I the King of bandits of the East Sea

Ivankov's judgment turned out to be much better than Sig had anticipated.

The probability of Banchina's recovery was much higher than the originally estimated 1–2%, and a solution with fewer side effects for Kaya's illness had also been found.

After hanging up the phone, Sig's mood brightened considerably.

As long as these two could be cured, completing the mission was practically a foregone conclusion.

"Wait a minute, where's Usopp?"

After ending the call, Sig suddenly realized that Usopp had disappeared.

"That little guy just said something about it being time, and rushed off to see that sick girl, Kaya," the bald-headed subordinate said, pointing to the pristine white villa in the distance.

"It's story time, huh?"

Sig's heart stirred, a certain thought flashing in his mind.

Come to think of it, if he wanted to be the pirate lighthouse in Usopp's heart, there was indeed a simpler and more direct way to achieve it.

"Let's go, we'll follow him and take a look," Sig said softly.

A moment later, Sig and his men arrived at the side of Kaya's villa.

Through the fence, they could faintly see the inside of the yard and the two children chatting there.

By the window, a girl with light golden mid-length hair and pale, delicate skin sat.

Kaya, about the same age as Usopp, had pulled a chair close to the window sill, resting her hands on it.

"So, do you have any adventures to share with me today?"

The golden-haired girl smiled softly, her lips curving upward, and her pure, sweet expression brightened her face.

Usopp, meanwhile, had climbed into the yard and perched himself on a large tree branch, starting to boast as usual:

"This happened two years ago when I was eight years old."

"Yes, today I'll tell you the story of my eighth year, the time I fought a giant goldfish in the South Sea."

Leaning against the tree trunk, Usopp launched into his daily storytelling routine:

"At first, the thing that shocked me about the goldfish was its poop—it was so massive and long that I mistook it for an island. I even went ashore on it at first…"

Little Usopp, only seven years old at the moment, was already recounting his "adventures" from when he was eight.

Sig moved a little closer, looking up at the scene.

Kaya was laughing so hard at Usopp's adventure stories that tears were almost rolling down her face, her light golden hair fluttering gently in the breeze.

But Sig also noticed that Kaya's pale skin had an unhealthy tone, suggesting a lack of vitality.

Sig didn't interrupt but motioned for his men to stay silent, listening quietly to the exchange.

In truth, he was quite interested in Usopp's adventure stories.

These weren't just simple lies. Years later, the so-called lies of the "Great Prophet" Usopp would find ways to come true.

Before long, the story of the giant goldfish was finished, leaving the two children laughing and in high spirits.

However, shortly afterward, Usopp suddenly seemed to remember something, flashed an apologetic smile, and began climbing down from the tree:

"Sorry, Kaya. That's it for today's Usopp's Great Adventures. We have guests at home…"

"Ah? But I haven't had enough yet... cough, cough."

Kaya's expression turned regretful, and she tried to keep him, but her words were interrupted by a light cough, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Seeing this, Usopp paused briefly as he climbed down, then smiled brightly and said:

"Just now, I said we have guests at home, and my mom is entertaining them. So, Kaya... today, I, Captain Usopp, will tell you one more story."

"However, instead of another Usopp's Great Adventure, today I'll tell you someone else's story!"

"Someone else's story?" Kaya's interest was piqued, her face lighting up.

"Is it about your dad, the great pirate Yasopp?"

Usopp laughed heartily and shook his head:

"Nope, the story I want to tell is about the current top bounty holder in all of the East Blue, the man who dared to strike against the Celestial Dragons—the King of the East Blue Bandits, Sig!"

 "Sig? Never heard of him..." Kaya showed a puzzled expression.

"Haha, he's a very famous pirate recently—or rather, a very famous mountain bandit!"

As he spoke, Usopp pulled a wanted poster from his pocket—it was Sig's wanted poster.

"Look, Kaya. Although this guy looks like he's full of regrets, surprisingly, he's quite a badass..."

"Really…"

"Pfft!"

Hiding behind the wall and quietly listening, Sig couldn't help but burst out laughing.

One of life's great embarrassments is overhearing someone boasting about you in person.

That much, Sig could barely tolerate.

But boasting about him and then mocking his appearance? That was a bit too much.

"Who?"

"Who's there?"

Both Usopp and Kaya heard the noise and immediately looked over.

Seeing this, Sig had no choice but to move his body, leaping over the wall and landing directly in the yard.

At the moment, Sig's compatibility with Li Jing's abilities wasn't very high, but with his current strength, he had inherited part of General Li Jing's martial skills and agility.

Leaping over a wall that even Usopp could climb was no challenge for Sig.

"Usopp, isn't this the… great mountain bandit you were talking about? Is he someone you know?"

Kaya hid behind the curtains, peeking out cautiously with half her face as she gazed at Sig, who had just climbed over the wall.

Sig's appearance was still intimidating to children like her.

"Ah, it's Uncle Sig! What are you doing here?"

Usopp grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head with a bit of embarrassment.

However, being only seven years old, he was already quite thick-skinned and quickly changed the subject:

"By the way, Uncle Sig, I was just about to tell Kaya a legendary story about you!"

"Someone as great as you, a true pirate, must have many incredible stories. How about you tell them yourself, Uncle Sig?"

Hearing Usopp's words, Kaya's eyes lit up immediately.

She listened to Usopp's adventurous tales just for fun, but the man standing in front of her was a real pirate.

And judging by Usopp's attitude, Sig didn't seem as dangerous as she initially thought.

"What are you talking about, Usopp?"

Sig sternly refused:

"I am a serious and low-key man."

"Even though I may have countless legendary experiences, and even world-shaking adventures, I've never been willing to talk about them to others."

"Ah... why not?"

Disappointment was written all over Kaya's face.

Usopp, who had just tried to shift the awkwardness, found his interest piqued by Sig's refusal.

"Uncle Sig… come on, just tell us something. Kaya's not in good health and doesn't get many chances to go outside. Listening to stories is her only way to pass the time."

"Is that so?"

Sig fell silent for a moment, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

This was an opportunity to lower Kaya's wariness while leaving a great impression on Usopp. It had to be seized and handled well.

"Alright, since we have a golden-haired little lady interested, I, an old-timer who's walked out from the bygone era, will tell you a tale…"

"The first chapter of I, the Mountain Bandit King of the East Blue."

"With a bottle of booze in hand, I fought the Four Emperors—because I am the Mountain Bandit King of the East Blue."

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