Ever since he was little, Ussop longed for the day his father would come ashore, disembarking from the great pirate ship he had sailed on for years and to take Ussop away. So, the two can have grand adventures together. Just like the ones Ussop would tell in his lies.
That dream only grew the day his mother died, leaving Ussop alone.
His mother told him that his father wouldn't be coming back, Ussop knew that too, but she had also told him how proud she was of his father for following his dream.
Time passed, and Ussop found friends in the Ussop Pirates and Kaya. He had fun with them, telling his lies to Kaya and playing pretend with the trio of kids. But Ussop wanted the real thing.
Like his father, he wanted to sail out to sea and follow his own dreams. To make his mother proud just like his dad.
Yeah, he wanted that more than anything.
And Ussop got that wish, the day that Luffy, Nami, Lambo, and Zoro all came to his island and helped him fight against the Black Cat Pirates. That day, changed everything for him.
Ussop sailed out to sea as a pirate, just like his father. He hopes his mother can see him now, and be proud that her son is chasing after his dreams, going on adventures just like the stories he'd tell. Just like his dad did long ago.
But really... that's just thing, isn't it?
Ussop had his family, his mother and father, who both loved him very much. They left, but they still loved him very much, Ussop knows that as a fact. But Lambo, the kid didn't get that like Ussop did. He never felt truly loved.
In fact, Lambo had told him once that his birth family is all still alive, last he heard of them anyway.
"Huh?", Ussop tilted his head in confusion during lunch that day, "What do you mean 'last you heard'? I thought that mafia group you used to be with is your family."
Lambo bit his lip, seemingly debating with himself whether or not to elaborate. In the end, he gave a little shrug and explained anyway, not noticing how Nami, Luffy, and Zoro all listened intently as well while he talked with the sniper.
"You know how my name is Bovino Lambo?", Lambo started.
Ussop nodded, "Yeah."
"Well, my family, the Bovino's, are also a mafia family actually.", Lambo explained, chuckling a little, "Funny, really, no matter what could have changed, I would have always ended up as an mafioso at one point or another."
Lambo laughed a little upon that realization. The rest of the crew didn't find it as funny.
"You said they're alive and a mafia family like the Vongola.", Zoro speaks up, stating the fact slowly as if he was still comprehending it all.
"Famiglia. The mafia groups are called famiglia.", Lambo corrected.
"Famiglia.", Zoro waved the correction away despite already correcting himself, "What I don't get is, how did you end up with the Vongola if the Bovino Famiglia are still alive?"
Without even realizing it, Lambo went to scratch at his wrist while he fidgeted nervously. But Nami laid a calming hand on top of his own, stopping Lambo before his nails could even make contact with his skin. Shaking her head scoldingly, but not unkindly.
Lambo sighs before finally answering, "It started when I was five years old, the exact same age my younger self is whenever he appears in my place. Apparently, I annoyed everyone, including my grandfather so much, he was the head of the famiglia at the time, that I was sent out on a bogus mission where I wasn't meant to return from."
"What was the mission?", Ussop asks curiously.
Lambo winced, sending the trio an awkward smile, "To hunt down and kill the world's greatest hitman?"
Even though it came out as a question, it didn't change any of the pirate's reactions what so ever.
"WHHHAAAATTT!?"
"And you were only five years old!?", Ussop shouts incredulously.
"That's suicide!?", Nami shrieks in outrage.
"Yeah... that was pretty much the point.", Lambo nods weakly, continuing before the group could explode again, "I went off, proud for getting such a dangerous and worthy mission for my 'talents' and quickly found him on a small island called Namimori in the East Blue. There he was training a twelve-year-old Sawada Tsunayoshi to become the next Boss of Vongola. After many incidents, bruises, and burns later, I ended being taken in by the Sawada household. And my future Boss had become my older brother."
"He still treats you like shit?", Zoro asks incredulously with raised brow.
"Zoro!", Nami shouts.
Though what he said is true and valid, the blunt way he said it was completely insensitive.
The same day Lambo told them his family is not only alive and abandoned him, but also Lambo's 'older brother' became his boss. Lambo had told them how Tsuna had ended up taking him in and basically made him family.
Yet, the guy still treated Lambo the way he did for ten years.
Which all means that Lambo never truly felt what it's like to be loved in a family. Not really. Maybe he saw or had glimpses of the feeling, but Lambo never truly felt what it's like just to soak it all in. Feel warm, safe, and just content with being with the ones you love.
Ussop is determined to show Lambo what that's like. Third times the charm they say anyway, right?
But in order to do that, the Straw Hats' have to save Lambo from the Vongola. So they can be that family the kid deserves. Which all leads to the fact that Ussop has to continue on fighting this battle. He has to fight with everything he has. Because it's going to take everything he's got to win this fight.
Although he doesn't have the experience, or even the skill to beat Ryohei. That won't change Ussop's conviction.
For this is no lie, Ussop will beat the Vongola's Sun Guardian.
He has to.
Ussop just barely manage to leap back, dodging the flying fist that slammed into the floor where he was just standing moments prior, leaving behind a crater from the force of the blow. At the sight, Ussop could only gulp as he fired one of his special handmade trick ammunitions.
"Special Attack...!", the sniper shouts before releasing his hold on the slingshot, "...Oil Star!"
Just as Ryohei made a move to run after Ussop, the long-nosed pirate's shot hit its mark. Slamming into the floor just in front of Ryohei's feet and oil spilt everywhere. Unable to halt his momentum in time, the Sun Guardian began to immediately slip across the slick substance the moment he was on top of it. Then Ryohei was sliding towards Ussop, who already had his hammer out and ready once again.
With no hesitation this time, the second Ryohei was within arm's length, Ussop swung his hammer, hard.
There was a loud crack as the metal sledge hammer made contact with Ryohei's jaw, sending the man tumbling to the side. Ussop was ready to rush him, only to scream as a bandaged fist was racing right for his face, barely ducking and dodging the hit as well as side stepping the next one aimed for his ribs.
He doesn't want any more broken bones because of this lunatic thank you very much.
It seems that no matter what Ussop does, this guy just jumps back onto his feet and continues swinging like it was nothing. Is Ryohei secretly a fishman? Or could it have something to do with his flames?
If so, they either gave this guy invincibility, or it's just the fact that Ussop is fighting someone who is a monster just like Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji.
"EXTREME!", Ryhoei shouts as he sprints after Ussop as if he were the devil himself.
Ussop shrieks and starts running away again with Ryohei hot on his tail.
Why would he question such a thing!? Those flames have nothing to do with it! This guy is just plain crazy and a monster!
FLAMES HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT!
Once again, Ussop finds himself taking cover behind an overturned table, firing many of his pellets Ryohei's way. But unlike last time, the Sun Guardian didn't take cover, but continued pressing onward. Either dodging the bullets or taking them head on, without a care of the pain what so ever.
"He's Still Coming!", Ussop shrieks as he just barely dove away as Ryohei literally barreled through the table, rendering it to nothing but splinters.
While he was distracted, Ussop found sanctuary under another one of the tables that is hidden in the shadows in the corner, out of Ryohei's line of sight. Hoping that it takes Ryohei a while before he finds Ussop while the sniper desperately tries to catch his breath as he thinks of something. Anything that can give him an edge against the boxer!
Oh, God. Why him? Surely the others have better luck than Ussop. Why does Ussop have to fight a beast such as this boxing lunatic. The others got have better luck in opponents compared to him, right? Right?
...
Sanji hissed as he clutched his burnt shoulder while his legs kept jutting out, kicking every hissing snake, and foaming dog that comes near him. First there was some sort of whirlwind that somehow left many scratches all over Sanji's body, then there were pillars of fire and fire balls appearing everywhere, one had grazed Sanji's currently throbbing shoulder, and now crazy snakes and rabid dogs are all trying to get a bite out of him.
How the hell is this guy doing all of this? Sanji wonders as he crushes the last snake beneath his shoes while glaring up at the cackling Mukuro.
But, in reality, all this weird shit that's going on because of the Mist Guardian, isn't what's truly bothering Sanji. No, he can take surprises, he wouldn't be a chef otherwise. Sometimes you'd find a strange or interesting ingredient, but seamlessly adding it to recipe as if it was part of the original ingredients is all what being a cook is.
That's the basis of what makes a good chef. Not to mention the chaos he has to deal with thanks to his idiotic Captain and the other cooks from the Baratie before Sanji had joined the Straw Hats.
All in all, Sanji can handle it all fine. Take it all in stride in fact.
But what is really knawing at him, is the questioning thought. Mukuro obviously doesn't mind watching others suffer. He even finds joy in it, viewing others as toys or pawns by the way he talks.
Sanji doesn't need to know him to know that much. So, it makes him wonder... What the hell could Mukuro have done to Lambo, all for the sake for his own amusement?
Sanji doesn't like the answer he receives when he had asked.
So yeah.
This crazy son of a bitch really pisses Sanji the hell off.
…...
Sparks are flying everywhere as Zoro and Yamamoto go at with dark expressions, both set in serious determination. Both are covered in shallow cuts and bruises.
Neither are giving in to the other. They could both go on forever if they need to.
But while Yamamoto respects Zoro and his craft and skill as a swordsman, Zoro has nothing but contempt for the Rain Guardian.
Yamamoto just sees Zoro as another swordsman, an honorable, and highly respected opponent, that Yamamoto expected to beat.
Yet Zoro on the hand is the exact opposite. He does not see Yamamoto as a swordsman, refuses to even. For while he fights well, very well, with a sword with his own unique style. The Rain Guardian doesn't have the character, the courtesy, to be a proper swordsman in Zoro's eyes.
For Yamamoto Takeshi did not have the common courtesy to even notice Lambo's struggles and pain. And from what Zoro has gathered, the guy has known the kid since he was five years old. Anyone should've noticed the hardships Lambo was struggling against, yet this man either brushes it aside, ignores it, or, heaven forbid, justifies it.
No, in Zoro's eyes, Yamamoto is no swordsman. So, if Zoro plans to become the Greatest Swordsman, no way in hell will he lose to this faker.
They are both determined to win.
And thus, this battle will last for a long while, for both Zoro and Yamamoto won't stop until the other is defeated.
...
Lambo continues to dodge the best he can as the multiple storm flame encased dynamite sticks were rushing towards him like missiles. He's lost count of the number of times he was almost blown up, or tossed to the side by an explosion that appeared way to close to Lambo for comfort.
But despite Lambo's obvious struggle, he wouldn't have it any other way. Whether he realizes it or not, Gokudera is taking this fight seriously for once.
Meaning, whether or not he wins or loses, Lambo will be proud of what he has done and accomplished today.
Suddenly, a lucky dynamite stick, landed right in front of the Lightning Guardian. Lambo only had time to gasp before the stick went off and the young teen was thrown out the window. Tumbling outside in the harsh rain that has recently started.
Lambo gritted his teeth as he got back up to his feet and glared at Gokudera who stepped out through the smashed window Lambo was just thrown through. Several more sticks of dynamite lit and ready in his hands.
Even so, the Lightning user will not be satisfied unless he wins and frees himself from Vongola once and for all by his own hands.
...
Luffy is covered in burns and bruises, but that hardly phase him. He doesn't care about the small injuries.
Lambo, his nakama, is hurting.
His Guardian had cried because no one in his family had cared enough to see him before in the past.
Then, Lambo had tried to end it all.
Luffy almost had never gotten the chance to meet him if that carnivore guy hadn't found and saved the younger teen in time.
Looking up at Sawada Tsunayoshi, with a flickering orange flame over his forehead, brown eyes now the shade of warm amber, Luffy could only glare at the Vongola boss.
Lambo had almost given up on life, on everything, because of this man. And Tsuna doesn't even know about any of it. Ignoring it all like it's not even there!
Luffy will never forgive him. Because to Luffy, the hurt and pain Tsuna had caused his nakama is unforgiveable.
So, Luffy won't ever stop, until he beats this guy's ass to the ground and make him understand what he's done to Lambo.
...
Wrong!
What is Ussop thinking?
Knowing him and the others, he probably got lucky out of the batch of opponents he could've face. He honestly feels bad for Sanji. Ussop would've died if he had to face the crazy pineapple haired man.
So, Ussop will stop complaining, and figure out how the hell he's gonna beat this guy.
Because it's going to happen!
First things first, no matter how hard or often Ussop hits him, Ryohei keeps coming back. Ussop already got a beat down once because of the Sun Guardian, he doesn't need another one. So, Ussop needs to limit Ryohei if he wants to have any chance at beating him.
The easiest way to do that? By taking away one of Ryohei's senses.
And Ussop has just the thing for that, reaching into his satchel and taking out the special item that he had in mind. Just in time too.
"FOUND YOU!"
Ussop dove out from underneath the table he was hiding under just as it collapsed into pieces from Ryohei slamming his fists down on top of it. Quickly, rolling up to his knees, slingshot out and drawn already with his special ammo loaded.
Target Locked.
"Tabasco Star!", Ussop shouts.
And released.
Flying true, the Tabasco Star smashed right into Ryohei's face, his eyes more specifically. Which immediately began to burn from the special hot sauce Ussop had added in for good measure.
Eyes literally on fire, Ryohei started frantically running around like a headless chicken, almost trampling Ussop on multiple occasions in the midst of his panic.
Using the chaos and Ryohei's blind panic, Ussop quickly rummaged through his satchel and began setting up as many traps as he was able. Already on the fourth before receiving a sharp punch to the jaw, that sent him flying. Landing awkwardly on top of an overturned table and crushing it beneath his weight from the fall.
"THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME I HAD TO FIGHT TO THE EXTREME WHILE BLIND!", Ryohei shouts, actually sounding mad for once since the whole battle had started.
That definitely did a number on his back. Ussop groaned as he slowly sat up, only to let out a shout as he is suddenly blinded by a bright beacon of light shining right where Ryohei is currently standing.
Ussop was quick to understand what's currently going on though.
It's his flames! He's using his Dying Will Flames!? On Ussop!?
Ussop scrambles for some sort of cover with his eyes squeezed shut. But despite the fact that his eyes are tightly closed, Ussop is still able to see the bright light from underneath his eye lids.
Finally, Ussop hides behind one of the marble columns on the outskirts of the room, framing the ballroom. Using it as cover Ussop panted, trying to catch his breath his body ached screaming at him for the strain he is causing the many injuries Ussop has from when Ryohei had previously, and quit literally, beat him to the ground.
But that doesn't matter right now. What does matter, is that Ussop needs to think of his next move now!
With the use of his Dying Will Flames, Ryohei has level out the playing field once more. Ussop can't shoot at what he can't see. The light is too bright and covers too much ground for Ussop to even try to guess and estimate for a shot.
Really, Ussop isn't quite sure if he should be proud that he got one of the strongest mafioso's to use his trump card against or cry and pray for his misfortune and misery that the strongest mafioso is using his trump card against him.
Fortunately for the long-nosed sniper, Ryohei doesn't seem like he knows what to do next either, like Ussop, he can't see. But unlike Ussop, the white-haired man has no reprieve, temporarily blind for a long while until he can wash out Ussop's special sauce from his eyes.
And because, unlike before, Ussop is remaining extra quiet, which means Ryohei can't hear and thus find him. This gives Ussop a break and time to think up of another plan.
But before Ussop could think much of anything, Ryohei finally spoke up, his voice echoing throughout the, now empty, ballroom. Ussop didn't even notice when, but at some point, the others' fight must have taken them elsewhere. The sniper was too focused on his own fight to have noticed when and where the others had left.
He needs to think, stall for time. The crazy Sun Guardian isn't going to stay in one place for much longer if Ussop doesn't somehow keep him occupied.
"Hey, I've been meaning to ask you something.", Ussop's voice echoed, piercing through the silence like a bullet, a shadow falling over his eyes as he lowered his head.
Ryohei had to pause, blinking in surprise at the long-nosed teen's voice, ignoring the burn that still irritated his eyes from Ussop's last attack. The whole time, aside from when he first got up after Ryohei had thought he defeated him, Ussop hasn't said a thing aside from his screams and shrieks whenever he was running from Ryohei.
Ussop happened to glance down while he waited for Ryohei's answer and noticed one of the low tiers Vongola mafiosos he had taken out at the beginning of this fight. More specifically, Ussop noticed the grunts sunglasses. The sniper quickly swiped them for himself, already placing them on his face, clutching his sling-shot at the ready.
The boxer will give him points. Out of everything, he's fast and is really good with that toy of his. Ryohei's eyes will attest to that.
So, the Sun Guardian couldn't keep the curiosity of his voice when he called back out, "What is it?"
"What is Lambo to you?"
For Ryohei, the question came from, seemingly, out of nowhere. It was unexpected, and for the boxer, it had little to no place in this fight. But the long-nosed sniper has proven that he is also extreme. That earned him some of Ryohei's respect. So, the silver haired Sun Guardian decided to answer the question anyway, despite his confusion towards it.
"A kid that was always there.", Ryohei answered truthfully as he wiped off more of the hot sauce, now stalling for time as his own vision began to clear, "I honestly barely took any notice of him despite the annoyances he seemed to cause others. He's not my responsibility."
Ussop could feel heat boiling just beneath the surface. His barely grasping a hold of his temper by a thread. The apathy that Ryohei held as the spoke of Lambo.
Ryohei felt weird with each word he spoke, his Vongola ring seemed vibrate more and more.
It infuriates Ussop.
The ring suddenly started to glow as Sun Flames rose from the ring with a roar.
"No more.", Ussop seethes to himself.
He whirled from behind the safety of his cover, sling shot out, stolen sunglasses protecting his eyes. But before he could do a single thing, he stumbled back as a wave of Sun Dying Will Flames crashed into his chest with a wide eyed Ryohei staring on in shock, vision returned back to normal.
For a split second, Ussop faltered, about to fall back. But there still plenty of Sun Flames that didn't crash into his chest, the rest curled around and behind Ussop, forming a ghostly figure the stepped out of the flames, steadying Ussop with and to his back and another hand holding the arm that had pulled until the rubber band of his sling shot was taught.
With the help by the first Sun Guardian, Knuckle, Ussop steadied himself. Now fueled with Knuckle's Sun Dying Will Flames, Ussop is shing a bright beacon of light of his own.
"Wait Wha-?", Ryohei sputtered, "How-? Why-?"
But he couldn't say a single coherent sentence. For once in his life Sasagawa Ryohei has been struck speechless.
Knuckle's usual light hearted expression is now hardened and stoic as he gazed at Ryohei. Expression only going back to normal, eyes softening with a small warm smile on his lips, when he glances over at the determined Ussop.
Who had gathered the Sun Flames gifted to him into the tiny normal bullet that he had loaded in his slingshot.
"This is for Lambo.", Ussop seethes as he releases, the Sun Flame infused bullet flying at Ryohei, who just barely dodged in order for the dead on hit to become a graze on his upper arm.
His own Sun flames stuttering in his surprise, staring at the bruise that now marked his arm dumbfoundedly. But Ussop didn't wait for Ryohei to be ready, his slingshot already loaded with new Sun Flame infused ammo.
"For the neglect!", Ussop shouts, releasing the rubber band, already reloading.
This time, Ryohei wasn't fast enough, the bullet burying itself into Ryohei's hip. Practically knocking the air right out of him.
"And the abuse he has faced!"
The next few hit his knee, then Ryohei's shoulder, causing the silver haired boxer to fall to his knees, his body and joints beginning to ache.
"For all the pain you and this stupid mafia have caused a kid!"
Three more hit his chest and another slammed into his hip again. Ryohei can't move. Usually, these bullets that Ussop has been using have only been a mild annoyance at best, and bruising at worst for Ryohei. But with the Sun Dying Will Flames added to the mix, every hit is bruising, only ten times worst then what it was before.
And that's only the half of it.
Not only do each bullet feel like Ryohei has been hit by one of his own punches, but Ussop has been aiming at key points in order to render Ryohei defenseless.
Like Ryohei is right now. He can't move, Ryohei can barely breath.
"And this...!", Ussop hisses with gritted.
Ussop held one last bullet in his slingshot, infusing it with more Sun Dying Will Flames than has with his last set of ammo. His teeth are gritted, and from behind the sunglasses, Ryohei can not only see, but feel the glare the sniper is shooting his way.
"This, is for never even noticing Lambo has been hurting this entire time."
He released.
Ussop's aim remained perfect.
The bullet slamming right into Ryohei's forehead, throwing Vongola's Sun Guardian back a few feet, before falling on his back. Body now unmoving, Ryohei laid there, unconscious.
...
Sanji's body feels like it's on fire. Every scratch, bite, and burn, he has received stings and/or hurts like hell. But that's not stopping Sanji.
Compared to the blonde cook, Mukuro doesn't look as bad. His hair is a little messier than usual, his clothes are rumpled, and the only visible injury is a dark purple bruise on his jaw from where Sanji had kicked him earlier.
"You seriously think you, a cook, can actually beat me?", Mukuro asks rhetorically, "A master and Vongola's Mist Guardian? Really?"
Despite the wounds, Sanji smirked, lighting a new cigarette, and calmly taking a deep inhale, then exhale of nicotine. Smirk never once leaving his lips as his single visible eye narrowed.
"I don't think, I know.", Sanji states confidently with a grin, "I'm gonna make sure of it."
...
Ryohei didn't know how long he was out for, but he knew it took him longer than he would have expected to become fully awake. It took a minute for Ryohei's blurry vision to clear.
His eyes widened immediately at the sight above him.
There stood Knuckle, staring down at Ryohei with a cold expression on his face. For a second, Ryohei had wondered if he had imagined the first Sun Guardian, but here he is, standing over Ryohei's prone body. Ryohei slowly craned his head to look behind Knuckle to see Ussop sprawled in a star fish position on the ground. Small snores escaping from the long-nosed sniper.
"Right after you were knocked out, he just laid down and fell asleep from his exhaustion and injuries you gave him.", Knuckle answered Ryohei's silent question
Ryohei looked back to the first Sun Guardian, and almost flinched from the aura of disappointment and anger that seemed to slowly seep from the ghostly man.
"The Sun is supposed to heal.", Knuckle speaks quietly, yet his voice firm, "What's the point of you if don't even notice when your famiglia are hurt?"
Ryohei didn't have an answer, nor did Knuckle want one. Instead, the entire Vongola mansion rumbled and seemed to vibrate. Knuckle smiled fondly as he looked up in a seemingly random direction.
"A storm is coming.", Knuckle says knowingly, now ignoring Ryohei's presence beneath him, "The illusionist has no idea what's in store for him. For God is coming, and we all know his wrath is nothing to sneeze at."
And just like that, Knuckle's form dispersed into gold dust.
Author's Note:
Okay, it's been a while. Hi Guys! Here's the next chapter!
I struggled a little more with this one because Ussop's 'fighting style' is very unique and I found it extra hard to write when it came to him fighting a close-range fighter, unlike the Fishman Chew. So yeah, I had a little trouble stitching the fight together and had to keep coming back to the chapter in order to make it longer. This chapter almost came out several pages shorter if I had updated any earlier.
I also didn't want this chapter to be a repeat of the last chapter. These next couple of chapters are going to be very similar, so they are all going to take a while on coming out because I don't want to be repeating the same thing over and over again.
It will be a while before the next chapter will be out. There should be more action, but I'm a repetitive person. You know in those battle video games, there is always that one person that likes to use the same move over and over again? Lol, yeah that's me 😅. And my writing is no different.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Be Your Best You! And have a Happy Halloween! Bye!