Saving Kaya of Syrup Village

Sailing across the sea could be painfully dull. Luckily for Rafe, he had Nami and Makino with him. Every day, he could trade a few sharp words with Nami and watch her flare up, or tease Makino until her dangerously low resistance gave way.

Small things like that kept him in a very good mood. Of course, the most important part was still discussing sailing technique with the two of them. Once Nami and Makino grew familiar with each other, Rafe stopped taking turns and dealt them both in. No one was neglected.

A few times, they got so carried away that the ship drifted off its original course and wasted a fair amount of time.

"Keep working, Rafe. At this speed, we'll reach Syrup Village tomorrow. Then you'll finally get to meet the beautiful ship's doctor you've been thinking about."

Under the shade umbrella, Nami took a leisurely sip of juice. After spending so many days with him, she was truly curious. How did Rafe know where all these beautiful women were? More importantly, how did he know their names? Makino in Foosha Village. Kaya in Syrup Village.

Every time, he already knew. His answer had been pure nonsense. A natural sense for beautiful women? One that worked across any distance?

'Please.'

Nami did not believe that for a second, but Rafe kept dodging the question, so she had no choice but to let it go. Makino came out of the cabin with a towel and gently wiped the sweat from Rafe's forehead.

"This is why my Makino is the thoughtful one."

Rafe kept his eyes on the sea ahead and rewarded her with a kiss on the cheek. A blush climbed quickly over Makino's face.

"I'm going to make lunch. Is there anything you want to eat?" she asked softly.

"If you make it, I'll love it."

Rafe answered with complete seriousness. Makino blushed even harder. It had been such a normal question. Why did it suddenly feel like flirting?

"Nami, what about you?"

"Anything is fine."

Nami waved casually. Makino nodded and headed for the kitchen. Once she left, Rafe focused on steering the pirate ship again. During the voyage, besides flirting with Nami and Makino, Rafe repeatedly tested the Blink skill he had just obtained.

Whenever they passed a deserted island, he would have Nami take over the helm for a while. Then he would Blink. The instant the thought formed, he appeared on the island he had sensed. It was not something techniques like Soru could compare to.

Rafe was also surprised to discover that, under a certain weight limit, he could bring other people with him. Blinking with two women was no problem. Something as large as the pirate ship was impossible. He also left a spatial coordinate on one of the islands they passed.

After sailing a long distance away, he used the coordinate and returned to the island instantly. After several tests, Rafe reached a conclusion. He had become the fastest man in the world. As fast as he could think, he could move.

Combined with the Restoration Fruit, his ability to survive was almost unfair. With that anticipation driving him, Rafe increased their speed again. Syrup Village sat in a relatively remote corner of the East Blue. Since the nearby waters had little of special value, pirates rarely bothered the place.

That morning, just as the first sunlight rose over the horizon, Usopp stretched comfortably in his brown overalls.

"Looks like another fine day."

Then he thought for a moment.

'Which pirate crew should it be today?'

He soon made up his mind. Before long, the voice every villager knew and hated rang from one end of Syrup Village to the other.

"Bad news! The Silver Wolf Pirates are attacking! This time it's real!"

"Everyone, wake up! They're really here!"

"If you don't run now, it'll be too late!"

His voice carried through the village, loud enough for every household to hear.

"That rotten brat. Can't he take one day off?"

"Every morning. Every single morning. Doesn't he ever get tired of it?"

"Usopp, you long-nosed menace!"

The villagers, dragged out of sleep by the racket, cursed from inside their homes. Most of them refused to leave their warm beds and simply buried their heads under the blankets, enduring their anger in silence.

Only a few nearby households opened their doors to shout back at Usopp. Their language was colorful enough to peel paint. After nearly ten minutes of trading insults, both sides finally called a cease-fire. Outside, Usopp laughed proudly. A moment later, the smile faded. He looked toward the distant sea, and a trace of longing rose in his chest.

If pirates really came here one day, he would save the villagers from danger. Then everyone in the village would finally treat him like a great hero. Lost in his own heroic fantasy, Usopp glanced at the sea and suddenly froze. He clearly saw a small ship sailing toward Syrup Village.

"A pirate ship?"

His eyes lit up. With his sharp sight, he focused on the deck. One man and two women were laughing and talking together, their gestures close and intimate. Other than them, there was no one else. Usopp's excitement faded.

The ship looked like a pirate ship, but with a crew like that, it hardly looked like a pirate crew. Still, he walked down to the shore to greet them. Yes, he was simply that warm-hearted.

It absolutely was not because he wanted to brag in front of strangers until they admired him.

As the distance closed, Rafe naturally saw Usopp waiting by the shore. The future sniper of the Straw Hat crew. Rafe remembered an old fan saying from his previous life. With the wind at their backs, rely on Luffy. Against the wind, rely on Zoro.

In a hopeless corner, rely on Usopp. It suited the man in front of him. Rafe, however, was not interested in him. After docking the ship, he brought Nami and Makino ashore, and the three stepped onto the little island together.

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