One Piece : Captain, We’ve Arrived at Laugh Tale

Luffy was amused as he watched—it was a really funny scene. 

But Usopp quickly pulled out his slingshot and shouted, "Don't underestimate me! I have a lot of self-respect! Because of that, people call me 'Proud Usopp'! You just saw it—my slingshot skills are way better than an ordinary pistol!" 

Luffy was momentarily surprised by his words and silently pressed down his hat. 

In a low voice, he said, "If you've drawn your weapon, then be ready to stake your life on it. This isn't a toy for bluffing." 

Hearing that, Usopp's eyes widened in fear. 

Zoro smirked and slightly unsheathed his sword. "You're standing in front of real pirates." 

Carl and Nami also put on serious expressions, playing along. The standoff lasted for a moment before Usopp couldn't take it anymore and collapsed onto the ground. 

"The way real pirates talk is on a whole different level... So powerful!" Usopp said in awe.

But Luffy and the others just laughed. 

Luffy grinned. "I just copied what I learned from Shanks, someone I really respect." 

Usopp was shocked. "Shanks?! You know the Red-Haired Shanks?!" 

"Yeah. Your father is Yasopp, right?" 

Hearing that, Usopp fell over in shock. 

After talking with Luffy, Usopp confirmed that Luffy really did know his father and that Yasopp was part of the Red Hair Pirates. Overjoyed, Usopp took Luffy and the others to a restaurant, saying he'd treat them to a meal. 

Of course, Luffy had no reason to refuse. 

Meanwhile, Carl had already tied up Jango and the Sham Brothers, with Shiki keeping watch to make sure they didn't escape. 

During the meal, Luffy asked where he could buy a pirate ship. But instead of answering, Usopp hesitated and then quietly slipped away.

Carl asked the restaurant owner about it and found out Usopp hadn't paid at all—he probably didn't have much money to begin with, and Luffy and the others had eaten a lot. 

Later, the three kids from Syrup Village came looking for Usopp and ended up getting teased by Zoro and Nami. 

From them, the crew learned that Usopp had gone to the mansion to cheer up a sick girl, which made them see him in a new light.

But this had nothing to do with them. 

"Then, let's go to that mansion and see if we can buy a ship!" Luffy said, still remembering why they had come to the island. Without hesitation, he started walking toward the mansion. 

When they arrived in front of the grand estate, Luffy acted recklessly, using Moonwalk to jump straight into the mansion's yard. Carl had no choice but to bring Nami and Zoro in as well. 

Not long after entering, they spotted Usopp telling a story to Kaya, a beautiful blonde girl. 

"Hey! Usopp! So this is where you are!" Luffy called out. 

"You guys?! What are you doing here?!" Usopp asked nervously. 

Kaya, who was sitting by the window, was momentarily surprised but then smiled warmly. "Are you the friends Usopp told me about? So he wasn't lying!" 

Luffy shook his head. "No, we're not. We just came to ask you something." 

"Ask me?" 

"Yeah, we want to buy a ship—" 

Before Luffy could finish, a tall man in glasses and a black suit stormed over, cutting him off angrily. "What are you people doing trespassing in the yard?! Usopp! So it's you again! You're disturbing the young lady's rest!" 

Kaya quickly tried to explain. "Kuro, it's fine—" 

But Kuro shook his head firmly. "Miss, you're seriously ill. You should be resting. And you shouldn't be associating with someone like Usopp—he's the son of a filthy pirate!" 

"Kuro! That's enough!" Kaya protested. 

"No, Miss! I must say it! Pirates are dirty and uncivilized, and he has pirate blood in his veins! You were born into nobility—you shouldn't be friends with someone like him!" 

Kaya wanted to argue, but she suddenly started coughing, struggling to catch her breath. 

Usopp, furious, grabbed Kuro by the collar and shouted, "I won't let you insult my father!" 

Luffy tilted his head in confusion. "Who is this guy?" 

Carl, seeing that the situation was playing out as expected, simply said, "Luffy, he's a pirate." 

Kuro, who had been about to continue mocking Usopp, froze in shock. Meanwhile, Usopp, Kaya, Nami, and Zoro all turned to look at Carl, as if waiting for an explanation.

"Is this guy a pirate?" Luffy looked even more confused. 

"Luffy, did you forget? The Black Cat Pirates we just took down—this guy is their former captain, Kuro." 

Carl continued, "I saw his bounty poster in the Marine office back in Shells Town. Captain Morgan captured Kuro and got promoted because of it, so he locked Kuro's bounty poster away in a drawer. 

But Morgan and the Marines never realized the truth—the real Kuro is still alive, hiding here under a fake identity." 

Carl smirked mockingly. "Am I right, 'Captain Kuro'?" 

Kuro had always claimed to despise pirates, but in reality, he was just a coward who feared death so much that he abandoned even his own name. 

Everyone turned to look at Kuro. 

Kaya's face was filled with disbelief, but Kuro didn't bother to deny anything. He was still stuck on Carl's words—"the Black Cat Pirates were wiped out." His entire plan depended on his crew's cooperation. If they were truly gone, then everything he had worked for was ruined. 

But after three years of lying low, how could he just accept failure? 

"You're telling me… you destroyed my Black Cat Pirates?" Kuro's voice was low and dangerous. 

His words alone confirmed his identity. 

Kaya covered her mouth in shock, while Usopp, terrified, immediately let go of Kuro's collar and retreated behind Luffy. 

Luffy replied casually, "Yeah, they tried to rob us, so we robbed them instead. We also captured the guy with a nine-million bounty and the two with seven-million bounties!" 

Luffy couldn't remember their names, but he did remember their bounties. 

Kuro quickly put the pieces together and realized Luffy was telling the truth. Seeing no point in keeping up the act, he pulled out a pair of clawed gloves from nowhere and put them on. Then, out of habit, he adjusted his glasses with his palm. 

It was only then that Kaya realized the real reason behind Kuro's strange habit, and her heart sank even more. 

"Well… since my plan failed, there's no need to hide anymore," Kuro said coldly. "If I kill all of you today and make it look like pirates attacked the mansion and killed the young lady, I can still inherit the family fortune." 

With those words, Kuro fully revealed his true nature. 

Usopp immediately pulled out his slingshot and aimed it at Kuro. "I won't let you hurt Kaya!" 

"Oh? You think you can stop me?" Kuro sneered. 

"Even if I die, I'll protect Kaya!" Usopp declared. 

His legs were shaking, but he still stood his ground bravely. Seeing this, Luffy and the others gained even more respect for him. Kaya's eyes filled with tears, deeply moved by Usopp's courage.