It had taken far too long, but Usopp had finally realized where he belonged.
His heart ached as he gazed at the Straw Hats' new ship, with an unpainted sail and no emblem to fly in the gentle breeze. That was where he came in, of course, but it still hurt to redraw the jolly roger—it was an admission that he was moving beyond Merry. Franky had convinced him it would be kinder to the ship to dismantle her and let her die happily, but that didn't make it any easier. He hadn't bothered to put on a strong face. He had wept openly and had received no comfort from the crew. That was their way, though, and it was what he had expected, even wanted.
Now, he held back his tears, not wanting to mar the jolly roger that had come to symbolize his family, his life, his happiness.
When he finished, he leaned back against the mast, emotionally drained. But a smile crept across his face when Sanji stood over him and handed him a plate of rice, quickly but lovingly prepared.
"Here, dumbass," was all he said, and Usopp was grateful.