'Aqua Star Sedation!' he mouths silently, watching intently as it goes off and observing how it affects Arlong so that he can accurately adjust his formula as necessary, even if he does have to wait until the Grand Line to gather some more and better ingredients to make a completed product.
The bullet explodes upon contact into a large blast of shimmering almost sparkling bright magenta liquid, pushing Arlong back a single step. Usopp personally counts that as a small victory and despite his rapidly shaking legs moves to stand more in the open so he can be more easily spotted, to lead the other fishmen away, thankful he had already long since removed all his weights for a more effortless escape and his future battle with Choo.
"Lord Arlong! What was that!?" Fishmen A shouts.
Fishmen B quickly bellows out a moment later. "Look! Up there someone's on the roof! Who are you!?"
Usopp keeps silent, doubting he could speak even if his voice wasn't completely spent, what with how utterly petrified he feels at having such murderous killing intent aimed his way! Still, he observes in a sort of detached kind of fascination at Arlong's stilted response from the after-effects of his drug-laced bullet.
"You…. worthless insect…. dare to attack your… betters? You're just… a puny human…WE ARE THE MASTER RACE! CATCH HIM AND BEAT HIM TO A PULP! RIP HIM LIMB FROM LIMB AND USE HIS BONES FOR A TOOTHPICK!" Arlong slurs his words almost drunkenly, stumbling and swaying to and forth even almost falling before suddenly standing up straight and full on bellowing his threat to the skies above, as his eyes turn red and narrow in rage.
Soon as Arlong takes a step no doubt to flip the building Usopp has already long since fled to safer ground, hidden from sight and tricking some others into following little more than shadows in their currently narrowed idee fixe in accordance with his whereabouts. He continues to watch Arlong's movements, curious and shocked at the fact Arlong only managed to halfway upend the building he was on previously, he never would have expected his concoction to work as well as it is now! advanced modern otherworld knowledge or not! (self-doubt and low almost non-existent self-esteem does that to a person a voice in the back of his head snarks which he dutifully ignores)
"Quick let's get him back to Arlong Park before he recovers from whatever that human shot him with and upends the whole village!" Fishmen C suggested no doubt concerned on the tributes decreasing.
Usopp stays hidden from sight even after all the fishmen leave, practically sagging in relief that he is still breathing. After a few moments to compose and gather his wits that scattered as soon as Arlong and his men came into sight, he watches despondently as the villagers go quietly upon Nami's arrival.
"Hey, neighbours!" Nami greets cordially albeit with a hidden touch of melancholy and his heart aches at Nami's plight and the whole terrible situation in general.
"What's this? what are you doing here in broad daylight?" Nojiko muses with a knowing smirk and an almost unnoticeable glance at the bouquet of flowers Nami holds.
"I heard a ruckus, it was Arlong huh?" Nami ventures with a withheld sad and angry look at Genzo's injuries before shaking her head and walking off.
With Nami gone Usopp leaves absently taking out and uncorking a small glass vial of Summers Honey, drinking it straight with a short grimace before it quickly smoothens out into utter relief at the moderately quick work in both numbing and cooling his dry, throbbing and painful throat.
After a few minutes of walking Usopp decides to head to Arlong Park even if the mere thought petrifies him and 'borrow' what he can, he has dutifully trained and practised his stealth and looting over the years and he is surprisingly skilled at it. Though this will be his first time not returning what he's taken. It concerns and frightens him slightly at just HOW knowledgeable and easy he finds thievery, but he's always done his best at ignoring it and tried to just be thankful he has the knowledge and talent considering the world he lives in.
Calculating the distance and speed needed to get to the park and burrow a few things before Arlong and his men, he nods and swiftly dashes off with speed unmatched in the east-blue practically flying over the earth.
It helps that when he runs he always imagines he's getting chased by the devil himself which is exactly why he's become so fast.
Usopp is almost finished pilling all kinds of swords, daggers, staffs, guns and ammo into either empty barrels or bags he found, having arrived much earlier than anticipated and had already collected quite a bit of money, jewels and other miscellaneous items he either wanted or found interesting when Arlong and his crew come back.
He instantly freezes when he hears Arlong cry out in alarm over his fallen comrades, but snaps out of it when he realises the tremendously real potential danger he is now in and quickly goes about swiftly and as silently as he can, moving the last two filled bags and barrel out the back door, grateful he had abused his natural speed and carefully honed and controlled bastardised skill in Rokushiki and piled almost all the items he procured in the forest outside of the fishmen's sight or reach.
"Who are you? Baba!" a smooth voice drawls lazily right beside and into Usopp's ear causing him to shiver from the hot air and the petrified terror he feels in his being.
Turning ashen pale behind his mask and clothed skin he dramatically and slowly turns his head to the side. He very audibly gulps even as he uselessly at that also absently notes that this is the most attractive Fishman he has seen to date.
jumping out of his skin when the Fishman just lazily smirks, he quickly back peddles and when facing him allows himself a moment to take in his potential killer fully. Tall with long shaggy black hair flowing down his back, broad shoulders with rippling lean muscles ironically fitting what Usopp suspects a professional human swimmer would have. He would almost seem human if not for the brownish-grey slightly red skin, gills, webbed hands and feet, fins and the razor-sharp shark teeth.
Nodding his head in polite greeting extremely tense earns Usopp an amused huff of laughter.
"Ah… you're the one who shot Arlong aren't ya? Baba! Seems ya more foolishly brave and reckless then I had thought ta, sneak into the shark's den ta steal after what ya did! Baba!" He drawls amused and for the life of him all Usopp can think of at that moment is that his voice sounds like the exact definition of dark chocolate!
Cosimo oddly introduces himself "The names Cosimo, I'm Arlong's fourth-leading head officer, what's your's Baba?" unseen behind his mask Usopp's eyes widen in shock at the new information, his knowledge had NEVER recalled Arlong having a fourth officer!
JUST WHAT IN NEPTUNES NAME IS GOING ON!?
Only fourteen years of long, gruelling practice at hiding and suppressing his feelings and overreactive responses prevents him from completely breaking down right then into a full-blown panic attack and sheer hysteria. It's also that same training of repressing and dealing with his fear inwardly that allows him to think at least marginally clearly and move forward after only a few moments that felt like years to his currently overly stressed and burdened existence.
Fumbling with his hands a little he grabs the miniature whiteboard and marker stashed on one of his utility belts many pockets. Though he earns a raised brow from the Fishman he patiently waits and Usopp is grateful for that. Quickly writing down his name, albeit a little shakily he turns it around and thrusts it a little outwards so Cosimo could read his name as is only politely acceptable in his mind.
"Usopp eh… Funny name- "Like he's one to talk! "-Well Usopp, how about ya drop those their bags and barrel? Baba! I wouldn't want ta have ta kill ya outright for trying ta rob Arlong now Baba! So, how about it? Ya drop the loot and I'll let ya leave here alive! Pretty sweet of me don't ya think? Baba!" Cosimo offers slightly sarcastically but surprisingly -at least to him- honestly.
After a whole minute goes by Usopp erases his name and writes something new down and thrusting it back out.
Why?
"Heh, simple, I'm bored, ya and your companion's actions have been the height and only form of entertainment I've had in the past four years! Baba! your actions so far indicate's ya and your friends will be storming Arlong Park soon Baba! I'm not like the rest who think humans are weak and insignificant, so win or lose all I ask is that ya give me an interesting fight! Baba" Cosimo requests shrugging slightly and chilling Usopp to the bone at the thought of fighting this Fishman when it's already hard enough for him to think of facing Choo!
Biting his bottom lip harshly he nods in stilted agreement and drops the bags and barrel wanting nothing more than to be far, far away from both this man and Arlong Park!
"Heh… alright then! See ya real soon! Baba!" Usopp practically vanishes into thin are when Cosimo finishes speaking, using his Passo Veloce to its current fullest effect, past caring of how he will certainly pay for it later when he can barely use it a few times at his current leg strength and stamina.
Leaving his hidden and previously gathered loot where it is, he rapidly makes his way back towards Cocoyashi village. Refusing to think, let alone contemplate the real probability of him facing down two fishmen, or worse in his mind. The possibility's surrounding Cosimo's existence and how the knowledge he has relied so heavily upon for his whole life has failed him only one week into his journey since he didn't know.
He didn't know! he doesn't know what to DO since that would mean the knowledge he holds is false, wouldn't it? that it's faulty and wrong and just no! No! NO!
Though it didn't really fail him did it? The real, honest and stone-cold truth is that he had honestly only failed himself! He knew… HE KNEW that the knowledge wasn't complete and could never be! HE KNEW that it and therefore HE didn't and couldn't know everything about this world… but he had thought... he thought that at least for east blue….!
His chest hurts, his breathing is ragged and chocked, it feels like his chest is on fire and he's dizzy and light-headed, he's nauseous and black spots are darkening the edges of his normally sharp eye-sight, all symptoms he has unfortunately experienced many times before. Usopp knows he's in the middle of a panic attack and to just stop where he is and take a few minutes to try and re-centre himself, to just breathe… but it's hard… So, extremely difficult and he simply can't think! Can't breathe! And oh, kami! why can't he breathe!?
Before he can take even one more step, his eyes darken and his mind blanks. He crumples to the earth unconscious and so doesn't see Zoro's rapidly approaching form or the widening of his eyes in alarm at both his fallen figure and descending ship from above.
Nor does he hear or feel the weight or crash of the boat against him as Zoro grabbed and shifted his form beforehand to slightly protect him from the wreckage.
He does not hear the concerned shouts and or feel Luffy shaking his form over his wellbeing or the bickering voices of Zoro and its newest member. He does not hear the following conversation and talks with first Nami and then the farewells of Johnny and Yosaku does not feel Zoro gently placing his head in his lap as he rests or as he gently strokes Usopp's hair unknowingly to all but Sanji. Nor Zoro preventing Luffy from trying to take off his mask with shouts or Luffy brooding moodily a little way away afterwards.
He sees, hears and feels nothing as he is all but dead to the world.
"What happened to him?" a vaguely familiar feminine voice questions softly to his ears though steadily growing louder as he starts to come to.
"Don't know" a more familiar and much closer masculine voice replies.
Blinking his eyes open slowly Usopp groans at the bright light flitting in and sits up clutching his head weakly, feeling utterly exhausted.
"Ah your awake, you alright?" the same voice asks, turning his head slightly Usopp blinks rapidly at the now identified Zoro and at just how close he is to his person, stiffening he swiftly moves away in a crab-walk realising for the first time that his head had been resting in Zoro's lap! Shuddering at the knowledge he was touching someone, even if that person was a friend for who knows how long while unconscious Usopp misses the momentary frown from not just Zoro but the other's as well sans the now identified Nojiko.
After a moment Usopp nods in both thanks and to answer his question before tilting his head wondering how he ended up in the position he was, still recovering from the shock he was touching someone…. And with actual SKIN contact even if it was just the scalp! He shudders again in remembrance.
"I found you collapsed on the road unconscious and then these morons crashed a boat on top of us" Zoro answers his unasked question seeing his head tilt, a scowl aimed at both Luffy and Sanji.
"It was the shitty sea cows fault so don't blame us! Che! hey, it's Usopp, right? I'm a part of this crew now too!" Sanji greets waving a little sheepishly and smiling slightly behind his mask Usopp nods in welcome.
"Who are you?" Turning at Luffy's question Usopp keeps half an ear on the new conversation while he, now that he's not frightened out of his mind and no longer panicking at touching someone can think clearly at the unexpected situation with Cosimo's arrival into the plot.
Perhaps and the most likely scenario that he can think of is that Cosimo was always a part of the fishmen group, though thanks to Luffy throwing around Momoo got knocked out? Cosimo does seem to be a bit lazy and laid back so he may not have gotten away in time. If Cosimo is truly waiting for Usopp though for a fight then he may just get away in time from Luffy knocking them all out, the thought chills Usopp to the bone and petrifies practically every cell in his body but if it does come to that. He thinks he could potentially handle it well enough… He is much stronger than original Usopp after all and doesn't resort to rotten eggs and other petty parlour tricks or pranks against tough opponents like the fishmen are.
Needing and wanting are two different things though and Usopp really hopes it doesn't come to that!
"I DON'T CARE! I'm not interested in her past! I'm going for a walk!" Luffy's loud exclamation knocks Usopp's spiralling downward negative thoughts and prayers and he fully turns back in.
"What's with him…?" the sole female asks surprised.
"Don't worry about him, his quirky" Usopp personally finds Zoro using the word 'quirky' quirkier than Luffy's eccentric idiosyncrasy's "We'll listen to your story though I doubt we'll learn much"
"Yeah, especially since your asleep" he silently chuckles (giggles) amused at that before standing up and swiftly walking away himself even if all he wants is to rest, he's completely exhausted from his earlier panic attack but needs a must and it's exactly why he always carries a few large bars of chocolate on him! well, that and for a midnight snack and extra rations in case, Luffy eats everything before they can get to shore.
"You're leaving to? well, I will listen Nojiko-chan!" Sanji gushes with a boyish grin while he nods in silent answer. Usopp has known this all for a long time now and he has wasted more than enough time as it is unconscious, he needs to get to Cocoyashi village!
"Hmph! No, wonder Nami's having a tough time…" Nojiko sighs with disbelief.
When Usopp is far enough away from the others he dashes off, it won't take long for him at all to reach the village, but he doesn't know how long he has before those Marine rats show up! While he would dearly love and wishes to help Nami and Nojiko from further harm or anguish. He also knows that they will be fine in the end. For now, Usopp has only one goal and that's to 'burrow' everything of worth on that pathetic Navy ship and plant a special surprise for when the Arlong pirates fall!
Reaching the docks in record time Usopp swiftly hides behind a cluster of trees, sighing with relief that he had arrived just as the marines are speaking with Genzo. The very second the marines and the villages start walking off a serene and focused, inexplicably unusual confident calm overtakes Usopp as he easily scuttles his way on, ducking and swerving to escape notice from some of the ensigns on board guarding the ship. Every silent step taken something vanishes and every room empties by half its belongings. Whole barrels and crates of food, weapons and securely locked boxes disappear into thin air and by the time the head Rat and his men return Usopp has already long since left, loot in tow and his 'gift' nicely hidden and placed in different critical areas of the ship.
It's only when Usopp has safely hidden the loot he procured that he snaps out of the queer state and mindset he was in. Mind blown and eyes all but bugging out of his head completely and utterly shocked at the quickness and ease in which he robbed the navy ship without once getting caught! despite taking multiple trips and with large and heavy supplies of loot.
Collapsing to his knees Usopp shivers nervously and not for the first time wonders just who and what in his past life he was and did to hold such a… unnaturally criminal inborn sets of skills and not to mention the extensive knowledge on quite a few shifty and downright criminal professions, that he normally dutifully ignores lest he gives himself nightmares or a full-on panic attack worse than his earlier one over the Cosimo situation!
He practically stole everything but the charts from Arlong but that was different! After a few moments of recovering Usopp stands up shakily and makes his way towards Cocoyashi village. Arriving just in time to see Nami run off towards Arlong after screaming at Luffy.
"What's her problem…? Oh, hey Usopp!" Luffy pouts grumbling before breaking out into a grin when he comes into sight and sits next to him.
Nodding in greeting Usopp takes another viol of Summers Honey for his throat absently and watches in both concern and curiosity from where he can see in the window as the doctor works on Nojiko's wound. Usopp personally thinks he does and has done a much better job when working on Zoro's stitches but then flinches slightly as that's a little arrogant and mean of him to think, especially considering he has knowledge albeit limited and narrowed on just how advanced and modern medicine was in his unknown past life's world.
In a strange and melancholy way, Usopp misses it, misses what he does and doesn't know or remember. He sometimes feels that he's not really Usopp even when that is all he has ever been called and known by, like how an amnesiac person wakes up and is told their name by the doctor, it doesn't mean anything, they have no memories to connect that name to their person, no emotional attachment. Usopp knows he had lived under a different name once, he knows that he has loved, lost and even died before, Usopp wants to know just who he was even if it ends up destroying him because maybe then… maybe then he will truly become Usopp, he will never be the original but then he doesn't really want to be either.
All he wants is to be a person who can confidently say their own name and who they are as a person but with so many unknowns, so many questions, possibility's, self-doubts and concerns he can't. One day though… one day he will… hopefully….
"Hey, Usopp, what's that stuff you've been chugging? Is it something yummy!?" Usopp starts when Luffy indignantly asks at the thought of Usopp not sharing something delicious and looking down at his hand in confusion Usopp pales seeing that he has unconsciously drunk three more vials of his Summers Honey medicine! That's… not good or even medically safe! He is now very glad that he had kept the stronger doses on the ship lest he accidentally overdoses and kills himself!
Shaking his head rapidly at Luffy when he tries to take a viol and taste it for himself he quickly shows Luffy the medical sticker on the case he keeps it in.
"Oh, it's medicine? ARE YOU SICK!? ARE YOU DYING!? DON'T DIE!" Luffy at first says disappointed before panicking, with a soft laugh Usopp shakes his head before pointing to his throat getting an ah-huh expression and a huge exaggerated sigh of relief.
"Geez! Don't scare me like that!" Luffy commands with a pout and though he raises a brow at that he ignores him since the villages are now up in arms from Arlong's and the marine's treachery.
"STOOOP!" Nami shouts desperately.
"Nami!?" Nojiko exclaims surprised.
"STOP IT, EVERYONE! I… DON'T WANT ANYONE ELSE TO BE HURT BY THEM! THEY'LL KILL ALL OF YOU IF YOU FIGHT!" she pleads uselessly begging for them to see reason.
"IT'S NO USE NAMI! WE'VE MADE UP OUR MINDS!" The doctor argues back in conviction.
"NOW STEP ASIDE NAMI! FORWARD EVERYONE! MAYBE WE CAN'T WIN BUT WE'LL GIVE THOSE FIENDS A GOOD FIGHT!" Genzo commands and with that said the villages rush forth, pitchforks, field scythes and shovels in their hands and sheer stubborn determination in their hearts.
"ARLOOOONG!" Nami screams to the heavens and Usopp's heart breaks at the anguish and sheer despair in her voice, eyes dimming and flinching from his own repressed memories trying to surface when blood fly's as she stabs repeatedly at the tattoo inked into her shoulder. She only stops when Luffy grabs her hand and it's then that Usopp realises Zoro and Sanji are next to him in cool poses and here he is just sitting in a slight slouch. He's a mite jealous at that but ignores it since it's irrelevant.
"Luffy…. Help, me…." Nami pleads before sobbing brokenly and Usopp is suddenly no longer worried about facing both Choo or Cosimo or even a hundred other fishmen so long as he can put a smile back onto Nami's face and in her heart. Even if his legs are still shaking worse than a dingy in a storm.
"OKAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!" With those words bellowed out Luffy, Zoro, Sanji and himself walk towards Arlong park.
Usopp has never felt so damned cool or looked so awesome in his life than he does now and he will be sure to do something to memorialise this moment!
When they arrive at the gates to Arlong park Usopp grabs two vials from his person, one a dark silver the other a pale pink and passes them to Sanji and Zoro in that order earning raised brows.
"Drink" Usopp requests softly, speaking only thanks to the five vials of his Summers Honey medication he -foolishly- drank earlier. He feels a strange sort of mixture of grateful, tearful happiness and… pride at the fact all they do is shrug and chug the contents back with a grimace not even bothering to ask what they are or do, just putting all their trust in him to not steer them wrong or poison them. Even Sanji who literally has only known him a day! Usopp would cry if the situation wasn't so critical and he was alone.
*KAA-BOOOOOOOM*
"Which one of you…. is Arlong!" Demands Luffy awesomely though he is much too busy gaping to appreciate the rare moment just gobsmacked at the strength and power used to demolish a whole fair chunk of the wall! It's just not NATURAL how strong Luffy has gotten after two measly fights! He certainly wasn't this strong when he fought Kuro!
"Who are you?" Arlong deceptively asks.
Luffy ignores him stalking forward. "Which one of you is Arlong?"
"That would be me"
"I'm Luffy
"Is that so? What's a Luffy?" Usopp… honestly wants to question Arlong's IQ after that question, he could have worded that inquiry so much better.
"A Pirate!" He declares while knocking two fishmen out, silently angering Arlong.
"What does a fellow pirate want with me?" To kick your ass for systemically hurting Nami and all the villages over the years.
"YOU…MADE OUR NAVIGATOR CRY!" That said Luffy punches Arlong and Usopp is amazed as he goes flying!
Knowledge vs experiencing and seeing for himself never get's old or ceases to amaze him.
"STAY OUT OF THIS YOU SHITTY FISH!" Sanji snaps kicking all the weaker fishmen away and coming to a stand next to Luffy, Zoro and he quickly following to make there awesome grandstanding, showing a strong united front against these fiends.
Sanji huffs exasperated. "Che! you always have to dive right in, don't you?"
"Yeah! But I won't lose!" Oblivious Luffy.
"Idiot I'm not worried about that! just save a little for the rest of us!" So…. Cool! He wishes he could look so cool saying that!
As conversation flows between the two groups Usopp flinches slightly when he spots Cosimo staring right at him and smirking amused, shaking his finger in a naughty, naughty kind of way. He supposes that he realised he stole a lot more than the simple two bags and barrel Cosimo had caught him with… oops?
"ARISE GIANT WARRIOR! MOMOO!" Soon as Hachi trumpeted those words Usopp was already moving back towards the villages for when Luffy inevitably does something stupid, he would try and stop him if he didn't think it was useless, besides Luffy learns best by experience and doing not being told so he will instead just do what he can to get him out afterwards and if not? Well, things worked out well in his knowledge and he has already drastically helped to speed up the battles with those vials he gave Zoro and Sanji. Though he will need to question Zoro later for data on his viol since Usopp has never and hopefully will never experience such a huge magnitude of pain or a form of high fever from such a large and horrific injury.
Seeing Momoo for the first time he becomes conflicted, on one hand, Momoo is working for Arlong, unwillingly or not but on the other, he is also the single most adorable sea monster he has ever laid eyes on and feels anger at both Sanji and Luffy for inflicting injury on him. Usopp has always loved animals and heavily dislikes all forms of animal abuse or cruelty so he is heavily conflicted on how he should feel.
"I'VE HAD IT! THIS IS A WASTE OF TIME!" Luffy snorts out like a bull and moments later he watches in faint shock as Luffy grabs Momoo by the horns before twisting round and round like a morbid human spinning top and then letting loose.
He is extremely thankful for having foreknowledge of most likely events and actions performed right now… in fact, he doubts he's ever felt so grateful in his life! After a few words spoken Hachi, Choo, Kuroobi and… unfortunately, a happily smirking Cosimo step out.
"Interesting Baba!" Guess who.
"Looks like we'll have to get involved" Kuroobi
"What they did to our comrades wasn't very nice!" Hachi you will be their comrade in at most six to seven months so stop being hypocritical.
"Chu! I'll show you the power of the fishmen!" Choo original Usopp's and now his opponent.
"We should have crushed those humans as soon as they showed up! Arlong please don't get worked up from these insects" Kuroobi says addressing his captain.
"Chu! You'll destroy the park if you do!"
"Ah… guys? There's a little problem" Luffy tries to get Zoro and Sanji's attention but fails as Sanji is to busy describing how octopus should be properly cooked and Zoro is busy with stating the obvious.
"HACHI INK JET!" Usopp is both amused at Luffy's plight, the other's expressions and horrified at the speed and blasting power of a fishmen's individual skills! though admittedly scientifically curious as well.
"AHH! I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING!" Luffy shouts flailing around.
"Idiot Why didn't you get out of the way!?" Zoro yells annoyed.
"That's the problem! I'm stuck!"
Usopp takes out his slingshot and a few different ammo, taking aim waiting for his opportunity to fire.
"Hachi Ink Jet… ON THE ROCKS!"
Usopp ignores the following backchat after Hachi's failed attack only having eyes for his targets and when Zoro unleashes his most treasured sword he fires.
"X Explosion Star and Aqua Star Sedation" Three explosions go off simultaneously, one at the concrete near Luffy's feet, one against Choo and the other missing its mark from a well-executed dive causing ears to ring and men to yell out in surprise.
"Darn! I'm still stuck!" Luffy grumbles but he's not focused on him, no he is much more focused on the cursing and swaying Choo and the excitedly grinning Cosimo.
"You must…really want me to kill you!" Choo slurs enraged honestly causing Usopp to think his Aqua Star Sedation also causes increased rage instead of the calming knocked out effects he was aiming for since this is the second time it has made a fishmen's eyes go red!
"Heh! glad to know you want to keep up your end of the deal so badly Usopp Baba!" Cosimo exclaims happily.
Usopp doesn't need foreknowledge to know when exactly to run like the hounds of hell was on his heels!
"GET BACK HERE YOU PUNY PARASITE!"
"LET'S SEE JUST HOW MUCH FUN YA ARE EH? BABA!"
Running right past the villages and down the dirt path he doesn't even slow down as he makes a sharp turn into the woods away from the paddy fields for Choo to use and only stops when he enters a small clearing. Grabbing a bottle from one of his satchels he doesn't even pause as he turns around and flings it as hard as he can at Choo's form, watching in momentary satisfaction as it breaks and drenches him upon contact. Barely managing to dive to the side to avoid an electric fused punch.
Eyes wide at the unexpected ability he rapidly moves backwards, doing everything he can to just dodge and get some much-needed space between them and the non-stop rapid electric infused punches that Cosimo is excitedly dishing out.
"Chu! Don't forget about me, worthless human!" Choo cautions from… behind him CRAP!
*CA-CRACK* *ZAPP*
"G-gah-ugh!" Choking wetly, Usopp twitches painfully, falling to the ground in a graceless heap, his nose broken, a fist-shaped burn etched into his chest which behind undoubtedly lies a few cracked if not broken or completely shattered ribs and electricity running and flowing over his skin and into his body. Even with all these injury's, the agonising pain and blood running in rivulets down his chest, nose and mouth the only thing he is concerned about is the fact his mask is cracked.
He would most likely find a sick kind of morbid amusement at that if it wasn't so concerning of the real possibility of it breaking apart. He wears a mask for many reasons and it's not just because of the self-induced scars he bears.
*THWAK* *THWAK* *THWAK*
"UNGH!" Exclaiming and hissing in pain as Choo stomps his chest and his now certainly broken ribs. He bits his lip to stop from fully screaming.
"Pathetic human scum! I'll see you dead for daring to attack a fishmen!" Choo coldly spits out with Cosimo only sighing in disappointment next to him.
"How boring Baba! that wasn't very fun!"
How shameful…. To think… all those years… studying for nights on end…. Training from before the sun even rose and long after he stopped sweating and instead shed blood…. The countless number of sleepless nights of cowering in terror… the emotional anguish of guilt and shame at doing nothing and being unable to do anything for the many dastardly plots brewing in the world… the endless sea of blood rising ever higher at the people's suffering…. Wasted… perhaps despite his knowledge… it would be best to give up…
"Come on Baba! let's go back ta Arlong and the others! he'll die before long with those wounds Baba!"
'Yeah we're already Nakama, aren't we?' Eh…?
'I'd prefer death to defeat!' What….
'if a man is hungry I feed him!'oh… so that's how it is….
'I'M GONNA BE KING OF THE PIRATES!' he's not the original… he isn't… so why…
"Chu! Fine with me"
'Cloyingly wildly optimistic as I would appear in this I will still stand by my beliefs and actions!'' his conviction….
'Luffy…help me…'Nami….
Getting up slowly Usopp laughs wetly and faces the now paused fishmen.
"Heh, amusing Baba! I knew ya would be entertaining Baba!"
"Chu! You should have stayed down human, you might have lived longer"
"No… your…wrong… If I had stayed down… then I would…. Have lost everything… that I am… could be…. That I have worked so hard for… my dreams… and that… would have been a TRUE death sentence!" Grabbing his fallen slingshot, he ignores the painful agony he's in and dives in a roll. Usopp doesn't pause as he loads a bullet and dodges a rekindled electric fist, new blood spilling as he bites his lip to keep from wavering in his movements.
Weak, fearful, negative, self-deprecating, anti-social, mentally scared, emotionally unstable, selfish, naïve, stupid, detached, Usopp is all those things and more.
Releasing the 'trigger' point-blank into Choo's side he dodges his high kick and another punch from Cosimo forcing both fishmen and him back, creating much-needed distance between them and setting Choo alight from the fiery explosion.
Brave, strong, tentatively hopeful, caring, forgiving, peaceful, passive, selfless, determined, stubborn, understanding, empathic, intelligent, Usopp is also all these things and more.
"How fun! Baba! let's take it up a notch!" Cosimo gushes while letting loose a copious amount of uncontrolled electricity, zapping everything within a fifteen-metre radius, Usopp included.
Usopp is many things…. but he will not…. Cannot… EVER GIVE UP! he REFUSES to give up after all the work and effort he has put in! that he WILL do! he will not be USELESS! He will be USEFUL and will use all the knowledge he holds to HELP! He cannot do that if he gives up or loses this battle and dies here!
Gritting his teeth, he dashes away and out of range removing another special bullet with a thick, heavy and fortified casing as he does, spinning around he swiftly aims and fires within a second at his rapidly encroaching opponent. Smirking a little in pride as the heavily sparking electric currents around him fail to set off the bullet prematurely and hits true against the too fast to dodge Fishman.
"Caged Foam Star!"
"GAH! WHAT IS THIS!? BABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Cosimo panics surprised, futility trying to get the bullets contents off.
High-density liquid foam shoots out in rivers, rapidly growing and expanding on and around Cosimo's struggling form before quickly hardening into a rock-hard rubber-like full body straight jacket. Effectively stopping the rampant electricity coming off him in waves and momentarily shocking himself at the high voltages being forced back into and around him in close quarters before he abruptly cuts it off.
Not waiting for Cosimo to recover from his momentary shock he quickly fires three more bullets while he is literally a non-moving target and swiftly turning at the looming form that was attempting to creep up on him and firing another.
He will fall…
"X Explosion…"
He will bleed…
"And…"
He will break… but….
"Lullaby Sleep Star!"
HE WILL WIN!
*KA-BOOM*
Ears ringing and breaths heavy, in a tremendous amount of pain and still alert Usopp allows himself to lean against the tree behind him. When the dust finally settles, and he can see clearly he doesn't bother stopping the large grin from overtaking his face and laughing in exhilaration, sagging in sheer relief.
He won…. He truly WON! Against two fishmen! Him!
Shaking his head in disbelief he sighs, taking a moment to throw back a vial of Summers Honeydespite knowing he shouldn't before removing two small syringes from one of his pockets, making his way over to the two fishmen and injecting the contents, just to make sure they stay asleep for the next few hours and starting his way back as fast as he dares to Arlong Park.
The music of Pan's Labyrinth still playing in the wind as he goes from the Lullaby Sleep Star.
Usopp hidden from sight arrives back at the park just in time to see both Sanji and Zoro smash into the concrete at Arlong's thrown water attack. He flinches in worry and concern at the utter pain they must both be enduring, though Usopp is also greatly pleased to note that they are looking and doing much better than he knows they did from the knowledge, sighing in utter relief at the fact the vials he gave them previously obviously worked.
"Go ahead and die! Your puny lives are worthless!" Arlong coldly utters and while Usopp cannot bring himself to hate Arlong, It doesn't mean that he doesn't wish he could cause him some form of harm for hurting his friends.
"ARLONG!" Nami shouts finally arriving at the battlefield.
"Nami… I was just about to crush this no-good pirate to bits, what brings you here?"
"I'm here… to KILL you!"
"BWAHAHAHA! Kill me!? How many times have you tried to kill me over the last eight years! I'm still here aren't I!? You of all people should know that no mere human can kill me! Now listen here… I'm not going to kill you… but I won't let you go! You're going to be my little pet cartographer forever!" He guffaws and Usopp almost wants to snidely say aloud that it's a good thing Luffy is no mere human then, isn't it? he won't since he's not suicidal and much too frightened but he at least thinks it.
Readying another bullet, he takes aim as Arlong gives Nami the horrible choice of having her people die or not. Usopp is nothing more than in clear awe at Nami's strength of will even after all she has been through and suffered. He deeply hopes he can one day hold even a quarter of as much strength of will and character that she and the rest of the Strawhat pirates have in spades!
"I'm sorry everyone! Fight and die… with me!" that said Usopp starts in surprise as a great fountain of water goes off in the distance, even with the slight changes of both good and bad and the battles speeded up some things truly do stay the same.
"Ninety seconds! I won't last any more than that!" Zoro says moving in front of Arlong and he is pleased with the unknowingly given data, it's sixty seconds more than he had in the knowledge, but it also proves that the viol he gave him and his earlier efforts at both healing and forcing him to rest worked!
"That's more than plenty!" Sanji declares diving into the ocean.
"Don't worry about it ugly bottom-feeder! Your problem stands before you!" taunts Zoro.
"I warned you about calling me names dead man!" Usopp fires the exact second those words are uttered.
"X Explosion Star!"
"There you are! Glad to see your okay!" Zoro shouts a hint of relief in his voice that he's unable to hide.
"Usopp!" Nami exclaims happily, nodding politely in greeting he ignores the rest of the villages plus Johnny and Yosaku's cheering of surprise.
"A puny human like you managed to beat both Choo and Cosimo!?" He nods again at Arlong's correct guess at what happened only earning more incredulous bouts of surprise from the others.
He's doesn't look that weak, does he? though he can't talk since Usopp is also surprised he managed to beat two fishmen let alone one that sparked electricity! And with only a single trap and two concentrated sleep bullets! While he is glad for the data on how it worked on an actual opponent, especially with the electricity aspect he is also annoyed that he will have to wait until they get to the Grand Line to make another Caged Foam bullet! Even if he does have a more solid grasp on how to improve it as it was only a prototype.
"Way to go Usopp-Aniki! We knew you could do it!" Johnny and Yosaku shout out happily, the liars.
"Since you're standing in front of me… you must want to die Roronora!" Arlong finally says after a bit of back and forth backchat between them while Hachi jumps into the ocean.
"So many bandages! Did you get into an accident?" Arlong sarcastically muses, ripping off the bandages and at that moment Usopp feels full of rage! How dare that fish bastard ruin, all his hard work at fixing him up! he only feels marginally pleased and prideful at the fact most of the stitches are still holding strong and therefore not loosing or looking as bad as he otherwise would have been from what he knows of in the knowledge.
"I'M BAAAAACK!" Luffy yells from up in the sky and he is glad for that. He doesn't know what he would do if it took longer and he had to protect Zoro from getting killed himself!
Zoro weakly snarks "It's about time… idiot!"
"Hee! Zoro! Let's switch!" Oh… he had forgotten about that, Usopp will have to make Luffy pay somehow for hurting his patient, perhaps prevent him from sitting on Merry Go's figurehead until they get to Log Town?
"Do you know the difference between you and me?" questions Arlong and feeling uncommonly brave after his battle with Choo and Cosimo Usopp speaks up before Luffy can say something true but stupid.
"Breeds, the only difference is our breeds" his words garner attention from all around.
"Care to repeat that insect? Surely you meant species" Arlong darkly questions rhetorically and gulping frightened he shakes his head and plods on since he did instigate this, no backing out now.
"The definition of a species is a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding since there is half fishmen, giants and all manner of other tribes with special traits we are all the same species, just different breeds…" He kind of trails off at the end to frightened to continue at the dark look Arlong is sending his way.
"Usopp…" whispers Nami in the short-lived stunned silence.
*BOOM-CRASH*
Usopp jumps at how Arlong suddenly crushed the stone pillar beside him staring at him all the while.
"Super-human strength is the birthright of all fishmen, we are gifted with the ability to live underwater without consequences, unlike you worthless pathetic humans! So, tell me long nose! If by your logic I'm a wolf what does that make your useless breed!?" Arlong sarcastically questions enraged taking a single step towards him and Usopp would have fled if Luffy didn't immediately interfere and step in the way via throwing a punch.
"DON'T SCARE MY NAKAMA!" Luffy commands before attacking with a gum-gum whip.
"From the moment of birth, an unbridgeable gulf separates our species! The heavens did not smile upon your insignificant kind in all the ways the fishmen are inherently superior! Just what exactly can your worthless hide do!?" Arlong growls attempting to take a bite out of Luffy but Luffy dodges in time and picks up two fallen swords.
"Perhaps I can't do anything alone! But that's why I have my friends to help me!" Not exactly the words spoken from his knowledge but in a way it's… better even still similar.
"RAAAAAGR!"
"You're just wildly swinging! I grow bored with your games! Enough foolishness!"
"Clench your teeth!" He has always found it strange even from his knowledge that Arlong listens and follows the spoken command by Luffy.
*CA-CRACK*
"I DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE A SWORD SHARK-FACE! I CAN'T NAVIGATE, COOK OR SHOOT AND I DEFINITELY CAN'T LOVE OR FORGIVE MY ENEMIES! I KNOW I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT HELP FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE!" Eyes spread wide and mouth slightly agape at that Usopp's mind momentarily blanks since that was most definitely not what Luffy said in his knowledge! Luffy only forgives or likes others when they are no longer enemies and have proven themselves but Luffy… Luffy said that as if what he feels and does was a good thing…. It's not… it's pathetic…isn't it?
"BWAHAHAHA Love or forgive your enemies!? What useless drivel are you spouting!? What a burden your crew must face having such an idiot of a captain! I don't know why they fight so hard to save you when you lack the slightest shred of dignity or ability! Just what can you do that gives you the right to be the captain of a ship!" Arlong guffaws and he flinches at that since he's right… how could forgiving or loving your enemies ever be a good thing except for after the fact and have proven themselves? It's just… uselessly pathetic…. He is uselessly pathetic….
"I CAN KICK YOUR ASS! AND ITS…NOT USELESS DRIVEL!" Luffy grins with conviction letting his fist fly.
Shaking his head with a melancholy self-deprecating sigh, Usopp makes his way towards Zoro to aid him while Luffy and Arlong fight.
"You look like hell," Zoro says when he spots him to which he gives a weak chuckle (giggle).
"Speak for yourself" Usopp croaks pleased at the amused grin he earns for it.
"You think Luffy will win?" Zoro asks after a few minutes of scowling and half-hearted attempts of stopping him as Usopp works on his wounds.
*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM* *BOOOOM* *BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM*
Jumping at the sound of Arlong Park collapsing in on itself he looks up and spotting something quickly pulls Zoro back to prevent a large piece of debris from landing on him and his still not yet restitched wounds.
"Thanks" Nodding he sardonically answers in dry humour earning a smirk and huff of laughter. "Yes, I do"
"NAMI! YOUR MY NAKAMA!"
Standing up, Zoro and he make their way back to the now cheerfully celebrating villages when an equally pleased and annoyed Nezumi shows up.
"Hyik, Hyik, Hyik! HOLD EVERYTHING! Well done! It could have been a fluke but now thanks to you all the gold I was supposed to give to Arlong and all the treasure in Arlong Park is mine!" Usopp smiles in amusement behind his mask at that, unfortunately for him, all that treasure has already been stolen and now belongs to him!
Well him and the Strawhat pirates but mostly him since he is the one who stole it.
"Throw down your weapons and be prepared to be arrested for daring to steal from a navy ship! But don't worry! your valiant deeds will go on the record of captain Nezumi of Unit six-GAHHHHHHHH!" Nezumi cuts off in panic and pain when Zoro grabs his neck.
He grins sadistically "Who are you going to arrest?" proceeding to beat him black and blue along with the rest of his men that he inwardly chuckles (giggles) at in fond amusement. Usopp may be easily forgiving and caring of others but men like Nezumi and those who follow them make his skin crawl unpleasantly, perhaps they don't follow willingly but neither do they try to prevent, stop or any other type of method to what they do.
Nami says pleasantly kneeling next to Nezumi "This is for shooting Nojiko and Belle-meres tangerine grove…" before wracking him as hard as she could with her staff. Which reminds Usopp he needs to see what he can find in Log Town and the other stuff he stole for parts, so he can make his own and hopefully better version of Nami's first climatact! Just without all the useless party tricks, original Usopp put in since Nami is much too serious to appreciate that kind of thing…. Though he will make a separate one for that purpose just in case.
"Now you guys will help rebuild Gosa village, you won't get any of the treasure from Arlong Park since that belongs to the people of this island-"Half… they can have half "-And one more thing... GIVE ME BACK MY MONEY!" demands Nami coldly.
Nezumi swims off with his men after a few useless threats. sighing Usopp silently walks off when the villagers run off to inform the rest of the people of the island.
"Hey Usopp where you heading?" questions Luffy spotting his departure.
"Cocoyashi"
"Oh okay! We'll come with!" Luffy grins unceremoniously dragging Zoro and Sanji behind him much to their vehement protests.
"GAH! Let go Luffy!"
"Quit it! The, only one I'll let manhandle me is a beautiful woman!"
Usopp… while still frightened and worried over changing the plot in the future is still… Truly glad he joined this crazy crew!
"You, numbskull! You can't just sleep off an injury this bad! and you! while you have done an excellent job at patching him up, don't you have a proper doctor on board?" Doc questions Usopp more than Luffy since he is the most medically skilled and knowledgeable in the room.
Shaking his head negatively he silently laughs at Luffy's insistence of a musician being most needed, wincing slightly at the other doctor from another village helping wrap his confirmed two broken and three cracked ribs.
"Irresponsible kids these days…" Doc grumbles good-naturedly and shaking his head Usopp stands up, waving goodbye to Luffy and the others make's his way out to go collect and bring his loot back to the Merry Go.
"Be careful of those Ribs!"
"See ya!"
Stepping out he nods to Sanji who waves and makes his way steadily to Arlong park since it is the furthest from the ship. Enjoying both the peaceful walk and respite in the silence he hasn't had for the past two weeks, allowing him the time to think, his thoughts vary but what he keeps coming back to is the unexpected appearance of Cosimo.
At first, after he regained his senses he thought that he just was knocked out in the original Usopp's journey. Though now he's not so sure since even in the knowledge Arlong and his main officers made no mention of Cosimo at all and Nami never brought him up to his knowledge. There is so many possibilities and not a lot of them are good, what if new and stronger enemies are now added in? if so does that mean he or one of the others will have to fight them? Or does it mean new members will be joining in the future? He doesn't know and that's what scares him most…. Since what else has change if that is the case?
Sighing at all the troubling thoughts, he finally arrives at the place he hid his ill-gotten loot, startling badly in shock at the sight of Cosimo, casually sitting on one of the barrels with a lazy smirk. He guessed the saying is true then… think of the devil and he shall appear huh? he anxiously fiddles with his hands stiffly for a moment before resting his hand against his slingshot as a slight security blanket.
"Heh, no need ta feel nervous Baba! I'm not going ta kill ya, I lost fair and square and had my fun Baba!" Cosimo informs grinning hands raised in the un-armed gesture before jumping off the barrel.
"Though boy are ya a mean shot! Baba! and that ammo!" he excitedly exclaims stepping forward to which he steps back. Taking out his whiteboard he rapidly writes his question un-willing to speak since he has pushed his throat plenty enough today.
'Why are you here?'
"Eh, nothing much Baba! just thought I'd come to thank ya for the interesting fight since it was mighty entertaining Baba!" he shrugs taking another step still with that damned dark handsome smirk of his.
'Your welcome? Though aren't you mad?' he asks nervously and for some strange reason hoping he wasn't mad at him personally while taking another step back for his step forward.
"Mad? Not really Baba! I never really agreed with Arlong and the rest Baba! I just went with the flow and followed him for… reasons Baba! sides Hachi was my only real friend in that joint and I liked Nami, didn't see the point of hurting her and caging her like a slave…." Cosimo trails off a melancholy look momentarily passing across his face before it switches back to his customary smirk.
Understanding fills, him and Usopp un-tenses slightly, his heart truly goes out to him at that moment, he had almost wilfully forgotten what that tattoo on his chest meant. In the moment of inattention, Cosimo takes the last few steps and places his hands on either side of his head caging him having backed him up against a tree. Usopp stiffens all over again in anxiety, too flurried to write he hesitantly stutters out painfully.
"Wha-what a-are y-y-you" He stops with an audible click of his teeth at the hushing motion Cosimo makes.
"Heh, ya really are funny Baba! I told ya, didn't I? I'm not going ta hurt ya Baba!" He whispers gently, Usopp shudders at both the propinquity and the huskiness in his voice.
"Just wanting ta try and see what ya look like is all Baba! that and see what ya would do with me being that close baba!" Cosimo teases amused, stepping back and he sighs in relief at the distance.
Slowly but steadily he relaxes, knowing now that Cosimo really isn't here to hurt him, which was probably another unsaid goal of Cosimo's considering the pleased look in his eye at his calming.
'I won't remove my mask' he writes shaking his head, before slowly moving to start building a small cart to take all this stuff back to the ship.
"Heh, interesting Baba! well anyway, da ya mind if I stick with ya for a while? Baba! I got nothing to do and nowhere ta go" at that Usopp looks back at him with a tilted head in curiosity
"I'll be good! promise Baba!" Cosimo declares with a too innocent grin he doesn't believe for a second! but after considering it for a moment he nods, gaining a momentary honestly relieved grin that anyone else, wouldn't have probably spotted and it just reaffirms his decision to let him hang around him for a while. It's obvious to him that Cosimo needs to be with someone right now and he certainly won't turn him away, especially when they are no longer enemies and that he chose him to be with instead of swimming away and risk being spotted by the people of the island.
"Heh, well seeing as I'll be sticking with ya for a while can I help ya with anything?" Cosimo offers and nodding he starts pointing out a few things and chatting/writing with his new temporary companion.
A few hours go by surprisingly quickly as they work to bring what he stole from both Arlong and the Navy back to the Merry Go. They had to stay hidden since Cosimo wouldn't exactly be a welcomed presence, but It's filled with jocular teasing and silent laughter and Usopp is honestly surprised at how quickly and enjoyable he has come to find his company.
"Hey Usopp where does this create of swords go again? Baba!" Cosimo questions once again for the tenth time, rolling his eyes in exasperation he points to the lower gun deck before going back to his accounting of all the money and monetary worth of what he 'permanently borrowed' doing some quick calculations in his head. It's much more then he expected and with some of the jewels and weapons he can now sell Usopp has decided -albeit very grudgingly- that he will only keep around a quarter of the money before handing it to the people of the island as it rightly belongs.
Secretly of course! Nami would kill him if she knew! Besides he could just say he stole it off Nezumi if she figures out he stole more than just a bunch of weapons and miscellaneous items, well that and jewels but he plans on keeping the money and jewels a secret for now along with the swords since how else will Zoro obtain his destined swords otherwise?
"Done! Finally! ya truly an amazing thief! Ya stole near everything Baba! What you plan on doing with all this stuff anyway?" Cosimo exclaims slumping in the chair next to him from his place in the galley tiredly.
'Sell, use' he absently replies shrugging putting the last Berri back in the bag earning a snort of amusement.
"No! and here I thought ya just wanted ta decorate Baba!" He sarcastically drawls forcing silent laughter from his lips.
'it's late, I should go to the celebration lest my friends come looking for me' he eventually writes with a sigh gaining a tired nod.
"Ya, I better leave too Baba! it was nice hanging with ya, Baba! I won't be welcome if I stick around anyway, especially so soon after Arlong's defeat Baba! I'll see ya on the flip-side out in the Grand-Line ya?" Cosimo drawls standing up and while sad at parting with his new friend he nods and walks out with him over to the rails.
"Heh, I'll be sure ta get ya ta show me ya face next time! be sure ta get stronger and have more interesting ammo when we meet up for a friendly spar it'll be fun! Cya Baba!" Cosimo waves smirking in goodbye and diving off the ship, swimming away before Usopp could even attempt to formulate a response.
Paling slightly nervous at the mere idea of sparing with a fishmen, even a friendly one. blowing out a breath to release the built-up tension, he picks up the sacks of cash with a wince and makes his way into town. Where the island people are loudly holding their rightfully deserved celebrations with cheer.
"Hey, Usopp! where have you been?" Zoro greets from where he and Sanji are resting as Usopp walks near, having just come from dropping off the money to one of the townspeople.
'gathering and bringing supplies to the ship' he writes since It's not necessarily a lie.
"Oh, that was a good idea, certainly saves us from some of the work tomorrow, what's left to bring on board?" Sanji muses grinning, Zoro smirking along in approval.
'Just food and water, though while we are here you should inquire about a few locks for the fridge, Luffy has a literal black hole for a stomach' he replies earning a slight widening of eyes in surprise and incredulity at having not thought to get it now when it is more than likely the people we will give it up for free.
It does not take long for one to realise Luffy's insatiable appetite.
"Oh, shit you're right! Thanks for reminding me" Sanji sighs crushing his cigarette underfoot making him scrunch his nose in disgust. He hates cigarettes, perhaps it's a good thing this mask is cracked and needs to be discarded, it will give him time to modify a few of his other ones to include an air filter.
'Have fun' he writes in parting moving to make his way towards the doctors.
"Stay here and eat with us, you've been running around all day, You, need rest" Zoro say's surprising him since Zoro's not usually one to ask to hang out with people.
Tilting his head in thought he moves to decline, really wanting to ask the doctor some questions for his own formulas but hesitates when he spots the look in Zoro's eyes and the different but just as serious look in Sanji's so with a regretful mournful sigh Usopp nods, moving to grab a small plate of food from the nearest table.
"Good" Zoro states pleased with a small smile that he fails to notice. Much too busy moodily eating his food, a hidden pout on his lips. Nor does he notice the raised an amused look in Sanji's that causes Zoro to scowl in annoyance.
Just because he knows he need's rest and food doesn't mean he wants to! he's got strong concentrated herbal brews if he needs a pick me up to stay healthy! And chocolate! not like he's a big eater anyway… he inwardly grumbles in silent complaint, brooding.
Sanji incredulously asks, brow raised "Is that all you're going to eat?" nodding earns him a slight scowl.
"You really need to eat more, eating plenty and well is important for any ship sailor since you never know when you might have to go without, not that I'd let any of you bums starve out at sea" He scolds and while Usopp is empathetic and grateful over Sanji's concerns and past he doesn't like his eating habits being examined or picked on, it's unpleasant.
With another slight sigh, he nods in understanding to his words and dutifully eats whatever Sanji forces on him with even Zoro joining in sadistic amusement! earning many hidden dark glares and moody pouts.
Usopp spends the rest of the night among happiness and laughter, either hanging and getting to know Sanji or in comfortable silence, having short conversations with Zoro completely forgetting to speak to the doctor, just enjoying the jocular atmosphere and having fun.
Word Count: 10442
Success is not final, failure is not fatal it is the courage to continue that counts
The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike and notwithstanding go out and meet it –
Fighting is not physical, fighting is spiritual, It's the determination and will of the guy
I'm a fighter, I will not give up, I will stumble, and I will fall but I will stand back up. it might take longer at times, but I WILL stand back up and keep fighting
The enemy is not fighting you because you're weak. He's fighting you because you're strong -
Never give up on something you can't go a day without thinking about.
If you stand for a reason be prepared to stand alone like a tree and if you fall on the ground, fall like a seed that grows back to fight again.
Courage is not having the strength to go on, it is going on when you don't have the strength.
You are your worst enemy, it is your negative thoughts that hold you back nothing else.
who is the bravest hero? He who turns his enemy into his friend.
I have been fighting since I was a child, I'm not a survivor, I'm a fucking warrior
I just kept finding these nice quotes that I believe fit the chapter they may pop up again in future chapters.
P.S only posting this now because I am very happy I got my USB stick's data back completely fixed!