"Ah, it's so noisy!" Nami couldn't help but get angry. She just couldn't stand those three little kids constantly startling everyone.
But the moment they saw angry Nami, the three kids got even more scared and clung to each other. "Ah, a Sea-Hag!"
Luffy laughed and explained, "Your Usopp was halfway through his meal when he suddenly said he had something to do and left."
One of the kids, Onion Head, frowned. "Is that really true?"
Garlic Head suddenly remembered, "I know! Usopp must be telling stories to Miss Kaya."
Luffy sneered, "What? So Usopp is a man who forgets his friends for the sake of beauty?"
The green pepper-haired kid immediately retorted, "That's not true! Miss Kaya couldn't get over the grief after her parents died. It was Usopp who told her stories every day that made her happier and healthier again."
Garlic Head nodded firmly, "Yeah, don't say bad things about our Captain Usopp!"
Luffy's eyes widened. "So Usopp is actually a great man!"
Lynn patted Luffy's shoulder and sighed, "Your ability to believe anything is amazing. One moment it's this, next it's that…"
Nami stepped forward quickly. "The Miss Kaya you're talking about—is she the owner of the big house on the hillside?"
The three kids nodded.
Nami continued, "Can you take us to find Usopp?"
"Sure!" they answered.
Lynn glanced at Nami and sighed inwardly. That little thief really was a schemer.
Luffy clapped his hands excitedly, "Yoshi! Let's go find Usopp!"
On the hillside, inside Kaya's villa:
Kaya stood by the window, listening to Usopp's animated storytelling from a branch of a big tree. He was telling tales about all the handsome men they had met together over the years.
Usopp boasted, "Kaya, do you know? This man is handsome—sharp eyes and eyebrows, a nose like a gallbladder, and extremely handsome and independent. He wields a sword that can move mountains, overturn seas, cut rivers, and reshape the universe…"
"The author himself! Handsome to the point of being stunning, handsome enough to be chopped off…"
Kaya nodded enthusiastically, her eyes shining by the window. "Hmmmm…"
Seeing Kaya so captivated, Usopp lowered his voice mysteriously. "But there's someone even more handsome than the author. Want to guess who?"
Kaya's eyes widened in horror. "More handsome? How handsome?! Sugoi… Hey, tell me now, Usopp!"
Usopp thought a moment, then said seriously, "It's the readers. I met those readers once. They were so handsome they nearly blinded my 24k titanium-alloy dog eyes. I've never seen such handsome people in my life. They punched the Four Emperors, kicked the Marines, and with a flick of their sleeves, the Five Elders bowed and worshipped…"
"Kaya, remember one thing—better to bear the crime of killing the Celestial Dragons than to offend them. Got it?"
After saying this, Usopp wiped sweat from his forehead and patted his chest with lingering fear.
Kaya smiled gratefully. "Usopp, thank you for telling me that."
She gazed into the distance as if longing to meet those legendary handsome men.
Thinking about them, Kaya shyly crossed her legs and screamed softly, "Ah…"
Just then, Luffy and the crew arrived and overheard Usopp talking about those legendary handsome men!
Lynn was a little surprised and doubtful—after all, Usopp's boasting just might be true!
While Lynn remained calm, Luffy and the three kids' eyes shone brighter than car headlights.
"Su, Sugoi!!" Luffy asked nervously, "I really want to meet them!"
Zoro muttered with interest, "If there's a chance, I'd like to meet them too."
Kaya, by the window, saw the group and gently asked, "Who are you?"
Nami answered first, "We're travelers and friends of Usopp. We came to see if you have any unused ships and if you'd be willing to lend us one."
Lynn marveled at Nami's shamelessness. She dared to ask for a ship on their first meeting? Was that everyone's specialty here?
Outside, Klahadore was eavesdropping. He was shocked to hear that Nami actually wanted Kaya to give them a boat!
How was that possible? Those ships would soon belong to Klahadore. How could he just give them away?
Unable to hold back, Klahadore hurried inside and interrupted Kaya and Nami's conversation.
Klahadore really hated Usopp. What kind of friends did he bring? Asking for a ship? Damn!!
Klahadore said, "The ship you want isn't here. And Usopp, get down from that tree and leave. We don't welcome you here—a liar and a boaster."
Usopp glared at Klahadore, feeling targeted and uneasy. His sixth sense told him this guy was no good. "Why do you always pick on me?"
Klahadore sneered, "Pick on you? I'm not saying that. Just look outside. Everyone knows you're a big liar and bragger. The son of a pirate is a pirate—you can't change pirate nature."
Usopp couldn't stand it anymore. He jumped down from the tree with his tools and shouted, "You can insult me, but don't insult my father! He follows his heart and does what he wants—I respect him very much!"
Klahadore laughed coldly. "I don't care what you think, but I won't let you come here spinning lies to win our eldest lady's favor and get her property."
Usopp stepped forward and punched Klahadore to the ground. "Shut up, you bastard!"
Klahadore spat, "Pirates are pirates. As the son of a pirate, you've got the violent gene—resorting to violence when you can't win an argument?"
"What did you say?" Usopp was ready to attack again.
But Kaya shouted, "Enough, Usopp! Stop the violence. Violence can't solve anything. Can you go back now?"
With Kaya's words, what could Usopp do?
Violence can't solve the problem?
For some reason, hearing that from Kaya hurt deep inside.
Klahadore stood and said, "Get out quickly and stay away from the young lady. And all of you—get out too."
"Zoro, don't stop me—I'm gonna beat that damn butler!" Luffy struggled as Zoro held him back.
Zoro warned, "Luffy, don't make things worse."
Lynn studied Klahadore and realized he was the pirate captain Kuro.
But now wasn't the time to act—better to leave first.
-End Chapter-
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