Little Fisherman's face went pale, his chubby cheeks trembling as he whispered the truth.
Beside him, Zoro froze, then wordlessly tightened his grip on the hilts of his three swords.
Fisherman grabbed his arm, voice a rapid murmur.
"I just remembered—the black-suited butler's real name is Kuro, captain of the Black Cat Pirates three years ago!
Sixteen million berries bounty!"
He poured out everything the viewers had told him.
Zoro's expression grew grimmer with every word. He didn't question a thing—just turned to charge out.
Fisherman hastily pulled him back.
"You're not even going to ask where I got this from? You just… believe me?"
Zoro blinked, almost confused by the question.
"I already thought that guy was suspicious."
Fisherman blinked, realization dawning—so that's why Zoro hadn't touched dinner.
Chat flooded with excitement.
[Of all of them, Zoro really is the most reliable one.]
[That swordsman's intuition is terrifying.]
[Yeah, having him as a teammate feels safe as hell.]
Then Zoro added, calm but sharp,
"Even if I didn't think he was suspicious, I'd still believe you."
"Huh? Why?" Fisherman asked, stunned.
Zoro's grin split his face—crooked, fierce, and warm all at once.
"Are you stupid? Because we're crewmates, that's why."
His tone was blunt; his eyes, unwavering.
Fisherman froze, the words echoing in his ears—Because we're crewmates.
Tears welled up before he could stop them, glinting under the lantern light.
For a long moment, even the chat went quiet.
When Zoro's figure finally vanished down the hall, someone finally typed:
[Such a simple reason… "Because we're crewmates."]
[Did you guys see that look he gave Fisherman? Priceless!]
[That straight-ball honesty could kill.]
[Man, this game hits straight in the heart.]
At Sea Breeze HQ, Gu Feng leaned back in his chair, smiling as he watched.
Moments like this—the emotion, the connection—this was what made Age of Voyages different.
He jotted a note. "Let's launch an official clip event. Let players edit and upload their favorite in-game moments."
A marketing idea sparked. "And… the prize? Closed beta slots for the end of the month."
Within the hour, Sea Breeze posted the announcement:
"Highlight Clip Contest — Win Access to the Public Beta!"
A hundred slots total.
Three million viewers already watching.
Gu Feng grinned. "Won't even need to wait till month's end—mid-month, we'll break a hundred million."
Back in Syrup Village, things escalated fast.
Once Fisherman told everyone the truth, the Straw Hat crew gathered.
Luffy and Zoro believed him instantly.
Nami stayed quiet, though her expression hardened.
Usopp pieced the clues together—his memories of Klahadore's odd behavior—and nodded grimly.
Only Kaya refused to believe. Until Nami, following the viewers' descriptions, sketched the wanted poster from memory.
The resemblance silenced her.
Then came the question of what to do.
Luffy, naturally, wanted to rush in swinging.
Fisherman tried suggesting a plan.
He lost.
Late that night, guided by Kaya's directions, they made their way toward the coast—toward Kuro's mansion.
But when they arrived, they found a ship anchored offshore.
A black flag fluttered in the sea breeze—its symbol, a snarling black cat.
The truth was undeniable.
Even Nami, who had doubted him most, stared at Fisherman in disbelief.
"You… you really were right."
"Let's sneak aboard, catch them off guard," Fisherman whispered.
But before anyone could agree, a familiar, elastic voice broke the silence.
"Gomu Gomu no—!"
Fisherman's face went white. "Oh no…"
The impact thundered across the dock.
Inside the ship, Kuro stood at the helm with Jango, Sham, and Buchi.
"I felt it during dinner—they suspect something," he said coldly.
"Tomorrow morning, we strike first."
But before dawn could break—
BANG!
A rubber fist smashed through the hull, rocking the ship sideways.
Kuro's eyes snapped open. He pushed his glasses up with his wrist and slipped on his clawed gloves.
Step by step, he walked out of the cabin—
and met the Straw Hat crew head-on.
The battle for Syrup Village had begun.
Meanwhile, in Loguetown, White-Robed Drunkard had spent all morning training, buzzing with excitement.
"Brothers, I'm about to meet the Hero of the Marines! What kind of achievement will I unlock? What rewards will I get?! Hahaha!"
The chat raged with jealousy.
[This guy's luck is broken!]
[First to join the Marines, now first to meet Garp?!]
Then—footsteps.
Tashigi approached, her expression oddly complicated.
"White-Robed," she said softly, "I should tell you before you get your hopes up."
He straightened eagerly. "He's here?! We're going to meet him?"
Tashigi hesitated. "Just got word—Vice Admiral Garp's ship didn't dock at Loguetown."
Her eyes flickered with sympathy.
"He went straight to Shells Town instead."
White-Robed froze mid-smile.
"Wh–What… WHAT?!"
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