've always been called a liar, and I'm okay with that. What's the point of scaring people when it's all over now?"
Usopp asked Kaya, "Are you going to tell anyone?"
Kaya smiled softly and shook her head. "No, I won't."
Just then, Goku loudly interrupted, rubbing his stomach. "I'm sooooo hungry! I didn't get any breakfast!"
Luffy grinned and chimed in, "Yeah, me neither!"
Kaya chuckled and said, "Alright, alright. I'll treat you guys! You helped save my village after all."
The group followed her to a restaurant, where they dug into a hearty meal. As they ate, Kaya walked in, looking at them with gratitude.
"Hey, it's you!" Nami greeted her. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm doing fine, thank you," Kaya said with a warm smile. "I came to thank you all for saving my village, and I want to give you a present. It would be an honor if you'd accept."
Luffy grinned widely, "Sure! We'd love it!"
Kaya led them out to the beach, where Goku and Luffy's eyes widened in amazement at the sight before them. A beautiful ship was anchored on the shore.
"Are you really giving us this ship?" Goku asked, clearly impressed.
Kaya smiled brightly. "Yes, for helping my village. It's yours now."
Her assistant stepped forward, puffing out his chest with pride. "This is a fine ship, the Going Merry. I personally designed it, and it's built to sail the seas. It's got a solid frame, excellent sails, and—"
Before he could go on, Nami interrupted, crossing her arms. "Just explain everything to me. I'm the one who'll be taking care of this ship."
The assistant paused, blinking at her in surprise, before nodding. "Of course, Miss... uh..."
"Call me Nami," she said with a smirk, already eyeing the ship with a critical, calculating gaze.
Goku and Luffy stood on the beach, their eyes wide with amazement as they took in the sight of the Going Merry Kaya smiled at them and said, "I've packed the ship with everything you'll need for your journey."
"Thank you so much!" Luffy exclaimed, his grin growing even wider.
"We won't let you down," Goku added, a thumbs-up raised in appreciation.
Just then, Usopp came rolling down the hill with his backpack, looking a little out of breath.
Usopp glanced over at Kaya, who was standing on the shore, and began walking toward her.
As Usopp reached Kaya, he spoke softly, "I'm leaving, but don't be sad. When I come back, my stories will be real, I promise."
Kaya smiled warmly, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I'd like that, Usopp. I really would."
Usopp took a deep breath, looking back at the ship one last time. "Goodbye, guys. I hope we meet again sometime."
Luffy and the rest of the group approached, curious about his farewell.
"Why's that?" Luffy asked, his brow furrowed.
Usopp grinned and waved his arms dramatically. "Because... I'm setting off on my own adventure! And I hope we'll see each other again"
Zoro, who had been leaning against the ship, raised an eyebrow and asked, "What are you talking about? Get on the ship."
Usopp's face lit up with joy. He jumped into the air, fist pumping. "I'm a pirate ! I'm gonna sail the seas, and I'm the captain of a crew!"
Luffy yelled "Don't be silly Usopp I'm the captain!"
Everyone burst into laughter as they made their way onto the ship, the mood light and filled with excitement for the journey ahead.
Usopp grinned and waved one last time at Kaya, then ran to catch up with his new pirate friends, ready for whatever adventures awaited them on the high seas.
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