Gin in Syrup, Kuro Acted

After the initial shock, Jacob found himself in Kaya's mansion. The still-wary Merry gave him a set of formal clothes to replace his tattered attire. As Jacob dressed, he couldn't helped but notice the contrast between this opulent building to the humble surroundings he vaguely remembered from when he was accidentally thrown here.

Seated in the grand daning room, Jacob listened as Kaya recounted stories of Usopp's adventures and his sudden departure two years ago. She spoke of his tales, his dreams of becoming a pirate, and the void his absence had left in the village. Jacob strained to recall these memories, but they remained elusive, like shadows dancing beyond his grasp. He only remembered that he was barely out of a teen soldier sent abroad only to be massacred.

Taking a deep breath, Jacob met Kaya's expectant gaze. "I... I don't remember everything from my past. But I go by Jacob now."

Kaya's eyes widened in surprise, but she nodded slowly, a mix of hope and confusion evident on her face.

After ensuring Kaya was comfortable, Jacob prepared to leave. Merry escorted him to the door, his demeanor still guarded.

"Take care of her," Jacob said, pausing at the threshold. "Her condition isn't just physical. She's depressed, and that's affecting her health."

Merry's eyes narrowed. "And what would you suggest? Filling her head with more fanciful tales?"

Jacob met his gaze steadily. "No. Encourage her to pursue her dreams. She has the potential to become a great doctor. Support her in that."

Merry's expression softened slightly, contemplation replacing suspicion. "We'll see," he murmured.

With a final nod, He soared into the sky, blue flames ignited his body, he returned to Conomi Islands, but his mind was a mess, he thought that he forgot something, or someone. 

***

Jacob awoke to the gentle warmth of the morning sun filtering through the curtains of their shared bedroom in Conomi Islands. Nestled beside him were Carina and Nami, their soft breaths a comforting rhythm against the tranquil backdrop of the beach. He smiled, savoring the moment's serenity, and carefully extricated himself from their embrace to avoid disturbing their slumber.

Making his way to the kitchen, Jacob was greeted by the inviting aroma of a freshly prepared pancakes. Nojiko stood by the stove, her blue hair tied back as she skillfully flipped pancakes. Upon noticing Jacob, her face lit up with a warm smile.

"Good morning, Jacob," she greeted, her voice filled with affection.

"Morning, Nojiko," Jacob replied, sitting at the rustic wooden table.

Nojiko approached with a plate of pancakes, placing them before him. Leaning down, she gently kissed his cheek, her lips lingering momentarily.

"Eat up," she murmured, her eyes twinkling with warmth.

Jacob's heart swelled with gratitude and affection for the women who had become his new family.

As he savored the meal, Kuina entered the house with a folded newspaper. Her expression was a mix of pride and amusement as she handed it to Jacob.

"Looks like you've made headlines," she remarked.

Curious, Jacob unfolded the newspaper, his eyes scanning the front page. In bold letters, there was an article detailing the Krieg Pirates' recent defeat. The report highlighted the mysterious figure known as the "Fire King," attributing the downfall of Don Krieg's fleet to his actions.

Jacob's gaze shifted to the accompanying image—a wanted poster bearing his likeness, flames engulfing his form, and a bounty of 50 million berries emblazoned beneath.

"Well, that's certainly something," Jacob mused, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

Kuina chuckled, taking a seat beside him. "You've certainly caught attention now."

As Jacob absorbed the news, he couldn't help but reflect on the journey that had led him here—from his reincarnation on those cursed islands to forging unbreakable bonds with Carina, Nami, Nojiko, and Kuina. The bounty was a sign to his impact, but it also meant heightened dangers ahead.

Determined, Jacob resolved to protect his newfound family and continue his quest for freedom and adventure, no matter the challenges ahead.

***

Jacob finished his meal while Kuina and Nojiko talked. The warmth of the morning sun streamed in through the wooden windows of their home in Conomi Island. The soft rustling of sheets from the bedroom signaled that Nami and Carina was finally waking up.

Moments later, Nami and Carina entered the kitchen, their hair slightly messy from sleep. Carina stretched her arms with a yawn before sliding into the seat next to Jacob.

"Morning," Carina mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

"Morning, sleepyheads," Jacob teased with a smirk.

Nami sat beside Nojiko and reached for some fruit. "So, what's the topic of discussion?" she asked between bites.

Jacob set his fork down and leaned back slightly. "I was just telling them about Don Krieg. His fleet was a real problem for East Blue. I managed to take out most of his ships, but his flagship escaped the storm," he explained.

Nami scoffed. "That guy always had a habit of using others as shields. What do you think he's planning?"

Jacob shrugged. "Probably hiding out somewhere, waiting for another opportunity. But he's not our problem right now. Instead, I wanted to ask all of you something." He looked around the table, gauging their interest.

Kuina raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

Jacob exhaled before continuing. "I was thinking… we should visit Syrup Village."

The room went quiet for a moment. Nojiko looked at him curiously while Nami and Carina exchanged glances.

"You mean that small village in Gecko Island?" Carina asked.

Jacob nodded. "Yeah. There's something I need to check out there." He hesitated briefly before adding, "It's where I used to live before I started this journey."

The girls processed his words carefully. Nami leaned back, folding her arms. "You never really talk about your past, Jacob."

"Because I don't remember much of it," Jacob admitted. "But I met someone there—Kaya. She was… important to Usopp. I was … Usopp. And I think she still is."

Nojiko tapped a finger against the table. "You mean you have amnesia or something?"

"Yeah, something like that," Jacob confirmed.

Kuina narrowed her eyes slightly. "You don't looked like someone who has amnesia."

Jacob smirked. "I might have different people living in my body."

Carina laughed. "Of course you might."

Nami shook her head with a smirk. "Alright. I also want to know more about your birth place. And it's not like we have anything else to do now."

Nojiko sighed playfully. "Looks like we're going to Syrup Village, then."

Jacob smiled, satisfied with their decision. "Then let's get ready. We leave tomorrow morning."

***

The salty breeze of the ocean clung to Gin's worn-out clothes as he trudged through the quiet streets of Syrup Village. His stomach growled angrily, reminding him that he hadn't eaten properly in days. His disguise as Don Krieg had worked well enough to throw off the so-called Fire King, but it left him alone, wandering aimlessly, desperate for food.

As he walked past the village square, a group of kids playing near a wooden fence froze at the sight of him. Tamanegi, Piiman, and Ninjin had been pretending to be pirates, waving sticks like swords. But they all stiffened when their eyes landed on Gin—his ragged coat, sunken eyes, and the fierce, battle-worn look on his face.

"You guys see that…?" Ninjin whispered.

"He looks dangerous," Piiman gulped.

"He might be a pirate!" Tamanegi whispered harshly.

Gin's sharp gaze flicked to them, and he stepped forward without a word.

CRACK!

Piiman dropped his stick. "R-RUN!"

The kids screamed and bolted, leaving behind their makeshift weapons as they disappeared around the corner. Gin sighed, too exhausted to care. He had no interest in scaring brats—he just needed food.

Further down the road, the smell of freshly cooked meat filled the air. Gin followed the scent to a small restaurant near the docks. The moment he pushed open the wooden door, the chime of a bell signaled his entrance. The few patrons inside immediately turned their heads but quickly looked away, sensing the danger radiating off him.

The restaurant owner, an elderly man with a white apron, looked up from behind the counter. "Welcome. What can I get for you?" he asked cautiously.

Gin walked to a table and slumped into a chair, his fingers tapping against the wooden surface. "Food. Lots of it," he muttered.

The owner hesitated. "Do you have money?"

Gin's eyes sharpened dangerously. "No," he said flatly.

A tense silence fell over the restaurant. One of the customers stood up to leave, quietly pushing in his chair. The owner gulped but forced a smile. "I-I don't serve food for free, sir."

Gin slowly stood, his movements deliberate. "Listen, old man," he growled, stepping toward the counter. "I will eat. You can either serve me, or I can take it myself."

The owner clenched his fists but nodded, turning toward the kitchen. "Coming right up."

Gin sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. He hated doing this, but pride didn't matter at this point. He just needed to survive.

As he sat back down, his mind wandered.

Captain is out there somewhere, expecting him.

And that bastard Fire King… came out of nowhere and tore the entire fleet apart. Just what the hell is he?

His grip tightened around his fork. One way or another, Gin needed to figure out his next move.

***

Kuro, known here as Klahadore, stood at the window of Kaya's mansion, his eyes narrowing as he observed the distant figure of Fire King soaring away. A cold sweat formed on his brow; the unexpected presence of such a formidable individual threatened to derail his meticulously crafted plans.

Without wasting a moment, Kuro retreated to his private quarters. Ensuring the door was securely locked, he retrieved a den den mushi—a transponder snail used for communication—from a concealed drawer. His fingers tapped impatiently as he dialed a familiar code.

"Jango," Kuro's voice was a low hiss when the call connected.

"Captain? It's been a while," Jango's voice responded, tinged with surprise.

"There's no time for pleasantries," Kuro snapped. "I need you to bring the crew to Syrup Village immediately. Our timeline has been accelerated."

Jango hesitated. "Is everything alright, Captain?"

"Just do as I say," Kuro ordered before abruptly ending the call.

His mind raced. The Fire King's visit was an unforeseen complication, and Kuro couldn't afford any interference.

Determined to maintain control, Kuro moved silently through the mansion's dimly lit corridors. He found Merry, Kaya's loyal servant, attending to household duties.

"Merry," Kuro called out, his tone deceptively calm.

Merry turned, offering a polite smile. "Yes, Klahadore?"

"There's a matter in the cellar that requires your assistance," Kuro lied smoothly.

Merry nodded and followed Kuro down the narrow steps leading to the cellar. As they reached the bottom, Kuro's demeanor shifted. With swift precision, he struck Merry, rendering him unconscious.

Kuro's gaze fell upon the old well situated in the corner of the cellar. Without hesitation, he lifted Merry's limp form and unceremoniously dropped him into the well's dark abyss. The sound of the body hitting the water echoed faintly, then silence resumed.

Adjusting his glasses, Kuro ascended the stairs, his mind already strategizing the next steps to ensure his plan proceeded without further hindrance.