The setting sun's afterglow spilled onto the manor's lawn. Kaya clasped her hands across her chest, her pale cheeks still streaked with tears, but her eyes were filled with gratitude. She bowed deeply to Ron: "Thank you so much... If you hadn't appeared in time, my family's property and I would probably have been..."
Ron gently helped her up: "It's what we should do." He glanced at Usopp, who stood by, his chest wrapped in bandages, "Moreover, the one truly protecting you is this 'brave sea warrior'."
Usopp's face instantly turned crimson, his long nose twitching uneasily.
He took a deep breath, then suddenly straightened his back and walked in front of Kaya: "Kaya, I... I want to go to sea with them!" His voice trembled slightly, but his eyes were exceptionally firm, "I want to become a true man, no longer the Usopp who only brags and boasts!"
Kaya paused for a moment, then showed a gentle smile. She gently held Usopp's hand: "I'll wait for you to come back." Those simple four words instantly brought tears to Usopp's eyes.
"Oh, right!" Kaya suddenly remembered something and turned to instruct the butler, "Hurry and prepare that ship, I want to give it to..."
Her words stopped abruptly as she looked in the direction Ron indicated. The Going Merry, docked in the harbor, gleamed in the sunset—its sheep-headed figurehead, its pristine white sails, were exactly like the ship she intended to give!
"This... this is truly amazing." Kaya covered her mouth in surprise, "The 'Going Merry' was exactly what I wanted to give you..."
Luffy jumped up excitedly: "Hahaha! What a coincidence! This is my favorite ship!"
Ron smiled slightly: "It seems we are destined to be crewmates." He looked at Usopp, "Are you ready, our Sniper?"
Usopp took one last look at the village where he had lived for seventeen years, at his mother's grave on the hillside, and then gazed deeply at Kaya's face. He took a deep breath, turned, and strode towards the Merry: "Let's go! The great Captain Usopp is about to begin a true adventure!"
Kaya stood on the shore, the sea breeze rustling her skirt. She watched the Merry gradually sail away, watching Usopp waving vigorously from the stern, and murmured softly: "You must come back safely..."
On the ship, Usopp wiped his reddened eyes and suddenly found Zoro looking at him with a half-smile. "Wh-what?" he asked somewhat guiltily.
"Pay attention to titles from now on. Ron is the Vice-Captain, Luffy is the Captain, and I am the Combatant."
"What about me?"
"You're the Sniper."
"..."
Usopp, bewildered, lifted his goggles, the gradually receding Syrup Village reflected in the lenses. He clenched his fists and secretly swore in his heart: This time, he would no longer weave lies to escape reality, but would become a true hero to protect those important to him.
The Going Merry rode the wind and waves, sailing towards the distant horizon.
...
The next day,
The Merry sailed quietly on the azure sea, sunlight spilling onto the deck, reflecting the shimmering waves.
Ron stood by the helm, his gaze deep as he looked ahead, while Luffy and Zoro stood on either side of him, their expressions solemn, as if contemplating something important.
Usopp had just climbed out of the cabin, still holding his beloved slingshot, ready to practice shooting.
However, when he saw the three of them turn in unison, staring at him with an almost judgmental gaze, his long nose twitched uncontrollably, and his legs began to tremble slightly.
"Uh... are you guys... having a meeting?" Usopp chuckled dryly, subconsciously taking a step back, "How about... I go to the lookout first?"
"Stop." Ron's voice was calm but brooked no argument.
Usopp instantly froze, cold sweat beading on his forehead: "I, I haven't stolen any meat lately!"
Luffy, uncharacteristically serious, pulled down his straw hat and said gravely: "Usopp, as a new member, your strength..." He scratched his head and turned to Ron, "Brother Ron, what should I say next?"
Ron sighed and stepped towards Usopp, his sea-blue cloak gently swaying in the breeze: "Usopp, as the Vice-Captain of this ship, I have a responsibility to ensure that every crew member can keep up with us." His gaze was as sharp as a knife, "With your current strength, future battles will be very dangerous."
Usopp swallowed, the beads of sweat on his forehead growing denser: "So, so you guys are... going to throw me off the ship?" His voice was already trembling.
Zoro folded his arms and snorted coldly: "Idiot, we're going to help you get stronger."
"Get stronger?!" Usopp's eyes instantly lit up, his earlier fear swept away, replaced by excitement, "Really? Do you have a way to get strong quickly?"
Luffy grinned and clapped Usopp on the shoulder: "Of course! Brother Ron is a 'System User'!"
"Sy... System User?" Usopp looked bewildered, "What's that? A new Devil Fruit ability?"
Luffy gesticulated wildly as he explained: "It's someone who can bind super powerful systems to others! Brother Sabo's is the Pay-to-Win System, Ace's is the Check-in System, mine is the Choice System, and Zoro's is the Slumber Training System!"
Usopp listened, dumbfounded: "Sleep, sleeping can also make you stronger?!"
Zoro proudly lifted his chin: "Last night, I crossed blades with Dracule Mihawk in my dream."
Usopp: "..."
Ron cleared his throat, interrupting their conversation: "Usopp, based on your characteristics, I've prepared a unique system for you." He raised his hand, and a faint glow emanated from his fingertips.
Usopp rubbed his hands nervously and expectantly: "Wh-what system is it? Can it turn me into a sharpshooter?"
A mysterious smile played on Ron's lips: "No, it's—the Tall Tale System!"
*Ding!*
A golden light flashed, and a translucent light screen appeared before Usopp's eyes:
[Tall Tale System · Bound]
[Host: Usopp]
[System Trait: Telling Tall Tales = Getting Stronger]
[Current Tall Tale Level: Bronze (0/100)]
[Today's Mission: Successfully tell one tall tale (Reward: Precision +10%)]
Usopp's eyes widened, his mouth agape enough to fit an orange: "Te, telling tall tales can also make me stronger?!"
Ron calmly nodded: "As long as you successfully tell a tall tale in front of others, the system will give rewards based on the tale's effect. The more outrageous the tale, the more generous the reward."
Luffy leaned over, curiously asking: "Usopp, how are you going to tell a tall tale?"
Usopp snapped out of his shock, his long nose excitedly perked up: "Hahaha! This system is practically tailor-made for me!"
He suddenly jumped onto the ship's railing, spread his arms, and declared loudly to the sea, "I, Captain Usopp, am a sea warrior with eight thousand subordinates! I once punched a Sea King into the sky and kicked over Marine Headquarters! In the future, I'm destined to become the Pirate King's right-hand man..."
"Holy moly! So amazing! He actually has eight thousand subordinates! And he's the Pirate King's right-hand man!"
Luffy clapped his hands, his eyes full of stars; he truly believed it!
📚 Become a Jade Dragon!
Unlock the ultimate reading experience. For $6/month, you get instant access to 50+ advanced chapters, so you never have to wait for a cliffhanger again. Support the story and get rewarded with a massive backlog of content!
https://patreon.com/J_Dragon?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink