Chapter 140: Even Moving Myself [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

"Business?"

The two of them were stunned for a moment, and Tang Shen's figure had already rapidly shifted toward another direction in Syrup Village.

Syrup Village, East Coast.

Usopp, who had just left the tavern in extremely low spirits, was walking listlessly with the three kids, having nothing to do. They were all the same age, so why had that guy become a hero respected by everyone, while he himself... was just "Liar-sopp," a troublesome brat, a swindler...

"Captain! Look over there!"

The Onion-head kid suddenly shouted in astonishment. Usopp raised his head feebly, his thoroughly depressed gaze suddenly tightening. On the calm, windless sea surface, a huge pirate ship was slowly sailing toward them!

A ferocious pirate flag hung conspicuously from the mast, and a large number of pirates were excitedly sitting along the railing, brandishing gleaming weapons and shouting wildly.

"P-Pirates?! Pirates are coming! Pirates are coming—Everyone! This is bad! Pirates are really coming—!"

Having snapped back to his senses, Usopp felt a complex mix of surprise, terror, and extreme tension. His legs completely refused to listen to him, and he rushed frantically toward Syrup Village.

"Damn you! Looks like we really have to teach you a lesson so you'll remember the consequences of lying!"

"Usopp! We've finally caught you this time! I'm going to make you pay!"

"You still want to trick us? Brat, you've got to pay the price for what you've done!"

...

Extremely tense, Usopp was quickly intercepted by villagers whose alcohol buzz had just worn off. The eyes of these villagers were filled with hatred; the "boy who cried wolf" prank was not fun at all! Especially after happening time and time again, even the most good-natured villagers had reached their limit!

"Everyone! This time it's real! Pirates are really coming! Let's hurry over there, or they'll charge ashore! Everyone!"

Usopp cried tears of panic, explaining desperately. Once the pirates came ashore, these completely unprepared villagers would definitely be slaughtered entirely. News of villages being washed in blood, with everyone killed, burned, and looted, was something they had certainly heard of!

However, Usopp had lied so many times that when the present villagers heard this, they became even more furious.

"Usopp, we won't fall for it again! Do you really think you can still fool us?"

"Where are the pirates? Just this morning you said Roger and the others were pirates, and now you're starting this unfunny joke again?"

"You little punk, you'd better just take your beating obediently!"

...

The villagers, filled with righteous indignation, rolled up their sleeves and prepared to teach Usopp a lesson. The three kids nearby were also struck dumb with fear, unable to defend themselves; at this moment, no matter how they explained, it was useless.

"Everyone—Everybody! Don't hit me—Everyone!"

Usopp still wanted to explain something, but he was frightened by the volley of fists raining down together before him. His face turned pale as he tightly shielded his head, bracing himself for the beating, while uncontrollable tears streamed down his face!

"Stop."

Suddenly, a voice rang out, and the expected excruciating pain of being beaten never arrived. Usopp opened his eyes in astonishment, only to see a figure standing right in front of him?!

The surrounding villagers froze their fists midway, looking at the person before them in utter bewilderment.

"R-Captain Roger... You..."

Usopp stammered, unable to understand why the guy he hated and envied the most was currently blocking all the blows for him.

The villagers' punches landed squarely on Tang Shen, yet Tang Shen hadn't even drawn his sword from its scabbard.

"Captain! What are you doing!"

"Everyone, stop! Don't hurt the Captain!"

"Captain, why? Why protect a liar? This bastard deserves a beating!"

...

Everyone hurriedly pulled back their fists, filled with doubt and bewilderment.

"The pirates are coming! The pirates are really coming! No matter what, please make everyone leave quickly! I... I'm going to go stop the pirates!"

Usopp, sitting in a daze on the ground, suddenly mustered up his courage. Gritting his teeth, he begged Tang Shen, and without a second thought, charged blindly toward the direction of the coastline.

As his tears flowed, Usopp's heart felt lighter and more liberated than ever before.

Coward, liar, Liar-sopp... These titles didn't matter. As long as I can protect you all, I, Usopp... am afraid of nothing!

However, just as he had run two steps, he felt himself being lifted entirely off the ground, his legs kicking uselessly in the air without being able to move an inch. Turning his head, he saw Tang Shen looking right at him.

"What are you doing! Put me down! I know you won't believe my words! None of you will believe my words! Pirates! Let me go face them alone! Even if I die..."

The more Usopp spoke, the more agitated he became, tears streaming down as if he were executing a noble sacrifice, almost moving even himself.

"..."

Tang Shen was speechless, yet he found himself looking at Usopp with a new level of respect. Although the guy spoke without thinking and told endless lies, when it came down to having the courage to face danger alone, he wasn't quite as weak as he had imagined.

Since he had already accepted the goodwill of these villagers, today's fine wine and delicious food would serve as his payment.

Muttering these thoughts inwardly, he put down Usopp, who was struggling desperately to rush off to his death. For the first time, Tang Shen looked at him seriously and said, "I believe you!"

"The pirates have already landed from the east. Get yourselves ready to defend. As repayment for everyone's banquet today, I'll handle these pirates."

With that, he dropped the utterly dumbfounded Usopp onto the ground, tapped his toes, and darted toward the coastline like a startled rabbit.

Usopp was dumbfounded, "..."

The three onion-heads were dumbfounded, "..."

The villagers of Syrup Village were dumbfounded, "..."

For a moment, the entire area fell silent. Everyone stood frozen in place as if struck by a petrification spell. No one spoke; they just stared blankly in the direction where Tang Shen had disappeared.

After a long while.

Someone finally snapped back to reality.

"Pirates... Pirates are really coming?!"

"Everyone... What the Captain said must be true. Let's, let's hurry over!"

"Everyone follow me! Let's hurry over, and make sure all the old folks and kids stay inside!"

"Grab your weapons and follow closely!"

...

Instantly.

Like a heavy bomb dropped into water, it stirred up monstrous waves. All the villagers scrambled in all directions to grab their respective weapons, rushing hastily toward the shore where the pirates had landed.

And the glances they cast toward Usopp seemed to carry a trace of trust.

Watching the villagers charging past him one after another, and looking at Tang Shen's unyielding back, Usopp sat numbly on the ground, tears streaming down his face in droves. For the first time, he felt what it meant to be trusted, to be valued, to exist—making him suddenly understand what responsibility truly was... and what a promise meant!

"Everyone... Wait for me! Wait for Usopp! Captain Roger! I will definitely catch up to you, and the Usopp Pirates will become a pirate crew renowned across the world!"