Ideals and Reality: A Duel Between Companions

"Roman, why would you believe that...?"

Although Nami had never seen Franky's true face beneath his cloak and mask, she noticed his hairy legs and bare feet that were inadvertently revealed as he walked... as well as his subordinates in stockings and tight-fitting clothes.

"He looks like a pervert no matter how you look at it."

"Don't worry," Roman waved his hand, "That person is just tormented by guilt and secrets, so he can only pretend to be crazy."

Franky, or rather 'Carter Flam', was once a typical hot-blooded youth. He had a tragic childhood, kind teachers, and a senior classmate who loved to bicker but actually cared deeply for him.

He also possessed the loyalty, impulsiveness, trouble-making tendencies, and stubbornness of a hot-blooded youth. — Until he was framed and caused the death of his master, who was like a father to him, and then entrusted with the safety of his master's belongings by his senior brother. Under all this pressure, he was forced to pretend to be someone he wasn't.

The result was that after pretending for so long, he really did become a psychopath...

"In short, Mr. Franky is a man who keeps his promises."

Besides, with so many of the Franky Family still in the city, they can't just run away. What's there to worry about? They might embezzle the money and run away.

Although such a thing is simply impossible.

?!

"Let's go, everyone else has returned to the Golden Merry."

Roman grabbed Nami beside him, and with a flap of his white wings, he sped away at high speed in the low sky.

"Hey, why the rush?"

Roman didn't answer Nami's exclamation, he just frowned.

That shouldn't be happening. Nami and I were clearly the team responsible for exchanging the gold and repairing the ship. Luffy and Usopp could have just gone and caused trouble, why are they...?

However, Roman had considered that Luffy and Usopp, who appeared carefree on the surface, were actually the ones who cared the most about the Golden Merry.

Roman quickly carried Nami to the Golden Merry, but the usually lively and cheerful deck was now tense!

"So you're going to abandon the Going Merry?"

With bloodshot eyes Usopp gripped Luffy's collar, completely unlike his usual carefree self.

"You're not a shipwright, are you, Usopp?"

Luffy face was also very ugly, let Usopp grab his collar and argue back.

"You heard what those professional boatmen were saying. So—"

"Shut up!!"

"Don't put on that First Mate's airs, thinking you're wise and experienced... What a terrible decision!"

"I misjudged you, Luffy!"

"This is····"

Faced with Nami's puzzled expression as she appeared out of nowhere, Zoro quickly explained the reason.

"The professional shipwrights here just came to check, Going Merry... can no longer sail, and it can't even be repaired."

???

"How could this be..."

Thump!

Just as Nami was looking at him in disbelief, Luffy suddenly slammed Usopp to the ground!

"Don't go too far!"

Do you think you're the only one feeling bad? Everyone's going through the same thing!

"If you have any objections to my decision, then get off this ship—"

Whoosh—Bang!

With a flying kick, he interrupted Luffy's words in an instant, forcibly sending the two flying apart.

"Luffy, wake up!"

"You're the captain; there are some things you can't say casually."

"Sorry," Luffy said Luffy up after being kicked away by Roman, "I apologize, I wasn't paying attention just now..."

"This is your honest opinion, isn't it, Luffy?"

"What did you say!?"

Usopp, who had also gotten up, patted his pants.

"Just abandon those companions who can't keep up and keep moving forward."

"Your dream is to become the 'King of the Pirates' standing at the top of the world, so of course you need to possess immense power! But I'm different—"

"I never imagined I'd be at that level, and I've been seriously thinking about it lately—"

Usopp's serious gaze swept over everyone on the deck: Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Roman, Nami, and Chopper. His lowered eyes revealed reluctance and unwillingness.

"My strength is no longer up to par with yours."

"He's supposed to be the ship's sniper, yet he can't even beat the cook, the doctor, or the navigator!"

Usopp,

Faced with her companions who were looking down, Nami was at a loss for what to do.

"My... my book is merely Roman's..."

"But that is still a real and authentic 'power', isn't it!"

Usopp gritted his teeth and looked up at Nami, tears welling in his eyes. "A sword, a gun, or a book... power is power! Only those who can fight and bring victory are 'comrades,' right?"

Roman stepped forward, about to say something, when Usopp abruptly reached out and interrupted him.

"You invited me onto the ship."

Back when they were still in Syrup Village, the Straw Hat crew consisted of only a few people...

Back then, I naively thought that being a pirate meant exciting adventures and every day was filled with laughter;

Then, after setting sail, one Heavenly Annihilation enemy after another fell helplessly.

"Roman, I appreciate your training along the way. I know you genuinely want everyone to become stronger, but:"

Usopp Guotou, tears trembling as they slid down his cheeks.

"I'm just an ordinary person; I can't keep up with you monsters anymore!!!"

This····

So it turns out I bear some responsibility too. Roman was speechless for a moment.

Upon reflection, it was precisely because he knew how powerful the enemy they were about to face was that he seized every opportunity to make the Straw Hat crew stronger. Under such pressure, his eagerness also infected the others.

Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, with their strong wills, readily accepted, but the others...

Glancing at Nami beside him, he wondered if he had unknowingly put too much pressure on her.

"I'm sorry, I've already prepared—"

"No need to apologize, Roman." Usopp wiped away his tears. "I'm the one who should apologize. I've let you down."

"I am not worthy to be the King of the Pirates's crewmate."

!!

"Luffy, I can't stay with you anymore."

"I've been causing you a lot of trouble before."

After saying that, Usopp turned around and jumped off the Golden Merry. He then pulled out his slingshot.

"You are the captain of this ship, Monkey D. Luffy!"

"Fight me! If I win, you can have the Golden Merry!!"

??

"Roman, stop them!"

Roman simply shook his head calmly at Nami's anxious expression beside him.

"This is a duel between men, and I have no reason to interfere."

Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together.

Thinking about it carefully, for Usopp, returning to his hometown in the East Blue with a large sum of money to get married might not be a bad choice. — With his current strength, he's considered a 'big shot' in the in the East Blue.

Whether to retire gracefully or rise to the challenge is his own choice.

There's no reason for me to drag the other person along to face the terrifying enemy of the future— Luffy feels the same way.

"You're not afraid at all this time, are you? No matter the outcome," Luffy earnestly, looking at Usopp on the nearby beach. "This is the duel you requested. Don't regret it if you lose!"

"Don't compare me to those who don't know your background, Luffy."

Usopp stood on the opposite side, equally serious.

"I know your abilities inside and out, so bring it on."

The duel begins—

"I have eight thousand men. Those who don't want to die, surrender now!"

"Wow, so many?"

Chopper is shocked!

"Do you think I don't know you don't actually have those subordinates?"

Luffy shouted!

Usopp's spell: One hundred needles piercing his eyeballs, blades...

"Ouch, that hurts!"

Chopper cries out in pain!

"Enough! — Rubber-gun"

Luffy launched an attack immediately.

Bang!

The extended fist slammed into Usopp's abdomen, causing the long-nosed sniper, who was chanting a spell, to spit out a mouthful of blood.

Puff!

??

"Ultimate Killer - Ketchup!"

No, Usopp isn't so fragile that he can't withstand a single punch from Luffy holding back. Seeing Luffy instinctively stop, Usopp grinned through gritted teeth.

Do you sympathize with your opponent in battle?

"Flash Dial!"

The intense light at close range blinded Luffy, and in his agitated state, he didn't even think to use Observation Haki. Therefore:

"Ultimate Kill - Egg Star!"

Snap,

A rotten egg was smeared Luffy's face! The damage was basically zero, but:

"Do you dare to fight properly?!"

"This is my way of fighting, Luffy."

"Ultimate Kill - Chili Star!"

A chili pepper flew into Luffy's throat Luffy he roared, instantly turning him red-faced and causing him to breathe fire! Then:

"Ultimate move - Shuriken!"

"Ultimate Move - Iron Thorns!"

Just as Luffy was frantically dodging Usopp's weapons with bloodshot eyes, a sore throat, and frantic movements, white mist began to rise around him.

?

"It's gas!"

Everything just now was merely a cover for the real attack; the Wind Dial quietly spewing gas on the ground beside him was Usopp's trump card.

"Take this, Luffy."

"Flame Star!!"

Boom!!

A violent explosion erupted from Luffy's location, turning a large coastal area into a fiery inferno!

A massive amount of gas ignited instantly, unleashing a series of deafening explosions. The ground shook violently, like an earthquake! The ground was blasted black, and hot, expanding gas rose like fists shooting into the sky. Even the nearby Golden Merry was abruptly pushed away from the shore.

"What a powerful explosion."

As Zoro sighed, it was Usopp who continued to quickly reach out and take out the weapon from his satchel.

"I know this won't kill you, Luffy. So—"

Flash--

With a blur, Luffy's serious face came into Usopp's view. Before he could react, his body was suddenly pulled back into a bow shape, and a tidal wave of pain in his stomach instantly robbed Usopp of his consciousness!

Thump,

Usopp, his eyes rolled back, collapsed to the ground, signaling the end of the duel.

"Fool,"

Luffy, dressed entirely in black, uttered a low voice.

"You know me, but do you think I don't know you?"

"How could you possibly beat me?!"

Luffy, who was kneeling in front of Usopp, picked up the Straw Hat next to him, turned around and pressed the Straw Hat.

"Golden Merry, do whatever you want."

"We'll buy a new boat... and move on!"

P. S.: Many people seem to think that Conqueror's Haki means being fearless and invincible, but Conqueror's Haki is simply an innate 'destiny'—it has absolutely nothing to do with the user's personality. In fact, when the characters in the original work Awakening Conqueror's Haki, they were either crying or in despair. It has absolutely nothing to do with 'fearlessness'...

Just because someone possesses Conqueror's Haki's Haki doesn't mean they're all mindless brutes. Shanks can negotiate with the Five Elders, Kaido is practically a master strategist, Big Mom is incredibly shrewd in her alliances and maneuvering when she's lucid, and Doflamingo, despite Doflamingo arrogant exterior, is actually adept at navigating complex situations...

Even Jack, the "Ship King," was usually a polite, hardworking, and honest man.

So don't criticize Roman for having Conqueror's Haki. In reality, while Roman is usually timid, he has never backed down in battle, even when he knows he can't win.

—If you ask again, then it's the author's decision!