Today's a fresh start, with the sun rising just like it has every day this week. In this peaceful village, it feels like it's going to be a fantastic day for everyone, right on cue, like a morning alarm clock.
"Run for your lives, sound the alarms, save yourselves, pirates are coming! Everyone, run if you want to live! Vicious pirates are attacking; their thirst is unquenchable. Just kidding, it was all a lie!"
"You little liar, you're not getting away this time. We've had enough. This little game ends today."
This is the handiwork of a teenager known for his epic tall tales. His father is Yasopp, a pirate and sniper for the Red-Haired Pirates, a crew famed for being the best-balanced in the Grand Line. Their leader, Red-Haired Shanks, is the youngest of the Four Emperors.
His mother, Bachina, was a beautiful woman with a long nose and a kind heart. She passed away from illness when he was just a child. Now, he's known as 'Captain Usopp,' leading the Usopp Pirates—a crew he formed with three village kids named Pepper, Carrot, and Onion. Their mission? To have fun and adventure all over Syrup Village.
Right now, Usopp is at it again, yelling that pirates are coming. It's become a routine in Syrup Village: Usopp shouts about pirates, then admits it's all lies, and the whole village chases him down. He does it because he feels it's his duty to bring some excitement to their otherwise dull town.
Meanwhile, on a small boat, three rookies who formed a pirate crew just a few weeks ago. They're destined to become the infamous Spade Pirates, who will eventually terrorize the Grand Line for years. But for now, they don't even have a ship or a Jolly Roger.
Their current goal is to head to the Gecko Islands, specifically Syrup Village, to buy a small caravel called the Going Merry and recruit a talented sniper and capable inventor named Usopp.
"Yawn, hey Ace, are we there yet? I'm getting bored with sleeping."
"Wow, Zoro, I'm learning new things about you. I never thought you'd get bored with sleeping."
"I lied. I've been awake for a while now. I got bored watching you swim while Alvida and I sail to this Syrup Village you keep talking about."
"Yeah, what's up with that, Ace? Why do you swim so much? You do it almost every day, and for hours!"
"Well, I swim because people with devil fruit powers, like you, can't. Plus, it gives me an edge over my peers."
"What do you mean, 'an edge over your peers'?"
"It's simple. I believe we have what it takes to make a real impact in the Grand Line, but we need to keep improving and honing our skills. One day, we might face pirates who are just as talented and strong as we are. When that happens, the battle gets really tough. If you and your opponent have similar strength and talent, it might come down to discipline and work ethic. One reason I'm so strong is that I've been training to be a pirate since I was a kid. My goal is to be the King of the Pirates, and if swimming and training give me even the slightest edge, it's a small price to pay. Besides, Zoro is no slouch at hard work. Isn't that right, Zoro?"
"Yeah, that's right."
Sorry, Alvida, but it's not like I can say, 'Hey, I get stronger by absorbing seawater and earning points to boost my skills.' It's a real drag, and the mental toll is enormous, but I have to soak up as much seawater as possible. The crew I'm recruiting now are basically kids compared to when Luffy first met them, so I'm acting like a babysitter. I need all the points I can get to take care of them. Like I always say, you can never have too many points because you never know when you'll need them in a pinch.
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