Dalton roared, swinging his burly arms, trying to swat away the stray bullets flying towards the crowd. Sparks of steel exploded on his tough fur.
In the midst of the chaos, Kuromarimo seized the opportunity.
His target was that long-nosed pirate who kept causing trouble! The Afro-haired boxer darted out like a leopard. He no longer challenged the bison-form Dalton, but instead charged straight for the snowdrift where Usopp was!
"Kid! Your opponent is me!" Kuromarimo showed a sinister smile, a strange sheen appearing on his boxing gloves.
"Waaah! Stay away!" Usopp cried out in alarm, hastily turning his slingshot. "Sure-Kill! Smoke Star!"
A cloud of smoke suddenly rose on the battlefield, enveloping Kuromarimo, but he only paused slightly, continuing to charge forward by instinct!
"Vivi!" Usopp shouted as he retreated.
"Understood!" Vivi's eyes sharpened; she had been poised and ready. The moment Kuromarimo burst out of the smoke, Vivi pulled out her Peacock Slasher.
It was a mobile blade controlled by a fine thread attached to a pinky ring, shaped like a peacock's tail feathers.
"Take this! Peacock Spread!"
Vivi let out a sharp cry, flicking her wrist. The weapon spun, drawing several sharp, cold glints as it stabbed straight at Kuromarimo's chest and abdomen!
"Hm?!"
Kuromarimo hadn't expected this seemingly delicate blue-haired girl to possess such skill. In a hurry, he could only forcefully twist his body, executing a clumsy sidestep to avoid the sharp points, but his clothes were torn.
"Brat!"
Forced back, Kuromarimo was enraged and humiliated. He turned his gaze to Vivi, but it was just a feint. Mid-way, he sharply changed direction, pushing off with his feet and charging again towards the now slightly relaxed Usopp!
"Usopp! Watch out!"
"What?!" Usopp had no time to react. Kuromarimo's fist, as big as a cooking pot, had already landed squarely on his stomach!
"Ugh—!"
He let out a painful grunt, his body flying backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily into a dense thicket of bushes in the distance.
"Usopp!" Vivi cried out in alarm, watching Usopp get sent flying.
Having dealt with the troublesome guy, Kuromarimo didn't hesitate, turning and pouncing on Vivi again!
Vivi hastily swung her Peacock Slasher to block, but the difference in strength was simply too great. Kuromarimo easily swept aside her defense, and his other hand instantly clamped onto Vivi's slender wrist, twisting it hard!
"Ah!!!" Vivi cried out in pain, her weapon slipping from her grasp. She was subdued by Kuromarimo, firmly captured.
"Bastard!!!" Dalton let out a desperate and furious roar, able to only watch helplessly as Vivi was captured. But Chess's icy gaze and arrows once again aimed at the villagers, along with Wapol's continuous barrage of gunfire, pinned him firmly in place.
He frantically swung his arms, doing his utmost to block the bullets aimed at the villagers. Bullet marks began to appear on his body, gradually staining his fur and clothes red.
"It's over, Dalton." Chess's voice came from in front, filled with cruel satisfaction, as he saw Usopp had been beaten away. He merely shot one arrow.
Whoosh—
Dalton could no longer hold on. His hooves gave way, and he collapsed to his knees with a thud, kicking up a large amount of snow. He panted heavily, his eyes filled with unwillingness and despair.
Seeing that the situation was under control, Wapol's factory-like body slowly returned to its original form. Then he smugly walked up to the kneeling Dalton, glanced at the captive Vivi, and then looked at the thicket where Usopp had disappeared.
"One less, huh?" He curled his lip, his tone very contemptuous. "But it doesn't matter. Bring this traitor and this blue-haired girl along! It's time for us to reclaim my castle!"
The soldiers stepped forward, tightly binding the weakened Dalton and Vivi with thick ropes.
Wapol, full of self-satisfaction, looked towards the outline of the castle on the distant snowy mountain, and waved his hand:
"Let's go! Back to the castle!"
With the captives escorted, Wapol's team no longer paid attention to the scattered villagers or the fate of Usopp, and began to march grandly towards Drum Castle.
By the shore, only a mess remained... "...He's here!"
"He's still breathing! Quick! Get him inside!"
Several rough hands dragged Usopp out of the cold snow. He coughed violently, spitting out bits of snow from his mouth.
Slowly opening his eyes, he saw several anxious faces of villagers.
"Young man! You're awake!"
Usopp struggled to sit up, but the pain in his stomach made him gasp, even making it difficult for him to speak properly.
Cough—
He suddenly grabbed the arm of the nearest villager, asking anxiously, "How are they?! What about the battle?!"
The villagers looked at each other, their faces showing grief and helplessness. A middle-aged man spoke heavily: "Mr. Dalton... and your blue-haired companion... they were both captured by Wapol. They... they went towards the castle."
"That bastard Wapol... he even said he was going to reclaim his castle..."
Usopp's whole body stiffened, his hand, which had been gripping the villager's arm, slid down weakly. A feeling called self-reproach washed over him, far more painful than the punch from that Afro-haired guy.
They were captured... Vivi and Mr. Dalton... they were both captured... and I'm lying here... Even though... even though I swore on the sled that I'd handle it... Warrior of the Sea? Sniper King?
Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!! In the end, I'm nothing at all! Just boasting! I can't even protect my friends!
Shame and powerlessness threatened to engulf him. He bit his lip hard, clenching his fists.
Why am I always like this? Failing at crucial moments, only capable of big talk... "No..."
Usopp murmured, his voice hoarse but immediately carrying a spark of rekindled fire after only a brief moment of dejection, "No, this can't be the end..."
He suddenly lifted his head, his eyes still showing pain but now also filled with determination: "Is there any other way to get to the castle quickly?! Tell me now! I must go save them!"
The villagers were stunned. Someone instinctively tried to dissuade him: "Young man, you're badly hurt! Wapol's army has too many people... and his two subordinates are as strong as monsters..."
"We... we can't beat them..."
"Even if we can't beat them, we have to go!" Usopp almost roared, supporting his aching body, he swayed and stood straight, his gaze fixed on the distant castle.
"My friends are there! How can I hide here alone?! I must go!"
His voice wasn't loud, and it even trembled a little. But the determination in his words, to do anything for his friends, was like a ray of light, piercing through the gloom and fear that filled the villagers' hearts.
In the crowd, a young villager who had been silent watched Usopp intently, seeing how he, despite his injuries and even a hint of fear, could still utter such words.
He suddenly slapped his own head, as if remembering something crucial:
"Wait! I remember! Over by Kestle Village... there seems to be a cable car! I don't know who built it!"
Hearing that there was another way up, Usopp's eyes instantly lit up: "A cable car?! Where is it? Take me there now!"
The young man looked at Usopp's determined eyes, and he nodded vigorously: "I know the way! I... I'll go up with you!"
Usopp's gaze swept over the surrounding villagers who still looked hesitant. He knew that just the two of them wouldn't be nearly enough.
He took a deep breath, using all his strength. Towards all the villagers, his expression somewhat distorted, he let out a hoarse cry:
"If!!!"
"If there's anyone else who no longer wants to endure Wapol's oppression! If there's anyone else who wants to fight for the future of this country!! Then follow me!!"
"Are we still going to wait here forever!!? To return to that rule where you have to beg on your knees just to see a doctor!!"
"If you still want to fight, then follow me!! We'll go defeat Wapol together! Save our friends! Reclaim your country!!!"
There are already [ 87 ] chapters available on Patreon!
To Support and view them
[[email protected]/Naruto11]
If you enjoyed this chapter, add it to your library ❤️
Leave a Power Stone and a quick review if you can! ⭐