Nami and Makino flanked Reno, each affectionately clinging to one of his arms. As the trio stepped onto the island, Usopp approached them proactively.
"Are you pirates?! What are you doing here?!" Though they didn't look the part, Usopp voiced the question nagging at him.
Reno didn't hide the truth, nodding. "We are indeed pirates. As for why we're here…" "I heard there's a vicious pirate hiding in this village, targeting a wealthy young lady's fortune. I'm here to punish evil and uphold justice."
Nami rolled her eyes. Just admit you're after another beauty. Makino, with her pure heart, looked at Reno with admiration. So full of justice.
What?!
Usopp froze. The wealthy young lady in Syrup Village? That had to be Kaya! But who was this pirate?
Wait a second. Usopp's guard went up. He'd almost fallen for Reno's trick. He'd lived in Syrup Village for years—wouldn't he know if there was a pirate?! No pirate would dare show their face in front of him!
The villagers thought Syrup Village's peace and isolation kept pirates away. But the real reason was him.
After indulging in another bout of daydreaming, Usopp declared righteously, "There's no one here you're looking for. Leave now." "Otherwise, this great Usopp will…"
Before he could finish, a long blade was pressed against his neck, making him tremble violently.
Holy crap, he's serious?!
"Lead the way," Reno said, uninterested in wasting time.
Feeling the cold steel against his neck, Usopp's face turned green, sweat pouring down. His legs shook uncontrollably. He had no doubt that if he said "no," his head would roll.
Sure, he always bragged about being fearless, but faced with a real pirate's overwhelming presence, he felt suffocated and powerless.
"D-Don't do anything rash! I'll take you!" Under pressure, Usopp gave in.
Led by Usopp, Reno, Nami, and Makino entered Syrup Village. Along the way, Usopp kept sneaking glances at Reno, mustering the courage to ask, "S-Sir, is there really a pirate after Kaya?!"
Reno frowned but nodded. "Yes. He's living in her house."
Usopp fell silent for a moment before quickening his pace. Before, he didn't believe it. But with a blade to his throat, there was no reason for Reno to lie. If a pirate was really hiding in Kaya's house, she was in serious danger.
Glancing at Usopp's hurried steps, Reno inwardly scoffed. A gentle, kind, and innocent heiress like Kaya? If he were Usopp, they'd already have kids by now.
Following Usopp, the trio soon arrived at a grand mansion with its gates firmly closed. Clearly, this was Kaya's home.
Usopp hesitated, about to knock, but stopped. Still skeptical, he asked, "Is the pirate you're talking about really here?!" As far as he knew, the butler and other servants in the house had been with Kaya for years.
"You're done here. Get lost," Reno said, waving him off.
Usopp opened his mouth to protest, but seeing Reno's impatience, he turned and left. He didn't go far, though, hiding behind a large rock to observe.
Reno didn't care. With a nod from him, Nami stepped forward and knocked on the gate.
Knock, knock, knock.
Moments later, the gate creaked open, and a man in servant attire stepped out. Merry, Kaya's servant.
"Mr. Merry, is that Usopp?" a soft voice called from inside.
Merry glanced back and opened the gate wider. Reno's eyes landed on a girl with short blonde hair and a sickly pale complexion—Kaya.
Nami and Makino both cast curious glances at her. As expected of a wealthy heiress, her beauty and elegance stood out. Even her illness couldn't hide her natural charm.
Nami pursed her lips, while Makino's gaze held a hint of curiosity.
"Miss, it's windy outside. Please take care of your health," said a man in a black suit with slicked-back hair, standing beside Kaya with concern.
"Mr. Klahadore, it's just for a moment. I'll be fine," Kaya replied with a faint smile.
Klahadore turned, eyeing Reno's group with a scowl, his gaze flickering. When he looked at Reno, his brows furrowed instinctively. He felt an unsettling aura from him.
"It's not Usopp. May I ask what brings you here?" Kaya asked gently, addressing the unfamiliar Reno.
Reno met her gaze, holding up two fingers with a smile. "Miss Kaya, I'm here for two reasons." "First, to take down a villain." "Second, to cure your illness."
…
"Preposterous!"
Before Reno could finish, Klahadore interrupted angrily. "There's no villain here, and you don't look like a doctor." "Merry, show them out."
Kaya softly reprimanded him. "Klahadore, they're guests. Don't be rude."
"Miss, they…" Klahadore huffed but said no more, though his unease grew.
Reno shot a sidelong glance at the visibly anxious Klahadore, sneering inwardly. If not for worrying about Kaya's feelings, he'd have taken out this scumbag on the spot.
"Please, come inside to talk," Kaya invited, gesturing for Reno's group to enter.
Inside the mansion's grand hall, Merry poured tea for Reno, Nami, and Makino. After brief pleasantries, Kaya got to the point. "Sir, can you really cure my illness?"
…