Usopp's hands trembled uncontrollably as he clutched the crumpled bounty poster, his eyes fixated on the image that shattered his sense of security. Khaladore, the seemingly harmless butler, was none other than the infamous pirate Kuro.

The truth crashed over him like a tidal wave, filling his heart with a paralyzing fear he had never experienced before.
The faces of his friends, the villagers he held dear, flashed before his mind's eye. Their smiles, their laughter, now threatened by Captain Kuro's blades hanging ominously over their necks. The weight of their lives rested on his shoulders, amplifying his anxiety and urgency to protect them.

With widened eyes, Usopp turned to Sakazuki, his voice quivering with terror as he stammered, "W-We have to warn the others, Sakazuki. The village... Kaya is in grave danger. We can't waste a single moment!"

Sakazuki's gaze softened as he observed the turmoil in Usopp's eyes, but he shook his head in disagreement with a resigned sigh. "I understand your fear, Usopp, but rushing into the village without a plan could create unnecessary panic. We must think this through and devise a strategy to protect everyone."

Usopp's disbelieving stare bore into Sakazuki, his fear, and desperation overriding any notion of patience or planning. The longer they waited, the greater the danger that lurked over their loved ones. Kaya's life hung in the balance, and he couldn't bear the thought of hesitating any longer.

His friends' lives were in danger, damn it!

Unable to contain his anxiety, Usopp's resolve solidified. He couldn't afford to stay paralyzed by fear. With faltering steps, he turned away from Sakazuki's hesitant words and broke into a frantic run toward the village.

"Wait, Usopp!" Sakazuki's voice calling after him faded into the background as Usopp propelled himself forward, his trembling legs pushing him with every ounce of strength he could muster.

The world around him blurred as his heartbeat thundered in his ears, drowning out any lingering doubts. Each stride carried him closer to the village, closer to the people he cherished. Fear and adrenaline coursed through his veins, fueling his determination to reach them, to warn them of the imminent danger of Captain Kuro.

Usopp's mind raced, filled with visions of chaos and devastation. His thoughts were consumed by the urgency of the situation, the need to ensure the safety of his friends. Nothing else mattered at that moment except reaching the village and alerting them to the impending threat.

As the familiar sights of the village drew near, the sound of bustling activity intensified his anxiety. With every step, his heart pounded harder, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily upon his shoulders, driving him forward despite the trembling in his limbs.

Usopp's legs slowed down as he entered Suryp village, and his eyes leveled on the three faithful boys he considered friends. With all that happened, Usopp forgot that he had sent them to the town before.

"Piiman! Ninjin! Tamanegi!" he called out, his words laced with urgency and concern. The boys turned, their eyes widening with a mix of surprise and relief at Usopp's arrival.

Anguish welled up within Usopp as he approached them, and noticed the tears running down their faces. For a moment, Usopp feared that Captain Kuro had already attacked the village.

his voice filled with desperation and terror. "What happened?!"

"Captain... we tried to warn them, but they wouldn't listen," Piiman said, his voice choked with frustration and disappointment.

Usopp's heart sank as he listened to Piiman's words. The villagers had dismissed the boys' warnings, leaving them disheartened and accused of spreading falsehoods. A mix of anger and fear swelled within Usopp, his hands trembling with a surge of emotions.

"It's okay. I...I already took care of the pirates." He sighed and patted the boys' shoulders. "I have another important mission for you. I need you to run to the forest, and look for a very tall man and stay with him."

"A tall man?" Piiman sniffed as the boys looked a each other in confusion.

Usopp nodded. "Yes, a very tall man called Sakazuki. He is wearing red clothes and has a flower tattoo on his chest and neck. Can you do that?"

"""Yes, captain!""" The boys wiped their tears, and nodded with determination before they rushed to the forest.

With his nerves tightly wound, Usopp forged ahead, his determined steps leading him toward the village's bustling marketplace. It was the heart of Suryp village, where life pulsed with vigor and activity. He knew that if anyone needed to hear his warning, it would be the strong able-bodied men who put their stalls in this place.

As he approached the marketplace, Usopp's heart pounded in his chest, his palms sweaty with anxiety. He scanned the crowd, searching for familiar faces amidst the sea of villagers. His eyes darted from person to person, his breath catching in his throat with each passing moment.

Finally, he spotted a group of men engaged in lively conversation near a fruit stand. Gathering his courage, Usopp approached them, his voice quivering with urgency. "Listen, everyone! We're in grave danger!"

The men turned to look at him, annoyance clear on their faces. "It's always one thing after the other with you brats. How many times are you going to pull that shit today?" the stand owner grumbled as he motioned Usoop away. "Scram, we don't have time for you now, shoo shoo."

Undeterred by their dismissal of him, Usopp pressed on. "I'm telling you. The butler at Kaya's mansion, that butler, Khaladore, he's not who he says he is! He's a dangerous pirate plotting against us!"

His words hung in the air, momentarily silencing the chatter of the marketplace. The villagers turned their attention towards Usopp, their expressions a mix of curiosity and skepticism. A murmur of disbelief began to ripple through the crowd, challenging the truth of his words.

But before Usopp could gather his thoughts and plead his case, a burly man stepped forward, his face contorted with anger. Without warning, he swung his hand, delivering a powerful smack that sent Usopp crashing to the ground. Pain shot through his cheek, but it was the sting of rejection and the weight of despair that hurt even more.

"You've gone too far this time, Usopp!" one man bellowed, his tone filled with righteous anger. "We've tolerated your pranks because they were mostly harmless, but accusing someone from the village of such things is unforgivable!"

"Yeah! Have some shame, accusing a respected man like that." another villager chimed in, crossing his arms and glaring at Usopp with narrowed eyes.

Usopp's heart sank as he realized the gravity of their disbelief. His attempts to warn them were met with scorn and rejection, whatever tolerance they've had for his playful antics now shattered.

Desperation washed over him as he fumbled in his pockets, desperately searching for the poster that had served as evidence of Khaladore's true identity. But it was nowhere to be found.

'It's not here! Did I lose it in the forest?' Panic welled up within him, his hands shaking uncontrollably. The weight of his failure crushed down upon him, and he struggled to find the words to convince the villagers of the impending danger. His voice quivered as he stammered, "B-but... I had proof! I had a poster... I saw it! He's a pirate, I swear!"

But his plea was met with derisive laughter and dismissive scoffs. The villagers shook their heads, and their trust in Usopp shattered. They turned their backs on him, returning to their conversations as if he was nothing more than a nuisance.

Humiliation burned in Usopp's cheeks, tears welling in his eyes. He felt a mix of anger and helplessness, an overwhelming sense of isolation engulfing him. With a glare, he turned around and took off running towards Kaya's mansion.

'At the very least, I need to warn Kaya!' Biting his lip, he tried to withhold his frustration. His heart raced as he made his way through the village.

It didn't take long before the outline of the mansion entered his view. Pushing his legs further, Usopp rushed towards the front gate.

The guards noticed the frantic approach of Usopp, his expression a mix of anxiety and determination. One of them nudged the other, a sly grin forming on his face. "Look who's back," he remarked with a hint of mockery. "It's that pesky brat who keeps bothering the Young Lady."

The second guard joined in, a a bemused look on his face.. "Seems like he never learns his lesson. What's the matter now, boy?"

Usopp's breath came in ragged gasps as he tried to catch his breath, his chest heaving. He gathered his courage, his voice quivering as he spoke through pants. "I-I... you need to listen to me! Danger..Big Danger! That Khlahadore bastard is a pirate!"

The two guards exchanged amused glances, their expressions reflecting disbelief before they broke into a laughing fit.

For the nth time today, Ussop felt his cheeks redden In humiliation. "I'm serious, damn it! Kaya's life is in danger!"
One of them leaned in, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "Oh, really? A pirate, you say? And I suppose you have proof this time, huh? Or is it just another one of your tall tales?"

Usopp's hands shook, his eyes pleading for them to take him seriously. "There is a bounty poster with his face on it!"

The second guard offered his open palm. "Then, let us see it then, boy."

"I…I lost it. But I'm actually telling the truth. You guys have to believe me!"

But the guards remained unmoved, their dismissive attitude unwavering. They exchanged a knowing look, clearly amused by Usopp's distress. One of them gestured dismissively, shooing him away. "Go on now, run along. We've heard enough of your stories for today. Young lady Kaya is perfectly safe, and we're not about to waste our time on your fantasies."

An idea flashed through Usopp's head. The guards' postures were fairly relaxed, clearly not taking him seriously. 'If I rush between them, I might be able to reach Kaya before they catch me.."

With his mind made up, the young man crouched and prepared to sprint. Yet, before he could go through with the first step, his eyes caught a very familiar form.
Usopp's eyes widened in shock, his mouth hanging open, unable to form words. The two guards, previously lazing about, noticed his sudden halt and followed his gaze to see the approaching figure of Khaladore.

"Hey, it's Khaladore-san!" one of the guards blurted out, his voice filled with surprise. Khaladore acknowledged them with a friendly smile, his presence radiating an aura of sophistication and intrigue.

Khaladore acknowledged their greeting with a graceful nod, his piercing eyes gleaming behind his spectacles."Good afternoon, gentlemen. I trust all is well in here?"

The guard smirked as they returned their eyes to Usopp's frozen form. "All is clear, Khaladore-san. The boy was just telling us the most amazing joke." One of them nudged the boy with his elbow. "Come on, kid. How about you repeat that joke? Khaladore-san will surely find it hilarious!"

Usopp stood frozen, his entire body trembling with fear. The gravity of his mission to warn the villagers clashed with the overwhelming terror consuming him. His previous resolve felt flimsy and insignificant in the face of Khaladore's imposing stature.

Khaladore raised his palm and fixed his glasses as he observed the boy in front of him. "A joke, you say?"

Usopp's mouth went dry, and his mind raced to find the right words. But fear held him captive, robbing him of his voice. His legs felt heavy, as if shackled in place by an invisible force. The guards nudged him, urging him to speak, but all he could manage was a feeble stammer.

"Uh... it's not a joke. I-I... I need to warn everyone," he finally managed to blurt out, his voice trembling with a mix of anxiety and urgency. His eyes darted between the guards and Khaladore, desperate for someone to take him seriously.

The butler's smile widened an unnerving gleam in his eyes. "Warn everyone? About what, young man?" he inquired, his tone deceptively gentle. Usopp's heart pounded in his chest, torn between revealing the truth and succumbing to the overwhelming fear that gripped him.

"I-it's about you, Captain Kuro!" he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper as he used Khaladore's real name. "You're not who you say you are! You're a dangerous pirate!" The words hung in the air, a fragile thread of truth amidst a web of uncertainty.

The guards burst into laughter, their mocking tones echoing through the air. "Oh, listen to the boy! He's a riot!" one of them jeered, slapping his knee with amusement. "Khaladore-san, did you hear that? Apparently, you're a pirate!"

Usopp's face burned with humiliation, tears welling up in his eyes. He had expected skepticism and disbelief, but the ridicule cut him to the core. The villagers had turned their backs on him, and now even the guards joined in the mockery.

In that moment, Usopp felt the weight of isolation pressing down on him. The courage he had mustered seemed to fade away, replaced by a crushing sense of helplessness. The reality of his predicament hit him with full force, and he realized the enormity of the challenge he faced.

Khaladore looked down at him with an unreadable expression, before he fixed his glasses with his palm, the glare of the sun reflecting hiding his eyes. "What a vivid imagination."

'Bastard..!' Usopp's shaking hand drew closer to his pouch and the slingshot in it. However, as Khaladore lifted his gaze and glared at him, all thoughts of fighting evaporated instantly.

Without a word, Usopp turned on his heel, his heart heavy with disappointment and despair. He couldn't stay there any longer. He couldn't bear the laughter, the doubt, and the complete dismissal of his words. With anguished frustration, he broke into a run, fleeing from the mansion grounds and disappearing into the familiar streets of Syrup Village.

Usopp's tears mixed with the sweat on his face as he sprinted through the village, his mind clouded with a mix of sorrow and frustration. His breath came in ragged gasps, and his vision blurred as he pushed himself beyond his limits. But eventually, his body gave in to exhaustion.

His legs trembled uncontrollably, unable to support his weight any longer. He stumbled and collapsed onto the soft grass of an open field. His whole body shook with sobs as he buried his face in his hands, the anguish in his heart pouring out through his cries.

Damn it.

Damn it.

Damn it!

"Why... why am I so useless?" he whispered, his voice choked with despair. His fist collided with the unforgiving ground, a futile attempt to release the overwhelming emotions that consumed him. The weight of his failure pressed upon him, suffocating him with self-doubt.

He remained sprawled on the ground, the echoes of his sobs piercing his ears, feeling utterly defeated. The once ambitious and hopeful Usopp now questioned his worth, his dreams shattered by the harsh reality he faced. He couldn't protect his village, he couldn't convince the villagers, and he couldn't save Kaya from the imminent danger.

"What 'brave warrior'? What 'great captain'?" he bellowed, his voice laced with frustration, as he repeatedly banged his head against the ground. Tears and snot mingled with the soil, staining it with his anguish. "I'm nothing more than a fraud!"

"Don't say that!"

Usopp looked up, his eyes swollen and red, to see the three boys standing before him. Piiman, Tamanegi, and Ninjin, their fists clenched and tears glistening in their eyes.

Sakazuki stood beside them, his expression filled with sympathy and understanding.

"We... we believe in you, Captain Usopp!" Piiman stammered, his voice quivering with determination. "You've always been brave and strong. So, don't give up!."

Tamanegi stepped forward, his voice steady despite the tears streaming down his cheeks. "You're not a fraud, Usopp. You're our friend, and we know you'll find a way to protect the village."

Ninjin, the tallest of the trio, took a deep breath, mustering all his courage. "We won't let you face this alone, Usopp. We'll stand by your side, no matter what."

As Usopp heard the heartfelt words of his friends, their unwavering belief in him, a heavy weight settled in his chest. Their support, although genuine and well-intentioned, only intensified his feelings of inadequacy. How could he face them when they placed so much trust in him, only for him to fail?

With a pained expression, Usopp lowered his head, unable to meet their gaze. He felt a knot tighten in his stomach, a mix of guilt and shame gnawing at him from within. The weight of their expectations seemed unbearable, and he wondered what is it that he had done for them to believe in him like this.

"I take it that it didn't go well." Sakazuki, noticing Usopp's distress, stepped forward and asked, his tone betraying no malice. "Are you giving up, Usopp?"

Usopp's shoulders slumped, and he let out a deep sigh. "It's not that," he replied, his voice filled with resignation. "It's just... no one believes me. They all see me as some kind of ...joke. I'm just a lying coward."

'And who could blame them?' Usopp wouldn't give himself the time of day, either.

Sakazuki's eyes softened, his gaze unwavering as he listened to Usopp's words. Without a hint of judgment, he spoke with empathy and understanding, "Kid, I understand how you feel. It's disheartening when others don't see the truth and dismiss your words. But you're more than just a liar or a coward. You have a heart that yearns to protect others."

Usopp's voice cracked as he replied, his tone tinged with self-doubt, "But what good is a heart when I'm too much of a weakling to do anything? I saw him, okay! He was right in front of me, and I... I couldn't do anything. Just the thought of fighting him nearly made me piss my pants,….. so I ran away."

Ussop did not dare to look up when Sakazuki knelt beside him.

"Fear is a natural thing to feel, kid. In fact, that very fear is what makes you human," Sakazuki said calmly "Whether they believed you or not doesn't change the fact that you rushed to help them."

Usopp remained silent.

"And strength isn't solely measured by physical prowess, Usopp. It resides within your spirit, your unwavering determination to do what's right. You have a strength that very few in this world possess." The older man extended his finger and tapped Usopp's chest, where his heart was. "You have a kind heart."

"Well, that's dandy and all, but kindness won't make Captain Kuro disappear, Sakazuki-san. It won't protect Kaya or the villagers," Usopp scoffed, his voice trembling as he tried to wipe the tears staining his face.

"And that's where you ask for help," Sakazuki said with a smile.

"W-what?" Usopp stuttered, confusion painting his features.

"I told you, didn't I? I came here to take care of Kuro myself. Besides..." Sakazuki stated, lifting a white hat that he had brought from somewhere while Usopp wasn't looking and putting it on his head. Usopp's eyes widened as he witnessed the proud Marine symbol on the front. "What kind of Marine would turn his back on the innocent?"

"You... You're a Marine," Usopp exclaimed lamely, as the boys made sounds of amazement in the background.

Sakazuki nodded with a grin.

"You're a Marine!" Usopp's repeated, his voice trailed off as he uttered the words, his disbelief evident in his tone. The realization that Sakazuki, the person standing before him, was a Marine, ignited a flicker of hope within him. Marines were used to taking care of dangerous pirates all the time, right?

Sakazuki stood tall, his posture exuding confidence and determination. He extended his hand towards Usopp, a warm smile playing on his lips..

"Stand up, kid. We've got a village to save."