A/N- AMAGAD. It's finished! UMPOL is finished! Bam! I hope you're happy with how everything turned out :) Thank you so much for all of the support you have given me! Please continue to read my other fanfics if you'd like :D
Usopp's master plan of love!
"Oi, Usopp!"
The sound of the captain's voice carried through the deck and over to the sharpshooter in question. Turning his head slightly, the long nosed man could make out a figure flying towards him at an intense speed.
Oh crap.
The collision was quick enough; One second Usopp was tightening a bolt on his latest invention, the next he was nose first on the wood with an overly-hyper teen on his back. He pushed down with the palms of his hands to force the boy off of him. Noticing the struggle, Luffy hopped off the other male with ease.
Usually, the ebony-haired boy would be grinning like a complete fool, tracing around the perimeter of the deck with the reindeer/doctor of the ship, or begging Sanji for some more meat right after a meal, yet here he was, standing in front of his crewmate, complete with a look of distress and annoyance.
"What'dya want, Luffy?" Usopp whined, patting his nose delicately, an eye closed in pain.
The rubber-boy merely looked down to the floor, shuffling his feet nervously as he thought of what to say. Staying in silence for a few minutes, Usopp decided to poke around for an answer to his nearly-forgotten question.
"Luffy? Hello, anyone home?"
"Ah? Oh, right. Usopp!"
"Any particular reason you decided to pounce on me when my back was turned?"
"Yeah."
"…Well?"
"…Well, what?"
Usopp groaned, pulling a hand down his face in anguish.
"What did you come here to say, Luffy?"
"Hmm? Oh, right I remember now!"
"Well, that's just great."
"I keep getting interrupted!"
"Are we talking about you trying to confess to Nami?"
"Yeah, every time I try to tell her someone shows up in the middle of it and Nami gets all embarrassed and leaves soon after."
"I see."
"It's annoying! I've tried to tell her at least seven hundred times now."
"I'm sure you're exaggerating just a bit… But I once tried to tell someone something seven hundred and forty six times! Ah, yes. It was the summer of '69. I was just a young lad, wanting to make a difference in this cruel and unforgiving place we call our world…"
Getting bored pretty quickly, Luffy stretched over to the kitchen in search of food to pass the time until he could think of someone else to ask.
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"Usopp, could you come over here please?"
It was just after dinner, the temperature was dropping slightly, causing a refreshing breeze to pass every now and again. The sea was a dark shade of blue, lapping against the side of the Sunny in calm waves.
Leaning over the railing slightly, Nami turned to face the sharpshooter who had just walked on deck a few seconds before.
"What's up?" he asked, turning to make his way over.
The cartographer stayed quiet for a moment, closing her eyes as a gentle motion of wind played with her orange locks.
"…I need to talk to you about something."
Usopp raised an eyebrow suspiciously. Nami was a self-righteous, independent, care-free woman. If there was even the tiniest chance that she could get treasure, she would do everything in her power- and the crew's power- to make it hers. She was definitely a strong-willed woman, being able to go through such hardships and still come out on top as the loved navigator of the strawhat crew. Despite this, something in her tone made him think differently. She almost sounded… confused for once.
"What is it, Nami?"
Suddenly, her strong-willed look was back, eyebrows creasing in seriousness. She quickly but firmly grabbed the front of his overall and lifted him slightly off of the ground, eyes boring into his terrified ones.
"DON'T KILL ME! PLEASE, I'LL DO ANYTHING! PLE-"
"Oh, shut up Usopp." she scowled, still holding him up with as much power as she could muster and still, at the same time, not seem like she was struggling. "I just want you to understand this very clearly: Do not, and I mean not tell anyone about this conversation. EVER."
Placing him down, Usopp gulped noisily, stepping back in apprehension but none-the-less listening to her.
"Okay, I understand."
"Good. It's about Luffy."
"Oh, really?" he asked, trying to sound surprised.
"Oh be quiet, I know what you've been doing."
"W-what? I haven't been doing anything!"
She glared at him intensely.
"IT WAS ALL BROOK'S IDEA."
"Don't blame this on Brook. He's not smart enough to come up with a plan like that."
"Oh, well thank you!"
"Anyway," she murmured, rolling her eyes as Usopp began to pose and smirk gloatingly, "Luffy's been trying to tell me something, and he told me that you said he should. Am I correct?"
"Yes."
"I thought so. Now, I suppose he's trying to tell me he loves me?"
Usopp paled. "How can you say that so nonchalantly?"
"-And he's tried many times, yet we keep getting interrupted."
"You ignored my question!"
"Should I just tell him?"
"…Tell him what?"
"That I love him too." Nami raised an eyebrow at the ridiculous question the boy asked.
"Wait, you do?"
"Yes."
"Yahoo!"
"Stop celebrating and answer my question."
"Wait! How did this happen? When did you realise you loved him? Why do you love him? What are you gonna do about Sanji when he finds out you feel the same way? Wh-"
Whack.
"Oi! That hurt!" cried Usopp, rubbing his head as a large bump began to grow.
"You wanna know how?"
"Yeah!"
"…Okay, I guess I'll start from the beginning then." Nami sat down on the wooden deck, carving her fingernails into the elaborate creases of the material. Usopp followed suit, copying her position on the ground and placing his elbows on the sides of his thighs, cupping each side of his face as he waited for her to begin.
"As you know, I met Luffy quite a long time ago. I was stealing money from another band of pirates when they finally noticed what I was doing. Luckily for me, Luffy came flying in –literally from nowhere- and defeated them easily. He saved me and I was grateful, but as soon as I found out that he was a pirate I despised him.
"Arlong had such an effect on me. He took me in at a very young age after killing my mother. He forced me to make map after map, never letting me rest. If I made even the smallest error I would be punished severely. My hatred for him intoxicated my brain to make me believe that anything associated with him was bad: Namely pirates.
"After that, I tricked Luffy and brought him to Buggy. What I didn't know was that Buggy was worse than I thought. He locked Luffy in a cage and told me to light the fuse which would send a massive cannon ball his way. I couldn't do it, so when one of Buggy's crew grew bored of my procrastinating and lit the fuse himself, I stopped it with my bare hands.
"Then I promised to be in his crew. I promised him and I let him down by betraying him, taking his ship, leaving him without saying a word. Usually this would be normal for me, I would feel nothing for the crew I was with and therefore feel nothing about leaving with their treasure and bringing it back to Arlong in hopes that I could buy my island to free my friends and family. But there was something about Luffy, something that made my heart tear at the thought of leaving him and the rest of you. So when you guys came to get me, I secretly felt relieved.
"Arlong betrayed me, though. He told me that if I raised enough money, he would give me Cocoyashi village. That he wouldn't be able to cause anyone I knew anymore pain. But he lied, and it cut deep.
"Luffy then came back, even after me ordering him to leave. I guess he just broke down my walls. I caved. I needed him.
"And he helped me. He defeated Arlong; he destroyed the room I was forced to slave away in, along with my bad memories. He said I was his nakama… And I guess that's when I began to fall in love with him. It was when I knew that no matter what I did and no matter where I was, he would help me, he would believe in me and he would love me all the same."
Usopp smiled warmly at the vaguely familiar story. "I see."
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"Okay, right." muttered Usopp. The sharpshooter rubbed his chin in thought, elbow resting on the wooden railing of the Thousand Sunny.
"What are you thinking about, Usopp?"
"Hmm? Oh, it's just you Chopper."
The reindeer merely frowned at the man and hopped closer to him.
"Nami told me something quite interesting. I think this time we'll definitely be able to get them together."
"Really?" marvelled Chopper, dancing slightly with a look of glee spread across his face.
"Yep! Now, I'm gonna need everyone's help…" he began, eyebrows creasing in worry, "Maybe even Sanji's…"
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"Seriously?"
Zoro laughed loudly, clutching his knee to keep himself from folding over. "You really think that Swirly-brow over there will help you get them together?"
Franky chuckled loudly along with Brook. "Sorry, but it's just too funny!"
Robin, however, had a slight frown on her face. "My apologies, Sniper-san, but I have to agree with Zoro and Franky."
"…I'll do it."
"See?" laughed Zoro, now punching his seat in hopes to control his mirth, "He said he'd- wait, what?"
The room went silent as all eyes found their way to the blond man who was, at this point, leaning against the side of the crow's nest, cigarette in hand. His expression was hard to read, but the tone he used when repeating what he said assured everyone that it was not a joke.
"I said I'll help."
"You will?" cried Usopp, eyes open wide at the total change in character that Sanji was showing.
"Do you want me to or not?"
"Wha?- of course I do!"
"Then stop making me repeat myself."
Zoro murmured something incoherent, causing Sanji to give him a quick glance of annoyance.
Robin, as if for the first time ever, faltered in her omniscient stare, yet just for a brief moment. Instead, a slight look of confusion and shock showed, only to vanish before anyone could make a comment out of it.
Not that anyone was paying attention to the ebony-haired woman, anyways.
"W-well, that's great!" cheered Usopp, posing heroically as Chopper marvelled at him.
"What do I have to do?" Sanji asked, pushing himself from the room's wall and walking over to the sharpshooter.
"Well," muttered Usopp, lowering his face to the ground as he made invisible patterns with his foot, "I was kinda hoping that you could help me with that…"
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"Are we all set?" asked Franky. The cyborg was positioned by the entrance to the kitchen, looking across the deck to an anxious looking Usopp.
"I dunno! Where's Sanji?" he asked, frowning slightly as he crossed his arms.
They had been waiting on deck for about half an hour now. Just after dinner, Sanji had told everyone, save for Nami and Luffy, that the plan was about to start and that they should all get into their respective places. Yet, he failed to mention what his plan actually was…
Zoro tapped his foot impatiently. "Tch, you'd think when that idiot was actually gonna do something helpful he would actually follow through."
"I HEARD THAT!"
The sound of Sanji's voice caught the attention of the six on deck. "Cook-san, is the plan ready?"
"YES, MY BEAUTIFUL ROBIN-CHWAN! EVEN THOUGH I'M ABOUT TO LOSE MY PRECIOUS NAMI-SWAN TO A BABBLING IDIOT, I WILL ALWAYS HAVE YOU, RIGHT?"
Zoro coughed awkwardly, although no one seemed to notice as they heard movement in front of them.
"Crap, it's Nee-san!" howled Franky, "It's so un-SUPER that she's here early!"
"We've gotta hide!" warned Chopper, who flew into the nearest bush in sight. "…Ouch."
Usopp face palmed, walking slowly to where the doctor was rubbing his sore head, a tear threatening to escape the animal's large eyes. The long-nosed man crouched down and looked around the deck; Zoro was with Robin behind a tree, Brook was hiding behind the stairs, Franky was trying to squish his large body into the kitchen chimney…
Usopp face palmed again.
And Sanji was just standing there?
"Oi Sanji!" called the sharpshooter, "What're you doing? You gotta hide!"
"Don't worry; I know what I'm doing."
At that moment, Nami walked onto deck to see Sanji staring back at her. She faltered in her approach to the cook, seeing that he wasn't going berserk like he usually would.
"Sanji-kun…" she frowned, "is something wrong?"
The man laughed bitterly at the innocent question. Taking the over-used cigarette out of his mouth and crushing it beneath his black boots, the man sighed loudly.
"…No, nothing's wrong. Not anymore."
The cartographer gave him a perplexed look, tugging her orange tresses behind her ear as she began to move forward again.
"Okay, I'll take you word for it."
A moment of silence filled the deck. Usopp grimaced, wondering where Sanji was going with this. He wasn't going to back out, was he?
"So, why did you ask me to meet you?"
That question pulled Sanji out of his thoughts. He laid his dark eyes on her maroon ones for a second or two, and quickly looked away, and chose to look beyond her instead.
"It hurts to do this, Nami-swan."
"…Do what?"
"I know how you feel…" he began, letting his jacket rustle softly in the gentle wind, "about Luffy, that is."
Nami merely stared back in apprehension. A frown formed on her lips, her eyes apologetic like her tone.
"You do?"
"Yes, and I'm okay with it."
"…You are?"
For the first time in what seemed like ages, Sanji greeted her comment with a loud grin.
"Uwah? What's going on? Why is everyone hiding?"
This comment broke the tension quick enough.
"AHAHAA, FRANKY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THE CHIMNEY?"
Luffy clutched his stomach as he laughed.
And as he did laugh, Usopp fell to the floor in total hysteria.
"Usopp…" growled Nami, embarrassment evident on her features, "GET OUT HERE NOW!"
"I'm too shocked to."
Zoro just rolled his eyes, walking onto deck as everyone else did. Chopper tried to drag the long-nosed man to the centre where Nami stood, hands on hips.
Sanji remained silent.
"What's going on?" asked Luffy, head tilted to one side.
"FOR THE LOVE OF-!" cried Usopp, jumping up into a standing position. The man stomped over to where his captain was, dragging a hand down his face in total and utter desperation. "JUST TELL HER ALREADY."
Luffy gave the boy a confused look for a few moments before realisation dawned on his face.
"Oi, Nami." he called, turning to face the speechless navigator.
She looked back at him, not daring to take her eyes off of his. Everyone was silent. Not even the sound of the wind could be heard at this point, Nami couldn't even hear the sound of-
"MARINES!" cried Sanji, running over to the side to kick an incoming cannonball.
Chopper paled as he looked towards a silent Usopp. "A-are you okay?"
THUD.
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The sky was dark; stars shone brightly, capturing the attention of the rubber-boy. He was positioned on the head of the Thousand Sunny, like always. The wind swept past him, causing his ebony locks to shuffle uncontrollably. His usual hat rest on his back, the only thing keeping it from being blown away an old and tattered string.
Ever since the whole Ace incident, Luffy had changed. His usual childish nature was still there, that was for sure, but he kept to himself at night, lost in thought as he looked up to the dark sea around him. He became more serious, too; not incredibly so, he was still a complete goofball at the most important of times, he still laughed and grinned and played with his fellow crew mates like the world was just one big game.
But deep inside he knew it wasn't.
He thought back to Impel Down.
A strange smile was on his face as he thought of his brother. Losing Ace showed him that he had to become stronger. He had to become stronger so he could protect the ones he loved. He had to become stronger so they don't have to go through the pain he went though.
His last thought made him think of Nami.
If he remembered correctly, she already went through the same thing. Arlong shot her mother right in front of her eyes and then took her from her loved ones, forcing her to work for him and only him.
Luffy frowned, clenching his hand into a fist as he thought back to how Nami was when she found out Arlong had deceived her.
She looked so utterly damaged; so broken.
He wouldn't let her, or any of his nakama, go through that kind of torture.
"Luffy?"
The sound of his name being called dragged the boy out of his thoughts. He didn't need to turn around to know who it was, and simply patted the space next to him.
Seeing this, Nami walked up to Sunny's head and pushed herself up.
They sat in silence for a while, both thinking about their individual matters.
A muffled sigh caused the boy to look at Nami, frowning slightly.
"What's wrong?"
"Huh? Oh, nothing."
"…You're a bad liar."
A nerve twanged in Nami's forehead. "That's rich coming from you!"
Luffy laughed, closing his eyes and leaning back slightly, hands behind his back to support his weight.
And Nami smiled too.
The silence continued for a few moments longer until Luffy finally spoke.
"What'cha thinking about?"
"What am I thinking about?" repeated Nami, turning to face the boy next to her. "I'm thinking about what an idiot you are."
"Oi!"
"You're taking way too long to confess to me." she reasoned, huffing and tilting her nose upwards.
"Wha-?" began Luffy, mouth ajar slightly as he thought of what to say, "That's not fair! I keep gettin' interrupted!"
"Pfft, excuses." she taunted, smiling widely at the boy's pouting face.
"Fine, I'll do it now then!" he declared, a grin replacing his frown in an instance.
Nami turned her body towards the boy, folding her arms delicately into one another as she waited.
"Nami," he began. Before continuing, he turned around to make sure they were alone. He glanced at the vast ocean in chance of spotting an incoming vessel. He even double checked the chimney to reassure himself that Franky didn't try to fit in there again.
"I love you."
At this, Nami grinned widely. She turned back to the dark sea, listening to the lapping waves which jostled the ship back and forth.
"Finally." she laughed, causing him to join in.
Nami rested her head on his shoulder, causing him to stiffen for a moment, only to relax and smile warmly. He chuckled and continued to look ahead.
"Luffy?"
"Hmm?"
"Come closer, would you?"
Luffy leaned further into Nami as instructed, only to be taken by surprise as she pecked his lips. It was a quick kiss; nothing more than a second or two.
But it still caused Luffy to grin uncontrollably.
"Guess that means you love me too?"
"You could say that."
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Usopp shot up from the bed, causing him to fall out onto the floor. "Ow."
"Oh, you're awake."
The sniper sat up, rubbing his head. Noticing who else was in the room, he tilted his head in confusion.
"What happened? he asked Chopper, who was sitting in his chair while sorting through his desk.
"You fainted, so we brought you in here."
"We?"
"Sanji and I."
Usopp looked to the other side of the sick bay, meeting eyes with the blond cook.
"Sanji! What have I told you about smoking in here?"
"Sorry, Chopper. I just came to check on him."
"How long was I out?"
"A couple hours. Everyone's waiting for you on deck."
"Really? Why?"
"They're having a party for Luffy and Nami-swan."
"Oh, I- WHAT?"
Sanji, started to walk out of the room. Usopp snapped back into his senses and followed the man out, all the while clutching his head from where he must have landed when fainting.
The party was in full swing. Zoro was chugging down the alcohol with a cola-drinking Franky, Robin was now talking to Chopper who followed after Usopp a few moments ago; Luffy was laughing merrily as Brook played an up-beat version of Bink's Sake, dancing with the orange haired navigator.
What a sight to see.
Nami was grinning widely, too, hands wrapped possessively around the boys neck, his hands on her waist. They span around the deck, barely missing the other crew members. Soon everyone joined in, including Usopp.
When the song was finished, Nami turned around and faced Usopp beckoning him to her. Gulping, the long-nosed man reluctantly made his way over to where she and Luffy stood. She raised a finger, silently commanding him to come closer, which made him sweat in horror of what she might do.
Was she mad at him for meddling in her love life?
"Thank you, Usopp."
Nami smiled warmly at the boy, and turned back to face the captain, who was staring at the sharpshooter.
"Oi, Usopp! You okay? Why'd ya faint before?"
The sniper merely laughed at the questions before joining in once more with the festivities.
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"So," Zoro began, turning to face the curly browed man next to him, "why'd ya do it?"
He was silent for a moment, taking a long drag of his cigarette before looking down to the deck below them.
It was late, and the straw hat crew had partied for hours on end in celebration of the bond of the navigator and her captain.
Franky had passed out after drinking too much cola, and lay atop of the table as he snored loudly. Brook was in the corner, protectively grasping his violin. Robin was on the opposite side, back against the railings with a book in hand as a sleeping Chopper relaxed in her lap. Usopp was sprawled out in the middle of the deck on his stomach, limbs outstretched as he breathed deeply.
The blond haired cook then moved his eyes over to the other two crew members; Luffy was fast asleep, arm protectively around Nami's waist. The navigator had her head on his chest, her left hand on his shoulder. A content smile adorned the captain's features as he snuggled her further into his chest.
At this, Sanji smiled widely, turning back to the green-haired first mate.
"I guess I'm just a sucker for romance. "