Chapter 271: The Legendary Four-Wheel Alignment?!
The battle between Usopp and Franky began.
Right from the start, Usopp employed the combat techniques taught to him by Ralph.
Striking first to gain the upper hand, he launched a fierce assault.
Usopp's fingers pulling back the slingshot moved so fast they became a blur.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—!
Over a dozen pellets shot out in a straight line, all striking Franky.
The first one exploded, splashing yellow liquid all over Franky's face.
"What is this?"
Franky sniffed and nearly gagged.
"...?"
The second pellet followed, bursting into red powder that smeared across his mouth.
"Cough, cough—chili powder!"
The third one sprayed a dark, slippery liquid at his feet.
Franky tried to lift his foot to dodge, but his sole slipped, sending him tumbling forward.
The fourth pellet exploded into colorful smoke, enveloping him completely.
A riot of colors, stinky and spicy, and slippery to boot.
By the time Franky charged out of the smoke, he was a complete mess.
His shirt was stained with yellow and red blotches, his face was flushed and shiny, his eyes were stinging so badly he couldn't open them, and bits of eggshell were tangled in his hair.
The onlookers were in hysterics.
Earlier, when Usopp had pulled out his slingshot, the crowd had been skeptical.
What kind of Pirate uses a child's toy as a weapon? It was just too ridiculous!
No wonder he had been so hesitant before the fight.
But once the battle started, Usopp's moves thoroughly shut up those who had doubted him.
Was that even humanly possible hand speed?
It seemed this kid had really put in the work with that slingshot.
However, a new doubt arose: could a slingshot really match the power of firearms?
Wouldn't it have been better to practice with a gun with that kind of dedication?
Only a few wondered if the pellets he fired might be particularly deadly.
As it turned out, they were right.
They were indeed deadly—hilariously deadly!
"What kind of fighting style is this?"
"A slingshot? Is that kid really using a slingshot?"
"How did he come up with such a chaotic assortment of pellets?"
Someone turned to ask a member of the Straw Hat Crew nearby:
"Hey, is that long-nosed guy the comic relief on your ship?"
Lufia giggled. "How did you know?"
Zoro's mouth twitched.
Sanji, cigarette in mouth, didn't say anything, but there was a smile in his eyes.
Franky stood in the middle of the arena, looking down at his own sorry state, then up at Usopp.
Usopp held his slingshot, his eyes wide behind his goggles, his face full of vigilance.
"..."
Franky wiped his face, sniffed his hand, and turned green.
"Are you mocking me?!"
Usopp shrank back but immediately straightened up.
"I-It's just a fighting style! What mockery?!"
Franky took a deep breath.
Just because he enjoyed being seen as a pervert didn't mean he liked being toyed with.
"You've successfully pissed me off!"
He raised his left hand.
The skin on his wrist flipped open, revealing the metallic structure beneath.
The rotating barrels of a gun emerged from his arm.
"Weapons Left!"
Ratatatatat—
Bullets poured out.
Usopp's pupils contracted as he dove sideways behind a pile of scrap ships.
Bullets struck the wooden planks, sending splinters flying.
Usopp curled into a ball, covering his head, waiting for the barrage to end.
"Stop hiding! Come out!"
Franky advanced while continuing to fire.
Usopp peeked out from behind the scrap ships and fired three pellets in quick succession.
Franky deployed the Star Shield on his right hand, blocking all the pellets.
But one of them exploded, releasing colorful smoke once again.
"Is that all you've got?"
Franky charged through the colored smoke, continuing to fire.
Usopp scrambled to his feet and ran.
The battlefield expanded outward from the entrance of the Franky House.
The two chased each other around piles of wrecked ships, stacks of lumber, and abandoned hulls.
Usopp fired backward as he ran, while Franky shot while pursuing.
Bullets struck the stone slabs, sparking on impact; pellets exploded, filling the air with smoke.
The onlookers began to retreat, afraid of being hit by stray bullets.
But no one left—who would want to miss such an exciting fight?
At the edge of the crowd, the person wearing an exaggerated festival mask stood behind a pillar, watching the commotion on the field.
Wait a little longer.
On the field, Usopp ran into a pile of discarded lumber.
Franky chased him in, transforming into his Centaur Form. Relying on his four metal legs with wheels, he rampaged through the lumber pile.
"Don't run!"
Usopp hid behind two logs, panting heavily.
He couldn't keep running forever.
He had to think of a plan.
He remembered Ralph praising his tactics.
"When facing a strong enemy, first show weakness. Make him think that's all you're capable of. Then, set up your strategy in advance and wait for him to expose a flaw."
Appear weak...
Usopp looked at his current state.
Drenched in sweat, disheveled, and fleeing in panic.
Wasn't that weak enough already?
Now it was time for a surprise counterattack!
Those earlier attacks weren't just for show.
He suddenly leaped out from cover, aiming at Franky.
Whoosh!
The Tokuyo Abura Boshi struck the ground beneath Franky.
Jet-black liquid splattered, instantly making the ground slippery.
As Franky's four legs stepped on it, one of them slipped, causing his body to tilt.
Now!
Whoosh!
The Kayaku Boshi followed, hitting the spot where the Tokuyo Abura Boshi had exploded.
Boom!
Flames erupted instantly.
The Tokuyo Abura ignited, and the fire spread along the oil trail, engulfing Franky entirely.
Usopp ducked, avoiding the wave of heat that rushed toward him.
The crowd gasped in shock.
"That kid!"
"He blew him up!"
"That was brutal!"
Usopp raised his head, looking at the flames with some uncertainty.
Had he really burned someone to death?
The flames gradually subsided.
A figure emerged from the fire.
Franky stood there, his face slightly charred and a few strands of his hair singed, but otherwise unharmed.
"Interesting."
He brushed off the ash on his body.
"Almost got me."
Usopp's face paled.
In the distance, Lufia exclaimed:
"That pervert in just his underwear is so strong! Is he a Devil Fruit User too?"
Zoro shook his head. "Doesn't seem like it."
Sanji, cigarette in mouth, looked serious.
"A Cyborg."
"The kind who turns their entire body into a weapon."
Lufia's eyes lit up. "So cool!"
Sanji, unusually, didn't agree with Miss Lufia.
He looked at Franky, his expression complicated.
"Cyborgs are indeed cool."
"But not all modifications are something people can accept."
Zoro glanced at him sideways.
That didn't sound like he was talking about the pervert across the field.
Back on the field, Franky moved.
"If this is all you've got, then I'm taking this duel!"
He charged forward.
Too fast.
Usopp only saw a blur rushing toward him. Before he could dodge, he was knocked to the ground.
Franky's four legs pinned him down, holding him firmly in place.
Is this the legendary four-wheel alignment?
Then, two thick iron arms rose, slamming down like pile drivers.
In short, the scene was extremely bloody, violent... and perverted!