[Ding! Congratulations to the host for arriving at Syrup Village. A new mission has officially begun.]
[Ding! Since the host has already opened three exclusive jars, you are no longer considered a rookie. A new rule is now in effect. From here on, you may only sell jars to people who have names. Random passerbys do not count. Even if you sell to them, it will not increase the system's fortune. Such people will no longer be counted toward your performance.]
"Aww Hell No... System, you bastard. You are increasing the difficulty again!"
Listening to the system's announcement, Amon felt completely speechless. From "one person can only buy one jar" at the beginning, to "you cannot sell to generic nobodies" now.
These requirements were getting more and more demanding.
"But system, if I cannot sell to background extras, how am I supposed to fill up the quota of ten jars in one place?"
In these little One Piece villages, there were not that many named characters. If he could not sell to the common villagers, then completing missions in the future would become very difficult.
Did he have to stay in one place for a year before he could move on?
[Host, do not get agitated. The system has already considered this problem. From now on, as long as you sell three or more jars in a single place, that location will be considered complete, and you may move on to the next stop on your journey. The extra time can be used to relax and enjoy yourself. Once you have sold ten jars in total, you will still be able to open your exclusive jar as before.]
The system hurried to explain, afraid Amon would misunderstand.
"So selling at least three jars in one place counts as completing that stop, and I can move on?"
"Hmm... all right then."
Amon thought it over. He had not actually lost anything. In fact, he had gained more freedom.
Originally, he needed to sell ten jars per location. Now he only needed three before he could leave.
That meant he could spend the remaining time on appreciating the scenery along the way and experiencing more of this world's unique charm.
Not a bad change at all.
Before this, back in Foosha Village and Shimotsuki Village, he had wanted to stay a few extra days, but because he was still in the newbie phase, he did not have much freedom.
Now things were different. He could move as he pleased.
With the explanation done, Amon's mood brightened noticeably. He hummed a little tune as he headed toward Syrup Village.
He planned to find a place to stay first. Since he only needed to sell three jars here, there was no need to rush.
Thinking along those lines, Amon set off toward the village entrance.
...
Just as he was about to walk into the village, the sound of a child crying drifted to his ears.
This late, and there was still a kid out here?
Curious, Amon followed the sound.
He soon saw a small boy standing in front of a little hill. The boy was wearing a pair of sniper-style goggles on his head, a light brown bandanna, and clothes that already had the outline of a future long-nosed sharpshooter.
"Dad, Mom is sick. I am really scared. The doctor said Mom's illness is very serious. When are you coming back to take us to sea?"
The boy stared blankly out at the sea, eyes unfocused, as if he wanted to see whether a ship was approaching, and most importantly, whether his father might be on it.
Is that Usopp?
The moment Amon saw the child's appearance and outfit, he recognized him immediately.
After all, there were not many long-nosed people in One Piece.
Judging from what he was saying, his mother's illness was already very serious.
Right. In Merry's memories, Usopp's mother had died when he was about this age.
From then on, Usopp had become a boy who loved to lie. He shouted "The pirates are coming!" every day, desperately hoping someone would look at him, notice him, acknowledge that he existed.
He had not expected that he would arrive precisely at this turning point in Usopp's life.
Watching Usopp staring at the distant horizon, eyes full of hope and fear, Amon's heart tightened a little.
To be honest, among the Straw Hats, Amon had always liked Usopp a lot. As the only crewmate without any sort of superhuman "cheat" ability, Usopp relied on his own hard work to grow stronger step by step and prove his worth.
He might be timid, he might be scared, but when it truly mattered, he never backed down.
That was a kind of brilliance the others did not have.
Besides, now that he happened to run into this moment, he could not just stand by and ignore it.
The question was, how could he help?
He did not know how to treat illnesses. Otherwise he would have simply gone over and healed Usopp's mother.
He only had jars...
Wait.
An idea flashed through Amon's mind.
A way to help Usopp save his mother, while also helping Amon complete his mission here faster.
Once that thought appeared, he did not hesitate.
He walked toward the boy.
"Hey kid, is this Syrup Village?"
"Huh? Yeah, this is Syrup Village. Who are you?"
Usopp looked at the suddenly appearing new face, wiped his face with the back of his hand, and nodded, curiosity overcoming his tears.
"That is great. I am a friend of Yasopp's. He asked me to come to Syrup Village and visit his wife and child. Do you know where Yasopp's home is, kid?"
Amon's acting was flawless. Usopp did not doubt him at all. The moment he heard that this stranger was a friend of his father, he became excited.
"I know, I know. I am Yasopp's son. My name is Usopp. What is your name, sir?"
"What, you are Yasopp's son? You really do look like him."
Amon put on a show of surprise, then continued.
"My name is Amon. I am a jar merchant. I met your father a few times. When he heard your mother was seriously ill, he asked me to come and check on you."
He smoothly recited the story he had prepared in advance.
Sure enough, Usopp believed every word. The instant he heard that this man was his father's friend, his heart, which had been sinking in despair, suddenly lit up.
"Great, Dad did not abandon us."
"Mom can still be saved."
"Mr. Amon, come on. I will take you to see my mom right now."
Amon's appearance was like a lifeline tossed into the storm. Usopp grabbed his hand tightly and pulled him toward the village.
...
At that moment, Usopp's mother was lying in bed, breathing weakly. Near the bed stood a doctor with a guilty expression and several kind-hearted neighbors.
They had come to visit after hearing that Usopp's mother was gravely ill.
But when the doctor said she was already beyond help, her illness having reached its final stage, they could not help covering their faces and crying.
"Mom, Mom, Dad did not abandon us. He sent his friend to see us."
Just as they were about to send someone to look for Usopp, the boy's voice rang from outside.
Usopp spoke as he pushed the door open and led Amon inside.
...