"Because you're just too strange! We only met you today, and you're being way too friendly!"
Usopp had no idea where his courage came from. He had completely forgotten how Cricket's pistol had backed him into a corner inside the house earlier!
"..."
Caught off guard by Usopp's sudden change in attitude, Cricket couldn't get a word out.
"And another thing..."
"Hey! Usopp!"
Usopp seemed ready to go on, but Luffy interrupted him.
Yet Usopp had never been so bold. He actually shoved Luffy aside and shouted at him.
"You shut up!"
Then he turned his anger back on Cricket.
"You're telling us tomorrow is our chance to reach that imaginary Sky Island?"
"And you're even getting people to reinforce our ship and escort us?"
"Nothing in this world comes that easy! What are you really after? You're a descendant of Liar Noland! Who the hell would believe you?"
"Enough, Usopp."
Usopp's words were undeniably cruel, especially to Cricket, who had lived in Noland's shadow since childhood. Even Barn, who had chosen to stay out of it from the start, couldn't listen anymore. He laid a hand on Usopp's shoulder to stop him.
For some reason, Usopp was acting like a madman. Yet despite his vicious shouting, Cricket said nothing and merely took a quiet drag on his cigarette.
"..."
Silence settled over the whole shore. For a long time, no one spoke. They simply watched Usopp, who had stopped talking but was still breathing hard, and Cricket, who hadn't said a word from the beginning.
Just then, the two apes and Sanji, unaware of what had happened, broke the silence.
"Old man! Dinner's ready! We've got a real feast tonight!"
"This guy wasn't kidding about his cooking! It's so good it's terrifying!"
"Didn't I tell you? I'm a first-rate