At that moment, Luffy invited Usopp to join his crew.
"Ah… are you inviting me on board?"
Usopp's jaw dropped, completely stunned. He had witnessed the strength of Luffy and his crew firsthand, especially the moment Moonlight defeated Kuro with a single strike, leaving a deep impression on him. A pirate crew this strong was inviting someone like him?
"You're interesting, and my ship needs someone like you."
Luffy smiled with genuine sincerity.
"But… do they have no objections?"
Usopp quickly looked at Zoro, Nami, and Moonlight.
"Hey, Luffy, you may be the captain, but could you at least ask us first?"
Nami complained.
"Yeah, we're not just air, you know."
Zoro grumbled.
"I don't mind."
Moonlight shrugged, indifferent.
"Hey, do you want to join my pirate crew?"
But Luffy, paying no attention, loudly asked Usopp.
"This guy…"
Nami sighed, rubbing her forehead.
"If you weren't the captain, I'd cut you down right here."
Zoro said threateningly.
"…"
Moonlight was at a loss for words.
"Yes."
Moved by Luffy's sincere invitation, Usopp was overwhelmed, tears streaming down his face. He nodded enthusiastically and jumped on board, hugging Luffy tightly. The two of them laughed heartily, acting like they were made for each other, becoming instant comrades.
"Hehe!"
Seeing this, Kaya smiled sweetly.
"Heh!"
Nami also smiled.
"Tch!"
Zoro scoffed, saying nothing, though the hint of a smile played on his lips.
"With Usopp here, this ship will never be too quiet."
Moonlight thought, amused. He, Nami, and Zoro always did their own thing, never interfering with each other. On a small boat, it wasn't noticeable, but now on a bigger ship, the silence would be more evident. Usopp was like a thread binding them together.
"Kaya, I'm setting out to sea to become a great warrior of the sea."
Usopp said his farewell to Kaya.
"Yes, you certainly will."
Kaya nodded solemnly, completely believing in him.
"Wow…"
As the ship sailed further away, Usopp couldn't hold back his tears.
"Alright, once you decide to set sail, leave everything behind and keep going until you succeed!"
Luffy encouraged.
"Thank you, Luffy, you're a good man!"
Usopp was moved again, hugging Luffy as they rolled around the deck, creating a lively scene.
"Having more people makes things lively, but too lively just turns into noise!"
Watching the two of them, Nami felt her temper rising.
"Agreed."
Zoro nodded.
"Hey, Zoro, come help me train!"
Moonlight called out from an open space on the deck.
"Alright."
Zoro's face lit up with excitement as he unsheathed his sword and attacked.
"My god, is there no one normal on this ship?"
Nami muttered in frustration, looking at Moonlight and Zoro sparring and then back at Usopp and Luffy rolling around. Despite herself, she couldn't help but enjoy the feeling of being surrounded by such chaos.
After adjusting their course, they continued sailing forward. The weather at sea was always unpredictable, like a child's mood. One moment it was sunny, and the next, it was stormy with howling winds and heavy rain.
"Moonlight, lower the sails!"
"Zoro, take the helm!"
"Usopp, use your scope to check the surroundings!"
"Luffy, handle the front!"
Nami ordered, managing everything efficiently, displaying her skills as a top-notch navigator.
Though the sea was stormy, with flashes of lightning, treacherous currents, and whirlpools, the Going Merry sailed smoothly under Nami's guidance.
Soon, the storm clouds dispersed, the sky cleared, and the sea calmed once more.
"Phew… that was close!"
Luffy sat at the bow, marveling at the sea.
"I have to admit, you're pretty useful!"
Zoro nodded in rare approval.
"The navigator is the heart of any sea voyage."
Moonlight agreed, recognizing Nami's importance.
"This is the sea I've dreamed of for so long!"
Usopp stepped out of the cabin, looking content. He turned to Luffy.
"Luffy, now that we've formed a pirate crew and set sail, we need a flag!"
"We definitely need one, but what should it be? I can't draw!"
Luffy frowned, deep in thought.
"I can!"
Usopp proudly volunteered.
"Really? That's awesome!"
Luffy's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Usopp grinned mischievously and quickly drew a flag featuring a long nose. Usopp proudly showed it off.
"Look, from now on, Captain Usopp sets sail!"
"Hey! I'm the captain!"
Luffy fumed, thoroughly displeased.
"When did we become your subordinates, Usopp?"
"Hehe!"
"…!"
Zoro, Nami, and Moonlight all glared at Usopp.
After a round of kicks and punches, Usopp settled down and ended up drawing a flag based on Luffy's straw hat. Thus, the Straw Hat Pirates were officially formed!
"Perfect, just what I wanted!"
Luffy beamed, delighted with the flag featuring his straw hat.
"It's pretty good."
Zoro and Nami nodded, agreeing that Luffy's straw hat, the heart of their group, was the ideal symbol for their pirate dreams.
"The Straw Hat Pirates are finally formed, huh?"
Moonlight murmured, feeling a surge of excitement.
"Boom!"
Suddenly, a massive wave surged from the sea, followed by a ten-meter sea beast rising from the water!
"Wow… it's huge!"
Luffy reacted immediately, staring in awe.
"What is that?"
Zoro grabbed the hilt of his sword.
"Ah! A sea beast!"
Usopp screamed, flattening himself on the deck.
"So big!"
Nami was stunned; it was her first time seeing such a huge creature in the East Blue.
The sea beast roared and charged toward Moonlight.
"Watch out, Moonlight!"
Nami yelled urgently.
"Hmm?"
Zoro, instead of drawing his sword, released his grip.
"Moonlight, don't kill it!"
Luffy shouted, his curiosity piqued.
"…!"
Usopp was too terrified to speak.
"Get lost!"
Moonlight's eyes glinted.
"Roar!"
The massive sea beast froze, its lantern-sized eyes filled with terror. Large beads of sweat formed on its forehead as it whimpered and turned tail, fleeing in terror!
Usopp: "What the…"
Zoro: "No way!"
Nami: "What just happened?"
Luffy: "Don't go…"
Each of them reacted differently.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare it off!"
Moonlight sighed, not expecting his Conqueror's Haki to be so strong that the sea beast fled. He had miscalculated!
"What do you mean, 'didn't mean to'? That was insane! You scared off a sea beast!"
Usopp said, exasperated.
"What kind of magic was that? It's unbelievable!"
Nami was still in shock.
"…"
Zoro didn't say a word, but the fire in his eyes burned brighter. The more Moonlight demonstrated his power, the more Zoro felt the vast gap between them, but he was determined to overcome it!