*BOOM*
Slowly blinking awake, Usopp groans before cutting off and gasping, rapidly sitting up clutching his burning throat tightly from the sheer agonizing pain he feels.
Coughing roughly, he looks around and spotting a small jug of water quickly pours himself a glass, grimacing at the copious taste of copper and iron in his mouth and the overwhelming scent of blood in his mask.
Finishing the water swiftly he pours a few more glasses full and drinks them as well until the water is all gone.
Gripping his head at the utterly massive headache he harbours he wonder's absently what happened at first before recalling the events that caused him to wake up in this horrific amount of pain and discomfort.
Inwardly sighing he unsteadily climbs to his feet and after a few weak and unstable steps makes it to the ladder and starts climbing his way up tremendously slowly, utterly nauseous and dizzy but still going.
He needs to know how long he's been out and if they are in the Grand Line yet… and to thank the others for not removing his mask even if he was potentially dying of blood loss.
No matter the illness, injury or how severe… the other would still come out and that… would be truly disastrous.
"WAAAAH!"
It really says something to how unwell and injured he is when he doesn't even twitch at the sudden loud copious exclamations of distress as he weakly slumps against the door of the bathroom, finally out of Nami's room.
Taking a deep breath, he slowly stands, only taking small tentative steps and his hand constantly gripping a hold of the wall or barrels in the room as he sways back in forth almost drunkenly outside vision spinning.
Sighing in slight relief at the fresh air outside he contemplates if it is worth climbing the stairs to the galley where the others most likely are or not. One step and Usopp discards even attempting it and just sits where he is on the steps leaning heavily against the rails.
"Eh? Usopp! You're awake!" Nami exclaims rushing over to him with Zoro, Sanji and Luffy swiftly following.
"USOPP! YOUR AWAKE! DOES THIS MEAN YOUR BETTER!?" Luffy.
"Shitty-sniper! You really worried us! What's wrong with you anyway!?" Sanji.
"Dumbass! You're, not well enough to be out of bed! Come on I'll take you back!" Zoro shouts aggravated.
"Damn! Navy ship rapidly approaching!" Sanji suddenly shouts making the others tense and Zoro stops his movements to grab him.
"Are they after my head?" Luffy questions.
"That's way too many for that!" Nami immediately denies it.
"It means they need that many to capture me, right? I'm amazing aren't I Shishishi!"
"Ahh!" Eh? Who… APIS!? This arc wasn't in the manga! Usopp inwardly frets, quickly losing energy that he just doesn't have to spare, it took all he had to just get out of bed, upstairs and outside!
"What's wrong?"
"Those ships belong to branch 8! The ones who captured me that I escaped from! What am I going to do!" Apis nervously exclaims worried.
"Shit their firing at us! Apis-chan! Get on below deck!"
*BOOM*BOOM*BOOM*
"Attention Pirates! Stop your ship immediately! Those were warning shots! The next will hit!" The Marines order as if they would listen.
Usopp kind of stops listening, mostly unwillingly as he feels the fever he certainly knows he has spiked higher with the sheer stress of both the situation, the information the knowledge could be following both Anime and Manga and his own injuries and illness.
He slumps to the side breathing heavily, clutching his throat as the ship rapidly speeds up.
"You okay?" blinking rapidly he blearily looks up at Zoro who is looking at him with concern and he nods weakly earning a scoff.
"Don't lie, you're not good at it" Usopp heavily disagrees with that statement, he can be an excellent liar when he wants to be!
"Come on, I'll bring you back to bed" Zoro sighs lifting him up and even sick as he is he still shudders at the human contact.
"AHHH!"
"What is it Nami?" Luffy questions and even Usopp looks over from his place dangling from Zoro's shoulder like a sack of potatoes concerned.
"WE'VE ENTERED THE CALM BELT!"
…. He is much too exhausted, ill and in pain for this Bullshit and that indubitably deserved the capital letter.
"Charm belt? What's that?" Luffy asks looking at Nami.
"CALM BELT! It's an area of sea where nothing moves a muscle! Not the wind, not the sea nothing!" Nami worriedly corrects.
"Nami grew her muscles!?" Fool! Usopp is still not happy with Luffy! Idiot almost got himself killed for literally no reason!
"IDIOT!"
Feeling the boat shake Usopp momentarily blacks out for a few seconds from the dizziness and nausea he feels, not even daring to make a sound lest the hellish pain he feels in his throat triples again.
"-he Grand Line is running between these two sea areas! Do you get it?" She is talking to the idiot duo, a simpleton, a little girl plus him who is incapacitated and cannot explain further and in simpler terms so no, they don't get it.
"The area on both sides are called the Calm Belt, the reason is unknown but, in these areas, there's no wind and no current, an area of sea with complete calm, sailboats run by catching winds so it's an extremely dangerous area! Indeed, a fatal area of sea for them! Luffy, did you get it?"
"Yeah! At least that we're in trouble" Luffy is smarter than he portrays so people should stop doubting him… he hates that he can't even be petty and mad at people properly since he just defended him!
"I see, you got more than I thought" It's a mystery…
"So, this is what the geezer meant when he said it was dangerous…" Sanji mused.
"No wonder there hasn't been any wind! We can't move if there's no wind" Please stop talking Zoro your making him feel worse and if you're not going to take him to Nami's room put him down! He hates being touched!
"We can just wait till the wind starts blowing" Yes… a mystery.
"Like I said! Once in this area of sea wind never blows! No matter how long you wait and that's not all! there's another reason people call this area dangerous!" Two actually but he will tell them later when he isn't dying.
"WAHH! Something is coming this way!"
"WOAH! THERE HUGE!"
"The Calm Belt is the nest of Sea Kings… big ones" Usopp has left the building but if you will please leave your name and number he will get back to you if he doesn't die a horrible death via heart attack, being squeezed to death from a panicked Zoro or eaten by a gigantic Sea King that makes Giants look small.
"...What are we going to do now?" Sanji grits out, his and everyone but Usopp's own expression fixed into a panicked, shocked rictus.
"F-for the time being no one move a muscle! They'll go back into the sea eventually and when they do we row like hell!" Zoro suggests holding onto him much too tightly and it takes everything Usopp has left not to faint or suffer a massive panic attack and not because of the Sea Kings.
Unfortunately, someone sneezes and a massive frog leaps out of the water.
"BAKA!"
"A FROG IS COMING… OH, NO APIS" Luffy shouts stretching to catch Apis before she can be eaten.
"Y-YOUR ARM IS STRETCHING! LUFFY DO YOU HAVE A DEVIL FRUIT POWER!?" Apis exclaims shocked
"Yep!"
"LUFFY! STRETCH YOUR ARM DOWNWARDS AGAIN!" Oh… so they are going to go flying via another sneeze… he doesn't know if he is strong or well enough to survive such a great jostle and landing.
"What are you doing!?" Nami.
"I don't know" figures.
"What did she just do?" stop talking… please Zoro!
"She pulled out his nose hair!"
*ACHOOOOO*
"WHOOOHOOO! I FELL LIKE WHERE FLYING!" We are… and he is no longer touching Zoro!
"DAMN! LUFFY!" Zoro shouts just as we enter the area they came from.
"Right! Gum-Gum Catch!" Great… more touching.
The moment Usopp crashes into the boat he blacks out to the screams and bellows of concern and anger at Luffy's reckless carelessness.
The next time he wakes up is when he instantly realises his mask his gone, the moment he realises his mask his gone he swiftly sits up pushing the shocked and startled doctor back roughly and looks around, spotting it he dives and shoves it back on his face, thankful that he mustn't have had it off his person more than fifty seconds at most.
If even a second over a minute went by… he shudders just thinking about it.
"Wah! Young man please I must insist you take off your mask, so I can properly treat you!" Weak, feverish, badly shaking and harshly breathing as he is he still stubbornly shakes his head no.
He cannot take off his mask! Unless in an extreme emergency or he has no choice!
Usopp is grateful though that his crewmates are not in the room… to have seen how utterly hideous he really is behind this mask…
"If it's because of your scares I promise not to speak of them, but I cannot treat you if I cannot look into your throat!" The doctor, an old woman speaks harshly in reprimand.
Shaking his head again he reaches for his whiteboard but stops when he realises he doesn't have it or the rest of the belts on his person so indicating for paper shakily the doctor raises a dubious brow but passes them over anyway.
Very shakily he writes with more concentration and time then he likes to make his letters at least legible.
'It's not the scars… I will compromise and only agree to take it off if you give me something to cover all but my mouth, so you can do your job'
The doc huffs but agrees, cutting a few holes into a white scrap of cloth, that done she proceeds to give his throat a thorough check-up, looking both concerned and pale after fully checking over his throat.
"…Well, the good news is that you're not at risk of dying, the bad news is that your throat is badly ripped apart and only a very risky surgery performed by a highly skilled or miracle doctor could possibly fix…. I'm afraid that without it if you even managed to find such a doctor and survive that you will never be able to speak again" Usopp… isn't as upset with that statement as the doctor giving him a pitying look ought to be.
It will make things harder yes… but he has futuristic otherworldly knowledge on his side, he could easily build something to help him talk and make conversation with others easier. So long as he has these two hands of his… he doesn't need a real voice.
Especially not with friends like his on the crew….
Nodding in thanks the doctor proceeds to write down whole lists of food, medicine and other things he doesn't care to think of right now on his health needs for the next few months that he will be sure to follow so long as he doesn't have something better.
When the doc is gone he scrubs his mask clean of any blood and when satisfied remove's the cloth putting it back on.
Leaning on the cane the doc gave him to help him move about a little he steps out of the room he was in and follows the directions she gave him to the others who are listening to an old man telling them the history of their people.
"AH! Usopp! Are you okay!? What happened? What did the doctor say?" Nami, Sanji, Luffy and Zoro instantly move to his side though being sure not to cage crowd or touch him that he is truly thankful for their kind consideration of his wishes.
Passing over the letter he had the doctor write in explanation he watches as they gasp, looking grave and worriedly at him in pure concern and Usopp doesn't deserve it. he doesn't deserve anything but… he is glad he has it and so very thankful he has these people as friends! Even if he doesn't know what they see in him to be so concerned for his wellbeing.
"Oh, Usopp…" Nami whispers sadly.
"So, you can't ever speak again? That's really shitty luck" Sanji sighs blowing smoke causing him to be thankful for the air filter he installed. He wouldn't be able to ever be near Sanji otherwise since he is quite injured and sick right now with his throat, he cannot constantly be coughing that would inevitably cause more damage to it!
"At least you can write" Zoro states and Usopp nods before passing over the diet requirements for the next few months to Sanji for him to look over.
"Mm, So, soup, mush and easy to digest food for you huh? doable, heh with your knowledge of medicinal cuisine we'll fix you right up in no time!" Sanji muses before grinning though it's a little strained. Luckily Usopp spots no pity in his or the other eyes.
Nodding happily he is quickly caught up in the events since he passed out in Loguetown, causing him to realise that either the time line was sped up which could prove disastrous in the long run for certain events, this part was just skipped over in the manga but still happened or this still happened but the Strawhats weren't involved and so things went differently for Apis and the dragons, good or bad Usopp will never know but all he can hope for is that it's the last two options and not the one with time sped up.
Many calamities will happen if the Strawhats aren't involved or arrive in time… shaking his head he allows himself to rest and just not think on the possibilities, each one more terrible than the last, he can't do anything about it and it may not even be detrimental to the plot at all.
If it is he will just have to deal with it at the time but not now when he is just starting to recover.
A few hours Later when Apis and soon after Luffy leaves is when Usopp wonders… perhaps this is an unexpected opportunity to change something… like having a new crewmember join up.
Apis may be a little girl, untrained and unskilled but she is an excellent strategist and at making up plans on the spot that work, she is also someone who can talk and is excellent with animals.
In the anime version of his knowledge Apis decided to stay and continue the work of her ancestors and ready her and her people's descendants so they never forget about the dragons… if Usopp can get her to join up, he and the rest can train and teach her more about the world and if she becomes wanted, becomes a part of history itself as part of their crew it will make it easier for her descendants to never forget her future teachings and history for the next time the dragons show up.
The road to hell is paved with good intentions… but if it's nothing more than a selfish want? a wish with unclear intentions will it still lead to hell? Or will the path even out in a new direction?
It will never lead to heaven… though purgatory doesn't sound so bad if that's where it leads in the end.
Standing up when Nami leaves he doesn't even bother pausing since he doubts the old man will even realise, so deep into his history lesson he doesn't even notice the fly flying in and out of his nose.
"Ah! That was a nightmare! Though are you sure you should be walking around, even with that cane?" Nami stretches sighing in relief while asking in concern. He nods hesitantly and continues walking, not as fast as he would like and slightly unsteadily, but he really wants to see a dragon even if he should be resting.
Though dragons… Hmn… it rings a bell in his knowledge that he can't seem to grasp or place.
"Geeze! He's asleep don't tell me he was sleep eating again! Luffy!" Nami sighs aggrieved before shaking Luffy awake.
"AHH! NOT EVEN ONE BUN IS LEFT!" Usopp isn't all that concerned over the missing buns, not like he could have eaten it anyway, nor could he for the next few months if not year.
"Yeah! This is really yummy!" he feels nothing but pleased at Nami hitting Luffy over the head, he still is and will not so easily forgive him for being so stupid.
"Yummy? How do you intend to make up for eating everyone's share!" everyone but his.
"What are you talking about? Usopp back me up!" he pointedly ignores him earning a confused frown from Luffy.
"Geez! Eh? What's this… what made this trail?" Nami muses fingering a trail of something being dragged.
"Let's go find out!" Luffy says walking off, Nami and he both follow.
"Hm? Dead end?" Luffy says before walking to the bushes.
"What's the deal? eh Luffy, what are you doing?"
"A hole"
They proceed to follow the path up the mountain, Nami and Luffy having to repeatedly wait or help him up. Luffy offered to carry him but he ignored him again, only feeling slightly guilty at his frowning expression.
"This is the other side of the mountain... Ah, that's…" Nami says before spotting the cave, they proceed to go in, hearing Apis talking to someone… or rather the dragon!
Usopp's eyes widen in awe and his jaw drops so much so that he doesn't even feel a headache forming in the back of his head… not helped since he already had a headache.
"I wonder who Apis is talking to…"
"YO! Apis who you talking to?" Luffy greets waving obliviously.
"Don't just jump out and say hey!" Nami, Luffy is a fool, you can't reason with fools.
"NO! don't come any closer!" Too late Usopp has already teleported to as close as he dared to the beautiful and old dragon.
Gently coming to rest on his knees he scoots over, ignoring both Luffy and Nami's shock. Not even nervous when Ryu looks at him curiously.
When Luffy starts hugging him he assumes it's safe to touch him and removing his glove he gently, almost feather light strokes his feathers and scales in reverent awe and amazement.
"This is amazing! Where did you come from?" Luffy questions excitedly.
"Eh?... I see so you want to go home huh?"
"Okay… Grandpa Ryu says's you and Usopp can both be his friend, he can tell you're good people" He starts with hearing his name surprised.
"Oh, we haven't properly met yet! I'm Apis" Usopp nods slowly, dizzy from his long hike up the hill still shocked the dragon mentioned him as well.
"Luffy… how could you read Grandpa Ryu's mind?" he contemplates telling them about Haki, Gods voice and all that but decides not to, he is not happy with Luffy and it doesn't matter if he keeps his silence for now anyway.
Pun not intended.
"I somehow did!"
"Somehow….?"
"How did you know?"
Usopp ignores the next part of the conversation, letting himself lean more heavily then he wants to against Ryu's flank, utterly exhausted.
"I wanna help, but I can't figure out where such an island exists after all… the legend itself doesn't really give me a clue so I asked the Navy about it when they stopped on the island, that was a mistake since they were looking for draconite" It's right here but he refrains from saying so, he both wants to travel to the lost island to take a million and one pictures for Robin and himself but also see what he can find history wise, books, scrolls… even small things like toys or something to take back with him to this island.
History is important and by bringing something back he is also somewhat helping to cement this islands loyalty to the Strawhat pirates and as soon as they are powerful enough will practically declare this island as under their protection.
"Draconite… you mean the one for immortality? they took you away because of such a thing?" Usopp finds the thought of immortality repulsive, always has and with such a vehemence that he suspects his past life had something to do with it.
"Yes, they told me to tell them what I know and took me away, the pendant that I made with a claw Grandpa Ryu gave me might be another reason though…" Usopp ignores the rest of the conversation lets his eyes slide closed and takes a short fitful nap, it is very hard to nap with chronic insomnia, only with how weak, exhausted and feverish he is, helps with him to get a little rest.
"Usopp! me and Nami are heading down to get Zoro and Sanji! Wanna come?" Luffy asks happily shaking him awake a few hours later, he would groan if it wouldn't make him pass out in pain. Shoving Luffy off him he sits up stretching and turns to Nami to answer instead, shaking his head.
"Oh… Well okay cya soon!" Luffy's grin looks slightly strained for some reason and Nami looks slightly concerned but says nothing as they leave the cave so it's just him, Apis and the dragon Ryu.
"Ah-um… I know we don't know each other well… but are you upset with Luffy?" blinking he turns to Apis who looks concerned.
Nodding with an inward sigh he doesn't wait for her to ask why and just writes his reply down on his recovered whiteboard and the rest of his belts and weights. 'Luffy was really foolish and though he could have easily gotten away he didn't even think and instead almost got himself killed, I am easily forgiving usually but for such idiotic foolishness…' Usopp doesn't say the rest but he doesn't have to, Apis looks understanding.
"Oh, I guess I'd be angry too if the ones I care about could easily get out of something but still almost die instead… I know Luffy didn't mean to though! So, I hope you can forgive and make up with him soon!" She's a good kid.
'Apis, What, do you think about joining our crew after we get Grandpa Ryu back to his family? It may not seem like it, but the other's no doubt perceives, you as a little probationary crew member, I no doubt will as well when we set sail for Lost Island and we could always use a beast tamer' Usopp is a terrible person, but if she still doesn't join it's no big deal.
"EH!? Me? Become a pirate!? Beast tamer!?" Apis flails around amusingly.
Nodding he continues, trying to be as persuasive as possible, using words of a simpler nature for the little girl. 'Yes, your kindness, your devil fruit, I have no doubt with a little training you could become the best Beast Tamer in the world! And if you join our crew eventually you will become infamous and it will make protecting your island and even having your knowledge and everything to do with Grandpa Ryu, the dragons recorded and remembered better in history for your descendants to continue whatever work that needs to be done for the Dragons the next time they come around'
"Well… I don't know, what do you think Grandpa Ryu?" Apis looks very indecisive and he decides that's enough persuasion for now.
"…Yeah, I understand Grandpa Ryu…" Apis mutters looking uncertainly at the ground and Usopp shakes his head lightly lifting Apis's head to look at him properly.
'There is no need for you to decide now, decide when all is said and done, and Ryu is back home yeah?'
"…Yeah, I'll think about it"
'Well then! Would you like to tell me a few stories you have with Grandpa Ryu? I can teach you how to use a slingshot while we wait for the others if you want?' Apis smiles widely at that and nods happily.
Another two hours go by with Usopp and Apis, laughing, telling stories and on his part teaching Apis how to shoot, he doesn't believe the slingshot is her weapon though, she can aim well it's just the actual releasing the leather and strings that she seems to suck at. Usopp is very glad he has a mask on otherwise he would have been hit many a time when she somehow unexplainably shot backwards.
"AH! Hi everyone!" Apis and Usopp wave from their place on Ryu's body, they were picking loose feathers from him for him to keep, he likes feathers and he likes dragons, can't honestly go wrong with it.
"This is the millennial Dragon that Bokuden was talking about" Nami begins. He ignores the squabble between Nami and Luffy and slides down Ryu's body like a slide, moving to stand next to Zoro when he looks at him funny, tilting his head.
"So, this is where you've been, you shouldn't have climbed up this mountain in your condition" he huffs at that, he doesn't want to be lectured by him of all people on taking care of injuries properly and he tells him so earning a petulant scowl.
"…Just tell me next time and I'll come with you okay" he doesn't know why Zoro is that concerned over his well-being, he certainly hasn't done anything to deserve it… but he doesn't like it, he isn't used to being cared for when sick or injured by anyone but Kaya and her parents before they died, even then it was only for two years after the event with the other.
'Alright, thanks for worrying about me Zoro, didn't know you liked me that much!' he can't help but tease, inwardly laughing his head off at Zoro's now tomato red face and continuous spluttering of denials.
"Wa-!? It's not like that at all!" rolling his eyes at Zoro he turns back to the others.
He inwardly snorts in amusement as Sanji is the one to get chomped on by Ryu when he gets to close in curiosity, he suppresses his amusement less he injures his throat anymore then it already is when Zoro and Sanji start fighting over Zoro's commit.
As explanations move on he absently takes out a vial from a pouch and drinks it down, sighing through his nose at the blissful cooling sensation but frowns when he realises it wasn't just one viol he took of Summer Honey Usopp knows that he has become addicted to the stuff, he's been drinking this stuff mindlessly much too much lately, he is lucky he hasn't thought to absently open the case in his workroom with the stronger doses of it yet.
Summer's Honey is just so easy to make though and there is always more if he deems it so. Thinking about it he decides to give the rest to Nami to look over, he isn't going to become a drug addict if he can help it!
"Usopp! Were making a cart for Ryu! You well enough to make it when we get the wood?" Nodding at that he takes off the pouch with the Summer Honey medication and gives it to Nami.
"EH? What's this?"
'addictive pain medication, I have been absently taking to much of it since we left your island'
"Oh, so you want me to keep it, so you don't have too much," Nami asks in understanding to which he nods, he blinks when the pouch disappears somewhere on Nami's person… he decides he doesn't want to know.
"WAHH! This cart won't break even when Grandpa Ryu rides it!" Apis exclaims in joy a half hour later.
"Right! SHISHISHI!"
"But the Harbor is blocked by the Navy, right? What will we do with the ship?" asks Sanji.
"Isn't it gonna work out?" It will but original Usopp is the one who went down last time, he doesn't know if he could make it down, he has literally used up all his stores of energy making the darn cart.
"No, it won't!" Sanji sighs annoyed.
"Shall we make a raid?" Zoro… not everything is a fight.
"Yeah! Good idea" no it's not.
"That's not going to work since we have Grandpa Ryu! I have an idea on how to get him out of here! By the way, I want the Merry Go to be brought around to the rear of the island" Nami, the only other one with common sense, though this Usopp isn't volunteering…. He has no choice does he though? Sighing he steps forward and raises his hand.
"Eh… Usopp you sure?" he nods "…Alright but Zoro you're going with him!"
"Sure"
"Then I'll leave it to you guys! Zoro take good care of Usopp! Be sure to bring the ship to the cape that looks like Usopp's nose" he's not even going to bother being offended since it does look like his nose.
"Shishishi! You're right it does look like Usopp's nose!" he pointedly ignores Luffy looking at him when he say's that, he can tell when someone is trying to get a rise out of him and it won't work! He doesn't even flinch at how Luffy's eyes dim a little.
Leaving with Zoro they swiftly make it down the mountain and to the ship, being sure to keep out of sight, though Usopp keeps shuddering, disgusted and nervous and all manner of other negative feelings at having to keep being carried and held by Zoro throughout it all, that he doesn't notice or even if Usopp did notice he would just find him weird that Zoro is much fonder and enjoying carrying him around then he otherwise should be, a boyish happy grinning smirk fixed to his face all the way down the mountain as he holds him to his back or chest tightly.
"Usopp, can your mask open enough for this?" Zoro asks holding out a long pipe that he shakes his head no too.
"Then hold your breath!" Oh, no….
Grabbing him Zoro jumps into the sea and it's all he can do to hold his breath as Zoro practically drags his weak body in the water, much to close to his chest and Usopp is going to need a long, very long bath and to scrub himself raw after this and to burn the clothes he's wearing he has been touched so much today! He inwardly wails as Zoro puts him on his back as he climbs the anchor's rope.
They make it up the rope and on the ship without issue or being spotted by the Marines and while he is slightly annoyed at the missed opportunity for collecting more sea stone cuffs, nets or even possible weapons he isn't all that upset about it.
He is miffed that as soon as the Marines notice the Merry having travelled a bit away from them that they start shooting at her to get at them. He's the one who must look after Merry since the others are hopeless and she cannot do so herself, he is truly enraged at Merry's pain. He smiles at the strange, feminine humming he hears in the wind, no doubt Merry trying to convey that it's alright and she's fine, patting her wood in acceptance he runs around with Zoro quickly nearing the cape.
Grabbing the whipstaff with Zoro they pull it back as far as it can when Merry almost rams into the marine ship, another injury to his precious friend.
"You alright?" Zoro asks seeing his heavily breathing form and giving thumbs up he nods weakly, he still has a fever, is exhausted and in a lot of pain but then he will be like this for a while to come, he needs to get used to it.
"Stubborn… well take a rest if you need it, I can steer the ship" He feel's… very unconfident intrusting Merry into Zoro's care alone when sailing, he gets lost in straight lines, he'd somehow sail Merry into hell if left alone long enough!
"Well, seems we have no choice but to make a raid- eh?" Zoro cuts off when he see's the rapidly approaching cart, a navy vessel right behind them.
He watches in amusement as the navy ship's mast gets totalled, marooning them for now as they land in the ocean… and at Zoro's hanging jaw and overall expression.
"What a crazy plan!"
"Well! it worked out! let's go!" Apis darling, brave little Apis. They really shouldn't but lost island isn't that far away.
Tying the cart to the ship quickly, Usopp doesn't bother waiting around for the conversation to take place, just totters his way to the men's quarters and lies down on the couch, taking another fitful nap. He has a feeling he will be taking a lot of those for the foreseeable future.
Walking out on deck, suppressing a yawn he makes his way to the Galley, planning on making some Chamomile and Lavender iced tea.
"You're up, we've found our heading to Lost Island so were moving east, also here, lunch" nodding in thanks he takes the bowl of lukewarm soup, sets it down on the table and moves to make his tea.
"I'll do it, just eat, you haven't eaten in a few days, you need your strength" he wants to grumble at the words but sit's down anyway, starting to eat as Sanji makes his iced tea.
"Doing better?" Zoro asks where he is doing the dishes with Sanji.
Not really but he nods anyway, Zoro looks at him intently for a few minutes before scoffing with a shake of his head. "Liar"
Huffing annoyed at how Zoro can seemingly read him like an open book even with his mask on he inwardly grumbles as he finishes his food… well mostly, he couldn't take another spoonful if he tried and he only ate a quarter of it.
"Can't eat anymore?" Sanji asks with a deep sigh and Usopp nods. "That's fine, I'll just give the rest to Luffy or Ryu, so we don't waste it" Sanji grins placing his glass of iced tea in front of him.
Standing he takes his glass and goes outside, wanting to enjoy the fresh air for a bit.
"Usopp! Come and join me!" Luffy calls from where he is on Merry's head, surprising him, Luffy never asks for others to join him on his special seat. He hesitates a moment, really wanting to be petty and stay mad but… he is just not that kind of person, it's just too hard and exhausting for him to ever stay mad at anyone for long, no matter how idiotic…
Nodding slightly, he reluctantly climbs on top of Merry's head and sits next to Luffy, it's quiet for a while and Luffy doesn't talk, just grins and watches the horizon, it's peaceful. Though all good things come to an end and Luffy say's something that shocks him.
"I'm sorry, you were really worried, right? Back at Loguetown?" Usopp stiffly nods after a few moments of silence and Luffy turns to look at him seriously.
"I know I don't always make the best decisions, I'm not smart like you or Nami, and looking back I know I could have easily escaped, I panicked and didn't think, you destroyed your voice and got really sick that you almost died to make me realise that back then, I never meant to make you or the others worry or hurt like that, So, I'm sorry" Blinking rapidly he feels himself shake minutely and his eyes slightly burns, his throat gains a new type of ache at the sobs he is holding back but he doesn't cry and just nods and gets out his whiteboard.
'I'm not like you Luffy, I can't become friends with everyone I meet, I'm a loner by choice and extremely picky on who I befriend and get close to, I don't want to lose anyone of the only real friends I have… I couldn't handle it'
"I know, I promise to think next time, forgive me?" Luffy smiles before grinning widely when he nods weakly.
"Great! Lost Island here we come!" Baka…. As if Usopp could ever not forgive and continue to love someone, especially his friends no matter what they do…
"Eh? What's that? smoke?" Luffy mumbles and looking over Usopp starts before jumping off Merry's head and clapping his hands loudly getting Nami's, Luffy's and Apis's attention.
"What's wrong Usopp?" Nami calls down from her spot in the crow's nest, he points to the front causing her to look over surprised.
"A mirage…? in the ocean? Luffy! Be careful!"
"Okay!... Hm? HEY! CHECK IT OUT NAMI!"
"I… already am!"
Usopp covers his drink and sips it as the mirror-like mirage appears and they travel into the storm literally speaking, well the fog first that leads out into a storm anyway. moving his way to the back of the ship where Apis is with Ryu he doesn't even pause when he lands on the cart the dragons on and checks over the ropes, making sure it is good and tight.
"Eh, what's going on Usopp?" not even writing could be seen in this fog, so he doesn't bother trying, just tightly grips onto Ryu's feathers.
"KYAA!" Apis shouts when the boat suddenly sways and Usopp tries not to hurl, he is truly not well enough for roughing storms!
"Sanji! Zoro! Undo the ropes! Let's raise the sails!" Nami yells down.
"Yes, Nami-san!" guess who!
"You go inside the Cabin!" Zoro commands Apis.
"NO! I'm going to stay by Grandpa Ryu's side!" Fool! He's already here with Ryu!
Usopp ignores the conversations and arguments and just hugs Ryu's neck tightly, constantly checking on the ropes making sure they don't break and leave them stranded in the chaotic waves.
"WAH! What! No Grandpa Ryu! We are not leaving you adrift! And Usopp's still with you!" Apis cries when she and Zoro grab the ropes that were slipping away making him lose years off his life!
It's an hour later when they reach the eye of the storm and the island, though he is still clinging tightly to Ryu, he feels as if he doesn't he will black out.
"Stormy seas surround the island huh? it's almost like it's trying to keep people away from the island… that must be why nobody's ever found it before huh?" Nami muses.
"It looks more like a castle that's sunk into the sea than an island…" Hearing Luffy's reply Usopp suddenly gains some strength and jumps back over to the ship, taking out his modified camera that he made and starts taking pictures. Robin is going to love him for this! not to mention the people of Warship island!
"We made it to the lost island!"
When they are close enough Usopp jumps from the ship excitedly and runs around everywhere, taking pictures, pocketing things he finds interesting and doesn't even wait before running off away from the others.
"Ah! Hey Usopp, where are you going!?" The others scream after him, but he is already long gone!
Halfway up the island a half hour later Usopp stops taking pictures and picking up stuff useful or not from the crumbling ruins when he spots a latch in one of the bigger ruin-like dwellings, tilting his head he contemplates if the potential danger is worth opening it. Eventually, curiosity not helped by his still very real fever wins out over caution and opens it, finding himself slightly surprised at finding intact stairs after the dust settles, which he is pleased once again at how well his air filters work.
Turning the lamp in his top hat on he slowly walks down the steps, reaching the bottom he looks around and realises it's a large underground cellar, filled to the brim with shockingly intact scroll's, book's, wine, treasure but the most notable and shocking thing in the whole place is the ginormous blue rock at the end of the room with words he can't read.
He knows what it is, he is just shocked one was on this island and that he is the one who found it, taking a few pictures of it from all four sides he then proceeds to swiftly and gently as he can to collect it all in the sacks he brought with him. He has to make a few trips, but he makes it up with it all. Grinning at the unexpected find he looks around and spots Luffy and the others with Ryu a little ahead of him.
Clapping loudly, he gets their attention.
"Usopp! Geeze doesn't run off like that! and what's all that stuff with you?" Nami questions annoyed.
'I found an underground cellar, with shockingly intact, scrolls, books, wine and treasure!' Nami literally teleports in front of him Berri signs in her eyes. "Did you say treasure?"
"Wine huh? if it was down there for a thousand years it must be aged magnificently! A single bottle will be priceless! not that I plan on selling them" Sanji goes on walking over and picking up one of the bottles happily.
Nami doesn't protest already hugging the treasure like it's her long-lost child, kissing it, it is kind of revolting in his opinion and he loves money himself.
"Grandpa Bokuden will love these books and scrolls!" Apis grins looking at it all.
"We'll put the stuff on the cart then, we're heading up," Zoro says bored, looking at the wine himself a glint in his eyes.
Nodding they continue making their way up, Usopp riding with the treasure and Ryu as he looks over all his pictures happily, glad he didn't include a delete feature. This camera is the most high-tech piece of equipment he has bothered making from his knowledge.
"Oh wow! Where'd you get that camera? I've never seen one like it before!" Nami says in awe spotting it.
'I made it" he tells her proudly.
"Really!? Your, talents never cease to amaze do they?" she dryly says earning a huff of amusement.
"Wah! Usopp I didn't know you were so skilled at building things!" Apis exclaims stars in her eyes.
"Usopp's the best! He's really talented! he can cook, build, garden, sew, do all kinds of chores! Shoot, heal people! Nothing but the best for my crew!" Luffy claims proudly.
"SUGOI!" please stop giving him praise, it's making him uncomfortable and he doesn't deserve it.
Ten minutes later they make it up the mountain to where he has just remembered they will fall through the floor, with precious invaluable sacks of books, scrolls and wine since the treasure of gold and jewels will be fine. Damnit!
Moving the sacks carefully he shoves it tight against Ryu's body gaining curious looks, but they don't say anything, used to his strange behaviour at times.
"Everyone! Good work!" Apis says when they get the cart up the last step.
"This painting is of the millennial dragon, right?"
"Yeah it is, this building is the dragon's nest?" Moron, what kind of dragon builds a nest in a man-made building? Usopp is thankful he can't talk anymore since that commit would not be appreciated if he had accidentally said that out loud.
"Hold on! where's the entrance? How do we get inside?" They fall, though Robin would kill them if she knew when she joins. Oh well, he already snapped a few pictures so nothing too bad will happen hopefully.
"This is the entrance" Luffy bluntly states but he ignores the conversation, focusing on protecting the loot and wine.
"Eh? EHHHHHH!"
Feeling his stomach drop and do flips he holds the wine between his chest and Ryu's flank tightly, grits his teeth and bites his lip when they crash land. He would have passed out again if not for the pain in his lip he is using to focus.
"What is this place…." Nami whispers and looking up he looks around in awe at the murals around, this place must have been of great importance to the people who once lived here, possibly a temple.
Snapping pictures like it's nobody's business, even taking photos of the others for a scrapbook later, amused when Luffy, Sanji, Apis and even Zoro notice and pose for the camera. Eventually, he puts it away and tunes back in, only sighing at the fact they can't take explore the whole of the temple considering they barely have any time.
"This may not be lost island" He doesn't want to be that guy… but this is in his head so yes, he already knew as much and would say I told you so if he had well… actually told them so.
"How can you tell Nami?" Luffy asking the smart and obvious question!
"Look Up" already did and got a lot of pictures too. "Up at the ceiling"
"It's a map that leads to the location of the lost island, that mural with a dome building on it leads to this island the people around it are the people who once lived here, I'd wager they were Apis's ancestors, you remember what Bokuden told us?" Sometimes he wishes he could be as intelligent as Nami instead of relying so much on the knowledge… though he is more skilled, so it evens out slightly? "Nope, I was asleep!" Typical Luffy.
Usopp ignores the rest already knowing all this, and instead starts checking all the breakable or easily damaged loot… like the wine, only sighing in relief when nothing appears to be broken or cracked or in the scroll case to banged up.
"Assuming the map is correct the Dragons Nest is on Warship island" obviously, though he wouldn't have known if not the knowledge but details!
"Grandpa Ryu! Think back! Where is the Dragons Nest!? We thought it was this place but there's nothing here! There's only a painting Grandpa Ryu! Does it bring back any memories for you!? You're our only hope right now! Please! Remember!" Apis Nami is almost never wrong… emphasis on almost.
Coughing slightly he grimaces and his face scrunches up in pain from the agony that rips through him but does his best to ignore it, like he has been attempting to do all day, it's constantly in a state of throbbing, burning and almost spasming, a thousand barbed needles piercing his throat, that times a billion when he makes any minuscule thing with it, even when he was eating lukewarm soup it was almost more then he could take!
"Alright! So, the nest really is on Warship Island then!" Luffy is amazing… to unknowingly be using Gods voice as inexperienced as he is as a pirate… he is slightly jealous.
"Eh! How did you know what he said Luffy?" Apis exclaims surprised. "I just did!" true, Luffy knows nothing about his gift.
"Well, your right! Grandpa Ryu said he remembered! He says the dragon's nest is on Warship Island!... I'm Sorry for dragging you all the way out here, for something that might have already sunk into the ocean…" Apis! Don't be sad! In this world, the laws of physics and science work in strange ways!
Clapping to get her attention they all look over at him and smiling behind his mask he shows his whiteboard. 'The Grand Line is made up of many incredible and seemingly impossible things... who is to say that the other oceans don't have impossibilities? Did we not just come through an immortal storm surrounding this island, hidden by both fog and mirages? Who knows! The island may just rise out of the ocean when the Dragons arrive!"' Not the best explanation he could have given but considering he is not supposed to know too much it's all he can give, besides the others are smiling and Apis seems happier now.
"That's Right! Being discouraged this easily isn't like you Apis!" Nami.
"You'll never get anything done if your afraid of failure, Usopp's right, the impossible happens all the time" Sanji…
"Nothing wrong with getting lost!" Zoro you get lost in literal straight lines of course to you there's nothing wrong.
"Everyone…" Apis!
"Let's go! Grandpa Ryu won't get any better here right?" Luffy, your optimism, kindness and contagious smile are why he follows you! "Yeah! Thank you!" now than... to ready his slingshot or not?
*Clink*
Not then, Zoro can handle wind guy since he cannot remember his name. "Is something wrong Zoro?" Nami questions. "Someone's here… with bloodlust" Yes Usopp knows.
"Thanks for the explanation! Now I know where to find both the dragons and dragon nest!" Getting his first look at the wind guy, he immediately grips his throat and starts shaking with suppressed laughter, he looks like an okama trying not to be an okama!
"You again!?" Nami, Luffy and Sanji say annoyed.
"Theirs no point if it's at the bottom of the ocean… so it would seem I will just have to take your millennial dragon" you can't take anything! Apis audibly tells him so "NO! besides, we don't know if the nest is on the ocean floor or not!" Usopp stops listening and just snaps a photo of Okama guy, preparing to once again hold the sacks of scrolls, books and wine tightly again.
Paying attention again when a part of the wall caves open an exist he inwardly snorts amused at the other's expressions and Luffy's bruised forehead. "He's Less than a caveman!" Sanji's commit causes him to grip his throat in pain at the unintentional huff of amusement he lets out.
A few minutes later and Usopp feels his soul trying to slip out again, he does not like falling from heights! Grabbing to both Ryu and the loot tightly he closes his eyes and pretends they are not rushing down tree roots and all manner of other stuff as they roughly rush down the mountain.
"LUFFY! DO SOMETHING! OR WHERE GONNA WIND UP IN PIECES BEFORE WE REACH THE SHIP!" Nami screams over the rushing wind and loud crunches of roots and gravel below.
"It's okay it's okay!" one of his pet peeves is when someone repeats themselves when they don't need to, it's very annoying. "How are we okay!?" well they won't die so that's something.
"HEY! Will Zoro be alright!?" Apis questions. "Yeah! He'll be fine!" he will, doesn't mean Usopp and them can't worry.
"But he's up against a guy with devil fruit powers! He doesn't stand a chance no matter how strong he is!" Apis, join their crew and you will learn it won't matter in the Grand Line!
"He'll still be alright!" Zoro was almost literally cut in half by Mihawk, of course, he will be alright. "Luffy! Ahead, ahead!" Apis cries out.
"This isn't good!" Luffy please don't state the obvious. "Don't give us that! do something!" Apis don't get worked up.
"Luffy! Theirs another dead end!" Apis says a few minutes later, "Should we beat it down?" Luffy questions. "NO! I'm pretty sure up ahead is the cliff we passed on the way up! if we do that we'll fall head first and we'll be goners!" Nami says and that's… not good, Luffy could catch them yes but the wine! The scrolls! The treasure! It will be all gone!
"Think we can fly?" Baka! This isn't a plane! Or the Thousand Sunny! "No!"
When they start sliding down the walkways Usopp is reminded of a roller-coaster… surprisingly he finds it fun and isn't as scared as he otherwise feels he should be.
"Looks like somehow we made it!" Nami tearfully mumbles, he just grips the wine and scrolls harder to him.
At the sudden stop, he inwardly snorts and slightly shakes amused at Sanji and Nami falling into the water, pleased at the loot being in one piece and safe from damage. Earning unimpressed looks from the soaking wet forms of his friends and crewmates.
"Alright! We made it! get ready to set sail! Let's go!" Luffy crowns happily.
A few minutes later Usopp is happily securing the loot in their proper places, so they don't somehow break or get damaged later when a loud bellow of Luffy calling Zoro's name lets out and causes him to jump causing him to drop a scroll. He is just glad it's not the wine, Sanji would kill him otherwise!
Coming out at the other side of the mirage back into open waters Usopp doesn't pause and lets his slingshot fly hitting a few of the marines that are close by earning chuckles from Zoro, Sanji and Apis.
A few minutes later, the navy ships in hot pursuit and conversation going around finds him in the crow's nest keeping watch over everything when he spots the headship of unit eight… meaning they are going to be caged and surrounded by enemy ships very soon. Watching the navy ships come out from behind the gargoyle ship like a bird's wings is awesomely cool… it actually gives him a few ideas for later on.
Still, though this is a chance! One ship, he can use his speed and thieving skills on one ship in ten minutes or less if he pushes it! the most useful ship though to still from… is the headship itself! But can he do it? it's a large ship, larger than any he has seen or been on before, with many twists, turns and doors, to steal everything of importance from that ship in ten minutes or less…. Especially with all those marines on board… no… he knows he can't, he doesn't have either the guts, the confidence or the speed to do so especially as sick as he is… only the other could possibly do so… but the question is, is it truly worth the risk he is even daring to think on undertaking?
*BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM*
No… it's not at all if he completely takes off the mask… if he only takes a quarter of it off though… yes… he would still be mostly in control. Any Kairoseki and treasure are worth it right now, it wouldn't be if his friends or any civilians were around… but this is the Navy, and his friends would be on other ships… yes! he will take the risk.
Sliding rapidly down the ropes he hits the deck, dashing into the galley and below deck to his workroom, grabbing a new mask and rushing back up and making his way over to Luffy and the others.
'Luffy, throw me over to the gargoyle ship and do whatever you can to stall and wait ten minutes, if I am not on the deck with the fat man in ten minutes do what you must, don't ask questions just trust me on this' Normally he wouldn't ask for Luffy to trust him, but he needs to make sure they don't waste time. Luffy stares at him seriously for a few seconds before grinning.
"Okay! Gum-Gum throw!" not so suddenly! Clenching his teeth against the wind and speed he's flying he doesn't hesitate and removes and switches his mask for the new one that lets one committed and determined brown eye be seen to the world.
Sixty seconds to awaken and ten minutes and he will have stripped that gigantic vessel of all its value! He can see that they are getting ready to use their giant cannon but he pays it no heed as he crashes lands and rolls on the deck that the fat man is on and not pausing in his movements he ignores the panicked pirates and the shocked fat… like really fat and ugly commander and rushes into the ship having already knocked the navy men down with a lead star shower.
Forty seconds and he brings out a large sack, grabbing things of either value or could be useful left and right as he lets loose another lead star shower at another incoming group of men even as he robs them.
Thirty seconds and he is entering rooms as swiftly as he leaves them, robbing them of their value and when he finds locked boxes he shoves them in the sack whole.
Twenty seconds and he finds a room with a large safe, no time for taking his time he brings out a few sticks of corrosive acidic dynamite, lights and throws, the dust doesn't even clear before he has stolen everything from within and left for the next room.
Ten seconds and he has striped another few rooms of things he finds valuable or useful as more lead showers fly true, having filled the sack he takes out another and throws the full one over his shoulder as he finds the commanders rooms.
Zero seconds and the world spins, twists and blurs into a kaleidoscope of colours… he grins sadistically and unknowingly as his uncovered eye bleeds red and dollops of madness blooms.
Word Count: 9522
You just have to trust your own madness
No matter how good your friend is there going to hurt you every once in a while, and you must forgive them for that
It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend
Truth is I'm crazy for you, but everyone can see that but you
Hehe, I had to put that last quote in for Zoro! And I know this isn't the most exciting chapter… not even I like it all that much but… well, I like dragons and I haven't planned this story much…or at all, I just write whatever comes to mind, like the giant freaking hints that I wanted to leave until much later for a part of my Usopp's past but meh! Write whatever comes out from my fingertips!
Also, I think it's obvious by now, but Zoro equals love interest but if you are expecting big showings or the actual words I love you this is not your story, I am a believer that romance is more than all that overly lovely cheesy stuff! it's small conversations whether they be meaningful or just simple teasing, it's all the little things they do for you, it's mutual trust and respect and all the other small things, some larger then others but it doesn't need to be chock full of romantic lines or looks or even sexual attraction.
Enough on my rant OnepieceZoroOc thanks you for reading!