Stories

Aria turned, stopping mid-step. She recognized who was speaking.

Pale blonde hair framed delicate features - it was Kaya, the wealthy heiress who had helped the Straw Hats get the Going Merry.

Kaya approached, her light dress moving with each step. 

"The way you moved during that fight!" Kaya said. "And how you threw that man twice your size!"

"He had it coming. Some people just can't handle their morning drinks."

"But you were amazing!" Kaya walked beside her. "Where did you learn to fight like that?"

"Here and there." Aria tried to avoid the question, but seeing Kaya's genuine interest, she added, "Started with basic self-defense classes back home."

"Home?" Kaya asked. "Where is that? You're clearly not from around here."

Aria glanced at the ocean. How to explain dimensions away?

"Very far away. Different customs, different clothes..." She gestured at her outfit.

"I noticed!" Kaya smiled. "Those symbols on your shirt - I've never seen writing like that before. What does it mean?"

"It's the name of a... musical group." Aria touched the band logo, remembering concerts that wouldn't exist in this world for centuries, if ever. "They're pretty popular where I'm from."

"How fascinating!" Kaya said. "You must tell me more about your homeland. We don't get many travelers here in Syrup Village."

Her enthusiasm made Aria relax. "Not much to tell. Just another small port town, really."

"But you learned to fight there?" Kaya asked. "Was everyone as strong as you?"

Aria laughed, shaking her head. "Hardly. I just had good teachers. Though I doubt they ever expected me to use their lessons on drunk troublemakers in seaside villages."

"Well, I'm glad you did," Kaya said. "That man has been causing problems for weeks."

Aria looked down at her clothes and frowned at the tears and dirt stains from the fight. Her t-shirt had seen better days, even before the confrontation. One sleeve was partially torn at the seam.

"Hey," she said, turning to Kaya. "You wouldn't happen to know where I could get some new clothes around here? These aren't exactly... holding up well."

Kaya's face brightened at the question. "Oh! You absolutely must visit Sasha! She's the most talented tailor in the East Blue."

"A proper tailor?" 

"I was thinking more along the lines of a general store..."

"Nonsense!" Kaya moved closer, examining the torn sleeve. "Everyone needs at least one well-made outfit. Besides, you helped deal with that awful man. Let me do something nice in return."

They walked together down the busy morning street. 

"So," Kaya asked as they passed a display of fresh fish. "Those abilities... are you a pirate? You must be, right?"

Aria chuckled, shaking her head. "What, a girl can't throw a few punches without being accused of piracy these days? Talk about jumping to conclusions."

She stepped around a puddle, considering her answer. She wasn't sure what to call herself in this world. Not yet.

"It's just..." Kaya played with the hem of her dress. "The way you moved. It reminded me of someone."

"Small villages," Aria said. "Everyone always looking for the next bit of excitement."

"You can't blame them. Not much happens here."

As they walked through the village, Kaya continued, "Things have changed around here since I recovered. I've been trying to make sure everyone feels safe."

"Recovered?" Aria asked.

Kaya nodded, her fingers absently touching her wrist where her pulse would be.

"I was bedridden for years after my parents passed. Thought I might never leave my room again."

Her eyes brightened. "Then certain pirates came along and turned everything upside down. Saved me in more ways than one."

"Showed us all that sometimes the stories we tell ourselves about heroes and villains aren't quite right."

"The world's rarely black and white," Aria agreed, thinking of the complex characters she knew would shape this world's future.

"After they left, I decided I wouldn't waste another day in bed," Kaya said. "I've been studying medicine since then. The village doctor's been teaching me when he has time."

The respect the villagers showed Kaya was evident in every interaction.

"That's impressive," Aria said, surprised by Kaya's transformation from the frail girl she remembered from the manga.

"Not really," Kaya smiled. "I still have so much to learn. But helping people... it gives me purpose. Especially on days when I miss hearing Usopp's stories."

The name caught Aria's attention. The Straw Hats' sniper. If Kaya was here, and Usopp had already left, that meant she'd arrived early in the timeline. Before Loguetown.

"Speaking of stories," Aria said, sensing an opening. "I've heard this village has quite the storyteller."

Kaya smiled. "Oh, you mean Usopp! His tales are legendary around here."

She laughed, the sound light and genuine. "Though these days, he's out living his own adventures."

They passed a shop with a newspaper displayed in the window. Aria caught a glimpse of a wanted poster. Luffy's grinning face stared back at her.

"He joined a pirate crew," Kaya continued. Her fingers traced patterns on a nearby wall. "The Straw Hats. Have you heard of them?"

Aria kept her expression neutral despite her excitement. "The name rings a bell. Their captain's got quite the bounty, from what I hear."

"Thirty million berries!" Kaya nodded. "Can you believe it?"

She clasped her hands together. "Though Luffy deserves every berry of that bounty. He's incredible."

"You sound like you know them well," Aria said, curious about Kaya's perspective.

"They stayed here for a while," Kaya said. "Before everything changed. Before Usopp found his dream."

"I owe them my life," she added, her voice dropping. "My butler Klahadore... he was actually a pirate named Kuro. Had been planning to kill me for years to steal my inheritance."

"Sometimes I still have nightmares about his face," Kaya admitted. "That moment when the mask fell away and I saw who he really was. Three years of kindness - all fake."

She shook her head as if clearing away the memories. "But that's why I started studying medicine. I won't be helpless again. And I want to help others the way Luffy and his crew helped me."

They turned down a quieter side street lined with well-maintained shops. The cobblestones were cleaner, the buildings more elegant.

"Here we are!" Kaya pointed to a charming storefront with detailed clothing displays in the windows.

"Sasha's shop," Kaya said. "She can make anything, truly. You'll see!"

A bell rang as they entered. The shop smelled of fresh cotton and pressed fabric.

Racks of colorful clothes lined the walls.

Aria touched a silk scarf, surprised at its smoothness. It was different from the synthetic fabrics she was used to.

"Sasha!" Kaya called out. "Are you here? I've brought someone who needs your expertise!"

An elderly woman came from behind a curtain, with glasses perched on her nose. She immediately looked at Aria's clothes, assessing the damage.

"Oh my," she said, examining the band logo on Aria's shirt. "That's certainly... unique."

"Aria needs a complete outfit," Kaya explained. "Something practical but stylish."

"And preferably something that won't fall apart if I need to move quickly," Aria added, thinking of the fights she knew were in her future.

Sasha walked around Aria, looking at every detail with a professional eye. "You've got an athlete's build. We can work with that."

She went behind a rack, moving fabric as she searched. "Tell me, dear, what brings you to our little village?"

"Just passing through," Aria replied, watching the older woman's movements. "Though I might stay a while if I find work."

"Hmm." Sasha returned with several items on her arm. "The docks are always hiring. Good honest work, if you don't mind the heavy lifting."

Aria thought of the strange strength that had flowed into her. "I'm not afraid of physical labor."

The tailor placed several pieces on a nearby table. "Now then, let's see what we can do about your wardrobe situation."

Each item looked sturdy yet elegant - practical clothing designed for movement and durability.

"The Marines have been more active lately," Sasha mentioned as she held up a sleeveless top. "Best to blend in when possible."

Aria tensed. "Marine patrols?"

"Ever since that business with the Going Merry," Sasha confirmed. "The whole coast is being watched now."

She handed Aria a bundle of clothes. "Changing room's behind that curtain."

Behind the curtain, Aria examined each piece. The materials were much better than her worn t-shirt and jeans.

The new top was simple white cotton, practical and normal-looking. Perfect for not drawing attention.

"How's it fitting?" Kaya called from outside.

"Like it was made for me," Aria replied, pulling on the black pants. They allowed full movement while looking good.

"These might help too." Kaya passed a pair of fingerless gloves through the curtain. "Most travelers carry some kind of protection nowadays."

The gloves fit perfectly, providing grip without restricting her fingers. 

Stepping out from behind the curtain, Aria went to the full-length mirror. She looked completely different.

The sleeveless crop top fit her athletic frame well, with a high collar adding style. The black vest over it looked good without limiting movement.

The black pants emphasized her long legs while allowing for quick movements. The boots with knee-high straps completed the outfit perfectly.

"Now that," Sasha said, "is how you combine style with practicality."

Aria tested her range of motion, throwing a few quick punches. 

"At least I won't have to worry about these ripping during a fight," she said.

"Not with my stitching," Sasha assured her. "I've clothed many fighters over the years."

"You remind me of Usopp."

Aria raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

A hint of sadness touched Kaya's smile. "That look in your eyes - it's the same one he had before leaving. Like you're chasing something bigger than yourself."

"Kaya..." Sasha's voice showed concern.

"No, it's alright." Kaya straightened her shoulders. "When Usopp left, I learned something important. Some dreams can't be kept within village borders."

She looked out the shop window toward the sea. "Some people need to travel further to find their path."

"I still go to the slope sometimes," Kaya admitted. "Where he used to shout that pirates were coming. I sit there and imagine all the adventures he must be having."

Her voice took on a wistful quality. "Sometimes I even tell stories to the village children there. Not as good as his, but they seem to enjoy them."

"Maybe you'll run into him out there. You can tell him I'm doing well and keeping his stories alive here in Syrup Village."

Sasha chuckled. "Those tales of his get wilder each time they're told. Last week, I heard the children talking about his battle with a giant goldfish."

If only they knew what adventures were actually coming.

"This world has more wonders than most people imagine," she said. "Usopp's real adventures might be even greater than his made-up stories."

"Really?" Hope appeared in Kaya's eyes.

Aria looked through the shop window at the distant horizon. "He'll see gardens of giants, help save a kingdom covered in sand, and challenge powers that shape this world."

She smiled. "Though knowing him, he might downplay it all when he returns."

"How could you know any of that?" Kaya looked confused.

Because where I'm from, your world is a story I know by heart, Aria thought but couldn't say.

"Let's call it a strong feeling," she replied. "Some tales are written long before they happen."

"You're strange," Kaya said, tilting her head. "But I like your faith in him."

Aria checked her reflection one final time.

"He's got a good crew watching his back. And sometimes that makes all the difference."