Zoro and Sanji swiftly navigated through the primeval jungle of Little Garden, their expressions unusually grave. Giyu had been captured, their opponents were formidable, and time was of the essence.
Boom!
An explosion suddenly erupted not far ahead, mingled with familiar shouts.
Exchanging a glance, they immediately accelerated toward the source, only to freeze at the scene before them.
It was Usopp! He was rolling clumsily across the ground to evade attacks, facing off against Mr. 5, the explosive man they'd encountered at Whiskey Peak!
Usopp struggled visibly—the Gunpowder Stars fired from his sling exploded against Mr. 5's body but had no effect beyond the blasts.
He panted heavily while dodging the Booger Bombs Mr. 5 flicked toward him.
"Usopp!" Sanji moved to rush forward and assist.
Mr. 5 noticed the newcomers, especially the green-haired swordsman, which reminded him of that unpleasant noon encounter. He clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Don't come over!!"
Unexpectedly, Usopp whirled around and shouted to stop them. His face was scratched, his clothes singed black in places, but his eyes held an unshakable resolve.
"I just saw them!"
He pointed urgently into the distance. "Giyu! And Nami! Vivi! And two others I don't know! That candle-using bastard turned them all into Candle Statues! They're displayed on top of a giant cake model right now!!"
Usopp's voice turned hoarse. "Hurry and save them!! I'll handle things here... by myself!!"
Without another glance at Zoro and Sanji, he spun back, raising his sling with fierce determination fixed on Mr. 5.
"Special Attack! Gunpowder Star! Double Shot!"
Two gunpowder pellets shot out rapidly—one detonated against Mr. 5's chest, the other struck the base of a tree behind him, scorching it black.
Zoro and Sanji stood stunned, observing Usopp's expression—a determination unlike his usual self. Sanji's furrowed brow gradually relaxed, while Zoro's lips curled into a slight smirk.
"Hey," Zoro said.
"Yeah, got it," Sanji lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. "No need to worry about this guy. Let's trust him."
Then he called out to Usopp's back, "Go for it, Usopp! We'll be waiting ahead! Don't you dare die!!!"
Without hesitation, the two flashed away, sprinting at full speed toward the direction Usopp had indicated.
As the smoke from the explosion cleared, Mr. 5 brushed the dust off his chest, emerging completely unharmed, his face etched with extreme impatience.
"I told you, it's useless... Are you an idiot?"
He scratched his head as if recalling something. "Wait... the sniper mentioned in Miss Friday's intel... it couldn't be you, could it?"
He stared at the sling in Usopp's hand, feeling his intelligence had been insulted.
Then Mr. 5 raised a finger, dug into his nostril with practiced ease, and flicked out a booger.
"Snot Fantasy Cannon!"
Whoosh—!
Boom!
Usopp leaped awkwardly behind a large tree. The blast roared in his ears, and the shockwave sent pain shooting through his back.
Ouch, ouch, ouch...
He huddled behind the tree, rubbing his back, muttering to himself, "This guy is really tough... Explosions don't even scratch him... Am I really going to die this time..."
Suddenly, a wave of overwhelming fear gripped his heart, making his entire body tremble.
I shouldn't have tried to show off... Why didn't I just let Zoro and Sanji handle him... I'm just an ordinary person... How could I possibly defeat a monster who's eaten a Devil Fruit...
Just then, Usopp abruptly raised his hand and slapped his own cheeks hard.
Smack! Smack!
The pain jolted him back to his senses.
Images flashed through his mind—Dorry and Brogy's century-long duel, tragically ruined by Mr. 5 and Mr. 3's despicable schemes.
How can I fall here!
When we charged up Reverse Mountain, I declared it! I am a brave Sea Warrior! I promised Zoro and Sanji I'd hold this ground!
Courage, like a faint ember, flickered to life once more in his heart.
He leaped out from behind the tree, shouting with all his might, "I, the great Usopp, am a brave Sea Warrior!!"
"Take this! Special Attack: Gunpowder Star!"
Usopp then aimed his slingshot and fired a specially crafted pellet at Mr. 5.
Mr. 5 sneered, not even bothering to dodge, and opened his mouth to swallow the "Gunpowder Star" whole!
"I told you, gunpowder has no effect on me... Wait... Cough! Cough! Cough! So spicy!!! What the hell is this?!" Mr. 5's expression shifted from mockery to agony as he clutched his throat, coughing violently, his esophagus burning like fire!
"Fool!"
Usopp yelled triumphantly, though his legs still trembled slightly, "That was a trick! It wasn't gunpowder! It was my specially crafted Chili Star! How do you like the taste?!"
"Damn you!!! You damn pirate!!!" Mr. 5, driven nearly insane by the spiciness, dropped to his knees, pounding the ground frantically.
This is my chance!
Usopp's eyes sharpened. He quickly scooped up several appropriately sized stones from the ground, coated them with his special chili mixture, and loaded them into his slingshot.
"Special Attack!! Ultra-Long-Range Chili Stone Barrage!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The chili-coated stones shot out in rapid succession, striking Mr. 5's face and sunglasses with precision!
"Ahhh! My eyes!" Mr. 5 screamed as his sunglasses flew off. His eyes stung and burned, temporarily blinding him.
Usopp didn't stop. He immediately adjusted his angle, aiming at the large tree behind Mr. 5—the one whose roots had already been charred by the earlier Gunpowder Star explosion!
"Special Attack! Gunpowder Star! Rapid Fire!"
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Several small gunpowder pellets hit the blackened roots accurately, igniting them instantly!
The already damaged trunk could no longer hold. It fell at the perfect angle, crashing down onto Mr. 5, who was still disoriented and on his knees.
"You bas—!"
Mr. 5 only managed a choked curse before the heavy, thick trunk pinned him completely, knocking him unconscious.
Everything settled into silence.
Usopp collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air, his entire body shaking. The bravery he'd mustered moments ago seemed to have drained away completely.
But as he looked at the fallen tree and the now completely silent Mr. 5 beneath it, who could no longer mock anyone, a surge of pride welled up inside him.
Usopp struggled to his feet, dusted off his clothes, and stared at the unconscious Mr. 5. With all his might, he shouted:
"What sniper... I am... the Sniper King!!!"
After shouting, he felt dizzy, but still dragged his exhausted body, limping as he trudged in the direction Zoro and Sanji had gone.
He was the Sniper King of the Straw Hat Pirates—the battle wasn't over yet!