With Nami joining as Luffy's navigator (though not as an actual member of the crew), they arrive at Syrup Village in search of a proper ship. They meet a man claiming to be a pirate captain who also seems to have ties to Red-Haired Shanks.

After uncovering a devious plot, Usopp warns the village and Kaya, but finds his years of lying make it difficult to convince people of the truth.

Usopp resolves that if he is to keep the peace, the town must continue to believe he is a liar, which means he cannot let Captain Kuro's men up the slope to the village! Luffy, Zoro, and Nami aid Usopp in his plan to keep the Black Cat Pirates at bay.

Captain Kuro makes his appearance, and with Zoro too injured to fight, Luffy incapacitated, and Usopp and Nami too weak to make a stand, the situation is desperate. However, Kaya herself arrives, intent on bargaining with Kuro.

While the fight between Luffy and Kuro continues, Jango works to force Kaya to bequeath her family's money to the Black Cat captain. Despite the Usopp Pirates' efforts to stop the hypnotist, it seems as if the transaction is all but inevitable.

Kuro's ultimate move attacks everything in the area, friend nor foe notwithstanding, and Luffy becomes enraged by Kuro's lack of regard for his crew.