Usopp's face flushed a deep purplish red.
His fists clenched tightly, nails digging into his palms.
Shame, anger, unwillingness—every emotion churned violently in his chest.
He remembered how powerless he'd been in Cocoyasi Village, able only to watch while facing the fish-men. He remembered the lies he'd boasted, the vow he'd made to become a brave warrior of the sea.
If he was left too far behind… if he really became nothing but dead weight who only ate and did nothing…
"Y-you bastard!!"
Usopp suddenly lifted his head, tears welling in his eyes. It was the eruption of someone driven into a corner, a howl born of humiliation and fury.
"Who said I'm useless?! I'm Captain Usopp with eighty million subordinates!!"
"If it's training, then I'll train! It's just getting beaten up, right?! I'm a man who can't even be killed by explosions!!"
"I'm not scared!!"
Even as he shouted, his legs trembled violently.
"Good! That's some backbone!"
A smile of success crept onto Ronan's lips.
He shot a glance at the other three.
Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji instantly understood, identical welcome-to-hell grins spreading across their faces.
"Shishishi! Usopp, I knew you'd join us!"
"Oi, long nose. Since you're in, don't think you're walking out in one piece."
"For Nami-san's safety, I'll make sure to train you thoroughly!"
Before Usopp could react, three huge hands clamped onto him like iron vices.
"W-wait! I'm not mentally prepared yet! Help! Nami, save me!!"
Amid screams like a pig being slaughtered, Usopp was dragged straight to the center of the deck.
"Let's begin! Stage One—impact resistance training!"
Ronan grabbed a thick wooden club on the spot and raised it high, bringing it down with a whistling roar.
"To turn you into a true warrior of the sea, we'll let you fully experience the joy of training!"
"Nooooo—!!!"
...
Noon.
Usopp lay sprawled at the bow like a puddle of mud, face swollen and bruised, tongue lolling out to one side, his soul seemingly having left his body.
"I… I survived…"
With trembling hands, he raised his telescope, hoping the sight of the sea would soothe his wounded spirit.
That was when a black dot appeared in the lens.
As the Going Merry drew closer, the dot expanded, taking the shape of a massive island.
Tall buildings were faintly visible, along with a bustling harbor.
Usopp shot upright, ignoring the pain wracking his body, and pointed forward as he yelled,
"Hey!! Everyone!!"
"I see an island!!!"
Hearing this, Luffy leapt onto the sheep's head at the bow like a monkey and stared into the distance.
At the end of the horizon, the silhouette of a massive island gradually came into focus.
This wasn't some ordinary village—it was a towering city, dense with high buildings, countless ship masts rising from the harbor like a forest.
"Whoa, really? What island is that?"
Luffy turned back, excitement practically spilling out of his eyes.
Nami walked down from the upper deck, a freshly rolled map in hand, and sighed helplessly.
"Didn't I already tell you earlier? How do you always forget the important parts?"
Ronan, Zoro, and Sanji also stepped forward.
Zoro held his sole remaining sword, Wado Ichimonji, his gaze sharp as steel as he stared at the island drawing nearer.
"That's… Loguetown."
"Huff—"
Sanji lit a cigarette and took a deep drag, anticipation glinting in his eyes through the curling smoke.
"It's a big town, right? Then they should sell all kinds of rare, fresh ingredients. Before entering the Grand Line, we need to fill the pantry to the brim."
"Exactly." Nami nodded, her expression turning serious. "Prices and variety there are on a completely different level from the villages we've been to."
Zoro tightened his grip on the hilt, a trace of urgency in his voice.
"I'm heading to a weapon shop. A three-sword style swordsman fighting with only one blade—it just feels wrong."
Ronan stepped up beside him.
"Then let's go together, Zoro."
"My iron spear was completely destroyed on Warship Island. I need to see if there's a good finished spear, or find a master blacksmith to custom-make one."
"Without a proper weapon, it's hard to bring out my full strength."
"Then I'll check out the tool shops!"
Usopp said, hefting his massive backpack.
"To prepare for the unknown dangers of the Grand Line, I need special gunpowder and materials to upgrade my slingshot and gear!"
Everyone was planning their supplies—everyone except Luffy, whose focus was nowhere near material things.
"Gol D. Roger…"
Luffy's voice suddenly dropped, his usual grin fading.
"The Pirate King was born on that island… and executed there too."
Nami looked at him in surprise. "Oh? You actually remembered that?"
Luffy pressed down on his straw hat as the sea breeze whipped his red vest.
Facing the wind, a mix of reverence and longing curved his smile.
"Of course. That's where the Pirate King died… also known as the Town of Beginnings and Endings."
...
As the Going Merry slowly entered the harbor, the full view of Loguetown unfolded before them—a major city steeped in history and commerce.
Massive stone docks were packed with merchant ships, passenger vessels, and even disguised pirate ships from all four seas.
Wide streets stretched out between orderly European-style buildings. In the grand fountain plaza, crowds surged as shouts and hawkers' cries blended into a roaring wave of sound.
"So… so lively!"
Usopp gaped, even he—master of exaggeration—had never seen anything this bustling.
They docked the Going Merry at a relatively secluded berth, then disembarked, passing beneath the iconic massive archway with the words "Loguetown" carved boldly across it.
Nami looked up at the weather-worn letters, her tone tinged with awe.
"This was once the gathering place for pirates heading to the Grand Line. You could say the Age of Great Piracy began right here."
"Even with the Marines stationed here, it's still the most well-stocked town around. Anything we need, we can buy it here."
"Alright!"
Usopp pumped his fist, psyching himself up.
"For the grand adventure ahead, it's time for a massive shopping spree!"
Ronan and Zoro exchanged a glance, both of their eyes burning with desire for new weapons.
"Zoro, let's go. Weapon shop," Ronan said.
"Yeah," Zoro replied, grinning. "I can't wait to get my hands on a new blade."
To Read advanced Chapters, head over to P@treon
patreon.com/DarkVerse146