Looking briefly in the mirror Usopp quickly applies a liberal dose of makeup to cover the self-induced scares on his cheeks, when satisfied he once again dons his mask so he can start his normal day of both work and training.
His mask only has one hole for his too long nose, but a small part can be removed so he can eat and drink when in the company of others. Its black in colour and the only thing to make it stand out is the dark green cogwheel on the left where his eye lies hidden. With his mask is also his usual Steampunk inspired attire of greyish black jeans, short sleeved green t-shirt with a thin beige tail coat, one inch heeled knee high steel toed boots with side pouches along with aviator goggles, a dark red Neckerchief held secure around his neck, either side crossbody holsters one with a large a medium and small satchel bags the other with more pouches. pockets and tool clips, thick mechanical gloves one with a built-in watch, the other a removable compass for when he eventually travels the Grand Line and a single dream catcher earing in his left ear and to top it all off a dark brown leather top hat with a built-in flashlight, gold chains a cogwheel and a slightly modified leather strip that holds some of his extra bullets and pachinko balls.
Securing his personally designed and handcrafted utility belt and tool bag with extra compartments for some of his odd-jobs around town, having made sure he has everything he will ever potentially need he nods once and heads out to make his rounds around the island.
Walking down the path to the bakers he cannot help but reminisce on the knowledge he shouldn't have and wonder like he usually does on the past he knows he once had to have had to possess this knowledge and what he cannot remember.
He cannot remember anything, whether he was a male like he is now or a female, what his age was when he died, family, friends… he remembers none of it. All he knows and remembers is the knowledge of a story that involved the original Usopp and the pirate crew he joined.
He has knowledge and skills in subjects he has either never personally studied or heard of existing in this world like planes or solar panels, martial arts and weaponry. When he was younger Usopp didn't realise that the knowledge he had wasn't meant to exist, so he grew confused and angry when he said certain things and others around him didn't understand what he was talking about or called him a liar.
It wasn't until his mother got sick that he finally gave up and decided to just keep his thoughts and feelings and everything to do with the knowledge to himself. It was when his mother died that he realised that some of that knowledge had to do with future events and it was the breakdown and the tragic incident that followed his childhood actions that fully gave his studying and training a boost that led him to be who he is today.
It was hard, extremely so and he shed more than his fair share of blood, sweat and tears but he knows he's stronger and more skilled than the original Usopp was and maybe just a little more confident and brave.
He's still a coward and would rather run and hide than face an opponent head on, but he is primarily a sniper, trapper and tinkerer so he's okay with that, he has enough strength and skill in self-defence and martial arts to get by if he truly needs to thanks to. In thanks to the future knowledge he holds and has made his own bastard versions of a few skills that he knows original Usopp never possessed.
Shaking his head to dismiss his thoughts he checks his leg and arm weights again before speeding off to the bakers. The faster he gets his odd-jobs done the faster he can get to work with Mr Merry and the faster he can hopefully finish his apprenticeship under Mr. jo nan the carpenter, so he can focus more on his training, side-projects and inventions.
He only has so much time until Luffy, Nami and Zoro show up after all and while he will never be as strong as the future monster trio he at least wants to be stronger then Nami is now and more than that to be useful.
To be strong enough to fulfil both original Usopp's dream and his own.
"Captain! Could you help me fix my shirt? Mama will have my butt if I come home with it ripped again!" Piiman asks panicked and with puppy dog eyes on full force.
Inwardly chuckling at the boys panicked expression he simply nods and watches with soft eyes behind his mask at Piimans and Ninjins antics while Tamanegi is who knows where on the island.
Usopp honestly hadn't meant to befriend these boys a few years back, but the boys had followed him one day trying to see what was behind the mask he wears and instead saw him shoot down a giant bird that was flying so high up in the sky it looked tiny with a single shot with Ginja Pachinko with one of his trapping customised bullets.
They have followed him around ever since and because they are going to follow him anyway Usopp decided to do right by them and started training them in self-defence and a few other skills by making up games they could play and train in without it getting too boring or repetitive.
That and told them stories, while unlike original Usopp he doesn't talk much when he does he does so with purpose and tries to make it meaningful whether it be educational or just to cheer someone up like he does with Kaya his best friend on the island.
While quickly and expertly mending the tear in the top he inwardly sighs at the predicament that Kaya, Merry and the rest of the village are in with 'Klahadore' or better known as Kuro. He wishes he could speak up and do more than just tell Kaya stories he knows of from the knowledge and share some of his new food, drink and dessert concoctions with her that are secretly medicinal to help her keep her strength up and combat some of the low dosage slow-acting poison in the food Klahadore feeds her.
He knew her illness wasn't just because of the depression and emotional anguish of losing her parents since it just didn't make sense otherwise. So, he secretly stole some of the food that Kaya was eating and tested it and it came up positive with a poison that made a person ill when digested but wouldn't kill them if eaten in low dosages over a prolonged period.
"AH, thanks, captain!" Piiman exclaims happily when he passes his now fixed shirt over he nods once before moving to help Ninjin with his food science experiment in the little kitchen/lab he built him in the small cabin he made at the kid's insistence of needing a clubhouse for their pirate activities.
He made a small area in the cabin for each of the boys to help in their dreams or hobbies and while it's not much and they are not allowed to use some of the things he made for them without his or another adults supervision its… nice, he supposes.
It's nice to know that though he is anti-social, severely insecure in himself and basically has no self-esteem to the point his insecurities have insecurities! that he is still liked in the village despite his past, that he has people who look up to and depend on him and that he has friends.
Usopp isn't sure why the thought of having actual true friends, people who depend on him and being useful to someone... anyone at that makes him so, so happy but he figures it has something to do with the knowledge and the past he cannot remember.
His psychological need to be useful to someone… anyone probably helps in all the odd-jobs, studying and training he does and not just the knowledge.
"EMEEERGENCY! EEMEERGENCY! THIS IS BAD, REALLY, REALLY BAD!" looking up at the panicked running and expression on Tamanegis face Usopp frowns slightly at the more panicked than usual look in his eyes and decides that unlike all the other times he's come running about something or other that he is genuinely scared of something this time.
"Oh, hey Tamanegi what's happened this time?" Piiman greets looking up from his little carpentry project making a toy chest that Usopp was teaching him how to do since Mr Jo nan only teaches those eleven years and older.
"It's terrible! Captain our worst fears have finally come true! Pirates! Pirates are coming!" Tamanegi shouts out worriedly and Usopp while cautious has an idea of who since he is seventeen this year it's not good to assume.
"NO WAY! WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO!?" Piiman and Ninjin shout out and panic running in circles and while amusing it is no time to panic so with a loud clap of his hands he gains their immediate attention.
"How many Tamanegi?" he questions in a voice slightly rough from disuse making his voice sound more deep and husky then it is.
"Three Captain! Two men and a woman from what I could make out with Buggy the clown's mark on one of the sails!"
"Buggy the clown!? This is really bad captain!" the boys exclaim while looking to him for directions and while his knees are slightly shaking he nods in understanding and immediately gives the orders
"Boys stay here, we have set traps all along the shores, we are well prepared for three measly pirates, so I will deal with them while you stay here and that's an order" He kindly commands and starts heading for the shore Tamanegi directs him to while wondering what the future will bring.
Standing on the top of the northern shoreline Usopp sees the boats dock and he stands in the open while taking in the people below him in fascination. It is one thing to know thanks to the knowledge, but it is another to truly experience and sees for himself.
Monkey D Luffy, the iconic Strawhat on his head, blue shorts, open red vest, sandals and the scare on his cheek. Nami the thief, she is truly fetching in appearance although Usopp holds no attraction to the fairer sex so isn't moved and lastly, Roronora Zoro currently wielding a slight minute falter in his gait no doubt in thanks to Buggy and who crew and three swords at his waist.
Usopp wonders if it is only he himself who is different compared to the knowledge he holds and his own actions when young because of said knowledge or is a butterfly's wings truly powerful enough to cause a storm in some desert and other things have shifted out of his minds reach.
"Halt pirates! I recognise that flag! What do the Buggy pirates want with the small island of Syrup Village" he questions in his normal soft tone boldly and with a hard edge which is easily carried on the wind, helped along with the slight voice enhancer he built inside all his masks.
"Looks like we got a spokesman to great us" Zoro states with an amused smirk while Nami looks annoyed.
"Look were not with Buggy! We just stole one of his boats"
"But we are pirates" Luffy states happily to which he slightly smiles in amusement at unseen.
"Irrelevant! Since you are pirates state your business here or pay the price" He demands still with a hard edge and a hand resting on his recently modified slingshot, ammo already in hand.
"We're here for supplies, new crewmates and a ship" Nami informs while at the exact same time the boys go.
"Meat!"
"Saki"
Nami looks fed up but Usopp just nods his head.
"Very well I shall accompany you for now lest you are lying in your intentions!" with that said Usopp patiently waits for the others to climb the slope before he leads them to the village and the only diner in town.
"Fine with me" Zoro and Luffy answer shrugging.
"Sorry if we got off on the wrong foot back there on the shore, I'm Nami, the one with the Strawhat is Luffy and the one with the swords is Zoro" Nami introduces as we walk.
"Usopp" is his answer with a slight nod in acknowledgement for the apology.
"Hey, Hey what's with the mask? Are you really ugly or something" Luffy curiously questions with a grin as they enter the restaurant.
"Luffy that's rude!" Nami exclaims while Zoro laughs though he ignores them and answers the question.
"Or something, please order what you will, the diner owes me a few free meals" he offers while sitting down with them.
"Aw right! Thanks!" Luffy.
"Heh, you're not bad" Zoro.
"Ugh, boys! Anyways thanks for the free meal!" Nami says pleased with not spending any money.
He waits and just observes the ones he knows from his knowledge while they order their food and just takes in what he can about them, curious and fascinated and wanting to know more. To know just how far his knowledge extends regarding these people that for a long while, He honestly only saw as fictional characters since he was no longer the Usopp from the knowledge.
Not truly since exactly how could he when he made different life choices? trained and worked and studied till he collapsed? where he hardly talked and only told the tall tales of things the knowledge helped him to imagine, that helped him know was real even if to others they were little more than fairy tale stories.
When they are halfway through eating Usopp starts to make his inquiries.
"You said you were here for potential crewmates, supplies and a ship?"
"Yup! That's right" Luffy answers taking a chunk out of his meat stick.
"Supplies are easy enough to acquire and no one perhaps besides myself would be either skilled or willing to journey with you and as for a ship… well this is a tiny village on a small island, the only one with a ship and who might be willing to gift one is Kaya, who lives in the mansion I work part-time at as an apprentice, she's a girl our age who has been sick since her parents passing three years ago" he informs watching intently as Luffy and Zoro barely pay attention or care while Nami's expression seems to pinch slightly before telling her ship mates that they will look else wear for a ship to which Luffy laughs and says they have time to stuff themselves.
He slightly wonders if he should offer to go with them but hesitates and eventually deflates due to his insecurity in his own abilities and self-worth despite all his training and studying for this very day. As his mind keeps growing, louder and louder telling him all the negative lies and truths and everything that could go wrong or how they could never want someone like him he does his best to drown them out and focus on other things.
It's hard though and no matter how much he's meditated and tried over the years those negative thoughts and emotions always seem to get the best of him in social settings and brings hesitance into his skills and work when around people. No matter what he does unless he doesn't know they're there, to begin with.
Shaking his head, he excuses himself to go talk to Kaya like he usually does at this time of day and decides that if things go even marginally like they did in the knowledge then he would ask to journey with them no matter his insecurity's… hopefully.
Sitting on the branch next to Kaya's window Usopp smiles happily behind his mask, just relishing in being with his best friend, the only one who knows what he truly looks like behind his masks and makeup with his self-inflicted scars.
Scars that give him an eternal smile for when he can't do so himself.
"Usopp! I'm sorry I cannot welcome you as a proper guest, Klahadore won't allow it, he's not a bad person though" Kaya greets happily with a sorry expression to which he just shakes his head and waves it off.
"It is fine Kaya, truly I feel more comfortable outside than I do inside working either for Mr Merry or learning new tricks under the cook," he says honestly liking being outdoors more than indoors unless for a project or rest.
"I know but still…" she frets to which he shakes his head once more.
"I am a future Pirate, we feel more comfortable with the wind at our backs and the sea on our horizons" she smiles at that and with a laugh changes the subject.
"So, then pirate Usopp! What's today's adventure?"
"Hm… how about the adventure of a small band of pirates escaping an island forever stuck in the time of the dinosaurs with the aid of two Giants who have duelled over both pride and honour for centuries while being swallowed whole by a gigantic goldfish?"
"Giants and goldfish?"
He weaves his tale earning twinkling bells of amusement and laughter to which he can only smile gently at the freely laughing girl, happy to bring even a small piece of happiness to this trapped princess in her gilded tower.
"Captain!" looking to the left at the end of his tale he spots the veggie trio and the three pirates standing on the lawn.
"Yes?" he questions tilting his head to the side curiously.
"We brought guests!" Piiman exclaims while Kaya questions curiously on who they are.
"These are guests of mine Kaya, real though kind pirates" Usopp explains earning a gasp of surprise from her though Kaya trusts him enough so does nothing more than that and simply turns to smile at the trio of pirates.
"Can I help you three pirates?" she questions to which Luffy nods happily.
"Yeah! We're here to ask a favour!"
"A favour?'
"Yeah! We want a big sturdy ship!" Luffy just finishes saying when a sharp voice cuts through the air like a knife.
"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!? YOU DO REALISE YOUR TRESSPASSING?!" Klahadore shouts menacingly making he's knees slightly shake at the sight of this dangerous ex-pirate before him but does his best to not hid or run away, Usopp likes him well enough as a man but it doesn't mean he's stupid.
"What's his problem?" Luffy mutters finger in his nose which he inwardly shudders and shivers in disgust at though, otherwise just heightens his inward panicky hysterics at the situations despite knowing Kuro won't risk his position just yet, so they are therefore safe for now.
"Klahadore you see these people are…" Kaya begins only to be cut off which in a normal setting wouldn't be allowed for a butler to do if not for Kaya being so kind.
"Save your excuses for later! You must all leave immediately! Or do you have some business here?" he questions coldly.
"I want a big sturdy ship!" Luffy exclaims obliviously while Zoro amusingly slaps him over the head.
"We can't help you!" Kuro states with a hidden snark that amuses him slightly.
"You, Usopp! Why are you here after working hours?" Kuro questions him sharply and while shaking answers normally no doubt in part to his admiration of this man warring with his fear.
"I normally come around this time to share stories with Miss Kaya while picking a few herbal weeds such as Yarrow and crabgrass from the garden, Mr Merry knows and allows it" he informs honestly having no reason to lie since he does, in fact, pick herbal weeds while telling his stories at this time of day and to be honest he thought Kuro and everyone else knew.
"You may work here part-time and have quite the reputation as a dependable hard worker willing to help out anyone, but I simply must insist you come here only for work even with Merry's permission!" He warns more then he informs while adjusting his glasses with the palm of his hand which to be honest he finds cool though he ignores the childish thought.
"Your words while noted I'm afraid will be disregarded Mr Klahadore, though I will try and make the effort to inform you of my informal visits if you are worried about miss Kaya," he tells him politely trying to uselessly contain his slight full body shudders of fear.
"Your polite words and reputation may fool everyone else, but you cannot fool me, I have heard tales of your father and what you did seven years ago!" he sneers cruelly to which he immediately stiffens in anger, worry and anguish.
"A dirty pirate who abandoned you and your dying mother for a life of a sea-fearing criminal while you yourself was nothing more than a liar that killed the very doctor who worked tirelessly to help her, only to mutilate yourself afterwards! You may have changed your toon and help out every now and again but you're still nothing more than a killer and a dirty, filthy lying son of a pirate!" He shouts, and head bowed low he shakes uncontrollably drowning in hated memories and feelings of guilt and anguish and before he can break down or have a panic attack he bolts.
"HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT TO THE CAPTAIN BUTTHEAD!" The veggie trio shouts out enraged.
"Klahadore! You will apologise to Usopp! Usopp come back! Please!" Kaya's screamed out words are the last thing he hears before he's too far away to hear anything else.
Staring blankly out at the ocean Usopp wonders why he's such a coward and doesn't even twitch when Luffy swings down from the tree above himself.
"Luffy" is his only form of acknowledgement wondering if the boy knowing he's killed someone will affect his choice on whether he is a suitable future crewmember or not. Justifiable reason or not his knowledge doesn't remember Luffy having straight up killed someone like Usopp has…. Than again Nico Robin has killed who knows how many and he accepted her so maybe he is truly worrying over nothing.
"Hey, your dad's name… it was Yasopp right?" Luffy asks with a smile while staring out at the ocean with him.
"You know him?" he questions fondly remembering the few memories he holds of the man even if he doesn't consider him his father and more as a much-loved distant uncle. Slightly pondering on what he would think of him now.
"know him? shisisisi! I met him back when I was a little kid! While I don't know what you look like behind the mask, your hair is similar except for the colour and you hold the same name and I remember since he never did shut up about you" is Luffy's explanation for why he guessed he was Yasopp's son.
"Do you know where he is?" he pointlessly questions figuring he was out somewhere either in paradise or the new world.
"NOPE!" he shrugs. "But I'm sure he is still on cap'n red-haired Shanks ship! He was one of my favourite pirates on the crew!" Luffy says happily which he smiles slightly at that.
"Shanks? As in red-haired Shanks the Yonko?" he pointlessly muses already knowing the answer watching in amusement as Luffy gapes.
"I dunno bout Yonko or even what that is but you know Shanks?" he asks in wonder.
"Luffy, Red-haired Shanks is a Yonko! one of the four rulers of the grand line! he is up there with people like Whitebeard and the Shichibukai!" Usopp animatedly explains unable to contain his excitement of the knowledge and his honest awe and admiration of a few of the Shichibukai, white beard and Shanks himself.
"Shishishishi! Wow, I didn't know Shanks was that famous! Shishishishi!"
Shaking his head in mirth at his contagious amusement. "Thank you for telling me, to think Yasopp is on the ship of a Yonko…" he wistfully sighs since having foreknowledge and having knowledge is two completely different things, it's nice to have confirmation sometimes on what he knows from the knowledge is true.
"Shishishi! I remember seeing him shoot a few times! he was the best and never missed a shot!" Luffy, informs before started to talk about all that he knew of Yasopp with a large grin and despite himself, a weight he didn't know he was carrying was lifted from his shoulders.
Yasopp talked about him… despite not being the original Usopp and being socially impaired he still talked about him proudly and boasted about him! smiling a huge and honest smile behind his mask and with teary eyes, he silently and inwardly thanks Luffy for the knowledge.
While Luffy kept on talking Usopp noticed Kuro and that hypnotist of his down below.
"Luffy get down!" Usopp commands forcing him down and scootching back slightly.
From there, they talk about the assassination plot and it takes all his effort to not do something stupid and attack them for daring to try and hurt his best friend. He only manages with difficulty and long practice considering the poison Kuro's been feeding Kaya this last year and that he does somewhat care for Kuro as well.
He didn't try and speak to Luffy until Luffy asks what they are talking about, so, Usopp did his best and used the simplest terms he could for Luffy for what they are planning.
In which Luffy stands up and announces his presence though luckily, he had already scooted further back when Luffy stood up, so he couldn't be seen.
He was then hypnotised and fell off the cliff that Usopp inwardly freaked out at since knowing and knowing about devil fruits are completely different!
When they are gone Usopp quickly scales down the cliff and checks on Luffy breathing a huge sigh of relief that he was okay and not injured. After a moment of recovering his scattered wits on the breaking of all-natural laws that are devil fruits, he picks Luffy up and hauls Luffy back towards the village.
"Hey, it's Usopp and Luffy, what happened to him?" Zoro questions with a raised brow when he sees Luffy asleep on his shoulder.
"Hypnotised, fell off a cliff, somehow is alive," Usopp says not bothering for a full sentence since his throat is starting to hurt for speaking an unusual amount for him in one day and he still had to explain what was going on.
"Captain! Are you alright! That smelly butler went way too far!" Piiman shouts hugging his legs when he puts Luffy down giving him a slight start.
"Yeah! He doesn't know what he's talking about!" Ninjin nods in agreement causing his heart to skip in wonder.
"Yeah! We don't know what happened Captain but if you did k-kill someone and injured yourself we know it was most definitely for a good reason!" Tamanegi goes on and with tears in his eyes he hugs the boys tightly and tries not to sob at their kind words and faith in him even when he has no faith in himself.
After a few moments, Usopp stands back up as composed as he could ever possibly be and wakes up Luffy and moving on to explain what they had overheard at the shore.
"Hey Cap that weird hypnotist is probably the one we saw a while ago!" Ninjin exclaims with the others pitching in their two cents on what happened earlier in the day with Jango.
When they start to panic and run around like chickens he gives them a moment before clapping to gain their attention.
"Boys, the village is in danger, we know when and why but have no proof and will be considered liars if we inform the village, nor do we know how many opponents we have to face so I have an important job for you three! while I fortify the traps and defences at the slopes. Tomorrow at dawn I want you all to cause a ruckus and keep it inside the village, don't release the animals since there is a fifty-fifty chance that they could head towards shore alright?" he gives them their orders and watches with relief as they nod determined and start heading home to make plans.
"You three should leave lest you happen to get involved" he warns while walking towards Kaya's mansion, knowing that she will not believe him but determined to give her forewarning anyway.
"You seem pretty scared to be planning on fighting those pirates all alone, you're literally shaking in your knees," Zoro casually muses but Usopp just continues to walk already knowing he's shaking badly.
"I am… inexperienced in fighting against human opponents let alone pirates of Kuro's calibre, so yes I am frightened, terribly so, but fight I will, I have no choice, I love this village and I love the people in it… I even care for Kuro himself in a way, but I must and WILL protect my neighbours with all I have and if I die, I die since at least I would have died trying to protect what I love most in this world" he speaks softly and truthfully.
He does too, he cares for Kuro even if only as a human being with thoughts and feelings of his own. He's cruel and ruthless and cares for nothing but himself but Usopp still cares for him despite how much he terrifies him and what he has and will do tomorrow, he knows nothing of his past that made him who he is today and he has no right to judge since if not for his foreknowledge that came from a past he doesn't remember he would have been just like original Usopp, more reckless, less strong and skilled and following a future that if not for his knowledge would be set in stone.
He's just not sure if that's a good thing or not.
With that said he dashes off not waiting to see their reactions or hear their replies to his thoughts on the matter and simply wonders if despite knowing all except the knowledge that he holds and having seen his true face whether Kaya will believe him.
He knows she won't and that hurts, it hurts to the point of breaking that despite being here first, despite knowing his past and his face that she won't believe him.
It hurts…... but Usopp can't blame her either.
"Kaya," Usopp greets softly when he climbs the tree.
"Usopp! I am so sorry for what happened earlier with Klahadore! He went much too far, and I know that you admire him, so I hope you will still care for him and can learn to forgive him someday, it must have really hurt, and I thought for sure you wouldn't return… but I'm so glad your back!" Kaya exclaims truly sorry and radiating relief and happiness.
He flinches slightly at the words, but he would feel awful if he didn't at least warn her, he is not original Usopp and will not try and kidnap her only to cause a panic with the townsfolk so as soon as he says his piece he will leave.
He has no wish to cause more upset then he will with his words.
"It's fine Kaya, I have already forgiven Klahadore for his words and I do still care for him, I doubt anything could truly and honestly make me stop caring for someone once I start no matter how much that person makes me hurt or suffer over actions or words spoken and done… I just hope that the reason I came here to speak of will be forgiven when morning comes" He says completely honest because he does doubt it and he has forgiven Kuro's words whether he meant them or not.
Foreknowledge doesn't stop him from caring for others even those with cruel and horrible intentions. It has always been frighteningly easy for him to care and forgive others…. he just wishes he could care for himself just as easily and not have to constantly fight an uphill battle with himself for even a shred of what he feels for others.
"Eh, Usopp? What do you mean?" Kaya questions confused at his words.
"Klahadore is actually an ex-pirate captain by the name of Kuro, he tricked his way into your parents services and has slowly been poisoning you with a slow acting poison for the past year, I knew and so when I bring over some of my food to share I'm actually feeding you medicinal herbs to combat some of the effects, I didn't say anything before now because I knew you wouldn't believe me, just like you won't believe me now when I say he plans on killing you tomorrow when he has his ex-pirate crew attack the village at dawn for your fortune…. I plan on fighting and all I ask is that you say nothing to Kuro or the others lest Kuro decides to move up his plans" Usopp confesses softly while Kaya grows paler by the spoken word and shakes her head in full denial.
"Please… why are you saying these things Usopp? I know what Klahadore said was beyond cruel but this… you disappoint me Usopp! To think you'd use me to get back at Klahadore despite saying you forgive and still care for him? Klahadore admitted that he went way too far with what he said about you and your father! He should never have said those things! but I will not listen to you tell lies about him! I love your stories but this is too much!" Kaya, says tears rushing down her cheeks but all he can do is sigh in resigned acceptance.
"I understand Miss Kaya, I had known you wouldn't believe my words but I had to say them anyway, please stay safe and I hope you can forgive me by mornings light tomorrow, though I truly have forgiven Kuro and I really do still admire and care for him, which is why I will fight with everything I have! Both for yours, mine and his sake!"
With his peace said and warning given Usopp quickly leaves to his home his heart in tatters to collect a few more tools to update his traps for both the northern and south shore of the island even if he knows they will attack from the north.
Now if only tears would stop falling from his eyes and sobs would stop trying to choke him.
"You haven't left" Usopp states while doing some basic stretches to get used to his body movements without the weights he normally constantly wears for training.
"Nope," Luffy happily replies hand on his hat and watching him intently with Nami and Zoro on either side of him with a serious expression.
"Why?" He questions while practising his quick draw with his slingshot testing the feel and weight of it in his hand, it's amazing how lighter than a feather it is without having heavyweights on his arms all the time.
"You've got a noble heart, you've sent off your men to keep them safe while you face the danger alone and risk your life" Zoro compliments with a grin and Usopp wishes that was fully the case.
"Yeah! Your scared and are still willing to risk your life even being horribly outnumbered so we plan on helping you out!" Luffy informs grinning fist in the air.
"I'm telling you now but the treasures all mine!" Nami informs greedily Berri signs in her eyes and Usopp feels tears start to form but doesn't let them fall.
"I… you are truly willing to fight beside me? Thank you, though I must ask that… pirates though you are that you not kill Kuro! you may find me strange and foolish to say so despite all that he has planned for this village… but he is still someone I have come to care for as my neighbour, fake as he may have been in his portrayal" Usopp requests determined to know that foreknowledge or not that these people… that Luffy will not kill the man he admires for his mind and skill and that he cares for as a person.
Zoro's expression is serious but slightly strange and Nami's is more pinched but Luffy… Luffy's smile has not once fallen and his eyes are serious and searching, what he's searching for Usopp couldn't say but whatever it is Luffy seems to accept or even like it when he finally nods happily.
"Shishishi! Yep, you're weird! I hate that guy and I've only known him for a day! Don't worry though we won't kill him! just beat him black and blue! Shishishishi" with that said a weight is lifted and Usopp nods in gratitude.
"Thank you, it brings me great relief to hear you say so, now then… this path is the most likely point of attack despite the meeting at the south slope, though I have placed more deadly traps along it just in case, if we defend here we should easily be able to defeat Kuro's men, though there is no doubt Kuro himself will show up when his plan for dawn fails so I must ask you what your skills are so I can plan accordingly" Usopp can literally feel his throat throbbing and cracking from the strain of talking more today than he has for the last seven years.
"I cut" Zoro. "I steal" Nami. "I stretch" Luffy
"I shoot, though Luffy I must ask what you mean by stretch?" Usopp contemplated saying original Usopp's gag of run and hide but decided against it, much too tired and stressed for any kind of amusement.
"Shishishi! I'm a rubber man!" Luffy informs stretching his cheeks wider than any human could or should be able to and after a minute of freaking out inwardly and a pinched expression safely hidden behind his mask he exhales and questions faintly.
"Ah… you ate a devil fruit?"
"Yep!"
With a nod, Usopp decides to give up whatever little sanity he had left and just go with the flow. "Then please rest while I finish setting up some of the traps down below" he offers going down the slope to regain some of his minds and to recompose himself.
"Are you certain we won't get caught up in these traps of yours?" Nami questions dubiously, poking one of the almost invisible strings gently.
"Yes, though if you do trigger one, they will activate downward, so either duck or take a few steps back" Usopp confirms nodding at the last of the traps, they are few and work more to hinder, trip and confuse unlike the traps at the south which aim to kill but considering there are four of them and the knowledge he has he sees no reason to do more.
His slingshot and customised ammo are more than enough to take down the goons, Luffy and Zoro can take care of the rest and if need be he knows he could handle Jango well enough.
"Ah, its dawn," Zoro states and looking up and down at the approaching pirates with adorable cat ears Usopp determines to steal a few pairs.
With pirates charging up the slope Usopp shoots a pachinko ball at the rig of one of the traps and watches in amusement as the pirates curse and flail around trying to avoid the multitude of firecrackers, paint bombs, stink bombs that holds a homemade pathogen inside he calls drunken sailor that causes mild to extreme dizziness, loss of balance and in some cases loss of consciousness' depending on the dose and the many hidden net traps holding them momentarily captive both on the ground and in the air.
Snickering and laughter from Luffy and Nami can be heard while Zoro smirks at the pirates flailing and cursing like chickens and drunks. He himself lets a few chuckles fly before aiming his slingshot and firing his normal pachinko balls, no need to use his special ammo just yet.
"Lead star shower" He whispers and twenty lead balls fly true! each one hitting their target causing bruises and pumps and even knocking a few out cold, it took him months of practice with flocks of birds and a slight few adjustments of his slingshot to get this skill mastered but it was well worth the effort, especially when the opponents are so widespread. It's just gotten easier with time as well with his recently modified black and green slingshot that's got three strings connected to razor-sharp points, Usopp designed it so that it was a really just a miniature hand-held trident only with the middle blade only an inch long for just in case an enemy happened to get to close with a larger leather pad for his ammo to lie in when stretching.
"Leave this place! Lest you end up like your comrades!" He commands softly but the voice enhancer in his mask lets it easily be heard and carried over the loud shouting and cursing pirates that glare with malice up at him and his… friends? Companions? Either way, he's shaking slightly in his knees at the looks but thankfully his hands stay steady and he can think clearly.
"You're just some stupid kids!" "Your parlour tricks won't stop us you cowardly sea dogs!" "Charge!"
Shaking he almost takes a step back when Zoro steps up with a dark grin and his headband tied around his head.
"Oni Giri" blood flies as two lines of charging pirates fall, struggling and crying out in pain to get back up with non-fatal slash wounds running down their sides.
"CAPTAIN! That's Roronora Zoro! The pirate hunter!" one pirate shouts with a whimper causing Jango to curse and tip his hat down. "He's just one man with party trick kids beside him! if you all attack he won't be able to defend and protect against everyone!" Jango shouts out in command and now that Usopp has a good proper look at him he almost wants to break out in hysterics at the getup and ridiculous beard and sunglasses he wears but thankfully Usopp has long practice and experience in hiding his more… outward shows of emotions, thoughts and feelings and can hide everything but his shaking legs and sometimes body when frightened or distressed.
"Take th- eh?" Nami exclaims when she noticed the caltrops she had missing from her person. Usopp inwardly heaves a sigh of relief that she hadn't noticed him stealing them from her previously since he did not want to have to watch his step when walking or running on the battlefield.
"Now it's my turn!" Luffy exclaims cracking his knuckles, Usopp watches in gross curiosity and fascination as he watches his arms stretch and pull in unnatural ways and if not for his long since trained and honed from years of practice eyesight the sheer speed that he stretches would have made his attacks seem invisible as they most likely are for their opponents below.
"A devil fruit user!? Grrr ENOUGH! DAWN HAS COME AND GONE! WERE LATE! WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO WASTE! IF WE RUIN CAPTAIN KURO'S THREE-YEAR-PLAN HE'LL CUT ALL OUR THROATS AND LEAVE US LITTLE MORE THAN SHARK CHUM! DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YOU RUM ADDLED FOOLS!? Here Look into my ring! When I say one, two Jango you will all become superhumanly strong! ONE, TWO JANGO!"
With those words, Usopp, Nami and Zoro quickly turn their eyes away watching in shock as the previously beaten down crooks rise in renewed vigour and bulge out in strength with one crushing a large chunk of one of the rock cliffs with a single punch. Usopp's knees quake and he feels like he wants to pass out but before he could start fighting his flight instincts Luffy lets loose a large bellowing war cry and Usopp chuckles a bit hysterically at the now hypnotised fool.
"That idiot!" Nami shouts out with shark teeth while slowly making her way down the slope no doubt to steal the pillaging pirate's treasure.
"You're hypnotised too!?" Zoro is equally as pissed but Usopp's too busy trying to calm down to join in their righteous anger.
As the pirates charge Luffy performs his signature Gatling gun attack and when they all go flying, proceeds to run down the slop like a madman no doubt to attack the ship which knocks him out of his hysterical state and he aims one of his special small splash star ammo bullets right for Luffy's face, watching as a two large ball of water for that small a capsule explodes and drenches him waking him up before he can do much damage to the ship.
Jango commands Buchi and Sham to attack when they show themselves which goes like he knows from the knowledge. Usopp didn't get a chance to warn Zoro because his throat was hurting distracting him at the time, the only notable changes were Usopp refraining from interfering in Zoro's battle and instead focused on the aura and killing intent almost here, no doubt from Kuro's anger at the delay in his plans. Usopp doesn't know if this ability to sense others aura and presence from short distances is kenbushoku Haki or not since it only awoken a few years ago and he has no clue how to train it or if he can just sense killing intent from all the training and meditation he's done.
When Nami runs down the hill to fetch Zoro's sword, Luffy protecting her from getting cut by Jando's ring is when Kuro finally shows himself.
"O-OH SIR! We ah. hit a few snags" Jango stutters out at Kuros presence just as everyone else on Kuro's crew freezes and mutters in worry.
"It's long past dawn but… you seem to be having trouble following my plan" Kuro states coldly and Usopp feels inadequate since Kuro look and sounds so cool in a diabolical kind of way. "So Jango tell me just what in Neptune's name is going on!?" Kuro demands in rising anger.
"We-well you see captain-"Kuro cuts him off. "How many times must I explain I am no longer a pirate nor your captain? Still, are you honestly trying to tell me these children have kept you up from completing my plan? Is this truly what the black cats have devolved into that mere children can hold you back?" Kuro questions in deceptive softness and from there conversation and events go in a similar way to the knowledge except for a few notable exceptions.
"Usopp, it would seem you and your friends have proven most aggravating, to think I went to all the trouble to even command Jango and his men to spare your life but you just had to go and make trouble for me, I know you've always suspected me and had thought you wouldn't interfere with my plans… perhaps I truly have gone soft? Django, I give you five minutes before I slaughter you all where you stand!" Kuro muses shocking him at his words
"Kuro… I thank you for the kind sentiment, you should be pleased to know I have reciprocated the gesture and requested the same of my own companions for you, but I didn't suspect… I knew who you were all along! I just had hoped… no… the moment you started poisoning Kaya I knew what you had planned but you know I wouldn't just let your plans stand if I in any way could prevent it?" Usopp strongly informs him with feeling, shocking not just Kuro and his men but Luffy, Nami and Zoro as well at his words that he knew who Kuro was all along.
"You knew? Perhaps I have underestimated your intelligence if you had truly known then why not inform Miss Kaya's parents or even the marines that captain Kuro of the black cat pirates was still alive?" Kuro questions with a raised brow and shaking his head Usopp honestly tells his thoughts and feelings on the matter.
"As the son of a pirate I know a lot about them, I know how dangerous a life at sea can be and just how much harder it is for one to retire should they wish, so when I saw you in the village a few months after your supposed death I knew that you had most likely done a switch with one of your men. I had honestly thought you just wanted to settle down in peace away from the life of a criminal, and I wasn't going to begrudge you that, as time went on though and I noticed more I knew you were up to no good" Usopp ignores the amused scoff at that.
"I could have said something then and I still chose not to! they would not have believed me anyway and it is not my place to judge anyone else for their life choices, that and while as a pirate I dislike you as a man? As a person with his own thoughts and feelings… I respected and admired you and despite myself came to care for you as a person of my village, cruel tendencies and all …. That said I decided that should you ever plan something such as this or try and kill Kaya outright that I would train and do everything I could to stop you! giving up my life should need be! that was my conviction and foolishly naïve as it may appear I had hoped you would genuinely come to care for Kaya, Mr Merry and everyone else on the island! That it would give you enough piece of mind to know you had a place here on this island that you would change whatever plans you had for this village" Strongly and in a voice filled with utter conviction he speaks his honest though slightly abridged thoughts on his past actions and hopes unconcerned if everyone else here thinks or calls him stupid and foolish.
He will stand by his beliefs, his actions and will not let anyone even his own self-doubt and fear convince him otherwise to stand down! That is his conviction!
"You hate me as a pirate but as a human man, you care for me? What utter nonsense! What naivety for you to honestly believe that I would come to care about this village… I have truly underestimated your intelligence Usopp" Kuro repeats a dark chuckle of mirth slipping from his lips causing him to flinch slightly, but he stands firm.
"Cloyingly wildly optimistic as I would appear in this I will still stand by my beliefs and actions" Usopp didn't deem it necessary to speak more when Kaya showed up. Causing Usopp no end in worry but also knowing that he could easily stop Kuro from hurting Kaya from this distance halfway down the slope, either by one of his special bullets or his hard-learned bastardised version of Soru that he normally uses for his arm movements, with precise and expertly gained hard-earned control for his quickdraws and so he can get his work done faster. He's not nearly as skilled or good at using it for its intended purpose with his legs and can only really use it for perhaps a quick escape and to put more strength behind his limited martial arts though even then he can only use his version with his legs at most four times before it hurts too much to continue unlike with his arms where he could potentially go more than half the day with constant use…. though he's had no reason to test the theory, so he isn't sure.
Usopp would have focused more on his legs but he's a sniper and a trapper primarily, besides he's already very fast on his feet thanks to both his natural ability and the weights he has steadily been increasing for years! albeit slowly since he carries much more weight on his arms then his legs. Besides if he does end up joining the Strawhats they have Sanji for the footwork as a frontline fighter! Usopp is more than happy being a supportive combatant!
"KLAHADORE STOP!" Kaya screams out loud.
"Kaya…."
"Hey, isn't that the girl from the mansion!? She's our real target!" Jango shouts out in surprise while the others mumble nonsense. Like how they don't need to ravage the village if she's here, Usopp knows that Kuro wants peace of mind along with Kaya's fortune and the only way to get it in his mind is to have the village ransacked so he can be given the surviving villages support and pity! Usopp doesn't like it but he does get it no matter how crazy the idea seems to others.
"Miss Kaya what a lovely surprise… what brings you here?" Kuro asks pleasantry catching the others attention while Usopp subtly switches his stance just in case.
"Merry told me everything… Usopp as well!" Kaya states miserably causing his heart to squeeze at Kaya obviously blaming herself for not believing either him and at the horrid situation.
"Merry? He lived? I thought I had killed him…" Kuro callously muses with a sharp glance in Usopp's direction at the mention of his name, causing him to freeze slightly in terror.
"I'm sorry Usopp! I should have believed you when you told me the truth about Kuro! Especially when I know everything about you! How could you ever forgive me?! I just couldn't believe… that Klahadore was a pirate!" Kaya continues down heartened and depressed to which he shakes his head.
"There is nothing to forgive Kaya, though I hope you can forgive me for keeping this silent up till the other day" He gently starts before firming his voice and reprimanding her a little. "Though you really shouldn't have come! You are not well enough, and it is much too dangerous!"
"Of course, I do! But aren't you fighting them!? You said you would fight with everything you have! Even after I said all those awful things to you!?" Kaya argues back desperately to which he frowns at with a start and resignation.
"Klahadore! If you want my fortune you can have it! just take it and leave the village alone!" Kaya commands and Usopp sighs in defeat getting another look from Kuro unseen to Usopp or the others.
After Kuro explains his reasoning of how he's grown comfortable and now wants peace of mind and her fortune Kaya brings out and aims a pistol at Kuro making Usopp tense, especially when he starts spouting his cruel words to mess with her mind and bring homage to all his deceit. Eventually, Kaya drops her gun falling to her knees in anguish and it pains him to see Kaya who is practically his sister in this state.
With pain comes anger and Usopp while disliking violence as a rule and scared to death is more than ready and willing to throw a punch! Especially against a person he in a way cares about if they hurt his loved ones, though considering his hands is his lifeblood he instead deems it prudent to use his newest skill, his own version of a Rankyaku attack.
"Passo Veloce" to instantly move in front of Kaya seemingly in the blink of an eye and then... "Proiettile del Vento!"
A large blast of air in the shape of a kabuto beetle rapidly moves in the air and hits Kuro before he can dodge. Blasting him back with blood spilling freely! so, while his arm is shaking slightly from the strain and he's in a fair bit of pain, Usopp has never felt more cool and alive in his life! (Even if he does feel equally upset and completely righteous for hitting Kuro)
"WOAH! AWESOME!" Luffy shouts in awe stars in his eyes with Nami nowhere to be seen, most likely stealing the pirate's treasure on the ship and Zoro is wide-eyed and lets loose an impressed whistle.
"Damn Usopp! Didn't think you had it in you!" he's not sure what Zoro means by that, but he will take it as a compliment.
"Don't you dare cause more pain and suffering to Kaya, Kuro! You have caused more than enough!" Usopp…. Truly has never felt more cool, awesome and accomplished in his life and he will have to do something later to commemorate this moment, so he can look back on it fondly! Though if not for his mask his expression would have undoubtedly ruined this moment of cool for him, so he has never been gladder for it.
When Kuro stands with a dark expression and his glasses shatter his legs shake worse then a dingy in a tsunami and he almost faints from fright if not for Luffy's timely intervention.
From their Usopp's knowledge goes as foretold? Known? Seen? Well, it goes as expected except for the kids not showing up or Kaya not having to leave the area and when Usopp tells Luffy of Kuro's position since he can easily see his whereabouts with his eyes. Though Kuro's parting words before he falls unconscious and is flung away by Luffy were very much unexpected.
"I've lost… Usopp! Remember this! We WILL meet again!" Usopp is very uncertain and unwilling to contemplate those words lest he dies via a fright-induced heart attack.
"I'M MONKEY D. LUFFY! YOU REALLY THINK I'D LET A PIRATE WHO GAVE UP HIS NAME AND QUIT THE SEA BEAT ME!? A REAL PIRATE WILL DIE BEFORE HE DOES EITHER OF THOSE THINGS! YOU ALL BETTER REMEMBER THAT NAME CAUSE SOMEDAY I'M GONNA BE THE KING OF PIRATES!" Luffy bellows out freely and with that said the black cat pirates sail off faster than a ship of this era without the aid of devil fruits or a sea beast should.
When they are out of site Usopp turns to Kaya's kneeled form and hugs her tight finally allowing his hammering heart to quite down safe in the knowledge that his best friend and sister is truly safe and well in his arms.
"Oh, Usopp I am so sorry for everything" Kaya mumbles into his chest and with a sigh, he shakes his head.
"Like I said there is nothing to forgive Kaya, though if you insist on blaming yourself do me a favour and keep this incident secret and we will be even" he requests and shushes her protests. "Pirates never attack out of the way tiny islands like ours, Kuro was an exception, not the rule so there is no need to worry the other villages, as far as they are concerned this is just another normal day… well with the exception of whatever the boys did to keep the villages in town" Usopp muses earning tinkling bell-like laughter of amusement.
"Alright, Usopp were even" Kaya mumbles hugging him tightly.
A few hours later Usopp is back at home taking in the last sight of it he will have for many years to come. A thick and full though not overstuffed backpack and two large suitcases rest beside him, mostly filled with tools, supplies and many a book and journal filled to bursting with weapon designs, science compositions for his ammo and traps and the vast knowledge that should not exist written in a language no one else does or should know in this world.
Shaking his head, he turns to the boys he considers brothers who are teary-eyed and looking despondent at his packed bags and though his voice is now practically gone from overuse he is determined to properly say goodbye to them, who love, care and trust him so much and more than Usopp feels he deserves or could ever feel for himself.
"Five years ago, three young boys followed me into a forest to get a peek behind this very mask, instead they witnessed me shoot down a bird from a seemingly impossible distance with a mere slingshot and have followed me ever since" he begins fondly while the boys try not to cry.
"For five long years, I have trained and taught those boys to the point I now and forever more consider them my brothers in arms and my most precious friends…. My dream is to become both a great warrior of the sea and to discover the past of knowledge untold! BOYS! TELL ME YOUR DREAMS!" He commands passion in every word and the boys instantly cry out.
"TO RUN A TAVERN!"
"TO BECOME A MASTER CARPENTER!"
"TO WRITE NOVELS!"
"PROMISE ME YOU WILL SWEAR TO KEEP THE FIRE OF THOSE DREAMS ALIVE EVEN LONG AFTER YOU HAVE FULFILLED THEM! FOR I HAVE NO DOUBT YOU WILL SEE THEM THROUGH"
"YES CAPTAIN!" they cry tears and sobs racking their frame.
"Then Usopp pirates… are hereby disbanded!" Usopp says with his own tears running freely behind his mask and seeing the boys so downhearted he makes his choice.
"To commemorate our parting for who knows how many years to come if I shall even live to return, let the knowledge of the face you so long ago wished to see be known" with that said he takes off the mask and shows his face for the first time in six years.
Standing to the side at the bottom of the slope unnoticed, he watches curiously as the three are first introduced to the Merry go he has been working on for the past six years with Merry. When Merry explains how to properly run Merry Go to Nami is when Usopp breaks his silence causing Zoro to jump slightly in surprise. Usopp feels he himself is more surprised that Zoro didn't know he was their then he should though he's unsure as to why.
"Usopp… you're leaving too?" Kaya asks sadly and Usopp just nods in answer voice now completely spent and gone for the next few days while he recovers, though he feels terrible he won't be able to properly say goodbye to his best friend and sister. So, because he cannot speak he just hugs her tightly to his chest gaining an understanding though sad but truly loving smile in return.
Turning to Luffy, Nami and Zoro, Usopp gathers all his non-existent courage and…. Quickly writes on a note board his goodbye and gratitude for their help. Not having enough courage despite what he promised himself the other day to ask to join them.
"What are you talking about? just get on board already" Zoro commands with a raised brow while leaning against the rails casually making him tilt his head curiously and slight hope.
"Yeah were already Nakama aren't we?" Luffy states bluntly and with tears in his eyes, he nods his grateful agreement.
Foreknowledge or fate… Usopp doesn't think he would turn this down for the world.
Word Count: 10526
I forgive people, but that doesn't mean I accept their behaviour or trust them. I forgive them for me, so I can let go and move on with my life.
Never judge someone without knowing the whole story, you may think you understand but you don't.
We all make mistakes don't let that be the reason to give up on somebody.
Judge me when you are perfect.
I don't know if I will continue this I just got some inspiration from another SIOC as Usopp story I found and had to write this down though I went in another direction since all my Usopp has is knowledge, some feelings and thoughts and so the dream to recover the past of said knowledge.
Knowledge lets people form opinions and can change how someone thinks and potential actions so the only thing really the same is Usopp's fear but he is much better at hiding it so I want to see what I can do with him that way…
That and I really want to play with a scaredy cat kid having all this knowledge both good and bad and not knowing what to do with it just knowing he wants to change a few things but not necessarily the journey. He only has knowledge of one potential path that turned out fine and doesn't want to set something off in a worse direction by accident so don't expect a big change for a while.
A lot of the dialogue is from the manga books just switched up or butchered since I am overly critical of if I'm keeping characters, not of my own design in character which I know is hindering me more! so please tell me later if I continue!
OnepieceZoroOC thanks you for bothering to read this! hope you like the quotes at the end! New ones will be at the end of each chapter!
P.S – chapters will generally be this long and only filler bonding chapters between him and the Strawhats will be shorter.
P.P.S - I am only posting this since I was an idiot and saved all my work on one USB drive that broke so, I am waiting to see if I can retrieve any data and therefore can't post the new chapter for Aki Heartfillia for a while to who knows when.