A lively commotion erupted as the doors of the restaurant swung open, a gust of energy breezing in with them. Leading the charge was a kid, eyes wide with excitement, who wasted no time in making his presence known. "Usopp pirates!" he exclaimed, his voice cutting through the ambient chatter and focusing the attention of everyone on him.
Following in his wake was another boy, positioned at his left, who seamlessly picked up where his friend left off. "Are here!" he chimed in, completing the proclamation with a flourish that matched his friend's enthusiasm. It was impossible to ignore the pair, not when their boisterous entrance practically demanded attention.
As their words hung in the air, Nami, always keenly observant, couldn't help but cast a curious glance their way. "Who are they?" she asked, her tone a mix of intrigue and skepticism. Leaning back in my chair, arms nonchalantly crossed, I offered a response with a knowing smile. "They happen to be the very same three kids who accompanied Usopp when we first set foot on this island," I explained, my words drawing the gaze of those around us.
In a twist that seemed almost comical, the one positioned in the middle—perhaps their de facto spokesperson—reacted as if he'd been struck by lightning. His eyes narrowed, an air of mock offense taking over his expression as his gaze lingered on me. His voice carried a hint of challenge as he retorted, "Hey, you're no older than us! Dont call us Kids!!" Caught off guard by the swift retort, I found myself leaning forward slightly, my expression a mixture of surprise and amusement. "Huh? You're right," I conceded, the realization dawning on me in that very moment.
Appearance hadn't been something I paid much attention to lately, let alone my age. It was a fleeting thought that often took a backseat to more pressing matters. It suddenly struck me, though, that I probably looked around fourteen years old, which led to the rather intriguing question of why Luffy hadn't so much as batted an eye at my age when inviting me to join his crew.
"Why are you saying it like you just realized that!" the one on the left exclaimed, their voice tinged with a mix of disbelief and annoyance. They appeared to be grappling with the idea of whether I was a genuine person or not. I couldn't help but let out a slight chuckle, my lips curling into a knowing grin. With a casual air, I extended my left arm, letting my hand come to rest against my cheek, while my elbow found a comfortable spot on the table's surface. "Oh, come on now," I replied, my tone carrying a hint of nonchalance, "that's hardly something I'm losing sleep over."
The figure positioned in the middle of the group chimed in at this point, his voice carrying an undertone of impatience as he deftly changed the subject. "Enough of that," he interjected, his words carrying a note of authority, "where's the captain?" The individual on the right nodded in agreement, his voice betraying a hint of concern. "Yeah, could they have already wrapped things up with him?" he mused aloud.
Almost in perfect harmony, their voices blended into a symphony of demand as they shouted in unison, their wooden swords raised high in the air, "Hey, you pirates! What have you done with our captain?" Their words reverberated through the air, the intensity of their emotions clearly evident in their gestures and expressions. "Give him back!" they insisted, the urgency in their voices unwavering.
Adding a touch of absurdity to the scene, Luffy, known for his ever carefree demeanor, placed his tea cup down on the table's surface with a flourish. With a theatrical sigh that could rival any grand performance, he proclaimed, "AHHH, That meat was delicious!" His face lit up with a wide, open-mouthed grin that could rival the sun's brilliance. The contrasting emotions of the others in the room collided with his unabashed delight, creating a scene that bordered on chaotic yet undeniably entertaining.
"Meat!?" The exclamation burst forth from one of the kids, his voice filled with disbelief and a hint of horror. His eyes widened to the point where they seemed ready to pop out of his skull. "The captain! He couldn't have..." The sentence hung in the air, heavy with shock.
The scene triggered a shared amusement between Nami and me. We exchanged glances, barely containing our laughter. Zoro, seizing the opportunity, leaned in with a sly grin and added, "Well, if you're inquiring about your esteemed captain..." His voice held a certain menacing quality, his expression making it clear he was about to spin a tale.
The tension heightened as one of the kids shouted, his voice laced with fear. Sweat trickled down the side of his forehead in rivulets. "What!? What did you do to him?" His tone wavered between anxiety and dread. "He just got gobbled up!" Zoro's statement hung in the air, sinking into their already rattled nerves like a stone in a pond, causing their fear to ratchet up another notch.
Simultaneously, the kids' eyes bulged even further, threatening to escape their sockets, tears mingling with the traces of snot from their noses. Their collective cry of "GYAAAAA!! OGRES!!" filled the air, a chorus of terror directed at Nami, who stood nearby with an unintentionally ominous aura.
To compound the chaos, Nami's voice sliced through the panic. "Why are you all looking at me!?" Her features contorted into a semblance of a vengeful spirit, a look so fierce that it bordered on demonic. The kids, already teetering on the edge, couldn't withstand the onslaught of emotions. Their collective breaking point arrived as they collapsed, unconscious, overwhelmed by their own fears.
Zoro and I found ourselves unable to contain our amusement any longer. Laughter bubbled up from within, turning into full-blown, infectious laughter. Nami's voice, a mix of exasperation and frustration, reached us even through our laughter. "It's not funny!!" she chided, inadvertently making the situation even more hilarious.
...
After waking up the group of kids and recounting the real story, a perplexed expression crosses the face of the child on the right. "So, he just decided it was time to leave?" the child muses aloud, clearly puzzled by the sudden departure.
The child positioned in the middle chimes in, his gaze shifting towards us as he offers an explanation, "I think he must have had some important business at the mansion." His eyes momentarily meet ours, as if seeking validation for his assumption.
Nami, her curiosity piqued, directs her attention to the trio of children. "You mean the mansion where the sick girl lives?" she inquires, her tone laced with intrigue and a hint of compassion.
"That's the one," confirms the child on the left, nodding emphatically. Luffy, seemingly unable to resist the mystery, interjects with a raised eyebrow, "Why would he go there though?"
A chorus of synchronized responses ensues, each child speaking in unison with gleeful smiles tugging at their lips. "To spin some fantastic tales!" they exclaim collectively, as if Usopp's storytelling antics were a commendable endeavor.
Luffy, voices what's on all of our minds, "But that's not really nice, is it?" His disapproval hangs in the air, but it's met with a dismissive wave from the children, who appear unfazed by his objection.
The child in the middle, undeterred by Luffy's protest, asserts confidently, "Oh, but it's all in good fun! You see, it's like... a friendly deception!" He exchanges a knowing glance with his companion on the left, who wholeheartedly agrees, "Exactly! It's like... making people smile with stories."
This unexpected endorsement catches us off guard, prompting puzzled stares exchanged among our group. It becomes clear that these kids have a unique perspective, and their lighthearted take on Usopp's fabrications leaves us momentarily speechless.
As the children excitedly finished recounting their tales, their faces lit up with animated expressions, eager to share the secret they had just unveiled. "You won't believe what Usopp actually does when he visits the girl's mansion!" the eldest of the kids began. "He makes up these elaborate stories, wild and fantastical, all just to brighten up the girl's spirit and make her happy."
Luffy's voice chimed in enthusiastically, almost immediately as if he couldn't contain himself any longer. "Hey! He's a nice guy!" His endorsement of Usopp's actions was like a seal of approval, echoing the sentiment that the kids had just relayed.
Nami, with an amused expression on her face, raised her hand to her chin, her fingers gently tapping her cheek in contemplation. "So let me get this straight," she began, her voice tinged with intrigue. "He spins these tales purely to uplift the girl? And he's been doing this consistently for a whole year?" Her eyebrow arched slightly as she processed the information.
The kid in the middle of the group, clearly the spokesperson, nodded eagerly. "Exactly! That's what makes Usopp so amazing! He brings a bit of fantasy and adventure into her life, even if it's just through his words."
With a hint of pride in his tone, the kid to the left piped up. "Yeah! That's the captain for you. He's a meddler, but in the best way possible!" His wide grin was almost infectious, reflecting the admiration he held for Usopp's actions.
Seizing the opportunity to share their thoughts, the kid on the right chimed in gleefully. "And you know what? I really like the captain because he's so bossy! It's like he knows what needs to happen, and he just takes charge."
Feeling the need to contribute as well, the kid in the middle added, "I'm with you on that! I like him because he's so boastful. It's like he's proud of everything he does, and that confidence rubs off on all of us."
Zoro's response was laden with a sense of disbelief, evident by the faint bead of sweat that slid down the side of his forehead. "He's got quite a collection of unique qualities," he muttered, a mix of incredulity and acceptance in his voice.
Chuckling softly, I added my own perspective. "He's undeniably an eccentric individual, but he brings his own flavor to his dynamic."
Amidst the discussion of Usopp's qualities, one kid earnestly interjected. "You know, even though he tells these tall tales, at the end of the day, it's all for a good cause. That counts for something, right? But, yeah, I can't deny that he did lie to us in the beginning."
The stories might be embellished, but the intentions behind them were genuinely heartwarming, painting a fuller picture of Usopp's character and his unique way of making a difference in the lives of those around him.
Realization began to dawn on Luffy as he gazed at the group. With a thoughtful expression, he pointed his index finger towards the kid on the left and remarked, "So, what you're saying is, the girl's spirit must not be too low, right?"
The kid's face lit up with excitement, and he exclaimed enthusiastically, "Exactly! Thanks to the captain!"
Luffy's enthusiasm was contagious as he raised his left fist triumphantly, placing his right hand on his waist. His voice resonated with determination as he declared, "Well then, that settles it! Let's head over and ask her to give us a ship!"
Nami interjected with a hint of surprise, her eyebrows raised, "Hold on a second, Luffy. We already discussed and ruled out that idea, remember?" Her exasperation was palpable as she clearly displayed her disagreement.
Joining in, I couldn't help but express my frustration by placing a hand on my forehead and remarking, "Come on, Luffy, you need to think things through before you act. It's not that hard." Our concern for Luffy's impulsiveness was evident in our reactions. However, no matter our efforts, Luffy's consistent behavior and way of thinking make it unlikely that we will be able to communicate effectively with him.
