[U.T] Ch 30: Trait Loading Updated!

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"Don't kill me! I've got information—let's trade!"

Kuro had completely lost the calm and composure he once had. Now, his face was full of terror.

Only someone who's truly had their power stolen by Luen could understand that level of despair.

Years of hard work—training, fighting, surviving—wiped out in an instant.

All that's left… is a ruined body that can't even stand.

And for a pirate, losing your power means losing everything.

Kuro's legs gave out. With his strength suddenly gone, he collapsed to the ground, trembling as he looked up at Luen. His eyes were filled with horror—he didn't even dare meet Luen's gaze.

He'd been a big name in the East Blue. Feared. Respected. But he had never encountered a monster like this.

It started earlier when Luen just glanced at him, and Kuro instantly passed out—like a wave of pressure hit his mind and knocked him out cold.

And now, Luen had used some unknown ability to drain every bit of power from him.

In front of this man, Kuro was no more than an ant—an insect that could be crushed at any moment.

He had no right to even look Luen in the eyes.

Now, completely broken by fear, Kuro only wanted one thing—to live.

"Information?" Luen raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

"Y-yeah! I'm the former captain of the Black Cat Pirates… but I still have control over them!"

"Tomorrow—the Black Cat Pirates are coming to attack this village!"

"Even if you're strong, in all that chaos, there's no way you can keep the village safe without a single scratch, right?"

"Spare me, and I'll help you wipe them out."

"Hey, Usopp! You're friends with them, right? You don't want the villagers to get hurt, do you? Tell them to let me go!"

Kuro gulped and turned quickly to Usopp.

"W-What?!"

Usopp's face turned pale.

Even Kaya covered her mouth in disbelief—this was the true face of the man she once trusted most, her butler, Klahadore.

"Then why did you pretend to be a butler here? Why use the Black Cat Pirates to attack?" Luen asked, still calm, his expression unchanged.

Luen already knew the answer—he remembered the plot—but he wanted Kuro to say it himself, to shatter every last illusion Kaya had left.

"I…" Kuro's throat was dry. He hesitated.

"Not talking? Fine. Then die."

Luen's eyes sharpened.

"I-I'll talk! I hid here for the family's fortune!"

"The Marines kept chasing me because of my rising bounty, so I faked my death and disappeared."

"Then I spent three years earning the villagers' trust."

"Tomorrow, when the Black Cat Pirates kill Lady Kaya and she writes a will leaving all her wealth to me, I'll inherit everything and live a peaceful life."

Kuro had already been scared out of his mind. He confessed everything without hesitation.

As for lying? In his current state, terrified and broken, he couldn't even come up with a convincing lie if he tried.

"K-Klahadore…" Kaya stared at Kuro in disbelief, hand over her mouth.

The man their family had saved… the one they treated like family… had planned to kill them all.

"Spare me! I'll tell you where those Black Cat bastards are hiding. I swear I'll quit being a pirate—just let me live!"

Kuro no longer cared how Kaya felt. He only wanted to survive.

Wham!

A long-stretched fist smashed into Kuro's face with a loud bang, distorting his features from the impact.

"Trading your crewmates' lives for your own? Trash like you doesn't even deserve to be called a pirate," Luffy said, voice full of fury.

"A real crewmate isn't something you use like that."

Kuro collapsed, unconscious.

Zoro smirked slightly.

Luen glanced at Nami, and she pursed her lips, catching the signal.

She recalled what Luen had told her—that he'd risk his life to protect her. And with the memory of that sudden princess-carry earlier…Nami's heart skipped a beat.

"Hey! Luffy, you didn't ask him where the pirates are!" Usopp shouted, clutching his head, and rushed to Kuro, shaking him violently.

"Wake up! Damn it! Where are those pirates?!"

Usopp was sweating like crazy, desperately trying to get Kuro to come to.

But Kuro had lost all his power thanks to Luen. Now his body was no different from an average villager's.

And after taking that punch from Luffy—there was no way he'd be waking up.

"Damn it!"

Usopp clenched his fists and slammed them into the ground.

"Why not just tell the villagers pirates are coming and have them evacuate?" Zoro crossed his arms.

"They won't believe me! I've lied to them about pirates so many times…" Usopp said bitterly.

"I'll go tell them," Kaya coughed, speaking weakly.

Her health had always been poor, and now, with the emotional shock of Kuro's betrayal, her condition had worsened.

"No… what if Kuro was hiding something? Like maybe the pirates won't attack unless he gives the signal.

If you tell the villagers, and nothing happens tomorrow, they'll stop trusting you too. Then, if the pirates do show up later… it'll be too late," Usopp said, his fear and anxiety flaring up.

That fear wasn't without reason.

Usopp started shouting about pirates coming when he was a kid, not just to mess around—but because after his father, Yasopp, left to become a pirate, his mother fell ill.

In pain and still clinging to hope that Yasopp might return, Usopp had an idea.

He started yelling, "Pirates are coming!" around the village, hoping his mother would hear and believe his father was coming home.

And when his mom showed signs of recovery, Usopp kept doing it every day.

Even after she passed, he kept the habit.

That lie… was his way of remembering her.

Besides, Syrup Village was isolated from the wider world of pirates—villagers were often bored.

After scolding and chasing him, Usopp often saw genuine smiles on their faces.

So he kept going.

But now, years of lying had finally come back to bite him.

"Huh? You're not gonna ask us for help?" Luen looked at Usopp, smirking slightly.

"This is my village. It's my responsibility to protect it."

"And besides… who knows if the pirates will even show up tomorrow. Are you guys just gonna sit here and wait forever?"

"You've got your own adventures to chase—I can't shamelessly ask you to stay."

Usopp turned away, his voice shaky but determined.

"Alright! I, Captain Usopp, will face those pirates outside the village myself!"

He stood tall, puffing out his chest.

"…But your legs are shaking," Nami pointed out.

"D-Damn it! This isn't a joke! This time, it's real pirates! I can't be scared!"

Usopp looked down at his trembling legs and slammed them with his fists, sweat pouring down his forehead.

"Yeah, I'm scared! So what?! Go ahead and laugh at me if you want!" he shouted, eyes red.

"No one's laughing. Who would ever laugh at a real brave warrior of the sea?" Luen said gently.

"Luen… Y-You mean I'm really a brave warrior of the sea?" Usopp sniffled, his nose stinging.

That had always been his dream—to be a courageous sea warrior.

And hearing Luen say that—the man who had shown such overwhelming strength—left Usopp stunned.

"You're not just pitying me, right?" Usopp asked hesitantly.

"Who the hell risks their life out of pity, dumbass?!" Luffy shouted.

Then he grinned and looked at Usopp.

"Hehehe. And what do you mean our adventure? Aren't you already one of us?"

Usopp's eyes widened, shocked. He stared at Luffy, who was smiling and reaching out a hand.

"You wanna join us, Usopp?" Luen asked with a smirk.

"Hmph."

Zoro didn't say anything, just smiled quietly.

He could tell Usopp was a coward by nature—but the guy was still willing to face pirates for his village. Zoro respected that kind of courage.

"Luffy! Luen! Everyone!" Usopp's eyes turned red as he threw himself into their arms.

"But I wanna be captain!" Usopp added quickly.

"I'm the captain!" Luffy shouted.

"Fine, I'll be vice-captain!"

"Stop talking nonsense!"

...

Luen watched Usopp and Luffy arguing playfully, and a smile slowly curved his lips.

[Usopp has joined the Straw Hat Pirates. Trait loading updated.]

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