After Luffy and the others left Kaya's villa, Usopp said in a low mood, "I'm going for a walk. I need some alone time."
Everyone could tell that Usopp seemed pretty shaken.
Walking toward the fence in the wilderness, Luffy had also wandered off somewhere.
Nami asked, "Where should we go now?"
Zoro shook his head. "Luffy's not here. Let's wait for him."
"Hey, hey," Sandy said. "Do you guys see that weird guy over there? He's walking backward!"
That person not far away really was walking backward—almost like he was moonwalking.
The group silently watched as the man approached them.
Of course, Sandy already knew this was Jango, the acting captain of the Black Cat Pirates.
Jango stopped and said defensively, "I'm not a weirdo. I'm not weird at all, okay?"
One of the kids asked, "Then who are you?"
"Me?" Jango introduced himself proudly. "I'm Jango, a hypnotist."
"A hypnotist?" The three kids' eyes lit up. One of them asked eagerly, "So you've got a special trick? Can you show us?"
Sandy muttered under his breath, "Kids are kids. What trick could he possibly have?"
Nami shot him a look. "Oh, come on—you clearly wanna see it too."
Jango quickly slapped away Sandy's hand that had reached toward him, the message clear: if he didn't get to show off, he wasn't letting anyone off easy!
After all, Sandy was interested in seeing some real hypnosis in action. He didn't believe this clown could actually hypnotize anyone—let alone himself.
But Jango smirked and said, "What are you talking about? We're not close, so why should I show you my best skill?"
Then he pulled out a shiny pocket watch and began to swing it. "Look at this watch. When I count 1, 2, Jango—you'll fall asleep."
"1... 2... Jango…"
"ZzzZZZ..." x5
In an instant, Jango, Sandy, and the three kids all dropped like stones—completely asleep!
"Hey, hey!" Zoro said, bewildered. "They just fell asleep because he told them to?"
Nami smacked her forehead. "These are your crewmates?"
Zoro blushed and muttered, "I'd better drag them off the road before someone trips over them."
They fell asleep fast—and woke up just as fast!
When Sandy woke up, Jango was already gone. Under Zoro and Nami's teasing gazes, he blushed and explained, "That guy's hypnosis must've had something to it. I don't know why but looking at that swinging watch made me sleepy. Don't you agree?"
"Yes," the three kids said in unison.
Zoro ignored them and asked, "So where now? Luffy's missing again."
Sandy said, "How about heading back to that snack shop?"
Nami nodded. "Better than standing around here."
Meanwhile, a dejected Usopp sat on the grass under a huge tree on a cliff, staring at the sea—only to jump in fright when Luffy suddenly appeared, having fallen from the tree above.
After chatting for a while, the two accidentally overheard Klahadore (Kuro) and Jango discussing a sinister plan!
From their conversation, Usopp and Luffy learned the shocking truth: Klahadore was actually the infamous pirate Captain Kuro of a Hundred Plans, and Jango was his hypnotist first mate!
The two were plotting to lead the Black Cat Pirates to attack the village at dawn. Using hypnosis, they'd force Kaya to write a will leaving all her fortune to her butler—Kuro in disguise!
Hearing this, Luffy couldn't hold back anymore. He jumped up and shouted, "Hey! You're not allowed to hurt this village!"
Realizing they'd been exposed, Kuro immediately ordered Jango to act.
Within seconds, Luffy was hypnotized and fell off the cliff! Usopp dodged by sheer luck, mistaking the hypnosis motion for a weapon attack.
Falling from that height, everyone thought Luffy was dead. Jango wanted to chase Usopp, but Kuro stopped him cold.
"No need," he said. "No one in this village believes that liar anyway."
Kuro was right.
Usopp ran through the village trying to warn everyone, but nobody believed him. Some even cursed him for making up stories again.
Even Kaya refused to believe him, disappointed that he'd "lied" once more.
Dejected, Usopp trudged back toward the snack shop—only to find Luffy and the crew there, eating and drinking like nothing had happened.
Usopp's jaw dropped. "Luffy?! You're alive?!"
Sandy snorted. "He's made of rubber. You ever seen rubber dies from a fall?"
Usopp sighed and slumped into a chair. "So that's it."
"Hey, hey," Sandy said, exasperated. "What's with that attitude? You're too soft! You said you wanted to be a brave warrior of the sea, but right now you're exactly what that fake butler called you—a big talker."
Nami frowned. "Sandy, that's a bit harsh—"
Sandy raised a hand. "Just telling the truth."
Usopp clenched his fists. "What can I do? They're real pirates! But I can't let them hurt the villagers. Even if it costs me my life, I'll fight them tomorrow!"
Luffy grinned. "Hey, Usopp—we're with you!"
Usopp's eyes widened. "You are? You'll really help me? That's great! Waaaahhh—!"
Sandy pushed him away in disgust. "Don't get your snot on me! I didn't say I'd help you. Damn, you're making my balls hurt just looking at you cry!"
"Huh?" Luffy blinked. "Sandy, so you're not coming?"
Sandy shook his head. "Luffy, we're pirates, not do-gooders. But tell me—was the food here good?"
"Mmm! Mmm!" Luffy nodded vigorously, mouth full.
Sandy clapped his hands. "Exactly. The shop owner treated us well, so how can we just let those bastards harm him? They wanna attack the village? Then as free pirates—we'll kick their asses."
"Sugoi!" Luffy shouted.
Usopp blinked. "But... I paid for the food!"
Sandy froze. That logic hit him right in the face.
He slowly turned to Usopp with a dangerous smile. "You wanna say that again?"
"Hahaha!" Everyone burst out laughing.
Nami chuckled. "He's just being stubborn."
Usopp threw his arms around Sandy. "Thank you!"
"Damn it, stop wiping your snot on me! It's disgusting!" Sandy tried to wriggle free. "Why don't you hug them instead? You're totally doing this to get back at me, aren't you?!"
"Ah! You found me out!"
"Damn it—!"
"Hahahaha!"