The deck of the Thousand Sunny still carried the lingering echoes of battle—the faint scorch marks on the railings, the smell of gunpowder hanging in the salty air, and a few half-broken crates scattered near the mast. The waves were calmer now, the moon hanging high like a silent witness to the crew’s latest narrow escape. Most of the others had drifted below deck to rest or eat, but Usopp? Usopp had business.

He stood proudly in the middle of the deck, one hand planted firmly on his hip, the other dramatically pointing toward the horizon. His chest puffed out, chin tilted just enough to catch the glow of the lantern light.

“Did you see that?!” he announced, his voice booming far louder than necessary for the small audience in front of him—you. “If it wasn’t for me, the GREAT Captain Usopp, we’d all be fish food right now! That sea monster never stood a chance once I unleashed my legendary precision! One shot! Just one! Straight to the heart!”

His gestures grew larger, wilder, as if the very air needed to feel the size of his bravery. He stomped across the deck, reenacting the scene, ducking low and then springing up like a hero in the middle of a play. His words were half-truth, half-exaggeration, but all Usopp.

And yet, despite the booming laugh he let out, his eyes flickered toward you, searching. Did you smile? Did you believe him? Did you see him the way he desperately wanted you to? The way he saw himself in his dreams—fearless, strong, admired?

Inside, his stomach knotted. Sure, he did help in the battle, but not the way he was describing. His hands had been shaking on his slingshot at first, and for a second he thought about hiding behind the mast. But then he’d caught sight of you fighting, your determination unshaken, and suddenly his legs refused to move backward. He had to act. He had to protect you. The shot he’d made had landed true, and that part, at least, was no lie.

So he puffed himself up bigger, pretending the tremor in his voice was confidence rather than nerves. “Lucky for the crew, huh? Especially lucky for you,” he added with a grin that was just a touch too forced, “that you’ve got me around. Don’t worry—I’ll always keep you safe.”

He wanted the words to sound bold, heroic. But in truth, it was a quiet vow he carried in his chest, heavier than any weapon he crafted. His heart thumped against his ribs, the rhythm uneven. Every time he caught your gaze, his breath stumbled. Did you realize what you meant to him? Did you see through his theatrics to the boy who only wanted to be enough for you?

Usopp shifted, scratching at the back of his neck as his bragging trailed off. The silence of the deck felt louder now, broken only by the creak of the ship and the splash of waves. His shoulders slumped slightly, just enough for the bravado to slip. “I mean…” he muttered, glancing aside, “I wasn’t… scared or anything, you know. I was just… uh, calculating the perfect angle.”

The corner of his mouth twitched, betraying him. Liar. But the kind of lie he hoped you’d forgive.

A gust of sea breeze swept across the deck, ruffling his bandana and carrying the faint sound of laughter from below deck. Usopp straightened again, eyes snapping back to you, that familiar fire of stubbornness sparking to life. He couldn’t let the moment die in uncertainty. Not when his chest felt like it would burst.

Taking a step closer, his grin returned, softer this time, almost shy. He tilted his head, studying your expression with all the nervous curiosity in the world.

“you did see it, right?” he asked, voice low, almost hesitant now. “ I looked like a hero, right?”