As a renowned foodie and borderline alcoholic, Zoro found the temptation of a good meal irresistible. Luffy's desire for meat, in particular, had been pushed to its absolute limit.
Because he was an acquaintance of Usopp's father, Usopp had spent a great deal of money to treat them to the best restaurant in Syrup Village. At the table, Luffy went crazy for meat, and Zoro went crazy for booze. Nami and a quiet swordsman named Moonlight could only eat their fried rice, bite by bite, looking on helplessly at their two companions.
Halfway through the meal, Usopp checked the time and departed abruptly, leaving his young friends from the Usopp Pirates—Onion, Pepper, and Carrot—to entertain their guests.
"Huh? Where's Usopp?" Luffy finally asked after a full hour of eating and drinking his fill, suddenly noticing his absence.
"You're only just realizing that now?" Nami and Moonlight said in unison, completely speechless. Nami stared at Luffy, aghast. "Seriously, Luffy, what is your stomach made of? How can you eat that much?!"
Even Zoro chimed in. "That's amazing. Is this what a real pirate is like? He ate enough for at least fifty people. That appetite is incredible!"
"More than fifty! I'd say it was a hundred!" the three boys looked at Luffy with pure admiration, their eyes wide with wonder.
"So, where did Usopp go?" Luffy asked, a little disappointed. "I had something I wanted to ask him."
"If you have a question, you can ask us!" Onion said, puffing out his chest.
"That's right! If there's anything we can do to help, just say the word! We'll do our best!" Pepper added.
"It would be so cool to help real pirates!" Carrot declared.
The three boys patted their chests, vowing to help.
"Thanks a lot! We need to get our own pirate ship," Luffy stated, getting straight to the point. "Do you know who the richest person on this island is? We can ask them to give us a ship!"
"The richest?" Onion pondered. "Everyone in the village is more or less the same. I can't say who's the richest, but if everyone pitched in, we could probably get a little bit together."
"That might be difficult," Pepper added. "Everyone's living on an average income."
"Oh, wait! Maybe that person can!" Carrot suddenly exclaimed, his eyes lighting up as he'd remembered something. The three boys had quickly realized that the villagers were self-sufficient but not wealthy, and asking them to donate money to pirates was unrealistic.
"That person?" Luffy's eyes lit up as well.
"Yes! She's the richest person in our village. If you ask her, she might be able to help you!" Carrot confirmed.
"Are you talking about Miss Kaya, who lives in the villa on the hill?" Pepper and Onion asked, remembering at the same time.
"Kaya?" Now it wasn't just Luffy; Zoro and Nami's eyes brightened too.
To form a pirate crew and set sail, a ship was the most basic requirement, but getting one wasn't easy. Nami certainly wasn't going to use her own money, and Zoro and Luffy were completely broke. Moonlight, having arrived not long ago, was also penniless. Buggy's ship hadn't been an option; it was a wreck and would never have made it to the Grand Line. They needed a proper vessel. Finding a sponsor was the most convenient and fastest way to get one.
"Yes, she's the richest in our village and lives up on that mountain," the boys nodded in unison, pointing toward a large villa faintly visible on a hill outside the window.
"Great! If that's the case, let's get moving!" Luffy said excitedly, standing up to leave without another word.
"Let's go," Zoro and the others followed.
At that very moment, at the villa on the mountain, Usopp slipped through a gap in the backyard fence, climbed a large tree, and whispered towards a window.
"Kaya!"
The window opened immediately, and a sickly but cheerful girl, not yet twenty, saw Usopp and smiled. "Usopp, you're here!"
"Yep! I came to see you, Kaya," Usopp said, his own eyes lighting up. This was the owner of the villa, Kaya. "This time, I'm going to tell you all about my heroic deeds at sea."
He often told tall tales, which was why most of the villagers didn't like him. While they didn't chase him with pitchforks, they came close. However, the girl before him was the only one who believed him. With her, Usopp felt a long-lost warmth. She was young and beautiful, and he had fallen for her. Just to be able to see her every day, he would often sneak in and tell her stories he'd made up about his adventures on the high seas.
As a natural-born liar, Usopp began to weave his tale, and Kaya was immediately captivated, exclaiming in amazement again and again. She had been ill for years, her weakness confining her to her room. Besides her butler, she had hardly interacted with anyone. Usopp's visits were a ray of sunshine, and his stories of the sea sparked a deep yearning within her. Thus, one loved to tell stories, and the other loved to listen, and the two enjoyed their time together immensely.
"Hey, the captain's lying again," a voice whispered from below. Luffy's group and the three boys had arrived, taking the same unconventional route through the backyard. They couldn't help but comment on the scene before them.
"Usopp? Are they…?" Kaya widened her eyes, noticing Luffy and the others.
"Kaya, these are my friends, the pirates," Usopp introduced as he slid down from the tree. "This is Captain Luffy, and these are… well, his three subordinates." He then explained the purpose of their visit.
Just then, a cold voice cut through the air. "Miss, don't listen to this person's nonsense. He is nothing but a liar."
A man in a butler's uniform, around thirty years old with gold-rimmed glasses and black gloves, walked over. He looked at Usopp with unconcealed disdain.
"Klahadore!" Kaya exclaimed upon seeing the man.
"Butler Klahadore!" Usopp's face fell.
"Miss Kaya," Klahadore said, his voice dripping with contempt. "Did he tell you he was a great pirate who often risks his life at sea? These are all lies he's made up. Everyone in the village knows it. Besides, his father is a notorious pirate. As the son of a pirate, he can't be a good person. Miss Kaya, you must never believe a word this kind of person says."
"But, Usopp—" Kaya began, trying to defend him.
"What are you talking about?" Usopp interrupted, his eyes bloodshot with fury as he stared at Klahadore. "What did you just say about my father?" When Klahadore mentioned the father he admired so deeply, the butler's disdainful expression sent Usopp into a rage. Others could insult him, but they could not insult the father he idolized.
"Why, am I wrong?" Klahadore sneered, completely unfazed by Usopp's anger. "You are the son of a pirate, are you not? You have the filthy blood of a pirate flowing through your veins. Everyone knows this. As for your own actions, don't you have any self-awareness? Or would you like me to list them one by one? A person like you, everything you say is tainted. Like father, like son."
"Klahadore, shut up! Stop talking!" Kaya shouted, but the effort sent her into a violent coughing fit. Although she was bedridden, she had heard her staff talk about Usopp's antics and vaguely knew the truth. Still, she didn't hate him, and what Klahadore was saying was far too cruel.
"This guy actually called us dirty," Luffy's crew muttered amongst themselves, clearly displeased.
"That's really unpleasant."
"Hmph."
But they could do nothing. They couldn't just attack an ordinary person. Besides, Klahadore wasn't entirely wrong. In the current Great Pirate Era, pirates were rampant, often representing evil and chaos. To come out as a pirate meant being prepared for such accusations. So, the four of them ignored it.
"Captain Usopp!"
"Damn, this guy despises us so much!" the boys from the Usopp Pirates fumed, ready to defend their captain. However, someone else was one step ahead.
"You bastard, don't you dare insult my father!" Usopp roared, his face turning a furious shade of blue as he threw a punch straight at Klahadore.
BAM!
Klahadore didn't even try to evade, taking the punch head-on. The force sent him stumbling back five steps, knocking the glasses from his face.
"Klahadore!" Kaya cried out, full of worry.
"Don't worry, Miss, I'm fine," Klahadore said with a faint smile, picking up his glasses and putting them back on. He adjusted them with the palm of his hand, a strangely precise and practiced motion. After wiping away a trickle of blood from his face, he looked at Usopp with even greater disdain. "Just as I thought. A descendant of a filthy pirate, only knowing how to solve things with his fists. It seems I wasn't wrong at all."
"You!" Usopp snarled, ready to strike again.
"Stop it, Usopp!" Kaya shouted, but the strain made her cough violently again.
"Kaya!" Usopp's anger vanished, replaced by concern.
"Miss, it's time for your medicine. I'll bring it up to you," Klahadore said, his tone shifting back to that of a devoted butler. He then shot a cold grin at the group, his eyes sweeping over Luffy's crew before landing contemptuously on Usopp. "And you, get out. Don't come sneaking in through the backyard anymore. As for your request, I won't agree to it." With that, he turned and walked back into the villa.
"Damn it!" Usopp seethed with frustration, but seeing Kaya's condition, he felt helpless and left in despair.
"Captain, wait for us!" the three boys called out, hurrying after him.
"Hey, what did that guy's last sentence mean?" Luffy asked, finally processing what had happened. "Did he reject us?"
"It certainly seems that way," Zoro replied.
"Ah, so our plan for a ship is ruined!"
Luffy's crew slumped in frustration. Their straightforward plan to get a ship had clearly fallen through.
"Captain Kuro?" Moonlight thought, his eyes glinting as he watched Klahadore's retreating figure. He replayed the butler's peculiar gesture of adjusting his glasses with his palm—it was definitely not something a normal person would do.
"Since that's a no-go, we'll just have to find another way," Luffy said, dejected, as he turned to leave the villa. He couldn't just steal a ship, and having offended the butler, staying was no longer an option. "Usopp! Wait up!" he suddenly yelled, remembering their new acquaintance, and took off running after him.
"Hey, Captain, where are you going?!" Zoro and Nami shouted, but Luffy was already gone, moving with incredible speed.
"Damn it, that captain is so irresponsible!" Nami and Zoro complained in unison.
"Hehe, don't worry about him. Maybe he'll find something interesting," Moonlight said with a smile. "Besides, I found something interesting myself."
"Something interesting?" Nami asked, intrigued.
"What did you find?" Zoro added.
"That butler," Moonlight began. "Don't you think there's something a bit strange about him?"
"Strange? I guess so," Nami mused. "That movement he made to fix his glasses was weird. No normal person adjusts their glasses like that."
"Yeah, that was definitely not normal," Zoro agreed.
"The obvious answer is that he isn't a normal person," Moonlight explained. "While it could be due to a medical condition or an unusual habit, a habit like that isn't innate; it's acquired. Now, think about it. On this sea, abnormal movements and habits... in this villa, there's only a young lady and a butler. What does that make you think of?"
It was simple logic, yet no one else had noticed. As they considered his words, the unsettling conclusion became obvious.
"Listening to you, it does seem abnormal," Nami said, her eyes widening. "Do you suspect the butler isn't an ordinary person? Could he be a pirate or a bandit?"
"Moonlight, you think…?" Zoro trailed off, the implications dawning on him. The more they pondered Moonlight's words, the more terrifying the situation seemed.
"Yes," Moonlight confirmed. "On this sea, apart from normal people, there are pirates. Although there's no evidence, my intuition tells me he's not simple. As a servant, he dominates his mistress and makes decisions for her. I don't like it. Besides, without a ship, we can't get to the Grand Line, and I don't want to waste any more time here."
"What are you going to do?" Nami asked, nodding in agreement.
"I'm also a little curious," Zoro added, his interest piqued.
"It's simple," Moonlight proposed. "Let's split up and check the coasts around the village. If he's a pirate, there must be a pirate ship hidden somewhere. If we can find it, then everything will become clear."
"Alright," Nami nodded, taking charge. "We came from the west, and there was nothing unusual there. So, I'll take the east, Zoro can take the south, and Moonlight, you take the north."
"Hey, don't order me around! Did I say I was going south?" Zoro grumbled, dissatisfied with Nami making decisions for him. But Nami was already walking away, leaving no room for argument. Moonlight just smiled and headed north.
Zoro stood there, speechless, and looked around in confusion. "Hey... which way is south? Is it this way?" He hesitated for a moment before choosing a direction and setting off.
Meanwhile, in the woods to the east, Onion, Pepper, and Carrot were walking when they noticed a strange man in a jazz hat walking backwards, holding a silver ring.
"Look, there's someone over there, and he's walking backwards!"
"That's weird. Why is he walking like that? Is something wrong with his feet?"
"Should we help him?"
The three boys approached the man. "Hey, is there something wrong with your feet? Why are you walking backwards?"
"Are you sick?"
"Who are you? We've never seen you before."
The man laughed. "Nonono, my name is Jango. I'm known as the strongest hypnotist in history. Don't you think walking backwards like this is cool?"
"Cool?"
"A hypnotist?"
"What's that?"
The three boys looked at Jango, completely puzzled.
"Why, don't you believe me?" Jango said with a grin, shaking the silver ring in his hand. "Then look here. When I say 'One, Two, Jango,' you will fall asleep."
The boys couldn't help but look at the shimmering ring.
"One, Two... Jango!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the three boys collapsed to the ground, fast asleep.
"Just three little kids," Jango mumbled, glancing at them. "Forget it, I don't have time for you. Captain Kuro doesn't like it when people are late." He continued walking backwards and soon left the woods.
At the same time, on a cliff to the east, Luffy found Usopp. "Hey, Usopp, you're here!"
"Luffy, it's you," Usopp said, his voice heavy with doubt. "Is my father really a notorious pirate, like they say? Do I really have filthy pirate blood in my body?" He trusted Luffy, who had brought him news of his father.
"What? You're worried about something like that?" Luffy said, taken aback. He clapped Usopp on the shoulder. "So what if he's notorious? If you choose to be a pirate, you have to get used to hearing what other people say about you. Otherwise, what's the point of being a pirate?"
Usopp's eyes lit up. Luffy's words were like a beacon, instantly clearing his doubts. "You're right, Luffy. This path isn't easy, but if you choose to be a pirate, you have to be prepared. That's what a real man does!"
"Thank you, Lu—" Usopp started to say, but he was cut off by the sound of voices coming from below the cliff. It wasn't a high cliff, only about thirty meters. Down below, the butler, Klahadore, was talking to the man in the jazz hat, Jango.
"Are things ready?" Klahadore asked.
"Don't worry, Captain. Everything is ready," Jango confirmed.
"Very well," Klahadore sneered. "For this moment, I, the great Captain Kuro, have endured serving a little girl for five years. But it's all worth it. Once this is done, the world will completely forget about me. No one will ever know my true identity."
Just as Moonlight had suspected, the butler was indeed a pirate.
"Captain, my side is ready, but what about yours?" Jango asked. "I heard you had some minor troubles. Is everything really okay?"
"Just some minor nuisances, but it doesn't matter. I can solve them easily," Kuro replied. "Alright, have everyone come ashore immediately and create chaos. I'll appear at the most critical moment, repel you, and then kill Kaya."
"After half an hour, we'll meet on the hillside north of the village."
"Yes, Captain." Jango nodded and prepared to leave.
But at that moment, a loud shout interrupted them. "Hey! You actually want to kill the villagers and Miss Kaya? Aren't you the butler of the villa?"
On the cliff, Luffy stood up, his face filled with rage. Usopp, however, was filled with a mix of anger and fear. He couldn't believe what he was hearing, and he panicked when Luffy stood up so suddenly.
"Hey, what are you doing standing up? Shouldn't we wait for them to leave and then go warn the villagers?" Usopp whispered frantically.
"How could I? That guy wants to kill everyone! I have to send him flying!" Luffy yelled, ignoring Usopp completely.
"So it's you two," Kuro sneered, looking up at them. "Seeing your long nose reminds me of the punch I took. It's very unpleasant. Jango, get rid of them."
"Yes, Captain," Jango nodded, shaking the silver ring in his hand as he looked at Luffy. "Look at this. When I say 'One, Two, Jango,' you will fall asleep."
"Huh?" Luffy stared, intrigued.
"One, Two... Jango!"
Thud!
As soon as Jango finished speaking, Luffy's eyes closed, and he fell headfirst off the cliff, landing with his head buried in the soil like an onion.
"What?!" Usopp screamed in shock.
"Alright, let's go," Kuro said with another sneer and turned to leave. Jango nodded and headed in the opposite direction to rally the crew.
"You... stop!" Usopp trembled, but he stood his ground. Though terrified, he shouted, "I am Captain Usopp! I have 8,000 men, and I will tell the villagers your true colors! Your conspiracy will never succeed! You will never hurt Kaya!"
"Hehe, go ahead," Kuro scoffed, not even bothering to look back. "Do you think the villagers will believe you, or will they believe me? You're nothing but a filthy liar."
Usopp suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. He remembered that because he was a liar, no one in the village believed him anymore.
"Damn it," he gritted his teeth, his resolve hardening. "No matter what, I have to save everyone. I can't let them be deceived. And Kaya... I have to tell her the truth!"
With that, Usopp turned and ran.
Meanwhile, on a cliff to the north, Moonlight smiled as he looked at the pirate ship docked at a hidden cove. "Found it. Just as I thought, the Black Cat Pirates."
The evidence was undeniable. Just as Moonlight was about to take action, the hypnotist Jango appeared on the slope, walking towards the ship.
"It's Mr. Jango!"
"Mr. Jango is here! Looks like it's time for business!" the pirates on the ship exclaimed excitedly as they saw him approach.
"Alright, you little ones!" Jango announced as he reached the ship. "The captain has given the order! All hands on deck! We're going to raid the village and kill everyone!"
"Aaaargh! I can finally go ashore! I've been waiting for this day!"
"Great! Now we can show these damn villagers the power of the Black Cat Pirates!"
"Let's go, brothers! Grab your swords and head ashore!"
The pirates screamed wildly, grabbing their cutlasses and leaping off the ship, their faces filled with murderous intent as they started towards the village.
"Stop, you hateful pirates!" a voice shouted. Usopp emerged from the jungle, just in time. Though his heart was pounding with fear, he stood before them and yelled fiercely, "With the great Captain Usopp here, you won't harm a single villager! I advise you to get out of here, or else I and my 8,000 men will not forgive you!"
"Huh? Who's this guy?"
"Eight thousand men? Telling us to get lost? Hahaha, this kid needs to work on his tall tales. Does he really think he can deceive us?"
"Idiot! You and your eight thousand men? I have a hundred thousand men! What are you?"
"That kid's nose is so long. I'll cut it off later and use it for a drinking game!"
The pirates sneered, completely dismissing Usopp's threat, and continued to advance, their blades ready.
"Damn it, they saw through me in an instant," Usopp trembled. He was just a liar; he had no strength to face pirates who lived by the sword.
"Hey, is this the south side?" a voice suddenly asked. Zoro appeared, looking completely lost as he asked Usopp for directions.
"You... you're Zoro!" Usopp exclaimed, feeling a surge of hope as if a savior had arrived. "Great! Stop them! They're pirates, and they're going to kill all the villagers!"
"Pirates?" Zoro was still trying to figure out where he was, but when he heard Usopp's words and saw the murderous pirates on the hillside, a smirk spread across his face. "Huh. It seems I found the right direction after all. Just like Moonlight guessed, there really are pirates docked in a hidden place on this island."
"Nothing in the east, nothing in the south... and Zoro, that idiot, I told him to go south, and he ended up in the north. Those are completely opposite directions," Nami muttered as she emerged from the jungle. She had already searched the east and south and had now arrived in the north. For a navigator, searching an area quickly was simple. "Oh, isn't that Zoro? Did he find the pirates?"
She was stunned for a moment when she saw him, and the pirates gathering behind him. "Just as Moonlight guessed, they really are pirates," she murmured.
"Damn it, how did these people find this place?" Jango's face hardened as he saw Zoro and Nami appear one after another. If it were just Usopp, he wouldn't have cared, but with Zoro and Nami, he couldn't afford to be careless. Captain Kuro did not tolerate tardiness. He had killed men for being unpunctual before. The thought of Captain Kuro's ruthlessness sent a shiver down Jango's spine.
"Everyone, charge! Don't be late for the rendezvous with the captain! You know the consequences if you are!" he shouted to his men.
"Yes, Mr. Jango! Everyone, rush! Don't be late!"
"Charge! We can't be late, or we'll be killed!"
Hearing this, the pirates became even more frenzied and rushed up the slope, desperate to break through.
"Come on, then. Leave them to me," Zoro said with a grin, drawing his three swords. "Three-Sword Style!"
He charged forward like a cutting machine, a blur of steel and motion. He was like a harvester, mowing down every pirate in his path. In the blink of an eye, he had torn through their ranks, and when he emerged on the other side, every pirate was on the ground, seriously injured.
"Damn it, he's that powerful?" Jango's face turned cold. "In that case, Meowban Brothers, it's up to you! We cannot be late!"
Suddenly, two figures—one fat, one thin, both armed with cat claws—appeared on the ship. They looked at Zoro with cowardly expressions.
"Mr. Jango, you want us to deal with him? Isn't that a bit much?"
"That man looks terrifying! What if we get killed?" the two brothers whined.
"No nonsense! Kill him, or we'll be late for the time agreed with Captain Kuro!" Jango said impatiently.
"Ah, Captain Kuro... Buchi, what do you say? Should we fight?"
"No way, how can we beat him?" the brothers said, becoming even more cowardly as they reluctantly approached Zoro.
"What? This is your ace in the hole, the Meowban Brothers?" Zoro said, disappointed by their timid performance. "It seems..."
However, before he could finish, the two exchanged a look, a glint of cunning flashing in their eyes. They moved with surprising speed, lunging like cats, their claws aimed straight for Zoro. Their movements were so strange and swift that by the time Zoro reacted, it was too late.
Slash!
Blood burst from Zoro's chest as he grunted in pain. Deep claw marks appeared on his chest, and blood flowed freely. He had been severely wounded.
"Zoro!" Nami and Usopp screamed.
"Hehehe, people like you always fall for it," the brothers laughed, their expressions now cold and mocking. "You see our clumsy appearance and let your guard down. This is the price you pay for underestimating others!"
"A swordsman? Not so tough after all!"
"Hahaha, that's our Meowban Brothers for you! Truly amazing!" the other pirates cheered. "Aside from the captain and Mr. Jango, the Meowban Brothers are the most powerful in our crew! Come on, use your claws to kill this man!"
"Don't waste time, Meowban Brothers!" Jango urged, looking at his watch. "The captain gave us only half an hour. If you're late, you know the consequences. Hurry up and kill them!"
"Yes, sir," the two replied, their faces contorting into vicious grins. They extended their claws and lunged at Zoro again. "Die!"
"Damn it," Zoro cursed. He couldn't afford to be careless now. He drew his sword and engaged the Meowban Brothers in a frantic battle. Their claws were incredibly fierce, and their attacks were lightning-fast. Zoro found himself constantly on the defensive, completely suppressed.
"This is not good. Zoro is completely suppressed. If this continues, he'll die sooner or later," Usopp worried.
"Zoro's Three-Sword Style is his most powerful, but the Meowban Brothers are too fast," Nami observed thoughtfully. "He can't find an opening. If this goes on, he'll be killed. We have to create an opening for him!" She knew what needed to be done, but creating a gap in such a high-speed battle was incredibly difficult. "I have to try, even if it's a forced opening!"
Gritting her teeth, Nami desperately pulled a dagger from her clothes and threw it at the fighting trio.
"Idiot!" Zoro shouted, seeing her reckless move.
"Hmph, looking for death!" the Meowban Brothers sneered, their eyes instantly shifting to Nami. One of them swatted the dagger away with his claw, sending it flying back towards her like a meteor.
"Damn it!" Zoro shouted angrily, about to move to block the dagger for Nami. If he didn't, she would surely die.
"Don't worry. Fight with all your strength," a calm voice suddenly said.
SWOOSH!
A crescent-shaped slash of sword energy shot through the air, intercepting the flying dagger and engulfing it in an instant. The dagger vanished as if it had never existed, and the sword energy continued, cleanly slicing off the top of a small hill nearby.
CRACK!
The hilltop crumbled to dust.
"The mountain... the mountain was cut in half!" Usopp gasped, his mouth agape in shock.
"No way... this has to be a joke!"
"What kind of power is this?!"
All the pirates were stunned, staring blankly at the severed mountain.
Hiss! Jango took a sharp breath and looked at the man who was now walking slowly down the hillside, holding Nami, who was equally shocked.
"Who...?!"
The Meowban Brothers were also frozen in place, staring at the display of power, their fighting spirit completely gone.
"Moonlight," Zoro said, his pupils tightening. That single slash made him understand the vast gap between them.
"Moonlight, thank you for saving me," Nami said gratefully. The moment she threw the dagger, she realized it was a foolish move. If Moonlight hadn't appeared in time, she would have been finished.
"It's a small matter," Moonlight said with a wave of his hand, his eyes on Zoro. "Now, finish your battle." He had no intention of intervening further.
"Got it." Zoro immediately focused his mind, drew his other two swords, and faced the Meowban Brothers.
"Damn it, you dare to underestimate us!"
"Kill him!"
Though startled by Moonlight's terrifying strength, the brothers were not afraid of Zoro. They shouted and lunged at him again, using their full strength this time, wanting to end the fight quickly with the threat of Moonlight looming nearby.
"Three-Sword Style: Oni Giri!" Zoro sneered. With all three swords drawn, he was a completely different fighter. He became a blur of light and shadow, disappearing from sight. When he reappeared, he was behind them. On each of their chests, the clear marks of three swords appeared. Though they were fast, they were no match for Zoro in his three-sword state.
"Aaargh!" they screamed, collapsing to the ground.
"How is it possible? The Meowban Brothers were defeated!" the pirates cried out in disbelief.
"Damn it, time is running out," Jango said, his expression grim. The defeat of the Meowban Brothers was a shock, especially with the man who had sliced a hill in half standing on the hillside like an immovable mountain. He looked at his watch, his face growing darker.
"Next, I'll leave it to you," Zoro said, before collapsing to the ground, panting heavily. He was badly injured; the Meowban Brothers' claws had cut him deep.
"Alright," Moonlight nodded and stepped forward, looking down at Jango and the remaining pirates. "Either get out, or I'll make you. Choose."
"What did you say? You want to defeat all of us by yourself?" Jango sneered. "Sir, I admit you are very powerful, but that's underestimating us a bit, don't you think?"
"Hmph, although we are not as good as the Meowban Brothers, we can't be taken down by just one person!" the pirates shouted. They were all desperados who had licked blood from their blades; they feared no one.
"Is that so?" Moonlight sneered, about to take action.
"You are all here," a ghostly voice suddenly said. Klahadore—or rather, Captain Kuro—appeared among them silently.
"It's the captain!"
"Captain, you're here!"
"Great, the captain is here!" the pirates cheered excitedly.
"No, the time has already passed," Jango's heart sank. He knew Kuro couldn't wait and had come to find him, which meant Kuro was angry.
"It's you, the villain!" Usopp shouted, though his body trembled with fear.
"So, it's him. No evidence needed now," Nami's mind raced. The Meowban Brothers were already so strong; she could only imagine how powerful their captain must be.
"Jango, what are you doing?" Kuro asked, his voice low and menacing, ignoring everyone else as if they were insignificant. He looked at Jango with a deep, unsettling smile.
Seeing that smile, Jango knew that if he didn't act now, they would all be finished.
"Meowban Brothers, look here! Everyone, look here!" he shouted to all the pirates, shaking the silver ring in his hand. "When I say 'One, Two, Jango,' you will all become violent! Hypnosis: RAGE!"
Suddenly, everyone looking at the silver ring became ferocious, their eyes bloodthirsty. They picked up their swords and rushed fiercely towards Moonlight. The biggest change was in the Meowban Brothers; their bodies suddenly doubled in size, and their movements became even more agile as they lunged at him.
"No, they've become more fierce! This is bad!" Usopp and Nami cried out.
"Yes, my hypnotism can not only make people fall asleep, but it can also make them forget pain and fear," Jango sneered. "They are like beasts, unconscious and unafraid, and their combat power will increase tenfold! You are finished! Go to hell!"
"Hmph," Moonlight sneered, about to draw his sword.
"Gum-Gum... Gatling!" an excited voice suddenly shouted. Luffy jumped out of the jungle, having finally arrived.
Boom boom boom boom!
Luffy's arms flew, a barrage of countless fists rushing out towards the hypnotized pirates. He was like a force of nature, unstoppable. Whether it was the Meowban Brothers or the ordinary pirates, they were all sent flying.
"Luffy, you're finally here! Where have you been?" Nami shouted angrily, while Usopp breathed a sigh of relief.
"Damn it, isn't this kid dead?" Jango was shocked. He had seen Luffy fall from the cliff with his own eyes.
By this time, Luffy had finished his attack. Everyone, including the Meowban Brothers, was on the ground. He then turned to Jango and said angrily, "It's you! You used that weird thing to make me fall asleep! I'm gonna send you flying! Gum-Gum... Pistol!"
His arm stretched out, and a single, powerful punch shot towards Jango.
"His arm... it stretched out!"
"A monster!" the pirates who were getting up shouted, the hypnosis broken by the shock.
"He's a Devil Fruit user," Jango realized, quickly calming down. "That explains why he didn't die from the fall." He dodged Luffy's punch and shook the silver ring again. "Look at me! Hypnosis: Forced Hypnosis! One, Two... Jango!"
As soon as he finished, Luffy's eyes closed, and he fell asleep again. But this time, before he passed out, he managed to shout, "Damn, this trick again? Moonlight, bye—"
"Luffy!" Usopp and Nami shouted, but it was too late.
"Fell asleep again? Hmph," Jango sneered, relieved.
"Hey, are you ever going to fall for the same trick twice?" Moonlight said, completely speechless. He had thought Luffy would sweep the field, but it seemed he would have to handle it himself after all.
"Your only fighter has fallen. What are you going to do now?" Jango taunted. He thought for a moment, then shook his ring again. "Everyone, look here!" he shouted to the remaining pirates. "One, Two... Jango!"
This time, their eyes turned blood-red, and they became ten times more powerful than before, rushing towards Moonlight with unmatched ferocity.
"Moonlight, be careful!" Nami and Usopp shouted. First Zoro, then Luffy. The enemy's strength was beyond their imagination.
"Give you ten more seconds," Kuro said, his voice laced with impatience.
The hypnotized pirates became even more agitated. "Kill him! Finish the captain's task quickly! Or the captain will be unhappy!" they roared.
"Moonlight!"
"Run away!" Nami and Usopp shouted.
"Don't worry," Moonlight said calmly, walking towards the charging pirates. "They are nothing to me. On the contrary, you two should stay away, or it would be bad if you get caught in the crossfire."
"Go away?"
"Get caught in what?" Nami and Usopp were puzzled.
"He's actually coming towards us!" Jango scoffed.
"Does he look down on us? That's what you think!" Moonlight smiled. "Conqueror's Haki!"
His pupils flashed, and a faint blue aura burst out from him, spreading in all directions. Within a hundred meters, everything was affected.
Thump... Thump...
The charging pirates froze, then collapsed to the ground, fainting and foaming at the mouth. Even Jango dropped to his knees, sweating profusely, having lost all his combat effectiveness. A hundred meters away, the few pirates who hadn't charged were frozen in place, too terrified to move.
"What... what happened?" Usopp and Nami stared in shock.
"Did Moonlight do this?"
Even Kuro's pupils shrank, and he instinctively adjusted his glasses. In a flicker, he was gone.
"Silent Step!"
He appeared silently behind Moonlight, his claws extended.
"Heh," Moonlight smiled faintly and swung his Pheasant Sword. "Three-Stage Cut!"
BOOM!
A crescent-shaped wave of sword energy burst from the blade, delivering three consecutive slashes in an instant.
CRACK!
Kuro's left iron claw was instantly severed, and he was sent flying by the force of the slash.
"Captain Kuro!" the remaining pirates screamed in shock. "He blocked Captain Kuro's Silent Step!"
"It's amazing! This Moonlight is truly incredible!" Usopp said, his mouth wide open.
"It's more than powerful, it's complete domination!" Nami added, equally stunned.
"Too weak," Moonlight said with disdain. "With that kind of strength, you call yourself a captain?"
"Heh heh," Kuro just smiled cruelly, unconcerned. He lowered his one remaining hand, and his body began to sway as if he were drunk. Seeing this pose, the pirates who were still conscious roared in terror.
"No, Captain Kuro, don't use the Pussyfoot Maneuver!"
"Ah! That's the Pussyfoot Maneuver! Please, Captain, don't use that move!"
"We'll do whatever you want! Just don't use that move!"
The pirates were filled with despair.
"What's a Pussyfoot Maneuver?" Usopp and Nami asked, confused.
"It's Captain Kuro's ultimate technique," Jango explained, his voice trembling. "It's based on his Silent Step, but it's so fast that even he can't control it. It's an indiscriminate killing technique!"
"What?! Indiscriminate? That means he doesn't even know who he's killing?" Usopp and Nami shuddered.
"That's right," Jango nodded, his face pale with dread.
"Silent killing? It's just a trick that sacrifices control for high-speed movement. Ha!" Moonlight sneered.
"Heh, I admit you are powerful, but you underestimate Captain Kuro. This technique is more terrifying than you can imagine," Jango retorted.
"Is it?" Moonlight smiled faintly.
WHOOSH!
At that moment, Kuro's body vanished. The Pussyfoot Maneuver had begun.
"Ah, Captain Kuro, no!" the pirates begged.
"Hmph," Moonlight sneered and drew his Pheasant Sword. A fan-shaped wave of crescent energy slashed out. The next moment, an explosion ripped through the air. The disappeared Kuro was instantly sent flying, his right iron claw gone, his body slamming into a rockery behind him. He spurted a mouthful of blood and passed out.
The entire area fell silent.
"Captain Kuro was defeated? Even while using the Pussyfoot Maneuver!"
"My God, am I dreaming?"
"This swordsman is too strong!" the pirates whispered in awe after a long moment. Jango, who had withstood Moonlight's Conqueror's Haki, finally succumbed to the shock and fainted.
"That's amazing," Usopp trembled, looking at Moonlight as if he were a god.
"So strong... he might be stronger than Arlong," Nami whispered, her own body shaking.
"This guy... he's the man I know I'll have a hard time beating," Zoro said, having managed to stand up, supporting himself with his swords. "But I will definitely surpass him." He walked over and nudged Luffy. "Hey, Captain, it's all over. Time to wake up."
"Huh?" Luffy woke up, looking around in a daze before his eyes finally fell on Moonlight. "Moonlight, is there any meat? I'm hungry."
Moonlight, Zoro, and Usopp were all speechless.
"The first thing you do when you wake up is ask for meat?" Nami fumed, running over and punching Luffy on the head. "Weren't you worried at all that we'd be killed?"
"What's there to worry about?" Luffy whined, rubbing the lump on his head. "Moonlight was here. With his strength, solving them was a piece of cake."
"Okay, okay, thank you all this time," Usopp said, stepping in. "I'll treat you to dinner. Luffy, all the meat you can eat."
"Is everyone... here?" a delicate voice called out. Kaya came running over, panting. She looked at the group, then at the scene of devastation, and was stunned.
"Captain Usopp, it's terrible!" Onion, Pepper, and Carrot ran up, also out of breath. "The butler, Klahadore, is actually the fierce pirate captain, Kuro! He wants to kill everyone in the village and Miss Kaya!" But when they saw the defeated pirates scattered everywhere, they too were left speechless.
"Haha, you guys are late," Usopp laughed, about to brag. "They've been taken care of by me, Captain Usopp, and... uh, my comrades!" He caught the indifferent expressions from Nami and Zoro and quickly corrected himself.
"Wow, Captain Usopp, you're amazing!" the boys cried, their eyes filling with tears of admiration. They believed him completely.
Kaya, however, seemed to understand what had really happened. She smiled at Usopp, then turned to Luffy and the others. "Thank you all so much."
Soon, the villagers, having learned the truth, came out to cheer.
"Usopp, thank you for saving everyone!"
"You did a good job, boy! I'm proud of you!"
Hearing their praise, Usopp trembled and burst into tears.
"Hmph, we're the ones who did all the work, and he gets all the credit," Nami grumbled.
"It doesn't matter," Luffy said with a bright smile, shaking his head. "We're pirates, not heroes."
Zoro and Moonlight just smiled.
"You're right," Nami said, stunned for a moment before a smile spread across her face as well. "We are pirates."
Later, facing the warm hospitality of the villagers, the crew celebrated. Luffy found meat, Zoro found booze, and Nami and Moonlight good-naturedly fought over curry rice. It was a joyous feast.
The next day, Luffy and the others said their goodbyes. Because of the incident with Kuro, they didn't bring up the matter of the ship with Kaya again. However, when they arrived at the shore, they found a magnificent caravel waiting for them, with Kaya and her new butler, Merry, standing beside it.
"Usopp told me about your situation," Kaya said with a smile. "As thanks, I'd like to give you this ship, the Going Merry. I hope you won't dislike it."
"A ship! It's so big! Awesome!" Luffy shouted, immediately jumping aboard and exploring every corner. Zoro said nothing, but his eyes expressed his gratitude. Nami and Moonlight offered their thanks.
At that moment, a huge ball rolled down the hillside, split open, and scattered clothes and daily necessities everywhere. Usopp stood up from the middle of the mess, looking embarrassed. "It was too heavy, I slipped... hahaha... but I, Usopp, have decided! From now on, I will set sail and become a brave warrior of the sea!"
"Usopp!" Kaya's face showed a hint of yearning. The sea was her dream, but her frail body had always held her back.
"Wow, that's so cool! Then be my companion!" Luffy immediately invited him on board.
"You... you want to invite me on your ship?" Usopp asked, his mouth agape in disbelief. He had seen their strength firsthand; how could a powerful pirate crew like this want someone like him?
"You're interesting. I'm missing someone like you on my ship," Luffy said with a sincere smile.
"But... do they have an opinion?" Usopp asked, looking at Zoro, Nami, and Moonlight.
"Hey, Luffy, even if you're the captain, you could at least ask us!" Nami said.
"Yeah, we're not just air," Zoro added.
"I don't mind," Moonlight shrugged.
"Hey, will you join my pirate crew?" Luffy shouted to Usopp, completely ignoring them.
"This guy..." Nami sighed, facepalming.
Faced with Luffy's sincere invitation, Usopp was overwhelmed with emotion. Tears streamed down his face as he nodded heavily and hugged Luffy. Nami and Zoro couldn't help but smile at the scene.
"With Usopp on board, this ship won't be too lonely," Moonlight thought to himself with a smile.
After a tearful farewell to Kaya, Usopp boarded the Going Merry. As the ship sailed further away, he burst into tears again.
"Now that you've decided to set sail, you have to let go of everything until you succeed," Luffy comforted him.
"Thank you, Luffy, you're such a good person!" Usopp cried, and the two started roughhousing on the deck.
"I said having more people would be more lively, but this is just noisy," Nami said, her mouth twitching.
"Hey, Zoro, come and spar with me!" Moonlight called out from an open area of the deck.
"Alright," Zoro replied, his face lighting up with excitement as he drew his swords.
Watching the two pairs, Nami couldn't help but get a headache. "Is there a single normal person on this ship?" But for some reason, she found herself enjoying the feeling.
After Nami identified the course, they sailed forward. The weather on the sea was unpredictable. One moment it was clear, the next a storm was upon them.
"Moonlight, pull down the sail! Zoro, take the helm! Usopp, use your spyglass to observe the surroundings! Luffy, the lookout is yours!" Nami commanded, showing the skill of a seasoned navigator. Under her guidance, the Going Merry sailed smoothly through the storm.
When the sky cleared, Luffy sat on the bow, looking impressed. "It seems that you woman is useful after all," Zoro commented, an unusual compliment from him.
"On this sea, the navigator is the core," Moonlight nodded.
"This is the sea I've longed for!" Usopp exclaimed, emerging from the cabin. He then looked at Luffy. "Luffy, since we've formed a pirate crew and set sail, we must have a jolly roger!"
"Of course, but what should it be? I can't draw," Luffy said, frowning.
"I can!" Usopp volunteered. He quickly painted a portrait of himself with his long nose. "Behold, the flag of the great Captain Usopp!"
"Hey! I'm the captain!" Luffy protested. After a round of punches and kicks, Usopp finally painted a proper flag according to Luffy's wishes: a skull and crossbones wearing a straw hat.
The Straw Hat Pirates were officially established.
"It's perfect!" Luffy said, overjoyed.
"It's alright," Zoro and Nami nodded in approval.
"The Straw Hat Pirates, is it finally established?" Moonlight murmured to himself, a sense of excitement stirring in his heart.
At that moment, a monstrous wave rose from the sea, and a ten-meter-long sea beast appeared.
"Whoa... so big!" Luffy reacted immediately, his eyes wide with wonder.
"What is that!" Zoro said, his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Ah! A sea beast!" Usopp screamed, diving to the deck.
The beast roared and lunged towards the ship.
"Moonlight, be careful!" Nami cried out.
"Moonlight, don't kill it!" Luffy exclaimed, looking like a curious child.
"Get lost!" Moonlight simply stared at the beast.
The massive sea beast suddenly froze, its lantern-sized eyes filled with fear. With a whimper, it turned and fled.
Usopp, Zoro, Nami, and Luffy all stared, their reactions a mixture of shock, awe, and in Luffy's case, disappointment.
"Sorry, I missed," Moonlight said, shaking his head. He hadn't expected his Conqueror's Haki to be so strong that it would scare the beast away.
"What do you mean, you missed? You're too much! You scared a sea beast away with just a look!" Usopp complained.
"What kind of magic was that? It's amazing!" Nami said, shocked.
Zoro didn't speak, but the fighting spirit in his eyes grew even stronger. The more Moonlight revealed his strength, the more he felt the gap between them—a gap he was determined to overcome.