Chapter Text
He wasn't sure how long it had been. The days had begun bleeding into each other after the first week, the lack of windows and irregular sleep allowed by the guards did not help either with trying to keep up.
He was only allowed small rations of food, a big change from the five to six regular meals he was used to from Sanji back on the Sunny.
Guards and marines, it changed every now and then who would interrogate him and beat him. He wasn't even sure what wounds were bleeding what blood. Or where one bruise ended and the next began, all of them in different stages of healing and some new forming.
Usopp tried to form some saliva to clean some of the blood on his tongue away, but his lack of hydration was making it harder than he had the energy to exhaust.
The handcuffs were as tight as ever in his lap, the digging of the metal in his wrists so familiar he barely felt it. Only wincing when the wounds from under the thick metal opened when he moved. The marines had obviously not cared to make the metal smooth, just thick and secure so not to break easily.
A chain hung in the middle of the cuffs, dangling down a little where it was secured tightly to the floor.
His long nose was broken, maybe a rib or two as well and two of his fingers on the right hand.
The pain from those injuries was nothing, he was more worried if the fingers healed wrong that he couldn’t hold his slingshot properly. If he couldn’t paint or write or tinker anymore, it was his dominant hand after all. He had to ask Chopper if the thin fingerbones could handle a re-breaking to set them right.
Usopp felt some dread bubble up. If he was not able to snipe properly would he have to leave the crew? He had spent two years away from everyone, would they even miss him if he ended his journey early? ‘Fuck.’ He thought, anxiety making his spin crawl and simmer with fear of the future.
The prisoner had his eyes closed, willing his anxiety away as best he could. Usopp quickly learned having his eyes open was just exerting energy anyways. If he was not eating, being interrogated, violently beaten or shitting, there was no reason to be awake or particularly alert. The prison dungeon was dark anyways, perfect for sleep.
A rattling, soft sigh escaped his dry and raw throat, the last beating only an hour ago had left him crying so hard he lost his voice from screaming.
They wanted to know Luffy’s whereabouts, weaknesses, the crew’s weaknesses, allies and enemies and all that jack. Usopp hasn't cracked though, no doubt in his determination and trust in his crew even for a second, despite being so scared he was going to piss himself the first dozen beatings.
Now though, he was less scared of them. The pain had become pretty familiar. The throbbing pain was almost comfortable since it made him feel something other than numb. He counted his heartbeats in the silence and rubbed his cold toes against the fabric of his socks, they had taken his shoes. Usopp momentarily wondered if they were going to break his toes or ankles next, the thought of that did make him shiver in fear though.
He had all the trust in the world that his crew would save him, that he would be safe with them again. He just hoped they would hurry their asses up. Sitting on a cold stone floor was only so comfortable before you couldn’t feel your ass anymore.
He was still counting his heartbeats, one-fifty-two, one-fifty-three, one-fifty-fou—wait.
Usopp zoned more into reality at a new noise, when ships docked against the metal harbor connected to the marine base it wasnt that loud, nor was any door heavy enough to make that sort of loud slam. He then heard the sound of a handful of marines running in sync, the patter of their feet growing closer and closer to his cell. He dared open his right eye a crack, looking out between the metal bars.
Six marines had stopped by the cell door, one of them stepping forward to unlock the door. Weird, normally they were only one person to come torture him, three people tops.
As the gate opened, two marines carrying rifles on their backs walked up to him, they both grabbed each of his arms and quickly pulled him to his feet. Usopp winced in pain, a deep grunting sound from his chest escaping him since he didn’t have his voice anymore.
His chain was unlocked from the floor and they pulled hard on the chain to make him move with them, this was the first time he had been out of the cell in… well he didn’t even know how long.
He opened his mouth to try and ask what was happening, if he was being transferred, but he was unable to.
They walked fast with no regard for his exhaustion and pain. His ribs throbbed and let out a searing pain with each step, he couldn’t fill his lungs as they burned when he tried to breathe in a little deeper. He felt some of the cuts on his body open up as warm blood began to run down against his cold skin.
The stone halls of the prison area after some time walking turned to metal halls, looking more military like. Door after door with numbers or writing for whatever officer was stationed here.
Usopp had to try and escape, this was his first time not locked behind bars or being chained in place to the floor. He was a Strawhat! Goddammit . He might be the most pathetic member still, but he was not going to go out without a fight.
The sniper assessed the situation, two in front, two beside him and two behind him. This was going to be tough, hand to hand combat was more Luffy or Sanji’s strength (or was Sanji foot to hand?) whatever.
The marine on the left in the front had his chain end in his hand, looking closer with his sharp eyes he noticed the hold was a little slack. The fingers not curled around the metal chain as hard as he could.
Over the last two years Usopp had gained muscle mass and gotten stronger physically as well. Despite his imprisonment that had not changed much, except his darker skin had lost its normal sun kissed glow and he had gotten thinner from starvation. Usopp knew he could rip the chain from the marine’s hand, so he did.
Usopp clenched his fists together, ignoring the pain in his broken fingers and yanked.
The marine let out a startled gasp. But before they could try and maneuver their rifles from their backs to their hands Usopp had gritted his teeth and swung the chain like he was mad. The metal of the chain was thick and dense as well as one hit in the face with the thing was an instant knockout. Four of them went down, the fifth was hit across his neck and was struggling painfully for air on the floor, the sixth had stood behind him and managed to avoid the chain swing.
The marine and the sniper now stood face to face six feet apart in a stare down. Usopp clutched the end attached to his handcuffs in his uninjured hand for better movement, the marine had pulled out his rifle now aiming it at the Strawhat, a very slight shake of his hands around the weapon. Usopp noticed this as well, ah fear.
Even if Usopp didn’t have a bounty the Strawhat pirates did have a reputation. Usopp tried making his face more rough, staring unflinching at the Marine as he took a very small step forward, just to test.
The marine took a big step backwards, success.
Usopp tried to clear his voice to speak, he had to do this, fake it till you make it, his speciality. The throat clearing came out like a scratchy growl and the man tensed at it, hands shaking more.
“You r- eally don’t wanna do this…” Usopp said, voice tough and breaking halfway on a word. He took another step forward, tightening his grip on the metal.
The marine took aim “G-Get on the floor, dirty S—Strawhat!” He yelled but it came out high and scared. Usopp almost felt bad for the guy, what a rookie.
“My crew is going to storm this p- lace ,” Usopp said, trying to ignore how painful talking was “we have eight thoudsand allies ready to st- orm this place to save me…” he walked closer and the marine looked so scared he didn’t even dare to move back, as his rifle lowered a bit.
One step more and the chain was long enough to reach.
“They a-already did.” The marine said, sounding defeated. “What?” Usopp said, surprised, his fake-crazy attitude now gone.
“W-What?” The marine said, grabbing his rifle more firmly but Usopp slung the chain as hard as he could as he took a leap.
A gunshot rang out just as the metal impacted against the face.
Usopp froze, new pain blooming in his stomach. He already knew what it was, clenching his eyes tight before daring to look down. His hands were shaking like crazy, the blood soaked metal rattling in the now quiet hall.
The metal had pinched the man’s face when it had hit him so now a piece of flesh was stuck between the links. Usopp didn’t dare move his eyes further up the hall to the marine.
Taking a shallow breath he moved his eyes further down to his abdomen. ‘Oh great’ he thought bitterly, staring at the gunshot in the left side of his stomach currently oozing blood.
“Fuck, fucking shit.” He wheezed out as he dropped to his knees, he grabbed the white shirt of one of the passed out marines and pulled it off their body to try and stop the blood. Then noticed the damn keys .
Usopp prayed to whatever gods there might be to please fit in the lock of his cuffs. He struggled for a few seconds before it got in the hole and a little click sounded out. The first feeling of relief in his brain in a long time washed over him as the heavy cuffs dropped to the ground below.
Both his wrists had broad cut up wounds, dried blood and bruises from the rough material, but it didn’t even phase him. Next he grabbed the shirt again in his good hand, standing up on shaking legs.
Usopp looked around his bare surroundings ‘Okay. Think, think.’ He thought hazily, bringing the cloth to his stomach as hard as he could, luckily the bullet hadn’t gone all the way through so he was bleeding out his back too.
‘He said the others were here, I need to find them.’ Usopp began to walk up the hall away from the marines, socked feet dragging as he held himself against the wall with the arm he didn’t use for his wound.
Usopp entered a door labeled ‘SHIP MAINTENANCE’ if Sunny was here, it would be at the docking area, if he remembered right from when he was brought here so long ago. This hall was even colder and his body tensed up, and then slacked. His arm with the cloth became even more weak as more blood seeped out.
He had to get there, they were waiting for him.
There was a sliver of what he was sure was sun at the end, and fresh air.
‘They’re waiting for me, they came to get me, I need to…’
Usopp collapsed against the wall, sliding to the floor.
•
Luffy was mowing down marines like it was nothing, flinging them out of his way, breaking their noses and jaws. His voice booming down every hall he could find.
“Usopp!!!!!!” He yelled again and again, opening every door he came across.
Robin was by his side, running while duplicating her eyes in as many places she could looking for the younger man.
Suddenly she stopped “Wait! Captain!” She called out, a worried quirk in her brow. Luffy stopped in his track whipping his head around so fast his rubber neck snapped against itself.
“I found him, he's down a hall towards the ship area. Marine soldiers are approaching him.” The pirate captain nodded and followed his archeologist.
As they ran Robin located all the crew members, relaying Usopp’s whereabouts to them all and what she could see of his broken and bloody condition.
Sanji kicked a marine so hard several ribs broke under the pressure, before making his way.
Zoro cut down several doors and sped there (obviously in the wrong direction.)
Franky was stationed by the Sunny, protecting the ship from marines who might try to make their way to the dock, a worried look on his face at the news.
Chopper was running as fast as he could with his walk point, a million thought through his head as he imagined Usopp’s injuries.
Brook began making way to the stairs, cutting down several enemies.
Nami zapped a group of armed marines with her thunder and began running too, an anxious gnaw of her lip.
•
Sanji was the first there, his strong and fast legs doing him good when he had to hurry.
Usopp’s body was a little in the distance as he made his way along the hall Robin had told them about. The body of his friend was sitting lifeless on the floor, back along the wall and head slumped over. Sweat began to form on his back as anxiety began to build, Usopp wasn't responding to his steps, he wasn't even sure if the younger man was breathing looking at his chest.
The cook came to a skidding halt taking a moment to look at him properly now. Usopp had looked worse physically, especially after Alabasta, but the amount of blood was the most worrying. He crouched down and picked up Usopp’s head in his hands.
“Hey, hey Usopp! Wake up, wake up man!” He yelled, smacking the bruised cheek softly.
No response.
Sanji looked down and spotted a previously white fabric, then noticed the (now blood stained) blue ‘MARINE’ logo. ‘He went down fighting.’ Crossed the blonde’s mind.
He brought a hand to the soppy fabric lifting it a bit as the wound was still bleeding below it, bleeding meant life. Looking closer Usopp’s chest was lifting very shallowly and slowly.
Sanji pulled off his black suit jacket and then his undershirt, quickly replacing the old soaked white fabric with new soft pink.
“Come on, come on, Usopp.” He heard steps further ahead, Marines, a dozen of them.
“Hands up!” They yelled, aiming rifles at them.
Sanji gave them the dirties look he could as he increased the pressure on the wound.
“Forget it!” He yelled back, cigarette smoke coming out his nose like an angry bull.
Another marine opened his mouth to throw out another order but was quickly interrupted as Robin, Nami and Luffy mowed them down.
Nami knocks some out by hitting them with the clima-tact. Robin duplicated her arms to grab and choked some out as Luffy smacked the rest down with a hard, wide, rubbery swing.
Sanji gives the women a dreamy smile before getting back on track. “He needs help, he’s bleeding badly.” His voice having a little shake but quickly recovers. “Where is Chopper?” He asks frantically, feeling the blood seep through the shirt and into the palms of his hands.
“I’m here now!” They hear a young voice from the other end of the hall.” The animal is speeding down to them like a house on fire and comes to a stop, not even pausing to take a breath before shoving Sanji away to assess Usopp.
He lifts the cloth with his hooves as Sanji shrugs the black jacket on, over his white tank top.
The doctor takes a quick look at the wound before cutting a piece of the overalls away to show the hole better, then fishing out some better thick gauze to cover the bullet wound for now.
“He needs to be back on Sunny immediately so I can treat him better, he needs to be sewn up also he needs blood and liquids as well.” Chopper commands, they all nod to him.
Luffy looks to Robin “Where is Brook and Zoro?” Robin takes a moment to use her duplicated eyes “Brook ran into Zoro who was going the wrong way, they will be here momentarily.”
Luffy instructs Chopper to use his heavy point to carry Usopp’s body and to begin moving to the ship. “Tell them we are leaving, now.” He tells her, a fire in his eyes as he looks at the bloody and beaten teen. Robin nods and duplicates her mouth to wherever the two men were to speak.
Nami sighs as they run.
“What a mess.”