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Chapter 9 - Chapter 9: The Village of Lies – Usopp’s Voice, Rex’s Eyes

The sun was just beginning to rise as the ship approached a quiet island surrounded by sloping hills and lush green fields. A small village came into view, nestled near a bay, dotted with modest homes and wooden docks.

"Syrup Village," Nami said, eyeing the shoreline as she adjusted the sail ropes. "Looks peaceful."

"It is peaceful," Luffy said cheerfully, standing at the ship's edge. "This is where we find our sharpshooter!"

Zoro stretched his shoulders with a grunt. "And you're sure he's not another weirdo?"

"He's got a long nose and he yells a lot," Luffy said proudly. "Totally trustworthy!"

Rex remained silent, leaning against the mast, watching the village as it grew closer. His senses, sharpened through training and enhanced by his inner force, picked up something subtle — something almost wrong.

[…Passive sensory thread detected anomaly: chemical imbalance in local air moisture. Pollen content neutral. Source of abnormality: waterborne. Traces of diluted poison compound in well area—origin masked. Likely administered through slow-acting sediment powder.]

Rex's eyes narrowed.

"…Something's poisoned here."

"Huh?" Nami looked at him. "What do you mean?"

He shook his head. "It's not important yet. Let's meet this Usopp first."

The ship docked smoothly.

As they stepped onto the pier, villagers turned and gave brief waves, but their smiles seemed too careful. Too tight. Something unspoken hung in the air.

Then—

"THE PIRATES ARE HEREEEE!!!"

A loud voice screamed from a rooftop as a figure bolted into view. A long-nosed teen with black curly hair leapt from a shack rooftop and landed on the road dramatically, holding a slingshot.

"I WARN YOU! I AM USOPP, FEARED PIRATE CAPTAIN OF A THOUSAND MEN!"

Luffy's eyes sparkled.

"THERE HE IS!"

Usopp froze.

"W-Wait, you're not Marines?"

Luffy pointed at Rex. "He's the scary one. I'm the fun one!"

Rex exhaled quietly, arms folded as usual.

Usopp blinked, then lowered his slingshot. "Oh… you're actually pirates?"

Zoro crossed his arms. "Do we look like a dance troupe?"

Usopp chuckled awkwardly, then looked at Nami and blushed. "O-Oh, um… I-I mean, uh, welcome to Syrup Village!"

Nami rolled her eyes. "Don't even try."

Rex stepped forward slowly.

"You know this island well?"

Usopp nodded quickly. "Of course! I live here! I'm… kind of the protector. The kids like me. The villagers tolerate me."

"Good," Rex said. "Because I need to know where the water comes from."

Usopp blinked. "The… water?"

Zoro tilted his head. "Now what?"

Rex's eyes were scanning the rooftops, trees, alleyways. His presence had changed — colder, calculating.

"Something's wrong here," he said softly. "The villagers' breath rate is too shallow. They're hiding fatigue. Symptoms of exposure to something subtle. Waterborne."

Usopp scratched his head. "Whoa, are you a doctor too?!"

Rex's voice was quiet.

"No. I'm just not blind."

[…Target exposure reaching critical mass within seven days if left untreated. Water source connected to mansion sector. Origin suspect: internal.]

Nami's brows furrowed. "Kaya's mansion?"

"Who's Kaya?" Zoro asked.

Usopp's eyes widened.

"She's—! I mean, she's my friend. She's rich. Sick. Has been for a while now. I visit her every day."

Rex's gaze darkened.

"And has anyone else been near her water supply?"

Usopp nodded slowly. "Her butler, Klahadore. He's always around."

Rex's hand clenched.

Luffy yawned. "I'm hungry."

"Focus," Rex snapped.

They all paused — Luffy too.

That wasn't like Rex.

Nami stepped closer, her voice soft. "You okay?"

"…There's someone behind this. Someone trying to make it look like a natural illness."

Usopp suddenly dropped his casual act.

"You think… Kaya's being poisoned?"

Rex met his eyes.

"I'm sure of it."

Later That Day – Kaya's Mansion

The group stood before the massive gates of Kaya's estate. The mansion behind the iron bars gleamed in the sunlight, quiet, still.

The butler emerged from the shadows — sharp eyes, long black hair slicked back, glasses glinting in the light.

Klahadore.

"Ah, visitors," he said politely. "I wasn't expecting pirates today."

Usopp stepped forward, tense. "We want to visit Kaya."

Klahadore tilted his head slightly. "I see. I must inform you—Miss Kaya's health is very delicate. Strangers… stress her."

Rex stepped forward, calm but focused.

"She won't be stressed. But if someone doesn't let us through… I'll stop being polite."

Klahadore's eyes narrowed. "Are you threatening me?"

"No," Rex said coldly. "I'm stating the truth."

There was a long silence.

Then the butler smiled and stepped aside.

"Very well. One hour. Nothing more."

As they walked through the gates, Rex's mind spun silently.

He didn't trust the man.

His instincts screamed louder than usual.

[…Warning: Subject Klahadore exhibits concealed hostility. Biological signature inconsistent with listed profession. Retinal scan confirms mismatch with naval servant records. Threat level rising.]

Rex touched his wrist lightly.

Phantom Drift.

Speed.

Levitation.

Precision.

He was ready.

Because this time…

It wasn't just about power.

It was about saving a life.

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