Cursed Seas and Slashing Tides

Breaking Apart

At the Franky Family's base by the shore, the gang of outlaws celebrated. Their hideout—a large red and yellow building with a huge "Franky Family" sign—was filled with loud cheers and raucous laughter.

“Two hundred million!?” One of the henchmen gasped in amazement.

“What do you think, bro?!” Another asked their leader.

A man in a blue robe and star mask grinned proudly. “Incredible! You guys did well! With this money, we can finally buy it!”

“This is fantastic, bro! We’ve been waiting three years! I dreamed about this every night…” One henchman declared.

Their leader continued. “Every time we scraped together some money, I’d bet it all on the Yagara bulls, hoping for a big win, but…”

“We ended up broke!” The henchmen chimed in.

“Or we’d catch a criminal with a bounty, throw a huge party, and…”

“End up broke!” They shouted again.

“But now I have it all! Five million as a token of my appreciation. Eat and drink as much as you like!” The leader boasted before walking off with two women beside him.

“Woohoo!!”

“Yeah!!” The henchmen cheered, unaware of the impending trouble.

Suddenly, a loud explosion shook the hideout, blowing apart the front gate and throwing several men back.

“What the…?!”

“Who dares attack the Franky Family!?” They shouted, alarmed.

From the smoke, two figures stepped forward.

“Where’s the money?!” Usopp shouted, struggling to catch his breath.

One of the henchmen burst out laughing. “You again? The weakling from before! And you brought backup? Ha!”

Ryomen shot a dark, intense glare at the man, but Usopp stopped him.

“I…have to do this alone! I can’t keep relying on others! I can’t…be a coward forever!” Usopp’s voice shook, yet he looked determined, his eyes brimming with tears.

“Hahaha! Bring it on, punk!” One henchman sneered, charging at Usopp.

“Explosion Star!” Usopp shot with his sling, detonating an explosive right at the attacker’s feet, sending him flying.

“Behind you!” Ryomen shouted as another henchman tried to strike Usopp from behind.

“Where…” Usopp spun around, dodging. “Is the money?” He brandished a flash dial from Skypiea, blinding the assailant.

“Arrgh! You little brat, I’ll tear you apart!” The henchman shouted, stumbling back.

“The boss already took off with it.” A towering man in iron armor sneered, gripping his massive ax.

“Where is he?!” Usopp demanded, trembling but standing his ground.

“He’s long gone by now, on the sea train. But that doesn’t matter…because you’re not getting out of here alive!” The armored man charged forward, laughing.

“Usopp, let me handle this!” Ryomen shouted, ready to step in.

“No!” Usopp stood firm, pulling out another trick from his arsenal. “Smoke Star!” He shouted, shooting a burst of smoke at the man.

“I don’t want to be useless anymore!” He yelled, surprising Ryomen with his resolve.

As the smoke spread, Usopp threw a breath dial, releasing flammable gas. “Gunpowder Star!” He shouted, firing another shot. The projectile ignited the gas, erupting in a massive explosion.