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Usopp's Unexpected Courage

"Hey, you! Give us a ship!" Luffy's voice booms across the grounds, cutting through the air right before the imposing gates of the girl's mansion. His tone is commanding, as if the mere idea of being denied is inconceivable. Without wasting even the slightest second, Luffy springs into action, his determination propelling him to scale the gate of the mansion, the metal bars providing little resistance to his monkey-like agility.

Perched triumphantly atop the gate, Luffy's grin widens as he declares, "Alright, it's time to head in." His words carry an air of certainty, as though he's making a decision on behalf of everyone else. This proclamation is somewhat humorous, given that he's virtually on the opposite side of the gate now. A voice from below calls out, "Ever hear of knocking?" It's one of the kids, an amused expression on his face as he gazes up at Luffy, who seems undeterred.

Nami watches the scene unfold, disbelief etching itself onto her features. Raising her right arm, she presses it against her forehead and mutters, "There's no stopping him now," a resigned sigh accompanying her words. Meanwhile, Zoro stands nearby, arms crossed in his characteristic manner, his gaze also resting on Luffy's antics. He chimes in, "I suppose we'll have to tag along," his voice tinged with a hint of amusement that matches his faint smile.

Turning my head to survey the scene, my eyes settle on Luffy, who is now on the opposite side of the gate, his presence undeniably disruptive. With a deadpan expression, I raise an eyebrow and quip, "Aren't we technically trespassing?" The question hangs in the air, a mix of humor and mild concern dancing in my tone.

Climbing over the fence with the same adventurous spirit as Luffy, the group of children led us to a spot where Usopp often engaged in heart-to-heart conversations with the girl residing in the grand mansion. Settling down under the shade of a sprawling tree, Usopp was engrossed in a seemingly joyous and animated conversation with the girl, his face adorned with an exaggerated grin that even from a distance appeared to be concealing a multitude of falsehoods.

"Captain!" one of the enthusiastic kids exclaimed excitedly, seamlessly contributing to the ongoing embellishment of Usopp's tales, "Absolutely, they affectionately call me..." Usopp's words lingered momentarily in the air, his attention suddenly snapped in our direction as his wide eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. A mix of shock and disbelief colored his tone as he blurted out, "What on earth are you all doing here?"

"We brought these folks along," another child chimed in, their faces lighting up as they pointed collectively at the four of us, genuine delight radiating from their expressions. The girl, her curiosity piqued by our unexpected presence, turned her gaze toward Usopp with a questioning look, "who are they?"

Luffy, ever the impulsive speaker, leaped into the conversational fray without any pause for Usopp to provide context. "You must be the mistress of this place!" Luffy proclaimed, his voice resonating with a blend of admiration and excitement. However, a gnawing sense of apprehension overcame Usopp, his intuition warning him that allowing Luffy to continue down this path could lead to unforeseen consequences. Swiftly intervening, he interjected, "Oh, you know what? They've heard about my impressive reputation from faraway lands and came here to join my legendary adventures. Actually, they're the latest members of my brave team!" Usopp declared with a flair of grandeur, a crafty smile gracing his features as he placed his right hand with a hint of theatricality upon Luffy's shoulder.

"Yeah!" Luffy's voice bursts with exhilaration, his excitement evident as he raises his voice. However, his enthusiasm is accompanied by a swift glance towards Usopp, his eyes locking onto his as he passionately declares, "Hey! That's not right!" The very notion of Luffy, the fearless and independent spirit, being associated with someone else's name doesn't sit well with me. It feels as if a fundamental essence of his identity is being challenged, and it's something that strikes a chord deep within me.

.....

"A favor? To ask of me?" The girl's voice resonated with a hint of curiosity as she directed her gaze towards Luffy. Her arms found a comfortable perch by the window, her fingers lightly tapping the frame as her inquisitive eyes took in the scene outside the mansion. The sunlight danced across her face, highlighting the spark of interest that had been ignited.

Luffy, never one for subtlety, stretched both his arms outwards in an exaggerated hug-like gesture. "Yeah, we're on a mission to find a really massive, tough ship!" His excitement was palpable as he emphasized the word "massive," his enthusiasm infectious as he painted a mental picture of the kind of ship he had in mind.

Yet, before the girl could react, another voice sliced through the air, its sophistication laced with an unmistakable air of superiority. "What is the meaning of this!?" The voice demanded attention, immediately arresting everyone's focus. A man, impeccably dressed and radiating an aura of authority, was making his way towards our group. His presence exuded an intriguing mix of elegance and sternness, a combination that demanded respect.

A chorus of gasps and whispers swept through our group as the newcomer drew closer. "The butler!" One of the kids exclaimed in a hushed tone, his words tinged with awe and perhaps a hint of trepidation. The girl, the undeniable mistress of the mansion, swiveled her head to catch sight of the approaching figure. Her expression shifted momentarily, a complex interplay of emotions flitting across her features.

"Klahadore, you see these people?" Her voice held a blend of urgency and caution, her attempt to explain the situation cut short by Klahadore's raised hand. The butler's gesture commanded silence, and his gaze fixed unwaveringly on his master. "Save your explanations for later," he interjected, his tone carrying a stern authority. "Right now, our guests must leave immediately. Or is there a specific purpose for your presence here?" His question hung in the air, a challenge directed at our group, daring us to justify our unexpected intrusion.

Stolen story; please report.

"I want a big sturdy ship," Luffy asserts enthusiastically, immediately responding to the butler's previous declaration about our needs. The butler's gaze falls upon Luffy, a fleeting look that speaks volumes as it silently communicates his refusal. With a calm yet firm tone, he states, "I can't help you," causing a momentary jolt of surprise to ripple through Luffy, who is promptly comforted by a reassuring pat on the back from Zoro.

However, just as the air starts to settle, the butler's attention shifts abruptly to Usopp, who had previously been lurking on the outskirts of the conversation. Not wasting a second, he fixes his gaze on Usopp and inquires, "You, you're Usopp, aren't you?" His hand extends forward in a gesture of acknowledgement as he continues, "Your reputation precedes you. You're the talk of the village," his voice laced with genuine curiosity and interest.

Usopp's face lights up with a wide grin, and he playfully points to himself with his left arm resting casually on his waist. "Uh, thanks! Call me Captain Usopp if you please! But really, there's no need for flattery!" he responds, a blend of pride and humility evident in his voice.

Taking a moment to adjust his glasses with the back of his palm, the butler's demeanor shifts slightly as he takes on a more official tone. "The guards have reported seeing you around the estate. Do you have any business being here?" he inquires, the weight of his words hanging in the air, suggesting a deeper line of questioning.

"Well, yes, I do," Usopp responds with a self-assured tone, a glint of excitement in his eyes. He points his index finger towards the interior of the grand mansion, a mischievous grin forming on his lips as he continues, "You won't believe it, but I actually saw a legendary mole enter this estate. And I've taken it upon myself to capture the elusive creature!" As he speaks, a single drop of sweat glistens and rolls down Usopp's forehead, a combination of determination and nervousness evident in his expression.

The butler, his demeanor exuding an air of unaffected composure, lets out an audible sigh. He crosses his arms over his chest, his lips curving into a faint smile as he gazes at Usopp. "HMPH," the butler begins, his voice carrying a trace of mild amusement, "you truly possess an exceptional talent for weaving tales." With a quick glance in Usopp's direction, the smile remains, and he continues, "Your reputation precedes you. I've heard quite a few stories about your father." The butler delicately adjusts his spectacles with the palm of his hand, his eyes narrowing slightly. "If I recall correctly," he pauses for a moment, then continues, "your father was a rather filthy pirate, wasn't he?"

Usopp's brows furrow, his expression a mix of surprise and mild indignation. "A filthy pirate?" he mutters under his breath, his gaze fixed on the butler. As his frustration builds, his voice takes on a sharper edge, a hint of menace creeping into his tone. "You dare insult my father's legacy like that?" The tension grows palpable, and Usopp's glare remains fixed on the butler, his fiery determination clashing with the butler's composed demeanor.

Undeterred by Usopp's reaction, the butler maintains his cool, collected posture. He meets Usopp's gaze evenly and continues, "It's not about insults, young master Usopp. It's about understanding that you and mistress Kaya come from vastly different worlds." His words carry a sense of authority, and he raises a hand, gesturing towards the opulent surroundings of the mansion. "Is it treasure you seek? Wealth? How much would it take for you to abandon this pursuit?" The butler's question hangs in the air, a challenge wrapped in a veneer of courtesy, catching everyone present off guard.

"You've gone too far, Klahadore!" Kaya shouted, her head leaning out of the window. Her voice was laced with a mix of anger and desperation as she confronted her own butler. "You owe Usopp an apology!!"

However, Klahadore didn't seem to be bothered by Kaya's outburst. He extended both his arms outwards with a calm demeanor, his tone unwavering. "Mistress Kaya, why should I apologize to this trash?" His words carried an air of cold certainty. "I'm only speaking the truth," he added, further complicating the tense situation.

And there he stood, adjusting his glasses once again using the back of his palm. He seemed to relish the tense atmosphere as he spoke once more, his voice taking on a patronizing tone. "But I do feel sorry for you," he said, his eyes shifting to Usopp with a cocky smile. "Your treasure-crazed idiot of a father did abandon you," he taunted.

Kaya's frustration reached a boiling point, and she screamed her butler's name once again, her voice echoing in the air. Usopp's expression twisted into one of rage as he couldn't stand to hear his father being bad-mouthed any longer. "Stop bad-mouthing my father!" he declared vehemently.

Yet, Klahadore remained unfazed, continuing his verbal assault. "What are you getting so worked up about?" he questioned, his condescension palpable. "Why not just fabricate some of your outrageous lies about your father?" He adjusted his glasses once more, his words dripping with sarcasm. "Just say he's really a merchant, or that he's not your real father, or perhaps..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Usopp's patience snapped like a brittle twig. His fist connected with Klahadore's face, sending the butler stumbling to the ground. It was a shocking sight for everyone present, the disbelief painted on their faces at Usopp's unexpected display of courage.

As Klahadore slowly looked up from the ground, there was a sense of expectation in his eyes, as though he had been anticipating this turn of events. "See how he is?" he remarked, his voice dripping with a twisted satisfaction. "His first instinct is violence! He's an animal, just like his father," he concluded, still nonchalantly holding onto his glasses with the back of his palm.

"Shut up!!" Usopp's face flushed with anger as he shot a quick glance at the person who had provoked him. With a mixture of frustration and determination etched onto his features, he couldn't help but speak his mind. "I'm proud that my father is a pirate!! I'm proud that he's a brave warrior of the sea!!"

As he continued to fix his gaze upon the downcast butler, his expression remained fierce. His voice grew stronger, every word dripping with conviction. "Your right. I do makeup stories!! But there's one thing I'll never lie about! I'll never lie about my pirate heritage!! I'm the son of a pirate!!"

The intensity of his emotions pushed his vocal cords into high speed, making his words resonate even more powerfully in the air. It was as though he was not only defending his family's name but also asserting his own identity, willing it to be acknowledged and respected.