Episode 3 of One Piece kicks off with a captivating flashback, set seven years prior in the serene Syrup Village. The town's serene atmosphere is suddenly shattered by the clang of alarm bells. A young Usopp, his face flushed with excitement, rushes down from the battlements, shouting that pirates are approaching. The streets empty swiftly, and villagers scramble indoors, hearts pounding in anticipation. But the dreaded pirates never materialize, leaving only Usopp's breathless declarations echoing in the empty streets.
This charade repeats itself year after year, until Usopp becomes a figure of mockery and mockery in his hometown. Elsewhere, Luffy buzzes with excitement, showing Nami his latest creation: a brand-new pirate flag, a masterpiece in his eyes. But both Zoro and Nami are unimpressed, their attention diverted by a mysterious leak in the background that ends up destroying Nami's precious communications device.
Determined to press forward, the trio decide to head out to the Gecko Islands in search of a new boat. However, their spirits deflate when they arrive and discover that Buggy's bounty has skyrocketed to a staggering 15 million Berries. Zoro is crestfallen, but Luffy seizes the opportunity, viewing it as a fresh start in their journey through the treacherous Grand Line.
Meanwhile, Buggy struggles to piece his limbs back together, only to be interrupted by an ominous visitor - a goon working for the feared Arlong. Buggy attempts to fight his way out, but a single, powerful punch sends him crashing to the ground.
Back on the island, the group ponders their next move in acquiring a ship. Nami suggests a quick and dirty theft, but Luffy refuses, insisting on finding the perfect vessel and acquiring it through honest means. His gaze falls upon a stunning ship in the shipyard, and Usopp, the boy from the flashback, pops up to explain that it's the fastest in the East Blue. Unfortunately, it doesn't belong to him; it belongs to his friend, who also happens to own the entire shipyard. But Usopp is confident they can strike a deal.
As Luffy and his companions arrive at Kaya's, they receive a chilly reception from the hired help. Kaya herself is slightly warmer, but her husband, Klahadore, is decidedly frosty. He scolds Usopp for showing up unannounced and demands he stop his antics. However, Kaya invites them all to dinner to celebrate her birthday, and Klahadore grudgingly agrees. But first, the crew must bathe and change, a necessary prerequisite for such a formal occasion.
Usopp crept silently into Kaya's chamber, bearing a gift for her special day. It was a gargantuan pearl, and as he presented it, he spun a tale of heroic deeds and swashbuckling adventures that were sure to captivate her imagination. However, Kaya's laughter soon turned to coughing fits as she revealed that she had been ill for quite some time.
Meanwhile, Luffy, Zoro, and Nami were dressing up for the grand dinner, eager to make a good impression. Over the meal, Nami attempted to discreetly inquire about Kaya's financial situation, but the truth became apparent during a earlier conversation between Kaya and Klahadore. Kaya's parents were deceased, and it seemed that Klahadore had wormed his way into the family with the ulterior motive of inheriting their fortune.
During the dinner, Luffy stole the show, regaling Kaya with his plans to commandeer the ship in the yard he had taken over. He spoke passionately about his dream to become the King of the Pirates and pleaded with her to let him pursue it. But Kaya's coughing fits interrupted their conversation, and Klahadore jumped in, accusing the pirates of making her ill. Kaya managed to speak up, however, and granted them permission to stay the night.
In the dead of night, Klahadore sneaked up to the butler, Merry, who expressed his concern over Klahadore's intentions to seize control of the estate and its finances. But it soon became clear that Klahadore was not the man he pretended to be. Without warning, he killed the butler, revealing several concealed blades.
Elsewhere, Buggy was tied up and confronted by Arlong. The latter reminded Buggy of his position in the East Blue and the need to maintain order. Buggy tried to talk himself out of trouble, insisting that it was Luffy who was the real threat. Arlong was intrigued by this revelation.
Meanwhile, Koby boarded the marine ship with Garp, and the two grew closer as they played a game of Go. To Koby's surprise, he emerged victorious, a valuable lesson in decisiveness and courage that would serve him well in taking down any foes, pirates included, that crossed their path.
During one thrilling game of Go, the gang found their way to Gecko Island, where Koby faced a daunting task: capturing Luffy and his crew, whose flag had washed ashore nearby. Meanwhile, back at Kaya's cozy abode, Usopp sat deep in thought, pondering over Luffy's adventures and yearning to join them. However, his loyalty to Kaya and his commitment to her well-being kept him tethered to the spot. He regarded Kaya as his closest friend and was determined to stand by her side through thick and thin. Kaya, too, felt the same profound bond with Usopp.
As the evening drew in, Zoro and Usopp ventured into the basement in search of more wine, finding the kitchen's supply woefully inadequate. In their haste, they stumbled across the butler, and Zoro's keen eye spotted five distinct blade marks on his chest. Suddenly, Klahadore emerged, revealing the butler's true identity as Kuro, the feared captain of the Black Cat Pirates.
Before they could react, Zoro was struck from behind and knocked unconscious, while Usopp managed to slip out a window. Kuro dismissed Usopp as a minor threat, believing that no one would believe his story. Nevertheless, Usopp rang the town bells frantically, but to no avail. The townspeople, unimpressed, merely told him to stop.
Meanwhile, unaware of the drama unfolding, Nami visited Kaya in her bedroom, offering words of encouragement. She urged Kaya to assert herself and reminded her that she was stronger than she realized. As Nami departed, she accidentally left a pillowcase filled with stolen gear on the mantelpiece.
Elsewhere, Zoro and Merry were thrown into a well and left for dead, while Usopp collapsed on the town's dusty streets. "Why won't anyone believe me?" he moaned in despair. But just then, Koby and his fellow marines arrived on the scene, Koby declaring that he believed Usopp's story and was there to lend a helping hand.
