Chapter 41 — Let's Get a Proper Ship & Usopp
Sunny POV
The sun was dipping low over Orange Town, casting a golden hue on the chaotic aftermath of Buggy's defeat. The air still carried that sharp tang of gunpowder mixed with the sugary remnants of popped confetti, like the town had hosted a fireworks show gone wrong. Streets that had been eerily silent during the clown pirate's reign were now buzzing with life—kids chasing each other, merchants reopening stalls, and old folks gossiping on porches as if nothing had happened. It was almost comical how quickly normalcy returned, like the whole Buggy fiasco was just a bad dream they'd collectively shaken off.
We were in the town square, surrounded by grateful faces, when the mayor waddled up. He was a portly man with a mustache so bushy it looked like it could hide a small animal. His cheeks were flushed red from excitement—or maybe from the bottle of rum he was clutching like a trophy. "You've saved us all!" he boomed, grabbing Lucy's hand and shaking it with such vigor that her straw hat wobbled precariously on her head. "Heroes! Legends! Please, take whatever you need—food, supplies, and if you'll grace us with your presence tonight, our finest rooms at the inn!"
Lucy's eyes lit up like stars at the mention of beds. "YES! Real beds! Not that splintery plank we've been calling a boat floor!" She pumped her fist so hard she nearly knocked Zoro off-balance, who was standing nearby looking half-asleep as usual.
Zoro just grunted, his three swords clinking softly as he shifted his weight. "As long as there's a corner to crash in, I'm good. Don't need fancy pillows or whatever." I swear, the guy was half-feral, like a wild animal who'd accidentally wandered into civilization and decided to stick around for the naps.
Nami chuckled beside me, her orange hair catching the evening light. "Typical Zoro. Comfort is for the weak, right?" She shot me a sidelong glance, her eyes sparkling with that mix of amusement and affection that always made my chest tighten a little. We'd been through enough chaos together that these quiet moments felt like stolen treasures.
The mayor insisted on a feast that night, and who were we to argue? The inn's dining hall was packed with townsfolk, tables groaning under platters of roasted meats, fresh breads, and piles of tropical fruits that Orange Town was famous for. Lucy dove in like a whirlwind, her arms stretching impossibly to snag food from across the table. "MEAT! MORE MEAT!" she yelled through a mouthful, sauce dripping down her chin.
Zoro, true to form, ate methodically before leaning back against the wall, eyes half-closed. "This beats boat rations," he admitted grudgingly, though he looked ready to nod off any second.
Nami and I sat a bit apart from the frenzy, sharing a plate of grilled fish and veggies. She leaned in close, her shoulder brushing mine, sending a warm spark through me. "You know, Sunny, moments like this make all the fighting worth it," she said softly, her voice cutting through the din. Her hand found mine under the table, fingers intertwining in a way that felt both casual and intimate.
I squeezed back, smirking. "Yeah? Or is it just the free food?" But inside, my heart was doing flips. Nami had this way of making the world feel smaller, safer—like as long as she was here, the Grand Line's horrors were just distant rumors.
{ego}: Pathetic sentimentality. Master, you should be conquering kingdoms, not holding hands like a lovesick fool.
[system]: Error: Romantic efficiency detected at 87%. Optimal for crew morale. Proceed.
I stifled a laugh at my internal peanut gallery. My brain was like a dysfunctional family reunion I couldn't escape.
By morning, the townsfolk had turned out in force to see us off. They'd loaded our rickety little boat with crates of oranges (fittingly), dried meats, barrels of fresh water, and even some spare sails that looked suspiciously like bedsheets. The mayor waved a handkerchief from the dock, tears in his eyes. "Come back anytime! And bring more stories!"
Lucy stood at the bow, waving wildly. "We will! And next time, I'll eat ALL your food!" The villagers laughed, probably thinking it was a joke. Little did they know.
As we drifted away from port, the sea breeze whipped through my hair, carrying the salty promise of adventure. For the first time in what felt like ages, things were peaceful. No exploding clowns, no rampaging beasts—just the gentle rock of the waves and the open horizon.
That peace shattered in exactly three minutes.
"Sunny," Nami said, sidling up to me at the rail, her voice laced with that practical edge she always got when plotting our survival. She gestured at the creaky deck, which let out a protesting groan as Lucy stomped across it, hollering about being hungry already. "We can't keep sailing in this floating death trap. It's barely big enough for the four of us, and if we hit a real storm—or worse, the Grand Line—we're done for. We need a proper ship. Something sturdy, with actual cabins and storage."
I nodded, watching Lucy attempt to perch on the mast like it was a throne, her legs dangling comically. The wood creaked ominously under her weight. "You're right. This thing's more raft than vessel. And we need more crew too. Nojiko's handling navigation back home, but we're stretched thin."
Zoro, lounging against a barrel with his swords propped nearby, yawned massively. "Ship, no ship—as long as there's space to nap and train, I don't care. Just wake me when there's something to fight."
Nami pinched the bridge of her nose, exasperation clear on her face. "Practical as always, mosshead." She turned back to me, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "But seriously, Sunny. With Lucy's appetite alone—"
"—we'll need another chef," I finished, smirking at the thought. My inventory was handy for storing supplies, but it couldn't magically whip up gourmet meals on demand.
Her lips curved into that sly smile that always made my pulse quicken. "Finally admitting it? I thought you'd insist your fancy powers could handle everything forever." She poked my arm playfully, her touch lingering just a second too long.
I shrugged, playing it cool even as warmth spread through me. "Hey, my Haki can crush a warlord, no problem. But stopping Lucy from devouring an entire pantry in one sitting? That's a lost cause."
Right on cue, Lucy whirled around, mid-chew on a hunk of dried meat she'd pulled from who-knows-where. "HEY! I heard that! And yeah, I'm still hungry! When's lunch?"
Zoro groaned from his spot. "We literally left port five minutes ago. How are you a bottomless pit?"
The sheer absurdity of it all had Nami bursting into laughter, leaning her head against my shoulder. Her hair tickled my neck, and I wrapped an arm around her waist without thinking, pulling her closer. "Another chef it is," she said between giggles. "Though good luck finding one crazy enough to cook for this crew. They'd have to be part masochist, part miracle worker."
I grinned down at her, our faces inches apart. "We'll find someone. And hey, with you navigating, we could sail through hell itself." It was cheesy, but the way her eyes softened told me she didn't mind.
{ego}: Weaklings cooking for weaklings. Pathetic. Master, you deserve divine feasts, not slop for gluttons like that rubber idiot.
[system]: Recruiting a culinary specialist would optimize resource distribution. Also: agreed. Lucy = food black hole. Energy consumption anomaly detected.
I chuckled inwardly at the ongoing commentary in my head. It was like having a snarky ego and a robotic analyst duking it out nonstop and it's remind me what's system working on. Whatever it's kept things interesting, at least.
The afternoon sun beat down as we approached Syrup Village, the horizon parting to reveal a postcard-perfect scene: pristine white houses dotting lush green hills, a gentle coastline fringed with swaying palms, and not a cloud in the sky. It looked so idyllic it was almost suspicious—like nature had conspired to hide something sinister beneath the charm.
"Wow," Nami murmured, shielding her eyes against the glare. "This place is almost too peaceful. Kinda boring, actually."
"Perfect spot to hide something shady," I replied, my Observation Haki picking up faint ripples of ill intent lurking in the distance—like whispers of malice buried under layers of tranquility.
Lucy was the first off the boat, bounding onto the dock with zero regard for stealth. She sprinted into the village square, arms flailing. "WHERE'S THE FOOD?! ADVENTURE TIME! MEAT! TREASURE! MORE MEAT!"
The locals froze in their tracks—farmers mid-haul with baskets of produce, kids pausing their games, an old lady dropping her knitting. They stared at Lucy like she'd materialized from a nightmare, unsure if she was a starving urchin or a pint-sized demon.
Zoro dragged a hand down his face, sighing deeply as he shouldered his swords. "Why do I feel like everywhere we go, we come off as invading marauders? Can't we just... blend in for once?"
Before I could quip back, a piercing shout echoed through the square: "PIRATES! THE PIRATES ARE COMING!"
A lanky kid with a ridiculously long nose came barreling down the street, waving his arms like windmills in a gale. His curly hair bounced wildly, and he was dressed in baggy overalls that made him look even more gangly. "HUNDREDS OF THEM! ARMORED GIANTS, BLOODTHIRSTY BEASTS, READY TO RAZE THIS TOWN TO THE GROUND! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!"
The villagers erupted into panic—people scrambling, doors slamming, a chicken squawking as it fled. But Lucy? She gasped dramatically, eyes wide with excitement rather than fear. "HUNDREDS? WHERE?!" She spun around, pointing wildly at the empty horizon. "WAIT, DID YOU SEE THE DRAGON TOO? HUGE ONE! SPITS FIRE, BIGGER THAN A MOUNTAIN! IT'S COMING WITH THE PIRATES AND EATING EVERYTHING!"
The kid skidded to a halt, his panic morphing into confusion. "Eh? Y-you saw it too?! The dragon with the flaming scales and razor teeth?"
Lucy nodded vigorously, her straw hat flopping. "Yeah! And it had laser eyes! Pew pew!"
I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying not to laugh. "Great. They're bonding over imaginary apocalypses. This is our life now."
Zoro groaned louder. "We're doomed. Absolutely doomed."
Nami crossed her arms, her expression a mix of annoyance and reluctant amusement. "Who even is this little liar? He's got the villagers wound up tighter than a spring."
The boy straightened up, puffing out his chest with exaggerated pride. "I'm Usopp! The brave warrior of the sea! Captain of a fleet of 8,000 men, slayer of sea kings, and defender of Syrup Village!"
Lucy gasped like he'd just claimed to be the Pirate King himself. "A brave warrior with a huge fleet?! WE NEED HIM ON THE CREW! He'll fight all the bad guys and tell awesome stories!"
Zoro deadpanned, not even bothering to hide his skepticism. "We don't need him. We need less noise."
But Nami's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Wait a minute... warrior of the sea? Like your father? Yasopp?"
Usopp blinked, completely caught off guard, his bravado cracking for a split second. "Y-you know my dad? The great sniper of the Red Hair Pirates?"
I smirked but kept quiet, letting the kid hold onto his pride. No need to burst his bubble just yet—we all had our tall tales.
As the sun set, we found ourselves camped on a grassy hill overlooking the village. The fire crackled merrily, casting flickering shadows on our faces. Usopp had tagged along, intrigued by Lucy's enthusiasm, and now he sat cross-legged by the flames, spinning yarns that grew more outlandish by the minute.
"And then," he declared, gesturing wildly, "I faced off against the colossal giant of Elbaf! He was fifty feet tall, with fists like boulders! But I, Usopp the Great, tricked him into tying his own shoelaces together and—bam!—down he went!"
Lucy hung on every word, her eyes sparkling like diamonds. "Whoa! And what about the time you fought the army of invisible ninjas?!"
Usopp didn't miss a beat. "Ah, yes! Those sneaky devils. I used my patented Usopp Smoke Bomb to reveal them all!"
Nami rolled her eyes from where she sat beside me, sketching maps by firelight. "If we do recruit him, at least he'll keep Lucy entertained. Though I worry about the brain cell loss."
Zoro snorted from his spot on the grass, arms crossed behind his head. "Or make her even dumber. Didn't think that was possible."
{ego}: Another liar joining the crew? Disgraceful. Weakness breeds weakness. Cull the herd, Master.
[system]: Correction: His utility as sniper and support unit = high potential. Lying subroutine = tolerable for morale boosts.
I let their voices fade into the background, my focus shifting to Nami. The firelight danced across her features, highlighting the curve of her cheek, the concentration in her brow as she drew. She caught me staring and smirked, setting her sketchpad aside to lean against me fully. "You're thinking it too," she whispered, her breath warm against my ear. "We'll need him for the crew. And a real ship to carry us all."
I reached over, gently brushing a stray strand of orange hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering on her skin. "And a chef," I added, my voice low.
Her smile widened, eyes locking onto mine with that intensity that always left me breathless. "Exactly."
Lucy, oblivious to the moment, had somehow fallen asleep mid-story, snoring face-first into the dirt while Usopp continued narrating her "epic battle against fifty invisible tigers." Zoro, muttering something about being surrounded by lunatics, promptly conked out too, his snores joining the chorus.
I exhaled slowly, feeling the calm before the storm settle over us. Tomorrow, we'd meet Kaya. Tomorrow, the real test of Syrup Village would begin.
But tonight, with Nami's warmth at my side, the future felt a little less heavy.