Chapter Text
Usopp was taken along with the other women. They all seemed to be nobles from wealthy families. There weren't only women from his island there.
“Now... why were they taking so many women? And where?”
When he arrived on the ship, he realized just how enormous it was inside—completely different from anything he had ever seen, much larger than the Sunny. The place was filled with soldiers the brunette couldn't identify.
When a few men wearing white lab coats appeared, his attention immediately shifted to them. One was tall and thin, while the other was shorter and wore glasses.
— I know many of you may be frightened, but don't worry, you're safe. We are doctors from Germa 66 — one of the scientists said.
“Ha... they said Germa 66. That can't be.”
The room filled with murmurs. Everyone seemed shocked to learn who had captured them.
Usopp looked around and saw the soldiers taking up positions, alert, as if they were ready to stop any escape attempt.
“I always thought Germa was just a legend... something the Marines made up to show off their power. But from the looks of it, I was wrong.”
— Calm down. Yes, you are here to serve the Vinsmoke family. That includes the four princes. Now, all of you will undergo a few simple and quick examinations.
The man gestured with his hand, and the soldiers immediately got to work, separating the women into lines. Each one was led in a different direction.
Usopp was assigned to Room Number Three.
There, they placed a yellow bracelet around his wrist.
— Remove your veil and step onto the scale — another man said without even looking at him.
Usopp did as he was told.
The man stared at him for a moment, confused, but said nothing. He called over another doctor, and the two began observing him more carefully.
As soon as he stepped off the scale, Usopp quickly grabbed his veil and covered his face again.
He stood still.
Motionless.
Waiting.
Hoping they wouldn't notice anything.
All he could hear were the two doctors whispering to each other.
— It looks like she's a male omega — one of them said.
— It doesn't matter. She's Kaya, and she's on the list — the other replied, checking a sheet of paper before continuing. — We'll need a blood sample as well.
— W-what!? ... I already had my checkup this week. That's not necessary... you know. — the sniper tried to talk the doctors out of it, but they didn't seem interested in discussing the matter.
A soldier entered the room and firmly grabbed the brunette to keep him still while the blood sample was taken.
— Easy... easy, I'm not gonna ruuuuun! — The man held Usopp's arm in place while the doctor prepared the syringe.
The needle was bigger than he had expected.
With tears in his eyes and his whole body trembling in fear, Usopp couldn't do anything. He couldn't even close his eyes when he felt the sharp prick in his arm.
— AAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!
After the examinations were finished, he was sent to his assigned room.
As soon as Usopp stepped through the door, he felt a slight ache in his chest. The room was filled with Kaya's belongings.
His eyes grew watery as the curly-haired sniper slowly walked inside, taking in the room before stopping by the bed and sitting down, staring at the things that belonged to his childhood friend.
He was so far from home... far from his friends, from Luffy, Nami, Chopper, Zoro, Robin, Brook, and Franky. All of them...
Would he ever be able to find them again? In the past... or wherever they were now?
How was he supposed to do that?
He was weak now. He didn't even have his skills or his tools. He was unarmed, trapped on an enemy ship.
He really had been a fool... thinking he could save someone.
Save Luffy.
The crew was probably better off without him.
Ever since he had joined the crew, he felt like he had never really contributed anything. He was always the one being dragged along.
Everyone had a role to play. Nami was an incredible navigator. Zoro was the swordsman and the captain's right-hand man. Chopper was the best doctor. Robin played an essential role in uncovering the mystery of the One Piece. Sanji was the greatest cook, not to mention his superhuman strength.
He...
He was just a liar.
Usopp clenched the fabric of the dress in his hands, wrinkling the linen.
Maybe they're even celebrating.
Just imagining his friends being happier without him made a sharp pain stab through his chest.
As his vision blurred, the first hot tears slipped from his eyes, staining the fabric.
The sniper couldn't hold back his crying anymore. Tears streamed endlessly down his face, and no matter how much he tried to wipe them away, his sobs only grew stronger.
Then he felt a jolt and heard the sound of the ship setting sail, pulling him back to the present.
Right...
He was here to find Sanji.
For some reason, Sanji was in this place.
He didn't have time to sit around feeling sorry for himself or crying like a loser.
That was why he had disguised himself as Kaya. Why he had faced the soldiers and put himself in danger. Even unarmed, he was still moving toward his crewmate's call.
For an invitation from the North Blue to reach Syrup Village, an island as remote as his, there had to be a reason.
Maybe this was Sanji's plan to bring them back together.
With that thought, Usopp wiped his face with the sleeve of the dress.
I have to get ready... in case I need to fight.
After all, I am a member of the Straw Hat crew.
Some time later.
Three days. Usopp had already spent three days aboard that ship. So far, everything seemed normal.
They were treated well, given meals three times a day, and subjected to regular medical examinations.
It didn't seem like anyone suspected him... not yet.
But he needed to be prepared.
The dark-haired man was sitting on the floor, surrounded by all the supplies he had managed to gather from the kitchen and during meals.
He had a few pepper bombs, some green beans, and two chewing gum bombs.
"Will this be enough?"
Usopp rested a hand on his chin, deep in thought, when he felt a sudden jolt. A moment later, he heard footsteps approaching down the corridor. Quickly, he hid his weapons inside a small pink shoulder bag.
He straightened up as the door burst open.
— Hmmpf!!
— You there, grab your clothes. We're taking you to the bathing hall, one of the soldiers said, accompanied by one of the doctors.
Usopp was escorted to a massive bathing room where several other women were already gathered.
He stood with his back turned, embarrassed by all the commotion around him.
"Damn it... I can't say anything suspicious, or they'll realize I'm lying."
— Hello, Miss Kaya. You need to wash up as well, a female doctor said as she approached him.
— Y-Yes... I will.
Usopp removed the dress but kept his undergarments on, splashing water over his back before quickly getting dressed again.
— There! I'm all clean now! he said, trying to imitate a feminine voice.
— Hey, you need to wash properly, the woman replied irritably.
— Umm... I already cleaned myself... I'm not dirty, Usopp said, raising his hands defensively.
— I didn't see you washing at all, the woman complained. — I know you're an omega from a very sheltered island, but—
Before she could finish, two women nearby started arguing over a bottle of perfume.
And Usopp took advantage of the distraction to disappear into the crowd.
.
.
.
.
— Whew! Good thing I managed to shake her off.
Usopp pulled the veil over his face and followed a group of young women heading toward the bow of the ship.
There, he spotted several important-looking figures. It was strange, but one of them immediately caught his attention.
"Donflamingo... what is he doing here? Does Sanji know about this? No way... he'd never work with scum like that."
Usopp had to fight the urge to grind his teeth in anger. He needed to stay unnoticed.
The group of women the sniper had joined was escorted into a large hall.
They were lined up in rows. Every young woman stood with her head lowered.
When the massive doors opened, three men walked inside.
They wore strange uniforms, but with the veil covering part of his vision, it was difficult to make out the details.
"I can't just stand around... I have to find Sanji."
Usopp began moving through the rows of women, searching for his friend.
Then he bumped into someone.
— Ouch... ow... damn it! — the sniper complained. It felt like he had just run into a wall. Looking down, all he could see was a pair of shoes.
When he looked up, he saw a curled eyebrow...
It had to be him.
— Sanji!
But he stopped abruptly.
The person standing in front of him wasn't the cook. It was a green-haired man with a cold stare.
— Huh?... Hey, why are you wearing a veil? Do you think you're getting married or something? the man asked with a grin.
Usopp was startled by how much he resembled his friend.
But the way he spoke was nothing like Sanji.
— N-No... it's a tradition on my island, the dark-haired man said, trying to force a higher-pitched voice while continuing to search for the blond.
— Really? How interesting! the green-haired man replied, stepping closer and startling Usopp even more.
— Your scent is awful... it's sour, he added with a look of disgust.
— What...? I...?
He had bathed that very morning. How could he possibly smell bad?
But he didn't have time to defend himself.
Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a familiar head of blond hair.
Sanji.
All the fear and stress he had been carrying for the past few days seemed to melt away at once.
His chest felt lighter.
"I found him... good. Now I just need to get closer.”
— Wait, the tall man said, grabbing his arm with a grip of steel that the curly-haired sniper couldn't break free from.
At that moment, Usopp felt his body freeze.
Should he have been more careful?
He didn't know what kind of situation Sanji was in.
"If he didn't use my name... maybe he doesn't want to reveal our connection to the enemy."
When the green-haired man turned to look in the direction Usopp had been staring, luckily another man—a redhead—walked in front of Sanji at that exact moment.
— Was it because of Ichiji...? he asked playfully.
His laugh was loud enough to catch the attention of a blue-haired man nearby.
— Hey... let go of me, Usopp pleaded.
Their scent was becoming too strong...
It made his body tremble.
— Why are you laughing, Yonji? the blue-haired man asked. He had curled eyebrows too. — You like this one? She smells sweet.
He crouched down until he was at eye level with Usopp.
— Me!?... No, Yonji replied, still laughing. — She smelled awful... until she saw Ichiji. Then she bloomed.
— Seriously? Wow... why are you dressed like a bride? Do you think this is a wedding or something? he mocked.
The two of them laughed.
"Damn it... what's wrong with these guys? I'm only wearing these ridiculous clothes as a disguise... I didn't even realize the veil was a bridal veil."
— She came here all excited to see Ichiji, Yonji said.
— Poor thing... of all people, Ichiji. She has no idea what's waiting for her. Look at the color of her bracelet, he said, still far too close to Usopp's face, twirling a strand of his hair between his fingers.
Yonji grabbed Usopp's hand and lifted his wrist. His hand looked tiny in Yonji's grasp.
— Look, Niji... she doesn't have an identification band.
— So, little bride... what color is your bracelet? Niji asked, letting go of the strand of hair.
— My bracelet... it was... — "Damn it..."
He couldn't remember the color of the bracelet that had been on his wrist. He had run away from the bathhouse and hadn't had time to get another one.
— Her hair is pretty — the green-haired prince said, running his fingers through the strands that weren't covered by the veil. — It's soft... smells nice... — the fourth prince said as he bent down and buried his nose in Usopp's hair.
— Y-You... stop that! Usopp shouted, embarrassed.
The green-haired man stepped back with a grin.
— Oh... she's feisty.
— Hear that? That's just for our beloved Ichiji.
The two of them laughed.
When Usopp tried to leave, Yonji grabbed him again, this time using both hands to pin his wrists in a firm grip.
Their scents became even more noticeable. They weren't overpowering, but they were persistent, irritating, making his nose itch as if something was wrong with the air itself.
The green-haired one's scent reminded him of cotton and sandalwood, but not in a pleasant way. It was dry and suffocating, like fabric that had been stored away for too long. The more he breathed it in, the heavier it felt, clinging to the back of his throat and becoming impossible to ignore.
The blue-haired one's scent was even worse.
It carried the salt of the sea, damp and invasive, mixed with green tea. But there was something strange underneath it—something electric, almost metallic. Every breath left a salty taste in his mouth.
— Yellow… Number Three! he blurted out, already getting dizzy from being shaken around like a rag doll.
But something told him that wasn't the answer they had been expecting.
The expressions on both of their faces turned serious.
— Yellow, huh... Yonji said, his expression darkening with irritation.
— What a shame... Niji replied.
But the two of them only exchanged glances for a moment... until a dark smile spread across both of their faces before they started dragging Usopp across the hall.
— Well... who cares what that bastard thinks anyway? — Yonji said.
— Ichiji, look what we found for you! — Niji called out. — She's even dressed like a bride... all ready for you.
The redhead stopped and looked in their direction. His gaze was colder, heavier than the other two's.
What had he gotten himself into...?
He was standing right in the middle of a minefield.
Where was Sanji, anyway?
By now, Usopp couldn't stop trembling. Being surrounded by the three men terrified him, and the aura they carried only made it worse—it made the back of his neck burn and his nose itch, as if the air itself had become too heavy to breathe.
The three alphas stood around Usopp, watching him as if he were a piece of meat.
— You know, I found her wandering around the hall... I couldn't wait for you — Yonji said.
— Waiting for me? — the redhead asked, looking Usopp up and down.
— Yeah... and when she saw you, she practically bloomed. Sweet scent and everything.
— She was waiting for you, Ichiji... so I guess you'll be taking her to your wedding night — Niji teased, putting on a sickeningly sweet voice.
“Wedding night!?” Usopp thought in horror. What exactly did they mean by that?
— No... I didn't know it was a bridal veil... — Usopp said nervously, sweat running down his temple.
Yonji crouched down to look beneath the veil, meeting the sniper's watery eyes.
A moment later, he straightened up with a mocking grin and nudged Ichiji.
— She's a beauty, you know. Don't waste any time — he said with a laugh, joined by Niji.
Damn it. He had to do something. Come on, Usopp, think.
His body was tense. There were three of them—it would be difficult to fight all at once. He desperately tried to come up with a plan to outsmart them.
Then Niji stepped closer and buried his nose against Usopp's neck, giving his backside a squeeze.
— Hurry up, dear brother, or I'll take her for myself.
The unexpected touch startled Usopp, and he let out a yelp as he jerked away from the blue-haired prince.
But his shoulders were immediately caught in Niji's grip. The man smiled near his neck, still sniffing his scent while the other two watched and Yonji laughed.
His body had already been tense, but now he could barely think with the rush of blood pounding in his ears. Out of everything Usopp had been through, this was one of the most distressing situations he had ever faced. He had no idea what to do.
He had to fight back.
The alpha's face was close beside his own. His lips moved near Usopp's ear beneath the veil.
— So, Ichiji, are we going to lift your bride's veil? She's been waiting for it.
— No... stop it! — Usopp protested, trying to reach into his bag and grab his Pop Greens.
Before he could, he was shoved.
When the redhead yanked the veil from his head, pulling out a few strands of hair in the process, it hurt.
Usopp stopped breathing.
Everything seemed to move in slow motion.
His heart pounded wildly in his chest, his eyes glossy with unshed tears.
He had been discovered... again. He couldn't go unnoticed even once.
— This is a man — the redhead said with a laugh. — Is this some kind of joke at my expense?
The other two princes burst into laughter.
— It's a long-nose! — Niji said between laughs. — Look at that... what genius thought this would go unnoticed?
The alphas laughed as they crowded around Usopp. Their closeness made it hard for him to breathe.
And then...
The brunet's eyes met Sanji's blue ones.
He was standing right behind them, leaning against a pillar, smoking—a look of shock frozen on his face.
He had been there the whole time.
He had seen everything.
Usopp felt the ground disappear beneath his feet. He was an embarrassment to his crew... he hadn't been able to stand up to the enemy.
Still staring into Sanji's widened eyes...
Something inside the sniper snapped.
Anger flared in his eyes like wildfire—
but before he could do anything, all that fury was interrupted by one swift move from Niji.
— Are you sure? You know... they couldn't have brought a man for the harem — he said, crouching beside Usopp and lifting his dress, peeking at the underwear beneath. — Hm... at least he's an omega. How interesting.
— Aah! — Usopp yelped, startled as he tried to pull the dress back down, not out of fear but embarrassment. He was wearing women's undergarments underneath.
The three laughed while Ichiji and Yonji mocked him. The other women backed away, frightened by the commotion, leaving him alone with the three princes.
— We should check underneath, shouldn't we? — Niji said, lightly running his fingers over the fabric of Usopp's panties. — There might be more surprises hidden down there... I'd be disappointed if there weren't.
— Don't touch me there! — Usopp shouted, punching Niji on the side of the head.
The laughter died instantly.
Usopp pulled his hand back because of the pain.
It was like punching iron. His hand turned red, throbbing painfully.
Then the blue-haired man slowly stood up...
A murderous look in his eyes.
— You bitch... — Niji said, his voice low and filled with irritation as he raised his hand. — I'm going to teach you your place.
— Aaaah! — the brunet screamed, throwing his arms up to protect himself.
But the punch never came.
When he opened his eyes, he found the blond standing beside him, blocking the strike with his foot.
A murmur spread throughout the room.
— ...
Usopp could only stare at the two of them, trembling with fear. He definitely would have died if that punch had landed.
— Move aside, Sanji — said the second prince.
— And if I don't... what are you going to do about it, Niji? — Sanji replied, straightening his posture and taking a drag from his cigarette.
— You miserable…
But the redhead cut them off.
— That's enough. This isn't the place for a fight.
His gaze shifted to Usopp, who was huddled between the other two princes.
— What color is your bracelet? — he asked coldly, sounding more irritated than impatient.
His aura made Usopp's body tremble and his breathing falter.
— Yellow... — he whispered. It was the most he could manage; their scent was terrifying.
— Good.
The redhead grabbed Usopp by the arm and shoved him toward Sanji.
— He's yours. Do whatever you want with him... he's even dressed like a bride for you — he said with open disdain.
— Sanji... — Usopp whispered, still pressed against the blond's chest.
But his voice died the moment he saw the look Sanji gave him.
The three princes left together.
— Good luck, little brother — Yonji said with a laugh.
As soon as they were out of sight, Usopp tried to pull away, but Sanji's grip on his arm was firm.
— Hey, Sanji... you can let go now... — Usopp tried, struggling against his friend's hold.
The blond man grabbed him by the arm and dragged him across the hall. Usopp could barely keep up with his pace.
The blond alpha only stopped once they reached an empty corridor.
— Sanji... who were those guys!?... you... — the brunet couldn't finish his sentence.
Usopp was thrown against the wall, a dull pain shooting through his back and knocking the air from his lungs.
— What the hell are you doing here?! — the blond growled, clearly irritated.
His eyes were just as cold as those of the other three men from before.