Takes place between Fishman Island and Punk Hazard
The wind was blowing harder than ever. Nami had warned that there were storms ahead, her having read up on the New World before coming, but not even she had expected gales of this massive strength. It seemed like just a few minutes ago that the whole crew was partying on sunny Fishman Island, having fun, living it up. And now most of the crew was clinging onto the ship for dear life as the winds blew everything around and threatened to capsize Thousand Sunny Go.
"FRANKY!" shouted Nami, trying to make her voice heard over the storm while she and Sanji protected the tangerine trees from being ripped off the deck by the wind. "ARE YOU SURE THAT THE SUNNY CAN WITHSTAND THIS STORM?"
"YOW! OF COURSE HE CAN, NAMI!" he shouted back, using a voice amplifier. "THE SUNNY'S THE BEST SHIP EVER, CREATED BY SUUUPER ARMORED ME!"
Luffy laughed as he held onto the mast, his arms wrapped around it several times. "WOO-HOO! THIS IS REALLY FUN!"
Usopp and Chopper held onto his legs while Zoro, Robin, and Brook adjusted the sails and riggings, having to adjust them anew as the winds changed.
At that moment, a large blast of seawater hit Usopp and Chopper. Both let go in shock, flying to the edge of the ship. Although he could barely see, Luffy stretched out his arms for them, trading them off for the legs to wrap around the mast. Chopper grabbed onto one arm and Luffy pulled him in. He reached out for Usopp, who had grabbed onto the railing of the Sunny. Usopp reached out a hand and grabbed Luffy's own rubber limb. Relief passed across both of their faces – for a moment. Just as Usopp was about to pull himself up, his hand slipped out of Luffy's, sending him tumbling overboard.
"USOOOPP!"
One hour later, the storm finally calmed down. Everyone was lying on the deck, exhausted from keeping the ship under control and themselves from falling off.
Sanji pushed himself up, taking a cigarette packet out of his jacket pocket only to find that they were soaked. He shoved it back, disgusted. "Okay, roll call. Nami-swan?"
"Here, Sanji-kun," said Nami, squeezing the water out of her long orange hair.
"Robin-chwan?"
"Present."
"Well, that's all." Sanji started to turn away.
"Wait!"
He turned back to see Luffy looking up desperately. "Has anyone seen Usopp? I think he fell overboard!"
There was a pause before everyone set to work looking for Usopp.
"Usopp-san!"
"Usopp!"
"Oi, Usopp!"
"Usopp!"
"Usopp!?"
No response. After combing every inch of the ship, he was proclaimed missing.
Luffy sat down. "He fell overboard. I saw it. I tried to grab him, but my hand slipped…" he put his head in his hands, then stood up and looked over the edge of the ship. "Usopp!" he yelled. "Usopp, if you're there, say something! USOPP!"
Zoro came up behind him and put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Luffy… there's no sign of him. I just checked through the crow's nest and I didn't even see anything floating, much less a person."
Luffy's eyes filled with tears. "No! We're going to find Usopp, no matter how long it takes! We can't just let it go!"
"What?" Zoro said. "Who said anything about letting it go? Of course we're going to find him!"
"Thanks, Zoro…" Luffy turned to his crew. "Alright, everyone! Our first piracy is to look for Usopp!"
They cheered, just before Chopper started crying. Robin went to comfort him while Sanji told Luffy that the word should be 'priority'.
"Oh, okay."
"Usopp…" Chopper sobbed as Robin hugged him gently.
