CHAPTER 15

Xiluobu Village, nestled along the East Blue's coast—an inn's common room buzzed with activity. A wooden table groaned under filthy bowls of congee, leftover rice, and cooling cups of water.

Usopp cleared his throat, poking at his empty bowl. "If you're looking for a partner," he said, pointing at himself, "I can be your captain!"

"No!" came three simultaneous voices from Luffy, Zoro, and Nami.

Usopp's smile faltered. "Don't refuse so quickly!"

Luffy pouted. "Why won't you refuse, Zoro?"

Zoro slammed his fist on the table. He'd grown into a habit: don't talk while chewing—just eat. He shot Usopp a glare. "Do you think I'm a coward?" Usopp asked aggrievedly. "I stood my ground, defended the village—"

Rokuro lifted his head, clearing his throat. "I think you're brave. You stood up for your home and bragged so much even Luffy believed it. That's the fire of a true captain."

Usopp puffed up, chest out. Meanwhile Rokuro's eyes darted to the empty plate before him, and he bolted upright. "Idiot Luffy! That was my food!"

Rokuro grabbed a bowl of leftover stew, shoveling spoonfuls with the intensity of a starving fisherman. Food on the table meant food in the stomach—stay out of his way.

Usopp huffed, arms crossed. "Even if you say that, I'm not happy!"

A quick glance at his arm told him it was time. "Ah! It's time! Goodbye, everyone!" With that, he leapt out and dashed away.

Luffy blinked with surprise, then waved. "Goodbye, Usopp! Thanks for dinner, you're awesome!" He stuck a fork between his teeth and called out, "Let's go, to the lady's house! Trade ships!"

But the inn's barkeep called out urgently, "Dear guests—you haven't paid yet!"

Luffy paused, bewildered. "Did Usopp forget to pay?"

The barkeep fixed them with a deadly stare, as though daring them to answer. They all sighed. It came down to Nami, the only one with berries.

Nami smirked, reaching into her pouch. Suddenly, her eyes gleamed. She revealed the huge golden Koi King fish from Rokuro's loot. "This baby's worth 300 million berries—cover that, boys. The rest you can decide."

A golden light filled the room. Rokuro nearly choked. "Nami! No! That fish is my trophy!"

But Nami's eyes were cold. She dropped into captain mode. "Luffy! Zoro! We agreed—we're trading ships. How much do you bank?"

Luffy and Zoro exchanged looks and groaned. "Okay!" they said in unison. They scooped Rokuro under the arms and sprinted out.

"I'm sorry, Rokuro!" they cried simultaneously.

Rokuro wailed. "My Koi King! I can't live without it!" His cry faded into the night as they crossed the village square.

A Strange Mansion on the Hill

Rounding a corner, the trio arrived in front of a grand villa overlooking the sea. Its white columns and manicured gardens stood in stark contrast to the village simplicity.

They barged in without invitation. Rokuro dug through his pack for his fishing rod, but it was already whisked away by Luffy and Zoro. Frustrated, he threw himself at the door.

Then, a chill voice rang out. "Please leave. Also—this is a private fish pond. No fishing allowed."

Usopp backed into them, mortified.

A tall butler with round glasses and immaculate posture descended the staircase. He glared at Usopp. "Who are these roughnecks?"

Usopp raised trembling hands. "I—uh—just treating them to dinner—"

The butler cut him off: "Sir, your guests are trespassing. Remove yourselves at once."

A Larger Puzzle Emerges

As Usopp hurriedly apologized and led them outside, Luffy and Zoro stayed behind. Rokuro unearthed a yellowed wanted poster he'd kept from the tavern discussion.

"Does this face look familiar?" he asked, showing the poster to the butler, clutching his trophy fish.

The butler's glasses caught the lamplight—thankfully, the light reflected off his eyes.

Usopp peered over Rokuro's shoulder. "Isn't that—Butler Crabbatel?"

The butler's composure remained, though his voice sharpened. "I beg your pardon?"

Rokuro laid the wanted poster on the table. "Baike Crowe—the pirate captain of the Black Cat Pirates. Ruthless, mass murderer of marines and villagers. Even rumored a pedophile."

The butler's eyes narrowed. "Preposterous!"

Rokuro leaned forward. "Rumor says he was executed here three years ago by Marine Colonel Monka. Yet now he appears—fresh as ever—right when your ship trade talks begin."

Silence.

The butler straightened his glasses. "You claim to have hypnosis?" he asked quietly.

Usopp swallowed. "Hypno—no, we're just fishermen and ninjas!"

Rokuro's eyes flare red—Sharingan engaged. The hall's atmosphere shuddered.

In his mind, the butler's vision flickered. A montage: him confessing to Kaya; two young girls—Kaya, Clio—serving him tea; him 'faking a death' to protect her; whispers of a second identity.

The butler's reflection cracks. Sweat beads across his forehead.

But then he slaps his glasses down, steel in his voice. "Enough," he says coldly. "Your mind tricks won't fool me. Every household servant here is trained in mental resistance. You're wasting your time."

Rokuro blinked. Sharingan exited. He staggered back. "Impossible—your resolve…"

"But I remain loyal to Kaya-sama. If you dare make another move, leave. I won't hesitate." The butler's tone brooked no argument.

Rokuro exhaled, brow furrowed. Sharingan turned off; he felt his chakra fall.

Aftermath: Plans Rewritten

Outside on the veranda, the night wind carried the ocean's spray. Crickets chirped softly.

Usopp hung his head. "Captain… what now?"

Luffy kicked at a rock. "We can't force him. He's a jerk who wears glasses."

Zoro shrugged. "But that wanted poster—Baike Crowe… If he's in this village, we need evidence."

Nami stirred the ashes of their plan. "That butler may be innocent—or he's deep undercover. Either way, we need better intel."

Rokuro wiped sweat from his brow. "He escaped my Sharingan. I'll train harder." He looked at Nami, frowning. "But first… I need my fish."

Nami raised an eyebrow. "Yes, your trophy." She offered him half of her berries. "You can buy a new one—or persuade him again tomorrow."

Rokuro accepted the currency. "I'll repay you with fish."

Luffy cheered. "Tomorrow we solve it! And after that… the Grand Line!"

Zoro nodded to the stars. "But first, ship. Then pirates. Then the world."

Epilogue: A Night of Quiet Resolve

They pressed close, Scott between them as darkness swallowed the garden.

Each admitted silently: a ship trade won't be easy; Xiluobu hides secrets; and now they've made an enemy of a potential ally—or something more.

Still, the crew stayed strong, sharing food out of Rokuro's pouch. Nish tanked fresh stew; Luffy wiped his mouth; Zoro polished a flying fish with his sleeve.

Nami laid out the trading plan: "Tomorrow morning we see Kaya. We talk about a ship. If Crowe's here… fine. If not… we have to decide."

Rokuro summoned soft chakra in his fingertips—the gentle hum of a fisherman's resolve and a ninja's will.

Below them, the sea glistened in moonlight. They would face another day… and another challenge… together.