Young Usopp was not an ordinary child. With his mother bedridden for years, he had learned to be mature far beyond his years.
Usopp's eyes went wide as he watched something he couldn't understand.
The stranger looked at his mother and frowned. Then he waved his hand. Red mist covered her.
If that scene was hard to understand, then what happened next was nothing short of a miracle for young Usopp. His mother's pale face regained its color before his eyes. Her quick, shallow breathing slowed and steadied.
"Mom!" Usopp rushed to the bedside and grabbed her hand. "How do you feel?"
Banchina sat up in surprise and touched her chest. "This is... this is incredible..." She looked toward the doorway, but the stranger had already turned to leave.
"Wait!" Usopp ran after him and stopped him in the yard. "Mister! What's your name? You're amazing!"
Rhett didn't stop walking. He just waved his hand casually. "Rhett! Take care of your mother. I was just asked to help." His figure quickly disappeared down the path.
Usopp stood there, his eyes shining with admiration. He ran back inside and shouted excitedly to Yasopp, "Dad! Do you know that mister named Rhett? He's incredible! He's like... like a god!"
Yasopp ruffled his son's curly hair, his voice choked with emotion. "He's not a mister, Usopp. He's 'Mist Lord' Rhett. He's your captain's big brother. And... he's our family's savior."
Banchina pulled Usopp into her arms and said softly, "Remember this day, Usopp. No matter what happens in the future, always remember to be grateful."
"Mm!" Usopp nodded firmly. Then something occurred to him. "Dad, can you tell me about Rhett's adventures? And yours too!"
Yasopp looked at his son's eager eyes and felt, for the first time, incredibly grateful that he had chosen to come home. He picked up Usopp. "Sure. But my stories might not be as誇張 as yours..."
"No way!" Usopp giggled. "Dad is the bravest warrior of the sea!"
---
The day passed warmly. The next day, the five children gathered together.
They sat under a big tree. Sunlight filtered through the leaves and fell on them. Ann was wearing a缩小版的 red cloak. She was swinging her heavy sword, her face expressionless as she narrated Rhett's exploits.
"Uncle Rhett did this—" Ann suddenly stood up and gripped her sword with both hands, imitating Rhett in battle. "BOOM!" She swung hard. The force of her sword sent fallen leaves flying into the air.
"Dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun"
"WOW!!" Usopp and Uta gasped together, their eyes wide as saucers.
Ann tilted her head. She saw the admiration in their eyes. Her little face froze for a moment. Then she swung again.
Uta and Usopp were very supportive. "Wow!"
Ann's cheeks turned slightly red. She never showed much expression, but she swung again.
"Whoosh."
"Wow!" x2
"Whoosh."
"Wow!" x2
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh."
"Wow wow wow wow!" x2
Usopp jumped up excitedly. "That's so cool! Sister Ann, can Mr. Rhett really cure any illness with his blood mist?"
Ann nodded seriously. "Mm. Uncle said, as long as you're not completely dead, he can save you."
"WOW!!" Usopp's mouth opened so wide you could fit an orange inside. "C-Can he beat Sea Kings too?"
Sabo cut in. "Sea Kings? Uncle Rhett doesn't even care about Navy Admirals!"
Ace added proudly, "Last time, a pirate with a three hundred million bounty came looking for trouble. Uncle knocked him out with just a glare."
Uta clasped her hands under her chin. "Amazing! Even more amazing than Shanks?"
The five children fell silent for a moment. Ann thought about it, then said very seriously, "Shanks... Uncle knocks him on the head." She imitated Rhett's motion. Her small hand went "WHACK" against the empty air.
"Pfft, hahaha!" Ace and Sabo doubled over laughing.
But Usopp suddenly went quiet. He asked in a small voice, "Would... would Mr. Rhett take disciples?"
The other four all looked at him. Ann shook her head. "Uncle said he only teaches family."
Usopp's shoulders slumped. But he quickly looked up again, his eyes shining with determination. "Dad said Mr. Rhett is our family's savior. So I'm going to get super strong!! I'll become the bravest warrior of the sea and protect Mr. Rhett!"
Ace patted his shoulder. "That's the spirit! But first—" He grinned mischievously and pointed at Ann. "You have to beat Ann."
Ann silently raised her heavy sword. She tilted her head and looked at Usopp. "Want to try?"
Usopp looked at the sword, which was bigger than his entire body. He swallowed hard. "M-Maybe next time..."
---
Rhett and Shanks stood side by side, watching the children play on the beach.
"Big Brother," Shanks said suddenly, "thank you for giving Yasopp this chance."
Rhett snorted. "Don't flatter yourself. I did it for the boy's sake. The children are innocent." He pointed at Usopp, who was sweating under Ann's "special training." "Oh wow, that looks painful. I didn't know Ann could be so harsh. She barely talks, but look at her go. Wow. That really looks like it hurts."
Shanks chuckled. Then his expression turned serious again. "About Mary Geoise..."
"We leave tomorrow." Rhett cut him off. "Today... let them play a little longer. None of us will be around for a while. Shimotsuki Village is safest for the children. This place is still too risky. Besides, let Yasopp have some time with his family."
"We don't know how long this trip will take. Take the children back to Shimotsuki Village."
Shanks laughed loudly. "Big Bro Rhett, you're so considerate! So detail-oriented! Hahaha!"
"WHAM!"
"You idiot little Shanks! Who are you calling detail-oriented?!"
The children on the beach looked up at the noise. Usopp waved his arm vigorously. "Dad! Mr. Rhett! Look at my new move!"
Yasopp came out of the house. "Be careful! Don't hurt yourself!"
Banchina stood at the doorway. Her complexion had improved significantly. "Everyone, lunch is ready!"
Shanks watched the five children run toward the house. He suddenly asked, "Big Brother, you know... you're a lot like Whitebeard."
Rhett was silent for a moment. His blood-red eyes gazed into the distance. "Because I know what it's like to lose. That's how you learn how precious family is. Isn't that something you've experienced too?"
He didn't continue.
"Come on," Rhett said suddenly, turning around. "Let's eat. Tomorrow, we have business to take care of. Those old bastards in Mary Geoise are waiting for us to 'pay them a visit.' We have a good relationship. Maybe they'll even feed us dinner."
Shanks grinned. "This time, I'm going to make sure they know I'm not someone to mess with!"
"WHACK!"
"Ow!"
"Don't get cocky. If I weren't coming with you, you'd be on your knees calling them 'Daddy' before you knew it."