After Usopp left, Onion and his two friends found them. Following a comical food fight, Luffy and the others learned about Usopp telling stories to Kaya, so they decided to head to her mansion to investigate the situation.
The group arrived at the manor on the hilltop.
"Is this the place? It certainly looks expensive!" Nami's eyes sparkled.
"Yes, this is it. The Captain should still be inside," Onion replied.
"Well then, pardon the intrusion!" Luffy said, immediately climbing over the fence.
"Is he serious?!" Everyone below had a black cloud over their heads.
"Can't be helped, he's already in," Zoro said helplessly.
"Guess we have no choice but to follow him in."
The commotion made by Xinan and the others was noticed by Kuro, the "Hundred Plans" former pirate captain, who had been meticulously watching the courtyard for a long time. Kuro was currently posing as Kaya's butler, Klahadore, plotting to steal her family's fortune.
Outside the window, beneath a small tree, Usopp was happily chatting and boasting to Kaya to cheer her up.
Of course, for the man who would later bear the name of a god, all of Usopp's tall tales would eventually come true.
"So you're the young mistress!" Luffy said cheerfully upon seeing Kaya and Usopp.
"What are you guys doing here?!" Usopp looked at the group in shock.
Kaya, who was bedridden and had rarely left home, asked curiously, "Who are you?"
Before Xinan and the others could explain, Usopp slung his arm around Luffy's neck and began to boast.
"These people came from far and wide after hearing my renown! They are new members of the Usopp Pirate Crew!"
But everyone refused to humor Usopp, simultaneously exposing his lie: "No, we're not!"
Usopp's face immediately fell.
In truth, Kaya knew Usopp was always lying to her, but since Kuro had forbidden her from going out, Usopp's stories were her only entertainment.
Although she didn't know why Luffy's group was there, as a young mistress of a wealthy family, Kaya politely asked, "May I ask what you need?"
"Yes, we want to borrow a big ship!" Luffy said happily, spreading his hands to emphasize the size.
"You're asking... me?" Kaya replied.
At that moment, an untimely voice interrupted their conversation: "What are you doing here?"
With his slicked-back hair, round glasses, and a suit adorned with a "poop" pattern, the man was indeed Kuro, who had murdered Kaya's parents to seize their wealth. He was currently known as the butler, Klahadore.
The scene played out quickly. Kuro deliberately provoked Usopp, delivered a punch, and ultimately forced Xinan and the others to leave. The plan to get a ship fell through.
Both men were liars, but one merely boasted, while the other plotted murder and theft. Xinan had nothing good to say about Kuro the Black Cat.
However, Kuro didn't really act like a pirate but more like a schemer.
To endure the humiliation of becoming a servant for years, not to mention allowing Usopp to hit him, was completely unthinkable for a pirate with a 16 million Berry bounty.
After leaving the hilltop, Xinan, Nami, and Zoro wandered around the village.
Luffy and Usopp went to the coast, where they discussed Usopp's father, Yasopp, and then discovered Kuro's plot. The hypnotized Luffy fell off a cliff.
Usopp rushed back to the village to warn everyone after discovering Kuro's conspiracy, but just like the boy who cried wolf, the villagers no longer trusted Usopp's frequent lies. Even Kaya didn't believe him.
Xinan and the others found Luffy on the coast and ran into Usopp on the way back.
Because of Usopp's lies, Onion and his two friends, who had been following Xinan's group, went home. Usopp broke down and cried in front of the others.
Looking at the distressed Usopp, who insisted on protecting the village, Zoro smiled and teased, "You're a truly good guy. You deliberately chased the kids away to fight alone."
"Alright, we'll help you too!" Luffy said, clenching his fist.
"First, let's establish that all the treasure goes to me," Nami said, making an 'OK' sign.
Then...
They all looked at Xinan, who was wearing a mask.
"Why are you looking at me? What more do you want from me? My wife is participating, how can I not?" Xinan said grumpily.
"Idiot!"
Nami gave Xinan a kick, blushing slightly at the word "wife."
Looking at the group, Usopp said, touched, "You're all willing to fight with me? Why?"
"Because there are lots of enemies, and your face tells us you're really scared!" Luffy said, clenching his fist.
Hearing this, Usopp pointed his thumb at himself and said, "Hey! Who said I'm scared? Nonsense! I'm not afraid of any number of enemies they bring, because I am Captain Usopp, the brave warrior of the sea!"
Although his voice was loud, Usopp's legs were shaking. Everyone stared at him.
"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! What are you looking at? The opponent is Captain Kuro! It's natural to be scared! So what? I don't need your pity! Get out!! Go away!!" Usopp yelled, flailing his arms.
At that moment, Zoro replied, "We're not helping you out of pity. We're helping because we think you're pretty amazing."
"Who would risk their life out of pity?" Luffy said solemnly.
Usopp's tears streamed down his face.
While Usopp was caught up in his self-pity, Xinan spoke again: "Usopp, the village has two main roads, right? Which one are you planning for us to guard?"
"Uh?"
Usopp was stunned.
Xinan continued, "Pirates are pirates. I could probably stop all the enemy pirates by myself, but shouldn't our main concern be Miss Kaya? Her butler is the 16 million Berry pirate Captain Kuro!"
Hearing Xinan's words, the group, who weren't familiar with the village, all looked at Usopp.
Although he had read the manga, Xinan wasn't sure where the pirates would land. It wasn't possible to arrive just in time like in the original story! If they missed the landing, the villagers would truly be massacred.
Usopp looked at Xinan, then back at the others.
Usopp said, looking distraught, "But... Kaya doesn't believe me now!"
Frowning, Xinan lectured Usopp, "That's the consequence of your habitual lying. Some lies you can tell, but some jokes can't be made. I hope you learn your lesson this time."
At that, tears welled up in Usopp's eyes again, and the others watched in silence.
Among the Straw Hat Pirates, Usopp was Xinan's least favorite character, perhaps because he was too much like an average person, just like Xinan used to be.
He had flaws like cowardice and timidity, and Xinan especially disliked his tendency to boast.
Xinan had a reserved personality. When he felt he had flaws or lacked ability, he would silently work hard instead of relying on boasting to save face. To him, being incompetent and boastful made one look like a clown.
Of course, Usopp was certainly not without courage; in moments of crisis, he always showed immense bravery, which was one of his shining qualities.
As for the matured Usopp two years later, while he still boasted, he had gained power and responsibility, and Xinan preferred him then.
"How about this? It's still a long time until dawn, and I want to go check on Miss Kaya. If Kuro intends to harm her, it will definitely be tonight. You guys stay here and guard the roads. I'll take care of Kuro and be back before morning," Xinan said.
Because of his weakness and his lies to the villagers, no one believed him, leading to the current situation. Usopp could only clench his fists, tears uncontrollably flowing from his eyes.
"Are you sure you can handle it alone?" Zoro asked, a little worried.
With a 16 million Berry bounty, Zoro, as a bounty hunter, knew that this was a respectable bounty in the East Blue.
Xinan smiled and said, "I'm very strong. I only just defeated the 15 million Berry butcher Bakar two days ago."
"Be careful!" Nami said with concern, even though she knew Xinan was powerful.
"Wifey, aren't you going to give me a goodbye kiss?" Xinan teased Nami playfully.
"Idiot! Go die!"
Nami, who had been worried, kicked Xinan but then stood on her tiptoes and kissed him anyway.
Xinan's mask only covered the area above his nose.
After getting a farewell kiss, Xinan happily ran toward Kaya's mansion.