"Don't come any closer!"
Seeing Kaya and the others rushing toward Usopp, Luffy suddenly waved his hand sharply and shouted.
The moment his voice fell, the members of the Starry Sky Pirates leapt backward in unison, quickly putting some distance between themselves and Usopp.
Serious expressions crossed their faces as they focused on the still-unconscious Usopp, a faint trace of worry flashing across their brows.
But that unease soon faded, replaced by trust in Luffy.
Their eyes shone with anticipation as they watched Usopp, who was in the midst of an extraordinary transformation.
Whoosh～
A soft breeze swept through, lifting the crew's clothes and hair as it passed.
Then it drifted onward, toward Usopp.
And in that instant,
Something changed.
Usopp's once-dull eyes flickered with a faint blue light.
Thin, almost invisible lines appeared around him, rippling through the air, visible to everyone and unnervingly strange.
But the strangest thing of all,
The gentle breeze that had been blowing toward Usopp… suddenly vanished.
Just like that, it was gone.
As though it had never existed.
So sudden that it sent a chill down everyone's spine.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Usopp's eyes flared, releasing more and more eerie blue lines that spread across everything around him.
Each line crossed and intertwined, forming glowing points of light.
The web of light expanded outward, spreading rapidly in a perfect circle.
"Hmm!?"
Luffy's brows furrowed, he could feel the danger radiating from those strange glowing lines.
He immediately gestured for the crew to fall back.
The others reacted instantly, tensing up but obeying without hesitation.
Zoro grabbed the two curious little kids who were still staring wide-eyed at the scene and hauled them back.
Koby caught Kaya and the last child by the arm and followed, retreating quickly.
Everyone spread out again, forming a wide circle around Usopp, close enough to see, but far enough to stay safe.
The eerie sight continued to expand, but Luffy didn't seem too alarmed.
He knew that Usopp's binding with his special item was already complete, his condition should be stable.
He didn't understand what caused this phenomenon, but as long as Usopp's body was unharmed, everything was still under control.
After all, when Zoro had awakened, he had almost destroyed an entire island.
Compared to that, Usopp's strange display wasn't all that surprising.
The web of light spread farther and farther.
If Luffy was right, those glowing lines… were death lines.
To confirm his theory, he picked up a small stone from the ground and flicked it gently toward one of the glowing points on a nearby rock.
BOOM!!!
The boulder exploded into countless fragments, then fell back into place like nothing had happened.
Luffy's eyes narrowed.
"Just as I thought… death lines and death points."
He looked back at Usopp, deep in thought.
But why would Usopp's awakening cause death lines to appear across the world? What's the reason for that…?
He frowned and asked silently,
"System, why is this happening?"
Since he didn't understand, he preferred to ask someone, or something, that did.
[Answer: The first fusion with an exclusive item releases an immense surge of power.]
But the explanation didn't satisfy him.
"Then why did Usopp release that power, and make those death lines visible even to us?"
[......…]
For once, the system was silent. After a long pause, a cold mechanical voice finally replied:
[Answer: Unknown.]
"Unknown?!"
That only made Luffy more intrigued.
If even the system didn't know… did that mean Usopp's actions were purely instinctive?
Then it struck him, Usopp's special gift… his Sixth Sense!
Could it be that he foresaw something, and subconsciously reacted to it?
As Luffy pondered this, the expanding lines finally began to slow.
It was as if the force had realized its power wasn't enough to envelop the entire world.
The mysterious energy suddenly collapsed inward, shrinking rapidly into a faint blue glow that flowed back into Usopp's eyes.
Fwoosh…
When the final strand of light faded into him, Usopp's knees buckled.
He dropped to the ground, barely catching himself with his hands before falling completely.
"Usopp!"
"Captain Usopp!"
Kaya and the three little kids rushed to his side, their faces full of worry.
Luffy hurried over too, concern softening his expression as he asked,
"You alright, Usopp?"
"Phew～"
A bead of sweat rolled down Usopp's temple as he exhaled in relief. Then, suddenly, a confident grin spread across his face, his sharp teeth glinting in the sun.
"Heh!"
Lifting his head, he met Luffy's gaze.
"Never felt better, Captain!"
"…Captain."
Hearing that word made Luffy's grin widen. He reached down and helped Usopp back to his feet.
========
After merging with his exclusive item, Usopp's physical abilities had skyrocketed. His strength was now on a completely different level.
If he were to face someone like Kuro again, his current power and unpredictable fighting style would make victory almost effortless.
Not to mention, he now possessed the divine ability of the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception.
As he stood up, Usopp gently ruffled the three kids' hair, smiling warmly.
For some reason, the children felt a strange unfamiliarity from their captain, something they'd never sensed before.
A sense of maturity. Of steadiness.
But when his hand rested gently on their heads, that feeling melted away, his warmth, his playfulness, his kindness… all exactly the same as ever.
"Captain…?"
The three little pirates looked up at him, confusion and admiration flickering in their eyes.
And deep down, pride began to bloom.
Their captain had become someone stronger. More dependable.
"Hahahaha…"
Usopp chuckled, patting their heads once more before turning toward Kaya.
A complex emotion glimmered in his eyes, hidden behind his usual playful grin.
Seeing the light shining in her tearful gaze, Usopp smiled softly.
"Kaya, Luffy and I… we're setting sail today!"
"Captain～"
The three kids instantly grew teary-eyed, their voices trembling with reluctance.
Kaya, however, didn't cry. Instead, she smiled gently.
"I know～"
But the glimmering tears in her eyes betrayed the truth, she wasn't nearly as calm as she looked.
Then she reached into the bag she had brought and pulled out a bottle of fine red wine.
There was an old seafaring tradition,
Every new ship, before its maiden voyage, must undergo a ritual.
The bottle is smashed against the hull.
If it shatters, the voyage will be safe and blessed.
And so it was.
========
"Kaya…"
Usopp looked at her face one last time, then turned toward the three tearful kids. His eyes shimmered, emotions swirling behind them.
He stood straight, took a deep breath, and shouted,
"Usopp Pirates!!!"
"Yes, Captain!"
The three kids immediately straightened their backs and responded like they always did.
"From this day forward–"
"The crew is officially disbanded!!!"
Without looking back, Usopp turned and walked toward the Going Merry with firm, unwavering steps.
He didn't dare glance again at the children's faces, those shocked, heartbroken expressions.
========
As he passed by Luffy, he said quietly,
"Captain, it's time to go."
"Got it!"
Luffy grinned, nodding at Kaya before raising his voice.
"Alright, everyone! We're setting sail!"
"Yeahhhh!!!"
A powerful cheer erupted from every heart on board.
One by one, they climbed aboard the ship of their dreams.
========
"Miss Kaya! Thank you for everything!"
Luffy stood at the bow, shouting down to the smiling girl below.
Kaya's eyes sparkled with joy and pride as she called back, her soft voice full of strength.
"Don't worry, Luffy-sama!"
"Good!"
Luffy turned toward the vast open sea ahead, raised his arm high, and yelled,
"Let's go!!! Set sail!!!"
CRASH!
The wine bottle shattered against the hull, splashing crimson wine that shimmered under the sunlight, like jewels scattered across the air, celebrating the birth of a journey.
The Going Merry–
Officially set sail!