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The gentle waves rocked the small boat as Rael neared the coast. The island ahead was peaceful, its grassy cliffs rising above the shore like guardians of a sleeping town. The sea breeze ruffled his long black hair, and his golden eyes gleamed under the midday sun.[System Notice: Arrival – Syrup Village. Known connection to: Usopp. Timeline sync complete.]Rael stepped off the stolen pirate boat, now repainted and free of insignias. His cloak billowed behind him as he walked up the gentle slope, approaching a path leading toward a modest village of windmills and farmland.
It was… quiet.
Too quiet.
He sensed no killing intent, but the stillness was suspicious. He reached the top of the hill when suddenly—
"HALT!"
A loud voice boomed across the cliffside.
Rael blinked.
He turned his head.
A lone figure stood atop a tree, dramatically silhouetted by the sun. The boy had long, curly black hair, a slingshot strapped to his belt, and a long nose that twitched nervously.
"I-I warn you!" the voice shouted. "Take one more step, and you'll face the wrath of my mighty fleet!"
Rael stared at him.
The wind blew.
Nothing happened.
"…Fleet?" Rael finally asked, tilting his head.
"Yes!" the boy shouted, but his voice cracked. "T-Ten ships! Full of terrifying warriors! They'll storm this beach if I signal them!"
Rael placed a hand on his hip. "Then where are they?"
The boy froze.
Rael took a slow step forward.
"Shouldn't they be visible by now?"
"I—uh—they're… invisible ships!" the boy declared, sweating. "Hidden with—uh—seawater cloaking devices! Very advanced pirate tech!"
Rael raised a brow. "Right."
He took another step.
The boy immediately scrambled down the tree and tried to run.
Rael blurred.
In a flash, he appeared right in front of him.
"W-Wha—?!" the boy stumbled backward and fell on his rear. "How'd you—?!"
Rael crouched slightly, locking eyes with him.
"You're lying," he said plainly. "And you're terrible at it."
The boy gulped. "O-Okay! Fine! I was bluffing! I-I just didn't want any pirates around here, okay? This is my village to protect!"
Rael blinked.
Then, unexpectedly, he chuckled.
"Protecting your village with lies? Interesting method."
The boy looked sheepish. "Well… I don't have much else. I mean, I've got my slingshot, but no one takes me seriously. Not even the villagers."
Rael stood upright and offered a hand. "What's your name?"
The boy looked surprised but took it. "Usopp. I'm—well—I say I'm captain of the Usopp Pirates, but it's just me and some kids."
Rael smirked. "At least you have guts. Even if your stories need work."
Usopp scratched the back of his head. "You're not mad?"
Rael shook his head. "I've dealt with worse."[System Notice: Usopp – Key figure detected. Liar with a brave heart. Potential future companion of Straw Hat Pirates.]"Wait," Usopp said, narrowing his eyes. "You're not a pirate, are you?"
Rael smiled faintly. "Something like that."
"Are you here to take over the village or something?"
"No."
Usopp looked relieved.
"But if someone else tries, I'll make sure they regret it."
Usopp gave a low whistle. "Man, you're intense. You've got this whole… dark hero vibe going on."
"I've been called worse."
They walked together toward the village.
As they passed the windmill, Rael glanced at the peaceful homes and villagers tending to crops. Children laughed in the distance. It reminded him—painfully—of a place long ago. A place now buried under centuries of betrayal and battle.
"I've never seen someone like you before," Usopp said. "You're really strong, huh?"
Rael didn't answer directly.
Instead, he looked out toward the sea and murmured, "Strength means nothing when you're sealed away for a hundred years… and betrayed by gods."
Usopp blinked. "What?"
"Nothing." Rael smiled faintly. "Just old thoughts."
[System Notice: New Quest Available – Observe Usopp and Syrup Village. Unknown threat approaching. Prepare.]
And somewhere, beyond the village, in the shadows of the dense forest… a pair of sinister eyes narrowed.
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