(AUTHOR'S NOTE: WELCOME BACK TO THE STORY EVERYBODY!~ I bet y'all are probably happy that I've seemed to have possibly started updating more consistently considering my last update wasn't too long ago (I believe it was like 5-ish days ago?). And I'm honestly pretty sure it's because I've gotten a change of scenery because since getting to California last Thursday I've felt a MASSIVE SURGE of inspiration for art and writing as well as a confidence boost in regards to trying to prioritize what I want to include in my works and such. My family has left for home as of Monday morning so my month-long stay here has OFFICIALLY BEGUN! And I'm on day uh-6 of my stay here? I've been trying to get out of the house a few times while I'm here because for one thing the area of California I'm in is especially beautiful in regards to scenery (Lots of ocean views!), and I've actually been out grocery shopping with my grandpa, I went out to run some errands with my grandma a few times, and today my grandma was nice enough to take me to a shopping mall where I got a Sanji pin, a Luffy plush (I had only Zoro and Sanji before and I've made it a bit of a goal to have all the Straw Hats in plush or pillow form since I love them all so much), AND ONE OF THE NEW OFFICIAL T-SHIRTS FOR OPLA!!! (I'll post a picture of the shirt I got in the next chapter of the OPLA version of this story or maybe in the art book idk) But-uh-anywho back to the topic of One Piece and this story-WE ARE NOW ENTERING THE SYRUP VILLAGE ARC! So now you guys can see Isaac's first interactions with Usopp and Kaya! (And obviously, the antagonists too because he's a Straw Hat) HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOY!)

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Chapter Seven:

"  Isaac Becomes The Great Captain's Wingman "

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(NO POV)

The next morning was pretty normal aside from Luffy and Nami being relieved that Isaac was finally conscious again. They had a barrel of apples that they were all eating from in order to survive starvation. Everything seemed normal, except Isaac was slightly disoriented after remembering not only the weird things his mom was saying in his nightmare from the previous night, but his mind was especially stuck on the last words he heard from Buggy the Clown before:

"Those cheek marks! Why does this little pink-haired brat have those on his face!?"

At the time Isaac had thought Buggy was being rude to him for crushing his hand and had gotten offended and angered but before he ended up passing out Buggy had said:

"You idiot! Do you not realize what those cheek marks mean!?"

Which made Isaac concerned because he didn't have any type of birthmark or freckles or anything like a cheek mark on his face...Or at least not before. He turned around to face the sea and looked down hoping to maybe see whatever the clown had been referring to in his reflection on the waves. He squinted as he still didn't have glasses which he mentally put on a list to try and acquire sometime soon and his eyes widened a bit when he saw two Z-shaped marks, one on each cheek. "What...What are these?" He mumbled.

"HEY! ISAAC!"

Isaac turned to see Nami looking at him, seeming to be waiting for a response. 'Crap! Was she saying something?' He smiled sheepishly and replied, "Y-Yeah?" 

Nami rubbed her temples, "Jeez it's a good thing I'm here now, otherwise these two may have completely rubbed off on you..." He heard her mutter. "Listen up! There's absolutely no way we'll make it to the Grand Line in this condition!" She exclaimed. Luffy who was on the edge of the ship looked at the orange-haired girl and Zoro opened one of his eyes, both humming in response. Luffy ate the core of his apple and said, "Yeah we're gonna need a lot more meat. Eating fruit every day is for the birds." 

"We'll also need some booze." Zoro said before Nami threw an apple at him and it hit his chin while Nami shouted, "Shut up, you boneheads! Ugh!" The apple seemed to have bounced off of Zoro's chin and Nami caught it back in her hand. "That's not what I meant. The Grand Line's a dangerous place, we'll need more than beer and meat to survive there. Not to mention the place is crawling with pirates also in search of the One Piece and they all have ships way better than this." Luffy bit into another apple, "Yeah and we don't have a crew."

Nami continued, "We don't have a crew, we don't have any equipment, and we don't even have a real ship for that matter! There's no way we'll ever make it like this!" Luffy, seeming even less in tune with the conversation than before said, "Yep, we'll need a cook, and maybe a musician to keep us entertained!" Zoro began laughing at the idea of a musician like Luffy mentioned, causing Nami to roll her eyes before looking at Isaac, "Oh yeah, we'll also need to get Isaac some new clothes. And maybe some glasses too while we're at it." 

"Wait a minute, why just me!?" Isaac shouted slightly offended. "Because you were barely lucky enough to get by with what you already have on, especially since all I really had to fix up was the rips in your hoodie, but you won't be able to survive on the Grand Line with what you have!" Nami explained, "And what's wrong with what I'm wearing!?" Nami pointed at him, "You're wearing a short-sleeved hoodie, shorts, and some very messed-up-looking shoes that seem like they'd be lucky to last through the rest of the week." Isaac frowned, "That's fair...I guess. Wait a minute, but how did you know I needed glasses? I never said anything to any of you about needing glasses since I joined up with Luffy." 

"You've been squinting a bunch to see things since day one, Izzie." Luffy suddenly interjected. Isaac averted his eyes, "Okay...I guess that's also fair."

Nami opened up a map and said, "A little to the south of here, there's an island with some settlements on it, and it looks like we'll be able to get our ship and some of the supplies we need there." Luffy cheered, "Yeah, fresh meat at last!" with Zoro also saying, "And some booze as well!" This resulted in Nami yelling at them while Isaac looked up and thought to himself, 'I wonder if there's a chance I could get the sword I need there too...'

"Get yourself a sword and then I'll start training you."

"Thank you, Zoro! Thank you so much! I promise I'll take all your teachings to heart!" 

Isaac sighed, 'Before I can do any training I'll need to get myself that sword...That was the bare minimum Zoro said would be needed for him to train me and I need him to train me so I can get stronger and so I won't keep burdening my crewmates...'

~Timeskip~

Both boats finally made it ashore, all 4 of the pirates getting off and making contact with the sandy beach they stopped at. "There's a village somewhere around here, right?" Luffy asked Nami, "Yeah...It looks like a small one, though." Isaac heard this and he frowned, 'Maybe it'll take longer for me to get a sword than I thought...I thought money was gonna be the only potential issue but I should've figured it would also be a problem trying to find an actual sword shop or something...' 

"Careful...We're being watched." Zoro said and Isaac cringed, 'Already!? I mean-I know it's technically been a few days since we left Orange Town but I've been up for a little less than a day and I still don't know shit about any form of self-defense!' 

"Hey Pinky, snap out of that daydreaming and look out!" 

Isaac looked and started running away from his spot screaming as multiple small objects were shot at his feet before he dived behind one of the sides of one of their boats. The rapid fire then soon ceased and many flagposts all bearing the same flag arose, Luffy waving his arms up and down exclaiming about how cool it was. Isaac squinted again seeing a figure in what seemed to be the center, "Hey guys, so I still can't see shit so tell me that's a person standing and not some sort of scarecrow right?" He asked. 

The figure began laughing so Isaac said, "Okay never mind then." before the figure began to speak, "I am Usopp! Leader of the invincible nation of pirates who reign over this island! You are standing before a living legend, the greatest pirate who ever lived! I am the Great Captain Usopp!"

Isaac squinted a bit in the direction of the 'Great Captain' Usopp and raised a brow, "What?" 

"Surely you know that plotting an attack on this island would mean certain death! My army of 80 million super-mean pirate soldiers would squash you like bugs!" Usopp shouted. Luffy was very impressed by the idea of this guy having 80 million pirates on his side but Isaac felt the need to ask about something so he raised his hand and waved it around, "Hey! Mr. 80 Million Pirates! I've got a question for 'ya!" 

Usopp looked down at the pink-haired male looking up at him squinting, "What is it? Are you so impressed that you wish to join my crew instead? I'm not surprised since many of my crewmates have switched sides in favor of my superior-"

"So I could be wrong because I don't have my glasses-but I don't see anyone up there but you! Is this like a-'I'll call and they'll come to my aid' type of thing? Will these 80 million pirates show up later or-?"

Zoro choked on a laugh, "Wow, leave it to Pinky to want to ask the important questions!"

"Hey, unlike you and the others I can't see too well so I wanted to ask!"

Usopp's confident expression left for a second as he exclaimed, "Oh crap! Do they know!?"

"Well, now we know, though Isaac was much more polite about it than I was gonna be." Nami said. Usopp grabbed his head and shouted, "How could I be so dumb!? I practically told this guy and his band of pirates I was lying! I'm such an idiot! So stupid!"

Isaac made a face feeling awkward that his question was the cause of this stranger's despair, "Well damn now I kinda feel bad..." He looked at the others, "Should I like-apologize?" Nami shook her head, "No because if you hadn't said something one of us would've." 

Luffy's facial expression turned to one of absolute shock, "WHAT!? HE WAS LYING!?" He shouts. "Curse you, you crafty tacticians! 80 million may have been an exaggeration, but I've still got many great men under my control!" Usopp exclaims. "My guess is 3." Nami said with a smirk. Suddenly the screams of 3 children came from the bushes behind Usopp and about 6 flags dropped to the ground as the 3 children ran off, "Where're you guys going? Come back!" Usopp shouts. 

Usopp pulled out and drew back a slingshot, "This is your last warning! Stand down, or you'll get to see why they call me 'Proud Usopp' and not 'Pushover Usopp'. Is that clear!? You've already seen for yourself just how good I am with this thing, so you know I could rival anyone carrying a pistol!" Isaac looks at his captain who tips his hat, "Now that you've drawn your pistol, are you willing to use it?" Luffy asked which received a gasp from Usopp in response. "Guns aren't for threats, they're for actions. Are you willing to risk your life?" Isaac's mouth was open, 'Holy shit, that was metal as hell! I knew Luffy was cool but damn!' Zoro reached for one of his swords, "I can assure you, we're real pirates! So you should choose you're next more very carefully." 

Isaac looked at Luffy and Zoro, then at Usopp waiting to see how he would respond. Usopp's grip on the slingshot fell and the rock he was going to launch fell to the ground, with Usopp's knees shortly after. "Gah. Real pirates definitely have a lot more punch behind their words, 'cause they can actually back 'em up! That's so cool!" He exclaimed, causing Luffy to smile and when he and Zoro looked at each other they began laughing. 

"I stole those words from Red Haired Shanks, a pirate I know." Luffy said. "What? You know Red Haired Shanks? You really are a real pirate! Wait, you gotta be lying, do you really know him?" Usopp asked. "Yeah, I know your dad too! His name's Yasopp, right?" Usopp grinned and laughed before tripping and falling over onto the sand in front of the 4 pirates he was just threatening. "You're right. My old man's name is Yasopp. But how? How in the world do you know him?"

Isaac rested his chin on one of his fists as he pondered, 'Was there really any possible doubt that a guy named Yasopp would name his son Usopp?' He shrugged, 'I dunno, but I don't have kids so I shouldn't be one to judge...'

~Timeskip~

(ISAAC'S POV)

Usopp took us to a tavern in the village where we ate some actual food, and Zoro had a mug of booze, maybe more because I didn't pay too much attention despite sitting right across from him. "So do you know someone who could provide us with a decent ship, or even anyone who knows how to sail for that matter?" Nami asked Usopp, "Well, it's a pretty small village...Sorry, but I just don't think we'll be able to help you." He replied but his face definitely indicated that he was lying again. "What about that big mansion?" Zoro asked causing Usopp to flinch, "The one on top of the hill over there." I turned to see what he was referring to and it must've been really big because even with my bad eyesight I could still make it out pretty decently. "Do you know them, Usopp!? With all that money, surely they could help us get our boat." Nami asked hopefully, then Usopp suddenly snapped shouting, "You stay away from there!" 

All four of us looked in his direction confused, to which Usopp then averted his eyes and said, "I just remembered there's something I really gotta do! Everybody knows me at this place so stay and eat as much as you want!" He grabbed his bag, "Gotta go!" Then Usopp was out of the tavern in seconds, "Why was he in such a hurry to get outta here?" Nami asked aloud. I managed to get out of the booth past Luffy and cleared my throat to get the others' attention, "Hey so-uh-I'mma go walk around and explore the village for a bit, but I'll come find you guys later!" I then rushed out before I could even hear them say anything.

'Okay so maybe trying to tail the guy who said he'd pay for all our food at lunch is a bad idea, but from the way Usopp reacted I'm way too curious right now about why he left so suddenly, and no offense to the others but I don't think I'll get very far if I can't stay quiet and as invisible as possible.' I thought as I managed to catch up to Usopp and carefully followed him through the village, leading all the way up to the mansion on the hill. 'Hah! I knew it!' I internally cheered. I made sure to follow a little further behind as we got closer to the mansion so that Usopp and now those two guards at the gate didn't see me. I saw Usopp go to the side with big bushes in the form of a wall and he took out a chunk of it and made his way inside the yard. 

'Is he planning to rob this rich person!? Or is he the rich person himself!? Is he a rich guy tired of being a rich guy so he leaves the house sometimes in secret to try and live a semi-normal life!?' I theorized in my head before frowning, 'Wait but then it wouldn't make much difference because that tavern owner and probably everyone else in this village would still know him as the rich guy...' I figured it was best to go in and find out for myself, I mean if I get in trouble it's probably not gonna be as bad as it will definitely get later down the line...I've already been through worse! I took out the chunk of bush Usopp had and then entered the yard before closing up the hole in the wall again. 

I turned around and hid behind a tree, immediately noticing Usopp in another tree closer to one of the mansion's windows. A teenage girl with shoulder-length blonde hair opened the windows exclaiming happily, "Usopp you came!" Usopp smiled at her, "Of course I came! How are you? You seem a little down." "I guess I am. I'm tired of talking like this, I'd like to invite you in like a proper guest...But there's no way Klahadore would ever allow that. He's not a bad person though!" She said, "Don't sweat it! Remember, I'm a brave warrior of the sea who likes endless oceans and the open sky! Houses weren't made for rogues like me, I'd probably just feel cramped in there!" Usopp reassured her with a laugh. 

I clutched my chest and bit my lip to suppress a squeal, 'Awww he has a little forbidden romance with this rich girl! That's adorable!!!' Usopp began telling the girl about a story of him fighting a giant goldfish and stepping on a giant crap it took thinking it was an island, and I smiled, 'Wow he's actually a pretty good storyteller! I wonder if he'd ever consider a career in writing?' I carefully tried to move closer to the tree Usopp was in before screwing up and stepping on a branch right under it which cracked comically loud just enough for the girl to look down at me and go, "Usopp, who's that? Do you know him?" Usopp looked down and saw me and flinched, "Well-he's uh-I-" "I'm Isaac! The newest recruit of the Usopp Pirates!" I interrupted with a grin placing my hands on my hips. The girl smiled, "Really!? How did you and Usopp meet?" She asked. I climbed up the tree as fast as I could and plopped myself next to Usopp on the tree branch, "Why, the Great Captain Usopp saved my life of course! And since that day I've pledged my loyalty to him and became apart of his crew!" 

I cleared my throat, "It started 2 years ago, I was lost at sea with no recollection of anything about my life prior to the storm the previous night that had led me astray! Shortly afterward I was taken aboard the ship of a very terrifying group of pirates who forced me into servitude as a way to repay them for supposedly saving me from the cruelty of the potential monsters underneath the waves! For those 2 years, I thought I'd never be free again and that I'd never be able to regain my lost memories!" I explained dramatically before pointing to Usopp, "But then months ago the Great Captain Usopp and his crew fought against these horrid pirates keeping me captive, defeating them and declaring me a free man once again! But I knew at that moment that I would be forever indebted to him for the courage and kindness he displayed that day! So I begged and begged, 'Oh brave warrior of the sea! I beg of you to allow me the honor of joining your crew, for I see no other way to repay you for what you've done for me! I will devote my life to helping you achieve any goal you have! And the Great Captain Usopp, ever so gracious said to me these words! But-uh-I'll let the captain tell you himself! Go on, Captain~!" I winked at him and he finally understood and nodded.

"I told Isaac that day, 'Though I did not fight and defeat those pirates with the expectation of gratitude, I do see that you are a man with a good eye for seeing an opportunity to join a great crew with an even greater captain such as I!"

The girl gasped, "Wow Usopp you're amazing! I can't believe you did all of that!"

I did a semi-bow since I was sitting up, "And it is an honor to make the acquaintance of someone who's of so much importance to my captain! May I ask for your name, Miss?" I asked. "I'm Kaya! It's nice to meet you Isaac!" 

Usopp chuckled, "And that's only the beginning! It gets even better after he joined because the pirates we saved him from, humiliated by their defeat, would try to return for vengeance!"

(NO POV)

Usopp, now joined by Isaac, told stories to Miss Kaya for a good while, each story more extravagant than the last. "So after that terrifying and traumatic little incident, we escaped into the sky riding on a giant slingshot ball!" Usopp shouted. Isaac nodded, "Yes, and it was once again thanks to my captain that these pirates would never bother me, or anyone else ever again for that matter!" Kaya pointed above the two, "What's that?" Usopp hummed before looking up, Isaac looking up too before Isaac heard a familiar voice shouting, "YAHOOOOOO!" and his smile faltered, "Oh no..."

And then Luffy, Zoro, Nami, and the 3 children from before crashed into the ground underneath the tree. Isaac gasped seeing Luffy and Zoro land onto the concrete, seemingly hard enough to have made visible cracks. "OH MY GOD ARE YOU TWO OKAY!? YOU BOTH JUST LANDED ON CONCREATE!" Isaac shouted. Zoro looked up at Isaac, "So this is where you were, Pinky. 'Ya having fun up there while the rest of us were launched into the air?" He asked unamused. "Hey just for the record, I saw a safer way in, don't blame me for none of you trying to figure that out before Luffy slingshot you guys over the wall!" Kaya asked about their wellbeing as well and Usopp tried to distract her from asking too many questions, "...They're just new recruits who came to join the Usopp Pirates like Isaac here!" 

As they all stood up, Luffy said, "Nope, not me. I came here to see you. I came to ask for a favor." referring to Kaya. "A favor? From me?" She asked. "I was wondering if there was anyway you could help us get a boat-"

"YOU THERE!"

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TO BE CONTINUED...