"Roman, why do you trust that..."
Although Nami hadn't seen Franky's true face under the cloak and mask, the big hairy legs and bare feet he inadvertently revealed while walking... and those subordinates in tights and stockings.
"Doesn't he look like a pervert?"
"Don't worry," Roman waved his hand, "that person is just tormented by guilt and secrets, so he pretends to be crazy."
The former Franky, or 'Cutty Flam', was also a typical hot-blooded youth. He had a tragic childhood, a kind teacher, and a senior brother who loved to argue but actually cared a lot.
He also had the qualities of a hot-blooded youth: loyalty, impulsiveness, a tendency to get into trouble, and stubbornness. —Until he was framed, causing the death of his teacher who was like a father to him, and was entrusted by his senior brother to guard his teacher's relics. Under such pressure, he had to disguise himself.
As a result, after pretending for so long, he really became a pervert...
"In any case, Franky is someone who keeps his promises."
Besides, with so many of Franky's subordinates still in this city, there's no way he could run away with the money.
Although such a thing is impossible anyway.
?!
"Let's go, everyone else is back on the Going Merry."
Roman grabbed Nami beside him, and with a flap of the white wings that grew from his back, they flew forward at high speed, skimming the ground.
"Hey, why the rush?"
Facing Nami's exclamation, Roman didn't answer, just frowned.
It shouldn't be like this. Clearly, Nami and I are the ones responsible for exchanging gold and repairing the ship. Luffy and Usopp should be goofing around, so why...
However, Roman realized that despite their carefree appearances, Luffy and Usopp were the ones who cared the most about the Going Merry.
Soon, Roman landed on the Going Merry with Nami, but the usually lively and cheerful deck was now tense!
"So you're going to abandon the Merry?"
Usopp, with bloodshot eyes, grabbed Luffy's collar, completely different from his usual cheerful self.
"You're not a shipwright, Usopp."
Luffy, whose face was equally grim, let Usopp grab his collar and retorted.
"You heard what the professional shipwrights said. So—"
"Shut up!!"
"Don't act like a wise and experienced captain... What a stupid decision!"
"I misjudged you, Luffy!"
"This is..."
Facing the confused Nami who had just landed, Zoro quickly explained the situation.
"The professional shipwrights just looked at it. The Merry... can't sail anymore, not even be repaired."
???
"How could this be..."
Thud!
Just as Nami was in disbelief, Luffy suddenly pinned Usopp to the ground!
"Don't go too far!"
"Do you think you're the only one who's upset? Everyone feels the same!"
"If you have a problem with my decision, then you can get off this ship—"
Whoosh—Bang!
A kick flew out, interrupting Luffy's words and forcibly separating the two.
"Luffy, get a grip!"
"You're the captain, there are some things you can't say lightly."
"Sorry," Luffy, who had been kicked away by Roman, got up, "I'm sorry, I just lost control for a moment..."
"That's your true feelings, isn't it, Luffy."
"What did you say!?"
!
Usopp, who had also gotten up, patted his pants.
"Abandon the companions who can't keep up and keep moving forward."
"Your dream is to become the 'Pirate King' standing at the top of the world, so you need to have great power! But I'm different—"
"I never thought about standing at such heights, and I've been seriously thinking these past few days—"
Usopp's serious gaze swept over everyone on the deck: Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Roman, Nami, and Chopper. His lowered eyes showed reluctance and unwillingness.
"My strength can't keep up with you anymore."
"I'm supposed to be the ship's sniper, but I can't even beat the cook, the doctor, or even the navigator!"
"Usopp,"
Facing the downcast companion, Nami was at a loss.
"I... my book is just Roman's..."
"But it's still real 'power,' isn't it!"
Usopp gritted his teeth and looked up at Nami, tears welling up in his eyes. "Whether it's a knife, a gun, or a book... power is power! The ones who can fight and bring victory are the 'companions,' right?"
Roman stepped forward, about to say something, but Usopp abruptly cut him off.
"You were the ones who invited me on board."
Back in Syrup Village, when the Straw Hat crew was just a few people...
At that time, he naively thought being a pirate was just about exciting adventures and laughter every day;
Then, after setting sail, one world-destroying enemy after another, falling powerless time and again;
"Roman, I appreciate your training all the way, I know you genuinely want everyone to get stronger, but:"
Usopp turned his head, tears trembling in his eyes.
"I'm just an ordinary person, I can't keep up with you monsters anymore!!!"
This...
So I also bear some responsibility, Roman was momentarily speechless.
Thinking seriously, it was because he knew how powerful the enemies they would face were, so he seized every moment to make the Straw Hat crew stronger. Under such pressure, his urgency also affected others.
Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji, with their strong wills, naturally accepted it gladly, but others...
Glancing at Nami beside him, had he also unknowingly put too much pressure on her?
"Sorry, actually I was prepared—"
"No need to apologize, Roman." Usopp wiped away his tears, "I should be the one apologizing, for failing your expectations."
"A companion of the Pirate King... I'm not worthy."
!!
"Luffy, I can't stay with you anymore."
"I've been causing you trouble all along."
With that, Usopp turned and jumped off the Going Merry. He pulled out his slingshot.
"You are the captain of this ship, Monkey D. Luffy!"
"Duel with me, if I win, give me the Going Merry!!"
??
"Roman, stop them!"
Facing the anxious Nami beside him, Roman just calmly shook his head.
"This is a duel between men, I have no reason to interfere."
Different paths, different goals.
Thinking carefully, for Usopp, taking a large sum of money back to his hometown in East Blue to get married might not be a bad choice. — With his current strength, he would be considered a 'big shot' in East Blue.
Whether to retreat in the face of adversity or to face it head-on, that is his own choice.
He has no reason to drag others to face the terrifying enemies of the future with him, —Luffy is the same.
---
"This time, you're not afraid at all, no matter the outcome," Luffy said seriously to Usopp on the nearby beach. "This is the duel you asked for. Don't regret it if you lose!"
"Don't compare me to those who don't know your true strength, Luffy."
Usopp stood seriously opposite him.
"I know your abilities inside out, bring it on."
The duel began—
"I have eight thousand subordinates, surrender now if you don't want to die!"
"Ah~ that many?"
Chopper was shocked!
"Do you think I don't know you don't have those subordinates?"
Luffy shouted!
"Usopp's spell: A hundred needles piercing the eyes, blades..."
"Ah ah ah, it hurts so much!"
Chopper cried!
"Enough! —Gomu Gomu no Pistol."
Luffy launched an attack directly,
Bang!
The extended fist slammed into Usopp's abdomen, causing the long-nosed sniper, who was 'chanting a spell', to spit out a mouthful of blood.
Pfft!
??
"Special Attack - Tomato Sauce!"
It was fake, Usopp wasn't so weak that he couldn't withstand a single punch from Luffy. Facing Luffy, who instinctively stopped, Usopp gritted his teeth and smiled.
"Are you sympathizing with your opponent in a fight?"
"Flash Dial!"
The intense light at close range took away Luffy's vision, and in his agitation, he didn't think to use Observation Haki. So:
"Special Attack - Egg Star!"
Splat,
A rotten egg splattered all over Luffy's face! The damage was almost zero, but:
"Can you fight properly?!"
"This is my fighting style, Luffy."
"Special Attack - Pepper Star!"
A pepper flew into Luffy's shouting mouth, instantly making his face turn red and spew flames! Then:
"Special Attack - Shuriken!"
"Special Attack - Iron Thorns!"
While Luffy, with red eyes and a swollen throat, was frantically dodging Usopp's weapons, white mist began to spread around him.
?
"It's gas!"
Everything just now was to cover up this real attack method, the wind dial quietly releasing gas on the ground was Usopp's trump card.
"Take this, Luffy."
"Fire Star!!"
Boom!!
A violent explosion erupted from where Luffy was standing, turning a large section of the coast into a hell of flames!
The massive amount of gas was instantly ignited, and a series of deafening explosions followed one after another. The ground shook like an earthquake! The ground was blasted black, and the hot, expanding gas rose like a towering fist. Even the nearby Going Merry was suddenly pushed away from the shore.
"What a powerful explosion."
As Zoro marveled, Usopp quickly reached into his bag for more weapons.
"I know this won't kill you, Luffy. So—"
Flash—
In a blur, Luffy's serious face appeared in Usopp's eyes. Before he could react, his body was pulled back like a bow, and the intense pain in his abdomen instantly knocked Usopp unconscious!
Thud,
Usopp, with his eyes rolled back, fell to the ground, signaling the end of the duel.
"Idiot,"
Luffy, covered in black, said in a low voice.
"You know me, do you think I don't know you?"
"How could you possibly beat me!!!"
Kneeling in front of Usopp, Luffy picked up the straw hat beside him, turned around, and pressed the hat down.
"Going Merry, do whatever you want."
"We will buy a new ship... and keep moving forward!"
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