POWAAAAA....
Phoebe Chubi....
Gugugaga...
Dororo...
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Today, after watching Jackdbus's one more whaling video, I thought, "Let's do some gambling!!!"
But it looks like my luck was way better than Jack. I pulled Red Roc Luffy in one go with only 50 RDs.
Take that, King of Whaling.
Anyways, morale of the story, don't do gambling, unless you have too much money on you.
A cinema for my fellow Naruto fans.
MEME:
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Attendance Please:
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3 DAYS LATER—
Morning light spills through the hospital windows, carrying the salty, fresh scent of the Syrup Village coast. Along with it comes the quiet realization that this is truly over. Usopp is finally going home.
The doctor said his internal wounds have fully healed. The stitches have been removed. All that remains are faint, silvery scars and tiny marks where the thread once was. These will fade over time.
Even now, this world amazes Yuji. He was born in the One-Piece world and has lived here for over twenty years, yet he is still shocked by how its biology works. He has studied anatomy textbooks from two worlds and memorized how slow human healing is. But none of that matters here.
Usopp's wounds were severe—stab wounds from several broken blades, each already stained with someone else's blood. Additionally, the blades had punctured his stomach in multiple places.
There is a significant risk of infection and internal bleeding. Even small fragments of the blade remain lodged inside his stomach, resembling dark seeds scattered in soil.
That type of injury typically requires four to six weeks for the stomach and abdominal wall to heal sufficiently for normal daily activities. Following that, an additional five to six months of rehabilitation is needed to restore strength and stamina.
How long did it take Usopp to heal?
Five. Fucking. Days.
This defies every medical principle Yuji learned in his original world. If he were back home, relying on his old textbooks and his previous understanding of human fragility, Usopp would be drowning in his own infection right now.
Sigh.
But this is not his old world.
This is an anime world where anime logic governs everything. Willpower carries weight. The boundary between the physical and spiritual realms is less a strict line and more of a flexible suggestion.
If you break a bone, simply drink some milk, and—bam—your bones will be fully healed, even stronger than before.
Believe it or not, this actually works.
Yuji remembers breaking his wrist while training under his grandfather. He expected a splint, a sling, or maybe a lecture about pushing too hard. Instead, his grandfather simply handed him a glass of milk and said, completely straight-faced, "Drink it. We don't have time to slack off."
And it worked. The bone knit itself back together overnight. Yuji woke up the next morning, flexed his fingers, and felt nothing but the fading memory of pain.
Things like this always remind him of what he read online back in his world, strange forums and late-night rabbit holes. Many theories circulated about this absurd phenomenon. In the One-Piece world, the food is far richer than usual. Common meats, from giant land animals to sea beasts like giant fish and Sea Kings, are so packed with protein that even top bodybuilders from his old world would blush upon seeing a four-year-old consume more protein than they could in ten lifetimes.
And that's just one example. There are fiber-rich foods such as legumes, berries, avocados, broccoli, and whole grains like oats and quinoa; calcium-rich foods like milk, spinach, pickles, and kale; and probiotic foods that support gut health.
Bottom line: With all that good food, even a kid from this world could take down a full-grown adult from his old world.
That's all there is to it.
Now, back to the story.
Yes, Usopp is being discharged from the hospital.
Right now, Luffy, Zoro, Nami, and he are walking down the hospital hallway toward Usopp's room. Their footsteps sound different here—slower, heavier, as if each step requires a bit of courage.
After the conversation at the restaurant and seeing how Luffy felt, they decided to go to Usopp and apologize.
That was three days ago.
None of them had the courage to face Usopp after what happened.
How did they become such cowards? They didn't even notice it happening. It crept up on them like a tide, silent and sure, until one day they woke up and realized they had been avoiding their own friend as if he were a stranger.
Even Yuji felt like a coward for running from his responsibilities. He should have apologized three days ago when Usopp woke up, but he hesitated. He saw Usopp's raw emotions and his suffering. There is a difference between giving someone space and abandoning them, and Yuji isn't sure which one he did anymore.
But Luffy seemed to be hurting the most. Who would have thought he had insecurities, too? Luffy, who laughs in the face of danger, who punches first and asks questions never—even he has a breaking point. It just looks different on him: quieter.
Over the past three days, it seems his appetite has completely disappeared. He has barely eaten anything.
And you know it's serious when Luffy stops eating.
The shame in his eyes, for not being there when Usopp needed him most, is eating him alive. It is a parasite with teeth, and it has made a home in his gut.
So here they are now, standing outside Usopp's hospital room.
The door is ordinary—wooden and painted a plain, dull beige. There is nothing special about it, yet it might as well be the gate to a fortress.
Luffy places his hand on the doorknob, takes a deep breath, and exhales deeply in one smooth motion. He glances back at Zoro, Nami, and Yuji standing behind him. They nod in encouragement.
He nods in return, opens the door, and steps inside.
The room smells of antiseptic and something floral—a small vase of hydrangeas on the windowsill, their blue petals already browning at the edges. By the bedside, stood Usopp, fully patched up and dressed in new clothes: a simple shirt and trousers. He looks ready to leave.
He pauses.
His eyes move slowly across them: Luffy's determined gaze, Zoro's carefully blank expression, Nami's nervous look as her fingers play with the edge of her sleeve, and finally, Yuji's sad eyes.
Usopp doesn't say anything at first; he simply looks at them with a blank expression.
But seeing Luffy fidget, Usopp sighs and finally speaks up.
"What happened? Why are you all just standing there like that?"
Suddenly, Luffy drops to his knees and slams his head onto the hospital floor. The sound is sharp and solid against the floorboards.
Usopp's eyes widen.
Soon, Zoro, Nami, and Yuji also kneel and bow their heads to the floor. Zoro's swords clink softly against his back, while Nami's hair spreads across the floor like spilled copper.
Usopp freaks out, his hands flailing. "H-Hey, guys, what are you doing?"
Then Luffy speaks, his voice muffled against the floor yet still clear. "I'm sorry, Usopp, for not being able to keep my promise."
"I'm sorry," says Zoro, his head still bowed, "for not following the swordsman's code and for failing to protect someone's innocence."
"I'm sorry," says Nami, her voice trembling slightly, "for not being there when you needed us most."
"I'm sorry," says Yuji, "for having all this strength and still failing to accomplish anything."
Usopp hears their words and looks at their bowed heads.
He slowly sits back down on the hospital bed and covers his eyes with his right hand, as if trying to hold back tears. His mouth opens, closes, and opens again.
After a few seconds, he looks at them again. His eyes are red but steady.
"Please… stand up," he says softly.
Hearing him, they all slowly rise and look toward him.
Usopp places his hands on the edge of the bed and lets out a weary sigh.
"You didn't have to do any of that. I was never angry with you, and none of this was your fault."
"No," Luffy says, and Usopp looks at him.
Luffy shakes his head. "It was my fault. If I hadn't lost my temper that day and hadn't punched Kuro, maybe we could have handled things differently."
"No, nothing would have changed," Usopp says quietly. "The pirates would still have attacked the village, and Kuro would still have carried out his plan."
"Maybe yes, but Kaya wouldn't have suffered like this," says Nami.
"Who knows?" mutters Usopp, the words hanging in the air like smoke.
Silence stretches, thick and heavy.
"You know," Usopp finally speaks up, "over the past three days, I've thought a lot about everything that happened." He looks at Yuji. "And I've made a final decision. I don't regret killing Kuro—not one bit. I'd do it again if anyone tries to hurt the people I care about."
He stands up from the bed. His movements are slow but steady, like a man learning to trust his own legs again.
"I'm ready to become a monster, as long as Kaya and the others remain safe."
He looks down at his hands, the same hands that once trembled at the thought of a fight, now steady as stone.
"Maybe the old me would never have agreed with this… but I'm not that Usopp anymore." He clenched his fist. "Now I'm Usopp, son of a famous pirate named Yasopp and a kind woman named Banchina. I'm a brave warrior of the sea, and I will never back down from anything… even if it means going against the whole world."
Luffy, Zoro, Nami, and Yuji look at Usopp's firm, determined face. There is something different about him now, something that wasn't there when they first met.
Then Luffy steps forward and places his hand on Usopp's shoulder.
"Usopp, you don't have to carry that burden alone. We're here for you. This time, I won't just make a promise… I'll make it real. I'll train harder and push myself beyond my limits to become so strong that something like this never happens again." Luffy's face is serious, more serious than Usopp has ever seen it. "So please, don't try to be alone. Share it with us. After all, we're crewmates… that is, if you still want that?"
Usopp looks into Luffy's eyes and sees only honesty, no pity, no judgment, just a simple, steadfast belief that things can improve.
He looks at Zoro, Nami, and Yuji, noting their hopeful faces. Zoro gives him a small nod, the kind that says, I'll follow you anywhere. Nami offers a watery smile, and Yuji looks at him with that same big-brother expression that says, I've got your back.
Usopp looks back at Luffy and gives him a gentle smile.
"Thank you, Luffy. And thank you all for supporting me so much and never giving up on me, even after everything." He grips Luffy's hand firmly, the grip of someone who has made peace with his own darkness. "I'm already part of your crew, Luffy. We faced the Black Cat Pirates not just as friends, but as a crew. Now I know my role in this crew: I'll be your sharpshooter, your eyes—to see what lies beyond the vast sea."
Luffy smiles back, a genuine smile, the first in three days. "No, Usopp. You're not just a sharpshooter; you're the best I've ever seen. And I know, deep in my gut, that you're going to be the best sharpshooter in the whole world. Mark my words."
Usopp's eyes fill with tears at Luffy's words. He nods, then looks away, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. The hydrangeas on the windowsill seem to brighten just a little.
"Let's go now," he says, his voice steadier than before. "We still need to find a suitable ship."
Luffy's eyes widen. "You still remember that?"
"Yeah, how could I forget? It's the thing that started all of this."
"But the only one who can give us a ship is Kaya," says Zoro. "With how she's doing right now, I don't think it's possible anymore."
"And we don't want to pressure her at all," says Yuji.
Nami nods. "Yeah, she's finally starting to get better, but she's not completely stable yet."
There is silence for a few seconds, and then a new voice speaks from the doorway.
"You kids don't need to worry about that."
All of them look toward the door and see Taro standing there with his arms crossed over his chest.
Usopp's eyes widen. "Old man?"
"Brat," says Taro, then looks at Luffy and the others. "You kids were taking too long with your confessions, so I had to come here myself. I was surprised to hear the very thing I was worried about—Usopp joining your crew."
He says this while staring at Luffy, or more specifically, at the old, worn straw hat on his head. A flicker of emotion crosses Taro's face.
"Must be fate or something," he mutters under his breath.
Usopp steps forward. "Old man, don't stop me."
But Taro cuts him off by raising his hand. "I'm not here to stop you, brat. I can clearly see in your eyes that something has changed. Whether it's good or bad, you need to find that out for yourself. And it looks like you won't be alone in that search." He glances at the others. "I just wanted to know what you'd decide for your future after everything that happened… but it seems you've already made up your mind. So who am I to get in your way?"
Usopp is shocked. Then his lips tremble. "Old man… you and Aunt Mia are the only ones who took care of me after my mom died. You don't know how grateful I am. So, thank you. For everything."
"Yeah, yeah… whatever," mutters Taro, looking away to hide his feelings. He lets out a sigh. "If you're done with your emotional speech, then come with me. I've got something for you." He looks at Luffy and the others. "You kids can come too."
With that, he walks away, his heavy footsteps echoing down the hallway like a heartbeat.
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After leaving the hospital, Usopp, Luffy, Yuji, Zoro, and Nami follow Taro down the village's dirt path. The sun is high now, bleaching the road a pale gold, and the distant sound of the sea follows them like a second set of footsteps.
As they walk, villagers wave at Usopp now and then. Some even bow to show their gratitude. A woman pauses mid-step to press her palms together in thanks. A man sharpening a scythe outside his shed lifts his blade in salute. Even the children, who once ran from Usopp's tall tales, peek out from behind fences with wide, curious eyes.
Usopp simply smiles at them. He never expected to see such significant changes in people.
Taro snorts at the sight. "Now they're happy to see you—two-faced bastards."
Hearing that, Usopp looks at him, confused. "Why are you angry at them, old man? Aren't you happy they're finally accepting me?"
"Oh, I'm happy to see you finally getting recognized. But this isn't how I wanted it to happen," Taro's voice is quiet, almost dangerous. "They're only showing gratitude because you saved them from those pirates. That's the true nature of humans." He looks at Usopp with his old eyes. "We're selfish creatures, brat. We only do things if we get something in return. That's how greedy we humans are."
Usopp and the others listen silently.
Soon, they arrive at Taro's house. It is a modest building, weathered by the seasons, featuring a porch swing that creaks softly in the breeze and a wind chime made of seashells that sings in a minor key.
"Stay here. I'll be right back," Taro says and disappears inside.
The group remains outside, waiting.
"What do you think he wants to give you?" Luffy asks.
Usopp shrugs. "I don't know."
"Maybe a farewell gift or something," says Zoro.
"Who knows?"
After ten minutes, Taro finally comes out of his house carrying a long object wrapped in cloth. The fabric is old and faded, embroidered with a pattern that may have once depicted flowers.
He walks over to Usopp and stops in front of him.
"Here." He hands the wrapped object to Usopp. "It was just sitting at my place, gathering dust. Maybe you can put it to good use."
Usopp looks down at the wrapped object in his hands. It is heavier than he expected. He unwraps it carefully, the cloth falling away like skin from a secret.
He gasps.
Nestled in the folds are an old, worn-out rifle and two pistols. The wood of the stocks is dark with age, carved with swirling patterns that look like waves. The metal barrels are tarnished but intact.
"This…?" Usopp mutters, looking up at Taro.
"Don't look at me like that," Taro grumbles. "Those are your stupid father's very first rifle and pistols. He used to practice with them all the time when he was your age." A pause. A shadow crosses his face. "He gave them to me before he left with that red-haired bastard."
At that, Luffy's eyes widen. "Wait—Red Hair? You mean Shanks? You met him too?"
Taro grunts. "Yeah. He's the one who sweet-talked Yasopp into leaving poor Banchina and baby Usopp behind to chase some foolish dream."
The words land like stones dropped into still water. Ripples spread outward. Usopp's grip tightens on the rifle.
Taro looks at Usopp, and his voice softens. "I don't understand how your mother even allowed this to happen. If she had just told your father not to go, I guarantee you—Yasopp would never have left." He takes a deep breath. "There's something else. Your mother didn't get sick from some incurable disease. It was your father's fault."
The air seems to be growing colder.
"He had promised Banchina that he would return in a year and take her and you away with him to the Grand Line. But he never came back. He just vanished. The only things that returned were his bounty posters in the newspapers." Taro's voice is barely a whisper now. "That broke your mother's heart, and she became sick."
Usopp listens silently, his knuckles white as he grips the rifle and pistols.
"She never told me about this," he mutters.
"You were just a kid, Usopp. She would never want you to carry that burden." Taro's smile is sad, worn at the edges. "Because even with a broken heart, she still loved your father until the end."
Tears begin to roll down Usopp's cheeks. He sobs silently, finally understanding the burden and heartbreak his mother endured.
Taro places a gentle hand on Usopp's shoulder. His palm is rough, calloused, and warm.
"This is why I'm giving you this rifle and these pistols. Even if they're old and worn, I know you can fix them and put them to good use." He steps forward and looks into Usopp's tear-filled eyes. "And I want you to do something for me. When you find your father, and I know you will, shoot him in the nuts."
A startled, wet laugh escapes Usopp's lips.
"I want him to understand the pain your mother endured, the loneliness you experienced growing up. For every tear, for every instance of neglect—he should pay for it all. Then, you can cry as much as you need."
Usopp sniffs, wiping his nose with the back of his hand. "I won't cry because brave men don't cry."
Taro shakes his head slowly. "No, my boy. Everyone cries. Crying is the very first thing every creature in this world does when it is born. So don't be ashamed of crying."
For a moment, the two of them stand there, old man and young man, bound by love, loss, and the strange shape of found family. Then Usopp nods.
Taro smiles.
"Good. Now, the ship part." He looks at Luffy. "If you want, I can give you my old ship. It's a cargo ship I used in my younger days as a transport worker. It's not what you'd call a real pirate ship, but it can help you sail around until you find a better one."
Luffy nods. "I don't mind. We just need something sturdy enough to enter the Grand Line. After that, we can buy a new ship."
Taro nods in understanding. Then, he looks back at Usopp, and his expression becomes serious once more.
"There's one more thing. Are you really going to leave without seeing Kaya at least once?"
Usopp's breath catches. "I—I… I don't know if I can face her, or if she even wants to see me."
"Usopp, if you run away now, that guilt will eat at you for the rest of your life. So go. Face her. Say something to her. Even if she doesn't say anything back, at least you can live knowing she's safe now."
Usopp looks down at the ground, deep in thought, wrestling with something unseen. He feels the weight of the rifle in his arms, the ghost of his mother's love and the echo of his father's absence.
Then a firm hand lands on his shoulder, pulling him from his thoughts.
He looks back and sees Luffy standing there, watching him. Behind Luffy, Yuji, Zoro, and Nami also watch—waiting patiently and attentively.
"We're here, Usopp," Luffy says, his tone as firm as iron.
Seeing their faces, these strange, impossible people who have somehow become his own, Usopp finally nods.
He looks back at Taro.
"I'll do it."
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Like the chapter, then share your powerstones with me.
See you in next chapter.