Chapter Text
Franky was explaining his latest invention that he was working on but Usopp had tuned out a while ago. His focus was, instead, on the little girl at the end of the road. The two had tagged along with Sanji to do the shopping since the cook needed more help than usual to carry the supplies. Well, Franky was there to help carry. Usopp only came with because he had nothing to do and this was the best choice. Now, as his eyes locked with the little girl’s, he wished he had stayed on the Sunny.
There was nothing that caused this girl to stand out, really. She was a short little tyke with light brown hair pulled into long pigtails and a really adorable overall dress and pink t-shirt. The child looked like all the other ones here, but something told him that she was different. Her brown eyes bore into his own almost demandingly. Usopp had to force back a shudder, not over exaggerating like he usually did. He was a coward and a scaredy cat, don’t get him wrong. The fake “illnesses” and exaggerated reactions were more of a mask, however. Usopp knew what to do to make people underestimate him and, while he was nothing to sneeze at, it worked.
The girl started forward and Usopp flinched inwardly. He knew he had to deal with this or she’d bug him the entire time he was on the island. Hopefully, she wouldn’t spread word about what he could do. Usopp sprouted off some lame excuse to Sanji and Franky, interrupting Franky’s detailed explanation, and darted away. The pair didn’t try to stop him and he quickly found himself on the edge of town near the forest. The little girl had followed, a disturbingly serious look on her face. Now that he was alone, her form flickered every now and then. The sweet little girl image switched to a gray and dripping wet form. Despair filled Usopp and he sat heavily on a stump.
“Here I was hoping you were an island spirit.” Usopp muttered, trying to ignore the chills her second form gave him.
It wasn’t until Usopp left his island that he realized he ate a devil fruit. Before, he never needed to swim, in fact he didn’t actually know how to. And the spirits on his island were very easy to mistake for villagers. None of them talked to him and that was normal for villagers to do. Cocoyashi village was the first time a spirit approached him. Lucky for him, it was an island spirit who could explain things.
“So you are the new holder of the Seishin Seishin No Mi.” The woman said, the sleeve of her kimono hiding her mouth. Her form flickered between this and one where a mask covered her right eye.
“Who are you?” Usopp squeaked, backed up against a tree in fear. She’d gotten him alone during the party.
“You may call me Conomi. I am the spirit of these islands.” The woman said, amused.
Conomi calmed him down and explained everything. She helped him remember the moment he accidentally and unknowingly ate a devil fruit. More specifically, the Seishin Seishin No Mi or the Spirit Spirit Fruit. He could see and interact with spirits of all kinds. That included island, nature, animal, and human spirits. The only spirits who couldn’t talk were those of the dearly departed. Well, the peaceful ones. Usopp’s eyebrow twitched as he remembered the one demonic spirit he’d come across. Thankfully he was alone when he did and the Island spirit had been nearby to help. Chopper had been so confused when Usopp came back to the ship covered in injuries.
The little girl moved, bringing Usopp back to the present. She sat cross legged in front of Usopp and broke her serious facade with a tentative smile. He couldn’t help but to smile back.
“Is there anything you need me to do?” Usopp asked and she shook her head. “You just want to sit here?” A nod.
Usopp looked at her sadly. She was just lonely. The other spirits of the island must ignore her or something. After a moment of silence, Usopp launched into a tale of how he beat an army of eight million men with a cup and a transponder snail.
--------------------------
The sun had set by the time Usopp finished regaling the little girl with tails of imaginary feats. He regretfully had to stop and return to the ship before the others worried. Part of him wondered if they would. As he walked back, he kicked a pebble with a considering frown. Zoro was still upset with him after that stunt on Water 7 and Usopp didn’t blame the loyal swordsman. He knew Nami and Sanji were often annoyed by him, Robin never seemed to care much. Chopper liked his stories and thought he was cool but was always busy lately with his doctor stuff. And while Franky loved having an inventor buddy, Usopp never forgot how the cyborg had sent his family after him and the memory stuck with him in the cycle of recurring nightmares.
Luffy was probably the only one who would miss him. Part of Usopp wanted to think that Luffy had everyone else to make him happy but he knew his captain was protective, and possessive, of his crew. Usopp sighed, looking up. The ship wasn’t far now. It’s lights lit up the harbor and he could her the ramboncous crew from where he was. He stopped there, looking towards the ship with unease filling his insides.
Usopp had many secrets, too many. The devil fruit was only one in a mountain and something told him that he wouldn’t be able to keep the quiet for much longer. When they start falling into the open, Usopp thought sourly, how long until his new family decide they’re better off without him.
“~Usopp!~” Luffy’s voice tore Usopp from his melancholy thoughts. The captain was standing on the railing, his hands cupped around his mouth to make his yell louder. “Dinner’s ready and Sanji won’t let us eat without you!”
Usopp smiled, starting for the ship in a run. Those were problems for future Usopp.
...
That future was closer than he knew.