"Run! Pirates are coming! Minna, run—this time it's for real!"
Dawn was just breaking when shouting tore through the village. For a moment the whole place erupted into curses and commotion.
"Usopp—what a pain!"
"Up at dawn again? He's worse than a rooster."
"No way—we've got to give him a good beating today!"
This was a very remote village, but somehow it was livelier than many town districts. Early in the morning villagers grabbed brooms and chased after the noise. The long-nosed brat this time didn't run away; he let the broom handles smack him while shouting desperately, "Everyone, I'm not lying—there really are pirates this time!"
A villager ground his teeth. "You think we'll fall for your stories? If you come again tomorrow we'll beat you. Now scram, Usopp!" He turned and stomped inside. But once alone, a sliver of doubt crept into his mind: maybe he'd gone too far just now?
Outside, Usopp stood motionless like a lost soul, stunned and hollow-eyed. Why wouldn't they believe him? This time he was telling the truth! Three kids soon gathered around him.
"Captain Usopp, why do you lie every day?" the radish-headed one asked. Onion-head kicked him in the shin and snapped, "What a lie—you're the great Captain Usopp! You don't lie!" The green-pepper kid scratched his head and offered, "Maybe it's those harmless little lies. Come on, it's time to eat." The three wandered off together.
Usopp clenched trembling fists, took a deep breath, picked up a broken broom handle on the ground, and started toward the shore, muttering, "If no one's going to believe me, then I'll just make this a lie worth believing. This village—I'll protect it. Captain Usopp will keep it safe!"
On the coast.
"Captain, we've sent men like you ordered. That guy won't get away!" Buggy's hands waved theatrically in the air. Beside him, Zoro watched Luffy thoughtfully, as if trying to guess his next move. Luffy nodded. "That guy Kuro's a pirate captain. He faked his death to dodge the Navy, abandoned his crew, and tried to murder a rich girl named Kaya to steal her family's fortune. That's disgraceful—he deserves to die!"
He didn't pretend to be saintly; it just sounded better when put that way. Still, Kuro really did deserve to die—he was a disgrace to pirates, and Luffy found him repulsive.
Hidden in the bushes on the shore, Usopp watched everything with wide eyes. "What are they planning to do?" he whispered. Two pirate ships, a dozen men. The straw-hatted one seemed to be the captain, giving orders. And that man with his hands flying in the air...what sort of trickery is that? So frightening! Just one look convinced Usopp he couldn't possibly fight them. He immediately thought of running.
But just as he turned to flee, he stepped on a rotten branch—CRACK! The sound echoed. A cold voice rang out: "Who's there?" Zoro drew his swords in a flash and said, "Luffy, someone's there!"
Well, of course he already knew someone was there—Luffy's intermediate Observation Haki had picked the presence up long ago. But the silly fellow had made a noise. No more pretending he didn't know.
"Hey, come out." Buggy's tone was stern. Usopp went white, raised his hands, and walked out shaking. He stared at the man holding two blades—his heart nearly stopped. The scene went dead silent.
Luffy glanced at him and asked casually, "Is your dad Yasopp?"
"What?!" Everyone froze. Usopp's eyes bulged; he couldn't believe it. "You know my dad?"
Luffy considered for a second. "Yeah. I'm friends with your dad."
"No way!" Usopp's disbelief turned into astonishment. After Luffy's short explanation, Usopp stared like he'd seen a ghost. "So you know Shanks and my dad too?!"
"Sure. Your dad even talked about you—said your family's from Syrup Village, that you were about the same age as me, and that you had a long nose since you were one."
Hearing about his father, Usopp's eyes widened even more. "My dad left when I was two—so...where is he now?"
"He's probably still aboard Shanks' ship, doing fine. You can find out more about him later." Luffy didn't want to talk much longer; he had business to finish. "Come on. Let's go deal with Kuro."
"Right, Captain!" Usopp bit his lip and hurried to follow the dozen or so people as they headed into the village.
"You just mentioned Kaya's name—she's been targeted by a pirate?" Luffy asked.
"Yeah. Some very cunning man's been after her."
"Then we'd better save her. Lead us." Usopp straightened up and spoke earnestly. Luffy gave him a quick once-over. He'd noticed Usopp's obvious crush on Kaya before—Usopp talked big but rarely did anything about it. That's why Kaya only ever liked him as more than a friend up to a point. Whatever—if Usopp wouldn't speak up, it made Luffy's job easier. Later, he could have Usopp work for him and maybe even convince Kaya to give him a child. Luffy smirked to himself at the thought. "Sorry, Yasopp. I feel a little bad for your son."
They moved into the village, Luffy and his crew following Usopp's lead. The village was waking up in fits and starts—some people peered from windows, others bolted doors, fearful at the rumor of pirates. But Luffy's group strode with purpose, and Usopp, despite his fear, kept pace with clenched determination.
"Come on," Luffy said. "First we deal with Kuro. Then we'll talk about other things."
Usopp swallowed and nodded, ready to show the courage he'd promised.
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