Chapter 375: A Farewell at Dawn!
Though Usopp had ultimately chosen not to arrest Yasopp, the weight in his heart hadn't fully vanished.
At Nami's suggestion, the trio stayed at Kaya's white mansion for a few days. Officially, it was for "recuperation," but in reality, it was to keep a silent watch on Yasopp's movements. Usopp constantly insisted he "didn't care," yet late at night and in the early hours of the morning, he could always be found standing on the terrace, gazing toward the old house that was slowly being restored.
Across the fields, the silhouette of Yasopp was busy on the roof. The rhythmic thud-thud of his hammer echoed through the air, sounding like a steady beat of a confession ten years too late. He repaired the roof tiles, kneeled beneath the old apple tree to clear the weeds around Banchina's gravestone, and finally sat in silence under the branches, watching the village children from a distance with a gaze of quiet liberation.
Usopp saw it all, time and time again, yet he remained silent.
One evening, Nami walked softly to his side and whispered, "Usopp... I think your father has truly found his answer."
Kaya approached as well, her slender fingers gently intertwining with Usopp's. Her voice was tender. "For a man who viewed 'freedom' as his life's creed... self-imprisonment in his own homeland is perhaps the heaviest punishment he could receive."
Usopp remained silent, the tension in his shoulders finally beginning to ebb away. He didn't respond, but he cast one last, long look toward the distance before leading the group away from the terrace.
In the distance, Yasopp paused his hammering and looked up. He watched his son's retreating back, his eyes complex and heavy with a long silence. He lowered his head and murmured into the sea breeze, "Banchina... realizing I was wrong this late... it really is pathetic, isn't it?"
After a long while, he lifted his head again. Tears shimmered in his eyes, but a smile of genuine relief touched his lips. "At least... he grew up to be a fine man..."
The breeze blew through the apple tree, its leaves rustling softly—as if his late wife were reaching out to soothe the wounds of a father and son that had not yet fully healed.
The Departure
The moment of departure finally arrived.
In front of the white mansion, the sea breeze carried the scent of salt and fresh grass. The group stood on the stone steps, an air of reluctance hanging between them. Kaya clutched Usopp's hand, her eyes full of worry. "No matter what happens, you must stay safe!"
Usopp nodded solemnly, forcing a light smile. "Don't worry, I will." He pulled an exquisite, small Den Den Mushi from his coat and placed it into Kaya's palm. "Keep this. If anything happens—anything at all—you must contact me."
Kaya pressed the Den Den Mushi to her chest, her gaze turning resolute. "I will work hard on my medical studies... I promise I'll be able to protect everyone when you return."
"Kaya..." Usopp's voice was low, his eyes reddening, but he ended with a deep, certain nod.
Beside them, Luffy was already bouncing with energy, a wide grin on his face. "Let's get moving! I can't wait to see Grandpa Rock and Grandma Irene!"
Nami facepalmed with a sigh but couldn't hide her own smile as she followed him onto the small boat. The three waved goodbye as the sails filled with wind, slowly drifting away from Syrup Village under the watchful gaze of the townspeople.
Once the shoreline began to fade, Luffy could no longer contain his excitement.
"Hang on tight!"
With a joyful shout, a brilliant golden light erupted from his body. In the next heartbeat, he transformed into a magnificent Giant Pink Dragon. He scooped the small boat into his claws and ascended into the sky, turning into a streak of light that roared toward Dawn Island.
Legacy of the Sniper
Back in the fields of Syrup Village, the setting sun cast a golden glow over the swaying wheat.
Several children were excitedly wielding wooden slingshots, mimicking the stance Usopp had used when he was a boy. They took turns aiming at a scarecrow.
"BANG!"
The pellet flew wide, but the children just laughed in a heap. They shouted at the top of their lungs: "I am the Brave Warrior of the Sea—Lord Usopp!"
"Captain Usopp would have hit that in one shot!!!"
Their laughter echoed across the fields, carried by the wind. In front of the old house, Yasopp sat quietly under the apple tree. He didn't approach the children; he simply watched them. His gaze seemed to pierce through time, seeing the scrawny, boastful boy he had left behind now running and laughing alongside the youth of today.
It felt as if Usopp's silhouette was still there, guarding them.
Yasopp let out a soft breath as he felt that familiar presence fade into the distance with the wind. He didn't need to look up to know.
"Go on," he said lowly, his voice a mix of pride and release. "Walk your own path..."
He looked toward the horizon, where only a tiny, vanishing black dot remained.
"I'll make sure Syrup Village is well-guarded."
The apple tree, the old house, the fields, and the laughter of the children merged into one. One sniper had walked toward the sea, driven by justice and responsibility. Another sniper remained in his homeland, driven by atonement and a silent vigil.
As the sun set, the village remained peaceful and serene. The wind and the laughter intertwined, telling a story: even if time cannot erase all scars, the legacy of protection continues here.
Arrival at Dawn Island
The Pink Dragon broke through the clouds, silently gliding over the island. Luffy carefully shifted into his hybrid form, holding the boat in his hands as he landed gently on the shore, terrified of disturbing the peace of the quiet island. He immediately took off at a sprint, his smile as radiant as a child's, heading straight for the familiar cottage.
"Grandpa! Grandma! I'm home—!"
The wooden door creaked open. Grandma Irene, who was carrying a teapot, looked up, and her entire face lit up with joy.
"Luffy! Nami! And... who is this?"
Usopp immediately straightened his back and gave a formal salute. "Hello, Grandma! I'm Usopp, Luffy and Nami's comrade-in-arms!"
Nami affectionately took Irene's arm, her laugh light with the joy of reunion. "Grandma, we're back!"
The atmosphere inside was quickly filled with warmth. In the kitchen, Nami skillfully chopped vegetables under Irene's careful guidance. Usopp took charge of the stove fire, earning repeated, impressed nods from Grandpa Rock. Meanwhile, Luffy crouched nearby like a hungry pup, occasionally trying to sneak a snack only to be swatted on the head by Nami.
At dinner, the four of them sat around the table. The aroma of stew filled the room, and laughter echoed under the rafters, a scene so cozy it felt as if time itself had stood still.
The Call to War
The next morning, the sun was bright, but the warm atmosphere was shattered by the frantic ringing of a Den Den Mushi.
Nami picked it up quickly. As she listened, her expression turned deathly grave. She closed the shell, took a deep breath, and turned to Luffy and Usopp with sharp, narrowed eyes.
"We have to get back. Now."
Luffy was in the middle of inhaling his breakfast, his mouth stuffed. "Wha—? I just got here!"
Usopp stepped forward, his brow furrowed. "What happened?"
Nami's voice was like ice. "Marineford—The execution of the Pirate King's First Mate, 'Dark King' Silvers Rayleigh, is scheduled for tomorrow! The Fleet Admiral has ordered our immediate return to support the deployment!"
She paused, her gaze deepening. "Furthermore... Ace, Zoro, and Kuina have already arrived at Onigashima and are standing by."
The room went cold. Even the usually carefree Luffy realized the gravity of the situation—this wasn't just an execution; it was the definitive line between the Old Era and the New.
Rock and Irene approached, their faces calm but unable to hide the worry in their eyes. Rock spoke deeply, "If there's duty to be done, go. Important matters come first!"
Grandma Irene took Luffy and Nami's hands, her gaze tender. "Safety above all else! Luffy, you must protect Nami with everything you have!!!"
"Heh! You bet I will!!!" Luffy grinned.
Grandpa Rock looked at Nami with a silent request. "This brat is a handful; I'm leaving him in your hands."
Nami nodded, her smile firm. "Don't worry, Grandpa."
The situation was too urgent for a long farewell. Luffy grabbed Nami and Usopp, shouted a final goodbye to the elders, and kicked off the ground!
"BOOM!!!"
The three of them shot into the sky like a comet. Nami released a faint mist to cloak their movement as Luffy's body expanded. The Pink Dragon reappeared, securely carrying Nami and Usopp as he roared through the air toward Marineford.
In front of the house, Rock put his arm around Irene's shoulders. The two elders looked up, watching the dragon's silhouette vanish into the clouds.
Irene sighed softly, her eyes moist. Rock patted her hand with a smile.
"Don't worry... the kids have finally grown up."
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