The small boat slowly docked. Ronan was the first to leap off, his feet sinking into the warm, soft sand of the beach. He took a deep breath of the fresh air. The sea breeze carried the scent of greenery and earth—a level of purity and freshness that the "steel jungles" of modern cities back in his old world could never match.
As far as the eye could see were lush green mountains and dense forests. Ronan's mind raced as he calculated. This layout of mountains and water... could this be the village where Usopp first appears?
Beside him, Nami unfolded her sea chart. After a careful comparison, she whispered, "Yeah, that's right. There's a small village marked on this island."
"A village?!" At the word, Luffy's eyes lit up. He grabbed Nami's shoulders, trembling with excitement. "Does that mean there's meat?! This village must have a restaurant!!" As he spoke, much to Nami's disgust, he began to drool uncontrollably.
"Can't you think about anything else first!" Nami shoved him away, a vein throbbing on her forehead.
Meanwhile, Zoro had already locked his gaze onto a nearby hillside. He keenly sensed movement in the brush. "Careful," Zoro said, his thumb nudging the hilt of Wado Ichimonji up by an inch, revealing a sliver of cold steel. "I sense someone."
"Huh?" Luffy immediately stopped his meat fantasies and looked around curiously. "Where? Where?"
Just then, in the forest on the hillside, a series of crude pirate flags suddenly rose up, one after another. Seeing this, Luffy wasn't tense at all; instead, he cheered, "Whoa! That's amazing!"
Nami retorted dryly, "Is this really the time to be impressed?!"
Ronan, seeing the scene, understood exactly what was happening. He knew that the Straw Hat crew's sniper, Usopp, was about to make his entrance.
Sure enough, beneath a large tree on the hillside, a long-nosed youth stood with his arms crossed, striking what he believed to be a majestic pose. He looked down at the four people on the beach and cleared his throat, shouting loudly:
"Listen up! I am Usopp, the Great Pirate who reigns over this village! People praise me far and wide, calling me—'Captain Usopp'!" He pointed menacingly down the hill, attempting to intimidate the intruders. "If you're planning to attack this village, I suggest you give up! My eighty million subordinates will never let you get away with it!"
Ronan watched Luffy, who had a look of genuine awe on his face while shouting "So cool—!", and his lip couldn't help but twitch. He thought to himself: No one would believe such a glaring lie... except for Luffy.
Beside him, Nami sighed and spread her hands. She gave Luffy a look as if she were looking at an idiot, then looked up at Usopp and shouted lazily, "You're lying, aren't you!"
Usopp instantly switched from "Majestic Captain" to panic mode, screaming exaggeratedly, "I-I've been found out?!"
"See?" Nami said with a sly look, turning to Luffy and Ronan. "He said it himself—'found out'!"
On the hill, Usopp twisted and turned in desperation, trying to backtrack. "Crap! I didn't mean to say 'found out'!"
Watching this classic comedic moment, Ronan felt a sense of nostalgia. It really is like a famous scene from the anime.
Luffy finally realized what was happening, looking at Nami in surprise. "What?! He was lying?"
"Ahem!" Usopp refused to give up, trying to salvage his dignity. He struck a pose again. "Eighty million was a bit of an exaggeration, but I still have excellent subordinates!" At his signal, the pirate flags in one area of the brush began to shake violently, as if an entire army were lurking there.
Nami didn't even bother to look. She cleaned her ear with a finger and said confidently, "It's just three people, right?"
The moment the words left her mouth, three children burst out of the bushes, screaming in unison, "W-We've been seen through—!" They dropped the flags and ran off without looking back, crying, "Run for your lives!"
"Hey! You guys, don't run!" Usopp shouted at the disappearing children, cold sweat dripping down his face.
Nami lost all patience, pointing accurately at the only "weapon" in Usopp's hand. "I've never heard of a pirate who uses a slingshot!"
Ronan glanced at Nami and nodded inwardly. To be able to analyze the truth from such a chaotic scene—she truly was the most meticulous navigator of the Straw Hats.
Luffy, after going through the full cycle of "shock-confusion-realization," finally pointed at Usopp and burst into laughter. "You guy, you're hilarious!"
"Don't you dare look down on me, kid!" Usopp snapped, his pride wounded. He puffed out his chest, though his legs were still shaking. "I am a man of immense pride!"
Seeing his intimidation fail and being mocked instead, Usopp's ego felt "insulted." He suddenly drew his slingshot, the rubber band straining as he aimed it directly at Luffy, who was laughing the loudest.
"Stop laughing!" he yelled, trying to stay composed. "Because my pride is so great, people call me 'Proud Usopp'! My skill with this slingshot is far superior to any ordinary pistol!"
However, the moment Usopp aimed at him, Luffy's laughter stopped instantly. The atmosphere froze. Luffy slowly raised a hand and pressed down on his straw hat. The shadow of the brim obscured his eyes, hiding his expression. His voice turned low and serious, devoid of any playfulness:
"Since you've drawn your weapon, you'd better be prepared to put your life on the line."
The words felt like they carried a thousand pounds of weight, making Usopp shudder. Even the hand holding the slingshot began to tremble violently. Luffy continued coldly, "I'm saying... that thing isn't a toy for scaring people."
Just as Luffy finished, Zoro let out a cold snort, his thumb nudging his blade again. Shing— The hilt of Wado Ichimonji clicked, and a bone-chilling killing intent locked onto Usopp. Zoro's aura turned sharp and lethal.