Ch. 7- Liar, Liar
One Piece © Oda
Blizzard, Aika, Kumi, and Jupiter © Me
The following day, the Straw Hats are busy doing their normal routine. Luffy is fishing with Chopper and Blizzard (who is using his tail as a fishing rod by tying a string at the end of his tail), Zoro is busy training, as well as Kin'emon and Momonosuke, Brook is tuning his violin, Sanji is in the kitchen, checking the food stock, Nami is in the library with Robin, drawing another map, and Franky is busy steering the ship. As for Law, he is still keeping a lookout for a "certain article" in the newspaper, and so far, nothing yet.
And what was Usopp doing, one might ask? Well, he is currently regaling Aika and Kumi with his "tales of heroism".
"And then, with one fatal punch, I had smite the great beast!" Usopp exclaimed.
"No way!" Aika said, amazed. "You took down a Sea King with one punch?!"
"'A Sea King'?!" Usopp repeated. "HA! Why, Aika, I took down so many Sea Kings, Marines, and rival pirates, that I lost count!"
"WOW~!" Aika cheered with starry eyes. "Usopp, you're so cool!"
"W-well, of course, I am!" Usopp said. "I am the Great Captain Usopp! I fear nothing! HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Blizzard groaned and rolled his eyes.
"Listen to him, lying through his teeth," he said. "Some things never change."
"Oh, c'mon, Blizzard," Luffy said. "Cut Usopp some slack! He means well!"
"I know that, Luffy," Blizzard said. "I'm not afraid of that. I'm afraid of what Aika will think of him when she finds out that his stories are just make-believe."
"Did I ever tell you about the time I took on 50,000 Fishmen?" Usopp asked.
"50,000?!" Aika questioned. "NO WAY!"
"Way!" Usopp answered. "I was surrounded with no way to escape, but I wasn't scared! I just whipped out my trusty and Black Kabuto and said, 'You fools will all make the mistake of incurring my wrath'! Then, I sniped them all out, one-by-one, using my Pop Greens!"
"AMAZING~!" Aika cheered.
Kumi howled in agreement.
As Usopp continued to tell his tall tales, Luffy suddenly felt something tugging on his line.
"Oh!" Luffy cried. "I got a bite!"
"Reel it in! Reel it in!" Chopper exclaimed.
Luffy grunted as he began to reel in his line, but whatever was on the other end must've been huge, for it nearly pulled him into the sea had Blizzard not been there to hold him!
"WHOA!" Blizzard cried as he bit down on the back of his shirt. "You okay?!"
"Yeah!" Luffy said. "Help me reel this sucker in, huh?!"
"Right!" Chopper said before he morphed into his Heavy Point form and grabbed Blizzard from behind, who pulled Luffy, who growled as he tried to reel in his catch. However, as they began pull…something huge emerged from the water, towering over the Sunny.
It is revealed to be…a giant, snake-like Sea King with the snout of a crocodile and a frill around its neck!
"WHOA~!" Luffy exclaimed. "IT'S HUGE~!"
"HOLY CRAP!" Blizzard cursed in shock.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" Chopper screamed, his hat and antlers comically popping off of his head and his eyes bulging out.
Soon, everyone else except Zoro came outside, as well.
"What in the world?!" Nami questioned. "Another Sea King?!"
"Well…I guess I know what I'm making dinner tonight," Sanji said.
"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Brook screamed.
Aika and Kumi also gasped upon seeing the Sea King, as well, but then they grinned.
"No big deal!" Aika said. "Usopp will protect us! Right, Usopp?!"
No answer.
"U…Usopp?" Aika asked before she looked up at the sniper…who is shaking in his boots as he stared at the Sea King. "Usopp…what's wrong?"
A pause, but then, the Sea King roared, revealing rows of sharp teeth, and not long after, Usopp let out a blood-curdling scream!
"IT'S GONNA EAT US ALL!" he cried before he ran and took cover behind a barrel.
"U-Usopp, wait!" Aika cried. "I thought you were gonna fight the Sea King!"
"Are you crazy?!" Usopp questioned as he cowered behind the barrel. "I'm not suicidal!"
Aika gasped silently as she watched Usopp hide, but she was distracted…she didn't noticed the giant Sea King about to lunge at her!
"AIKA! INCOMING! RUN!" Kumi cried as she ran away.
"Huh?" Aika asked before she turned around and saw the beast about to swallow her whole, but by the time she saw it, there was no time to run, so all she could do was scream…until…
"HA!" Luffy cried as he jumped in between them and caught the beast by the jaws, forcing it open. "Now I've gotcha!"
The Sea King let out distressed roars as it struggled to get out of Luffy's grasp.
"You ought to learn to pick on someone your own size!" Luffy smirked before he reeled a Haki-imbued fist back and punched the Sea King in the jaw!
Aika gasped in shock at this while Zoro came down from the crow's nest to see what all the commotion was about.
"What the hell is going on?!" Zoro questioned. "I'm busy!"
"Oh, Zoro! Just in time!" Luffy said. "I need you to take care of this Sea King!"
Zoro looked up at the Sea King before he sighed.
"Fine," he said as he drew Wado Ichimonji. "Sea King meat always tastes good with booze, anyway. One-Sword Style: Draw and Sheath Technique…LION'S STRIKE OF DEATH!"
SLICE! With one fell swing, Zoro sliced the Sea King's head right off, its body hitting the water with a tremendous splash!
Aika stared in awe at Luffy and Zoro's strength…but then she looked over at Usopp, who still hid behind the barrel.
"I…is it over?" Usopp asked.
"…Yeah, Usopp," Aika answered…her voice thick with disappointment. "It's over. Zoro killed the Sea King."
Usopp looked at Aika, who stared at him sadly, and Kumi looked at him with the same expression.
"Usopp…I thought you said you fought with Sea Kings before," Aika said. "So…why did you run away and hide?"
Upon hearing that…Usopp felt his heart sink…before he sighed.
"…Because…it's not true," Usopp said. "I made it up, okay? I…I lied."
Aika blinked at Usopp, who looked down at her with a guilty expression.
"Aika…please, don't be mad at me-" he started.
"Nobody said I was mad," Aika said before she and Kumi turned. "I'm just…disappointed that you didn't tell the truth."
"No, Aika, wait!" Usopp cried. "I can explain!"
But his pleas fell on deaf ears. Usopp sighed and shook his head before he turned and walked away himself.
"Dammit," he cursed. "I didn't think she'd find out about me so quickly."
XXX
Later that day, as the sun began to set behind the sea, Luffy walked up to Usopp, who is sitting at the helm of the ship, looking forlorn and distant. The reason being was that Aika did not speak to him for the remainder of the day.
"Hey, Usopp," Luffy said. "Sanji saved you some dinner. You okay?"
"I'm just fine, Luffy," Usopp answered. "I'm just a bit…I dunno…upset, for lack of better word."
"Because of Aika, right?" Luffy asked.
"…Luffy," Usopp began, "I…I didn't mean to tell all those lies about me to her, but…I felt like maybe, if she didn't figure out who I really am…she wouldn't think I was lame."
"You're not lame," Luffy answered. "You're probably one of the coolest guys I know! I mean…you sniped out those guys back on Punk Hazard, and you managed to Caesar from escaping! If that's not cool, I don't know what is!"
"Yeah," Usopp said, "but Luffy…I'm not good at facing enemies up front! Even after 2 years, after I gained all this muscle…I'm still the same lying coward I was before and I'll probably never change."
"…Only if you believe that, Usopp," Luffy said. "THEN you'll never change."
With that, Luffy walked away while Usopp just stared out towards the horizon, thinking about what his captain had said.
"'Only if I believe it', huh?" Usopp repeated before he sighed.
XXX
The next morning, the Straw Hats had once again docked at an island, and like some of the others they had stopped by, this one had a small town, as well. Having no need to stop for supplies due to the Sea King meat they had stored yesterday, the Straw Hats just decided to take a bit a day off and explore the island. Zoro stayed behind with Law, Jupiter, Kin'emon, and Momonosuke to watch the ship while the others went off to go and do their own thing.
Aika and Kumi had gone with Usopp simply because they were Nami's orders. However, it appeared that the sniper was doing his best to avoid them, or at least ignore them.
It wasn't easy, since Aika and Kumi seemed to be following him everywhere.
After they got to the pranks shop, Usopp decided he had enough and finally turned to face the two youngsters.
"All right, Aika, what?!" Usopp questioned. "Why are you following me?! What do you want?!"
Aika froze for a moment…but then Usopp sighed.
"Look, I'm sorry for yelling," Usopp said. "It's just…I don't know why you're following me! You already I'm a liar! What else do you want?!"
"…Maybe an apology for lying?" Aika asked. "My Mommy says that lies can only lead to trouble."
"Ugh…don't I know it?" Usopp asked under his breath.
"Like I said before," Aika said. "I'm not mad at you, Usopp. I still like you. I'll always like you…I just wish you didn't lie so much."
"Aika…!" Usopp muttered in surprise.
"I think Kumi and I are just gonna go back to the ship, now," Aika said. "Thanks for hearing me out at least, Usopp."
With that, Aika turned to leave with Kumi following behind her. Usopp reached out after them, as if to stop them, but as he did…a pair of arms suddenly appeared around the corner and grabbed Aika!
"AAH!" Aika screamed before she turned and saw several Marine soldiers, one of which is holding her by her arms.
"Got her!" said one of them before he held up a Mini Transponder Snail. "Vice-Admiral Auguste! We've captured the girl!"
"Excellent," said Auguste on the other line. "Return to the ship, immediately!"
"Yes, sir!" said the soldier.
ARF! ARF-ARF! Kumi barked at the Marines as she tried to attack, but one of them kicked her away before she could do anything about it.
"Kumi!" Aika cried before she looked over at Usopp, who stood there in shock. "Usopp! Do something!"
Usopp gasped before he looked around, hoping- no, praying, that Luffy or one of the Monster Quartet was around to help, but as far as he knew, he was the only one here…the only one who could help Aika!
'W…what am I gonna do?!' he thought. 'I…I know I'm scared…but…I can't let the Marines take her!'
Aika struggled to get away from the Marines as they continued to drag her away. She even turned into a wolf and bit one of their fingers. It did work, but only for a moment, for one of them grabbed her and tied a rope around it!
"This ought to shut you up for a while, you little brat!" the Marine soldier shouted before he proceeded to take her away, and Aika could only call Usopp's name through her now muzzled mouth.
Kumi gasped in shock before she looked at Usopp, who just stood watching…when finally…the sniper gasped and ran after the Marines!
"PUT HER DOWN~!" Usopp roared as he pulled out his Black Kabuto and fired a Pop Green, which unleashed a Bamboo Javelin that sent the soldiers flying through the air!
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" they screamed as the one who held Aika accidentally let her go, causing her to fall towards the ground.
"Whoa!" Usopp cried before he fired another Pop Green, which unleashed a Trampolia plant, which she landed on safely. Once she did, she managed to untie the rope around her mouth and gasped for air.
"You okay, Aika?!" Usopp questioned.
"Usopp!" Aika cheered before she jumped into his arms, much to his surprise. "You saved me!"
"Uh…yeah, well I-" Usopp started.
"GET HIM!"
Usopp gasped once he saw the Marines charging at him with their weapons brandished.
"TIME TO GO!" the sniper cried before he grabbed Kumi and made a run for it, but the Marines are in hot pursuit!
"Usopp, what do we do now?!" Aika questioned.
"Uh…I'm thinking!" Usopp replied. "Just gimme a minute!"
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAARRGGH!" the Marines roared as they lunged at Usopp, Aika, and Kumi, who all screamed, but then, out of nowhere, who else should appear but Luffy…who, for some reason, had a fishbone in his mouth.
"Luffy?!" Usopp questioned.
A pause…but then, Luffy looked up at the Marines before he expanded his pupil, unleashing a burst of Conqueror's Haki, which caused the Marines to pass out on the ground!
"Whoa…!" Aika whispered in awe.
"You guys all right?" Luffy asked.
"Yeah!" Usopp answered. "Thanks, Luffy!"
"You can thank me when we get back to the ship!" Luffy replied.
"Right! Let's go!" Usopp agreed before he and Luffy ran back to the Sunny. As they did, Auguste's voice was heard on the Mini Transponder Snail, calling to his men.
"Hello? Hello?! What's going on over there?! Hello?! Hey! Someone answer me! Did you capture the girl or not?! HELLO?! …Dammit!"
XXX
Auguste is sitting at his desk on his battleship, seething angrily to himself as he hung up his Transponder Snail.
"I am starting to lose my patience," he hissed. "Really…how hard is it to capture a stupid little girl?!"
XXX
Later that day, on the Sunny, Usopp is seen watching the sunset as he sat the helm again. However, this time, he wasn't alone.
Aika, now in her human form, sat next to him, munching on a cookie.
"…Thank you, Usopp," Aika said.
"Huh?" Usopp muttered.
"For saving me," Aika answered. "Thank you."
"Oh," Usopp said. "Uh…it was nothing."
A pause came…but then Usopp sighed.
"Aika, I'm sorry I lied to you," Usopp said. "I just made up those stories because…I just wanted you to think that I wasn't a coward. I was afraid you wouldn't like me for who I am."
"Why would you think that?" Aika asked.
"Well," Usopp began, "the thing is…I'm afraid that no matter how hard I try, I'll never be able to keep up with Luffy and Zoro and everyone else. In fact…I actually left the crew because of that."
Aika gasped silently at this.
"Remember when I told you about our first ship, the Going Merry? Well…I was afraid I would end up…like her."
"Like her?"
"Broken down…useless…cast aside by the people who have brought them so far…in other words…I just felt weak."
"Usopp…"
"Luffy and I got into this really bad fight about it, too. I knew I never stood a chance, but…we were both men, and men are bound by their word. So…after I lost, I was captured by Franky, who back then, wasn't on our side. Then, after that, I got captured again by some Government goons called CP9...and it turns out I wasn't the only one: Franky got captured and…so did Robin. Robin was in more danger than we were: she was actually getting ready to die for all of us."
Aika gasped again.
"And even though I said I wasn't a part of the crew anymore…I had to help Robin because she's my friend! So…I went to this place called Enies Lobby with Luffy and the others. I was scared outta my mind. That place had more Marines and Government agents that I'd ever seen in my whole life! Giants, dogs, people that could turn into animals like you…it was terrifying! But I didn't run…I stayed because I knew the others needed me. We Straw Hats have a saying: 'You do what I can't do, and I do what you can't do'."
"Wow…!" Aika whispered in awe.
"So…we got Robin back, but there was nowhere else for us to go," Usopp said, "until…out of nowhere, we heard a voice, calling out to us!"
"A voice?" Aika repeated.
"Yeah," Usopp answered. "'I've come to take you back!' it said. It was…the Merry. I don't know how she managed to find us or how she even managed to get to Enies Lobby…but we didn't care. We were happy to see her! But then…as soon as we finally got outta there…it happened. Merry broke down in the middle of the sea. She had taken so much damage…we had no choice but to put her out of her misery."
Aika stared up at Usopp, who sniffled as tears formed in his eyes.
"We gave her a Viking Funeral and saw her off," he went on, "and as she was burning away…we heard her apologizing to us for not being strong enough…but she thanked us, too…because we treated her so well! We treated her like family!"
"…Is this all true?" Aika asked.
"Yes, Aika," Usopp replied. "Every word."
"…Usopp," Aika said, "what if I told you…I heard a voice on the Mini Merry?"
"A voice?" Usopp repeated.
"Yeah," Aika answered. "It said, 'Welcome to the crew…!'"
A pause…but then Usopp smiled.
"…I guess that was Merry's way of welcoming you to our crew," he said before he frowned, "but anyway…now you who I really am, Aika…so…I'm not brave at all."
"What do you mean?" Aika asked. "Yes, you are."
Usopp gasped silently before he looked at Aika, who smiled at him.
"R-really?" he asked in surprise.
"Mm-hmm!" Aika nodded. "Even though you were scared, you went to save Miss Robin! Not just that, but you saved me, too! Not to mention when you took down those bad guys and caught Caesar! That's really brave, too!"
"…Yeah," Usopp smiled. "Yeah! I guess it is pretty brave of me!"
"And Usopp?" Aika asked.
"Huh?" Usopp muttered.
"You didn't have to make up stories to get me to think you were cool," Aika said before she hugged him. "I always thought you were cool!"
Usopp's eyes widened, but then he chewed his lip and sniffled.
"Usopp?" Aika asked. "Are you okay?"
"…Yeah," Usopp said as he wiped his tears and hugged Aika. "Thanks, Aika. I think you're pretty cool, too."
"Shishishi!" Aika laughed.
TO BE CONTINUED…
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