Me and My Eight Thousand Subordinates

"Then, Captain, you stay here. We'll go notify the villagers!"

"Goodbye, Captain!"

"Good luck!"

Hearing Usopp's words, the three of them turned and ran without hesitation!

Joking around and playing pirate games was one thing, but when they ran into real Pirates, why would they stay and wait to die instead of running?

"You... go notify the villagers... run!"

Usopp said in a trembling voice. His legs were shaking too, yet he still stayed behind. He was a man; he had to stop the Pirates from landing!

"I won't let you come ashore! Don't even think about laying a finger on this village!"

Usopp said firmly, making up his mind.

Suddenly, his body stopped trembling, and his gaze became resolute as he stepped into the forest.

Just then, Moonlight's group of four had already reached the shore. Moonlight dropped the anchor, secured the ship, and leaped down.

Luffy, Zoro, and Nami had already come ashore.

After briefly getting their bearings, the three were about to head toward the village.

All of a sudden, shadows flickered atop the small hill ahead, and the forest swayed!

It was as though an army of thousands stood there!

"Halt! This island has already been claimed by the great Usopp Pirates! You little scoundrels, get lost at once, or don't blame me and my eight thousand subordinates for showing you no mercy!"

Then a voice suddenly rang out. The shadows shifted, and the noise grew ever more frantic, as though eight thousand people really were about to emerge!

"Wow! That's amazing!"

Luffy's eyes widened in astonishment.

"Idiot, it's obviously a trick!"

Though the display was imposing, Zoro and Nami saw through it instantly. Zoro even shouted toward the hill!

"Don't get cocky! In that case, I'll have my eight thousand subordinates make their move..."

Yet the voice rang out again from the hill, while the commotion grew even more terrifying!

"Buzz!"

At that moment, Moonlight lost his patience and drew his sword!

A crescent-shaped Sword Aura immediately sliced through the air, slashing toward the hill!

"Boom!"

The huge hill split down the middle and was cleaved into two!

Then Usopp, along with a pile of props, tumbled down from the hill!

"Aaaah!"

Usopp screamed as he flew down, landing headfirst before them with a thud!

He was planted upside down!

"Wow, a person fell from the sky!"

Luffy cried out in surprise.

"Only one person?"

Zoro gripped his sword hilt as though facing a formidable enemy, ready to draw at any moment!

Yet when he saw that only one person had rolled down from the hill, he froze!

"So it really was just one person!"

Nami smiled. She had seen through it long ago, but she had not been completely certain.

Now that it was confirmed, she finally relaxed!

"Captain! Captain!"

"Captain Usopp!"

"We're the Usopp Pirates! Let go of our captain, or we'll fight you to the death!"

Just then, Onion, Pepper, and Carrot came running over. They rushed to Usopp's side. Two of them pulled him out, while the other stood before them, glaring coldly at Moonlight's group!

"Ow, ow! Good thing the dirt was soft, or that fall would've killed me!"

By then, the two had already pulled Usopp free. He clutched his long nose and cried out in pain, while feeling immensely relieved!

He had nearly fallen to his death!

"Pepper, Onion, Carrot, why are you here? Did you tell the villagers to run?"

Seeing the three, Usopp's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly shielded them behind himself and asked.

"Captain, it's no use. We've lied to them too many times before, so they don't believe us at all now!"

"That's right. We tricked the villagers too badly. No one in the village believes anything we say anymore!"

"We had no choice, Captain. We can only protect the village ourselves!"

The three said dejectedly.

They often lied to the villagers. After so much time and so many lies, no one believed them anymore!

"Damn it, so that's how it is? In that case, I, Usopp, will protect this island! Listen up, I am—"

Hearing this, Usopp was somewhat disappointed. But then he looked at Moonlight's group of four and shouted coldly.

"You're lying, aren't you? You don't have eight thousand subordinates at all!"

Before he could finish, Nami exposed him outright.

"I..."

Usopp stopped short, then tried to argue.

"Your so-called Usopp Pirates are really just you and those three, right?"

Zoro pointed at the three and said calmly.

"I..."

Usopp stopped again, still trying to say something.

But Luffy pointed at his long nose and burst into laughter!

"I know you. You're Usopp, right?"

"Huh? You know me?"

Usopp was stunned. They had never met before, so how had Luffy recognized him?

"Haha, it really is you! When I was on Shanks's ship, I met your father, Yasopp. He talked about you all the time—so much my ears nearly grew calluses!"

Luffy laughed and named someone!

"Yasopp! You... you know my father? Is he doing well?"

At the mention of that name, Usopp's whole body trembled. He looked at Luffy, all his guard instantly dropping as he asked.

Not just anyone knew that name. Since Luffy could say it, he was no ordinary person!

"'The Pirate Flag called me out to sea.' He said that all the time. He also said he had a newborn son, but he couldn't resist the Pirate Flag's call, so he went to sea."

Luffy said.

"He's doing great. He often shoots ants right between the eyes, and he's one of the best marksmen on Shanks's ship!"

"That's wonderful! Father is all right, and he still remembers me!"

Usopp finally relaxed completely. Thinking of his father Yasopp, he could not help feeling longing.

Perhaps because of their blood connection, he too longed deeply for the sea!

"Luffy's friend?"

"Looks like it!"

"Probably!"

Seeing this, Nami and Zoro spoke one after the other.

Moonlight merely smiled faintly. He had known all along, though now he was experiencing it for himself!

"Grrr..."

Just then, Luffy's stomach suddenly growled. He immediately looked listless, then looked at Usopp and asked.

"I'm so hungry. I want meat!"

"Hungry? Easy, easy. Come with me—I'll treat you to a feast!"

"Onion, Pepper, Carrot, come along too!"

Usopp was enjoying the conversation. Hearing this, he waved grandly and declared with great bravado.

"Woohoo! There's meat!"

Luffy's eyes immediately lit up, and he charged straight toward the village.

Zoro's eyes lit up as well!

"There'll be alcohol!"

He then rushed off after him!

Only Nami and Moonlight remained, still relatively normal!

The two exchanged wry smiles and followed after them, slowly heading toward the village!