I've been sitting on some stuff, thinking I'd work on it some more, but I think I'll just get it up and hope you enjoy it as is. Hope everyone is hanging in there through the Christmas crazies!
Ooops! I ust remembered there was a theory someone posted on Youtube about this, but I can't remember who! Anyways, I fleshed it out a bit! Enjoy!
"I've been writing down some of your stories, Usopp," Robin commented as he browsed the books in the Heart Pirate's library. Did they have anything he hadn't already read on the maintenance of man-eating plants? It seemed like a topic that might interest Trao, so Usopp examined the titles. He glanced at Robin, curious about her remark. He never thought anyone besides Luffy and Chopper really enjoyed his stories.
"…Thanks?" He tried, not sure where this was going. She smiled at him.
"You've spoken of little dwarves and fire breathing dragons." She paused, seeming to wait for him to make some sort of realization.
"Those things did happen, you know," he commented with a frown.
"Yes," she agreed, "but you were telling stories about them before they did." Usopp thought about it. It wasn't like he really believed Robin was wrong - she was Robin, after all - but he'd never really noticed.
"That is a little weird," he admitted.
"You remember Madame Shirley at Fisherman Island?" She asked, in what seemed like an abrupt change in topic, but wasn't because: Robin.
"Yeah," Usopp nodded readily; he thought the clairvoyant mermaid who had predicted Luffy destroying Fisherman Island was pretty memorable, really.
"I had the opportunity to speak to her before we left." Usopp raised a brow wondering when that had happened. "She said that her visions are a type of observation haki that she was born with but had learned to develop. She uses the crystal ball as a focal point."
"Wait, wait, wait…" Usopp protested, connecting the dots. "You think I was born with observation haki and can see the future? Me?" Robin smiled at him gently.
"I think it is a distinct possibility," she acknowledged. "It is said that Big Mom's second in command, Charlotte Katakuri has developed his observation haki to the point that he can predict his enemies movies." That sounded really, really, dangerous and Usopp suddenly felt a pang of worry for his absent nakama.
"He sounds really strong," Usopp commented with a gulp. Robin raised a sculpted eyebrow at his response.
"He is. His bounty is one billion, fifty-seven million bellies." Usopp blanched. That was more than twice Luffy's bounty. When Usopp didn't say anything, Robin continued. "I am under the impression that you used observation haki in Dressrosa when you attacked Sugar." Usopp thought about it: that impossible, desperate shot that had, somehow, made it.
"I think you might be right about that…" he admitted, not sure how he felt about the possibilities.
"Then it would be for the best if you found a way to train it before we reach Wano, right?" Usopp nodded, because while he was so much stronger than before, he was still part of the weakling trio and he wanted - needed - to be a brave warrior of the sea.
"I know I'm really weak, but do you think Zoro would train me?" Robin gave him that look again, the one like she can't believe he's actually asking the question.
"Has Zoro ever refused training?"
"No," Usopp admitted, because for all that Zoro acted like a lazy drunk, when it came to training, no one was more dedicated. Usopp hesitated on the threshold. "Luffy doesn't want to know what's going to happen. Do you think, if I really have observation haki like you suspect that he'll still want to hear my stories?" The thought that Luffy might not want to hear his stories made his heart freeze. He loved the way Luffy hung on his every word, no matter how outlandish the story was. He loved the way Luffy lit up when the adventure got good. And he knew that if he lost that, something in him would die.
"That's why you need to learn to control it. That way you can ensure the stories you tell are yours, not things you've seen with uncontrolled observation haki. You are a great storyteller," Robin assured him, to his surprise. "Luffy will still enjoy your stories in the future." Usopp took and deep breath and focusing on his captain's bright smile nodded. "Usopp," Robin said, drawing his attention, "you're the man who turns lies into truth, aren't you?" It had been a long time since anyone had called him that. Considering her suspicions, the title had a whole new meaning now.
"I understand," he said, squaring his shoulders. He would learn to master his observation haki so Luffy could keep smiling.
"Who will be pirate king, Usopp?" Robin asked, glancing over her shoulder as she left the room. Usopp felt warmth spread through his chest as the answer came to him: Luffy.