Chapter 354: Luffy vs Usopp

It was 10 PM, and Luffy got up from his hammock. He stepped outside the Going Merry, the cool night air brushing against his face.

Through the dim light and the wisps of smoke, he saw Usopp approaching. Luffy jumped down from the ship and crossed his arms, staring at his friend. "You didn't get cold feet," Luffy said.

Sanji, Chopper, Zoro, Nami, and Porche watched them from a distance, their faces tense with concern. They stood in silence, feeling the weight of the moment.

"You better be sure you don't regret this," Luffy said. "You wanted this duel," he added. 

"Of course, you better fight seriously," Usopp replied.

"Can't we stop them?" Chopper asked, his voice trembling. "Usopp is badly injured," he added. 

"If you can't bear to watch, then go inside," Zoro replied, his tone firm.

"Don't lump me in with your past enemies," Usopp said. "I know everything about you," he added. He took a deep breath. "Don't be surprised when you hear I have 8000 men under me. If you don't want to die, surrender now," Usopp warned.

"You don't have that many subordinates. I know that much," Luffy replied back. 

"Usopp spell," Usopp said. 

Luffy looked at him and ran towards him. "Gomu Gomu no Pistol," Luffy said as he stretched his arm back.

At that moment, Usopp coughed and spat red liquid to the ground. Luffy stopped his attack. Nami and Chopper locked shocked. Their mouths stayed open. Porche covered her mouth with her hand. 

"Special Attack, Ketchup Star," Usopp said. "Sympathizing with your enemy, you have some confidence," Usopp added. 

Luffy gritted his teeth. He swung his fist however Usopp raised his hand. "Flash Dial," Usopp said as he clicked a button and created a blinding light. Luffy vision got impaired by the light temporarily. 

Usopp jumped back. "Special Attack, Egg Star," Usopp said as he fired an egg from his slingshot. 

Luffy blocked the attack however the egg broke on his body and he was covered in yolk. "Egg Star," Usopp said a few times and Luffy got hit with eggs a few more times. 

"It stinks, they are rotten," Luffy complained. "Get serious," Luffy shouted.

"Serious, this is my way of attacking," Usopp replied. "Since you have a big mouth take this," he added. "Special Attack Tabasco shot," Usopp said as he fired a red bean from his slingshot.

Luffy's face went red. "It's hot," he shouted as he breathed fire. 

"Watch your step," Usopp said. "Beneath your feet at Caltrop Hell," Usopp said. 

Luffy landed on the ground and got hit with spiky objects. "Ouch," Luffy said. 

"Usopp in control of the fight," Chopper said.

"Impressive," Porche said. She thought back to when Luffy fought Foxy and how he traded blow for blow and now he is losing for now. 

"I will win and take the Merry," Usopp said. He looked determined. 

"Usopp," Nami commented. 

"Special Attack Pepper Star," Usopp said as he fired a black ball from his slingshot. It hit luffy and exploded. There was a dust cloud. Luffy lost his balance and hit a spiky object. He felt pain in his hand. Luffy got up. 

"Damn it, my mouth stinks and hurts," Luffy said.

"I won't give you a chance to attack," Usopp replied. "Special Attack Shuriken Shooting Stars," Usopp said as he shot shurikens at Luffy. Luffy saw the attack coming and dodged out of the way. He rolled and just missed the attack. 

Luffy noticed there was smoke. He looked to see a smoke dial. "Smoke?" Luffy asked.

"I am using a Smoke dial," Usopp replied. "You did not notice because of the smell," Usopp added. 

"Don't tell me," Nami commented.

"Special Attack Flame Star," Usopp said as he fired a small orange ball. The attack came close to Luffy and exploded. The combination of the smoke and flame caused a big explosion. There was a bright light from the explosion. The impact of the explosion caused the waves to push back the Merry slightly. 

"Such power," Porche commented. 

Luffy laid on his back. He thought back to his time with Usopp. The Going Merry saw the battle and the water from the explosion formed tears in her eyes. 

Luffy got up. "Gomu Gomu no Gatling Gun," Luffy said as he followed up with another attack. He brought his fists forward and repeatedly launched a rapid barrage of punches.

"I knew that would have not defeated you Luffy," Usopp said. "Special attack Bursting Catus Star," Usopp said as he fired a small green spiky ball from his slingshot. The ball hit Luffy fist and exploded. Shrapnel hit Luffy as he went flying back. Luffy felt pain. 

"Triple Exploding Star," Usopp said as he fired three round orange balls at Luffy. Luffy dodged the attack. There was an explosion in the background. 

Usopp kept firing. Luffy rolled around and dodged the attack. "Gomu Gomu no Pistol," Luffy said as he stretched his arm back and then launched it at Usopp. It hit Usopp in the face and he went flying back. There was some blood which left his mouth. 

Luffy then ran up to Usopp. "Gomu Gomu no Bazooka," Luffy said as he stretched his arms back and launched them forward. 

Usopp took out a dial from his pocket. He put it in front of Luffy's attack and got absorbed. "I had an impact dial which absorbed the attack," Usopp said. He pressed the button and launched the attack back at Luffy. "Impact Dial," Usopp said as he pressed the button and released the stored energy at Luffy. Luffy got hit in the face. He went flying back. His face started to bleed as he went towards the ground. 

Luffy got back up. He was panting loudly. He looked at Usopp. "Gomu Gomu no Bullet," Luffy said as he stretched his hand back and launched it towards Usopp. His fist connected with Usopp's stomach. Usopp spat blood out however he stayed on his feet. 

"Usopp," Chopper shouted. 

Usopp then collapsed onto the ground. Luffy looked at Usopp. "There was no way you could have defeated me," Luffy said. 

Nami had tears in her eyes. Porche touched her shoulder. Luffy picked up his straw hat. "We will get a new ship and sail the seas," Luffy stated. "You can have the Going Merry," Luffy said. 

Chopper looked at Usopp. He got his bag and was about to go when Sanji stopped him. "Don't Chopper," Sanji said.

"I am a doctor and he is injured," Chopper said. 

"No, Chopper, listen, this was not a game or quarrel. He lost a duel and if you help him, it will hurt him worse," Sanji stated. 

Luffy got back to Going Merry. "This is tough," Luffy said. 

"It is what it means to be a Captain," Zoro replied. Nami and Porche had tears in their eyes. 

At that moment, they saw another ship approaching.