"So that means Kaya will be killed and this village will be attacked, right?"
Lock told the two of them what had happened, and they finally understood why Usopp was acting that way.
"As expected, Klahadore is a bad guy. No wonder he's so annoying."
"So that's why… No wonder Captain Usopp returned to the village with a grim face," the three little ones realized.
Although on this island, only the three little ones and Usopp truly hated Klahadore.
Nami put her hands on her hips and smiled. "Isn't this great? Knowing this news in advance, we can just run away and everything will be fine. The enemy is also stupid…"
"Yeah, that's right, we have to escape quickly too."
"Yeah, I need to pack up all the important things and act fast!"
The three little ones quickly ran toward the village.
"Oh no!" Luffy suddenly shouted.
"What happened?"
"If we don't stock up on food quickly, the butcher will run away!" Luffy exclaimed.
"You are something, Luffy. At a time like this, you're worried the butcher shop owner will escape first," Lock complained.
"What? Isn't meat important?"
"Important, important. So what are you going to do now?"
Inside the villa—
Kaya recalled the past. Back then, Usopp would visit every day to tell her humorous stories, and she always enjoyed listening to them.
Leaning against the window, Kaya murmured, "I… I like it… I like your lies the most. Why are you saying things like this?"
"No, I don't want revenge on Klahadore."
"Why do you say that?" Kaya asked weakly, clutching the curtains.
"Kaya… I…"
Bang—
The white-haired servant, Merry, burst into the room. "Miss, what happened?" He drew a pistol.
Seeing this, Usopp grabbed Kaya's wrist and pulled her to his side. "Run, Kaya!"
Usopp hugged her tightly.
"Don't do this~ Usopp!" Kaya cried, grabbing his hand.
"Please let go of the young lady," Merry ordered, aiming the gun.
Swah—
Usopp pulled Kaya toward the window and slid down the tree. "In any case, you have to trust me and let me take you away from this village before the butler comes back."
Shhh—
Usopp pulled out his slingshot and fired at three armed bodyguards rushing in.
"Stop!" Kaya shouted.
Thump—
The three bodyguards dropped to the ground.
Usopp grabbed Kaya's wrist again, ready to run, but she stayed still, looking at him in confusion.
"Tomorrow, you'll know the truth. For now, run. Please, just listen to me."
Snap—
Kaya slapped Usopp, unable to stand his decision to leave without her. Tears streamed down her face as she turned away. "That's terrible!"
Before Usopp could recover, Merry charged forward, pointing his gun at him. "Stay away from the young lady."
Usopp took off running.
"Don't!" Kaya cried.
Boom—
As Merry was about to shoot, Kaya stepped between them. Startled, Merry shifted his aim before firing.
Zzz—
"Ah—!"
The bullet only grazed Usopp's arm, but it made him scream in pain before he continued running.
At that moment—
The villagers chasing Usopp arrived at the villa.
"Catch him quickly! He dared to use violence against the young lady!" Merry shouted, pointing at Usopp.
"This guy is such a jerk!"
"Unacceptable!"
The crowd's anger grew.
"Why… Why is no one willing to believe me?" Usopp muttered, falling into doubt.
He left the villa in embarrassment.
"Hurry and chase him! Don't let him get away!" The villagers charged after him…
Kaya, too weak to stand, collapsed unconscious.
Seaside—
Kuro adjusted his glasses with his palm. "Brothers, you came just in time. It's been three years since we last met. Once this plan succeeds, I'll prepare plenty of gifts to thank you."
"Let's destroy this village early tomorrow morning," Kuro said with an evil smile.
"Ahoy, long live the captain!" the pirates cheered.
That night, at the coast—
Hum—
"Eh? Is this some kind of Devil Fruit ability of yours? My wounds are starting to heal," Usopp said in amazement, watching the cut close before his eyes.
"This is magic, not a Devil Fruit ability," Lock replied. "Now, tell me—what are you going to do next? The villagers don't trust you, so what's your plan?"
Before this, Usopp had admitted to Lock and the others that he was known as a liar and ignored by the villagers.
"The pirates will come tomorrow, right?" Nami asked.
"Yes. They will. No one in the village believes me—they think tomorrow will be just another peaceful day." Usopp lowered his head.
Then, clenching his fists, he declared, "So I'll fight the pirates on the coast and make this whole thing into a lie. That's the creed I live by as a great liar!"
"Even if I was shot in the hand, even if they chased me with brooms—this is my village. My favorite village. I want to protect everyone!" Tears streamed down his face.
Hearing this, Zoro tightened his grip on his sword and smirked. "You're a real fool, sending your three subordinates away and going alone."
"Let me make this clear—the pirates' treasure is ours," Nami said with an OK gesture.
Luffy pumped his fists. "Alright! Let's help too!"
"You're willing to fight alongside me? Why?" Usopp asked, moved.
"Because you seem scared," Zoro said.
"I'm not afraid. Even if they're scary, I won't run." Usopp's voice was firm, but his shaking legs betrayed him.
"We're not laughing at you. We want to help because we think you're amazing," Zoro said.
Indeed, when people face someone stronger and terrifying, most either give up or flee. Anyone who dares to fight anyway, no matter how weak, is remarkable.
After some more talk, they walked toward the southern entrance of the island.
"Lock, you haven't said much," Nami teased, nudging him.
"What does it matter? When the fight starts, my priority is protecting you guys. Well… Luffy and Zoro don't need protection." Lock rested his hands behind his head.
"So what you mean is you'll only protect me, and Luffy and the others can fend for themselves?" Nami thought, a faint blush on her cheeks.
"What nonsense? I don't need your protection. I can handle regular pirates." Nami huffed and walked ahead quickly.
"What's with her all of a sudden?" Lock muttered, confused. "I don't get it… I don't."