After hearing everything, Luffy stood up and shouted loudly to the crowd below, "You two! Don't kill that lady!!"
"Who?" Crabate turned around and looked up at Luffy, his expression twisting in surprise.
"Hey, isn't this Liar Bu? What... did you hear?" Krabatel's pupils shrank as a strong murderous aura emanated from him.
The moment Krabatel looked up, Leo had already stepped back, disappearing out of his line of sight. Luffy, seemingly oblivious to the killing intent directed at him, crossed his arms and replied casually, "I heard everything."
"Really? That's troublesome..." Zangao said, adjusting the hat on his head while rising onto his tiptoes. Just like in the original story, Luffy was easily hypnotized and collapsed instantly.
"What should we do with the other one? Kill him?" Zangao asked Krabatel.
"No need. No matter what he says, no one will believe him." Krabatel waved his hand dismissively. "You can attack the village at dawn tomorrow."
He placed his hand over his eyes and looked at Usopp with disdain. "Did you hear that, liar? No matter what you say, it won't change a thing. My plan will proceed."
Krabatel's words pierced Usopp's heart like a dagger. A chill rose within him, spreading across his body. Overcome by fear, he turned and ran.
He had to inform the village. He had to protect Kaya.
But after running a short distance, he was stopped by Leo.
"Usopp, you can't go like this," Leo said meaningfully.
"Get out of my way! The pirates are coming!!" Usopp shouted, panicked. "The village is in danger! Kaya will be killed!"
He didn't seem to hear a word Leo said and ran past him.
With a sigh, Leo moved his fingers, and ropes wrapped around Usopp, stopping him in his tracks.
In the original story, the image of Usopp was built very carefully. Everyone knew the tale of the boy who cried wolf, and Usopp became a reflection of that. But his desire to turn fiction into truth, born out of kindness, was admirable.
The problem was, in the original timeline, Usopp survived injuries that should have killed him. But now, with Leo's interference, the future was uncertain. Leo had no choice but to stop him and protect him.
"Usopp, do you want to make a bet? If you lose, you join us. If you win, I'll give you the power to stand up against the pirates."
Leo spoke gently while using a calming spell on Usopp.
The effect was immediate. Usopp's panicked expression eased, and he looked at Leo with tired eyes. "Just let me go. I'll agree to anything. It's almost too late. I have to warn them!"
"I bet no one will believe you. If even one person does, I lose."
"Deal! Just let me go!" Usopp snapped back.
He believed someone would trust him. This was his home.
"Then the bet is made," Leo said, and the ropes vanished instantly. A moment later, Leo disappeared.
On the other side of the village, Nami and Zoro were playing with the kids. Confused, they glanced at each other. Luffy and Leo had both vanished.
Suddenly, Usopp sprinted past them, screaming as he rushed toward the village.
Moments later, Leo appeared on the railing, carrying the sleeping Luffy. He smiled faintly as he gazed toward the village. He had added a recovery spell to Usopp's body—one that could save him if something critical happened, like if Merry's bullet struck too close to his heart.
"Wow wow wow!!"
Nami jumped in fright when Leo appeared beside her. "Can you stop doing that!? You're scaring me!"
Leo smirked playfully. "I'm a magician, remember?"
But his attention remained fixed on the village. Usopp should be trying his best to protect it now, in his own way.
"Oh no! Everyone, listen up! Pirates are going to attack tomorrow!!"
Usopp's voice rang through the quiet village. Lights flickered on. People stirred.
Some angry villagers came out with brooms and sticks, shouting, "Liar! Don't cause trouble again! This is the second time today!"
The harsh words hit Usopp like stones. He was telling the truth, but no one would believe him.
"Please! I'm serious! The pirates are really going to attack tomorrow morning!"
"Liar! You're asking for it!"
Villagers charged at him with tools, their eyes full of distrust.
Usopp remembered Krabatel's words and Leo's bet. With tears streaming down his face, he turned and ran to Kaya's mansion. If anyone would believe him, it had to be Kaya.
...
"What?! Krabatel is a pirate?! No wonder the captain ran off. He must've gone to warn everyone!" the three kids shouted in shock.
Nami, still upset, vented her frustration by slapping Luffy awake. Groaning, he rubbed his head and told Leo what he had heard.
The kids screamed and bolted toward the village.
...
"You're... the bad guy!!"
Kaya slapped Usopp across the face. Her tone trembled with sadness and disappointment.
The slap didn't hurt, but Usopp felt like his world shattered. The one person he cared about the most didn't believe him.
Then—
Bang!
A gunshot rang out. Pain tore through Usopp's arm, and blood splattered.
He turned and fled as blood dripped from his fingertips. Kaya, shocked, watched him go, then collapsed unconscious.
When the shot rang out, Leo immediately turned in Usopp's direction. He felt the bullet's trajectory and sighed.
Good. The magic hadn't been wasted. The bullet had been aimed straight at Usopp's heart.
...
Back in the shadows, Leo continued watching the village as the first rays of morning light began to emerge. The wolves were coming, but this time, the village wasn't alone.