One Piece: Trainers on the Straw Hat Pirates

"However... I heard that a pirate crew is eyeing Kaya."

"It seems they want to plunder the Kaya family's assets."

"What did you say!?"

Usopp suddenly stood up, his pupils dilating sharply, his worry evident in his eyes.

"What exactly happened?!" he hurriedly and excitedly asked Crimson.

Usopp cared about Kaya to an even greater degree than he had imagined.

Faced with Usopp's intense emotional turmoil, Red simply smiled and waved his hand calmly, signaling him not to get so agitated.

A strange light suddenly flashed in those usually calm and collected eyes.

Red smiled and said to Usopp:

Do you remember the Black Cat Pirates who disappeared three years ago?

Usopp nodded and immediately stated the information he knew:

"A great pirate crew with a total bounty exceeding 3000 million Berries!"

"I remember their captain, Kuro, was killed by the Navy three years ago, and the entire pirate crew disappeared in the East Blue."

"Could it be that the remnants of the Black Cat Pirates are trying to harm Kaya!?"

"No, this is not just about remnants."

Red chuckled softly, pulled out a wanted poster he'd found at the 153rd Marine Branch from his pocket, slowly unfolded it in front of Usopp, and said:

"The real Kro didn't actually die. He was actually hiding in Kaya's house, serving as Kaya's butler."

"Take a look at this wanted poster that has been abandoned by the Navy. Do you remember it?"

"This...this is?!"

Usopp slammed his hands on the table, staring at the bounty poster that Red had pulled out, and was gripped by fear.

It can't be wrong!

Isn't that the butler who works for Kaya?!

What... what's going on here?!

Usopp's brain went blank for a moment.

The thought of a vicious pirate right next to Kaya filled him with a burning desire to rush to her house and tell her everything.

Usopp's eyes flashed, and he suddenly said, "Excuse me, everyone, I suddenly remembered that I have something important to do. Please excuse me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he was about to leave the restaurant.

But just then, Crimson called out to him:

"Wait a minute, Usopp!"

"Your reputation in this village doesn't seem to be very good, does it?"

"Do you really think you can convince Kaya and the people in the villa to believe you just by talking nonsense?"

"Besides, even if you reveal Kuro's pirate identity, can you guarantee that he won't kill you and Kaya in his rage?"

"..."

Usopp stopped abruptly, his legs feeling as heavy as lead.

Large beads of sweat slid down his forehead and dripped onto the dining table.

Seeing this, Chi Hong smiled calmly, placed one hand on the table, and tapped the surface lightly with his fingers.

"How about this, Usopp..."

"How about we make a deal?"

"Gulp~" Usopp froze for a moment, then turned to look at Red.

But when he noticed the crimson man's dark and deep eyes and the faint smile at the corner of his mouth, for a moment, he felt like a puppet on a string, being manipulated by the man in front of him from beginning to end.

"Wh...what deal?" Usopp asked tentatively.

Red simply smiled and patted Luffy on the shoulder.

"Of course, it's to fulfill our captain's wish..."

"Join our pirate crew, and we'll help you solve all your troubles as your comrades!"

"This……"

Usopp hesitated again.

However, his hesitation was not because he wanted to refuse the crimson deal.

He just couldn't understand what he had done to deserve being invited by both Luffy and Red, the captain and vice-captain of the Straw Hat crew!

Keep in mind, they're notorious pirates with a bounty of 5000 million Berries!!!

Just because her father is a member of the crew of one of the Four Emperors?!

Although he always spoke arrogantly and told outrageous lies, Usopp himself knew very well his own limitations.

His twisted personality—extremely arrogant on the outside and extremely insecure on the inside—was on full display.

Just a few seconds later, Usopp nodded vigorously:

"I don't know what you value in me! But as long as you can deal with the Kaya family pirates, I'm willing to join your crew."

“No, no, no…” Crimson shook his head: “I think you’ve got the order wrong, Usopp.”

"You didn't join us because we dealt with the pirates..."

"It's because you joined us that we'll deal with the pirates!"

"After all, helping your partner is only natural, isn't it?"

"That's right! Hehe!" Luffy laughed and extended his hand to Usopp: "You're the sniper that Red praised, I'm definitely going to make you my partner!"

“You guys…” Usopp was speechless for a moment, “You really are a strange bunch.”

But soon, a wild laugh appeared on his face.

"But since you all need me so much, then I'll join you!"

He reached out and shook hands tightly with Luffy.

For some reason, even though Crimson had only rearranged the order of the sentences that didn't affect the ending, Usopp inexplicably felt a sense of being valued.

Maybe I'm not as bad as I think?

Moreover, wasn't going to sea to become a pirate and a brave sea warrior his lifelong dream?

Unexpectedly, this dream, which he had never pursued because of his timidity and fear, has now been realized in this way.

"So, are we going to that villa on the mountaintop next?"

Zoro, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up and said to Luffy and Akame:

"By the way, can I handle that guy later?"

"I want to test the results of my training over the past two days."

Chapter 40 Don't fool yourself too

At this moment, a powerful fighting spirit surged in Zoro's eyes, and a faint, mysterious energy unconsciously emanated from his body.

But this power made both Red and Luffy take notice.

"This is……"

Crimson narrowed her eyes slightly.

Luffy immediately added, "...The power of Pokémon!"

Wild, destructive, powerful, hard, sharp...

In an instant, Akane and Luffy sensed many different energy auras emanating from Zoro's aura.

These auras seem to correspond perfectly to the Dragon and Steel types of Zoro.

Strangely, even though Red hasn't found a suitable Pokémon move for Zoro yet, Zoro shouldn't be using Pokémon energy on his own.

After all, this is something even the official Pokémon games can't do.

"interesting."

"Did Zoro use his own willpower to activate the Pokémon energy hidden within his body?"

His crimson eyes flashed, and his anticipation for Zoro deepened even further.

"Alright, then the next enemy is yours to deal with."

"Is everything alright, Luffy?"

"OK then."

Although he also wanted to fight, Luffy naturally wouldn't say anything more since Zoro had already said so.

Anyway, opportunities to battle are everywhere in the Pokémon world.

"Let's not delay, let's go to the villa on the mountain now."

"Usopp, you can lead the way."

"Ah...no problem."

Usopp, who had been itching to get started, immediately set off.

He really couldn't stand it for even a second longer; he just wanted to get rid of the pirates around Kaya as soon as possible.

The group paid their bill and left the restaurant, then, led by Usopp, hurried towards the mountaintop villa.

at the same time.

Inside Kaya's villa.

Disguised as the butler Krabatel, Klo pushed the food cart to Kaya's door and knocked elegantly.