Chapter 26

Chapter 26 is titled "Captain Kuro's Plan".

Cover
Volume: 3 Pg.: 177

Straw Hat and animals: Straw Hat on a ship with woodpeckers... uh-oh.

Quick Summary
Kurahadol evil plans and the one who cried wolf.

Long Summary
Kurahadol asks Jango to not mention the word "murder" and to stop calling him Captain Kuro. Usopp and Luffy spy on the pair and Usopp suddenly remembers the name "Captain Kuro". Usopp recalls he was a feared pirate who raided many town and was finally put to death 3 years ago after he was captured by the Marines.

Jango finds it amusing is captain declared he was bored with a pirates life, made him captain and secretly settled in the village, but so long as there is a reward he is happy doing whatever Kuro asks of him. According to Kuro, all Jango has to do is hypnotize Kaya to sign a will so he rightfully owns the mansion because "Kurahadol" isn't a member of the family and therefore cannot inherit her fortune otherwise. Once the task is done he must then kill her without making it look like she was murdered. Jango mocks his former captain, stating that if it was him, he would just invade the mansion and takes the riches, however Kuro reminds him that would make him a pirate again. Jango mocks him once again for asking for a peaceful life when he plans to kill everyone to get Kaya's money, but Kuro states he did not expect some things like Kaya's parents death as they died unexpectedly in an accident.

As Usopp slowly comes round to the realisation of what they are hearing, he has to contend with Luffy who doesn't have a clue on whats going on. While he deals with thoughts related to the problem at hand, Luffy stands up and shouts to the pair below them. While Usopp is horrified at what Luffy did, Usopp grabs him to pull him down before he is seen, but Kuro and Jango look up the cliff to see the pair.

All of a sudden, Jango holds up his ring and begins to hypnotise the pair, while Usopp looks away in time, Luffy is too stupid to do so. While Luffy has fallen asleep, so apparently has Jango, Usopp yells to Luffy but Luffy falls off the cliff apparently to his death. While Usopp yells about killing Luffy, Jango asks if Usopp should be killed but Kuro just states even if he tells the village no one will believe Usopp on what he heard.

As he rushes to the village, he passes Nami, Zoro and the other Usopp Pirates. As Usopp enters the village and warns them, they think its a prank again and are angry he has used the joke twice in one day. They tell him they have to punish him this time for lying as his joke has gone too far and that he is untrustworthy, telling him they would believe him if only he had been a trustworthy man like Kurahadol.

Back at the coast, Kuro has gone to greet his men after 3 years away from them and ensure the plan in the morning. At the mansion, Kaya asks for Kurahadol, another servant tells her he went to the next town. Back at the coast at the bottom of the cliff, Luffy is sleeping sound asleep.

Chapter Notes

 * Kurahadol's true identity is Kuro, captain of the Black Cat Pirates.
 * Jango is the first mate of the Black Cat Pirates.
 * Kuro decides to put his 3 year plan into action.

Characters
2: Real identity introduction

Anime Episode
p1 to p14: Episode 10

p15 to p19: Episode 11