It's 'great' to be young

Day three: Morning to Midday

They were sailing towards the town, Brook had volunteered to steer while the rest prepared. So far they hadn't found any trace of Marines or even other ships. It was a bit odd but for now, Brook had pushed that oddness away. They just had to hope that the residents of the island would be nice enough to leave them alone, even under a pirate flag. But he would worry about that when they arrived. Now he could enjoy the atmosphere on the ship.
The kids were sure excited to various degrees. Luffy was standing at the bow looking forward, trying to spy something. As much as Brook was aware, Zoro was training on the lower deck again, the other kids most certainly also preparing.

Nami stuck to Robin asking if they maybe could get a cute dress for her. Robin had found some money but it wasn't too much and they needed it for food, which excited Sanji a lot. Even if he said that he would love to see Nami in a cute dress, which struck Robin as strange. As did his level of cooking at such a young age.
But who knew what awaited them at the island? Maybe they could earn some money? Then Robin could buy Nami a dress and some shorts for the boys.
Robin smiled at both children and grabbed a paper and a pen. She had volunteered to create a shopping list with Sanji, and they walked into the galley.

—

Franky had been in the boys cabin searching for something for the kids to wear that was more than just long shirts. After some intense searching He had found a couple of shorts that might belong to the ship's doctor. He just hoped that none of the boys would frown upon the dark reddish-pink. Even if it was an especially nice colour.
Concentrating on the clothes it was still surprising to Franky, that he didn't hear the approaching child. So he almost fell to his butt, when he suddenly heard someone talk.
"Hey Franky, can you help me find bullets for my slingshot before we go on the island?" Usopp glanced up at the taller man, looking a bit timid. After the first shock Franky smiled down at the boy. He had immediately taken a liking to him. He was shy, anxious and easily frightened but also very smart and an amazing shooter for his young age. The little slingshot had been the first thing the boy had built for himself. And that as soon as the kids had investigated the ship. Later Franky had given him better wood to work with and together they had built a better one.
„Sure, just let me finish this," Franky counted the shorts and piled them in one of the bunks. Four and one more if Nami wanted one too.
„Okay, it's just I have a I-can't-go-on-land-without-bullets-disease. But I can't let you all go on land without me either... I also have a can't-stay-alone-on-the-ship-disease."
„Of course. That and we can't have an adventure without the great and super Captain Usopp! All right, let's have a look."

Usopp took Franky's hand, the child had been scared about the lower levels of the ship so of course he was scared again. Franky wondered why the boy always told lies and was so afraid. But maybe it was just like that with some children. He had no idea. It's been some time since he was a child.
Together they went down in the workshop across from the one Franky had figured was his future selves one. He wondered if the other was Usopp's since a lot of the materials hinted towards it. Being here with an adult, the child was still careful but also very excited about many of the things found here: like a simple target painted on wood, more wood, rubber straps and a lot of plant seeds and chemicals. And finally they found a pouch with self-made marbles and some made of glass that looked very beautiful.
Franky had put them in his hand and squatted down to show them to Usopp: "Do you think these will work?"
Usopp nodded but with a sad look.
„Everything all right, bro?" The sudden change worried Franky.
The boy just nodded again but then he opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something. So Franky waited, still on eye level to be more accessible in case the child felt like spilling the beans.
„Franky?" it started very silent and the adult only hummed in response to show that he was listening. „Are these mine? They look like the ones my mom gave me..."