Chapter 51: Mansion, Girl, Ship, Kaito Sakamoto

After ten years, the system finally reappeared, informing Kaito Sakamoto about his third ability: "Luck Alteration." Every day, he would gain one extra point of luck, permanently. Just like a person's full luck is 100 points, this would bring his luck to the maximum. These 100 points would turn bad luck into good luck, and good luck would pile on even more fortune. But... did it really work as the system said?

"Then why am I still so unlucky? Three voyages, three accidents? How is that good luck?" "A full 100 days of max luck? It's been ten years, way more than 100 days!" "How do you explain that?"

Kaito let out a soul-searching question. If it truly stacked good luck like this, then why had he never felt lucky from the moment he set sail until now?

...

Meanwhile, on Luffy's side.

"I am the leader of the Great Pirate Crew of this village – Usopp!!" "Everyone calls me Captain Usopp!!"

Usopp faced Luffy, Zoro, and Nami, trying to keep his composure. He activated his signature skill: "Bluffing."

"I advise you all to leave this village." "My 80 million subordinates won't stand by idly."

Hands on his hips, Usopp had the audacity to act like he was telling the truth.

"Liar!" Nami immediately called him out. "80 million people? Can your village even hold that many?"

"Ah, busted!!" Usopp panicked as soon as he was exposed. Nami, sweating in exasperation, said, "You gave yourself away just like that?" "Ah! I confessed too easily!!" "You're a sharp woman," Usopp said nervously. Maybe it wasn't that Nami was smart, but rather that he was just...

"Hahaha, you're hilarious," Luffy laughed, watching Usopp's panicked expression. Once he knew Kaito was safe, Luffy returned to his carefree self, laughing heartily.

...

Swish (Cue fancy transition sound)

In the village's small restaurant.

"What?! You're looking for a crew member!?"

Only after hearing Luffy's words did Usopp realize he had misunderstood them. They weren't here to rob the village. In fact, Luffy's words had a double meaning: finding a crew member referred both to Kaito and to finding new recruits.

"So, you're here to look for a crew member and a big ship?" "And one of your friends was washed ashore in our village?"

"I haven't heard about that," Usopp said, raising his finger thoughtfully. "But I do know where there's a big ship."

Usopp then began his story. "There's a mansion in this village owned by a super-rich person." "And the owner is a poor, unfortunate young girl…"

...

"Are you troubled by something, miss?"

Still disguised as a humble servant, Kuro respectfully asked Kaya. "I... I want to see Usopp," Kaya hesitated for a moment, then directly voiced her thoughts.

"Miss, if I may speak frankly..." If you're going to say "frankly," then maybe don't say it.

"I know what you're going to say, Kurohartel. It's fine, no need to continue." "How is the girl that Merry rescued from the sea doing?"

And once again, Kaito had been mistaken for a girl. Kaya glanced down from upstairs at Kaito, who was resting below. It wasn't surprising she got it wrong. Kuro had already checked on him, and at this critical moment, his plan couldn't afford any mishaps. But seeing that Kaito was just a "pretty boy" and unconscious, Kuro didn't give him much thought. Little did he know, this "pretty boy" would later shatter his plans.

"The doctor has seen her already." "She's fine, just passed out from exhaustion. She'll be fine once she wakes up," Kuro replied, still respectful.

"That's good..."

...

Back with Luffy and his crew.

The restaurant was now empty except for the trio, and Usopp was nowhere to be found. His three "loyal" crewmates, just a trio of kids, burst into the restaurant to "rescue" their captain.

"Huh?! Where's Captain Usopp?" "Did you eat him?!"

The three kids looked terrified, staring at Zoro, Luffy, and especially Nami.

Zoro couldn't resist messing with them. "Yeah, we ate him."

"Ah!!!" The kids shrieked, eyes wide with fear, all looking at Nami.

"Why are you looking at me?!"

The kids jumped again. "The Big Bad Wolf!!!"

...

"Is it time already?" Nami asked as the kids calmed down. They explained that Usopp had left after saying something about it being time to visit the mansion's young girl.

As it turned out, Usopp had gone to see Kaya for their usual chats. Even though Usopp always filled the conversation with lies, it was these very lies that gave Kaya strength.

"Speaking of the mansion, I saw that Uncle Sheep was rescuing a girl by the sea this morning too," one of the kids, Onion, suddenly brought up something unrelated.

But that was no small matter.

"What?!" "You said Uncle Sheep rescued a girl by the sea?" "That must be Kaito!"

"Hahaha! That settles it! Let's head to the mansion and find Kaito and the ship!"

Now that they knew Kaito's location and that the mansion might also provide them with a ship, Luffy made the decision to head for the mansion. Meanwhile, Kaito's system had kept him waiting for three seconds before slowly revealing the reason for his misfortunes.