Finding himself at the shipyard, when it was dark, Usopp faced two men who refused to take him inside.
"I'm begging you." Usopp begged. "I want to talk to Iceberg-san! It's urgent."
"Sorry, but it's past 9:00! Iceberg-san isn't at the shipyard anymore! If you want to see him, come back tomorrow.
" But I assure you it's important. "
Despite his complaints, the two carpenters refused to let Usopp enter the construction site. But that didn't stop Usopp from finding a place to sit, as he stared at the huge gates of the construction site.
If he couldn't reach Iceberg, he was going to wait for Iceberg to come to the construction site to talk to him. Even if he had to wait here all night. Remaining seated, the man began to wait, while his brains continued to work.
"I would prove to them! I would prove to everyone that Merry is not a boat that we should underestimate! It's the boat worthy of succeeding the Oro Jackson! She is the one that will take us to Raftel."
"Is it normal for you to be alone here?"
Startled, Usopp turned his face towards a young man, who was sitting not far from him.
"Huh? Who are you?"
Turning towards him, the young man gave him a reassuring smile.
"I'm not someone important! Just someone who comes here to remember old memories."
Suddenly he took out a bottle of soda and started to open it. Then, grabbing a second one, he held it out towards Usopp.
" Do you want one ? "
"Huh...I..." Usopp stuttered. "I prefer to avoid! The truth is, I don't prefer to trust anyone I don't know."
"I understand perfectly." The young man assured, starting to drink his own soda. "By the way, are you a pirate?"
"Huh? How do you know?" Usopp wanted to know.
"I saw you earlier, entering the shipyard, with Monkey D. Luffy! You must be a very powerful pirate! However, I don't remember seeing his face on a notice of research. "
"I don't think anyone knows my name." Usopp retorted. "My name is Usopp! And I'm just an insignificant pirate."
Hearing this, the other man retorted.
"I'm not really a famous person! There's nothing wrong with being ordinary."
" Really ? "
"Of course." The other man assured, continuing to smile at him. "By the way, my name is Light! Light Yagami!"
"And that's why I'm here." Usopp said, having explained his misadventures to Light.
"I see." Said the young man, finishing his bottle. "You argued with your companions about your boat."
"Yes! And now I'm waiting for Iceberg to come here and ask him to repair our ship! I'm sure there's something his carpenters can do! And no matter the cost, I'll do anything to save my precious ship ."
"If I were you, I wouldn't trust these carpenters." Light retorted. "They are crooks."
"What?" Usopp wondered.
"Before coming here, I was part of a crew of merchants from South Blue! In order to be able to trade with the islands of the Grand Line, the government of our island entrusted us with a magnificent boat! A boat on which my companions and I had traveled for three years! It was not the most beautiful, the fastest or the most resistant boat! But it was our boat and I cared about it. "
Staring at the shipyard, he growled.
"Until we reached this island and decided to have our boat repaired! That day, we had horrible news: the keel of our boat had been damaged! Forced to resign himself to it, the captain of our group made the decision to abandon our boat and buy another one."
"Then why did you stay here?"
"I didn't want to abandon our old boat and leave it here alone! That's why I stayed to watch over it! At that time, I also thought that putting it back in the water would be madness, but I refused to leave it alone and allow anyone to destroy it or steal pieces of still usable wood."
Letting out a sigh, he affirmed.
"Unfortunately, the Franky Family heard about my boat and decided to go after it! They tore it to pieces and sold what it could! And because of that, my boat was missing. "
"Those damn ship destroyers." Usopp growled. "But what does that have to do with Galley-La being a scam company?"
"It's because, after losing my boat, I had heard several things related to Iceberg! starting with the fact that he defrauds his customers to make them pay more for his repairs."
" What ? "
"When I heard about this, I kept investigating to gather evidence and...I learned that Galley-La used a lot of scams to make money! For example, they sell very poor quality wood which they use for their repairs! because of this, from the first storm, the ships which had just been repaired suffered significant damage and were forced to return here to be repaired again repair! Or maybe the carpenters are deliberately lying."
Staring at the shipyard angrily, Light stated.
"The fact that a keel of a boat is beyond repair is a lie."
" WHAT ? "
"It's a very easy excuse to make and not many pirates can argue with that statement! But I discovered something interesting! Very often, the carpenters of Galley-La tell the crews that their ships are damaged because of the keel and they are forced to buy another boat! However, they never do this when a crew has a carpenter among them! Because even an amateur carpenter knows that a keel can be changed."
Hearing this, Usopp's eyes widened.
"A keel... can be repaired?"
"Yes! But the carpenters prefer to pretend otherwise, so that their customers buy their boats, which cost much more than a simple repair."
Hearing this, Usopp was speechless.
"Galley-La wants to force us to abandon our ship here?"
"Unfortunately, that's what happened with my boat and I didn't realize it until it was too late."
Turning to Usopp, he advised him.
"Go back to your captain and explain the situation to him! Tell him everything I tell you! If he really wants to save your boat, he will listen to you and you will leave the island to find other more honest carpenters. "
Still remaining motionless, Usopp finally got up at full speed, before running towards the Merry.
"Thank you for your advice! Thanks to you, I will be able to save Merry."
However, as he disappeared into the distance, he didn't see Light staring at him, while displaying an evil smile.
" Baka ! "
At this moment, a laugh was heard, while a silhouette appeared near Light.
"It was really bad." Ryû assured. "Playing with people's feelings is truly worthy of the god Kira."
"I had to do something." Light said, simply shrugging his shoulders. "After all, this night will be crucial! And since Nico Robin will have a decisive role, we must at all costs prevent the pirates from trying to look for her and hinder CP9's plans! I think this little diversion with this idiot will be enough to occupy them for a while."
Looking in the direction of Ware-7, Vivi declared.
"I'm really worried! Robin still hasn't come home."
"Actually, I doubt she'll get back here on her own." Sanji confessed. "If you ask me, she needs our help."
"With what happened with the Franky Family, we were forced to postpone our search." Gin said. "But even if it's dark, maybe we can take a look around town to try to find her! At least we won't be bothered by traffic jams! Everyone's asleep."
"And with Raynare and Menma doing aerial searches, it will be easier for us to find her." Lucy stated.
Remaining calm, Zoro turned his gaze to Luffy, who was sitting against the Merry's mast.
"What do you want us to do, Luffy?"
Deciding to stand up, Luffy declared.
"We can't wait for Usopp to come back! Let's go get Robin and hope he's back on the boat when we get back."
But as the pirates went to organize their search, they heard.
" LUFFFFFFFFFFFYYYYYYYYY ! "
"Huh?" Chopper wondered, looking away. "Usopp is back."
Indeed, running at full speed towards Merry, the sniper made signs with his arms, to attract the attention of his friends.
"What's happening to him?" Yosaku asked.
"Is he being chased by someone?" Johnny assumed. "Still, I don't see anyone."
Eventually, grabbing hold of the rope ladder, Usopp managed to climb onto the boat before collapsing at the feet of his companions. Exhausted from the race he had just made so far.
"Usopp…what's up with you?" Nami questioned.
"I…I learned something." Usopp affirmed. "Luffy...everything the carpenters said...these are lies."
" Quoi ? "
" What are you talking about ? "
"I...I met someone! When I wanted to talk to Iceberg, I met a person, who was one of Galley-La's former customers! Just like us, his boat had had its keel damaged and because of this his companions decided to buy a new boat."
" So what ? "
"It was just a scam," Assured the sniper. "Merry is not at all beyond repair."
Surprised, the pirates looked at each other, and Nami finally let out a sigh.
"Usopp...I know it's hard for you to understand that we have to separate from Merry, but..."
"Listen to what I have to tell you." Usopp retorted.
And immediately, he began speaking and repeating exactly what Light had told him. Therefore, having heard his story, the pirates looked at each other again, undecided.
"Do you understand?" Usopp asked.
"Galley-La... they lied to us to get more money from us?" Lucy was surprised.
" I think it's possible. " Yosaku affirmed. "After all, even if the keel is damaged, our boat has always been able to sail without too much difficulty! Knowing that it is suddenly beyond repair is hard to believe."
"If there's a chance of keeping Merry, I'm okay with it." Chopper asserted.
However, other people seemed skeptical.
"Usopp..." Bruno called out. "That guy you met, did he have carpentry skills?"
"Huh...I don't think so."
"And did he bring you any real proof of what he said?"
Frowning, Usopp retorted.
"Why would this guy lie to me?"
"Maybe he's just like you." Gin said, shrugging his shoulders. "He may have a hard time accepting the truth and believes in helping people by telling them what they want to hear and not what they need to hear."
"And why wouldn't carpenters be liars?" Usopp asked. "None of us know anything about ship carpentry! How do we know if a keel is truly beyond repair?"
"I don't know anything about shipbuilding." Velvet confessed. "However, I know when someone is lying to me and when not! And the guy I met wasn't lying about the keel."
"Besides, the carpenters of Water-7 are world-renowned." Nami assured. "And they even trade with pirate ships! If their repairs were as poor as this man claims, I doubt they could keep that reputation! On top of that, pirates would surely have come here for revenge."
Hearing this, Usopp opened his mouth but was unable to say anything. Then he clenched his fists.
"Why? Why do you doubt the strength of our boat so much? Merry never betrayed us."
Hearing this, Luffy walked towards him, while declaring.
"Usopp...I'm sorry but...I thought about it and, in the end, even Merry is fixable, it's best to leave it here."
"Wha...What?"
"Merry is not strong enough to continue our journey with us."
"DON'T SAY ANYTHING!" Usopp roared. "Merry...Not strong enough? Are you kidding? It survived the Knock Up Stream! What more do you need to prove his strength?"
"Precisely... the Knock Up Stream has doomed Merry." Merry affirmed.
" What ? "
"Think for two seconds! The keel was damaged, which means that a huge shock hit this area of the boat! And in your memory, what could correspond to this shock?"
Hearing this, Usopp had no trouble remembering the power of the giant geyser that took them to Sky Island.
"At the start of our journey, Merry had navigated East-Blue with great ease." Affirmed the fallen angel. "But then the complications escalated! Wapol...Hina's squadron...Shojo...Knock Up Stream...the further we sail into the Grand Line the greater the damage against Merry."
"We're only in the first half of the Grand Line." Zoro stated. "And it is obvious that the next dangers we face will be even more threatening."
Turning to Azelma, he asked her.
"What do you know about the second half of the Grand Line?"
"In truth, even though my home island of Sabaondy is close to Red Line, I have never traveled to the other side of Grand Line! All I know comes from the words of pirates who returned from this area of the world. "
Remembering the words of some men perfectly, she declared.
"For the people who live in East, West, North and South Blue, Grand Line is a place considered cursed and where all danger is omnipresent! Few pirates make it to Sabaondy, which means that those who make it to to my home island are the strongest crews! However, those who have been to Red Line and have returned have all said that Grand Line can be considered a real paradise."
"A...A paradise?" Nami repeated, swallowing.
" Tssss! Nothing can be worse than Enel. " Wiper retorted. "Anyway, we have time to get even stronger."
"We can." Bruno agreed. "But it's not the same with the Merry! Merry is weaker than before! And honestly, now that I've heard about its damaged keel, I have real doubts about its reliability! In fact, if the next island we need to go to is also a sky island, I'm sorry to tell you that I will refuse to have to use the Knock Up Stream again to ascend into the sky."
"Merry won't survive this." Gin assured.
Staring at Usopp, Luffy declared.
"For me, Ice-Ossan is not a liar! And I want to follow his advice! As soon as he told me that Merry was beyond repair, I wanted to deny the facts and affirm that Merry was not was no ordinary boat! He then asked me what was more important to me: trusting in the reliability of Merry or worrying about the safety of my crew."
Without hesitation, he declared.
"So far, Merry has given us approval that it is worthy of sailing the Grand Line, but inevitably we all know it will be unable to sail the Red Line! Even before he gets there, Merry will be more deteriorated and will put the lives of all of us in danger! I refuse to put you at risk! As captain, I must ensure your safety! This is why I want to buy the boat most sturdy and the most powerful we can get."
Gritting his teeth, Usopp roared.
"Merry is not a simple boat! Merry...MERRY IS OUR NAKAMA! I forbid you from abandoning it."
"Merry is just a boat." Luffy retorted. "While I'm grateful to it for everything it's done for us, I wouldn't hesitate to leave it at Water-7 to prevent a catastrophe from happening to us! Usopp, what's more important for you? Your boat or your friends?"
"I can't make that choice." The sniper retorted. "For me, Merry is a friend like each of you! And I am sure... I am sure that it has a soul, like us, and that it wishes to continue this journey with us! In addition, we have no certainty that what these carpenters said is true."
Trying to find a compromise, he declared.
"Let's try to reach the next island and try to find another man who can examine our ship and..."
"And what will we do if what Kaku said is true?" Velvet questioned him. "I have no desire to sail on a ship that is likely to sink as soon as we leave this place."
"And even if it's spotted, didn't you hear what Luffy just said?" Zoro questioned him. "Merry will not survive the dangers of the Red Line! I agree that we need a new boat that is much more powerful and durable."
"It's my decision, Usopp." Luffy affirmed. "And I'm not going back on that! Whatever you say, we'll leave this island on another ship."
" Bastard! " Usopp roared, gripping his collar. "Admit, you're just excited about getting a new boat! Everything you say about being grateful for Merry is completely false."
"Stop talking stupid things." Luffy roared, imitating him. "What do you think? Are you forgetting that I'm the captain? I have to make serious decisions to protect my nakamas! So if you don't agree with my decision, you can still take this ship and never come back he..."
Heracross use HORN ATTACK.
Hit in the face, Luffy felt his body being thrown towards the bow of the ship.
" LUFFY ? "
Getting up in surprise, Usopp saw his pokemon in front of him, while he was still wearing bandages around him.
" Heracross ? "
Seeming exhausted, the pokemon was breathing hard, while this simple attack had awakened his wounds. But, while Luffy remained on the ground, he saw Hatterene position herself in front of him.
Hatterene use PSYBEAM.
Heracross use PIN MISSILE.
"Stop." Nami shouted, seeing them about to attack each other.
Backing away expecting the impact, the pirates suddenly heard.
" STOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPP ! "
Startled, the two pokemon stopped and looked in Luffy's direction. Having ended up getting back on his feet, while putting his hat back on his head.
"I don't want my crew to fight and I don't want anyone to leave either! Usopp, I just want you to understand the reasons behind my decision."
"Yes, I understand them." Usopp assured. "You just want to get rid of anything that might slow you down."
" What ? "
"For you, a nakama who can no longer do his job is only worth abandoning, isn't it? However, if this is going to happen to the Merry, then I'd rather you do the same with me."
Immediately most of the pirates widened their eyes.
"Usopp...don't say anything." Vivi said.
"Do you realize what that means?" Johnny asked.
"None of us are asking you to leave the crew." Sanji assured him.
"However, like Merry, I too am weak." Usopp affirmed. "I couldn't protect our money, or even get it back! We have to face the facts! There are thousands of people more powerful than me on the Grand Line! And like today, you will inevitably be obliged to constantly come to my aid, to prevent me from being killed."
Clenching his fists, he declared.
"Each of you has a goal in mind but me... how could I envisage becoming a powerful warrior capable of sailing all oceans! It's impossible for me to achieve it! Instead of continuing to dream about it like an idiot, I should start being realistic."
Staring at Luffy, he questioned him.
"If I am incapable of achieving my own dream, then how can I hope to help you achieve yours, Luffy? That's why..."
First gritting his teeth, while he seemed to hope that his conscience could reason with him, the man finally said.
"I'm quitting the crew! But..."
Immediately taking out his slingshot, he assured.
"There's no way I'm leaving you Merry! Monkey D. Luffy...I'm challenging you to a duel! And whoever wins our fight gets to keep this boat! Do you have the guts to face me?"
" Usopp, stop... " Nami wanted to beg him.
However, Zoro positioned a sheath in front of her to stop her. For his part, looking at Usopp angrily, Luffy declared.
"Do you want to fight me?"
" Indeed. "
Calm at first, Luffy ends up declaring.
"Then I have no choice."
Seeing the scene from the air, Ryu was laughing again, as he affirmed.
"Geez, even without the Death Note in his possession, Light is actually able to do whatever he wants with people! It even becomes a lot more fun."
Staring at Luffy, he wondered.
"Mugiwara...your friend is in danger and here you are being challenged by one of your own! Is this really how you want your crew destroyed?"
Who will join Luffy's crew?
Before Shells Town: Raynare - 38 million - (Highschool DxD) / Lucy Heartfilia (Fairy Tail)
Arc Shells Town: Roronoa Zoro - 60 million -
Kuro Arc: Usopp
Arc Baratie: Sanji / Gin -32 million-
Arlong Arc: Nami / Johnny / Yosaku
Drum Arc: Chopper
Alabasta Arc: Nico Robin / Eevee (Pokemon) / Bruno -52 million- (Jojo's Bizarre Adventure) / Nefertari Vivi -25 million- / Menma (Anohana)
Skypiea Arc: Velvet / Heracross / Hatterene / Wiper
Arc Enies Lobby: Franky
Arc Post Enies-Lobby:?
Thriller Bark Arc: Brook
Punk Hazard Arc:?
Treasure Arc:?
Dressrosa Arc: ? /?
Wano Kuni Arc: Jinbei /?
Post Wano Kuni Arc: ? /?
Arc Battle Teach:?
With other characters:
Buggy: Alvida - 21 million-, Magi - 29 million (OC), Bull (OC), Kuro - 37 million -, Morgan - 17 million -, Megumim - 105 million - (Konosuba), Zala (Miss Doublefinger) -35 million, Babe (Mr 4) - 3.2 million -, Drophy (Miss Merry Christmas) - 14 million -, Willy - 20 million, Needless - 57 million
Arlong: Syra (OC)
Milhawk: Alice (OC)
Wapol: Musshuru
Coby : Sakura (Zombieland Saga); Jin (My Hero Academy); Nakata ( OC )
Garp : Emma (The Promised Neverland)
Ym: Light Yagami (Death Note)
Cobra: Neni (M.9)
Shandian: Ayoho (OC), Bouffalant ( pokemon )
Ace : Isuka
Foxy : Dumdo ( OC ), Susumo ( OC )
Aokiji : Shizuo Heiwajima ( Duararara )
Moria : Elsa Granhiert ( Re:zero ), Caruma ( Yu-gi-oh Gx ), Momana ( OC ), Camado ( OC ), Skroa ( OC )
Sengoku: Shinichi Kudo (Detective Conan)
Kaido: Doctor Frank (OC)
Shanks: Nana Shimura -840 million- (My hero academia), Utsuro -970 million- (Gintama)
Widos: Norland Cricket, Kalgara, Kuina, Quatro (Marco (SNK)), Cinca (Mina Carolina (SNK)), Suzuka (Akame Ga Kill)
Individual: Reiner ( Shingeki no kyojin ), Garou (One Punch Man), Babidi (DBZ), Orochimaru (Naruto); Mirko (My hero Academia), Samus (metroid), Team Rocket (Pokemon), Akoya Seishu ( Kengan Ashura), Hiyama Shunka ( Kengan Ashura), Black Knights (Code Geass), Suzaku Kururugi (Code Geass), Mosquito girl (One punch man), Pokemon ( 44 ), Ottis Toole ( Real World ), Henry Lee Lucas ( Real World ), Pit ( Kid Icarus ), Ladydevimon ( Digimon ), Hunter J ( Pokemon ), Zancrow ( Fairy Tail ), Ai Hoshino ( Oshi no Ko )
Gold D. Roger (formerly): Igneel -1.380 billion- (Fairy Tail), Acacia (Toriko), Bardock (Dragon ball Z), Hiruzen Sarutobi (Naruto), Utsuro -970 million (Gintama), Nana Shimura - 840 million ( My Hero Academia), Magi (OC), Zarax (?)
Xerec (formerly): Aizen (bleach), Sejus ( OC )
Crocodile ( formely ): Noscula (OC), Mr 6 (OC), Miss Halloween (OC)
Enel ( formely ): Hunter J. (Pokemon), Zancrow (Fairy tail), Ladydevimon ( Digimon ), pokemon ( 54 )