On the azure sea, the Going Merry slowly sailed into the small harbor of Syrup Village. On the deck, Luffy rubbed his rumbling stomach, complaining with a troubled expression, "Ah~ all the meat's gone..." He lay sprawled on the deck like a salted fish, "Big Brother Ron, when will we find new meat...?"
Ron stood at the bow, the sea breeze rustling his robes. He looked at the peaceful small village before him, a slight smile on his lips. "Don't worry, new companions will join us soon, and..." He paused meaningfully, "This village hides quite a few delicacies."
Just then, a burst of exaggerated laughter came from the hillside on the shore.
"Hahaha! I, Captain Usopp, am a great pirate commanding eight thousand subordinates!" A long-nosed young man stood on a rock, gesticulating wildly as he boasted to three children, "Last week I just defeated a Sea King whose teeth were thicker than this tree!"
"Wow! Captain Usopp is so amazing!" The three children's eyes sparkled, their faces full of adoration.
Zoro had just stepped ashore when he heard these remarks and couldn't help but scoff, "Heh, eight thousand subordinates?" He squinted at the bragging long-nosed youth, "Is our future crewmate going to be a liar who spouts such nonsense?"
Luffy, however, his eyes lit up, clapping excitedly, "Hahaha! How interesting! I've decided, I want this long-nose!"
Usopp then noticed the strangers on the shore, especially when he saw the three swords at Zoro's waist and Ron's calm aura, his face instantly changed. He forced himself to stand firm, puffing out his chest, "Who, who are you? I am the great Captain Usopp, if you know what's good for you, you'd better..."
"Let's go," Ron directly interrupted his performance, smiling as he said, "We're going to find Kaya, and after we deal with Kuro's trouble, you'll be setting sail with us."
Usopp instantly froze in place, his jaw almost dropping to the ground. "Wh-what?! How do you know Kaya? And Captain Kuro..." His pupils contracted violently, his voice starting to tremble. "Wait, setting sail?!"
The three children exchanged glances, one of them quietly asking, "Captain Usopp, are they some of your eight thousand subordinates?"
Cold sweat seeped from Usopp's forehead, his long nose twitching uneasily. "Of, of course not! These are... are..."
Luffy suddenly stretched out his arm, slinging it around Usopp's shoulder, saying with a grin, "We're your new crewmates! I heard you're really strong, with eight thousand subordinates!"
Zoro rolled his eyes from the side. "Idiot, that's clearly bragging."
Ron unhurriedly adjusted his sleeve. "Kuro's plan will be put into action tonight, and Kaya is in danger." He looked directly into Usopp's eyes, "Don't you come to this mansion every day to report that you're safe, precisely to protect her?"
Usopp's face completely changed. He stammered, "Wh-who exactly are you? How do you know all this...?"
"We are the ones who can help you protect this village." Ron patted Usopp's shoulder. "Let's go, take us to see Kaya. Your 'eight thousand subordinates' now need to show their true strength."
Luffy was already jumping excitedly. "This is great! New adventure! New crewmates!" He suddenly thought of something and turned to ask Ron, "Big Brother Ron, will this long-nose also have a system?"
"System?" Usopp looked bewildered.
Zoro snorted, "For this guy, the 'Bragging to Get Strong System' would be most suitable."
Usopp looked at these three mysterious strangers, then glanced at Kaya's mansion on the hillside, his long nose twitching slightly. Finally, he took a deep breath. "Alright... But you have to tell me first, what exactly is going on!"
The setting sun's afterglow spilled into Kaya's estate as Ron slowly recounted Captain Kuro's meticulously planned conspiracy.
As he described Kuro's disguise as Butler Klahadore and his secret plan to kill Kaya and seize her inheritance, Usopp's expression grew increasingly grim.
"That bastard... how dare he target Kaya!" Usopp's fists clenched, cracking, his long nose trembling slightly with rage. He suddenly turned and rushed towards the mansion. "I'm going to stop him right now!"
Ron exchanged a look with Luffy and Zoro, and the three followed closely behind.
Passing through the meticulously trimmed bushes, they arrived in front of the main building of the estate. Through the French windows, they could see Kaya sitting at the piano, while Klahadore, wearing round-rimmed glasses, stood respectfully to the side.
"Kaya! Watch out for that butler!" Usopp violently pushed open the front door, his voice hoarse with anger.
The two people in the room turned at the same time, a look of surprise appearing on Kaya's pale face. "Usopp? How did you..."
Klahadore pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting a cold glint. "Mr. Usopp, it's impolite to barge in like this."
"Stop playing dumb! Kuro!" Usopp stepped forward, shielding Kaya behind him. "Your plot has been exposed!"
Kaya blinked in confusion. "Usopp, what are you talking about? Butler Klahadore he..."
"Heh... Heh heh heh..." Klahadore suddenly let out a low chuckle. He slowly took off his glasses, and his entire demeanor instantly became sinister and dangerous. "I didn't expect to be seen through by a bragging brat." His fingers began to twist unnaturally, his knuckles making a "crack, crack" sound.
Kaya covered her mouth in horror. "But... Butler?"
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