Syrup Village, located in the Moonlight Islands in East Blue, is a very remote village.
On this day, when the first ray of the morning sun had not yet risen from sea level, the doors and windows of all the houses were still tightly closed.
A familiar and urgent cry echoed through the village:
"Oh no, the pirates are here! Everyone, run! The pirates are really here!!"
The sound came from the direction of the blue coast north of the village, and as the screams got closer, everyone in the village could hear them.
"Ah, it's that little devil Usopp again."
"Seriously, he comes every day, doesn't he ever get tired of it?"
"More punctual than an alarm clock!"
Many residents woke up from their sleep, and angry men grabbed brooms and ran out of their homes.
The long-nosed prankster seemed pleased with his handiwork, laughing foolishly as he ran for his life.
The men chased him for a while, but gave up when they reached the entrance to the village. They had to admit, this kid could run really fast.
"We're really going to kick your ass tomorrow, Usopp!"
Leaving behind a harsh comment, the men caught their breath and returned home.
"Hahaha, no one was born in this village who can reach me, the great Captain Usopp!"
Seeing the frustrated residents, Usopp couldn't help but place his hands on his hips, proud.
But his laughter only lasted for a moment, as he looked towards the north coast with a touch of melancholy in his heart.
Pirates... when will they come?
Lost in his thoughts, a scream came from far away.
"Oh no, the navy is here! Captain Usopp, hurry! There's a navy warship arriving!"
Three children ran over in a hurry.
"It's you, Ninjin, Tamanegi, and Piman Usopp said, intrigued. "Navy warship?"
"Captain Usopp, let's escape quickly, there really is a navy ship!"
"Yes, they must be here to get us, Captain!"
"A very large warship, it's the first time I've seen one. I've only seen them in newspapers before!"
(Why are the Marines here? Why should I run? I was just fooling everyone in the village by reminding them to be vigilant every day. The Marines shouldn't have a reason to catch me, right?)
Usopp's brain froze.
(Ah right, I'm Captain Usopp, a self-proclaimed pirate, these three brats actually believed in me.)
"Wait a minute, the navy?" He suddenly realized.
"Yes, yes, a very big warship!" said the three children in unison.
"Don't panic, the great Captain Usopp will personally take a look! You three, come with me!"
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North coast.
As it is a very small village, there is no port on the north coast, and the water is shallow, making it difficult for warships to dock.
They can only anchor a few dozen meters from the shore.
The soldiers on the ship boarded small boats and disembarked in groups.
In comparison, Sunny is much better.
"Luffy-sama. As per your orders, the combat personnel are ready!" a lieutenant came to report.
Behind him, fifty soldiers armed with firearms were in formation.
"Please give us your orders!"
Luffy nodded and said, "In this village, there is a pirate captain hiding. He has his eye on the young girl from a local rich family, intending to marry her and gain her wealth and a clean record!"
As he gave his speech for military mobilization...
On the shore cliff, Usopp hid behind the bushes, his eyes fixed on the situation below.
"What... What's going on here?"
A pirate ship along with a navy warship?
Not only that, but the young man in the straw hat who got off the pirate ship is also commanding those sailors?
The three children hiding next to him tremble in fear of the soldiers below.
"Captain Usopp, they really came to capture you!"
"Yeah, they said the pirate has his eye on Miss Kaya and even wants to marry her. It has to be you, Captain Usopp!"
"Run, Captain Usopp! You saw it too, these are real sailors!"
What are you three idiots talking about?
Usopp's face turned red, but luckily his skin is thick enough that it can't be seen.
Even though he loves to trick people, it's not worth the navy putting on all this show just to capture him, right?
There must be some misunderstanding in all this!!
Anyway... let's run first and talk later.
"It's snack time. I have a disease that will kill me if I don't eat snacks, so goodbye to you three!"
Usopp mutters under his breath, bows his back and turns to leave.
However, as soon as he turned around, a cold voice came from below.
"Who is it?"
Zoro holds the hilt of the sword tightly and warns in a deep voice: "Luffy, someone is nearby!"
(I know... I felt it with my Observation Haki from the beginning) Luffy thought to himself.
But to be honest, this green-haired guy's perception is very strong. He truly has the instincts of a beast.
Immediately, Luffy makes a hand gesture.
In the next moment, dozens of sailors raised their weapons and aimed at the bushes behind the cliff.
"Get out!" The lieutenant ordered sternly.
Behind the bushes, three children let out screams.
"Ah! No... don't shoot!" With a shout, the three raise their hands and rise from the bushes.
Usopp's face turned green and his legs began to shake violently.
He turned his head stiffly and, out of the corner of his eye, looked down.
The gun barrels are pointed at him, making his heart almost stop.
Typically, he brags and deceives, saying that he has millions of subordinates and is the great Captain Usopp.
But when confronted by the sailors, this kind of pressure makes him unable to even speak.
The scene is silent for a few seconds.
Just then Luffy smiles and says, "Usopp, right?"
Huh?
Usopp is stunned and slowly straightens his body.
As he pulled out a white flag out of thin air and waved it in the air, he whispered, "Who? Do you know the great... Ehem, do you know me?"
"Put down your weapons."
Luffy waves his hand and smiles, "You're Yasopp's son, I know you."
Nami: "..."
Zoro: "..."
Why does it seem like everyone in the world knows you, Luffy!?
(End of chapter)