"This is…"
Robin and the others stared, wide-eyed, at Kuro clinging to Koby's leg, sobbing uncontrollably while vowing to turn over a new leaf.
A chill ran down their spines.
"This is downright creepy…"
Luffy finished what Robin didn't say out loud.
Koby's ability…
It wasn't just persuasion, it was more like brainwashing, or even soul-swapping!
Watching Kuro, it was like he had become a completely different person.
If every enemy Koby defeated turned out like this…
Luffy suddenly had a wild thought:
A new legend is about to be born under my command!
Usopp's legs trembled slightly, his eyes filled with a mix of awe and fear.
What was that just now?
Was that… magic?!
"Wh-What was that?"
Finally, curiosity overcame his pride. Usopp pointed at Koby's magical, no, heroic, mop and asked in disbelief.
"That's his Mental Power Tool," Luffy said casually.
But that only made Usopp even more confused.
At that moment, all eyes from the Starry Sky Pirates shifted from Koby to Usopp.
One by one, they looked him over from head to toe, as if evaluating whether he was worthy to become one of them.
Under the intense scrutiny, Usopp took a step back, hugging himself nervously.
"W-What do you all want from me?"
Instead of backing off, Luffy stepped forward with confident intent.
"You look like a good fit…"
"There's still room on my ship."
"So, how about it? Interested in joining us to explore this amazing world?"
"Wh-What!?"
Usopp stumbled back another two steps in shock, staring at Luffy in disbelief.
In his eyes, uncertainty flickered nonstop.
Meanwhile, from a short distance away, the three kids of the Usopp Pirates had completely opposite reactions, faces lit with admiration.
"Hey! Did you hear that? That big-shot just invited Captain Usopp!"
"Captain Usopp really is the real deal! Maybe all the stories he told us were true!"
"Is Captain Usopp gonna join their crew?"
They chattered excitedly as if this was the greatest honor in the world.
─────────🏴☠️─────────
But the one at the center of all this attention, Usopp, wasn't nearly as thrilled.
He forced an awkward smile, his voice unsure:
"Y-You're… joking, right?"
He had heard it clearly earlier, the guy who defeated Kuro in an instant, and could even use magic, had introduced himself as just a deckhand in the Starry Sky Pirates.
Usopp had never even heard of this crew before.
But if even their deckhands were that strong… then why would someone like Luffy be interested in him?
Usopp was well aware of his own strengths, and his limits.
What could he possibly contribute to such a crew?
Massage? Pedicures? Foot soaks?
Cupping therapy?
Who leaked the secret that I, the great Usopp, am an invincible massage therapist?!
Or maybe… just maybe… he was amazing, and simply hadn't realized it yet?
Could he also have some hidden, magical potential?
Maybe it just needed to be awakened?
Yes! That must be it!
I, Usopp, will never be less than anyone!
I couldn't possibly be just some average villager!
What if I actually have royal blood flowing in my veins?!
Hehehe…
─────────🏴☠️─────────
Completely lost in his own grand fantasies, Usopp drifted deeper and deeper into delusion.
Until,
"Hey! What are you grinning like an idiot for?"
Nami frowned at the sight of Usopp standing in a daze, drooling slightly with a goofy smile.
She began to wonder if maybe Luffy's judgment had finally failed him.
This long-nosed weirdo was NOTHING like the adorable Koby.
Did this guy really deserve a spot in the Starry Sky Pirates?
"Ah? Oh! I-It's nothing!"
"You're… you're really inviting me?"
Usopp asked again, voice trembling with hope and uncertainty.
He couldn't help it. No matter what role he might play in the future, just being able to sail with people like this meant the journey ahead would be unforgettable.
And more importantly,
It would be safe!
Thanks to his father, Usopp had always dreamed of the sea.
But because of his cowardly nature, he'd never dared to leave.
So instead, he played pretend with the village kids, acting like a pirate captain in make-believe adventures.
But after surviving the Kuro incident… something inside him had awakened.
His pirate blood was stirring.
He was still afraid, but the dream of the sea burned brighter than his fear.
Luffy could see it in Usopp's eyes, that he was almost ready.
So he walked up and stretched out his hand:
"The Starry Sky Pirates formally invite you to join us. Be my crewmate."
For the first time in a long while, Usopp felt truly seen.
It felt… amazing.
A light flashed in his eyes as he made his decision.
SLAP!
Their hands locked tightly together.
"I'll be in your care from now on, Captain!"
Faced with someone as powerful as Luffy, Usopp dared not exaggerate.
He made this choice with full sincerity, a vow he'd never regret.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host. You've recruited your sixth crewmate. Please enter the Crew System to draw their exclusive item.]
"Kaya…"
Her eyes sparkled with longing as she watched their clasped hands, though no one knew what she was thinking.
─────────🏴☠️─────────
Later that night, at Kaya's mansion.
"What!? Luffy, you've met my dad before?"
Usopp, visiting Kaya's house for the first time, sat at the table, gnawing on a massive pork knuckle without a shred of dignity.
Now that Kuro had turned over a new leaf and was serving them like a butler, Usopp had no reason to hold back.
Luffy swirled his glass of milk casually, took a sip, and nodded.
"Yeah, I spent some time with Yasopp, or rather, with his pirate crew."
"How's my dad doing now?" Usopp asked eagerly.
"Him?"
Luffy downed the rest of his milk, licked his lips, and thought to himself:
Maybe I should try making some yogurt or flavored milk later… this plain stuff gets boring.
Then he answered:
"I'm not too sure. We haven't seen each other in years."
"But last I heard, Yasopp's doing great. After all, his captain is Shanks."
"Sha, Shanks!?"
Robin and Brook, who had been eating politely, froze mid-bite.
They both looked at Usopp in surprise.
Robin even gasped:
"Luffy… you don't mean that Shanks? The one from the New World? Red-Haired Shanks?"
"Yep," Luffy confirmed without hesitation.
"That's… unbelievable!"
"W-What's going on?"
Usopp looked between Luffy and Robin, completely lost.
Kaya and the three little pirates were equally puzzled.
Since dinner began, the four of them had barely stopped gawking at Brook the talking skeleton or Luffy, the smiling leader of these strange new pirates.
To them, the day had been one unbelievable surprise after another.
Robin set her utensils down and glanced thoughtfully at everyone around the table.
Then she began:
"In the second half of the Grand Line, known to pirates as the New World, there are four Emperors who rule the seas, uh!"
She cut herself off when she noticed everyone (except for Luffy and Brook) staring at her blankly, including Zoro and Nami.
Apparently, only the three of them, veterans of the Grand Line, had any clue what she was talking about.
The rest had never even left the East Blue.
Especially Kaya, who had barely set foot outside her mansion. Her sparkling eyes practically pressed against Robin's face, hanging on every word.
Robin chuckled softly and shook her head.
In the next moment, her outfit shimmered in a burst of divine light, transforming instantly,
She took on the appearance of a curvaceous office lady, ready to teach her wide-eyed future crewmates everything they needed to know about the Grand Line.
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