A group of pirates were gathering, preparing for their next move.
"We'll go in and wipe out everyone in the village later. If we pull this off, Captain Kuro will reward us well," Jango declared.
"And you guys..."
At this point, his praise stopped abruptly, replaced by a thunderous roar:
"Behave yourselves!"
"You lost the treasure while I was away. What good are you to me now?"
"This is our chance to make up for past mistakes. Let's raid the village for some berries to cover our losses!"
"Alright, that's all I have to say. Let's go, kids!"
With a sweeping gesture, Jango signaled his crew, and countless pirates started making various strange sounds as they charged up the slope in unison.
But as they reached the top, they found a lone figure standing there.
Instantly, they thought:
"Who's this foolish kid blocking our path?"
But once they saw who it was, their attitude flipped entirely. Their fear was palpable.
They fled back at a speed far greater than before, wishing they had more legs to run faster.
Meanwhile, Jango was still holding his forehead and sighing.
"Oh, it's a good thing Captain Kuro isn't aware of the lost treasure. Otherwise, we'd be in serious trouble!"
Just then, he felt a vibration underfoot.
"What's this?"
Jango looked up and saw a group of people charging toward him, only meters away.
"Who—"
Before he could finish, the crowd knocked him into the sky, and he landed on the beach nearby.
A few seconds later, he sprang up like a fish.
Seeing his crew huddled together, clutching their heads, Jango's anger erupted:
"What on earth are you doing!!!"
But no one seemed to hear him, their heads still down. His rage intensified!
"Damn it, not only did you lose my treasure, but now you're failing at attacking the village?"
He glared at his crew, furious.
"Look at you! Do you even look like pirates anymore?"
"What's scaring you so much?"
He turned his gaze to the top of the slope and saw a boy, about 17 years old, calmly watching them.
Jango studied the boy for a full minute. No matter how he looked at him, the boy seemed ordinary, nothing special at all.
Except for the fact that he was handsome.
Realizing the fear in his crew was linked to this boy, Jango's anger boiled over.
"How dare you come to steal our treasure while I was away and now block our way?"
If the tiger doesn't roar, does that make me a kitten?
Jango took out two iron rings, preparing to teach the boy a lesson.
"Yahoo!"
Just as he was about to attack, two strange cries came from behind him.
Hearing the voices, a grin spread across his face. It seemed he wo´´uldn't have to get involved.
"Catman Brothers, take that kid at the top of the slope apart!"
"Understood, Captain!"
Sam, one of the Catman Brothers, grinned menacingly and ran off with Butch.
Seeing this, Jango smiled with satisfaction. The Catman Brothers were reliable, unlike the rest of his crew.
But then he began to doubt.
Was it too soon to speak?
His concerns were soon overshadowed by new trouble.
"Kai , we're here to help!" Usopp shouted as he and Nami arrived.
"Why are they all crouched down with their heads in their hands?" Usopp asked, puzzled.
"Occupational hazard," Kai shrugged.
"Where's Luffy? Why isn't he with you?" Usopp asked.
"Isn't he with you? Why are you asking me?" Kai replied.
"No, he was the first to come over. I thought he had arrived early!"
Kai facepalmed.
"Forget it, it doesn't matter. These pirates aren't coming up anyway."
"Usopp, you handle the Hypnosis Master. Any problems?"
"Me? I might not be very good!" Usopp stammered.
"I have this sudden-death condition when fighting, so..."
"Then handle the pirates. At least you can't say you're doing nothing," Kai said lightly.
He wasn't trying to embarrass Usopp; he just knew Usopp needed more experience.
"Uh..."
Usopp hesitated, but finally chose to confront Jango. He went for the seemingly easier option of one-on-one.
In fact, Jango 's main skills were Hypnosis, and he wasn't as strong as the Catman Brothers.
Seeing Usopp approach, Jango's face darkened. He turned to his crew and shouted:
"Everyone, look at me!"
"After I finish speaking, you'll be filled with strength and murderous intent. You'll rush into the village and kill everyone!"
"Ready, set, go!!!"
Instantly, the pirates on the ground stood up, their eyes now brimming with violent intent.
"Kill!"
They roared and charged up the slope once more.
Seeing this, Usopp turned and fled toward Kai, cowering behind him.
"Well, the plan to train Usopp failed," Kai sighed, noting Usopp's cowardice.
He turned his attention back to the pirates below, a smile forming on his lips.
It seemed the lesson from last time wasn't enough.
Kai narrowed his eyes, preparing to unleash his Conqueror's Haki, but then something caught his attention. He smiled as he watched the pirates rushing toward him.