A/N: It's my birthday! I'm now 26! I'm old... but not that old. Not only that but... 700,000 hits! It's almost 3/4 of a million! I'm so happy, it's the best birthday present I can have... Enjoy the new chapter it's one of the most heartbreaking chapter in the story...

Chapter 217: Usopp VS Luffy

Usopp had arrived at the Going Merry. Luffy had asked for the rest of the crew to stay on board. After all it was between the two of them.

"So you didn't lose your nerve." Said Luffy "No matter what happens don't regret it. You chose this fight."

"Darn strait! Go ahead and try to kill me." Said Usopp, "I've already figured out how to defeat you. I know all of your tricks, I'm not like the other enemies you faced."

On the ship, the others watched, expect for Kiba who refused to even witness it.

"Should we let this fight happen?" asked Chopper, "I mean Usopp is really injured."

"Go hang out with Kiba if you don't want to watch this." Sighed Zoro.

"Listen now Luffy! I have 8,000 men! You have no choice but surrender!" yelled Usopp.

"8,000 men!" yelled Chopper.

"Go hang out with Kiba" said Naruto.

" I know you don't have 8,000 men!" yelled Luffy.

"Fine then! Take this, Usopp Voodoo!" yelled Usopp, "A razor blade running through your teeth."

Chopper was only effected by this, of course.

"Go somewhere else." Muttered Sasuke to Chopper.

Luffy ran towards Usopp preparing an attack.

However Usopp suddenly collapsed while coughing up blood, Luffy faltered when he saw this.

"His body can't handle this fight." Cried Chopper.

"That's not real blood." Said Gaara.

"What?" asked Chopper.

Gaara was right, it was only ketchup, because the moment Luffy got in close Usopp used a flash dial to blind him.

"What showing put for your enemies?" asked Usopp as Luffy fell backwards.

Usopp prepared another attack. This time was an egg star.

Luffy began to cough as it was a rotten egg.

"Hey!" yelled Luffy, "Fight seriously!"

"You think I'm not being serious?" asked Usopp, "This is how I fight. Watch out for that gaping mouth or you're going to get burned!"

He launched a hot sauce star into Luffy's mouth.

"Be careful not to stumble around too much." Said Usopp.

The reason for this is that Usopp had placed his caltrops all over the area where Luffy stood, not only did he step on one but he also fell on a couple.

"Usopp's controlling this fight." Said Zoro.

"Everything has been a diversionary tactic." Said Sasuke, "He has more planned."

"Luffy! No matter what it takes I will defeat you and take the Going Merry!" yelled Usopp.

"Everything's so stinky and hot!" yelled Luffy.

"I told you Luffy, I know how to bear you!" yelled Usopp.

That was when he took out his slingshot and began to shoot shuriken at him.

Luffy barely dodged the sharps stars… thankfully for him none of them hit.

However noticed too late that there was a gas cloud.

"Smoke?" asked Luffy.

"It's a wind dial." Said Usopp, "You couldn't notice the smell of the gas because of the egg."

Those on the ship were shocked.

"Gas?" asked Ino.

"Everyone get down!" shouted Naruto.

"Why?" asked Chopper.

Usopp used a fire star, which ignited the gas causing a huge explosion.

In the men's cabin, Kiba was laying in his hammock petting Akamaru. That was when he heard the explosion.

"What was that?" he thought.

He sighed, "It's not my problem… right Akamaru."

Akamaru looked at Kiba, he knew that Kiba was in a lot of pain, but he wouldn't admit it.

On the deck at the explosion calmed down, Gaara's sand retreated, he had used his sand to protect everyone.

"Thanks." Said Naruto.

Gaara only nodded.

On the battle ground, Luffy and Usopp laid there, as memories of happy times raced through their heads.

Those watching, watched just stared at the madness.

"Why did this have to happen?" asked Hinata.

"Luffy! Usopp!" cried Chopper.

Both of them got up.

"I know that wouldn't kill you." Said Usopp.

On the other hand Luffy knew to now take him seriously.

"Gum Gum Gatling!" yelled Luffy.

"Special Attack Blasting Cactus!" yelled Usopp shooting something from his slingshot.

Luffy during the attack punched the bullet which exploded in shrapnel. Luffy got hit, but fortunately he was able to get up, especially from the next attack.

"Triple Exploding Star!" yelled Usopp.

Luffy was able to run from the explosions.

"Gum Gum Pistol!" yelled Luffy punching Usopp in the face.

Usopp got up as Luffy prepared his next attack.

"Gum Gum Bazooka!" yelled Luffy launching it.

However it didn't seem to effect Usopp at all, all he did was block with his hand.

"What the!" yelled Naruto, "How was he able to do that!"

"Look at his hand." Said Hinata.

"An impact dial…" said Nami.

Back on the battlefield.

"I just absorbed your attack." Said Usopp, "Impact!"

Luffy was sent flying from the attack, while Usopp injured his arm in the attack as well.

Those watching saw what happened and gasped.

Luffy and Usopp glared at each other, once again as memories of happier times went through their heads.

Luffy prepared another attack.

"GUM GUM BULLET!" he yelled.

The punch hit Usopp in the gut, sending him to the ground.

The crew watched as this happened.

"Usopp!" cried Chopper.

"This fight is over." Sighed Zoro.

"You idiot!" yelled Luffy, "There was no way you could defeat me!"

Luffy picked up his hat, placed it on his head.

"Do what you want with the Going Merry." Said Luffy, We're going to find a new ship and keep going forward."

Luffy sighed as more memories bubbled up to the surface.

"It's been fun." He sighed.

"Usopp!" cried Chopper.

However Sakura grabbed him.

"Don't." she said.

"Sakura's right." Sighed Sanji, "If you treat him how do you think he'll feel."

"But! I'm a doctor!" cried Chopper.

"He went into this fight knowing that he was going to lose." Said Sasuke.

Chopper sighed…

Luffy came back to the ship.

"You had to do what you had to" said Isaribi.

"Luffy…" sighed Naruto.

Luffy looked at his younger half-brother.

"I don't know what to say." Said Naruto.

Luffy tried not to cry.

"Don't doubt yourself." Said Zoro, "If you unsure then who will we trust?"

"I'm going to tell Kiba the fight is over." Sighed Ino.

Ino went downstairs to tell Kiba.

When she got there she saw Kiba was already packing.

"What?" asked Ino.

"I figured the fight was over." Said Kiba.

"I see." Said Ino.

Back outside, they let chopper give Usopp some first aid and medicine before running back.

"We should leave the ship to him." Said Zoro.

"We can never come back." Said Isaribi.

Kyubi sighed in his cage.

"Whatever happens next… I don't think it's ever going to be the same again." He said.

Next Time: Things get much, much, much worse. How worse? Well Franky wants revenge, Iceberg is almost killed and the Straw Hats are the main suspects and the island is going to submerged! Can it get worse? Who knows?