Fair warning, I'm making Usopp better at everything he's good at, and he knows it. The reason for this? He's God Usopp. Seriously though, he's just better at what he's good at, and is aware that he's good at these things. As a result, he's a little more mature and confident then canon. This will be even more evident because Luffy is more battle-hungry, and has a fun day training rather then playing.
Here's chapter 3. Hope you enjoy.
~Chapter 3~
~Syrup Island North Beach, Gecko Islands archipelago, East Blue~
Usopp swallowed nervously a ship sailed onto the beach. There was no jolly roger, but one of them was armed, and both the men looked to have pounded a serious amount of iron.
The one in the red vest and straw hat had a freaking twelve pack! Usopp wasn't even aware that that was even possible until now. He was also standing in a way that told Usopp he'd been in more then a few fights. With no visible weapon, it was quite clear he knew how to use his fists, and use them well. The scar under his eye also showed he wasn't afraid to get up close and personal with armed enemies. Unless it was an accident when he was younger or something.
The one with the three swords looked an awful lot like Roronoa Zoro, and Usopp didn't like the rumours about him at all. He was tall, intimidating, and most of all, clearly skilled. His arm rested on his three swords, giving the illusion he was relaxed, and not about to draw them out, but this was a deception for the untrained and those unfamiliar with battle. With his eyesight, Usopp could see that Zoro's arm was poised to grasp any of them at a moments notice. Clearly a sign of a man trained for combat, with most of his experience gained in battle.
The girl was pretty enough. She was no Kaya, but that was mostly to do with how she wore her hair, rather then for any lack of features. She was certainly bigger in the chest then Kaya. And she seemed to have a collapsable three piece staff. She was clearly used to using it, but she didn't seem to like to. She, like Usopp himself, preferred to not be in the thick of things. Understandable considering her slender build.
If he'd brought his fathers old pistol with him, he could probably take all three of them no problem. With just his slingshot... well, he'd have one shot to take out all three of them, and even he wasn't that good. He'd need to rely on tactics, words, and environment. Alternatively, it would be best if they weren't here to start something.
His 'crew', which was really just a bunch of little kids he played with, were clearly nervous.
He shushed them when he noticed the trio starting to talk. It wasn't just his eyesight that was better then the average persons. His sense of smell and hearing were better then normal people too. So was his dexterity, aim, and reflexes. As was his mind. He was weaker then the average person though, cause he never trained. He was fast at least, and had some great stamina. But it was all inherited from his father. He had the means to get stronger quickly, as natural growth like his fathers seemed to be a thing passed down through lineage, he just didn't like physical activity for the sake of physical activity.
Listening in on the trio he heard the woman speak.
"...you want to come here anyways? Something about recruiting?"
"Yea. A crewmate of Shanks told me his son lived on this island. Repeatedly. I figured, since now that I'm gonna be a pirate, I should recruit him." the straw hat wearing man stated.
Zoro spoke up. "Alright, what's his name, what's he look like, and where's he live?"
Straw Hat shrugged."Only got his name, and that he's in Syrup village. Apparently his name is Usopp. Yasopp told me so much about him, I kind of feel I know him already, but it has been about ten years, so, he might not even be here. We can ask around about someone named Usopp. And if we can't find him, then we'll get onto our second goal."
"Second goal?" the woman asked.
"Well, I heard there's some rich family here. I figure, if they're bad rich people, we can rob them of a ship and anything else they've got. If they're good, then we can ask for one. Or pay for it if they refuse to just give it away." Straw Hat answered
"And if they don't have one at all?" the woman pressed.
"Then we leave and look for one elsewhere." Zoro pointed out. "Seriously, keep up. It's not brain surgery."
The woman rolled her eyes at that.
Straw Hat grinned. "Well, we can start asking people right now."
"How?" the woman asked.
Zoro and Straw Hat pointed at Usopp and the three kids. "There's four people hiding behind that bush. They're making quite a bit of noise, shuffling around so much."
Three screams and Usopp found himself alone.
"Now just the one." Straw Hat pointed out.
Usopp stood up. "You're not here to hurt anyone?"
"Naw. Not unless they attack us." Straw Hat stated.
"You're looking for Usopp you said?" he asked.
Straw Hat nodded. "That's right. Surprised that you heard me."
"I'm all kinds of impressive." Usopp smirked, as he made his way down to them, with them meeting him halfway down the slope. "Name's Usopp. You said you know my father, Yasopp?"
"I do. It's good to finally meet you." Straw Hat grinned. "I'm Luffy, and these are Zoro and Nami. Yasopp stopped in my village with Red Hair Shanks, about ten years ago. I bet he's still with them."
Usopp's jaw dropped momentarily. He'd heard Shanks when this man was talking earlier, but he hadn't even dared to believe it was that Shanks.
Red Hair Shanks was one of the Four Emperor's of the New World, the second half of the Grand Line, rumoured to be ten times more dangerous then the first half, which was known as the Pirate Graveyard. It was a debate between whether it was Red Hair or Whitebeard who was stronger. Most said Whitebeard, but Red Hair had his supporters.
Not that the other two, Kaido the Beast and Big Mom were weak. Any of the Four could cause serious problems for the World Government, and any two working together could likely destroy the World Government. It was why the Seven Warlords of the Sea system was set up.
Well, ideally, that was why. Usopp didn't know just how strong the Warlords were, but he guessed they must, at least collectively, be enough to even the odds against the Four Emperor's.
But his father being on Red Hair's crew? That was amazing. From what little he knew, Red Hair didn't have a fleet of ships, unlike the other Emperors. His entire crew fit onto a single ship, and he, with a recent talent, made people pass out with his very presence, unless they were strong, so he avoided towns. That meant people in his crew had to be strong. If his father was in that crew and had been for such a long time...
"Really? Red Hair Shanks? That's amazing!" Usopp said happily.
Luffy grinned. "After Shanks himself, Yasopp was my favourite on his crew. Beckman was always too stuffy, and Lucky Roo never shared his meat. Still, your old man would talk about you and your mom whenever he got drunk. About how he wanted, desperately, to stay with you, but that he couldn't ignore the call of the sea any longer. He'd go on about how much he loved you both, but how his heart yearned for the sea. He even wrote a song about it, but I was so young I could never remember it. It was too mushy for me."
Usopp grinned anyways. "That's fine! I'll ask him if I ever see him again."
"Well, if you join my crew you will." Luffy slipped in. "I'm going to the Grand Line to become the Pirate King. Join me, become my sniper, and you'll no doubt get to see your dad again one day."
Usopp froze. Something he desperately wanted. To finally go out to sea and be a pirate. But he couldn't.
"I can't. I want to, but I can't. I'm not like my dad. I can't leave everything for something I love. Especially when it's to leave... well, I'm sorry." Usopp told him.
"If it's about a girl, bring her with you. We can protect her, and I'm sure she can learn something to help out on the ship." Luffy suggested.
"She's too ill." Usopp shook his head. "I've thought about that myself, but she couldn't handle it."
Luffy frowned. "I see. Then-"
"I can ask someone about a ship for you though." Usopp interjected. "Let me take you guys to a nice restaurant, and I'll go and ask about it for you while you eat."
At that, all thoughts of recruiting Usopp fled his mind, as food took over instead. This much, even Usopp could tell.
The straw hat wearing, teenaged pirate captain, began singing. "I'll have food~ Lot's of food~ I repeat~ Endless meat~"
Nami sighed. "Get his mind on food and he turns into a lunatic."
"Sounds like you with gold, witch." Zoro shrugged.
Nami shrugged. "A girl has to have her priorities."
Usopp was not pleased. His encounter with Klahadore at Kaya's went south quickly, and he'd let Kaya see the worst of him when he slugged Klahadore.
But that wasn't what was pissing him off right now. Nor was it why he came to the South shore to relax and blow off some steam.
What was pissing him was that Klahadore had flinched towards dodging, before stopping himself, and keeping his head still. That fucker knew full well how to fight! His hand had also twitched as if he was getting ready to carve someone up with his fingers. Perhaps he was used to using a clawed weapon?
There was a remarkable resemblance between Klahadore and Captain Kuro of a Thousand Plans. But Morgan, the Marine in charge of the nearby Shell Town Marine base, had captured him, and gotten promoted for it. Still, it wouldn't be the first time the Marines had made a mistake.
"Sorry." the voice of Luffy spoke up, scaring the hell out of Usopp. "I kind of decided to go find you, and saw and heard your argument with that butler dude. Sorry about your girlfriends reaction too."
"Don't worry about it. It's not your fault." Usopp told him.
Luffy hummed. "Maybe. But, all of this happens on the day I arrive? Some associate my families initial with representing Destiny. Most think it refers to Devil. All consider us God's Natural Enemies. I won't say what's true or not, but there is a reason for all of those assumptions. My family line is always in the thick of things. We're used to being blamed for the events, but we're usually just drawn into to the big events."
Usopp frowned. "You seem a lot smarter now then you let on earlier."
Luffy grinned. "I ain't stupid. It's just annoying to think a lot. Still, it's useful occasionally. Especially when it comes to knowing who my enemies are. And my family line has a lot of enemies based just on our initial. The Monkey branch of the Clan of D. has the most enemies just because our family line pissed people off the most. Although I guess the Gol branch took that achievement from us when Roger became the Pirate King."
Usopp blinked. "You're related to the Pirate King?"
"Yea... like, a hundred grandfathers back or more." Luffy shrugged.
"Oh... well, I guess that far back, and most people are related to each other." Usopp nodded.
"So," Luffy started, "what'cha thinking about?"
Usopp frowned for a second, before deciding it couldn't hurt to share it with Luffy. "I hope you don't think I'm crazy, but I think Kuro of the Thousand Plans might be alive and working as Kaya's butler."
Luffy nodded. "Okay. Well, he's right down there, talking to some disco-guy. Listen in, and find out."
Usopp turned in surprise and immediately ducked down to crawl closer and listen in.
He looked back to see Luffy casually leaning against a tree, out of view, and seemingly uninterested in what might be discussed. Then again, he probably couldn't hear as well as him, so, maybe he wanted him to relay it to him?
"Want me to tell you what they say?" Usopp asked.
"No... I can hear them as if I was standing right next to them from this distance." Luffy shrugged.
Usopp was a tad impressed. Even he couldn't hear that well.
Together the two listened to the plot Klahadore had cooked up and was getting Jango to pull off, they waited until the two had parted to discuss it.
"So, what do you think?" Luffy asked.
Usopp bit his lip in anger, though he as sure it didn't show. "I have to warn the village and Kaya."
"I heard from those kids you lie a lot. Will they listen?"
"The villagers won't, but Kaya might!" Usopp countered, a tad heatedly.
"After that blow-up? She seemed real pissed at you for hurting her butler." Luffy pointed out.
Usopp noted that he wasn't trying to make a point, but was genuinely curious about the answer. Which was sad, because Usopp doubted he'd have realized the point that was so obvious with those words without that question being asked.
"No... she'd probably think I'm just trying to get back at him." Usopp sighed dejectedly.
"Well, then the answer about what to do is obvious, right? Kill the enemy pirate crew for hurting my sniper's hometown!" Luffy smiled.
"I... wait, what?" Usopp blinked.
"It's my price. My price for saving the life of your girlfriend, is you joining my crew." Luffy told him, with a grin. "I mean, I'd probably be happy beating them all to a bloody mess anyways, but I have to get something out of it or I end up being considered a hero. 'Course, my price for saving the town is that girl giving me a ship, otherwise I protect just her, and kill the enemy pirates on her front lawn."
Usopp was taken aback by this. Luffy had seemed like quite the decent guy. The kind of pirate out for adventure, not plunder. But here he was happily talking about killing people, whilst extorting things out of him, and talking about extorting a sick girl.
And yet... he had no choice. He couldn't fight an entire pirate crew alone. One guy? No problem. Maybe even several guys with his fathers old gun. But a whole crew? Not a chance. Even if they were focused on attacking people, he'd only increase his chances by a slight margin. And if he focused on saving the villagers, his chances of losing Kaya skyrocketed.
He may have the illusion of choice, but if he wanted to save everything, this was his only option. There was still just one problem.
"How can three more people helping me, possibly be enough for us to defeat a whole pirate crew?" Usopp asked. It was a ridiculous notion. More importantly, "Why would you even risk your life just to get me on your crew anyways?"
Luffy frowned. "I won't die. Neither will Zoro. If Nami's careful, she won't either. And you're a sniper, so you're not meant to be in the thick of things. And, as long as you don't do anything stupid, you'll be fine. Besides, Zoro and I took down Buggy and his crew just the other day. Me and Zoro wanted to spar, but Buggy was being a jerk, and he was chasing my navigator. So we kicked his and his crew's asses, and then we sparred."
Usopp wasn't sure whether to face-palm at this, or let his jaw drop at the sheer amount of skill and strength Luffy and Zoro had to have in order to take on an entire pirate crew on a whim.
Instead, he chose to continue questioning things. "Why then? Why are you out at sea? What's your ultimate goal as a pirate? What kind of pirate activities will you do?"
Luffy grinned. "To become the Pirate King, and build an Empire. Mostly, I'm just going to have fun as a pirate. Adventures. Maybe a little plundering if the target deserves it. Oh, and the fights. Gotta find the strongest fighters and prove to them that I'm the strongest."
Usopp swallowed. At least it seemed Luffy was the better kind of pirate, he just didn't have a problem with killing people, or committing crimes in general. Like a sociopath. He wasn't evil because he wanted to be, he just didn't understand that he was evil. He was an evil at war with evil. Depending on his attitude towards the Marines, and civilians, he might just be chaos at war with anything he didn't like, whatever that might be on a particular day.
Of course, this wasn't exactly something that scared Usopp. His dream was to become a well renowned pirate himself. In order to do that, other pirates and the Marines would be his enemies too. What did scare Usopp was that this was the first time he'd ever encountered someone else like him.
"Okay, we need to come up with a plan." Usopp began, shaking his thoughts. "But before, that, my price for joining your crew is that you help defend everyone on my island, including Kaya. My island, and all it's inhabitants, aside from Kuro, must live through this, preferably without ever realizing the island is under attack. In addition to joining your crew, I'll convince Kaya to give us a ship, and if I can't, I'll at least figure out where it's located, and how we can steal it."
Luffy frowned. "Hm... well, as long as I get everything I came here for, it's all good."
Usopp smirked to himself. Powerful or not, Luffy wasn't too bright. Admittedly, Usopp hadn't changed too much of the original deal, but he had prevented Kaya from being extorted out of her ship, which was his goal.
Instead she'd be asked for it, or have it stolen from her. Either way, at least she didn't have to deal with any threats from Luffy. Which would have probably involved threatening to kill a few civilians.
"Good. All that's left is planning." Usopp nodded. "Now, there are two ways up onto the island from the beach, but considering they used this spot-"
"We need Zoro and Nami. Nami is great at planning, and Zoro and I fight a lot so we'd know what might work." Luffy pointed out.
Usopp nodded, and the two set off to find Nami and Zoro. It didn't take long, as they were wandering around looking for them.
"As I was telling Luffy, since they were planning on the South shore, I assume it means that the attack will take place here." Usopp told them.
"Not necessarily. If this guy's such a good strategist, he might have anticipated someone overhearing him, and decided to meet there to throw us off. We should set some traps there, but, for the most part, I think the North shore is a better bet." Nami answered, before muttering under her breath. "That and I don't want to risk my money being stolen."
Usopp chose to ignore that last bit. "Well, that does make sense. I'll make the traps on this side then, and sleep here tonight. I'll wake up before Dawn, and if I don't see a ship coming by Dawn, I'll race to the other side to meet up with you guys, okay?"
"Sounds good." Luffy nodded.
"Wait, what about trapping the North shore?" Nami asked.
"No need." Zoro shrugged. "Traps work both ways. Luffy and I can't fight until the traps are sprung, and it's easier if we just get down to business."
Nami sighed. "Fine. Then, likewise, if we don't see them by Dawn, we'll head for your side of the island."
"Oooh! I can hardly wait for tomorrow morning!" Luffy half-shouted.
Usopp blinked and rubbed his eyes. For a second, he'd thought for sure that he'd seen Luffy's fur belt twitch and move excitedly.
"Right." Usopp deadpanned, not agreeing with the sentiment, and pretty sure he was going a touch crazy. "Well, see you guys tomorrow morning I guess. I've just got to go to my house, and pick up something.
~Syrup Village, South Shore, Gecko Islands Archipelago~
Usopp stood up, a bit annoyed his traps would be wasted, as the sun rose. They would be attacking the North shore.
Slipping his father's old pistol into it's holster, he turned and ran for where Luffy, Zoro, and Nami were.
After ten minutes of running, he found himself emerging, and saw the pirates charging up the hill. Zoro and Luffy rushing to meet them eagerly.
He'd show his worth here, and protect his home. He was terrified to be sure, and if it wasn't for the lethal weapon he had on him, he'd probably be shaking.
He pulled out his father's pistol, stopped running, took careful aim at the man named Jango, the one Kuro had been planning with the day before, making sure the bullet would hit him right between the eyes, and pulled the trigger.
~Chapter End~
Well, there's the third chapter. Hope you enjoyed it, and tell me what you thought of the chapter.
Sorry for the long wait, by the way. I'll probably try to ambush you with an update only once a month from now on, rather then my original goal of an update every two weeks. This is because I'm working more frequently, and thus need more time to write.
Also, I'm lazy.
Also, also, I'm aware this chapter is shorter then the others, but it felt like this chapter was getting too long, despite being shorter. Strange how that works.
Power Levels:
Luffy: 3,300
Zoro: 1,700
Nami: 142
Usopp: 49
Kaya: 38
If anyone has any questions, or you just want to help me improve my writing, feel free to ask in a review, or drop me a PM.
