Cursed Seas and Slashing Tides

After Usopp's statement, Ryomen and Sanji focused on looking for their missing crewmate, but soon returned with nothing.

"No sign of Robin…" Ryomen mumbled, disheartened.

"I should have reached her faster…" Sanji began to blame himself.

"Don't blame yourself. Right now, we need to stay strong for Robin and Usopp." Ryomen stated, steadying his gaze.

"There's nothing we can do now but wait." Zoro said, leaning against a wall with his arms crossed.

"Yeah…" Ryomen replied, trying to calm his own frustration. 'If I'm right, they'll contact me either way.'

Nami then approached them. "Luffy isn't budging. He says he needs to do this." She said in exasperation.

"Yeah, it's not something that can be fixed by an apology." Sanji nodded.

"Why not? We're a crew. We can't let this break us." Ryomen retorted, frowning.

"Usopp's not part of the crew anymore. He left." Zoro stated sharply, causing Ryomen to glare at him.

"He didn't mean that. I'm sure he'll come around." Ryomen shot back, unwilling to believe otherwise.

"Hmph. If he does, he better not act like nothing happened." Zoro scoffed, then stayed out of the discussion.

Just then, Chopper came through the door.

"How did it go? Is he feeling any better?" Ryomen asked, concerned.

"I tried to treat his wounds…but he brushed me off. Usopp's staying at an inn." Chopper replied, looking down sadly.

"He said 'you and I…are no longer shipmates, so go back to your ship!'" Chopper lifted his head, tears starting to fall down his face.

"Chopper…" Ryomen pulled him close, embracing him as the reindeer sobbed.

"All those good times…they feel like a lie now." Nami murmured, her voice trembling. "And if something's happened to Robin…"

"I feel like our crew…is falling apart."

Ryomen clenched his teeth, trying to calm himself as he looked at each of them. "It'll be fine. We'll get through this…all of us will."

…

Night arrived, and at exactly ten o'clock, Luffy stood on the shore, waiting for his challenger.

"Usopp will be here. You guys stay on board, don't interfere." Luffy told them firmly.

A figure then appeared through the fog.

"Usopp!" Chopper and Ryomen exclaimed, their worry evident.

"He's here…" Nami mumbled, her eyes filled with concern.

Luffy and Usopp faced off, staring each other down with fierce determination.

"Damn it…what am I supposed to do? I want to stop this, but I know it won't solve anything." Ryomen muttered, feeling torn.

"So you didn't chicken out…no matter what happens, don't regret it! You chose this fight!" Luffy shouted.

"Damn straight. Go ahead and try to kill me. I'll beat you at your own game!" Usopp shot back. "I've already figured out how to bring you down!"

"Can't we stop them? Usopp's seriously injured!" Chopper cried out in desperation.

"If you can't bear to watch, go to your room." Zoro told him.

"Don't worry, Chopper. If it goes too far, I'll stop them." Ryomen said, his gaze fixed on the fight.

"Don't be shocked by what I tell you, Luffy." Usopp suddenly said. "I…have eight thousand men! If you fear for your life, surrender now!"

"Huh!? Eight thousand men!?" Chopper shouted in disbelief.

"Go to your room." Zoro repeated.

"He's bluffing…" Ryomen muttered. "But he's putting everything he has into this."

"I know you don't have that many henchmen!" Luffy yelled back.

"Usopp…Voodoo! 'A razor blade running between each of your teeth!'"

"Whaa!!" Chopper ran around the deck in panic.

"Go to your room." Zoro repeated firmly.

"Gomu-Gomu no…" Luffy prepared to attack, but Usopp suddenly fell to the ground, coughing blood.

"Usopp!" Nami shouted, concern flooding her eyes.

Ryomen watched Usopp carefully, his expression hard but determined.

"His body can't handle–" Chopper started, but Usopp cut him off.

"Ketchup Star!! What? Feeling pity for the enemy?" Usopp mocked as he looked at Luffy.

"Flash dial!" A blinding light came from the dial, stunning Luffy.

"Egg Star! And again!" Usopp fired two shots.

"Ugh, it stinks! They're rotten!" Luffy exclaimed, recoiling. "Get serious and fight, you jerk!"

"You think I'm not!? This…is how I fight! Deluxe pepper sauce Star!!" Usopp fired directly into Luffy's mouth.

"Hot!" Luffy stumbled back, wincing.

"If I were you, I wouldn't move so much. The soles of your feet are already…in caltrop hell!"

"Ahhh!" Luffy yelped, stepping on the caltrops scattered on the ground.

"Usopp's winning!" Chopper exclaimed in shock.

Ryomen shook his head. "It's unlikely… all it takes for Luffy is one hit. And they both know it."

"Luffy, I'm gonna beat you, and take the Going Merry with me…no matter what it takes!"

He then started to throw shurikens at Luffy. "Shuriken shooting Star!"

Luffy easily dodged the attack, then realized smoke was spreading all around.

"It's a wind dial. You didn't notice the smell because of the rotten egg all over you! You're surrounded by a gas cloud." Usopp explained, voice filled with grim determination.

"Gas…" Sanji muttered in surprise.

"No way!" Nami exclaimed, her hand at her mouth.

"Usopp, wait! Think about what you're doing!" Ryomen shouted, his heart pounding, but Usopp had already aimed.

"I know…exactly what I'm doing! Fire Star!!"

An explosion tore through the shore, the shockwave throwing even the Merry back as the crew braced against the blast.

"Luffy! Usopp!" Nami cried out in worry as Ryomen leapt off, ignoring the debris and heat, moving toward his crewmates with urgency. He was determined to step in if either of them needed him.

"I told you to stay on board!" Luffy shouted, his body blackened from the explosion as he pushed himself back up.

"I don't care." Ryomen replied, his tone firm. "If this escalates any further, I'll need to step in."

"Your worries aren't necessary. I knew he wouldn't die from just that." Usopp muttered, his gaze locked on Luffy.

The two stared each other down for a tense moment before launching their attacks.

"Gomu-Gomu no…Gatling!!"

"Blasting Cactus Star!"

As Luffy's punches met Usopp's projectile, cactus spikes exploded outward, throwing him back.

"Triple Exploding Stars!" Usopp cried, hurling three explosive projectiles. Luffy barely dodged, skidding to the side.

"Gomu-Gomu no…Pistol!" Luffy's punch shot toward Usopp, who barely ducked in time, the wind from the blow grazing his face.

Luffy charged, pulling his arms back before launching forward. "Bazooka!"

Usopp gritted his teeth and placed a hand to his stomach, absorbing the impact before aiming his arm. "Impact!"

The force sent Luffy flying back, skidding across the ground.

"How'd you like that, you jerk!?" Usopp panted, his voice quivering as he struggled to maintain his footing.

Luffy quickly steadied himself, surprising Usopp. They glared at each other, both breathing heavily.

"Gomu-Gomu no…" Luffy's fist stretched back, staying close to Usopp, who could barely stand.

"Bullet!!" The punch connected, sinking into Usopp's stomach. Blood spurted from his mouth as he staggered, dropping to his knees.

Everyone looked on, their faces a mixture of concern, sadness, and disbelief.

"The fight is over." Zoro muttered.

"How could this happen…" Nami covered her mouth, tears welling in her eyes.

Luffy knelt beside Usopp, looking at his fallen crewmate with anguish. "You idiot! There was no way…you could've defeated me!"

He stood up, his expression hardening as he looked toward the Merry. "Do what you want with the Going Merry. We're gonna find a new ship and keep sailing forward! So long, Usopp…it's been fun."

Chopper tried to run to Usopp, but Sanji grabbed him, stopping him in his tracks.

"Don't, Chopper. This wasn't just any fight." Sanji said, his voice firm.

"So what? I'm a doctor! He needs help!" Chopper cried, struggling.

Sanji held him steady. "If you help him now, it'll just feel like pity. Think about how that would make him feel."

Chopper stared at Sanji, tears streaming down his face.

Luffy moved beside the Merry, his eyes cast down toward the sea. "This is too much…"

"Being a captain isn't easy." Ryomen said, stepping beside him. "Having people who count on you, who care about you… and not being able to keep them beside you…"

Luffy's fists clenched, his face hidden by his straw hat as tears slipped down his cheeks.

"But you don't have to bear it alone." Ryomen added softly, resting a hand on Luffy's shoulder. "If you need me, I'll be here. Let me talk to him."

Luffy didn't reply, but he gave a small nod.

Ryomen took a bag of medicine Chopper handed him, nodding to the crew. "I'll try to talk some sense into him."

"If you want to convince him, it's on you." Sanji murmured.

Zoro scoffed. "Might be too late for that."

"Even so, I have to try." Ryomen replied.

"Please…make him understand none of this had to happen." Nami pleaded, wiping her eyes.

Ryomen nodded resolutely.

…

Later that night, Usopp lay sprawled on the deck of the Merry, his gaze lost in the starlit sky.

"...Just leave…" He muttered as Ryomen approached, quietly standing nearby and following Usopp's gaze upward.

A heavy silence lingered between them.

"...I don't need your pity…" Usopp's voice wavered, a thin layer of bitterness covering his words.

Ryomen remained silent.

"...And I don't need this stuff either…" Usopp mumbled, glancing down at the medicine beside him.

After a moment, Ryomen spoke softly. "Those are from Chopper, not me."

Usopp tensed. "I don't care who they're from…just go back to your crewmates." He said bitterly.

Ryomen ignored the remark and continued, "I got curious, you know." He paused. "So, I did a little research. There's a sharpshooter out there, one of the best in the world. Well-known, respected…an essential crewmate of an Emperor of the Sea." He looked at Usopp meaningfully. "And he's your father."

Usopp's eyes flickered, caught off guard.

"He's pretty incredible, isn't he?" Ryomen asked.

"Yeah…" Usopp's voice softened, a hint of pride slipping through.

Ryomen shifted his gaze toward him. "Do you think he managed to achieve Observation Haki at seventeen?"

Usopp's lips pressed into a thin line. "...No."

"And do you think he wasted time feeling sorry for himself because his crewmates were getting stronger than him?"

Usopp's fists clenched. "...No."

"Exactly." Ryomen looked back at the sky. "He pushed through, even when it felt impossible."

"I know what you're trying to do, and it won't work. I'm not my father!" Usopp shouted, a pained frustration in his tone.

Ryomen glanced at him, eyes steady. "No, you're not him. You're better…or at least, you could be."

The words struck Usopp, leaving him speechless.

"Your father earned his place beside legends. In a world where people can split the seas with a wave, he made himself indispensable. Why do you think that is?" Ryomen asked.

"I…I don't know…" Usopp stammered, uncertainty in his voice.

"It's because he fought for it." Ryomen said firmly. "He trained, even with overwhelming odds stacked against him. He didn't give up. He kept pushing himself to stand proudly beside his shipmates."

"...I can't be like him…I can't be better than him…" Usopp's voice cracked, his head bowing as he began to cry. "I'm a coward."

"Coward?" Ryomen raised an eyebrow. "Then who stood up to the Kuro pirates? Who took on Arlong, despite his fear? Who tried to face a God, knowing he might die?"

Usopp's tears spilled over as he whispered, "...Me…But that's only because I had all of you!" His voice grew louder, catching Ryomen by surprise. "I knew that…if things got bad, you guys would be there to help! Without you, I'm just a coward!"

Ryomen watched him for a moment, then spoke gently, "Your dream…to be a brave warrior of the seas. That's because of your father, right?"

Usopp sniffled, wiping his eyes. "Y-Yeah…"

Ryomen gave a small nod. "Do you think he was always the way he is now?"

Usopp was silent, unable to answer.

"I don't." Ryomen said. "It took him years to become who he is. And it'll take you years to become even greater. But it'll be easier if the people you care about are beside you."

Usopp's shoulders began to tremble, and a flood of tears poured down his face. "Aaah! Damn it!" He sobbed, his emotions overflowing.

Ryomen stayed quietly beside him, allowing him the space to release his pain.

…

The next morning.

"Uhh…" Usopp muttered, nervously hiding his face as he walked through the bustling streets with Ryomen.

"What are you doing?" Ryomen asked, looking amused.

"Don't want to be seen." Usopp replied, trying to keep his voice low.

Ryomen chuckled. "Pretty sure we won't run into them here." He glanced at the crowd, picking up on the hurried conversations around them. "Seems like there's a lot of panic."

"Yeah… Iceberg was almost assassinated. Guess it's normal, everyone's on edge." Usopp murmured, his gaze flickering to the bustling crowd. "The coming tide doesn't help either…"

"C'mon, let's take a look around. Doesn't seem like any of this has to do with us." Ryomen said, motioning for Usopp to follow him through the marketplace.

The two wandered among the stalls, Ryomen occasionally stopping to examine items.

"Hey, Usopp." Ryomen said, holding up a dagger with a grin. "What do you think? Should I give swordsmanship a try?"

"Maybe not today." Usopp replied, casting a wary glance at the crowd around them.

Ryomen sheepishly put the dagger back, scratching the back of his head. "Right, right…"

He turned to the vendor. "How much for this?"

"A thousand berries." The vendor replied, barely glancing up.

Ryomen handed over the money, taking the dagger before glancing into his nearly empty wallet. "Guess I'm almost broke…should've grabbed some of the money."

"Why'd you even buy that?" Usopp asked, eyeing the dagger with curiosity.

Ryomen shrugged. "Just in case. Never know when you might need one." He stretched his arms, glancing around. "Let's grab something to eat. I haven't had a decent meal since yesterday."

Usopp nodded. "Yeah, I didn't have much of an appetite either."

The two found a small tavern nearby. As they entered, a broad-shouldered man brushed past them, giving Ryomen a brief glance and an indifferent nod.

"Guess he's in a rush." Ryomen muttered under his breath as he watched the man walk off.

Inside, they scanned the menu.

"Sea Train Ramen?" Ryomen raised a brow. "Sounds interesting. I'll take that."

"Then I'll go with the Aqua Pizza." Usopp said, eyeing the seafood-themed items with curiosity.

They sat in silence as their food arrived—Usopp's pizza was topped with an array of seafood, while Ryomen's ramen featured fish cakes shaped like the Sea Train.

"Cute touch." Ryomen muttered with a smile, poking at the ramen.

They finished their food quickly, newfound energy filling them as they left the tavern.

"Man, that was good." Ryomen said, stretching his arms. "Think fish on pizza should be a thing everywhere?"

Usopp laughed, nodding. "Yeah, it was way better than I expected."

As they walked, Ryomen glanced over at him, his expression growing serious. "So…what are you going to do?"

Usopp's smile faded as he looked down, his face uncertain. "I…don't know. Just give me a little more time to figure it out."

Ryomen nodded thoughtfully. "We're staying here for a few days. But don't wait until it's too late, alright?"

Usopp met his gaze, nodding in understanding. "Right. I'll…let you know soon."