Inviting Jango

Kuro ignored Usopp and looked at Luffy.

"Who are you? Why are you hindering my plan?"

"Your plan. I don't care about such a thing. I am just protecting my crew mate." Luffy shook his head and patted Usopp's shoulder.

"Crewmate? Him? Hehe! You dare to take a weakling like him under you. It seems like you have no vision." Kuro sneered.

"You." Usopp angrily stared at Kuro but he didn't refute his words. After all, he was indeed a weakling. He still didn't understand why Luffy would let him join his crew.

"Weakling? Indeed, he is weak. But, at least, he is better than you. Do you know Doflamingo? He is one of the Warlords of the Sea. He has the biggest influence in the underground market."

"He has the trade with one of the four emperors of the sea. He can even play with the Navy in front of the Navy and they wouldn't do anything to him. He is also the King of Dressrosa."

"But before he achieved all of this, he was so weak that the normal people, like the villagers of this village, hanged him on the wall and were about to burn him alive."

"Such a weak person can become strong because he has a goal, a dream that he chased after. Weakness is bad but a coward who wants to hide for the rest of the life is worse."

"Usopp might be weak now. It doesn't mean he will remain weak. The survivability of the captain depends upon the crew and the growth of the crew depends upon the captain."

"I won't be able to survive alone in this sea but with my crew, there will be no sea that can stop us."

When Luffy said that, it wasn't just Usopp and Kuro who were listening to him. Even Zoro, Nami, and Jango were quietly listening to him.

Zoro couldn't help but smile when he heard Luffy's words.

Yes, a single person can't survive alone in this world. At least, he can't achieve the title of Pirate King as a single person.

But, when that person has a crew who grows together with him, that person can become a Pirate King.

At this moment, Zoro firmly believed that Luffy is that person.

On the other hand, Nami was touched after hearing his words. She who grew up alone knew the hardship she had to go through.

She can become the best navigator. But, she can never become the strongest person or the best chef.

That's why she won't be able to become the pirate king. But, she understood something.

'I can help Luffy become the pirate king. No, I must help Luffy become the Pirate King. Luffy, no matter what kind of sea we face, I will always help you cross it.'

'I will definitely become the Best Navigator in this world.'

She clenched her fist as she made up her mind.

Jango was also quietly listening to Luffy. For the first time in his life, he doubted why he became a pirate.

He doesn't remember why. He just continued becoming the pirate and even after the captain he followed decided to temporarily leave the crew, he continued becoming a pirate.

He knew that his captain was a coward. But, he was really strong. At least, he can't defeat his captain.

That's why he never raised a question against his captain.

Only right now, he didn't understand why he was still following such a cowardly captain.

'I know I can't become the captain. And, even if I do become a captain, I don't have the charm to gather a powerful crew. But, I don't want to remain a coward.'

'There is a sea waiting for me. I want to find that sea. I want to go on an adventure. I want to become a crewmate. I want to make my captain Pirate King.'

At this moment, he felt his blood rushing up. He clenched his fist and roared in his heart.

'I want to make this Straw Hat Pirate King. I want to join him.'

While the three of them were having their own drama, Kuro who was quietly listening to Luffy suddenly laughed.

"Hehe! Do you think everyone can become strong just by following you? Do you even know what kind of life pirates live? Being a pirate isn't a game, kid."

"You have no idea...."

[Gomu-Gomu No- Pistol]

Luffy raised his hand and shot his fist toward Kuro.

Bang!

His fist struck Kuro and sent him flying.

"Idiot, just because I talk too much in the battle doesn't mean I have the habit of listening to my enemy. I know that strike isn't powerful enough to take you down."

"Stand up and fight me! There is no need to chatter."

Hearing his words, Usopp, Zoro, Nami, and Jango were speechless.

'Captain, can you not sound so righteous after sneakily attacking your enemy?'

"Cough! You bastard." Kuro slowly stopped up as he coughed out blood.

"Klahadore!"

A loud roar came from behind Kuro. When everyone looked behind him, they saw a young lady holding a pistol and pointing it at Kuro.

Seeing this, Luffy looked at Usopp and said.

"Take her away from this battle."

Usopp nodded his head and ran toward Kaya.

"Klahadore, you really did that to Merry?" Although Kaya knew that Merry wouldn't lie, she still finds it hard to believe.

"Oh, he is still alive. Certainly, I didn't show any mercy." Kuro didn't care about her feelings as he ruthlessly spoke.

'He was really deceiving me.'

Kaya's eyes moistened. She clenched her fist and raised her pistol.

"Kaya, let's leave! You can't win against him."

Usopp appeared next to her and shouted.

"Usopp-san!" When Kaya saw him, her eyes were filled with guilt.

"My plan can't fail. So, you must die here." Kuro turned his head at Jango and shouted.

"Jango, kill them! I will block Straw Hat guy."

When Jango heard his words, he stood still for a moment. His hands and legs didn't move. As if he was processing something in his mind.

"Hey Jango, what the hell are you thinking about?" Kuro couldn't help but grow frustrated.

"Captain, I am leaving the crew." Jango finally made a decision in his heart and shouted.

When Kuro heard his words, he froze for a moment. His eyes darkened as he asked.

"Jango, are you kidding with me? Or, did you grow guts after seeing this guy's strength? Once you betray me, I will definitely kill you."

Hearing his words, Jango shook his head and said.

"Even if I don't betray you, you will still kill me if I make a small mistake. The moment you abandoned the crew, I should've realized this. You are not the kind of person who thinks about his crew."

"Yes, I did grow guts after seeing him. But, this gut isn't about betraying you. I helped you keep the Black Cat Pirates for three years. I think I have shown enough loyalty."

"The only reason I am leaving you is because I want to go on a bigger adventure. He is right. I might not be strong like you but I won't remain a coward. Tell me Kuro, WHAT KIND OF PIRATE FEARS THE SEA?"

When he said that last sentence, his voice rang so loud that it echoed for a moment.

"Hehe!" Luffy lowered his head and chuckled. He raised his head and asked.

"Your name is Jango, right? Yes, you are weak but you are not a coward. My name is Monkey D Luffy. Do you want to join my crew? There aren't any kind of rules in my crew except one."

"Trust me! Trust your captain. I am the man destined to become the King of Pirates."

Hearing his words, Jango was stunned for a moment. Even Zoro, Nami, and Usopp were left stunned.

Only after a few seconds, Jango reacted. He clenched his fists and shouted.

"Captain Luffy, take me on the adventure in this vast sea. Until you become the King of the Pirates, I will do my best to support you."

"Hehe! Don't worry, we will definitely go. For now, let me finish this battle."

Luffy chuckled and turned around. He looked at Kuro and said.

"You want to kill that girl, right? Now, there is no one helping you. But, don't worry, I won't ask for anyone's help either."

"Let's fight!"

He clenched his fist.

"You bastards!"

At this moment, Kuro completely lost all of his calmness. The anger shrouded his eyes as he suddenly disappeared.

[Silent Steps]

His speed was so fast that it was almost impossible to see him.

But, Luffy was the man who had used Gear Second. Although he hadn't awakened Observation Haki, he could still react to this speed.

He instantly saw Kuro slashing randomly. One of the slashes rushed toward Kaya and Usopp.

"Usopp!"

Luffy shouted and ran toward them. But, he was a step late.

Splash!

When he arrived, he saw Usopp facing Kaya with a big scar on his back.

"D-d-don't worry, Kaya! I won't let him hurt you."

Usopp gritted his teeth and ignored the pain and kept guarding Kaya. On the other hand, Kaya bursts into tears seeing the blood on the ground.

"Usopp!"

Luffy stood in front of Usopp and his body started releasing steam.

"Originally, I was going to have an equal fight against you. But now, you have pissed me off."

[Gear Second]

His body turned and the next moment, he disappeared. Before Kuro could launch another attack, he had already appeared in front of Kuro.

[Jet Pistol]

...............

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