As soon as we passed the first houses of Syrup Village, I immediately sensed a different atmosphere. Unlike so many other places where stares turned wary—or even hostile—at the arrival of pirates, here, excitement reigned. The villagers smiled as they passed Usopp, greeting him warmly and sincerely.
"Good morning, Captain Usopp!" called out an old man with a cane as he walked by.
"Still as brave as ever, Usopp!" chuckled an old woman from her window, blowing him a kiss with a laugh.
Suddenly, a small group of children burst out of an alley, visibly excited.
"So, Captain, they're not bad guys?!" they exclaimed in unison, their eyes sparkling with curiosity as they stared at us.
Usopp raised his hand authoritatively, using his most "adult" voice.
"Calm down, you lot. Even if they did something incredible on the beach, they're not bad people. I tested them," he said with a solemn nod before turning to us for introductions.
"These three little troublemakers are my loyal lieutenants: Carrot, Onion, and Pepper. The terrors of the village, but the most loyal companions you could ever dream of. Kids, meet the Straw Hat Pirates. They're not your typical pirates… more like adventurers."
Luffy, munching on a skewer of meat from who knows where, pouted at that.
"Hey! I'm not an adventurer! I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!" he mumbled, crossing his arms in frustration.
"Oh no, here we go again…" Nami whispered to Koby with a knowing smile.
But before Luffy could launch into one of his passionate speeches, a voice suddenly rang out among the children.
"I recognize you! You're Heartless D. Jordan!" Onion shouted, pointing straight at me.
Silence fell immediately over the group. Usopp's eyes narrowed, his body tensed slightly, and I could feel several gazes turn toward me with apprehension.
I scratched the back of my head awkwardly, trying to keep a casual smile.
"Ah… yeah. That's a long story…"
Koby burst out laughing, arms crossed."You, always trying to stay low-key… well, that didn't work out."
Nami struggled to hide a laugh behind her hand."Maybe you should consider wearing a mask… or just stop teaming up with Garp."
Taking advantage of the distraction, I placed a hand on Luffy's shoulder and pushed him forward.
"And here's our captain, Monkey D. Luffy."
Luffy raised his head with a wide smile and waved."Yo! Nice to meet you!"
The name didn't seem to reassure the villagers. Whispers, exchanged glances, a few steps back… panic began to bubble under the surface despite our relaxed demeanor.
But once again, Usopp stepped in confidently. He placed himself between us and the villagers, raising his arms to calm the crowd.
"Wait, wait! I saw them in action. I set traps in their path and they could've taken me out, but they didn't! And besides, they're my guests. I'm telling you, they're not like other pirates."
The murmurs gradually faded, replaced by a heavy silence, then by a few hesitant nods. Finally, an old man stepped forward.
"If Usopp trusts them… then the least we can do is offer them a meal."
The villagers slowly agreed, the tension in the air beginning to dissipate.
I narrowed my eyes playfully and said in a teasing tone:
"Laugh while you can… but one day, you two will have bounties of your own. Then you'll see what it's like to be recognized everywhere."
Nami froze for a moment, her crossed arms loosening slightly. She looked around, a shadow of concern in her eyes.
"You think so?... It should be fine as long as we stay discreet, right?" she asked, a hint of hope in her voice.
I stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"You command lightning, Nami. You summon storms like a goddess... Did you really think the Marines would just ignore that?" I said with a soft smile.
She gave me a half-exasperated, half-resigned look, then sighed.
"...I just wanted to keep a low profile for a little while longer. But I guess that's over."
I gave her a sincere look.
"You're going to shine, whether you want to or not. So you might as well be ready for it. And we'll all be there to help you through it, alright?"
Koby, meanwhile, was staring at the ground, his expression darker. His fists were clenched, as if to keep himself from trembling.
"I need to get way stronger before I get a bounty. Otherwise... I'll just be a burden to you all," he muttered, barely audible.
I leaned toward him and placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
"You're improving every day, Koby. You train hard, you think fast, and you've got a stronger heart than most pirates. You're no burden to anyone." I winked at him. "And if you ever need a reminder, we've got you."
A shy smile crept onto his face, slightly comforted.
"OOOOOOH! I SMELL FOOD!" Luffy suddenly shouted.
All our eyes turned to him. He was already striding ahead, following Usopp with big steps, his straw hat swaying behind him, his nostrils twitching, guided like a hound by the scent of a nearby restaurant.
"He's officially got a meat radar," Nami sighed, shaking her head with an amused smile.
I chuckled softly.
"Come on, let's see what they're serving. And who knows… maybe it's the last meal before Nami becomes public enemy number one."
She elbowed me lightly, grinning.
"Watch yourself, Jordan. I might use you as bait to make my escape."
And with those words, we all followed Luffy and Usopp toward the restaurant, the sun rising gently over this peaceful village—still unaware of the legends being born on its soil.
Luffy, seated as usual with a mountain of empty plates in front of him, recounted between bites a few stories about Yasopp, the famous sharpshooter from Shanks' crew.
"He's amazing, really! He can shoot a fly from three kilometers away just by hearing it buzz!" he exclaimed, his eyes shining with admiration. "He always said his son would become a great man—that he had the same fire in his eyes!"
At those words, I noticed Usopp's expression darken. He stayed silent, his face turned toward his cup, his expression caught between quiet pride… and a deeper pain.
Nami noticed too, but said nothing. He suddenly stood up when Pepper walked over to the table, gently tugging on his sleeve.
"Captain, it's time."
Usopp nodded softly, dropped a few berries on the table to pay for his meal, then slipped away without a word, his steps heavy.
Luffy watched him go, frowning. "Where's he going?"
The three kids exchanged a conspiratorial look before answering in unison:
"That's none of your business!"
Then they ran off, laughing as if they had just won some grand victory.
A brief silence settled as we resumed our meal.
"So, Luffy…" Nami began, wiping her lips. "You're planning to invite him, aren't you?"
Luffy smiled softly, leaning back in his chair. "Of course. He's funny, and he fights to protect others. Plus, he's got a good instinct for hiding and he's solid at long-range."
I nodded thoughtfully. "And he knows the terrain here. Those traps we ran into on the way? He built them. For a marksman, that's a serious advantage."
Koby tilted his head, curious. "But if he really hates his father, he might not want to travel just yet… He seems to have responsibilities here."
"Or maybe he's just been waiting for someone to reach out," I said quietly, glancing toward the door Usopp had left through. "Sometimes, that's all it takes to change a life."
Nami crossed her arms. "Whether he joins or not, we'll see. But he's got a good heart—you can feel it. And if he does come with us, he'll have to prove himself."
Luffy laughed. "Just like all of you!"
Nami rolled her eyes. "You ate my share of meat on the first day—that's not really a test."
Everyone burst into laughter, the atmosphere easing once more.
I took a more serious tone. "Alright, let's talk next steps."
"Yes," Nami replied, calmer now. "I have just under two weeks before I have to return and deliver my 'tribute' to Arlong…"
Her words left a bitter taste in the air.
"We could go with you," I said, meeting her gaze. "Not to attack—yet. But to observe, understand how his base works, study his men, his weaknesses."
Koby nodded eagerly. "That would help us prepare when it's time to really fight him."
"And in the meantime," Nami continued, "we could explore two more islands. If we find new crewmates, we'll be stronger when the real fight comes."
Luffy slammed his fist joyfully on the table, making the half-empty plates bounce.
"Perfect! We'll get stronger, find new crew members, and beat that shark down!"
I smiled, amused by his energy. "I can start looking for a sturdier ship, in case we don't find one here. Maybe place an express order to Fushia…"
Nami raised her hand like a studious schoolgirl, her eyes sparkling with greed.
"With reinforced treasure storage, please."
I chuckled, eyes glinting.
"Duly noted… though the fridge is what's getting the reinforced lock. We all know that's where Luffy sneaks off to the most."
She rolled her eyes, arms crossed, but the corner of her lips betrayed an amused smile.
I turned to our captain, more serious now.
"Captain, if you don't mind, I'll head out and search for the keyholes on the other two islands in the archipelago while you handle the recruitment."
I ended my sentence with a calm smile, then slid a thick stack of berries to the innkeeper, who had been eyeing us nervously but immediately lit up at the payment and gave me a warm salute.
"Where will you meet us after?" Koby asked, curious.
"I'll return straight here. And don't worry—I won't be long."
I headed for the exit and, once outside, took a deep breath. A small group of villagers was watching us from the edges of the street. Some were intrigued by our unusual appearance, others simply curious about the adventurers already being whispered about in the village.
I stepped onto the old wooden porch of the restaurant, and with a breath of light magic, I gently rose into the air. My feet left the ground without a sound, as if lifted by an invisible force. The morning light played across my silhouette, casting a long, sharp shadow on the cobbled ground.
A murmur spread through the crowd — a mix of surprise, awe, and a hint of fear. But those who were most captivated… were crouched near the restaurant.
Carrot, Onion, and Pepper were watching the scene with eyes as wide as dinner plates, mouths agape.
"He… he's flying," whispered Carrot.
"Told you he wasn't normal…" murmured Onion, completely enthralled.
"So cool…" breathed Pepper, clutching his slingshot to his chest as if already imagining himself doing the same one day.
I cast one last glance over my shoulder, giving them a quick, knowing wink mid-flight. Their three little heads ducked behind a barrel in unison, trying half-heartedly to hide.
Then, with a soft magical gust, I ascended higher and soared toward the next island.
Gliding swiftly over the waves, my eyes scanned the horizon for my next target. A large town caught my eye for a moment. It had never been mentioned in the original story. Its tightly packed rooftops formed a dense, orderly mosaic, and at the edge of the town stood a modest Marine outpost. About twenty soldiers moved about slowly and casually, unaware they were being watched from the skies by someone like me.
But I didn't stop.
I set aside my curiosity and focused on my mission. My direction was clear: the forested island of the archipelago.
Once above the dense, impenetrable greenery, I slowed down slightly. The thick canopy prevented me from seeing the ground, but I could feel the familiar presence of the keyhole… underground. Very deep underground.
I descended gently, first landing atop a tree, then dropping to the damp earth below. I walked slowly, searching for a natural entrance: a cave, a crevice, a well… but found nothing. For twenty long minutes, I scouted the area with every sense at my disposal, in vain.
"Fine. Old-school it is."
I raised a hand, and two massive Darksides emerged from the shadows. The ground trembled under their steps as they immediately began to dig, their enormous claws tearing through the earth like paper.
I had them dig fifty meters from the exact point, to avoid damaging the keyhole itself. A wise precaution.
After about ten minutes, a wide opening appeared beneath my feet. A humid, warm breath escaped the hole. I descended, sliding into the darkness until I emerged in a vast underground lagoon.
Turquoise water shimmered under the magical glow cast by my spells. At its center, half-buried in a cluster of dark rock, lay the keyhole.
But I didn't have time to approach it.
A deep, almost aquatic rumble split the air.
The waters of the lagoon churned violently. Then, in a massive splash, a crocodile over thirty meters long burst from the surface, its jaws snapping ferociously. Its gaze burned with pure, primal aggression.
It lunged toward me in a geyser of water, but one of my Darksides calmly raised a clawed hand and blocked the charge with a resounding thud. Water splashed against the rocky walls, cascading down in waves.
The Darkside turned its gaze toward me, as if to ask, "Should I hold him, or do you want him?"
"I'll take care of it."
I extended a hand, and a jet-black Keyblade materialized with a metallic whisper. I rushed toward the creature's flank and, with a leap reinforced by magic, struck its skull with a solid blow. The muffled impact echoed through the entire chamber. The massive beast toppled onto its side, unconscious.
Without wasting a second, I drove my Keyblade into its chest.
A wave of darkness burst from the point of impact. The creature writhed for a moment, then its body slowly disintegrated into a black mist. In its place appeared a new Heartless: a massive, twisted version, crocodilian in shape, its body covered in stone-like shadow plates, with claws sharp enough to cut through rock itself.
A huge dark orb surged into my body, giving me a tremendous physical boost.
"Damn…" I whispered. "This one's not like the others."
Another silhouette emerged from the crocodile's shadow — a Nobody. Slender, serpentine, it resembled some kind of sea king, eel-like in form, its smooth, fluid movements a stark contrast to the Heartless's aggression. It stared at me briefly before diving into a white portal that opened behind it.
I stood there, panting.
"That's the second time I've gotten such a… unique Heartless. The first was someone who had a Devil Fruit. This croc… smells like an ancient Zoan, no doubt."
My heart pounded harder. Not from fear. From excitement.
I stored the creature in my shadow — but the moment it entered, my body spasmed in searing pain, as if I was about to explode from within.
I quickly released the Heartless crocodile again, watching it glide peacefully into the water. It looked completely at ease — a predator in its natural domain. I opened a portal leading to our hideout, and it slipped in obediently, disappearing into the depths of a basin barely modified to accommodate it.
"So it's aquatic… meaning it doesn't have the Devil Fruit's weakness to water. Interesting… very interesting," I gasped, still recovering from the pain.
But as I focused on my body, I quickly realized that keeping that Heartless in my shadow exceeded my current limits.
"Too powerful for me… for now."
I opened another dark portal to our base for the giant Heartless, and it entered, diving into the saltwater near the shore without issue, waiting silently beneath the surface. I took the opportunity to reabsorb Eisah into my shadow — the moment I did, it felt like regaining a lost sense.
I turned toward the keyhole, still embedded in its rocky pedestal. I placed my palm against it, and in an instant, that familiar light burst forth. A rumble echoed, and dozens… no, hundreds of Shadows emerged from the ground — silent, orderly.
They vanished into the tunnel's darkness, spreading across the island.
"One more island purged," I whispered.
With a gesture, I recalled my two Darksides and rose from the underground lagoon, ascending into the sky on a breath of magic.
Next stop: the hilltop island.
(Author's note: That's it for this week. I'm adding the images for Usopp and the crocodile here.I'm also adding a little bonus — ssdxd, you're the top contributor with 182 Power Stones, so I'll let you choose a Heartless, character, or something else you'd like to see illustrated. Just a heads-up: the AI struggles with copyrighted content.)