This line directly stunned little Usopp, causing him to stop struggling immediately.
"How do you know my name? And you even know my dad?"
Seeing that Usopp had stopped struggling, Sig motioned to his subordinates to release him and casually asked them to hand over a tissue.
"I met your dad, Yasopp, along with the Red-Haired Pirates he's part of."
"That guy Yasopp loves to tell everyone about his seven-year-old kid, going on and on…"
Sig seamlessly began crafting a half-true, half-fabricated story.
"Now that I see you, Yasopp wasn't exaggerating. His child is indeed a brave and talented warrior of the sea."
"You faced me, a ruthless pirate, not by hiding in a corner but by planning to warn your village so they could escape?"
"What a courageous kid…"
Sig alternated between praising Yasopp as an unparalleled marksman and commending Usopp for his bravery and cleverness.
These remarks weren't entirely untrue.
In the original story, even when Usopp had no real strength, he stood courageously alongside Luffy to fight against the Black Cat Pirates.
Later, Usopp even requested Kaya and others not to mention his bravery in battling the Black Cat Pirates, as it might disturb the peace of the village.
Usopp, much like King from One Punch Man, is both timid and courageous, living up to the name of a hero.
Sig genuinely thought so but couldn't help overpraising him a bit.
After this conversation, Usopp finally lowered his guard, looking proud and elated:
"That's right! I'm the son of a pirate, destined to be a brave warrior of the sea."
"But Uncle Sig, why are you in our Syrup Village?"
Little Usopp asked curiously.
"I'm just passing through," Sig replied. "I also heard that this is Yasopp's hometown, so I thought I'd stop by for a look."
"Usopp, your mom's name… it's Banchina, right?"
He wanted to confirm whether Banchina was still alive at this point in time.
That simple question made Usopp's eyes well up with tears again.
Listening to Usopp's fragmented account, Sig gradually pieced together the story.
During the Red-Haired Pirates' time in the East Blue, they had stopped at Syrup Village.
For Usopp, his dad leaving to sail the seas was actually a relatively recent event.
However, not long after Yasopp left home, Banchina fell seriously ill.
Since then, Usopp had started learning to lie, pretending every day at the village entrance that "pirates are coming," imagining that his father Yasopp had returned.
"I see… So Banchina is still alive…" Sig thought to himself.
After some deliberation, he said to Usopp:
"Usopp, can you take me to your home?"
Usopp looked up in surprise, and even Sig's subordinates exchanged odd glances.
Realizing how his words could be misunderstood, Sig cleared his throat and said seriously:
"Usopp, while I'm not a doctor, I know a very skilled one."
"I can't make any promises, but if I could meet your mom and understand her condition, I might be able to contact that doctor."
"Oh, I see! Uncle Sig, follow me this way!"
Hearing this, Usopp immediately brightened up, tears turning into excitement. Like any ordinary seven-year-old, he cheerfully led the way.
Before long, Sig and his group arrived at Usopp's house.
"I see, so you're a friend of Yasopp…"
Banchina, lying on the sickbed, coughed lightly and smiled warmly upon hearing Usopp's introduction. She tried to sit up, but the effort only made her cough harder.
"I'm so sorry to be unwell and unable to properly host you… cough cough…"
Banchina's pale face bore a kind smile despite her frail appearance.
"No, not at all… Ma'am, we're the ones intruding too abruptly."
Sig stepped closer, studying the bedridden Banchina carefully.
Though her illness was evident, Banchina was undeniably a gentle beauty—not stunningly gorgeous but pleasant to look at. However, her slightly pointed nose subtly disrupted the harmony of her features.
"Your complexion doesn't seem bad at all…" Sig said before furrowing his brow.
For some reason, while looking at Banchina, he couldn't shake an odd feeling.
Despite being usually quick-witted, Sig almost let something slip earlier.
He chatted briefly with Banchina about Yasopp.
Although Banchina was weak and exhausted, she was an adult and not easily fooled.
However, Sig genuinely had drunk and talked with Yasopp and knew the Red-Haired Pirates.
Claiming to be Yasopp's and Shanks' friend wasn't technically a lie.
After a few exchanges, he managed to gradually win over Banchina's trust.
Meanwhile, little Usopp, who was growing increasingly impatient, blurted out:
"Uncle Sig, didn't you say you knew a great doctor? Can you save my mom?"
Sig didn't respond immediately.
He wasn't a doctor, but Banchina's condition was clearly not good.
Even with visitors in her home, she couldn't muster the strength to get out of bed, indicating her illness was indeed severe.
"Don't worry, Usopp," Sig said in a serious tone.
"What I hate most in this world… is seeing beauty fade before its time!"
"I'll do my best for your mom."
After saying this, Sig hesitated briefly before looking at Usopp:
"I'd like to speak with your mom privately about the treatment plan. Would you mind stepping out for a bit?"
Usopp froze, stunned.
His dad's friend was asking him to leave his own home so he could talk privately with his sick mom.
Meanwhile, Sig's bald subordinates, who had been quietly standing by, exchanged even more peculiar looks.
Banchina smiled warmly from her bed:
"Even though we've just met, I can tell Uncle Sig is a good person. There's no problem."
Ah, the "good person" card.
Sig's face lit up with a friendly smile.
"Ma'am, you're truly kind-hearted and insightful to recognize me as a good person right away. Heh heh heh…"
Soon enough, Usopp and Sig's subordinates were ushered outside the house.
Sig even sternly ordered them to take Usopp far enough away so he couldn't eavesdrop.
After ensuring this, Sig returned to Banchina's bedside and said solemnly:
"Ma'am, have you ever heard of the miraculous individual who has healed incurable diseases and left behind legends of salvation… Ivankov?"