23: 23.
Usopp’s Totally Foolproof Plan (Featuring Sleep Powder, Idiots, and an Incoming Problem Named Kuro) 23: 23.
Usopp’s Totally Foolproof Plan (Featuring Sleep Powder, Idiots, and an Incoming Problem Named Kuro) = Usopp’s POV = Belle-mere dragged the unconscious Jango out of the cabin like a sack of extremely suspicious potatoes, and I followed closely behind her with Kaya and her parents.
There was no way we could leave them alone in their room, because that would basically be the same as wrapping them in gift paper and writing “For Kuro, With Love” on top.
We still did not know how many enemies were on this ship, nor did we know where they were hiding, so acting carelessly would be the fastest way to lose everything we were trying to protect.
The moment Belle-mere stepped onto the deck, she did not hesitate for even a second before throwing Jango forward like garbage that had overstayed its welcome.
His tied-up body rolled across the wooden planks before stopping in the middle of the deck, face-first, in a position that perfectly captured his current dignity, which was none.
The noise and sudden movement immediately attracted attention.
Crew members, escorts, and even a few half-asleep workers turned their heads toward us.
Their expressions shifting from confusion to unease as they tried to process what exactly they were looking at.
Belle-mere stepped forward, placing her foot firmly on Jango’s face while casually puffing smoke like she had all the time in the world, which was impressive considering we were probably seconds away from chaos.
Her metal tonfa rested on her shoulder, gleaming faintly under the moonlight as if it was just as eager as she was.
“Whoever’s working with this guy,” she said, her voice calm but sharp enough to cut through the tension, “you’d better come forward now before I decide that everyone here looks suspicious.” That was my cue.
While she handled intimidation like a professional, I quickly guided Kaya and her parents toward Kaya’s father’s office, which was located right beside the captain’s room.
It was not large, but it was reinforced with steel frames, making it the safest place on the ship.
It was essentially their emergency shelter.
A place designed for situations exactly like this.
Once inside, I did not take any chances.
I checked every corner, opened every cabinet, and even flipped over furniture just to make sure no one was hiding inside like some kind of budget horror villain waiting for a dramatic entrance.
After confirming that the room was completely clear, I turned toward them.
“Stay away from the windows,” I said firmly.
“If things get rough, the glass might shatter, and I don’t want any of you getting hurt.” “What about you, Usopp-san?” Kaya asked, her voice filled with worry.
I gave her my best confident grin, the one I usually reserved for moments when I was absolutely not confident at all.
“Isn’t it time for a brave knight to do his job?” Kaya stared at me for a moment, her expression soft but concerned.
“Usopp-san… your legs are shaking.” Her parents followed her gaze.
I looked down.
Ah.
Traitors!
“My legs are shaking,” I said with dignity, “because of excitement.” I closed the door before they could respond and leaned against it for a second, letting out a quiet breath.
Alright.
Maybe I was a little nervous.
Okay, I was very nervous.
This was my first real fight where losing could actually mean dying, and I was not particularly enthusiastic about that possibility.
But, there was no turning back now.
I stepped away from the door and returned to the deck.
“So no one is coming forward?” Belle-mere said, her tone almost bored as she glanced around at the silent crowd.
“Then I guess I’ll just beat everyone up to be safe.” She unbuttoned part of her suit, loosening it for better movement as she rolled her shoulders slightly.
That was when I noticed it.
A shadow falling from the top of the mast.
My body moved before my brain could catch up.
I loaded a bullet into my slingshot and fired instantly.
The projectile shot through the air at a speed that would make most people question reality itself, and the moment it made contact with the falling figure— It exploded.
Not a massive explosion, but enough to disrupt movement and force a reaction.
Belle-mere reacted instantly, jumping backward without even needing to confirm what was happening.
The next second, something large crashed down right where she had been standing.
It hit the deck with a heavy thud.
A person.
A very large person.
“Someone fell?” Belle-mere said, glancing up and down.
“He did fall,” I replied, keeping my slingshot ready.
“But not by accident.
That was an attack.” The man groaned as he slowly stood up, shaking off the impact as if it were nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
“That’s… impressive durability,” I muttered.
“If he’s with the Black Cat Pirates, then I think I know who he is.
Buchi, one of the Nyaban Brothers.
He has a bounty of around seven million together with his partner.” “Partner?” Belle-mere asked.
“Yeah,” I said.
“His brother, Sham.
Or maybe not actually his brother.
I forgot.
Their whole thing is confusing.” As if summoned by my terrible explanation, another shadow lunged from behind.
I did not even see it.
But Belle-mere did.
She moved like lightning, thrusting her tonfa upward just above my head.
BAM!
The impact sent a figure flying backward, crashing into the reinforced wall behind us.
Sham.
He landed with a grunt, his metal claws raised defensively as he steadied himself.
Buchi was now fully upright as well, cracking his neck as if preparing for a casual stroll instead of a fight.
I quickly moved to stand beside Belle-mere, keeping my distance but staying within range.
Sham did not attack me immediately.
Instead, he turned and slashed at the door behind us.
The reinforced steel frame held firm.
His claws screeched against it uselessly.
“Nice try,” I said casually.
He turned toward me, eyes narrowing.
“You must have the key.” “I do,” I replied without hesitation.
Belle-mere glanced at me.
“Why would you tell him that?” I shrugged.
“You see, he looks like an idiot.
If I tell him I have the key, he will believe me and focus on me instead of looking for the real key, which is hidden somewhere else.
If I can’t beat him, I can just give him a fake key and escape while he wastes time figuring it out.” There was a moment of silence.
Then— “I’LL KILL YOU!” Sham lunged at me with terrifying speed.
“AAAAH—!” I jumped sideways, ducking low as his claws sliced through the air where my head had been a second earlier.
Belle-mere stepped in immediately, blocking his follow-up attack with her tonfa before countering with a swift strike that sent him stumbling forward.
He tripped over Jango’s unconscious body and rolled across the deck before slamming into the mast.
“BUCHI!
WHY DIDN’T YOU CATCH ME!?” he yelled.
“Your claws would stab me,” Buchi replied honestly.
“That’s not the point!” “Seems like a valid point to me,” I muttered.
Sham clicked his tongue in frustration.
“Vice-Captain Jango is down, and Captain Kuro will arrive soon.
We don’t have time for this.
All of you—stop hiding and come out!” That was the signal.
Several people stepped forward.
Their disguises dropped instantly and they raised their weapons.
Meanwhile, the real crew members retreated in fear, huddling together at the edges of the deck.
“Finally,” I said with a grin.
“That makes things easier.” I reached into my bag and pulled out two cloth masks.
“Hey, auntie,” I said to Belle-mere, tossing one to her.
“Wear this.” She raised an eyebrow but did not question it.
If I was serious enough to stop calling her casually and start handing out equipment, then there was a reason.
We both put on the masks, then I moved.
I grabbed a handful of bullets and loaded my slingshot.
The enemies laughed.
“A slingshot?” “Really?” I almost felt insulted.
The first shot flew.
None of them saw it.
But the moment it hit— Pop!
It caused a soft explosion.
Powder spread into the air.
They laughed again.
Until they couldn’t.
The man who got hit swayed slightly, then collapsed.
The ones near him followed.
Silence spread across the deck.
“I guess they were sleepy,” I said casually.
“It is midnight, after all.” Then I fired again.
And again.
And again.
Each shot released more powder, filling the air with a barely visible cloud that spread quickly across the deck.
One by one, the enemies fell.
Some tried to hold their breath.
Some tried to run.
None succeeded.
Within moments, the deck was filled with unconscious bodies.
Even some of the real crew members collapsed, which was unfortunate but was not a problem.
Buchi and Sham reacted quickly.
They held their breath and climbed the mast, escaping the spreading cloud.
Smart.
“I can still shoot you, you know,” I said, aiming upward.
They froze.
But then, they smiled, while looking far to the sea.
That was not a good sign.
Belle-mere and I followed their gaze.
Out there, in the dark sea, a ship was approaching.
Its lights dim, but I could tell whose ship that was.
“Well,” I said slowly, “that’s definitely not a friendly delivery ship.” The grin on Buchi and Sham’s faces widened.
“Captain Kuro is here.” I exhaled.
“Of course.
Who else will it be?” As if things were not bad enough already , the final boss appeared.
I tightened my grip on my slingshot, forcing myself to stay calm as the approaching ship moved through the darkness slowly.
“Alright,” I muttered.
“Let’s see how much trouble I just signed up for.” —————————————————————- Thank you for your support.
CHAPTER 83.
New Slingshot Crafter CHAPTER 84.
HolyRicekun