"Huh? Usopp, you don't know?"
Merry could swear he hadn't meant to embarrass Usopp.
As far as he knew, Usopp sneaked over every day to tell Miss Kaya stories. Surely he knew something this basic.
Even if a lot of those stories were obviously made up.
But one look at them left Merry even more speechless.
Of the three, Mr. Zoro was probably the only one who knew anything about it.
Mr. Luffy was looking at him with the same innocent expression.
By then, Usopp seemed to realize he'd asked a stupid question. Flustered and embarrassed, he avoided Kaya's eyes and looked around as he spoke.
"Well... I... of course I know. I was just... worried Luffy didn't..."
Kaya only smiled.
Of course she knew Usopp's stories were made up. But to her, the fact that he came to tell her stories every day was the kindest thing anyone could do.
Merry didn't expose him. Instead, he said,
"Is that so? Then I might as well take this chance to explain it to everyone. After all, you'll be entering the Grand Line someday."
Everyone turned their attention to him.
Merry held up three fingers.
"Right now, the seas are divided among five major powers. Ranked by the size of their influence, the largest is naturally the World Government, which the Marines serve. It controls the East Blue, West Blue, and South Blue, as well as part of the Grand Line."
"Next is Rainbow Country. It was founded by the Sky Pirate Crew, who appeared on these seas twenty years ago. From their decisive battle with the Marines twenty years ago to the present day, they've come to rule the entire North Blue. And through the Rainbow Trade Alliance, Rainbow Country has extended its influence into every corner of the seas."