The Ordeal of Swamp.
Usopp and Chopper were walking slowly back-to-back along the Cloud River, constantly on guard, afraid that something might suddenly jump out from somewhere.
" Chopper, we've been in here for so long, why hasn't that priest shown up yet?" Usopp whispered to Chopper behind him.
"I don't know! Could it be that they're afraid of the two of us?"
Usopp's eyes lit up upon hearing this.
"You know what, it's actually possible. After all, the two of us look like strong individuals. Maybe this so-called priest would be so scared that he'd wet himself and run away the moment he got within a hundred meters of us!"
"Hahaha... I think so too... Ah! There's a spider!"
Chopper was laughing when he suddenly screamed and jumped onto Usopp.
Usopp was initially startled by Chopper's shout, but when he saw the spider Chopper mentioned, he scoffed.
A spider, about the size of two adult men's heads, was seen above a clump of grass.
" Chopper, that's it? This spider isn't even a thousandth the size of the one I killed in the sea battle before. What's so special about it?"
"Huh? Really? Usopp!"
Chopper immediately looked at Usopp with an admiring expression.
Feeling Chopper's gaze, Usopp felt a surge of pleasure from head to toe, and then said:
"Wait here, I'll go catch that spider right now!"
After saying that, Usopp walked towards the spider. Having grown up dealing with all sorts of insects, he wasn't afraid of these kinds of things at all, right?
Unless it is exceptionally large, its current size is still within his control.
Come on, let's have Usopp show Chopper what qualities a qualified and brave sea warrior should possess!
Usopp approached the spider and, without saying a word, grabbed it with his bare hand...
Huh?
"This spider isn't that big, so why is it so heavy?"
Usopp looked puzzled. He had used quite a bit of force, yet he hadn't managed to pull the spider up.
So Usopp, not believing it, pulled several more times, but no matter how hard he tried, he still couldn't lift the spider.
Usopp felt a little awkward, especially when he felt Chopper's strange gaze behind him, which made him feel even more embarrassed.
(•́へ•́╬)!
Usopp took a few steps back. He refused to believe that he couldn't even lift a spider.
Usopp opened his arms.
"Ptooey!"
A puddle of saliva landed on his hands, and Usopp rubbed his hands together vigorously.
Chopper, watching this scene from behind, was completely dumbfounded. He inexplicably felt a slight itch on his head; he must be getting a brain.
He felt the knowledge had entered his mind in a disgusting way, and if he could, he would rather he hadn't seen it.
What should I do? I feel like throwing up last night's dinner...
However, Usopp didn't care about any of that, and he finally stopped after he had worn his hands raw.
In an instant, Usopp's aura changed, his eyes filled with confidence, and he slowly walked towards the spider.
This is his family's super powerful buff, he refuses to believe that this isn't enough!!!
Usopp approached the spider, grabbed it again, his eyes narrowed, and he exerted force with both hands, but the spider still didn't move.
However, this time Usopp didn't stop; instead, he kept pushing, and his face slowly became flushed and rosy.
Finally, just when he felt his face about to burst, he felt a lightness in his hand, and the entire 'spider' was pulled out just like that?
only...
Was he seeing things? Why did he think he saw a figure? Did the spider transform?
With a loud 'boom,' Usopp and Chopper both stiffly turned around to look back, and were stunned when they saw a figure slowly standing up from the ground.
In an instant, as if drawn by a magnetic force, the two drew rapidly toward each other, only turning their gazes back to the figure opposite them once they were pressed together.
Usopp wasn't stupid. When he realized that the 'spider' he thought was a person, he immediately figured out who the person in front of him was.
The priest in charge of the Ordeal of Swamp!
Usopp and Chopper stared intently at each other, assuming defensive stances. Their opponent, in turn, looked back at them silently.
Five minutes later~
Usopp and Chopper both tilted their heads to the side.
???
They were both staring intently at each other, but neither of them made a move, nor did they even exchange the most basic words.
Furthermore, Usopp noticed that the person opposite them was biting their lip tightly, and their face was covered in sweat.
In an instant, Usopp thought of a possibility and tentatively said, "Um... you can't speak if you're biting your lower lip!"
"Ah!"
Spider-Man cried out in surprise, sweat beading on his face, and said regretfully, "I forgot!"
Usopp and Chopper: This guy... is he an idiot?
The man looked at the two of them, gesturing strangely with his hands, and said, "I am Gedatsu, the priest in charge of the Ordeal of Swamp!"
"Since you reminded me earlier, I'll make sure you die a little more comfortably later!"
Gedatsu first grinned maliciously, then suddenly yelled and instantly assumed a defensive stance.
"What kind of sorcery did you use? Why can't I see anything all of a sudden?"
Usopp and Chopper were initially startled by his sudden movement, but when they realized they were standing still and Gedatsu's eyes were rolling back, they came to a conclusion.
I can tell from his eyes, he's definitely an idiot!
Usopp turned to Chopper and whispered, " Chopper, this guy's an idiot, we can..."
Half a minute later~
"Did you understand, Chopper? This is our battle plan!"
"Yes! I understand!" Chopper nodded vigorously.
"What are you whispering about? Do you think you can defeat me just because I can't see you? You're so naive!"
Having said that, Gedatsu conjured a strange cloud in the surrounding area, then laughed and said, "I have already laid down an omnipresent Swamp Cloud around me."
"The moment you arrive, you'll be trapped in these Swamp Cloud and unable to move!"
"Come on, let's see how you defeat me!"
Usopp didn't say anything, but instead took out his slingshot and fired it at Gedatsu.
" Gunpowder Star!"
The attack landed directly on Gedatsu, setting his clothes ablaze.
"Ahhh, how come there's fire?"
Without the slightest hesitation, Gedatsu immediately took off his clothes.
However, in the midst of his panic, Chopper had already circled behind him, transforming into his Strength Enhancement form, his arm muscles bulging high.
He clasped his hands together and ran towards Gedatsu, leaping high into the air just before reaching Swamp Cloud.
" Kokutei!"