One Piece: Born to Betray

"…And that's why you three must always believe your captain!" Usopp was whispering dramatically. "Real pirates! I bet they're after my treasure—!"

Crack.

A twig snapped behind him. A shadow fell over the back of his neck.

"Boo."

Usopp shrieked so loud that half the birds in Syrup Village exploded from the trees. He spun, tripped over his own feet, and scrambled backward — until he saw the figure standing in a patch of dappled sunlight.

Makoto leaned against the tree, one hand lazily tucked into his coat, the other resting on the hilt of Raikiri. He tilted his head, studying Usopp like he'd found a stray cat rummaging through garbage.

Makoto pushed off the trunk with deliberate calm, boots crunching through dry leaves as he advanced.

"Captain Usopp," he drawled, savoring the title like poison on his tongue. "Protector of Syrup Village. Hero of the seas. Slayer of how many monsters was it this week?"

Usopp tried to puff out his chest. His knees didn't get the memo.

"F-Fifty! Fifty—giant goldfish that attacked the village!"

Makoto's grin flickered — too wide, too cold. He clapped once, the sharp crack scattering crows from the branches overhead.

"Fifty goldfish. Amazing. And you slayed them all how, oh mighty hero?"

Usopp's mouth flapped. "I—I used my slingshot! S-Sniped them all in one shot!"

Makoto stepped close enough for Usopp to see his reflection in those dark crimson eyes — eyes that didn't match the easy grin.

"One shot," Makoto echoed, voice soft, almost amused. "You must be very dangerous, Captain Usopp."

Usopp squeaked. "W-Well—! I—I try—"

Makoto's grin slipped into something quieter, meaner. He leaned in, voice dropping to a soft hiss that only Usopp could hear.

"Too bad you won't get the chance to brag about it."

Usopp's breath hitched. He took a step back — Makoto matched it, hands folded politely behind his back like a bored executioner.

"W-What?!"

Makoto's smile was all teeth now — gentle, sympathetic, chilling.

"I'm restless today, Captain. Some days I pick flowers. Some days I start fires. And some days…" He flicked a finger under Usopp's chin, forcing him to look up. "I pluck off little pests who talk too much."

Usopp's knees gave out. He squeaked, "You—you can't! I—I'm the hero here—!"

Makoto tilted his head, mock pity dripping off every word. "The hero always dies dramatically, right? Let's see if you live up to the tale."

He stepped aside, arm sweeping out like a stage magician. A perfect shot at the trees behind him.

"Run."

Usopp didn't need telling twice. He bolted — crashing through the underbrush, branches slapping his face — heart hammering like a drum. But when he stumbled breathless into a clearing—

Makoto was already there. Sitting on a stump. Whittling a stick with a small blade, humming some off-key tune like he'd been waiting for hours.

"Took you long enough," Makoto said mildly, not even looking up. "Want to try again? Maybe zig-zag this time?"

Usopp let out a squeak that could have belonged to a dying seagull. He crab-walked backward, babbling nonsense about curses and sea gods.

Makoto flicked the little carving at him — it bounced off Usopp's foot. A crude little figure with a big nose.

"Keep that. Heroes need trophies, don't they?"

Before Usopp could find his voice, rustling echoed behind the trees. Footsteps. Familiar voices.

"—I'm telling you, I saw Makoto's footprints this way!" Taiga's sharp voice, bristling with annoyance.

"You can't see footprints on grass, short-stack," Zoro grumbled.

"Can too! I can smell his cheap cologne—"

"EH?! Is it meat-flavored?" Luffy gasped hopefully.

Nami shoved through the underbrush, leaves in her hair, fury in her eyes. "If he's messing with people again, I'm feeding him to the sharks—"

They stepped into the clearing — and froze.

Makoto perched like a smug gargoyle, flicking his knife lazily into the stump. Usopp sat five feet away, knees hugged to his chest, eyes wide and wet, squeaking tiny prayers.

Taiga narrowed her eyes, tapping her wooden sword against her palm. "What. Did. You. Do."

Makoto's grin blossomed — bright, harmless, so obviously a lie.

"Oh, hey! Look at you lot. I was just making a new friend." He gestured to Usopp with the knife like he was pointing out a stray puppy. "This is Captain Usopp. Brave warrior of the sea. Local hero. We were… bonding."