After Usopp left, the three kids—Onion and the others—came looking for him.
Following a hilarious misunderstanding about them being man-eating pirates, Luffy and the group learned that Usopp spent his time telling tall tales to a girl named Kaya.
Thus, they decided to head to Kaya’s massive mansion to check out the situation.
The group arrived at the grand mansion situated at the top of the hill.
“Is this the place?
You can literally smell the money just looking at it.” Staring at the luxurious, sprawling villa, Nami’s eyes sparkled with brilliant stars of greed.
“That’s right, this is it.
The Captain should still be inside,” Onion replied.
“Well then, excuse the intrusion!” Luffy yelled before casually stretching his arms and climbing straight over the gate.
“You can’t just do that!!” The people left below stared at him with dark lines dropping down their foreheads.
“Nothing we can do about it now.
He’s already inside,” Zoro sighed helplessly.
“I guess we have no choice but to follow him.” The commotion caused by Sinan and the group didn’t go unnoticed by Kuro “of a Hundred Plans,” who had been meticulously plotting for years and always kept a watchful eye on the courtyard.
Outside a second-floor window, sitting on the branch of a small tree, Usopp was currently spinning outrageous lies to Kaya, trying to make her laugh.
Of course, as a man destined to hold the title of a “God,” every single lie Usopp ever told would eventually become absolute reality later on down the line.
“So you’re the young lady of the house!” Luffy greeted cheerfully upon seeing Kaya and Usopp.
“What the hell are you guys doing here?!” Usopp asked, staring at the group in utter shock.
Kaya, who had been bedridden for years and never traveled far, asked curiously, “Who are you all?” Before Sinan or the others could even explain, Usopp aggressively threw his arm around Luffy’s neck and began spouting more lies.
“These guys all heard rumors of my greatness and traveled thousands of miles just to find me!
They are the newest recruits of the Usopp Pirates!!” However, absolutely no one gave him any face.
They ruthlessly shattered his lie in unison: “No we’re not!” Instantly, Usopp’s proud expression completely deflated.
In truth, Kaya knew perfectly well that Usopp was always lying to her.
But since Kuro strictly forbade her from leaving the estate, the entertainment Usopp brought her was the only joy she had.
Even though she didn’t know why Luffy and his crew were here, as a well-mannered wealthy lady, Kaya politely asked, “Excuse me, but is there something I can help you with?” “Yeah!
We want to borrow a really big ship!” Luffy said brightly, stretching his arms wide to emphasize the size.
“You’re asking…
me?” Kaya replied in surprise.
At that moment, a highly unwelcome voice rudely interrupted their conversation: “What are you all doing here?” Sporting slicked-back hair, round wire-rimmed glasses, and a black suit adorned with strange poop-like patterns.
The newcomer was none other than Kuro “of a Hundred Plans,” the ruthless pirate who had murdered Kaya’s parents to steal her family’s fortune, currently masquerading as the estate’s strict butler, Klahadore.
The original plot quickly played out exactly as expected.
Kuro deliberately provoked Usopp, received a punch to the face from the enraged liar, and ultimately forced Sinan and the rest to leave the premises.
Their hopes of borrowing a ship were completely dashed.
Both of them were liars, but while one lied merely to boast and entertain, the other lied to orchestrate mass murder and steal a fortune.
Regarding Kuro of the Black Cat Pirates, Sinan had absolutely nothing but sheer disgust.
Honestly, Kuro didn’t even act like a pirate; he was a pure, cold-blooded conspirator.
To swallow his pride and act as a subservient butler for years was one thing, but to willingly let a weakling like Usopp punch him in the face…
it was almost impossible to imagine a vicious grand pirate with a 16,000,000 Berry bounty enduring such humiliation.
After leaving the hilltop mansion, Sinan, Nami, and Zoro began casually strolling through the village.
Luffy and Usopp went down to the coast, where they discussed the stories of Usopp’s father, Yasopp.
It was there they accidentally discovered Kuro’s sinister plot.
During the ensuing confrontation, a hypnotized Luffy ended up plummeting off a cliff.
After uncovering Kuro’s deadly conspiracy, Usopp desperately rushed back to the village to warn everyone.
However, just like the boy who cried wolf, Usopp had told far too many lies.
The villagers had long since stopped believing a single word he said, and tragically, even Kaya refused to believe his warning.
Down by the coast, Sinan and the others eventually found Luffy.
On their way back, they ran into Usopp.
Because of Usopp’s deliberate lies meant to keep them safe, the three kids—Onion and the others—who had been following Sinan’s group finally went home.
Left completely alone and overwhelmed with despair, Usopp broke down in front of them and cried.
Watching the agonizingly pained Usopp, who was still loudly declaring his resolve to protect the village alone, Zoro smiled and teased, “You really are a soft-hearted guy, aren’t you?
Purposely driving the kids away just so you can stay behind and fight all by yourself.” “Alright!
We’ll help you out too!” Luffy declared, firmly clenching his fist.
“Just to be clear, all the treasure we get belongs entirely to me,” Nami added, flashing an “OK” hand sign.
And then….
Everyone turned to look at the mask-wearing Sinan.
“Why are you all staring at me?
What else do you expect me to do?
My wife already agreed to join the fight, how could I possibly sit this one out?!” Sinan grumbled playfully.
“You idiot!” Hearing Sinan brazenly call her his wife again, Nami flushed with embarrassment and kicked him sharply in the shin.
Looking at the group standing before him, Usopp asked, deeply moved, “You guys are actually willing to fight alongside me…
but why?” “Because there’s a ton of enemies coming!
And your expression is screaming that you’re absolutely terrified!” Luffy said, raising a clenched fist.
Hearing this, Usopp immediately pointed his thumb proudly at himself and stammered, “H-hey, who said I was terrified?!
That’s pure nonsense!
I don’t care how many of them show up, I’m not scared!
Because I am Captain Usopp, the brave warrior of the sea!” Although his voice was incredibly loud and proud, his legs were trembling violently the entire time.
The group just stood there, staring blankly at him.
“Damn it!
Damn it!
DAMN IT!
What are you all staring at?!
Our opponent is Captain Kuro of a Hundred Plans!
It’s completely natural to be terrified!
What’s wrong with that?!
I don’t need your damn pity anyway!
Just get out of here!!
GO ON, GET LOST!!” Usopp screamed frantically, waving his arms wildly in the air.
At this point, Zoro replied calmly, “We aren’t pitying you.
We’re helping you because we actually think you’re pretty damn impressive for standing your ground.” “Nobody is going to risk their own life just out of pity!” Luffy added with absolute seriousness.
Usopp’s tears instantly began pouring down his face like waterfalls.
Just as Usopp was completely overwhelmed by his own emotional catharsis, Sinan abruptly spoke up: “Usopp, I noticed there are two paths leading up into the village from the coast.
Which one exactly do you plan on having us guard?” “Ah?” Hearing this, Usopp completely froze.
Sinan continued, “The pirate foot soldiers aren’t a big deal.
Honestly, I could easily wipe out their entire crew all by myself.
But shouldn’t the person we’re most worried about right now be Miss Kaya?!
Her personal butler is literally Captain Kuro, a man with a 16,000,000 Berry bounty!” Hearing Sinan point this out, the rest of the group, who were entirely unfamiliar with the village’s layout, immediately turned to stare at Usopp.
Even though Sinan had read the manga, he honestly wasn’t entirely sure which slope the pirates would actually land on.
It was highly unlikely they’d miraculously arrive at the exact perfect slope just in the nick of time like in the original story!
And if they guessed wrong and failed to intercept them, the innocent villagers would genuinely be mercilessly slaughtered.
With Sinan bringing up these crucial flaws in their non-existent plan, the group looked at Usopp, then turned their gaze back to Sinan.
Usopp clutched his head in panic and said in despair, “This…
Kaya absolutely refuses to believe a single word I say right now!” Staring sharply at Usopp, Sinan frowned and lectured him coldly, “This is the exact consequence of your constant, chronic lying.
Certain lies are harmless to tell, but some things you absolutely cannot joke about.
I sincerely hope you remember this harsh lesson for the rest of your life.” Hearing Sinan’s brutal but truthful words, fresh tears welled up in Usopp’s eyes, and the rest of the group could only watch in solemn silence.
Out of the entire Straw Hat crew, Sinan genuinely disliked Usopp’s character the most.
Perhaps it was simply because Usopp acted far too much like a cowardly, ordinary person—exactly like the man Sinan himself used to be.
Cowardly, timid, and fearful…
Usopp possessed all these glaring flaws.
But the trait Sinan absolutely despised the most was his constant need to lie and brag to make himself look better.
Sinan was naturally a highly reserved person.
Whenever he realized he had flaws or lacked ability, he would silently put his head down and work hard to improve himself, rather than relying on empty boasting to artificially inflate his ego.
In Sinan’s eyes, a weakling who possessed zero actual ability yet constantly bragged about how great he was looked like nothing more than a pathetic clown.
Of course, Usopp certainly wasn’t completely devoid of courage.
When pushed into a truly desperate, life-or-death corner, he would always summon an immense, awe-inspiring amount of bravery.
Perhaps that was one of the few true shining qualities he possessed.
As for the much more mature Usopp after the two-year timeskip—even though he still loved to brag—he had actually gained the raw power and genuine sense of responsibility to back it up.
Sinan actually quite liked the post-timeskip version of him.
“Alright, here’s what we’ll do!
It’s still a long time until dawn.
I’m going to head over to Miss Kaya’s mansion to keep an eye on things.
If Kuro plans on making a move against her, he’s definitely going to strike tonight.
You guys stay here and guard the coast.
I’ll go assassinate Kuro, and I’ll be back before sunrise,” Sinan declared.
Realizing that it was his own weakness and his constant lying to the villagers that had completely destroyed everyone’s trust in him and directly caused this horrific crisis, Usopp could only clench his fists tightly in deep regret as tears streamed uncontrollably from his eyes.
“Are you sure you’ll be alright going by yourself?” Zoro asked, showing a hint of genuine concern.
With a bounty of 16,000,000 Berries, Zoro—as a professional bounty hunter—knew full well that such a bounty was incredibly high for the East Blue.
Sinan smiled confidently and replied, “Don’t worry, I’m actually incredibly strong.
Just two days ago, I personally killed ‘Butcher’ Bakal, a pirate with a 15,000,000 Berry bounty.” “Be careful!” Nami urged.
Even though she knew exactly how terrifyingly powerful Sinan was, she still couldn’t help but feel worried for him.
“Wifey, aren’t you going to give me a good luck kiss before I go?” Sinan teased Nami with a sleazy, playful grin.
“You idiot!
Go to hell!” Nami, who had been genuinely worried a second ago, angrily kicked Sinan in the shin.
Yet immediately after, she still stood up on her tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss against his lips.
Fortunately, Sinan’s white mask only covered the upper half of his face from the nose up.
Having successfully scored a sweet kiss, Sinan happily turned around and sprinted eagerly toward Kaya’s massive villa.