Chapter 35

Astonished that Luffy reached Kuro all the way from the base of the incline, the Black Cat crew watch their old leader lie still and read that quiet as a sign of his rage. Before the moment can break, the young Usopp Pirates come tearing in and pelt Kuro with a cooking pan, a shovel, and a ball bat. Piiman, Ninjin, and Tamanegi are livid that their captain went into the fight alone, and though he pleads with them to run, they bolt only once Kuro materializes at their backs. He strolls past the boys, drives a hard kick into Usopp, then turns to ask Luffy whether a Devil Fruit gave him his power.

Luffy answers that the Gomu Gomu no Mi turned his body to rubber, which leaves Jango stunned that the legends hold true. Kuro tells Jango to deal with Kaya and the children while he handles Luffy himself. Zoro moves to cut off Jango's route, but Buchi launches his trademark leap, fiercer than ever, and crushes Zoro against the slope. Unwilling to fall to a man he has already bested, Zoro forces him back.

Frozen and unable to act, Usopp can only watch Jango slip by. He charges his small crew with their most vital task: shield Kaya and bring her somewhere safe. They guide her into the woods with Jango on their heels, and as he readies his throwing ring, a shot from Usopp's slingshot finds him before Kuro calls him back to his duty. The cover opens Buggy's Crew Adventure Chronicles, and this marks the first chapter without Nami since her debut.