Usopp Joins the Crew

"Captain Kuro was defeated? And while he was using Spoon!"

"My God, something like that happened? Am I dreaming?"

"This swordsman is way too strong!"

After a long while, all the Pirates finally came to their senses, utterly shocked.

"..."

Jango could no longer say a word. His whole body trembled before he fainted!

He had taken Moonlight's Conqueror's Haki head-on. It was already remarkable that he had not passed out on the spot, but now he could not hold on any longer and collapsed unconscious!

"So strong! That swordsman named Moonlight is really incredible! He defeated Kuro with just one strike!"

Usopp said shakily, looking at Moonlight as though he were gazing upon some overwhelmingly powerful being.

"So strong, really strong. This guy might even be stronger than Arlong!"

Nami's heart trembled violently.

"This guy truly is a man even I feel is beyond my reach! But I'll definitely surpass him!"

Zoro planted his sword on the ground and forced himself to stand, staring at Moonlight with battle intent written all over his face!

Then he patted Luffy.

"Hey, Captain, it's all over. Time to wake up!"

"Hm?"

Luffy looked dazed as he woke from his stupor. His gaze swept over the surroundings before finally landing on Moonlight!

"Moonlight, is there any meat? I'm hungry!"

Moonlight: "..."

Zoro: "..."

Usopp: "..."

Everyone was speechless.

"The first thing you say after waking up is that you're hungry and asking whether there's meat? Aren't you even a little worried that we might get killed?!"

Nami exploded, punching Luffy on the head.

"What are you doing? What's there to worry about? With Moonlight here, taking care of them is easy with his strength."

Luffy rubbed the lump on his head, sounding displeased.

"Alright, alright. Thank you all so much this time. I'll treat everyone to a meal. Luffy, there'll be all the meat you can eat."

Usopp hurriedly said, letting out a sigh of relief.

The great enemy before them had been dealt with. That was a good thing.

"Is... everyone here?"

Just then, a beautiful figure came running over, panting. It was Kaya.

She looked at everyone and was about to speak when she suddenly saw the scene before her and froze!

"Captain Usopp, this is bad! That butler Klahadore is actually a vicious pirate captain! He wants to kill everyone in the village, and he wants to kill Lady Kaya too!"

"Captain Usopp..."

"Th-this..."

At the same time, Carrot, Onion, and Pepper came running over as well, panting as they spoke to Usopp.

However, when the three saw the Pirates sprawled all over the hillside below without any will to fight, along with Kuro, Jango, and the Cat Brothers lying defeated on the ground, they froze!

"Haha, you're too late! They were already taken care of by Captain Usopp... his companions!"

Seeing this, Usopp burst into laughter and was about to boast, but the moment the words left his mouth, he saw the cold expressions on Nami and Zoro's faces and immediately changed his wording.

"Wow, Captain Usopp, you're amazing!"

"As expected of our Captain Usopp!"

"Captain!"

Yet the three believed him, looking at Usopp with tears streaming down their faces.

"Usopp, thank you. Everyone, thank you."

Kaya seemed to understand something. She gave Usopp a radiant smile, then thanked Luffy and the others.

She already knew the whole truth!

"What? There really were pirates?"

"That lying Usopp actually drove back the pirates and protected us?"

"Could it be fake?"

At the same time, the villagers were stunned as well. They had received the news too.

After all, the Kuro Pirates had arrived in force with hundreds of people. Such a huge commotion could not have gone unnoticed.

Especially after the butler from the mansion on the hill personally confirmed it, everyone believed it!

"Damn, so it was true. That kid didn't deceive us this time!"

"Amazing. He actually protected us. Looks like he isn't completely useless after all!"

"I never thought there would come a day when he would protect me! But I'm truly grateful to him!"

All the villagers smiled, their hearts filled with mixed emotions!

At this time, with Kaya treating them, Usopp led Luffy and the others back to the village.

The moment they arrived, the villagers cheered.

"Usopp, thank you for saving everyone!"

"Although we treated you badly before, thank you this time!"

"Well done, kid! I believe in you!"

"You all..."

Usopp trembled at the sight, tears streaming down his face.

It was precisely to protect these people that he had dared to stand strong!

"Tch, we were the ones who did it, but he gets to take all the credit!"

Nami said unhappily.

"It doesn't matter. We're Pirates, not heroes."

Luffy shook his head. Seeing Usopp's bright smile, he smiled too.

"Heh heh!"

Zoro gave a sinister grin.

"..."

Moonlight shrugged.

"You guys are right. We're Pirates!"

Nami froze for a moment, then looked at Moonlight and the others and gave them a brilliant smile.

"Meat! Meat! I want meat!"

"Cheers!"

"Hey, Moonlight, don't fight me for the curry!"

Before long, faced with the villagers' enthusiastic hospitality, Luffy and the others all cheered.

Luffy went looking for meat, Zoro drank, while Nami and Moonlight fought over curry rice.

The atmosphere was warm and joyous.

Everyone celebrated wildly!

The next day, after Luffy and the others had eaten, they bid farewell to everyone and continued on the next leg of their voyage!

Because of Kuro, they had not mentioned the matter of getting a ship to Kaya again.

However, when they arrived at the shore, they found a huge sailing ship docked there, with Kaya and the others waiting nearby.

When they saw Luffy and the others, they smiled.

"Usopp told me about all of you. Thank you again for what you did this time. I have no way to repay you, so please accept the Going Merry as my gift. I hope you won't mind."

Kaya said gratefully.

"Ahaha... We have a ship! It's huge! This is great!"

Luffy immediately grew excited and jumped aboard, touching this and that.

"..."

Zoro said nothing, but his eyes conveyed his gratitude.

"Thank you."

Nami and Moonlight thanked her as well.

Kaya politely replied that there was no need to mention it.

"Ahhh!"

Just then, a huge ball suddenly rolled down the hillside. It split open, scattering clothes, pants, and other daily necessities all over the ground.

Usopp climbed out from inside, looking at everyone with immense embarrassment.

"It was just too heavy. My foot slipped, hahaha... But Captain Usopp has decided that from this day forward, I'll set sail and become a great Warrior of the Sea."

"Usopp!"

Upon hearing those words, a trace of longing appeared on Kaya's face.

What she yearned for most was the sea, but her body was frail.

"Wow, that's so cool! Then become my companion!"