[U.T] Ch 25: The Mighty Captain, Usopp

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The Straw Hat Pirates slowly docked their ships on the coast near Syrup Village.

"Finally, solid ground again," Zoro said, stretching out his sore limbs.

After spending days cramped on that tiny boat, he was feeling more than a little stiff.

"I thought it wasn't too bad," Luen replied with a relaxed smile.

Sailing the open sea while strengthening his Conqueror's Haki had been an incredible experience. Ever since he got the [Born for the Sea] (Super-Gold) trait, the sea had basically become his natural habitat. Even cramped ships didn't bother him anymore.

"Not everyone's a sea monster like you," Zoro muttered, shooting Luen a sideways look.

He had even jumped in the water to race Luen once… and lost spectacularly.

Actually, Luen had swum through a good chunk of their journey instead of riding the boat.

"This slope up ahead leads into the village," Nami said, checking her sea chart and pointing up the path.

"Oooh! That means there's MEAT, right? Right?!" Luffy rushed to her side, eyes sparkling.

"Can you not think about meat for five seconds?" Nami sidestepped, dodging Luffy's drool.

"There's probably a bar too. I could use a drink," Zoro grinned.

"You guys seriously..." Nami sighed, facepalming.

"You've worked hard, Nami." Luen looked at her with a warm smile.

"Luen..." Nami's heart softened a bit.

Compared to these two idiots—one obsessed with meat and the other with booze—only Luen actually appreciated her navigational skills.

"But," Luen added, eyes flicking toward the slope ahead, "getting into the village might not be so easy."

"Hm? Yeah… I'm sensing people up there," Zoro said, narrowing his eyes and letting his sword slightly slide from its sheath.

"Where, where?" Luffy spun in place, searching for anyone hiding.

"Watch out!" Zoro shouted.

Suddenly, a hail of marbles rained down, landing right at Luffy's feet. 

Swish! Swish!

A bunch of tiny pirate flags popped up from the bushes—each one sporting a hand-drawn skull design.

"Whoa! So cool!" Luffy shouted, thrilled by the sight of them. Even if they were small, the skulls looked fierce. He'd always wanted a pirate flag of his own.

"Are you seriously admiring them right now?" Nami rolled her eyes.

"Hahaha! I am the mighty captain of the great pirates that rule over this village! I am the fearless Usopp, beloved by all, and known far and wide as 'Captain Usopp!'"

A long-nosed young man stood under the tallest flag, dramatically pointing to himself.

Usopp had just finished his daily prank of crying "pirates!" to the townsfolk when his little "crew"—Onion, Carrot, and Pepper—ran to tell him they'd spotted a real pirate ship. When he heard there were only four people, he decided to stage an ambush to protect Syrup Village.

"If you're here to attack this village, forget it!" Usopp shouted. "My 80 million subordinates won't let you take a single step forward!"

Poof!

More pirate flags popped up around the bushes, waving back and forth dramatically.

"SUGEHHHH!" Luffy shouted, totally convinced.

Usopp was proud of how easily he tricked him—until—

"That's obviously a lie." Nami's dry chuckle shattered his illusion.

"Yikes! I've been exposed!" Usopp yelled, clutching his head.

"Did you really think anyone would buy the whole '80 million men' thing?" Luen laughed.

Come on, the entire East Blue doesn't even have that many people.

"Curses! They've got a strategist!" Usopp shouted again, pointing at Luen dramatically.

"Nani?? He was lying?!" Luffy looked shocked.

"Even if 80 million is a bit of an exaggeration, I do have loyal subordinates!" he insisted, gesturing to the bushes.

His little crew—Onion, Carrot, and Pepper—moved the flags around, trying to make it look like a whole crowd was hiding.

"Like maybe three kids?" Nami said with a smirk.

"Busted!!"

"R-Run!!" The three kids immediately bolted, screaming as they ran off.

"H-Hey! Don't leave me behind!" Usopp cried.

"Hahaha! You're hilarious," Luffy laughed, watching the scene unfold.

"Don't laugh at me!" Usopp snapped. "I'm a man of great pride! That's why they call me... Usopp the Proud!"

He whipped out his slingshot and aimed it right at Luffy.

Luffy's smile dropped. He reached up and pulled down the brim of his straw hat.

"I've got skills, you know! My slingshot's stronger than a regular pistol!" Usopp warned, hoping he could bluff the pirates into leaving.

"If you pull a weapon… then be ready to stake your life on it."

Luffy looked up from under his hat, eyes cold and sharp.

"W-What?!"

Usopp froze, sweat beading on his forehead.

"I'm saying this isn't a toy. If you draw a weapon, be ready to bet your life." Luffy's face took on that classic villainous glare of his.

Luen caught Zoro's eye and gave him a subtle nod.

"Hmph." Zoro got the signal. He rested his hand on his sword, drawing it just enough for the steel to gleam.

"You're looking at real pirates now," Zoro said with a smirk, joining in on the intimidation act.

"Think you're ready to risk your life?" Luen added, his presence growing heavy, lips curling into a confident smirk.

With the aura of a true powerhouse—someone who could scare even pirates on Buggy's level—Luen's presence was overwhelming.

"!!!"

Usopp was practically drowning in pressure.

Clack!

His slingshot ammo dropped right at his feet.

"Okay yeah, real pirates talk and act way different… terrifying," Usopp mumbled, forehead drenched in sweat.

But then—

"Bwahahaha!" Luffy burst out laughing.

Zoro and Luen glanced at each other and laughed too.

Usopp blinked. What the heck was going on?

"That was just me copying someone I admire— Shanks," Luffy said with a grin, tipping his hat.

"Shanks?! You know that Red-Haired Shanks?!" Usopp gawked in disbelief.

"Yup. And your dad's Yasopp, right?" Luffy added.

"WHAAAA?!" Usopp screamed—and immediately lost his balance, tumbling down the hill.

Luen smirked as he watched Usopp roll.

He looked exactly like Yasopp. Gotta love how in the One Piece world, inherited faces are almost better than DNA tests.

Luen's gaze lingered on Usopp for a moment.

Now the real question was… did this guy have any traits Luen could use?

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