"IT'S FINISHED! LUFFY'S PIRATE FLAG!" Luffy declares happily two days after leaving Syrup village. Usopp just wants to burn the abomination to all forms of art and ensure it never sees the light of day again.
"Is it avant-garde?" Nami questions with a pinched expression.
"A pirate flag is mean to instil terror and I guess this is pretty terrifying!" Zoro muses to which he shoots an unseen dark look to both while grabbing the mockery of a flag from Luffy's hands, ignoring his shouts and complaints while ripping it to shreds with glee.
"What was that for!?" Luffy complains but to shut him up Usopp just brings out the flag he had made no more than an hour ago earning claps and compliments of surprise causing him to inwardly preen at the praise and attention he's getting.
"It's great! Let's paint it on the sail too!" Nami and Luffy cheer while he just nods in acquiesce, fully planning to finally get some alone time as soon as he can, unsettled and not all that pleased with these past days of almost near constant socialisation.
He's not completely anti-social but he needs at least five to six hours of solitude a day to function properly, and if not alone then with a certain level of peace and quiet around a minimum of three people at most and these guys wouldn't know peace and quite if it bit them in the 'avant-garde' as Nami so incorrectly put to the abomination Luffy had produced, especially not with Luffy around.
A half hour later after the sail is painted Usopp startles up from his rest near the figurehead when a loud bang rips through the air and spots Luffy playing with the cannon and not even knowing thanks to the knowledge that this is an important event can stop him from feeling immensely annoyed at having the few moments of peace on this ship get disrupted.
"What are you firing at?!" Zoro complains audibly just as annoyed at having his sleep interrupted.
"It's cannon practice! But this thing doesn't shoot right" Usopp twitches at that statement and immediately gets up to correct this lovable fool he calls his captain.
Getting his attention, he silently gestures to try and Luffy grins and points at the rock ahead.
"Try and hit that rock" Luffy excitedly asks and with a nod and a few simple adjustments, making sure he doesn't accidentally hit Zoro's friends from where he guesses their docked, fires and watches satisfied as it hits on target completely confident in his skills at hitting inanimate objects with any kind of projectile known (and unknown) to man or beast in this world.
"WOW! you hit it on your first shot! from now on you're our marksmen!" Luffy declares grandly and though confused since he thought he already was and partly why he was accepted into this crew he just nods his head silently and walks off to the kitchen to make both lunch and some drinks with more than plenty of vitamin C as the designated most skilled cook for now.
When he's almost finished he nods happily already knowing both will taste extremely delicious since his hidden speciality and hobby is learning about and cooking medicinal cuisine and it tastes divine if he does say so himself! Though if his food is divine then Sanji's must be godly from his knowledge! He simply cannot wait to finally taste it for himself!
As he leaves the food to simmer and the drinks to cool in the fridge Luffy, Nami and Zoro come in and sit around the table waiting though Usopp makes sure to keep an eye on Luffy's wandering hands and stand guard over the simmering food.
"I've been thinking there's still one position we need to fill before we reach the grand line," Luffy says seriously making him inwardly snort at the boy, that's certainly a dangerous past time for Luffy.
"This galley does have all the equipment and while Usopp's good, he's not a professional and can't do it all the time though I would help out… for a price" Nami continues greedily completely on a different track from Luffy but unlike him the correct one.
"it's a good idea, that skills essential on a long voyage" Zoro is also on the correct but different track.
"Then it's agreed what we need is a musician!" Luffy exclaims happily and he can't help but silently snicker at both the other's reactions and at the answer.
While they start bickering Usopp steps outside after turning off the stove and before anyone can blink shoots a splash star at… Johnny before he can either open his mouth or start attacking Merry go.
Immediately after Luffy's outside with a frown. "Hey who are you!?"
"Che! what's it… to you… WHO I AM!?" he shouts enraged and swings his sword down but before any damage can be dealt Usopp has already fired a shot and his sword flies out of his hand before it can make contact.
"Damn you! I've claimed the bounties of some of the worlds most infamous pirates… so how dare you nobodies TRY AND KILL MY PARTNER" Usopp frowns at his smashing a barrel but ignores it since it's not the Merry go so lets Luffy handle the rest when Zoro steps out and says Johnny's name in surprise.
"Zoro-Aniki!?"
"What's going on? where's Yosaku?"
"Listen to me! Yosaku is dying!"
Bringing Yosaku on board one look is all it takes for Usopp to know his knowledge was once again correct! So, ignoring the conversation heads back to start setting up a small table and serving out lunch outside for everyone and the amusing though foolish friends of Zoro's.
"YOU! HOW COULD YOU THINK TO EAT AT A TIME LIKE THIS WHEN YOSAKU IS-!" Johnny shouts enraged but before he can flinch at the disappointed looks of his shipmates Nami comes to the rescue.
"That's not a bad idea …. the Lime juice is rich in nutrients and vitamin C which is essential in helping those afflicted with scurvy..." As Nami goes on to explain he gently helps Yosaku drink the lime juice without chocking.
Usopp absently wonders how he knows how to do this properly without training or guidance but chalks it up to the knowledge and past he can't remember. Perhaps he was in the medical field? It would certainly help explain his enthusiasm for medicinal cuisine and natural herbal remedies.
As soon as the glass leaves his lips and Luffy apologies for unknowingly shooting at them in which he bows his head as well in his own silent apology Johnny and Yosaku and jumping around celebrating like morons in which Nami voices her grievances.
After they introduce themselves and what their connection to Zoro is Yosaku immediately collapse's to both his amusement and worry so with an inward sigh and a short conversation later, Johnny informs them of the floating restaurant Baratie where their next crewmember unknowingly waits.
"You know Zoro-Aniki they say that even that Hawk-Eyes your hunting eats their" with that said Zoro is all for it. Usopp kind of wants to point out that a man like Hawk-Eyes Mihawk wouldn't be caught eating at a restaurant in the east blue of all places but he can't physically and isn't really bothered when he's too busy freaking out and regrettably fanboying at both the thought and fact of really getting to meet said man in little more than a week!
He absently wonders if he's in a good enough mood that he'd grant him an autograph? Is that even a thing among pirates?
A day later finds Usopp in the crow's nest where he's made himself a nice cozy human nest complete with strong weather resistant covering, miniature table for when doing his work and essential cup holder so he can have some nice peace and alone time without being disturbed unless Luffy decides to monkey on up.
"Here we are! The ocean-going restaurant the Baratie!" Johnny cries excitedly while amusingly calling everyone brother much to Nami's annoyed bemusement.
"What do you think!?"
"IT'S A HUGE FISH!"
"It's amazing!"
Usopp must admit if only to himself it's nice and unique but he's also slightly disappointed since it's not as cool as he thought it'd be in real life, in fact he finds it kind of kitsch.
Spotting the incoming marine ship Usopp decides to hang back and let Luffy handle it since they won't damage the ship and they do need to stay for a few days so the events with Don Krieg play out like it should with Sanji joining up.
"I'm Iron-fist Full body, a lieutenant in the navy, who's the captain? Speak your name" Fullbody questions and Usopp chuckles at Luffy's frank reply and no despite what Nami and Zoro would say otherwise he does not giggle he chuckles he thinks with an indignant huff.
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy! We just made our pirate flag yesterday!" his amusement is made worse with Luffy's dead serious expression that he almost falls out of his nest from containing his laughter.
"Mmm you two scalawags look familiar, you frequent the government agencies a lot… Johnny and Yosaku, those two-bit bounty hunters… finally captured by filthy pirates eh?" Fullbody smirks arrogantly looking down on Usopp's slightly reluctant on his part… temporary travelling companions. He won't consider them friends since they won't be around for very long, he only considers Luffy and the others his friends since they will be around each other for a long few months before they separate for a couple years since it does need to happen even if he doesn't like it.
Usopp chuckles (giggles) at the duo's antics when they try and attack Fullbody only to be swatted like flies.
"A hairs width from death…."
"Are you guys weak or what?" Luffy states bluntly and Usopp losses the battle on his laughter at the other's expressions unknowingly getting brief wide-eyed relived looks from the others sans Luffy who just grins.
When he calms down, the others had already looked away and Usopp immediately spy's the slightly shaking hands and intent look Nami has on the bounty poster she holds, causing him to frown in empathy.
He wishes he could do more but he's not about to give up the knowledge of the secret sixty thousand belli stash of his hard-earned money when he knows should things play out like they have so far in his knowledge that everything will work out fine even IF a surprise or two crops up?
Usopp doesn't wish to rely so heavily on the knowledge if he is different who is to say everything else will stay the same?
Spotting the marines aiming to fire their cannon Usopp straight away claps loudly and points to the marine ship when he gets their attention. Luffy immediately bellows like a balloon that Usopp personally never wants to witness again since people are just not meant to contort and stretch like that!
"YOU RETURNED IT TO THE WRONG PLACE IDIOT!" Everyone on the ship except for him shouts out with big heads and razor-sharp teeth which he inwardly snorts in amusement at, they really should have foreseen this outcome by now.
As soon as Luffy is inevitably carried off by the pissed off chefs, Usopp scales down the mast happily and just… takes in the few moments of quite he has before he heads inside for lunch with the others. Thankful he had the foresight to modify the mouthpiece, so they can't see anything even when it is slightly removed for edible consumption.
Though of course a stray thought from the knowledge drifts by to remind him of Gin and he makes his way inside with a silent sigh, Zoro and Nami content to wait outside for a while more.
When he's in he notices that Fullbody is being laughed at and grows excited at seeing black-leg Sanji in action. Quickly finding an empty table he picks up a menu and peruses it while keeping an eye on the happenings with Sanji and Fullbody.
Happy with his choice he waits patiently as Sanji makes his way over to take his order since he is literally the only waiter/cook he can see.
"Hey, I'm Sanji the sous chef, I'll be taking your order today, what can I get ya?" Sanji questions and so Usopp points at the chosen dishes and drinks and while gaining a raised brow at his silence writes it down on a notepad before being called away again by Fullbody.
"WAITER!"
"I told you I'm not a waiter, Mm? what a lovely lady! How about it Miss? Care to sample my privet stock? It's real wine!" Sanji flirts with the smitten lady and for some reason, Usopp feels… not really offended but displeased and put off at the cheesy lines and shameless flirting he's dishing out. Which is decidedly odd since he's never felt like this before, though then again, he's never really interacted with many people on a daily let alone yearly basis and certainly not with such a shamelessly known womanising pervert like Sanji.
He decides to just observe the odd feelings and Sanji's behaviour for now and figure out his thoughts later.
"What kind of third-rate dive serves soup with bugs?! What is this fly doing in my soup!?" If the knowledge is correct and from all, he's seen and observed, then fate is following the… manga? He believes is the term.
"Forgive me sir, but it appears to be the backstroke" Sanji jokes and… Usopp doesn't find it funny, how sad.
Usopp watches enraptured as Fullbody has enough and smashes the table to pieces! Conversation flows with Sanji's silent rage at the wasted food and while still unsure he fully believes Sanji has no right to sound and look so cool with such a chauvinistic attitude!
Blinking in surprise at his own thoughts he wonders curiously if perhaps he was a feminist, a member of the equal rights club or even a female in his last life for such an uncharacteristically rude thought for someone he doesn't personally know, even with all he knows thanks to the knowledge let alone has the right to judge.
"To offend a cook at sea… is a fool's mistake, remember that and that food should NEVER be wasted" Yep way to cool for such an attitude even if he looks awesome holding a bloodied Fullbody a foot in the air.
"AGAIN SANJI!? WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO DAT CUSTOMER! AND HIM A NAVAL OFFICER AT THAT!" a cook shows up yelling. They exchange words with Sanji getting more worked up after Fullbody foolishly threatens the restaurant when Luffy and the head chef Zeff crash through the ceiling.
"That was scary!" Luffy almost mumbles out.
Zeff glares shouting, "THAT WAS YOUR FAULT BRAT!"
"MY FAULT? YOU JUMPED ON ME TOO HARD!" Luffy retorts back and Usopp is thankful that he wasn't drinking at that moment! he would have chocked otherwise at the unintended humorous innuendo!
"Head chef! You've Gotta stop Sanji!"
"Sanji! Attacking the clientele again!?"
"Zip it, shitty geezer!"
"He sure is! And this one is a lieutenant in the navy!"
"ARE YOU TRYING TO RUIN ME!? AND YOU GET OUT OF HERE TOO!"
Usopp softly laugh's at Zeff's casual violence to both Sanji and Fullbody. As the chef's bicker he turns in the direction of a heavy, weak but oppressive aura almost at the ships doors, he flinches slightly at the cold callous murder of the marine that ran in panicked at Gins escape, sad and scared at how a man could kill another without even any killing intent to follow or fuel the action.
"Customer party of one"
"He better not bust up the place"
"Che!"
"A Pirate!"
While everyone panics except for Luffy, Patty, Sanji and himself (that's a lie he's panicking he's just better and well-practised at hiding it) Usopp doesn't know whether to laugh at the four's words or stifle it in fear at the dark aura in the room.
"Bring me food! This is a mess joint ain't it?" Gin commands though Usopp is pained and worried at hearing the strain in his voice, no one should have to go hungry for so long…
"Pardon mon-sewer! But can you pay?" Patty questions with a truly horrid expression that causes Usopp to shudder in disgust.
"You take lead?" Gin jokes gun to Patty's forehead he retaliates with a smash of his fist and proceeds to beat Gin. He frowns at the unneeded violence to an already downed man. Patty then throws him outside to the cheers of the other patrons much to Usopp's own consternation.
Feeling no need to butt into the moment Luffy decides on his cook he instead stops Sanji at the door, before he can head out with the food and holds out a small first aid kit for him to take and placing it in his arms walking away before he can say anything much to Sanji's surprise.
"Oh hey wait!" Usopp doesn't hear the words or see the expression on Sanji's face already deep within his own thoughts back at his table, scribbling and working away at a new formula.
"Hi, chore boy! heard you've got to work for a year" Nami croons sweetly.
"Should we change the flag?" Zoro also teases with a smirk. Usopp would join in on the teasing but as it is he cannot talk, still recovering and getting used to constantly being near people.
"YOUR EATING WITHOUT ME!? HERE I AM SLAVING AND YOU'RE EATING OUT!? THAT'S MEAN!" Luffy shouts annoyed and he can't help but snort in mirth, he doubts Luffy even knows the meaning of the word slaving or work considering all the shouts and crashes from earlier.
"Why shouldn't we enjoy a nice meal? Though I guess I do feel bad for you…" Zoro slyly muses while Usopp and Nami are too busy trying not to bust a rib from suppressed laughter.
"SO, YOU DRINK IT!" Zoro yells shoving the bugger water down Luffy's throat and while Nami loses the fight Usopp's laughter settles to a more reasonable level, much to disgusted to fully burst out laughing.
"OH, HOW THANKFUL I AM FOR THIS DAY OF DAYS! 0 LOVE SMILE UPON ME FOR I CANNOT SURVIVE THIS PAIN! I WOULD STOOP TO BEING A PIRATE OR EVEN A DEVIL JUST TO BE WITH YOU! SUCH TRAGEDY! THE OBSTACLE BETWEEN US ARE GREAT!" Sanji serenades and instantly any amusement Usopp felt dissipates like so much dust in the wind.
When Zeff and Sanji start arguing and fighting Usopp quickly picks up both his food and his notebook, Zoro and Nami doing the same as their table is smashed in the scuffle. "YOU CAN'T KICK ME OUT! I WILL WORK HERE FOREVER UNTIL YOU DIE!" Sanji screams out a slight pain in his voice. "I won't die, I'll live another hundred years"
"Che! got to have the last word eh!" Sanji grits out and he inwardly chuckles at Luffy's oblivious cheerful reply. "Great! You got permission!"
"NEVER! *Sigh*… Forgive the commotion! A fruit macedoine with my compliments and Grand Marnier as a digestive my princess!" Usopp is surprised Sanji doesn't get whiplash from his mood 180s and while slightly jealous over Nami's desert compared to his tea is still pleasantly surprised at the sweet and slightly herbal aftertaste, so nods in thanks to Sanji when he looks up earning a slight smirk.
Slightly confused on the gesture he ignores it as he starts laughing at Zoro's annoyed words when Nami easily weasels her way out of paying and Sanji's lovesick expression. Usopp may dislike Sanji's chauvinistic belief and now that he thinks on it Zoro's as well, but they are kind and good people and just like no one can or should try to change his own believes he won't do so to them.
If Usopp cannot accept them as they are how can he expect them to do the same for him. Sighing he quickly finishes his food and tea and makes his way to the ship, they have two days after all and he fully plans on enjoying the rest and general peace and quiet with Luffy attempting to work, that and to get some of his own much-needed work done on updating and modifying his ammo.
Two days later Usopp is reading peacefully when he spots the completely wrecked ship and not even the knowledge could have truly prepared him for the sheer…. Damage and the potent scent of decay and death in the air almost causes him to collapse with fear. Power like this is exactly what he will find in the grand line…. He may be a coward and a too kind fool with no self-esteem in anything but his shooting… though this is what he signed up for and he will see this journey through! Even if it does cause him to go into an early grave.
After checking he had all his money on him along with everything he could or could need on his person and a small backpack he's put on he nods and quickly heads inside before Gin and his captain come on board, swiftly moving to where Zoro is stationed on the stairs where they exchange slight nods in greeting.
"A great Galleon wrecked to that degree... that wasn't the work of men, they must have sailed through a typhoon!" Sanji exclaims over the sounds of rising chaos and Usopp wishes that were true! He wouldn't be nearly as terrified of going to the Grand Line if that were the case! As it is he's trying not to pass out AND still trying to figure out if he should bother risking his life in asking for an autograph from Mihawk! Is that even politely acceptable among pirates!?
As he's too busy inwardly freaking out he misses Gins and Krieg's entrance and the first part of the conversation only logging back in when Patty and Carne shoot Krieg with a bazooka.
"HAHAHA what a laugh! This is the dreaded Don Krieg!?" Patty laughs.
"THIS TIME I GOT MONEY! WHERE CUSTOMERS!" Gin shouts out shocked and Usopp wants to frown, Krieg's a fool and unlike with Kuro and a lot of the other villains they will face in the future he really could care less for Krieg. Gin is an honourable man, to honourable to follow the man he does.
As conversation flows with most people in the restaurant in agreement to not even offering a cup of water to Krieg. Usopp readies his slingshot, neither about to let Gin, Sanji or the rest of the people on board get hurt by this arrogant blowhard.
"I won't harm anyone… feed me and I'll leave quietly! I beg you… help me! PLEASE LEFT-OVER RICE… ANYTHING I BEG YOU!" Krieg's acting is more convincing than it should be for such an arrogant man with superiority issues.
"DON KRIEG DON'T GROVEL ITS BENEATH YOU!" Gin cries tears in his eyes. He mindlessly wonders when he gives him one of his special defence ammo's and an anti-poison injection if Gin would follow his own path or continue his death march with Krieg.
"Trying for symphony eh!? Well, we won't fall for I-GAK!"
"Out of the way shitty cook!" Sanji sighs kicking Patty away, blowing smoke from his cigarette and proceeds to give both a glass of water and some fried rice to Krieg shocking everyone but him, Zeff and perhaps Luffy if he even understands what's going on, since he can be quite simple when he chooses to be.
As arguing breaks out Usopp take aim and just as Krieg stands up and is about to clobber Sanji from behind he fires "X Exploding Star" Usopp barely manages to rasp out and watches in glee as Krieg is blasted back four steps from the large explosion. Usopp made this to remember the efforts of original Usopp's Fire Star but thanks to the knowledge it's much more explosive. He has other much, much more deadly versions of both his explosive stars and other ammo but he keeps them locked up in a special, small reinforced explosives case he keeps on his person and is ONLY for emergency uses and to cover widespread areas in a pinch. He keeps the notebooks he wrote in a mix of Italian and English to make them in the same case as well lest someone tries to get their dirty paws on his work, Usopp grins psychotically behind his mask at the thought of making new deadly mixtures and ammo that he simply cannot wait to get to the Grand Line!
"You! you dare to attack great Don Krieg!?" He practically teleports behind Zoro gaining explanations of surprise from the people below and an annoyed sigh from Zoro himself though his meat shield glares at Krieg anyway. If Usopp was a lesser man he would swoon at having such a strong and handsome protector! As it is he doesn't think Zoro would appreciate it and he has no plans on getting involved with anyone… like ever.
"D-Don Krieg! That man saved our lives! You promised you wouldn't do anything if I led you here!" Gin stutters and once again he fires an X Exploding Star when Krieg moves to grab Gins shoulder and ducks behind Zoro again.
"I WILL DEAL WITH YOU PIPSQUEAK LATER! For now, though… nice restaurant, I'll take it!" Krieg bellows and Usopp feels his soul trying to escape in fright.
"Don Krieg… you promised," Gin mumbles from his crouched position on the floor having fallen when his exploding star went off when Krieg's hand almost crushed his shoulder.
"My ships a wreck, I need a new one, I have about a hundred men on my ship who still draw breath! they're dying from wounds, thirst and hunger, you will give us rations and water and then I'll dump you into the sea" Krieg informs to a symphony of complaints and denial.
"WE REFUSE!"
"Refuse? It seems your confused, it's not a request it's an order!"
"I'm sorry Sanji I never mean for this!" Gin gets out in his anguish that Usopp can literally feel falling off him in waves, he wishes he could go down there and help him somehow.
"You got us into this mess! Where are you going!?" Patty shouts out enraged at Sanji. As the cooks point guns and the weird cooking weapons at him Usopp is completely in awe of Sanji's words and how cool he looks and sounds right now! if only he could be that cool and firm in his convictions!
"IF A MAN IS HUNGRY! I FEED HIM!"
That said another argument breaks out and patty aims another cannon at Krieg. "Now that you've eaten! HERES YOUR DESERT!" Despite aiming three special defence bullets in his slingshot and scared to death all Usopp can think of is that the weapon and ammo Patty used was faulty and that he could have made something much better and stronger. That it would have done actual damage to Krieg's armour and Usopp is determined for Luffy to steal it since they could use all the money they can get! As it is he already has solid plans for all the gold just sitting around collecting barnacles in Laboon's stomach!
"Impudence… that dessert was a bit heavy for my taste… hardly a four-star meal" Just as the chef's rush Krieg he fires again, watching relieved as the shots that rushed out of Krieg's armour were all safely caught in the already quickly dissipating dense white smoke cloud, bullets clattering to the ground. "White Smoke Star" He whispers under his breath wishing he could use his coloured smoke stars for far more… flashy and slightly malicious protective measures without accidentally hurting the others inside. He truly cannot wait to get to the Grand Line so that he can rapidly improve and enhance the effects and range of his multitudes of ammo, so he can use them without worrying over his allies or others safety.
"YOU'RE, REALLY STARTING TO GET ON MY NERVES YOU IMPUDENT INSECT!" Krieg bellows out to him and Usopp freezes in fear and is tremendously glad when Zoro unsheathes his sword slightly in warning to Krieg.
"Way to go Usopp!" "Impressive" Luffy cheers and Zoro even gives him compliments and he would be preening if he wasn't so scared, so he is truly grateful when Zeff dumps a huge sack of food and water before Krieg, silencing the whole restaurant.
"You went to the Grand Line, but you ran scared eh?" Zeff states it like the fact it is.
"Y-Your Red-shoes Zeff! A unique pirate, the captain cooks… So, you're alive"
"So, what if I'm alive? I'm a chef exclusively now, what's it to you?"
"Ha! You say it as if it was a choice! Though to me it looks like your Red-shoes days are behind you! I heard you lost your life at sea, but it would seem all you lost was the leg that made you so infamous on the high seas!"
"I may not have my leg, but so long as I have these two hands I can still cook! Though what are you getting at? Spit it out!" Usopp decides despite the ridiculous hat and beard that Zeff is just as, if not more so cool then Sanji and he also want's his autograph! Though he is not nearly as scared or even worried at losing his life asking him then with Mihawk.
"You once sailed that devils nest known as the Grand-Line and returned unscathed! Give me the logbook that details the record of that journey!"
"Aye, I still have that logbook, for me and the men that sailed with me that log is a testament, I won't give it to the likes of you!" Usopp fanboys at that statement since it is just so cool! As Krieg goes on to say he will just take it and an argument breaks out Krieg says the words that will make Luffy finally speak up.
"I WILL TAKE ZEFFS LOG! ASSEMBLE ANOTHER ARMADA! CAPTURE THE ONE PIECE AND LORD IT OVER THIS GREAT AGE OF PIRATES!"
"HOLD IT! IM GOING THE BE THE KIND OF PIRATES!" "Can it chore boy! He'll murder ya!" "I can't! not out of this!" Luffy determines with a grin and Usopp is awed and dismayed at how cool Luffy looks right now, dismayed because he knows his usual personality!
"Did you say something boy? Don't you want to take that back?"
"Nope, I was only stating the facts!" That's true. "This isn't a game" also true. "Obviously" Luffy loves taunting others, doesn't he? Usopp knows he's smarter then he looks… or acts… or thinks.
"Time to fight Luffy? I'll lend a hand!" Zoro smirks walking down the steps forcing Usopp to move along as well lest he loses his meat shield against Krieg's eyesight. Though he also nods along with Zoro's statement to show his reluctant support.
"Oh, Zoro, Usopp your still here?" When and why exactly did Luffy believe they left!?
"HAHAHA THIS IS YOUR CREW!? PRETTY THIN AIN'T IT!?" Krieg guffaws, "That's not true! I have two more!" "DON'T COUNT ME IN!" He nervously chuckles at the by play of Luffy's antics.
As soon as Krieg leaves with his threatening words Usopp marginally sighs in relief, before swiftly making his way to the apologizing Gin as Sanji says his just as threatening words but cause Usopp to feel nervously awed instead of pissing his pants frightened. Luffy questions Gin on his experience on the Grand Line as Usopp takes a seat next to Gin, wondering if he should pat his head or rub his back like he did with the boys and Kaya when distressed or not. He wishes he knew more about what was socially acceptable but decides not to since… well, he doesn't like touching people at all unless he considers them a member of his family, like with the veggie trio and Kaya. He's even gone out of his way to not touch his friends on the ship!
"Just one man… how could one-man scupper fifty ships!?" he chokes out miserably and Usopp shivers both at the words, imagery and the fact he can literally feel the aura of power and dense killing intent over the waves no doubt from that exact same man!
"Krieg's armada was destroyed by one man?!"
"One by one our ships fell! If not for that storm the flagship would have fallen as well! I don't wish to remember… the man with the piercing hawklike eyes!" Usopp knows Gin is indicating signs of PTSD and he wishes he knew how to help him, he only knows first aid, not psychology!
"It had to be Hawkeye, you said his eyes were like a hawk, that's proof enough"
"Who's he?" Luffy questions blank-faced and Usopp wants to hit his head on the nearest surface for his lack of knowledge, simple village level education only to the age of seven or eight or not!
"He's the man I've been looking for!" Zoro somewhat explains without explaining and Usopp is finding the floor looking more appealing by the second.
"Maybe you interrupted his nap?" ponders Zeff.
"THAT'S NOT FUNNY HE MURDERED MY CREWMATES" Usopp wishes he had enough courage to point out the hypocrisy of that statement. Gin's probably killed countless of other pirates not to mention people in general.
"Calm down, I wasn't joking, that's just the kind of place the Grand-Line is"
"WHOOHOO! I GOT GOOSEBUMPS! A PLACE WHERE ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN!" Luffy cheers and as Zoro goes on to say the coolest words he's heard come out of his mouth to date Usopp hesitantly places his strongest Red Smoke Star into Gins hand.
"Ah… you're the one who gave Sanji that medkit aren't you? thanks for that it helped a lot" Usopp is surprised Sanji mentioned him but ignores it for the moment and instead answers the unasked question for the bullet.
"My captain had only met me for barely a few hours and then helped rescue my village no questions asked…. Can you honestly say your captain would do the same? I would rather follow a good and honourable man who gathers a handful of uncut diamonds and slowly polishes them overtime then a man who is content to collect millions of pebbles" He whispers and Usopp is once again thankful for the voice enhancer since otherwise, Gin wouldn't be able to hear his words. Though he hopes he's given a good enough comparison to make Gin at least think about his options.
Shaking his head, he points at the bullet he gave him when Gin opens his mouth to argue. "Even pebbles have their uses though, this will help you protect both yourself and your comrades in case of a poison attack" Gin looks shocked, so he smiles gently unseen behind the mask. "You captain's tactics aren't exactly unknown" He drawly croaks and when he's distracted Usopp quickly uses his quickdraw and pricks and injects the Preventive Anti-Poison viol and discards it with no one, not even Gin the wiser.
Standing up swiftly before Gin can gather his wits he moves outside and watches Merry Go sail away with a frown, before shuddering a full body shiver just as the wrecked ship explodes. Usopp can literally feel his heart in his throat and his soul slipping away as water and wood rains down around him, is he glad to not be one of Krieg's men!
"WHAT'S GOING ON? WHERES THE SHIP!" Zoro and Luffy rush out panicked. "ZORO-ANIKI!" Johnny and Yosaku yell out from where they are within the waves and Usopp worries that they may drown but luckily, they grab the rails of the ship before they go under.
"Johnny! Yosaku! What happened!? Where's the ship!?" Zoro asks helping them onboard. "Where's Nami!?" Luffy is equally concerned if not more so for their missing human and inanimate members of their crew.
"Zoro-Aniki! Luffy-Aniki! There gone! Nami-Aniki! She sailed off with all of the treasure!" Usopp would very much like to smugly say not all the treasure but refrains much more focused on not dying from either drowning or asphyxiation!
"WHAT! SHE TOOK THE SHIP!?" they shout… well except him but that's normal. "Darn that wench! We should've known her good behaviour was just an act!" Zoro growls punching the wall of the ship that he frowns at, he really needs to take better care of himself.
"Hey, I can still see the Merry Go! Johnny Yosaku where's your ship!?" Luffy exclaims. "Forget about her Luffy! Why go chasing after that little thief?" Zoro callously brushes off annoyed.
"Ship…Belongings" Usopp bluntly and airily says aloud earning a dark glare from him.
"NO! Nami's going to be our navigator and nobody else!" Luffy strongly declares and Usopp is very much proud in that moment that he decided to follow both fate and the knowledge and sail with Luffy.
"Ugh fine! Usopp lets go!" Zoro huffs starting to walk off but Usopp shakes his head. "No… wait," He commands making both Luffy and Zoro start before following Usopp's pointed finger.
"Uh-oh… It's HIM!" Zeff exclaims but their attention is already on the small coffin-like ship and the handsome and tremendously cool, calmly sitting man on it.
"It's really him… finally!" Zoro whispers out excited and unnoticed he walks off tying the bandana around his head. Usopp wishes he could stop him! the fool is nowhere near strong enough! he knows it is not his place nor right to try and stop him though, especially when this is a pivotal point in his journey and the real first step in his quest to fulfil his dream.
"YOU MONSTER! WHY DO YOU KEEP PICKING ON US!?" a random goon shouts in panic guns in hand and Usopp absently thinks of many reasons, Fun… boredom…ridding the seas of stupid morons.
"Long-nose is correct on all accounts, it is fun!" Instantly Usopp freezes upon realising he accidentally said all that out loud and that Mihawk is staring at him in genuine amusement and is, therefore, getting death glares from all the pirates he just insulted.
Goodbye, dear soul…. their time together though short was enjoyable and oh how parting is such sweet sorrow! he mourns the loss of his departing soul as the conversation moves on.
"I've never seen such subtle swords work" Zoro exclaims boldly thankfully gaining Mihawk's and the other pirates' attention AWAY from Usopp's person.
"Without subtlety, a sword is but an iron bar" That is such a cool and true quote if Usopp compares all the swordsmen he knows about from his knowledge even compared to other worlds.
"You split this Galleon with that sword?"
"Of course,"
Zoro grins darkly "I see, then you are the greatest! I went out to sea to find you!" Mihawk raises a perfectly sculpted handsome brow… and… Usopp has a small fanboy crush, doesn't he? he is deathly glad he didn't accidentally think THAT out loud!
"Why?"
"To be the Greatest! Do you want some fun? Then fight me!"
"Pathetic Weakling!" Yep, Usopp most certainly has a serious albeit mild case of a fanboy crush if all he can think of is how cool and handsome he looks and sounds instead of being offended on Zoro's behalf. It especially doesn't help his case when Mihawk almost seems to teleport from most everyone but his eyes onto the destroyed ship.
"If you're a competent swordsman you don't need to cross swords to know I far surpass your puny skills! does your courage to point your sword at me come from confidence or insolence?"
"It comes from ambition… and a promise to a friend" Zoro tells while pointing Wado ichimonji towards Mihawk and Usopp seriously decides to risk his life and ask Mihawk for an autograph since he is just the coolest and admittedly the most handsome person he has ever seen let alone met in his life! Possibly his last life as well! (Thank kami he clamped his jaw shut since his mishap earlier!)
"How futile…, very well I'll indulge you, though I'm not the kind of fool who hunts rabbits with cannons, so this will have to do! unfortunately, this is the smallest knife I've got" It takes all Usopp's effort to not have a fangasm and simply drown in the sheer amount of cool that literally seems to ooze out of every pour and spoken word from that man's mouth.
Zoro grits out annoyed rushing Mihawk "Better take it easy with the bravado because you'll feel stupid when I kill you!".
"Out of the four seas east blue is the weakest, you may have a reputation but you're just a little frog croaking in your puddle! Time you learned how big the world is!" from their they fight like he knows from the Knowledge, it's only when Zoro has his chest pieced that Usopp snaps out of his trance, flinching at seeing a dagger and the blood oozing frightfully near his friend's heart.
"You want your heart pierced? Why don't you retreat?"
"I can't… if I even take one step back… my ambition… my vow… all I've worked for will be shattered!" Zoro… Usopp wishes he had that kind of conviction and courage.
"That's called defeat"
"So, I can't retreat!"
"Even if it means death?"
"I'd prefer death to defeat!" Zoro… you'd make a marvellous Gryffindor though Mihawk's sheer Slytherin will certainly be difficult to beat! Usopp muses inwardly snickering at his own thoughts.
"Speak your name boy!"
"Roronora Zoro!"
"I'll remember it, it's been a while since I met a man with such courage, so I'll honour the swordsman's code and send you to your death with this black-blade… the finest in the world!" Flinching at the blood splatter that rains from Zoro's chest Usopp quickly shakes his head and prepares to prevent Zoro from falling into the ocean with those wounds.
"Wounds on the back… are a swordsman's shame!" It's certainly not Usopp's.
"Magnificent!"
"Rana saltellante" Usopp hopes over the water as he catches Zoro within his arms, almost failing to bring him back to the boat with the extra weight, but he manages thankfully and better yet, no salt water enters Zoros wounds!
"Zoro-Aniki! Is Zoro-Aniki okay! And since when could you walk on water!?" Johnny and Yosaku shout in worry but he ignores them far more focused on treating Zoro's wounds! It's a truly horrific and gory site but instead of feeling sick or faint he instead feels…. Calm… and… fascinated…. If not a bit amused? Concerned and shaken over his own feelings Usopp does his best to discard them and instead works swiftly and surprisingly expertly at treating the wounds the best he can with the medicine he prepared beforehand and the reinforced medical thread as he stitches the wounds.
"I AM DRACULE MIHAWK! IT IS MUCH TO SOON FOR YOU TO DIE YOUNG SWORDSMEN! TRAVEL THE WORLD! DISCOVER YOURSELF! AND GROW STRONG SOON RORONORA ZORO! STRIVE TO SURPASS ME!"
"Lad! What, is your goal?" Mihawk questions Luffy after he stops trying to attack him.
"To be king of the pirates!"
"You tread a perilous path… even more so than trying to surpass me"
"I don't care that's what I'm going to be!"
"And you long-nose? What is your goal? What drives you that you would willingly risk your life to save your comrade even in the face of death if I was anyone else?" Usopp knows that he should feel frightened, he should feel worried or honoured or a multitude of other complicated emotions that Mihawk deemed to ask HIM weak, useless and pathetic Usopp what his goals were but instead all he can feel is annoyed at having his work interrupted.
Perhaps he really was a doctor or at least nurse in his last life that was interested in difficult injury cases? His knowledge doesn't seem to know a whole lot on modern medicine and seems to comprise of only a complicated mix of different knowledge and skills in certain medical areas for that to seem to be the case but… shaking his head Usopp answers with a surprisingly hard and strong tone.
"My Dreams are two-fold, To, become a brave warrior of the sea and to discover the past to knowledge untold!"
"The past to untold knowledge?" Mihawk leadingly questions curiously making him stiffen at how his words could be mistaken.
"NO… Not that past or knowledge… another more personal one" Usopp says seriously slightly panicked earning a soft chuckle.
"Then perhaps you are the furthest in your goals! I can sense the power you've awoken! Weak and untrained as it is" Mihawk muses thoughtfully shocking him enough to pause in his work on Zoro's chest.
"I've… awoken it?"
"I see you know what power it is you now wield as well… I truly look forward to seeing how all three of you develop!"
"L-Luffy… can you hear me…?" Zoro's weak voice snaps Usopp back into the situation at hand and he instantly dive's back into work, snapping orders at Johnny and Yosaku to either wipe away some blood or hold and put pressure where he's stitching.
"Heh… Did you worry? If I fail… to become the worlds greatest swordsmen… YOU'LL BE DISAPPOINTED RIGHT?! NEVER AGAIN! I SWEAR FROM NOW TILL THE DAY I BEAT HIM I WILL NEVER LOSE AGAIN! GOT A PROBLEM WITH THAT! FUTURE KING OF THE PIRATES!?" Yes, yes that's cool and heartfelt but could you at least try you know NOT to aggravate your wounds!? Usopp sarcastically snarks in his mind aggravated and annoyed both at the foolish man and now his own uncharacteristic sarcastic thoughts!
"SHISHISHISHI! NOPE!"
"You three make a good team! I look forward to meeting you again someday!"
As Krieg makes a foolish move to stop him Usopp absently throws the Strawhat that fluttered near him back to Luffy, waves and gives a simple request Luffy instantly understands and will hopefully follow.
"Steal Krieg's Armor, jewels and any treasure"
"GOT IT! I'LL GET THE COOK AND TREASURE! YOU GET NAMI!" With those shouted out words Usopp, Zoro, Johnny and Yosaku head out with Usopp silently cursing the madly rocking waves and the sea water now entering Zoro's mostly stitched closed wounds.
It's only when they are halfway to Nami's island and therefore too far away that Usopp silently wails and despairs at the fact he forgot to ask for Zeff's and Mihawk's autographs!
"Hey Johnny, you don't think Nami-Aniki is heading there, do you?" Yosaku suddenly asks nervously while Usopp nods in satisfaction at how he's managed to drug Zoro out cold, so he can't move and therefore ruin all his hard work and effort in treating, stitching and bandaging his wounds. He knows he will be in for it later but Usopp fully believes it was necessary and worth any pain he will undoubtedly endure in the future!
"W-Well she was staring at his bounty poster mighty hard!"
"Yosaku, are you recovered enough?" Usopp croaks out innocently… a bit too innocently while smirking sadistically behind his mask making Johnny and Yosaku jump.
"Ah…Yes?" He nervously answers and with a happy nod, Usopp grabs Yosaku and literally throws him off the boat back in the direction they came from.
"WAHHHHHH!" "Yosaku!"
"Tell Luffy where were heading won't you?" Usopp orders sweetly and watches amused as Yosaku is suddenly halfway swallowed by a panda fish.
"WHHHHHY USOPP-ANIKI!"
"BE CAREFUL YOSAKU!" Johnny shouts out waving goodbye and chuckling softly Usopp sits back down with a sigh rubbing his throat. He is really pushing it even if he is merely whispering and using his voice enhancer at the highest level to be properly heard.
"Here Usopp-Aniki, drink this" Johnny says offering a water bottle. Nodding in gratefully in thanks Usopp drinks greedily and sighs in relief at the feel of the cold water soothing his throbbing, cracked and dry throat.
It's silent for the next hour before the island finally comes into sight, though unfortunately Zoro also wakes up making Usopp frown, he will need to do some more calculations on his formula for his knock out drugs if Zoro woke up this quickly… though Luffy, Zoro and no doubt Sanji are the equivalent of superhumans even for this world and stronger than most so he really should have factored in their monster like nature when injecting Zoro.
"DAMN YOU USOPP! I WILL MAKE YOU PAY FOR KNOCKING ME OUT AND TYING ME UP! UNTIE ME NOW!" Usopp just sighs and shakes his head in amusement, he is not that stupid thank you very much! He's glad he had the foresight to tie the moss head up before events of the knowledge happened.
"For your own good" Usopp bluntly tells him poking Zoro's wound exceedingly gently and still getting a pained expression and full body twitch.
"C-curse you Usopp!"
"Usopp-Aniki! I've spotted the Merry Go! It's anchored in a weird spot though, near Cocoyashi village" Johnny exclaims and spotting what Johnny has clearly failed to see Usopp freezes in fright, really Usopp can understand now why humans fear fishmen since they look so… humanly inhuman and people naturally fear the unknown. The fins, skin colours and everything else is not so much what scares him but it's their faces that are so similar but so different and admittedly some of the strange body proportions that scare him.
Usopp while scared of them and hating what they have done to the people of this island and Nami especially still won't judge them, he can't and has no right to, besides…. if all someone has known is oppression and hatred from people, from humans that is all they will feel and do onto others not like them. When he reaches fishmen island he will make every effort possible to get to know them and not feel so scared but for now, he is here to kick their aquatic hides back into the sea and to free Nami and her people! For this very second though he is utterly unashamed to run away before they notice him.
"Johnny come along! Sincerest apologies Zoro" Usopp apologetically demands with a bow and grabbing Johnny jumps into the sea where they quickly swim away.
"AYE, AYE! I SHALL NEVER FORGET YOU ZORO-ANIKI!" Johnny exclaims with a tearful farewell as he spots the fishmen.
"HEY! DON'T LEAVE ME LIKE THIS!"
"Fishmen are ten times as strong as humans… to think this is the kind of power found on the Grand Line!" Johnny wonders while Usopp looks at all the destruction with sad and regretful eyes, the knowledge… foreknowledge is truly a hard burden to bear… especially when you cannot do anything to help or prevent what you see…. let alone when your nothing more then a weak child drowning in the despair and being crushed by the knowledge that He can't do aNyTHinG yOu CaNT SaVE thEM YOur WorTHLESS WhY DoNT Y-
Thankfully before Usopp can fully descend into unwanted memories and emotions of both past… and present a voice behind him croaks out surprised.
"I almost missed you… you must be a refugee! I didn't think there was anybody left!"
A single second of staring is all it takes before Usopp nods in greeting like is only polite and then vanishing on the spot already more than halfway down the street in less than a Nanosecond.
Noticing a boy standing in the street Usopp doesn't bother stopping and just grabs him and quickly hides behind a building were a tanned blue haired girl was about to step out.
"Wah! Let me go! I'm going to clobber that fish man!" the boy shouts out while struggling and failing to get out of Usopp's hold.
"You be quiet and don't touch the fishmen! And who are you?" The girl snaps hitting the boy on the head before turning to him.
"Usopp let's move!" he urges nodding in greeting and with barely a pause she leads the way.
"I'm Nojiko, a Tangerine farmer from Cocoyashi village"
Luckily, they manage to get away safely and up to Nojiko's house in record time. As soon as they are all sitting down at the dining table Nojiko having laid down tea is when she speaks up.
"You're lucky I was there trying to stop this brat from getting himself killed" Usopp nods in agreement since he was lucky, though whether that was from getting away from the fishmen before he had to fight or not getting mistaken for a fishmen by the kid is debatable. He is wearing a mask and does look a mite different from original Usopp for some reason even without the scars.
"Why did you stop me! I was going to kill that fishmen!" the kid grits out in distress tears in his eyes and Usopp heart goes out to him.
"You should know all too well if you had even laid a finger on that fishmen they'd kill you, especially with what happened to Gosa village, you're from there right?" Nojiko states bluntly.
"I know… but those fish heads killed my father! I, HAVE to get them back for that even if it kills me!" he dearly wishes to point out that dying will accomplish literally nothing and not to mention being utterly pointless but refrains and lets Nojiko handle it. He is not the most social or vocal of creatures after all.
"They sicced this giant sea king on us… and stole everything and killed a lot of people… I just gotta make them pay for that! I had gone to Arlong park, but this witch lady got in the way! I hate her guts!" he recounts miserable but Usopp kind of zoned out and is more interested in thinking on perhaps a weapon design for Chopper for when he eventually joins, perhaps something electric for his antlers like used in something his knowledge knows of by someone named…bovino? Lampoo? Usopp only joins back in when Nojiko starts shouting.
"I ONCE KNEW A CHILD WHO FACED A LIFE WORSE THEN DEATH AND CHOSE TO LIVE ANYWAY! SO, WHEN I SEE A BRAT LIKE YOU WHO'S TO COWARDLY TO LIVE IT MAKES ME SICK!" Well not everyone can be a strong, willful and independent woman determined to save their village, now can they Usopp inwardly snarks.
"Then what…should I do!" Grow strong and independent, treasure the people who love you and be thankful for every day you have.
"Usopp's right kid, you got a mother?" HE SAID THAT OUT LOUD!? AGAIN!? Seriously this whole being around people 24'7 is really making him go out of sorts! What if he accidentally says something out loud about his knowledge!? Or worse something truly embarrassing and suicidal like that he thinks Zoro is hot when he's all sweaty from training and working out!? Usopp is dying just from contemplating it and he would LITERALLY die if Zoro was in hearing distance let alone knew! Especially with Sanji added to the mix!
"Yeah…"
"She must be worried, go home to her" Usopp does his best to clamp his jaw shut and not think lest he says something else out loud that he shouldn't.
"Kind…" Usopp eventually says when the kid is gone.
"Yeah, well what should I care what you think? What's an outsider doing here anyway? this isn't exactly paradise" Nojiko dryly joked making him chuckle (giggle) at the humorous understatement.
"My friend Nami"
"Nami eh? She wouldn't happen to have short orange hair and a love of money, would she?" Usopp nods.
"Well, that witch that boy was talking about? That was Nami! She's a member of Arlong's crew and this is the house where she grew up! she's my step-sister!" Nojiko gushed a slight teasingly, grinning before proceeding to give a bit of background information about how they were orphans, how the one who raised them is dead and how she betrayed her own people for money. Usopp knows all this and is empathetic, concerned and his heart truly goes out to Nami and everyone else on this island but…. But Usopp can't do anything… not yet anyway but soon and Nojiko's attempts to either turn him away from both Nami and this island for Nami's and possibly his sake isn't wanted or appreciated. Nothing in heaven or earth will make him turn his back on his friends and those he cares for when they need him no matter what they do or say! when he knows a hundred percent that they NEED him and for someone to not give up on them! even if it's not him specifically that they need.
It doesn't mean he won't still try to help it's why for the past seven… no… it's why from the moment he was born with the knowledge he holds at his disposal that he has worked so tremendously hard! That he has shed copious amounts of blood, sweat and tears so that he could do something when the time came and that it truly counted! So that he could be useful to at least someone…. anyone in this cruel, dangerous but amazingly, beautiful world… if all his efforts were for nothing… shaking his head inwardly Usopp continues the conversation not wanting to think on those negative thoughts.
"Irrelevant, Nami is mine and my crewmates dear friend and shipmate, whose crew she is truly apart of or the choices she has made in the past mean nothing" Usopp insists strongly and Nojiko's eyes widen.
"Nothing..." She whispers but before she can potentially grow angry he continues even as his throat throbs and aches in pain.
"Nami fought to help me protect my village from pirates barely hours after she met me… and except for when it comes to money or a bit of teasing mischief she is truly kind and friendly- "he steadily ignores Nojiko interrupting him "Really? The witch was kind and friendly?" without missing a beat "-So, as I said Nami's past and current situation is irrelevant for she is still my friend and shipmate and yes, she was and is" Usopp concludes while also answering her musing, he thinks that was kind of him considering the amount of pain he's in! he really cannot wait till Chopper joins, perhaps he will have a stronger and better pain and throat soother then what Usopp makes and has in stock, not that he likes taking it since it can be slightly addictive with some of the ingredients inside it and he does have a… slight compulsive addictive personality. With any luck, he will find better ingredients he can use that makes it less so or completely non-addictive for his own privet stock to carry on him even after they get a proper doctor. Chopper will have his own battles and won't always get there in time to heal them, especially when he has his own injuries to deal with.
"I see… Well if you want Nami you're going to face the fishmen if you want to go and get yourself killed that's your problem! by the way, the ship Nami arrived in… is it yours?" Nodding Usopp slightly gapes at the straight clear view of the Merry from here. He completely didn't notice until now, he really should have known thanks to the knowledge… though he supposes he was distracted.
"Thank you… for noW though pleas-e t-ke me to the near-Est doc" Usopp croaks out helplessly rubbing his spent throat roughly making her eyes widen in concern.
"Hey, are you okay!?" She asks while quickly pouring a glass of water, nodding in answer Usopp grimaces behind his mask, he really pushed it too far when he knew he wasn't fully recovered even speaking in whispers as he was.
Soon as he finishes his glass they leave with Nojiko leading the way to Cocoyashi Village, so, Usopp can have his throat checked out… hopefully, before he must shoot Arlong to prevent Genzo from dying and therefore being forced to run away and take one of his slightly addictive pain and throat relief soothers he calls Summer's honey.
When they arrive, he sighs defeated at the fact it looks like he's going to have to go with the addictive Summers honey when he spots Arlong walking into town and is he making Usopp's legs shake worse than a frail leaf in a typhoon!
He would greatly prefer to go with the F.E.A.R factor of fuck everything and run but unfortunately, he will just have to suck it up and face everything and rise! If original Usopp could do this so can he!
Nojiko explains how Arlong treats the villagers and humans of the island and Usopp nods when appropriate but otherwise ignores her, already knowing all the suffering these people and Nami especially have experienced and continue to endure at the hands of these fishmen. When Arlong gets to the end of his speech of how he needs tons of money he quickly scales the building he's hiding behind still out of sight and takes aim while loading one of the bullets he made especially for fishmen and aquatic monsters and animals, he is concerned since it is still untested but hey! no time like in a potential life or death situation right?
"LET THIS BE A LESSON TO ALL OF YOU!" Arlong shouts out and just as he's about to crush Genzo Usopp fires!
'Aqua Star Sedation!'
Word Count: 10273
Knowledge and awareness are vague and perhaps better-called illusions. Everyone lives within their own subjective interpretations
Empathy is connecting with the emotion that someone is experiencing, not the event or the circumstance
Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something and has lost something
Dream big and train hard always