Chapter 15: The Power of Destiny
Syrup Village, The Mansion.
Kaya sat at her mahogany desk, her quill scratching rhythmically against the parchment.
Every few minutes, she would pause, her delicate brows knitting together in concentration, before resuming her furious writing.
Compared to the girl she was six months ago, the change was striking.
The seventeen-year-old had shed the frail, sickly air that once clung to her. Now, she radiated a quiet elegance and a newfound vitality.
Knock, knock.
"Miss Kaya?" Merry, the sheep-horned butler, stepped softly into the room. "It is time for lunch."
Kaya finished a sentence with a flourish and set down her quill. A faint, excited smile played on her lips. "Merry, is Apollo coming back today?"
Merry smiled warmly. "Yes, Miss. According to his schedule, Mr. Apollo should return before evening."
Kaya hugged her notebook to her chest, her eyes softening. "It's hard to believe it's already been half a year since Teacher arrived."
"Indeed," Merry nodded. "We have been very fortunate. The mansion feels... safer with him here."
"Hehe. I've prepared a surprise gift for him tonight." Kaya's cheeks flushed slightly, her eyes shining with anticipation.
Meanwhile, at the village's only restaurant.
Four people crowded around a small wooden table, the surface already piled high with empty plates.
There was a young man in a straw hat devouring meat like a starving beast, a green-haired swordsman with three blades at his hip, a girl with short orange hair and a tattoo on her shoulder, and finally, a young man with a distinctively long nose.
Luffy, Zoro, Nami, and Usopp.
"Mmph... sho, Usopp," Luffy mumbled through a mouthful of ham. "Do you know where we can get a big ship?"
Usopp crossed his arms, leaning back with the air of an expert. "A big ship? There's only one place on this island for something like that. The mansion on the hill. A super-rich family lives there."
"Awesome!" Luffy swallowed the meat whole. "Let's go borrow one!"
"Idiot!" Nami bonked him on the head. "Why would a stranger just lend you a ship? Ships are expensive!"
Luffy rubbed his head, grinning. "We won't know if we don't ask!"
"Don't worry, I have a plan," Usopp said, thumbing his chest proudly. "I have a friend who works there as the private tutor and bodyguard. The owner trusts him completely. If we ask him, maybe he can pull some strings."
"A private tutor?" Zoro raised an eyebrow, looking skeptical as he nursed his drink. "I doubt a teacher has enough pull to give away a caravel."
"No, no, you don't get it," Usopp waggled a finger mysteriously. "Everyone in the village says he's practically the master of the house already."
Nami's ears perked up. "Wait. Is the owner a woman?"
Usopp nodded. "Yeah. Kaya. She's about my age. Her parents died a year ago... it was really rough on her. But since Apollo arrived, she's been doing a lot better."
Nami frowned, her protective instincts flaring. "That sounds suspicious. This 'Apollo' guy... he isn't some con artist taking advantage of a grieving rich girl, is he?"
"No way!" Usopp shook his head vigorously. "Apollo is a good guy! He's a hero known as 'Iron Fist.' He's the one who took down the pirate who was hiding as the butler. You know, Captain Kuro of a Hundred Plans? Bounty of 16 million?"
As Apollo's only close friend in the village besides Kaya, Usopp knew the full details of the Kuro incident.
Nami's jaw dropped. "Kuro of a Hundred Plans?! I thought he was executed by the Marines years ago!"
"That was a fake!" Usopp leaned in, launching into a dramatic retelling of how Kuro faked his death, infiltrated the mansion, and how Apollo crushed him.
"Wow..." Nami murmured, genuinely impressed. "He tricked the whole world? That's terrifyingly clever."
"So cool!" Stars sparkled in Luffy's eyes. "Let's ask this Apollo guy to join our crew!"
"That won't work," Usopp sighed, looking genuinely regretful. "I already asked him. Apollo said he has no interest in being a pirate."
Luffy shoveled the last bite of food into his mouth and stood up, throwing his arms in the air. "Bwahaha! I'm full! Alright, let's go find a ship and a new crewmate!"
Nami face-palmed. "Did you not hear a word Usopp just said? He doesn't want to be a pirate!"
"Shishishi! Who knows until we ask?"
The group paid the bill (Nami complaining about the cost) and hiked up the slope to the mansion. As they reached the iron gates, they ran into a tall man and a maid returning from the market.
Apollo stopped, blinking slightly as he saw the motley crew.
He nodded at Usopp, then his gaze shifted to the green-haired swordsman. A small smile touched his lips. "Roronoa Zoro. We meet again."
"Huh?" Zoro frowned, his hand instinctively resting on Wado Ichimonji. He squinted at Apollo for a second before his eyes widened in recognition. "Oh. It's you."
"You guys know each other?" Usopp asked, surprised.
"We met once, briefly," Apollo said, leaving it vague. He turned his gaze to the other two. "And you are?"
Luffy grinned, adjusting his hat. "I'm Monkey D. Luffy! The man who's gonna be King of the Pirates!"
"Don't just tell people you're a pirate!" Nami hissed, elbowing him. She turned to Apollo with a charming, business-like smile. "I'm Nami. Nice to meet you."
"Are you Usopp's friends?" Apollo asked, gesturing for the gatekeeper to open the way.
Usopp rubbed his nose, looking a bit bashful. "Yeah. We kind of just met yesterday... but, Apollo, I've decided. I'm going out to sea with them!"
"Is that so?" Apollo's expression remained calm.
"You... you don't seem surprised at all," Usopp stammered.
"I am very surprised," Apollo deadpanned.
"You don't look it!"
Apollo led them into the reception room. Servants quickly appeared with tea and snacks, treating Apollo with the deference usually reserved for the head of the household.
As they drank tea, Usopp recounted the events of the previous day.
As Apollo listened, a strange glint appeared in his eyes.
Destiny... is it really so rigid?
Just yesterday, a random group of pirates had landed on the island. Usopp had been the first to spot them.
To protect the village, the coward had swallowed his fear and stood his ground alone.
He had been beaten within an inch of his life.
Just as he was about to be killed, Luffy, Zoro, and Nami—who had just arrived on the island—stepped in and saved him. They fought off the pirates together.
Even without the threat of Captain Kuro, the universe had conspired to create a bond between them.
The will of the world, Apollo mused, taking a sip of tea. This island hasn't seen a pirate raid in years. Yet, the moment the protagonist arrives, a 'tutorial boss' just happens to show up to facilitate Usopp joining the crew?
It felt orchestrated. It felt like the world itself was bending to ensure Luffy gathered his crew.
If fate is this strong... then my plans need to be solid.
This confirmation settled a debate Apollo had been having with himself for months. He made a silent decision.
Click.
The heavy oak door creaked open, interrupting his thoughts.
Kaya stepped in lightly, her face lighting up with a brilliant smile. "Teacher! You're back—oh!" She paused, realizing the room was full of strangers. "We have guests?"
Apollo stood up. "Kaya. These are friends of Usopp."
"Oh! Hello, everyone." Kaya curtsied elegantly, her manners impeccable.
"Teacher, I'll... I'll come find you later," she said, sensing they were discussing business. She gave Usopp a polite nod and quietly exited the room.
"Wow," Nami whispered, staring at the closed door. "She's beautiful."
Luffy picked his nose, completely uninterested. Zoro had his arms crossed, eyes closed, seemingly asleep.
Usopp, in this timeline without the shared trauma of Kuro's betrayal to bond them yet, merely nodded.
Apollo smiled, setting his teacup down with a soft clink. He looked at Luffy.
"So," Apollo said, cutting to the chase. "You didn't just come here for tea. You want something, don't you?"