After that evening, William left Syrup Village.
For days, Yasopp heard nothing of him, and this silence left him feeling somewhat disappointed.
It wasn't until a week later that Yasopp received a package sent on William's behalf. It was a finely crafted wooden box, its luxurious design alone hinting at its value. The village courier, visibly envious, seemed tempted to keep the gift for himself but dared not, knowing the reputation of the sender.
The courier opened the package in Yasopp's presence, revealing two brand-new revolvers with ivory grips and gleaming silver finishes, along with two rows of golden bullets.
Men often have a special affinity for weapons, perhaps stemming from an instinctive admiration for power. These revolvers, with their exquisite craftsmanship, carried a unique aesthetic appeal in the eyes of Yasopp and the courier. The ivory grips and the ornate wooden box further emphasized their value.
Yasopp, both surprised and delighted, dismissed the courier—whose eyes lingered on the revolvers—and brought the box into his home, placing it on the living room table. Sitting down, he began to carefully examine the two revolvers.
These revolvers were vastly different from the experimental models used in the shooting competition. In addition to the precious ivory grips adorned with anti-slip patterns, the polished silver surface of the guns shimmered brilliantly. On the sleek barrel, a small engraving caught Yasopp's eye as he picked up one of the revolvers and squinted at the inscription.
"One Piece:The True Codex"M1508.SA
He then looked at the second revolver, which bore a slightly different inscription: M1508.DA.
The other side of the barrels displayed identical caliber markings.
The "M1508" referred to the model, named according to William's habits from his previous life. "M" stood for Morgan, while "1508" denoted the year of production. "SA" and "DA" represented the two distinct mechanisms of the revolvers.
Single-action (SA) revolvers require the hammer to be manually cocked before pulling the trigger. The hammer's movement rotates the cylinder, aligning the next chamber with the barrel. Once the hammer is locked in place, pulling the trigger releases it, firing the bullet. The trigger's sole function is to release the hammer.
Double-action (DA) revolvers, on the other hand, simplify operation. The trigger's motion is divided into two stages: the first rotates the cylinder and cocks the hammer, while the second releases the hammer and fires the bullet. Unlike single-action revolvers, double-action models don't require the hammer to be manually cocked beforehand.
William had learned these distinctions through conversations with Dampier, the head of weapons research. In his previous life, early revolvers were primarily single-action, but Dampier had initially developed a double-action mechanism.
When William tested the new weapon, he found it impossible to replicate the rapid-fire techniques of old Western movies, where cowboys would pull the trigger with one hand while fanning the hammer with the other. This led him to request Dampier to create a more "traditional" single-action model, resulting in the M1508.SA revolver.
While double-action revolvers were easier to use, their longer trigger pull and increased force requirement often affected shooting accuracy. They couldn't match the precision and rapid-fire capabilities of single-action revolvers in the hands of skilled marksmen like Yasopp.
The two revolvers, their development process, and detailed explanations of their mechanisms were all described in a lengthy letter written by William himself. Yasopp, reading this somewhat "rambling" letter, couldn't help but feel moved.
The bullets used by these revolvers were different from those available on the market. At the end of the letter, William assured Yasopp that he could write to him anytime for more ammunition, and William would ensure it was delivered.
Holding the revolver in one hand and the letter in the other, Yasopp sighed deeply and set the letter down on the table.
Just then, Banchina returned home from grocery shopping. Hearing Yasopp's sigh, she placed the basket on the balcony and quietly walked up behind him, gently massaging his shoulders.
"What's troubling you?" Banchina asked softly.
"The gift is too extravagant," Yasopp replied, his gaze fixed on the revolver in his hand. "And the sentiment behind it is too heavy."
Yasopp smiled bitterly, leaning his head against Banchina's shoulder. "Why does this rising hero of the East Blue think so highly of me?"
William's gift had been delivered publicly, with the package handed to Yasopp by a local courier. There was no way Yasopp could use the revolvers discreetly; sooner or later, everyone in the village would know about William's generosity toward him.
For others, accepting such a gift might be easy—they could simply take it and carry on with their lives. But Yasopp, a man of exceptional talent and pride, was like the wandering knights of the Sengoku era. He valued honor and promises, unable to bear being accused of shameless opportunism.
"What's so strange about that?" Banchina said, displeased by Yasopp's self-deprecation. She patted his shoulder lightly and added with pride, "No matter how much he values you, you're worth it."
Yasopp chuckled bitterly. He considered himself lucky to have married such a wise and virtuous woman. Deep down, he knew Banchina's love for him far exceeded his love for her.
In the original story, Yasopp left his hometown, abandoning his family to Banchina's care. Usopp grew up without a father yet still admired Yasopp wholeheartedly, thanks in part to Banchina's upbringing. Even on her deathbed, Banchina told Usopp she was proud of Yasopp.
Banchina idolized her husband, even though Yasopp was currently just a farmer with a reputation for marksmanship. Most of his days were spent sitting under a tree by the island's edge, staring out at the sea.
But Banchina firmly believed Yasopp was an extraordinary man. If he could set sail and find a stage, he would undoubtedly become a legendary hero of the seas.
"I'm planning to return the gift," Yasopp said after a moment of hesitation, pushing the box away as if to solidify his resolve.
"Why?" Banchina asked, puzzled. She knew better than anyone how much Yasopp loved firearms.
"If I accept his revolvers, how could I refuse his invitation?" Yasopp murmured.
Banchina bit her lip and tilted Yasopp's head back, staring into his eyes. "Do you truly not want to join his pirate crew?"
Yasopp's eyes shifted, avoiding her gaze. "Of course not."
"You're lying," Banchina said firmly, her voice tinged with anger. "You yearn for adventure, for battle, for a chance to showcase your talent. I know it all."
"So what? Everyone has dreams, but not all of them come true," Yasopp said, trying to deflect with a playful smile. "I already have a cute son and, more importantly, a beautiful, virtuous wife. If I'm not satisfied, I'll be punished by the heavens!"
Banchina silently watched Yasopp until his forced smile faded. Then she said, "I'm not your burden, and neither is Usopp. You shouldn't let us bind you to this home. My husband should be an extraordinary man, a warrior praised by all, a father who can regale Usopp with tales of his adventures."
"I know this ordinary life makes you miserable. But do you realize how much it pains me to see you like this every day?"
"The Morgan Pirates target other pirates. Not all of them are honorable; some are downright cruel," Yasopp said, his tone unusually serious. "If they seek revenge, I fear for you and Usopp's safety."
"Are the other members of the Morgan Pirates afraid?" Banchina asked, her words deliberate and resolute. "My husband is destined to be a hero. I may not be able to be a hero myself, but can't I be the wife of one? And Usopp, can't he be the son of a hero?"
Yasopp stared quietly at Banchina, who met his gaze unwaveringly.
After a moment, Yasopp suddenly smiled, and Banchina, infected by his warmth, smiled back.
Yasopp's hand returned to the wooden box, pulling it back toward him.
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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