Chapter 353: Usopp Decision

Luffy, Zoro, Sanji and Chopper took Usopp back to the Going Merry. They met Porche and Nami who were defending the ship. "He looks in bad shape," Porche said. 

"I will patch him up," Chopper replied. Sanji helped to put Usopp down on the bed and he left. Chopper treated his wounds. After a few hours, Chopper saw Usopp move. He smiled and rushed out, "He is awake," Chopper said.

Luffy and Nami smiled at each other. "Lets go and see him," Luffy said with a smile on his face. 

The entire crew headed to the room where they saw Usopp in bandages. "You were reckless," Nami commented. 

"Think a little before you act," Zoro added. 

"Look who's talking," Sanji replied. 

"We were all worried," Porche added.

"I am sorry," Usopp stated. "Just because I am good for nothing, I am sorry," Usopp added. 

He grabbed Zoro`s leg. "I am sorry, I lost the money," Usopp said.

"Hey, cut it out," Zoro said, trying to get Usopp off him. 

"But it was a big amount of money," Usopp said. 

"Don't move or you will get hurt," Chopper said.

"You should listen to the Doctor," Nami added. 

"He is looking better," Porche added. 

"Then as I said, will the money come back?" Usopp asked. 

"Well, we would not know until that Franky guy comes back," Luffy replied with a smile on his face. He added, "We still have 100 million Beli." 

"What about the ship?" Usopp asked. "Is 100 million Beli enough?" he asked.

Nami clenched her fist. Porche look down. Sanji puffed is cigarette 

"Usopp about the ship, I have decided to get a new ship," Luffy stated with a smile on his face.

"What?" Usopp asked in shock. 

"Sorry, I made the decision without consulting you," Luffy replied. He added, "I have made my decision." "Our journey with the Going Merry ends here," he said. "Ice Pops gave us this catalog and I wondered if we could have something similar to Ben`s one but less pink," Luffy said. 

"Wait, you are taking this joke too far," Usopp said. 

They all looked seriously at Usopp. "Are we short of money?" Usopp said. He felt bad knowing the Going Merry may not be able to be repaired. 

"No that is not it," Luffy replied. 

"Then what is it? Spit it out," Usopp urged. 

"It is not about the money," Luffy stated. 

"Calm down Usopp," Nami said. 

"How can I be calm when our Captain is talking about a new ship," Usopp shouted. His face was filled with anger.

"I have been angnoising about this decision," Luffy stated, looking back at Usopp. 

"Have you?" Usopp shouted back. "Spit it out, what is the real reason," Usopp shouted back. 

Luffy clenched his fist. "The Going Merry is going to sink. This ship isn't sail-worthy anymore and will break," he stated firmly.

"This ship? The one we're standing on?" Usopp asked, disbelief clear in his voice.

"Yes, they said this ship won't make it to the next island," Luffy replied.

"So, a bunch of people you just met today said our beloved friend can't make it, and you believed them? After everything we've been through, is that what you think of Merry?" Usopp shouted, his voice rising with emotion.

"Can you make an accurate assessment yourself?" Luffy shot back. "We don't have a shipwright, so why not ask experts to make a judgement?" he asked. 

"I can repair her! Just help me out, all of you," Usopp pleaded.

"You're not a shipwright," Luffy shouted, his frustration boiling over.

"Luffy!" Nami interjected, trying to mediate.

"You might be right, but I don't trust shipwrights who don't understand the value of a ship," Usopp retorted.

"Usopp," Porche said softly, sensing the tension.

"I'll never give up on this ship," Usopp declared. Zoro watched silently, his expression unreadable.

"The Luffy I know would value his friends," Usopp continued, grabbing Luffy's shirt. "How can you let strangers talk you into this? You've suddenly become very un-captain-like," he shouted, his voice breaking.

"Guys," Porche tried again, her worry evident.

"Luffy," Nami echoed, hoping to calm the situation.

"Stay out of it, both of you," Luffy snapped. "I've made my decision, and I won't change it, no matter what you say," he shouted back, his resolve matching Usopp's. "We are going to get a new ship, we are going to say goodbye to the Going Merry," Luffy stated. 

"Merry is our friends, I can't leave our friend wounded here," Usopp said. 

"Don't be ridiculous. Even if she is our friend, she is a ship. Ships and people are different," Luffy shouted back. 

"They are the same," Usopp said back. 

"Hey calm down guys," Sanji said. 

Luffy then grabbed Usopp and knocked him to the ground. "Don't think you are the only one who feels pain over this," Luffy said. 

"Then they would stay on the ship," Usopp responded back.

"Fine if you don't like my decision so much then how about you gett off," Luffy was about to say when Sanji kicked Luffy. Luffy went flying and hit some boxes.

"Sanji," Chopper said, looking shocked. His mouth was open.

Sanji was panting. "You idiot, what were you about to say," Sanji shouted. 

"Cool down Luffy, think before you speak," Nami added. Porche and Zoro stood silently. 

"Sorry, I just," Luffy replied back, getting his straw hat on. 

"No, this is what you really think," Usopp said. 

"What did you say?" Luffy shouted back.

"If you are going to abandon one friend, then are you going to abandon me as well," Usopp said, getting up on his feet. 

"Hey Usopp, don't say stupid things like that," Sanji said. 

"No, I am serious," Usopp replied. "I have been thinking for a while. You guys have monstrous strength. I cannot keep up," he added. 

They all stood in silence. He got up and walked to the door. "Where are you going, Usopp?" Chopper asked. 

"I have made a decision, I am going to leave the gang," Usopp stated.

Nami, Sanji, Porche and Chopper looked shocked. Nami looked at Luffy. "Are you not going to do something?" Nami shouted. "Go after him?" Nami asked. 

"We came so far together, are you going to let us fall apart," Nami added. 

Nami dropped to her knees. "You are the Captain right?" she asked with tears in her face. 

Usopp, Sanji and Chopper left the room and saw Usopp walking away. "Usopp come back," Sanji shouted.

"Don't go Usopp," Chopper shouted with tears in his eyes. 

"Turn around," Nami added. 

Luffy and Porche entered the deck. Luffy thought back to their times in Alabasta or Drum Kingdom. Zoro came behind them. 

Usopp stopped. "Luffy, I can't go with you," he stated. "It's true the ship belongs to you as the Captain," Usopp said. "So fight me Monkey D Luffy. I challenge you to a duel," Usopp shouted. 

"At 10 o'clock tonight I will come back here," Usopp said. "Then we will fight over the Going Merry," he said, pointing at Luffy.