Author: Xiao Yifeng
Translator: PapaSmurf0700
In the tranquil realm of the East Blue lies Syrup Village. When Bai Ye, Zoro, and Nami soared through the skies to this nice location, Luffy had already bumped into Usopp, quite literally. But let's rewind the clock a bit to see how this all unfolded.
"Is that a pirate ship on the horizon? It looks like Buggy's vessel." Usopp mused, concealed in a thicket alongside his faithful trio: Onion, Carrot, and Pepper. Their eyes were glued to the ominous ship approaching their peaceful home.
"I can't make out the details from here, but it seems like there are just four of them. Oddly, there's no sign of Buggy himself," Usopp added, stroking his chin in contemplation.
"That seems to be the case, Captain," Onion confirmed with a nod.
The air was thick with excitement and a hint of fear. Carrot, trying to mask his anxiety with bravado, piped up, "So, Captain Usopp, do we ambush them the moment they set foot on our island? Take them out before they know what hit them?"
What a honor that would be, fending off vicious pirates and safeguarding their village!
Usopp, sensing the weight of his comrades expectations, cleared his throat and puffed out his chest. "Naturally! I am Usopp, the fearless warrior of the sea, after all!"
"Wow!! Captain Usopp, you're the bravest!!" Pepper and Carrot chimed in, their voices practically dripping with admiration.
"But what if these pirates are stronger than we think?" Onion interjected, his voice barely above a whisper. It wasn't that he doubted Usopp; it was just that they were potentially up against the notorious Buggy Pirates. Even without their infamous leader, those pirates were no ordinary foes.
Usopp's mind was racing. He was all too aware of his own limitations. Sure, he likes to brag and could come up with a tale like no other, but deep down, he knew his physical prowess left much to be desired. Could he truly stand toe-to-toe with real pirates?
A flicker of doubt shadowed his heart.
Yet, as these worries swirled in his mind, he thought of his lofty dreams, of dear Kaya, and of his loyal followers. They could not — they would not — come to harm. Not on his watch.
With resolve steeling his voice, Usopp declared, "Follow my lead, everyone. We'll set up a few traps first." Direct confrontation wasn't his style; he was a strategist at heart.
Led by their captain, they meticulously set up various traps along the steep pathway that led into the island — the inevitable route the newcomers would have to traverse.
In the midst of their preparations, Usopp noticed Onion, who seemed transfixed by something in the sky. "What's up, Onion? You see something?"
The expression that crossed Onion's face was one of sheer disbelief before he shouted, "Captain...there's...there's someone flying our way!!"
Usopp started, "What nonsense, how can anyone—"
CRASH!!
His retort was cut short as a figure hurtled from the heavens, landing squarely on top of him, sending up a cloud of dust and debris.
"Captain Usopp!!" The frantic cries of his crew pierced the lingering dust.
As the air cleared, a boy sporting a straw hat emerged, raising his arms in triumph. "Great, I nailed the landing!!"
Upon seeing the trio of wide-eyed kids, he blinked. "Uh? Who are you guys?"
"Who are YOU!!" they retorted in unison, defensive and slightly terrified.
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy, the future Pirate King! I'm here to find a ship that can sail to the Grand Line," Luffy responded, his statement as open and straightforward as his personality.
"Pirates?!" The word hit the trio like a tidal wave, washing over their bravado and leaving sheer panic in its wake.
"We're done for... Are we going to die?"
"If only Captain Usopp were here, he'd..."
"Captain Usopp!!"
In their panic, the kids remembered their fallen captain, still pinned under Luffy.
"Huh? Was someone under me this whole time?" Luffy finally realized his unwitting seat, genuinely concerned. "Doesn't he get cold, sleeping out here?"
"No one sleeps here, you dummy!" The trio's exasperation was palpable as they shouted back.
"You... You attacked us out of nowhere, you jerk!" Usopp grumbled, regaining his senses and glaring at Luffy. "And who exactly are you?"
But when Luffy got a good look at Usopp's face, he gasped dramatically. "WHOA!!"
"Did... Did I stretched your nose into that shape?"
Thinking he had remodeled Usopp's long nose, Luffy immediately enveloped him in a hug.
"Eh?" Usopp's eyes widened in surprise, then, irritation flooding him, he retorted, "Asshole, my nose has always been this way!!"
Soon after, Onion and the rest huddled around Usopp, hurriedly whispering into his ear about Luffy's true identity.
"He's what? A pirate?" Usopp's finger shot out to point at Luffy, his face twisted in shock.
"Yep! That's me. I'm a pirate," Luffy confirmed with a grave nod, oblivious to the tension in the air.
Usopp struggled to wrap his head around this revelation; the pirates he'd imagined were nothing like the figure before him. But the confession straight from the horse's mouth left no room for doubt.
For the sake of his village, for Kaya, Usopp knew what he had to do.
"Listen up," Usopp puffed out his chest, resorting to his habitual tall tales. "My uncle commands eight thousand followers. It's better if you run away before you get into trouble."
Now, any reasonable person would've scoffed at such a blatant lie. But luck was on Usopp's side — Luffy was anything but reasonable.
"Whaaat!! That's incredible!! WOW!!" Luffy's eyes sparkled with genuine awe, not a hint of skepticism in sight.
Surprised by the smooth sail his bluff had found, Usopp's confidence soared, and he addressed Luffy with newfound arrogance. "I'm feeling generous today. Take your leave now, and I might just spare you."
"Nope, don't wanna!" Luffy's grin was wide, his refusal of Usopp's terms as natural as breathing. To Usopp, his expression almost bordered on mockery. It seemed to scream: I might believe your words, but they don't scare me!
"I can't leave yet; I haven't even gotten my own pirate ship," Luffy added, nonchalant.
"Hey, aren't you scared? With my eight thousand subordinates, you're flirting with death!" Usopp's forehead glistened with nervous sweat. Was this guy out of his mind?
"I won't back down until I've achieved what I set out to do, even if it costs me my life," Luffy said earnestly, the playfulness in his demeanor dimming for a moment as he adjusted his straw hat.
He's so...cool?
A strange thought flitted through Usopp's mind as he gazed at Luffy. Wasn't this the kind of brave sea warrior he aspired to become? Luffy's fearless stance prompted Usopp to ponder, perhaps more deeply than ever before.
But his contemplation was cut short by Onion's urgent voice cutting through the air once more. "Captain Usopp, there's someone else flying this way..."
Usopp's gaze shot upwards instinctively, just in time to catch sight of a green-clad figure descending rapidly toward them.
"WHAT!!"