Chapter Eight: The One Where Usopp Has a Lot of Heart-to-Hearts

"I'm sure you have questions," said Usopp as he collapsed down on the bench beside Law. He seized Law's tea and took a sip before quickly handing it back with a grimace on his face. "I don't understand how you can drink your tea like that," he complained, sticking out his tongue.

Law leaned in, pressing his lips to Usopp's forehead with a small smirk. "In my defence, I wasn't expecting you to steal my tea."

"You should know better than that by now," Usopp grumbled. He yawned, tears welling up in his eyes as he slumped against Law's side.

"You haven't been sleeping?" Law asked, frowning down at him.

Usopp shook his head, pulling Law's arm around his shoulder and snuggling closer. "Maybe an hour or two a night these last few days. It's made me cranky and emotional."

Putting down his cup, Law reached out to stroke Usopp's cheek, skillfully tucking a few loose strands of hair behind his ear. "I'm not mad about the articles if that is what has been keeping you up. I know that the newspaper is a gossip rag at the best of times."

Usopp snorted, "Not even the one where Luffy has his tongue down my throat?"

Law's eyes flashed and his mouth tightened. "I'm not thrilled with it," he admitted, being sure to word his response carefully. "But I always knew Luffy had feelings for you."

Rolling his eyes, Usopp pulled out from under Law's arm to give him an unimpressed look. "Luffy only did it because he thought it would get the papers off writing about us." Usopp picked at a hole in his pants. "He knew I was worried about your reaction to the article about us."

"Why?"

"Why was I worried, or why did he think sticking his tongue down my throat would remedy it?"

"Both."

Usopp shrugged. "I just assumed you wouldn't be happy that our relationship was being broadcast through the Grandline. I know you like a bit of privacy, and that blasted a huge part of your life into the open."

Law nodded, leaning his forearms on his knees. "I'm not happy about it, but I am also not angry with it."

Usopp's heart clenched. "W-what do you mean?"

"I would have preferred for our relationship to stay out of the papers—"

"Of course, you would have." Usopp let out a self-deprecating laugh, unable to meet Law's gaze. "Why would you want everyone in the world to know about us? It's embarrassing, being with the weakest member of the Straw Hat Pirates."

Law growled, "That is not why and you know it!"

"Then why?"

"I am not happy about it because now they'll be after you to get to me. It'll raise your bounty and put you in more danger."

"So you don't trust me then?" Usopp said, his words coloured with hurt.

"What are you talking about? Of course, I trust you."

Usopp shook his head. "No, it makes sense. If you were with Luffy or Zoro or Sanji, you wouldn't even bat an eye about something like this. You don't trust that I am strong enough to be here."

Law's expression softened as he leaned back, his fingers interlocking together in his lap. "That's not it. It's not about trust or strength; it's about protecting you because I care about you."

"But I can protect myself, I've been doing it since before—"

"I know that, but that is what being together is about. We protect each other."

Usopp scoffed, "I've never had to protect you."

"No," Law admitted. "But you've done something much more powerful."

Usopp gave him a dubious look.

"God-ya, you saved me."

There was a click! and a sudden flash of blinking light that had Usopp suddenly jumping to his feet. He pulled out Kabuto and a pop green from his bag before shooting it at the man with the camera who had been hiding in the bushes about fifteen feet away.

A large grass wolf grew from the bulb and pressed its nose against the man's camera causing a small explosion. The camera burst, and bits of lens, case and film went flying through the air.

"You… you broke my camera!" The paparazzo growled. He was looking down at his slightly burnt hands incredulously. His moustache and hair were singed, and he no longer had any eyebrows. Bits of melted camera clung to his clothes and hair.

Usopp scoffed, "Calm down, you know the risk of photographing pirates. You're lucky to even be standing there complaining, that one was a complete dud."

The man growled and walked towards Usopp, a pipe in hand. Usopp gave him a bored look and pulled another pop green from his pocket, however before he could shoot it, Law put out his hand. "Room."

A chill ran down Usopp's spine as a perimeter of purple surrounded them. He glanced around nervously, he wasn't much privy to Law's powers, luckily never being on the receiving end of them unlike some of his other crew members.

"Scalpel."

Usopp took a step back, and almost dropped the pop green in his hand, his eyes widening in horror as he watched the paparazzo's heart pop out of his chest and slide across the concrete ground of the pier.

He gulped, heart racing as Law stopped the rogue heart with the tip of his shoe. A dark smile crossed the surgeon's face as the paparazzo's own twisted in pain.

"Law, stop!" Usopp exclaimed, jumping onto the bench and holding onto his boyfriend's wrist to pull him back. "J-just put his heart back and let's go."

Law frowned, his eyes shifting from Usopp's eyes to the death grip he had on his wrist. He turned his gaze back to the man. "If you ever threaten God-ya again, you will not be walking away. Do you understand me?"

The man quickly nodded, hyperventilating as he too watched his heart. Law stood and grabbed it, walking over to the man and shoving it back into his chest cavity. Law leaned in close, whispering in his ear. "Make sure to tell all of the other paparazzi that they will not be as lucky as you have been if they ever try to pull something like that again."

Law pulled away, watching with dark eyes as the man scurried away, pipe forgotten on the floor. He turned, stopping short to avoid knocking into Usopp. He blinked, looking down into Usopp's large calculating eyes as they scanned his face, searching for something. "God-ya?"

He must have found it, because the next thing Law knew, Usopp was pushing up onto his tiptoes and pressing his lips to his. Law wrapped an arm around his waist and pulled him closer, moaning softly when Usopp's tongue pressed between his lips to explore his mouth.

"What brought this on?" Law asked, pulling away and panting against Usopp's lips.

"Just shut up and be grateful," Usopp said breathily before shoving Law against the lamppost behind him and pulling him down and close again to rejoin their lips.

Law smooths a hand up and down Usopp's thigh and tangles the other in his hair as the kisses grow deeper. He slides his hand up and under Usopp's shirt, pressing a hand against his stomach and stroking the soft skin that greeted him.

Usopp presses himself against Law's thigh, moaning at the friction. "We-we are too out in the open," he pants against Law's mouth.

"Room."

Mere seconds later, Usopp found himself pressed against the bark of a large redwood tree, Law's forehead pressed against his own. "Better?" Law asked, moving back to allow Usopp to glance around.

"It's fine," Usopp mutters before tightly wrapping his arms around Law's shoulders. He pressed his body tightly to Law's, his erection pressing eagerly into his thigh. "Want more."

Law pulled on the back of Usopp's legs, "Wrap your legs around my waist."

"W-what?" Usopp asked, looking down with a frown. "I don't think—"

"Just trust me," Law murmured in his ear, pulling upward on the back of Usopp's legs as the other moved to pull himself into Law's arms.

Law leaned forward, adjusting Usopp in his hold as the sniper wrapped his legs around his waist. "See, you're fine."

Usopp leaned back and peered down between them, a frown on his lips, protest dying when Law kissed him again, pressing their hips together. The movements weren't elegant, but they had Usopp gasping in Law's ear.

Law smooths his hand under Usopp's shirt, smiling when his back arches in response as he slides it up his spine. With the other, he catches Usopp's hand and squeezes it, pressing a kiss to the palm before pressing it to his chest as he rolls his hips against Usopp's.

"Law," Usopp breathed, hiding his face in Law's shoulder and pressing his lips to his neck, causing Law's eyes to flutter shut.

"God-ya," is all he can manage as he tips his head to the side for better access and holds on to him even tighter, rolling his hips to press himself against the other as Usopp starts to gently suck on the sensitive skin.

Usopp licks over the purple mark he just left and looks into Law's eyes right as they shift together, letting him see how his face flushes and his mouth drops open in a long sigh, eyes half shut as he grinds eagerly against Law.

"Fuck, why does it feel so good?" Usopp groans and shamelessly tightens his legs around Law's hips. "God, I… Fuck, Law, harder."

"You act like we've never had sex before," Law teased, despite the heat rising to his cheeks. He does as he's told, grinding hard against Usopp and watching with satisfaction when Usopp's eyes flutter shut, his head tipping back as his hips push forward. His mouth was watering when rolls his hips again and watched as Usopp shivered.

"Touch me."

Law closed his eyes, heart hammering as he presses a kiss to Usopp's lips and licks into his mouth as he worked his powers to remove Usopp's pants and underwear without the need for Usopp to remove his legs from around his waist.

He guides his hand to the jut of Usopp's hip and rests it there, stroking the sensitive skin. He breaks the kiss and looks down, thumbing at the line where his thigh meets his hip. "I love you," Law murmured, pressing a kiss to Usopp's forehead as he wraps a hand around him.

"La–," Usopp breathes out, his eyes falling shut as he leans back against the tree and pushes his hips up into Law's fist.

Usopp is hot to the touch and slick in his hand, flushed beautifully in the dim sunlight as he strokes him slower than usual, enjoying how Usopp was responding to the new experience.

Usopp wrapped an arm tightly around Law's neck and used the other hand to push up his shirt to expose his tense body to the cool wet of the air, his nipples pebbling at the exposure.

"Exhibitionist."

Law almost choked on his spit as the tree branches above them released the raindrops they had been withholding, dropping long rivulets of water down Usopp's body. He leaned down to lick hungrily at the water, suckling it off Usopp's collarbones.

"Shut up," Usopp snapped, blushing and biting back a moan at Law's sudden eagerness.

Law thumbs his jeans open and drags down the zipper, sighing in relief at the lack of restraint when Usopp's suddenly sitting up taller. His hips are still moving subtly back and forth, constantly pushing up to meet Law's fist and the sight is as adorable as it is sexy.

Usopp pushes a hand into Law's underwear and wraps his hand around him immediately, stroking him hard and fast with a tight grip that forces Law to break the kiss and slump over him. Law hides his face in the crook of the other's neck and groans as he too pushes his hips to meet the pleasure of Usopp's hand.

"Don't stop."

Law's not sure who said it, but they both moved with more earnestness.

"Law, I-I'm going to…"

Law grabs Usopp's hair at the nape of his neck, and presses his face into his neck, suckling at the juncture between shoulder and neck.

"More," Usopp twisted his wrist and threw his head to the side to give Law more room to work. His free hand twisted into the short strands of Law's hair, tugging hard.

Law speeds up his hand around Usopp and moans against him when he nibbles on his neck again, urging him to finish, to let Langa see him come for the first time.

"Yes, yes, yes," Usopp whispers over and over like a prayer, seemingly more vocal the closer he gets. "Law, fuck, fuck, please don't stop, I-I'm… Holy shit, I'm coming, I'm coming," he gasps as his back bows and Law feels the warm eruption drool over his fist.

It's always a hard battle, but he keeps his eyes open and watches in awe at the way Usopp's mouth hangs open, blushing high on his cheeks and whining the whole time as Law strokes him through the climax. He can't help but stare at his hand, watching as Usopp spills over it, come dripping from Law's fist onto his inner thighs and the roots on the ground.

"Come for me, Law," is the first thing Usopp murmurs when he begins to come down, his grip tightening on Law once again as his strokes find their rhythm again and Law's willpower utterly disintegrates.

It takes maybe three, or four seconds before Law is instinctually pressing his face into Usopp's neck and groaning against it. He feels Usopp kissing his hair and murmuring sweet little encouragement in his ear as his hips jerk and he adds to the complete mess between them.

There was rustling and the sound of voices from close by and Usopp quickly jumped out of Law's arms, looking frantically for his pants. He finds them, several feet, in the branch above them and he gives Law an unimpressed look.

Law chuckles and quickly tucks himself away before reaching up to grab Usopp's clothes and handing them to him. "Sorry," he said. Not sounding quite as sorry as he should.

"It better not be the presses," Usopp merely muttered, shoving his legs into his pants and doing up the buttons.

Law wrapped an arm around his shoulder and steered Usopp from the woods back to the pier. "Are you going to tell me what that was about?" Law enquired after several minutes of them walking in silence.

"Hmm? Dunno, I just missed you. I guess." Usopp leaned up to press a kiss to Law's cheek. "I felt safe and I wanted you." He smiled a little, "Plus, it didn't hurt to let off some steam."

Law hummed and pressed a kiss to Usopp's forehead. "Are you sure I didn't scare you, and you used sex to try and cover it up?"

"Eep," Usopp froze before laughing it off nervously. "Don't be ridiculous. I know I'm safe with you."

Law stopped and put his hands on Usopp's shoulders. He leaned down, making sure to keep eye contact. "I promise you. I will never, ever, use that on you. No matter what… unless it is medically necessary." He amended after a moment of deliberation.

"What are you planning on happening to me!?" Usopp screeched. He took in Law's amused look and sighed heavily, shaking his head, "That's not it. I know you'd never hurt me."

"Then what is it?" Law asked, concern colouring his tone.

Usopp breathed out heavily, "I just realised the sheer difference of power between us. Which makes sense, you're the captain of a crew and I'm me." Usopp shook his head. "I've just some things to work out, but I'll be okay, yeah?"

Law frowned but sighed. He knew that no matter what he said, it would be something Usopp had to work through. "I'm here if you want to talk it through."

Usopp nodded, "Of course." He breathed heavily through his nose and smiled up at him. "I love you, Law."

"I love you too, Usopp." Law leaned down to hug him tightly. Usopp smiled into his neck and closed his eyes. It'll all be okay.

o0o

Usopp stood at the figurehead of the Sunny where Luffy was laying down on his stomach. He frowned, wondering if he should bother Luffy before sighing heavily and turning away. Luffy only slept five hours a day, he could catch him later.

"Usopp?" Luffy asked groggily, pushing himself up onto his forearms to look down at him blurrily. "Are you okay?"

"It's not important, Luffy. Go back to sleep. We can talk later."

"Nah, it's time to wake up anyway." Luffy yawned and jumped down to stand by Usopp.

Usopp huffed, leaning back against the railing of the ship. He scratched lightly at his arms, forcing his eyes to stay on the deck. "What do you think about me?"

"You're my best friend," Luffy said honestly. "And I love you." He leaned against the railing beside Usopp and knocked his shoulder with his. "What's going on? This seems almost like…" Water Seven.

"Law doesn't think I am strong enough to be here," Usopp said quietly.

Luffy snorted. "Well, Law is stupid."

"Is he though?"

"Yes." Luffy pressed closer to Usopp and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "You wouldn't be here if I thought you weren't."

"Liar," Usopp said with a small laugh. He hunched down and pressed his forehead to Luffy's neck.

Luffy hid a smile in Usopp's curls, "I think you're strong enough to be here. And I am the captain, so only my opinion matters."

"So, you'd get rid of me if I wasn't?" Usopp said quietly.

Luffy scoffed, "Now you are being stupid." Usopp shot his head up and quickly moved to the side. He pulled Luffy with him, causing the captain to trip over his own feet. "Usopp, what–" Seconds later, a pink heart comes shooting past Usopp's right shoulder.

"What the hell is that?" Usopp asked, shooting a pop green towards the aura he sensed on top of the crow's nest. "Do you recognize that attack?"

"Hammock! What are you doing here?"

"Who is Hammock?" Usopp muttered to himself, dodging yet another attack from her.

The gorgeous pirate empress landed neatly on the grass before them, causing Usopp to nod his head and look over at Luffy. "You mean Hancock."

"Eh, that's what I said?"

Usopp rolled his eyes and twirled his Kabuto in his hands, pocketing the ammo he had in his hand.

"You, Long-nose Boy," she pointed at him.

"His name is Usopp!" Luffy said brightly. "I forgot you guys have never met before." He gave Usopp a confused glance when he felt the sniper's hands twist into the back of his shirt. "Are you okay?"

"I don't think she's here for a social call," Usopp said darkly.

Luffy's eyes scanned Usopp's face before turning to Hancock, frown pulling at his lips. "What's going on?"

"That boy defiled your lips and it was posted on the front page of the newspaper for everyone to see, how embarrassing!"

"He kissed me!" Usopp snapped from behind Luffy's shoulder. "And what do you mean 'how embarrassing'!?"

Luffy's frown deepened, and he crossed his arms over his chest. "There's nothing embarrassing about kissing Usopp. He's awesome. I don't understand why you are so mad or why you even care?"

Hancock's face reddened and she pointed to Usopp, "That cockroach is not worthy of you."

Before Luffy could retort, Law was in front of them, arms crossed as he smiled dangerously at her. "What was that you said about Usopp, Hancock?"

"Stay out of this, Traffy, I have it!" Luffy snapped, jumping in front of Law and shoving him back.

Usopp watched as the situation deteriorated in front of him. The three captains argued with one another, each getting louder and louder with each turn. He took a shaky breath and carefully slid away from the railing and walked across the lawn without being seen.

"I'm going to see my dad!" He called out, not waiting for a reply before he jumped off the railing and onto the dock, leaving them to their arguing.

He hurried down the dock. He couldn't believe how much trouble the stupid newspapers were causing him.

Usopp scrubbed his hands through his curls and took a deep breath, muttering words of encouragement to himself as he walked through the village towards the bar. He stopped in front of the swinging mahogany doors, unsure of what he was about to do. His heart beat heavily in his chest

"You can do this, you can do this, you can do this." He muttered, psyching himself up.

Usopp closed his eyes and pushed open the doors, blinking to allow his eyes to adjust to the dim lighting of the bar. He scanned the room, stopping on the hunched-over figure of his father at the bar.

Slowly, he approached the bar, going over the different things he wanted to say in his mind. His fingers twisted into the hem of his shirt, as he tried to suppress the urge to play with his hair.

Usopp could hear Yasopp lamenting about not being there for him more, speculating that maybe Usopp wouldn't be seeing attention from older men if he had been.

Usopp thought that to be a bit harsh, Law was only seven years older than him. "I'm sorry I yelled at you," Usopp said before his father could start what he was certain would be another tirade of negativity towards his relationship with Law.

Yasopp turned around, eyes widening at the sight of Usopp fidgeting behind him. Usopp could feel the gazes of Shachi, Penguin and Bepo on him. It seemed like they were ready to intervene if needed. A gesture he found sweet, if somewhat unnecessary.

"I'm not mad at you." Usopp continued after an awkward moment of silence. He bit his lip and kept his eyes trained on the ground. "W-would it be okay if we talked… in private?"

"Yeah, of course." Yasopp moved to pay for his drink, but was waved off by Shanks. He led Usopp out of the bar, and they walked in silence for a while before Yasopp allowed himself the courage to talk. "Being the main subject of the media is hard. That's why your mother and I did things the way we did, to keep you away from it."

Usopp turned his head to look at his father. "Thank you."

"Am I right in thinking that this isn't merely a 'catching up' talk?" Yasopp asked, pausing at the railing that overlooked the ocean. He leaned heavily against the metal and stared out towards the island that was barely visible in the distance.

Usopp stood beside him, fist against cheek. "No. Law doesn't think I am strong enough to be here. Luffy does, but when I asked him if he'd get rid of me if I wasn't, he called me stupid."

Yasopp shrugged, "That was a stupid question."

"Dad!"

"What is it that you are actually worried about, Usopp?"

"I'm worried about being a burden on the crew," Usopp said softly. "I'm useless in close combat. The ammunition I use is fine, but bluntly speaking, Luffy could just drop them and achieve similar results. I've only recently unlocked Observation Haki, and the damned thing only works when it wants to…"

"If any of my crewmembers dropped a gun, it could accidentally discharge and hit someone…"

"Reductio ad absurdum…" Usopp said.

"It absolutely is not!"

Usopp raised an eyebrow.

"It's unlikely, considering that firearms now have safeties, but it can happen in a freak accident," Yasopp explained. "The argument remains. In untrained hands, any weapon could work, but it would be dangerous and likely ineffective."

"Fine, but I don't do well in close combat—"

"It's your job to shoot accurately from a distance, so protect them that way. Everyone has a job on the crew, and yours is just as important as everyone else's."

"But it feels like…"

"But it's not," Yasopp said firmly. "What about the other thing? The one you inherited from your mother."

Usopp's eyes widened and he quickly glanced around, ensuring no one overheard Yasopp. "What about it?" He whispered.

"Have you been using it?"

"It comes and goes, I haven't had a dream since my Haki manifested through."

"Sweetheart, those dreams were your Haki manifesting. It seems like now you can use it in a different form."

"What are you talking about?"

"What were those dreams of yours about? Can you give me specific examples?"

Usopp shook his head, "I don't know. I had a dream, when you left, about a man in a straw hat coming to the village with another guy and a girl. I'd thought it was about Shanks, but now that I think about it…"

"It was Luffy?" Yasopp asked with a small smile.

"Yeah."

"Anything else?"

"I dreamt about this woman who could manipulate negativity with ghosts, and an island in the sky, an island with man-eating plants, an island with intense heat on one side and extreme cold on the other, of someone stopping a war between pirates and marines, mermaids… of a submarine being destroyed and sinking to the bottom of the ocean," Usopp said the last part quietly, almost so quiet that Yasopp barely caught it.

"How many of those have come true?"

"Every single one but the last."

"That sounds an awful lot like Observation Haki, doesn't it?"

Usopp shook his head, "Observation Haki can only allow the user to see a few seconds into the future, not things that'll happen months, or even years, later."

"I do wonder about that," Yasopp said, leaning his chin on his folded arms and staring out into the sea.

Usopp tilted his head, "What do you mean?"

"Your mother has done a lot of research on the subject. I'll admit, the majority of her research goes well over my head, but there was one I helped her with…"

Yasopp went on to explain their theory about how the visions of seers were a very specific manifestation of Observation Haki, not stronger or weaker than the more well-known form, merely a different type.

"So, you believe that I have this… second type of Haki?"

"Do you have a better explanation?"

Usopp shook his head. "No, but fascinating as that theory is, it doesn't help me."

Yasopp shrugged, "Extrapolate what you know about your visions and use that to help push your Haki."

'Extrapolate what I know…" Usopp furrowed his brow and chewed on his lip as he pondered "I can see the auras of people that are quite far away, that's how my Haki manifested at Dressrosa. My visions allow glimpses of the future, but not in a way that is useful in the present. They are merely a snapshot of a far-off future event."

He muttered to himself, hands swiping in front of his face as if he were flipping through the pages of a book. He would pause, shake his head, and then go about moving his hands again. "My visions have been more common the last two years, and have been predicting things in a much closer timeframe."

He swiped his hand and shook his head, clearing his thoughts. "My being on the Grand Line has been triggering more visions, but I still don't know what is triggering the visions or how to control them."

"How have you been feeling since you've been here?"

"Out of control." Was Usopp's immediate reply. "Not, not of myself, but the circumstances that I am in. I don't have much control over what happens. I do, but…" he shook his head. "But I don't if that makes sense?"

"Isn't that interesting?" Yasopp mused.

"What?"

"What you just said. You have more visions because you feel more 'out of control'."

"So, you are saying I have to allow myself to have less control in order to force my Haki into showing me things to help me gain… more control?"

Yasopp shrugged. "That's how it seems to me."

"That's so counterintuitive!" Usopp cried, throwing his hands up. "What am I supposed to do, have the others dictate my every move!? I'd fucking shoot them after two days."

"Just think of yourself as 'Ella Enchanted'" Yasopp said idly.

"I hate that story."

"So did your mother," Yasopp said with a small smile. "But it worked for her when she was struggling to expand the abilities of her Haki."

"You realise you are telling me to give, Luffy, power over everything I do?"

"And everyone else, yes." Yasopp paused for a moment, before backtracking a bit. "Except for Trafalgar Law. You aren't to listen to anything he tells you to do."

Usopp nodded his head, "I think Mom was right about you."

Yasopp eyed him wearily. "About what, exactly?"

"You are an idiot."

o0o

Usopp found himself in the engine room of the Polar Tang, surrounded by Ikkaku, Penguin and Shachi, with engine parts scattered on the floor. He frowned at the sorry state of the pieces before looking up at the crew, a question forming on his lips. "How the hell did you get this far with such severe damage?"

He picked up the blower drive shaft, turning it around in his hands to examine the hairline fractures. "How did this even happen?"

"We were in several battles that caused the Polar Tang to sustain heavy damage. While the engine room didn't take direct hits, it still took some damage"

Usopp put the piece down by his foot and groaned into his hands. "You're lucky the submarine hasn't blown up, or worse. I barely feel safe standing on it now."

"We were going to fix it when it started having problems, about a week after the last battle, but we were in the middle of the ocean, we had no choice but to patchwork, and then everything happened and it fell to the wayside," Shachi admitted, rubbing the back of his head.

Usopp sighed and looked around, taking stock of the pieces they needed. "I think we have some of this back on the Sunny, but you guys should come with me so we can make a list of what needs to be purchased in town."

He reached for his bag, stopping when he noticed the oil covering his hands. He went to wipe his hand on his pants, stopping just before it touched the denim. Ikkakuu reached into a nearby cabinet and pulled out a boilersuit, plopping it on top of his head. "You should put this on, don't want you ruining your clothes."

"Thanks!" He stood up, shaking it out and stepped into it, zipping it up to his waist. "How do I look?"

"Adorable," Penguin teased, dodging the light kick to the ribs that Usopp sent his way.

Usopp rolled his eyes, good-naturedly and began to scribble what they needed on his notepad. "The preheater harness has a severed wire," Usopp pointed to the wiring. "Looks like simple wear and tear, I can easily just replace the wire."

Shachi took the pulley in hand, examining it. "The pulley is stuck— that's an easy fix. We can take it apart, clean the parts and then reassemble it, using WD40 to lubricate it."

Usopp nodded in agreement before he listed off various other things that needed fixing, jotting them down in his pad. "Okay, let's get over to the Sunny and see what we need to go buy."

They disembarked from the Polar Tang and walked the dock toward the Sunny, playfully shoving each other. Ikkaku walked slightly ahead of them, rolling her eyes good-naturedly at the boys' antics.

Usopp stopped short, and would have tripped over his own feet had Shachi not caught him. "Luffy, what the hell?"

Luffy bent down to study the insignia on the breast of the boiler suit Usopp was wearing. "Why are you wearing that? I don't like it."

Usopp frowned. "It's to keep my clothes clean."

"Yeah, but it has Traffy's flag on it."

"... So?"

"You're not part of his crew!"

Usopp rolled his eyes and bypassed Luffy, saying, "I'll keep that in mind!"

*FLASH* *FLASH* *FLASH*

Usopp and the others whipped around, eyes immediately falling on the group of paparazzi hiding in the bushes.

"That's it, someone is dying this time," Usopp growled, moving towards the group of men with cameras.

Luffy swiftly wrapped his arms around Usopp's waist, while Penguin and Shachi held his arms, pulling him back.

"No, Usopp! You can't hit civilians!" Ikkaku shouted, standing in front of him with her palms towards him. "Just breathe. Deep breaths, they aren't worth it!"

"They aren't civilians! They're pure evil, there's nothing civil about them!"

Luffy and the others slipped against the slippery deck, nearly losing their grip him. Another push forward and all of them fell into a heap on the floor.

Luffy flipped Usopp onto his back and held his hands above his head against the wet wood. "Usopp, look at me." He commanded.

Usopp struggled against his hold, bucking his hips to try and throw Luffy off, aware that Luffy wasn't using his full strength.

"Now!"

Usopp;s eyes locked on Luffy's and he began mirroring his breathing. Gradually, he relaxed his body, falling lax against the floor. "Better?" Luffy asked quietly.

Usopp averted his gaze, staring into the distance towards the Sunny. "I hate them so much."

"I know."

*FLASH* *FLASH* *FLASH*

Usopp's eyes flashed red, causing Luffy's eyes to widen in shock. "No, no, no." He glared up at the group, who were no longer hiding in the bushes. "If you don't knock it off, I will let him go and he will probably shoot you. He doesn't miss." Luffy said darkly, he watched as the men quickly made themselves scarce before letting out a breath. "They're gone."

He looked down at Usopp and gave him a gentle smile, "They're gone."

Usopp nodded his head, "Yeah. You can let me go now. I won't go after them."

"Wow, that's unbelievably hot," Nami teased, giggling behind her hand where she stood with Ikkaku and Robin.

Usopp's face brightened and he shoved Luffy off of him. He was never going to live this down!

THE GRAND LINE TIMES

Trouble in Paradise

ARTICLE 1

Captain Law and God Usopp were seen arguing about their relationship while sitting on a bench on Pier 5. Sources state that the argument was about God Usopp's usefulness to the Straw Hat Crew.

Innocent bystander, photographer Alfred Montgomery, happened to be walking by and was caught in the crossfire of their argument. The attack left Mr Montgomery without his camera, several lacerations to his hands and face, and no eyebrows.

Captain Law was seen removing the photographer's heart, seemingly freaking out his younger counterpart who begged him to put the photographer's heart back.

Not much is known about what happened with God Usopp and Captain Law after the altercation with the photographer, but both were seen disappearing into the nearby woods. Neither was seen again until later in the day, God Usopp with his shirt on backwards, dark marks on his neck and looking thoroughly dishevelled. Captain Law, looks like the cat that caught the canary.

ARTICLE 2

God Usopp was seen walking with Heart Pirate members Shacki, Penguin and Ikkaku, while wearing a boiler suit with the insignia of the pirate crew.

Does this mean that Captain Monkey D. Luffy has finally kicked the trollop off of the Straw Hat Pirates, leaving Usopp with no choice but to go to the Heart Pirates?

This would leave the already miniscule crew short a sniper, but how much did he really do on the crew anyway? Likely not much, if he was spending all his time with the various different men he has been seeing.

Speaking of men, God Usopp was seen on Pier 4 with a certain sniper of the Red Haired Pirates. That's right, he was talking to none other than Chaser Yasopp. What is their story?

For years, rumours have been going around that Chaser Yasopp had a child with his deceased wife Banchina Giordano, famed lead scientist of the Revolutionary Army, but no one has able to prove it.

Is it possible that Usopp is Yasopp's son, or is Usopp tired of younger men and now wants someone with more experience?