I'm in One Piece, and I'm Luffy's childhood friend.

........

"Oh, is that so? Then go again. You didn't swear like me that you'd never go again."

Usopp replied.

"Well, but that butler is really annoying."

"I agree, I'm proud of my dad who bravely lives on the sea, but he actually said that..."

"Yeah, that butler is just awful."

Luffy pointed to Kuro on the shore below the cliff and said.

"Yes, it's that butler. I hate him as soon as I see him."

Usopp followed Luffy's finger and saw Kuro. He spoke up, but then realized what was happening and was startled.

"What's that butler doing here?!"

........

And so, Kro's foolproof plan now has two more people in addition to Bai Yun who know about it.

But who is Luffy? He never plays tricks. He's the protagonist, so he can do whatever he wants.

He jumped up and shouted at the two people below.

"Hey!! You're not allowed to kill the young lady!!"

Then he was hypnotized by Zango and fell off a cliff...

When Kuro saw that Usopp was the only one left, he was relieved. He knew that no one in the village would believe Usopp's words.

.........

Yes, the story of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf".

No matter what Usopp said, the villagers didn't believe him when he said the Black Cat Pirates would attack at dawn.

Instead, they took out brooms and other things to hit Usopp.

Usopp had no chance to explain and could only rush to Kaya's villa. Since Kro's goal was Kaya, he had no choice but to take Kaya with him first.

What he got in return was a slap from Ke Ya.

"You've disappointed me greatly, Usopp."

There was nothing she could do; without seeing it with her own eyes, Kaya couldn't believe that the person who had taken such good care of her was a pirate who wanted to kill her.

Putting himself in the other person's shoes, Bai Yun realized that he couldn't bring himself to doubt the person who had taken care of him for three years.

Therefore, Bai Yun, who was watching from behind, did not speak up to explain for Usopp, because words alone cannot prove anything.

Since that's the case, then Bai Yun will let Ke Ya see it with her own eyes.

After Usopp escaped from the mansion.

Bai Yun then went to Ke Ya's room.

Kaya was already in tears; she didn't know why Usopp had become like this.

Even after seeing Bai Yun, she tried to compose herself out of politeness, but the tears just wouldn't stop flowing.

Chapter 55 Seeing is Believing

Bai Yun looked at Ke Ya, who was crying, and handed her a handkerchief.

Kaya accepted it and said thank you.

Bai Yun sat down without saying a word, quietly letting Ke Ya adjust her emotions.

When Ke Ya calmed down and forced a smile to ask Bai Yun what was wrong, Bai Yun spoke first, startling her.

"Miss Kaya, actually I'm a pirate too."

Kaya was so startled that she gripped the bed sheet tightly.

She doesn't discriminate against pirates, so why are there suddenly so many pirates today?

"But don't worry, although I'm a pirate, I don't kill innocent people indiscriminately... cough cough!!"

As he was talking, Bai Yun suddenly coughed twice.

"Feel sorry."

"I am not someone who indiscriminately kills innocent people."

“As for Usopp, Miss Kaya, you’ve known him longer than I have.”

"You know his character, even though he might tell some lies, those fantastical adventure stories."

"But have you ever heard him lie and slander others?"

Bai Yun's words made Kaya recall the past. Indeed, although Usopp liked to lie, he would never slander others.

"Perhaps it was because Clohart said something like what Usopp's father said that Usopp..."

Kaya answered softly.

Bai Yun shook his head. "Then why did Usopp also say that Kuro was a pirate when Kuro was talking about his father?"

"Why do you insist on waiting until you've gone back before coming back again?"

Kaya was speechless; her mind was in a mess.

“You can’t prove anything with just words. Seeing is believing, Miss Koya.”

"So, if you want to know the whole truth, just stand outside the hall when the moon rises tonight."

"Whether you believe me or not is up to you."

After saying that, Bai Yun got up and left. Ke Ya watched his back for a long time without saying a word until Bai Yun closed the door.

........

Bai Yun returned to his room, took out the Den Den Mushi that Long had given him, and contacted Nami.

The call went through but no one answered.

Bai Yun had no choice but to give up; it seemed they had gone in the wrong direction.

Zoro was used as a stepping stone, and Luffy's getting lost was destined by fate.

........

Soon, darkness fell, and the moon slowly climbed into the sky, illuminating the brilliant starlight.

And tonight happens to be a new moon, a crescent moon hanging in the sky.

Kaya looked at the crescent moon, hesitated for a long time, and finally got out of bed.

Meanwhile, in the lobby...

Merry and Clooney were both inside.

Merry was still telling Crowe about Usopp breaking into the mansion earlier that day.

"Really? I never expected something like this to happen while I was in the neighboring town."

Kro's answer was normal; his entire life was an act.

"Hmm, what is this?"

Suddenly, he noticed a pair of glasses on the table—a third anniversary gift that Kaya had given him.

Merry explained for him from behind, and even took out a handkerchief to wipe away her tears, saying that Miss Kaya was so gentle.

Little did he know that Crowe, with his back to him, was holding his glasses low with his palm and gazing at the moon, his expression had turned gloomy, with a triumphant smile on his face.

"Speaking of anniversaries, tomorrow is indeed an anniversary."

"Tonight is a new moon; nights like this always stir the heart and get the blood pumping..."

As he spoke, Kro threw the gift Kaya had given him onto the ground and then stomped on it.

Merry gasped in shock, "You! You! Clohart! What do you mean! Why did you take the gift Miss gave you...?"

"Gift."

Kro interrupted him abruptly, turning his head to face Merry.

I will accept the gift.

"But not this thing, it's the entire mansion!!"

"Wha...what?"

Merry didn't understand.

As Kro slowly turned around, he reached out from behind his back and put on his signature weapon, the "Cat Claws."

"Nowadays, I don't need to act anymore. Anyway, things will happen in a few hours."

"Three years is too long!"

As Kro spoke, a flash of light appeared on his blade.

"what!"

"when!"

Two sounds rang out simultaneously.

One was Miss Kaya's exclamation outside the hall door.

One of them was Bai Yun, who swung a long staff to block Kro's cat claws, the sound of the blade colliding with the staff.

"It's you!"

Kro stared at Bai Yun's face, anger rising within him.

"It's me, so what? Mr. Elephant in the Refrigerator."

Krohartl glanced at Kaya outside. When their eyes met, Kaya immediately covered her mouth and took a step back. That chilling gaze—this wasn't the Krohartl she knew!

"Did you call this lady over here too?"

"Didn't you say you wouldn't interfere before my plan started?"