On the long street, tensions began to rise.
Passing pirates, sensing the looming conflict, quickly stepped aside, creating an open space for the confrontation to unfold.
Street brawls were commonplace in Mad Hat Town, but it was rare for such clashes to break out late at night.
Pirates gathered around, eager spectators of the scene. Among them was the Kid Pirates.
After over three months, Kid was startled by the drastic transformation of Maude.
If Maude's face had been covered, Kid would have never recognized him.
The change was not just physical—it was a shift in aura and strength, something profoundly visible.
"Well, well... this is unexpected."
Kid's eyes narrowed as he stared at Maude.
The first time they met, he'd dismissed Maude as a cheap laborer at the weapon shop, one of those who wouldn't last long.
To put it bluntly, back then, Kid could have ended Maude's life with a mere flick of his finger.
But now? Not only had Maude survived, but his hands were clearly stained with blood.
As someone who had climbed over a pile of corpses himself, Kid recognized the signs instantly.
The current Maude was of the same breed as him—a man who disregarded human life and moved forward relentlessly toward his goal.
Standing beside Kid, Killer also recognized Maude.
"That guy... isn't he the errand boy from that weapon shop?"
When it came to Sol's weapon shop, Killer's deepest impression was of the scar-faced girl who worked there. Maude, by contrast, had left only the faintest memory—barely enough for Killer to recall.
"Yes," Kid nodded, his gaze fixed on the unfolding scene.
He was intensely curious. How had Maude transformed in just three months from a weak, unremarkable figure into someone whose very act of unsheathing a blade radiated sharp, intimidating energy?
Three months.
Even Kid doubted he could achieve such a feat in that timeframe.
Nearby, pirates whispered among themselves.
"The group on the left is the Sea Serpent Pirates. Both their captain and first mate have bounties exceeding ten million."
"And that guy on the right? He's a stranger. Daring to provoke the Sea Serpent Pirates all by himself?"
"Shows how out of touch you are," another pirate interjected, his tone serious.
"That guy's the same one who, two months ago, took down Redhorn Kazte and pummeled Boy Killer Abby."
"Him? Could it be...?"
"Exactly. That's the rising star—Usopp!"
"So this is the infamous Usopp you were bragging about, the one who made you a fortune two months back. Finally, I get to see him in person."
"Shh, keep your voice down," the pirate hissed, quickly covering his companion's mouth.
He was terrified that Maude might overhear. After all, the fortune they'd earned from the Redhorn Pirates wasn't exactly a gift. In truth, they had stolen it from Maude's spoils.
Kid glanced coldly at the whispering pirates.
From their conversation, he pieced together something critical—this man from Sol's weapon shop was the very Usopp who had risen to fame recently.
"I underestimated him."
A chill flashed through Kid's eyes.
In other words, the transformation hadn't taken three months.
In truth, this "Usopp" had grown from someone Kid could kill with a finger into a man capable of wiping out the Redhorn Pirates in just one month.
Who would believe that?
Even Kid, who had witnessed Maude's initial weakness, found it hard to fathom such a leap.
This level of growth was simply monstrous.
"Kid, what's wrong?" Killer noticed the unusual tension in his captain's demeanor and couldn't help but ask.
Unlike Kid, Killer had only glanced briefly at Maude back at the weapon shop. He didn't have the same depth of understanding.
"It's nothing," Kid replied, his tone heavy. After a pause, he added, "Killer, that guy uses a sword. Pay close attention. He's bound to be a rival we can't avoid in the future."
"What?" Killer was taken aback. It was rare for his captain to treat a peer so seriously.
"I see."
He turned his full attention to Maude, who stood with his blade at the ready.
Kid's attitude prompted Killer to begin assessing Maude's strength in earnest.
By now, the commotion had drawn an increasing number of pirates.
Mad Hat Town, a chaotic haven for outlaws, was the perfect place for those who enjoyed watching drama unfold.
Street fights were common, but the most infamous incident had been when a pirate crew captured dozens of Marines.
Instead of selling the captured Marines for profit, the crew chose to publicly torture and execute them.
The streets had been as lively as a festival back then, with pirates cheering and shouting gleefully while the screams of the Marines filled the air.
Of course, that pirate crew eventually met a grim end.
As the crowd swelled around him, Maude sighed inwardly at the unwanted attention.
"Let's end this quickly."
He launched himself toward the Sea Serpent Pirates.
Thomas Harvey, the Sea Serpent Pirates' captain, with a bounty of 13.8 million berries, was the one who had just warned Maude.
Seeing Maude charging with his blade, Harvey's eyes turned icy.
"In terms of swordsmanship, I, Harvey, have never feared anyone!"
Harvey adjusted his stance, positioning his longsword for an optimal strike. With a step forward, he lunged to meet Maude head-on.
Harvey's claim wasn't baseless. Since setting out to sea, he had faced countless Marine swordsmen and emerged victorious.
If not for his relatively short career, his bounty would undoubtedly be higher.
His swordsmanship was the foundation of his confidence in confronting Usopp.
The Serpent Coil technique.
Harvey's arm rippled like a wave, his sword twisting unpredictably like a serpent as it slashed toward Maude.
Among the onlookers, Killer's eyes widened in surprise at the display of skill.
He hadn't expected a relatively unknown pirate like Harvey to possess such refined technique.
But his curiosity was piqued—how would Maude respond?
Within the fray, Maude calmly analyzed Harvey's movements, reading the attack hidden within the flashy technique.
Then, with a plain, straightforward slash, Maude intercepted the serpent-like trajectory with pinpoint precision.
Clang!The dazzling Serpent Coil shattered like melting snow.
Swords clashed, sparks flying.
Harvey's technique was broken, but he didn't falter. Instead, he laughed excitedly.
The Serpent Coil was merely a prelude. His true strength lay in the three follow-up techniques he had yet to unveil.
No Marine swordsman had ever survived past the third move, leaving his final technique unused.
Tonight, perhaps that would change.
He would use this man to make his name known.
Fixing his gaze on Maude through their crossed blades, Harvey's excitement grew.
"As expected of the infamous Usopp. You've got me fired up! Let's see if you can handle my next three moves!"
Bang!
Before Harvey could act, Maude's left hand shot forward, pulling a flintlock pistol from his coat and firing at point-blank range.
The bullet struck Harvey square in the chest, freezing his grin.
"I…"
The sound of the gunshot echoed, leaving the crowd in stunned silence.
Behind his mask, Killer's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.
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