“If you’re going to point a weapon at someone, you’d better be prepared to risk your life.” Luffy repeated his warning.
Usopp’s attack had completely missed.
The pellet landed harmlessly at his feet.
Dropping to his knees, tears welled up in Usopp’s eyes as he sighed in defeat.
“I-I knew it…
The words and presence of a real pirate are on a completely different level…
Amazing…” Luffy couldn’t keep a straight face any longer.
The four of them exchanged glances— Then burst into laughter.
“Hahahahahaha!” Their laughter echoed across the shore.
“I just copied that line!” Luffy admitted with a grin.
“It’s something the pirate I admire most—Shanks—always says!” “Shanks?!
You mean Red-Haired Shanks?!” Usopp’s gloomy expression vanished instantly as he stared at Luffy in disbelief.
“Yeah!
Your dad’s Yasopp, right?” “Y-Y-Y-Yasopp?!” The moment he heard his father’s name, Usopp’s eyes practically popped out of their sockets.
He leaned forward so far that he lost his balance and tumbled off the cliff, landing right in front of Luffy and the others.
“Yasopp really is my father…
but how do you know him?” Usopp frowned in confusion.
Grrr…
Luffy’s stomach growled loudly.
He awkwardly held his belly and laughed.
After everything that had happened, Usopp realized the group meant no harm.
Setting aside his curiosity for the moment, he smiled.
“Come on.
I’ll take you to the restaurant in the village.” The Village Restaurant “Om nom nom!” Luffy stuffed his mouth with meat while everyone else finally enjoyed a proper meal.
Dazai, meanwhile, was blissfully savoring the crab dish he’d been craving for days.
Once everyone had eaten their fill, Luffy began talking about Yasopp.
“Your dad’s an incredible sniper.” “He could hit an ant between the eyes from hundreds of meters away.” “He’s sailing with Shanks now.” “Whenever everyone gets together to drink, he always talks about his son—Usopp.” “And he always says…” “‘Leaving you behind was painful…
but I couldn’t ignore the call of the pirate flag!'” “Luffy…” Usopp smiled as he listened.
“You’ve heard stories about me that many times?” “My ears practically grew calluses from hearing them!” Luffy laughed while biting into an apple.
“Yasopp’s an amazing pirate.” “Exactly!” Usopp’s face lit up with pride.
“My dad risked everything to sail the seas and live as a pirate.” “I’ve always been proud of him.” Seeing the mood improve, Nami asked, “Usopp, does this village have anyone who can sail?
Or maybe a large ship?” “You’ve seen the village.” Usopp rested his chin on one hand and shrugged.
“It’s tiny.” “I saw a mansion up on the hill.” Zoro casually chimed in.
“No!” Usopp’s face immediately changed.
He rejected the idea so forcefully that everyone looked at him in surprise.
Realizing his reaction had been too strong, he quickly scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed smile.
“S-Sorry…
I’ve got somewhere I need to be.” He slowly backed away…
Then suddenly took off running.
Dazai finished the last bite of crab and smiled contentedly.
“The worries of youth…” “What a beautiful thing.” “I’m full.” “I’m going for a walk.” Patting his stuffed stomach, he waved lazily and left the restaurant.
“…What was that supposed to mean?” Nami muttered.
“Oh!
See you later, Dazai!” Luffy waved cheerfully.
As soon as Dazai stepped outside, he spotted the three children from earlier hiding nearby.
“Boo!” He suddenly appeared in front of them, making a scary face.
The three children screamed and bolted straight into the restaurant.
Returning to his normal expression, Dazai hummed his self-composed “Suicide Song” while leisurely wandering through the village.
His eyes soon settled on an enormous tree.
Its branches were thick and sturdy.
A perfect tree…
The tree of my dreams.
Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, Dazai pulled out a length of rope from his coat.
He tossed it over a branch…
Tied a perfect noose…
Death…
here I come.
“…Young man, whatever troubles you’re facing, life is precious.” A gentle voice slowly drifted into his ears.
…I failed again.
Dazai gradually regained consciousness from the lack of oxygen.
An elderly woman with a kind face looked at him with concern.
“Where are you from, young man?” “No matter how difficult life becomes, don’t throw your life away.” “You only get one…” She continued speaking earnestly.
She had merely gone out to buy groceries, only to discover a young man hanging from a tree.
The shock had nearly given her a heart attack.
After calling for help, she’d stayed behind to comfort the stranger, determined to stop him from trying again.
Another genuinely kind person…
Dazai recognized her sincerity immediately.
Smiling brightly, he bowed apologetically.
“I’m sorry, Grandma.” “I was only confused for a moment.” “I almost made a terrible mistake.” Whenever Dazai truly wanted someone to like him…
It wasn’t difficult.
Within minutes, the elderly woman was smiling warmly, and Dazai naturally steered the conversation toward the information he wanted.
“Usopp?” The old woman chuckled.
“He runs through the village shouting, ‘Pirates are coming!’ every single day.” “Everyone calls him a liar.” “But deep down…” “We all know those lies are really his hopes.” “He’s a good boy.” “And the mansion on the hill?” “That’s the richest family in the village.” “Their daughter, Kaya, has always been sick.” “Her parents passed away a few years ago.” “She was left alone to handle both the funeral and the family’s estate.” “Thankfully, the butler they rescued three years ago has been wonderful.” “He manages everything now, so Miss Kaya only has to focus on recovering.” The old woman sighed emotionally.
“Good deeds truly are rewarded.” “The old master saved that wounded stranger…” “And now the butler has repaid that kindness for three whole years.” Thinking about Kaya’s fragile health brought tears to her eyes.
Having learned everything he wanted, Dazai smiled gently.
“It pains me to see such a beautiful lady crying.” The old woman blinked…
Then burst into cheerful laughter.
She completely forgot what had upset her.
After reminding Dazai once more to treasure his life, she headed home to prepare dinner for her grandson.
Dazai waved goodbye before heading toward the forest.
Eventually he reached its edge— Where he spotted Luffy and Usopp crouching together, secretly eavesdropping on someone’s conversation.
Dazai quietly hid behind a tree instead of calling out.
Too far away.
I can’t hear what they’re saying.
A moment later— They were discovered.
Luffy suddenly tumbled off the cliff.
Usopp froze in horror as he stared downward.
Something happened.
Dazai watched without much emotion.
Soon afterward, Usopp came sprinting frantically into the forest.
“Usopp~” Dazai waved.
“Dazai!” Usopp rushed over as if he’d found a lifeline.
“Kuro …
the butler…
he’s actually a pirate!” “He planned everything three years ago!” “He’s after Kaya’s inheritance!” “I have to tell everyone in the village!” Usopp lunged toward him in desperation.
Dazai casually sidestepped.
Looking down at the fallen Usopp with lifeless eyes, he asked quietly, “Will that accomplish anything?” “No one in your village believes you.” Usopp’s expression darkened.
Remembering all the lies he’d told over the years, he bit his lip.
“This time is different.” “This time pirates really are coming.” “I’ll make everyone believe me!” Wiping his face, he stood back up with determination.
“I see.” “Then go.” Dazai stepped aside without trying to stop him.
Usopp immediately dashed toward the village.
People only let go of unrealistic dreams after reality hits them hard enough.
“Heave-ho.” Humming happily, Dazai walked over to the unconscious Luffy.
He nudged him with his foot.
“Wake up.” “It’s time to eat.” “…Meat…
meat…” Luffy instantly jolted awake.
Leaping to his feet with drool streaming down his chin, he looked around excitedly.
“…There’s no meat.” His shoulders slumped as he sat back down in disappointment.
“Luffy.” “Why were you asleep?” Dazai asked with an amused smile.
“I don’t know.” “That guy took out a pocket watch…” “Swung it around a few times…” “And then I don’t remember anything.” “That was so underhanded!” Luffy pouted.
Hypnosis…
That’s going to be troublesome.
Dazai rubbed his forehead while looking at Luffy.
Trying to predict the thought process of someone as simple-minded as Luffy was nearly impossible.
“Luffy.” With a flick of his wrist, Dazai produced a pocket watch from somewhere inside his coat.
He held it before Luffy’s eyes.
“Look at the watch.” Dazai knew a little hypnosis himself.
Against someone like Luffy…
It was surprisingly effective.
“…Look at the watch…” Luffy’s gaze immediately fixed on it.
“Relax.” “You’re getting sleepy…” Dazai’s calm voice carried a strangely hypnotic rhythm.
“…I’m sleepy…” Luffy’s eyelids drooped.
“When you’re asleep…” “You’ll see something you love.” “What do you see?” “…Meat…” “I see meat…” Drool dripped steadily from the corner of Luffy’s mouth.
“All that meat belongs to you.” “…Mine…” Luffy suddenly lunged toward Dazai.
Dazai stepped lightly aside.
Completely consumed by the illusion of food, Luffy stretched his rubber arms again and again, trying to grab him.
Dazai effortlessly dodged every attack while calmly continuing the hypnosis.
“When I count down…” “You’ll wake up.” “Three…” “Two…” “One.” He closed the pocket watch.
Thud.
Luffy collapsed flat onto the ground.
A few moments later, his eyes regained their usual clarity.
He slowly climbed back to his feet.
“…Huh?” “What happened?” He scratched his head, feeling as though something strange had happened, yet unable to remember it.
“Nothing at all~” Dazai casually ruffled Luffy’s hair.
“…Really?” Luffy accepted the answer without another thought.