The sun shone brightly, a gentle breeze blowing.
The temperature was perfect.
However, Usopp's face was red and strained, like a monkey's bottom.
"Look, what do you want to say? You've been taking deep breaths for five minutes,"
Ryuya looked at Usopp with a hint of helplessness.
If this guy weren't a character from the original story, and Ryuya wasn't curious about their future, he wouldn't waste so much time.
Suddenly, Ryuya sensed something.
He glanced towards the distant mountains.
The mountains were densely forested, looking like a good place to cool off.
But without lingering, Ryuya withdrew his gaze, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Usopp's nervousness subsided slightly as Ryuya smiled.
"Th, that, Wh, White Dove Admiral, I want to be your apprentice. I want to sail the seas, become a hero!"
After saying this, he bowed deeply to Ryuya.
In the distant mountains,
beneath a large tree,
Yasopp held binoculars, watching the scene.
"Usopp, you're my son! Why are you bowing to a Navy officer?!"
Yasopp gritted his teeth under the tree.
This feeling was incredibly uncomfortable.
But Yasopp wouldn't dare to rush out.
The other party was Admiral White Dove. He had only come to secretly see his wife and child; he didn't want to cause trouble.
"Is someone looking for me?"
Kaya came from the kitchen to Ryuya's side.
Looking at Usopp, Kaya couldn't understand what he wanted.
Ryuya explained, "He wants to be my apprentice."
Kaya was surprised to hear Usopp's words.
In Kaya's opinion, Usopp lacked the courage to sail the seas.
To some extent, this was true.
If it weren't for his crew constantly pushing him in the original story, Usopp would have given up long ago instead of becoming a sharpshooter.
After careful consideration, Ryuya said to Usopp, "I'm sorry, I don't think you're suitable."
"Why?!"
Usopp looked up at Ryuya.
"Am I unqualified? If so, I can improve. I can endure hardship, I can work hard, I can even learn swordsmanship. I'll do anything, just let me join."
Usopp was in tears.
If they didn't know Usopp's personality, others might think they were bullying the villagers.
"You don't know what path you want to take. In other words, you don't know what you want. That's why I refuse. Also, you're too weak."
You're too weak!
Hearing this, Usopp ignored Ryuya's previous words.
He instinctively asked, "Then why could Kaya join?!"
It's unfair!
Absolutely unfair!
Usopp was unconvinced!
Looking at the stubborn yet naive Usopp, Ryuya sighed, "That's why I said you don't have your own path. You don't know what you want to do. Kaya wants to be a doctor and works hard for it. What about you? Nothing!"
After saying this, Ryuya ignored Usopp and returned to his seat.
Usopp sniffed, feeling resentful but unable to speak.
He looked at Kaya, "Kaya, I just want to be with you. Is that really impossible?"
Kaya's face turned pale. Without hesitation, she said, "Don't dream. When Ryuya saved me, I vowed he was my prince, forever. My heart belongs to Ryuya. Give it up."
After saying this, Kaya closed the door.
She suddenly realized everyone was looking at her.
A blush of shyness spread across her delicate face.
"Th, that, I just wanted Usopp to give up, so I said that. I…"
"No need to explain. We understand. Your father and I understand."
Kaya's parents looked at their daughter, then at Ryuya, their eyes filled with meaning.
Kaya knew her parents had misunderstood, and she had inadvertently revealed her feelings.
Just as Kaya felt the atmosphere shifting,
Roran suddenly said, "Papa, it smells so good! I'm hungry. When can we eat?"
Kaya's parents were stunned.
"We didn't expect Admiral White Dove to have a child already. It's fine, it's fine, even if Kaya becomes a…"
Before her parents could finish, Kaya interrupted them.
"What are you talking about, Mom and Dad?! Ryuya and I aren't like that! Ryuya and Roran aren't like that either!!!"
Kaya felt exhausted.
The playful atmosphere grew lively.
Ryuya laughed, raising his sake, "To a brighter future, cheers!"
"Cheers!"
The atmosphere in the room grew warmer.
Listening to Kaya talk about her childhood, everyone felt the beauty of time.
But after leaving Kaya's door, Usopp was incredibly despondent.
If Usopp was previously a man of inherent despair, now he had mastered it.
However, upon returning home, Usopp found a familiar figure.
"Who are you?!"
Usopp tentatively asked the man.
Yasopp turned around, his face covered in tears and snot, just like Usopp.
Holding a photo, Yasopp said, "When did this happen?"
Usopp looked at Yasopp and said, "..."
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