"But what I do need is a ship that can sail."
After devouring all the meat in front of him, Luffy looked at Usopp.
"A ship to set sail?!"
"If we're talking ships, there's only one place in town where we might get one."
Usopp's eyes lit up. As the village know-it-all, no one knew better than him where to find a seaworthy vessel.
"Where?" Luffy asked.
"If it's the only mansion in the village, owned by Miss Kaya, she might be able to get you a decent pirate ship."
Usopp's mind flickered with an image of the sweet young girl.
"About a year ago, Kaya's parents passed away due to illness. She inherited a massive fortune and a dozen servants. She's rich, but her background is rather pitiful."
Although Usopp himself could be considered an orphan—his mother having passed away and his father lured into piracy by the 'succubus' Shanks—he still felt pity for Kaya.
After all, she was a gentle, pitiful girl. And he was a man inheriting the will of his parents, destined to become a brave warrior of the sea.
"Then it's settled. Let's go to Miss Kaya's estate and borrow a ship."
Before anyone else could chime in, Eden made the decision.
"Agreed!"
With Eden's words, Usopp, Luffy, Happy, and Zoro all raised their hands.
"Wait, that poor girl has already suffered enough, and now you're planning to borrow a ship from her (obviously with no intention of returning it)? Are you guys devils?!"
Nami couldn't help but interject.
"I was thinking, if her family only has her left, wouldn't it be easy for us to take over all her assets?"
Buggy finally spoke up, furrowing his brows.
"You're even worse."
Nami punched Buggy hard.
"Ow! That hurts! How could it hurt this much? Wait... could you be using Armament Haki?!"
Buggy's head swelled visibly as tears welled up.
"Buggy, that was too much."
"Truly demonic."
"What a scumbag..."
"Evil Buggy."
Eden, Happy, Luffy, and Usopp all took turns mocking Buggy.
"I'm just being realistic! Even if we don't take the girl's wealth, other pirates will target her sooner or later. Trust me..."
Buggy defended himself seriously.
It's the classic case of "an innocent man with a treasure invites trouble." Didn't anyone understand?
And so—
Ignoring the wounded Buggy, they headed straight to Kaya's mansion.
"It's huge."
When they arrived, they realized Usopp wasn't lying.
In fact, he was understating it.
This wasn't just a mansion. It was a full-blown estate.
"Stick close to me."
"Kaya's servants are not easy to deal with."
"If they catch us, our plan is finished. Especially since just yesterday, Kaya rescued a monster from the sea that can breathe fire. If he sees us, we're doomed."
Usopp warned Eden and the others.
"A monster that breathes fire?!"
Unseen by Usopp...
Eden, Juvia, and Happy exchanged glances. They saw the same name in each other's eyes.
But they kept quiet and followed Usopp over the fence into the estate.
Meanwhile, inside the villa, Kaya's butlers constantly warned her not to associate with a "bad seed" like Usopp, fearing he would corrupt her...
But Kaya still sat by the first-floor window every day, quietly waiting for Usopp.
Because of her health, Kaya couldn't enjoy the simple joys of childhood like other kids...
So every day she hoped Usopp would come to share stories from the outside world.
Even the most beautiful canary in a cage longs for the sky beyond.
"Usopp, you're here?"
"And these... these are your friends?"
Seeing Usopp made Kaya's eyes sparkle. Her smile widened when she saw Eden and the others.
Who said Usopp was unpopular in the village and friendless?
Didn't he have a whole group of companions?
"Kaya, I came to see you."
"And actually... I have a bit of a favor to ask."
Usopp scratched his head awkwardly.
"A favor?"
"With our relationship, just speak your mind..."
Kaya lightly covered her mouth and smiled.
Usopp had always come to entertain her with stories and ease her loneliness. She had never had the chance to help him before.
Maybe now was that chance.
"I need a ship to sail."
"You know, I'm a brave warrior of the sea."
"One day I'll leave this village, just like my father..."
Usopp took a deep breath and told Kaya his dream, inspired by the arrival of Luffy and the others.
"Usopp... you're leaving?"
Kaya didn't even realize how much sorrow filled her voice.
"Miss Kaya, I told you—stop associating with this scum like Usopp. He's just bad news..."
Suddenly, an unwanted guest appeared.
Dressed in a black tuxedo with gold-rimmed glasses, this man radiated sleazy aristocracy. He rushed over and pointed a finger at Usopp.
"Klahadore?!"
Kaya's pupils contracted as she yelled, "You're going too far!"
"Usopp, wasn't I right?"
"You're just a vile pirate's son. Your blood is filthy, unworthy to speak to a noble like Miss Kaya..."
Klahadore ignored Kaya and pressed Usopp with cutting words.
"Shut up! My father isn't vile. He's a great warrior of the sea!"
Usopp shouted in fury.
To him, his father was a source of pride.
"Oh? And what proof do you have of that?"
Klahadore sneered.
"Uh..."
Usopp was at a loss.
"Proof? Don't you guys read the paper?"
"If I'm not mistaken, Usopp, your father is Yasopp, right?"
Eden suddenly spoke.
"Y-Yeah... You know my father?"
Usopp looked at Eden in confusion.
"Of course."
"He's a big-time pirate worth hundreds of millions of Berries and a high-ranking officer under one of the Four Emperors—'Red-Haired' Shanks. Who doesn't know him?!"
Eden grinned.
"Wha?!"
Usopp was stunned.
"My dad's... that impressive? A pirate worth hundreds of millions?!"
"And as for you... if I'm not mistaken, you're 'Captain Kuro of a Hundred Plans,' right? What's the matter, fallen so far that you're now a butler?"
Eden looked toward Klahadore with a smile.
"You... you know me?"
Klahadore—rather, Kuro—shivered.
His eyes turned cold.
But he wasn't too worried.
A few days ago, he rescued a monster from the sea... one who still owed him a favor.
Perhaps it was time to cash it in.
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~# Every 20 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter