[Scene starts]
On the Red Force, Yasopp stands near the ship’s railing, staring out at the horizon. The gentle sway of the ship feels like a reminder of the distance between him and the family he left behind. The Red-Haired Pirates are preparing to leave Wano after the great battle, and Yasopp finds himself on the verge of something he’s been avoiding for years: returning to his son, Usopp.
Shanks approaches Yasopp, his usual carefree smile softened with understanding.
Shanks:
grinning, but with a hint of sympathy
"Yasopp... it’s almost time, huh?"
Yasopp:
turning to look at Shanks, his expression conflicted
"Yeah, I guess it is. Feels strange, you know? All this time, I’ve told myself I’d return, but when it’s actually happening... it doesn’t feel real."
Shanks places a hand on Yasopp’s shoulder, a gesture of both reassurance and understanding.
Shanks:
"You’ve been carrying this weight for a long time. It’s not easy... being away from the people you love, and then coming back after all these years. But Usopp’s grown, Yasopp. He’s not the same kid you left behind."
Yasopp gazes out over the ocean, the weight of his thoughts heavy in his heart. He knows the words Shanks speaks are true, but the thought of seeing his son again, after all the pain and separation, fills him with a mixture of hope and dread.
Yasopp:
"How do I face him, Shanks? How do I explain everything? I left him when he needed me the most... he was just a kid. And now, after everything he’s been through, I’m supposed to show up like nothing happened? I don’t even know where to start."
Shanks smiles warmly.
Shanks:
"Yasopp, you don’t need to have all the answers. Just be honest. That’s all you need to do. Usopp’s grown into a strong man, and he’ll understand. But he needs to see you... he needs to know you care. That’s more than enough."
Yasopp nods slowly, his heart heavy with the truth of Shanks’ words. But he can’t shake the fear that maybe, despite everything, Usopp won’t forgive him. The guilt has gnawed at him for years, and now, as the time to confront it draws near, it feels almost impossible to bear.
Yasopp (softly):
"You think... you think he’ll be able to forgive me?"
Shanks looks at him with a knowing smile.
Shanks:
"That’s something only you and Usopp can figure out. But I think you’ll both be alright. You’ve both been through a lot, but you’re still family. And that’s what matters."
Yasopp gives a small smile, appreciating the comfort from his captain, but he still feels the uncertainty gnawing at him. The next morning, as the Red Force sets sail from Wano, Yasopp stands at the bow, eyes scanning the horizon. His thoughts are consumed with what awaits him back in the land of the living, where his son’s dreams and his own past collide.
[Scene transitions to Wano’s capital]
The Straw Hats are celebrating, the city alive with energy. Usopp, however, is standing off to the side, looking conflicted. He’s watching the festivities, but there’s a sadness that he can’t shake. He’s lost in thought, waiting for something... something he can’t quite name.
And then, in the distance, he spots a figure emerging through the crowd. Usopp’s heart stops, his pulse racing. His eyes narrow, focusing on the figure in the distance. The silhouette is unmistakable—Sogeking. The figure is wearing a yellow mask with blue accents, a crimson red cape fluttering behind them, and a giant slingshot—the same one Usopp had during the Enies Lobby arc—hanging from their back. The familiar stance, the confident air... it’s unmistakably the Sogeking he once knew. But there’s something different. Something... more.
The crew erupts into cheers, but Usopp stands frozen. His mouth goes dry, and his eyes lock onto the figure. He takes a deep breath, his heart beating out of his chest as he watches Sogeking make his way toward them.
[Sogeking’s arrival and interaction with Usopp]
Sogeking steps forward, his presence commanding attention. The crew celebrates, but Usopp’s heart races. His mind is a whirlwind of emotions. He knows—he knows deep down who is standing before him. The figure stops just a few feet away from Usopp. The crowd still cheers, but to Usopp, everything has gone silent.
There, in front of him, stands Sogeking, but with something more. His mask, yellow with blue accents, gleams under the sun, and his red cape flows in the wind. The Black Kabuto, Usopp’s own weapon, rests casually on Sogeking’s back, a familiar but foreign sight. The heroic air is unmistakable, but this time, there’s an eerie sense of familiarity. Usopp’s heart races, and his grip tightens on his own Black Kabuto.
Usopp forces a smile, pretending to be excited, though his emotions are tumultuous inside. His mind is racing—this is his father, he knows it. But he can’t allow himself to react. Not yet.
Usopp (loud enough for the crew to hear, but softer to himself):
"S-Sogeking! You came back...!"
He grins widely, trying to keep his voice steady, but the tremor of disbelief is there. He forces the excitement, though inside, his heart is a storm. The figure before him is wearing the mask of his childhood hero, and yet… Usopp knows the truth. He knows this is his father, Yasopp.
Sogeking looks directly at Usopp, stepping closer. His posture is confident, even a little smug. The others continue to cheer, but for Usopp, it feels like time slows.
Sogeking (in a deep, heroic voice):
"Did you think I’d abandon you? Of course I came back! I never forget a promise, Usopp! I’ll always be your greatest ally!"
Luffy and Chopper cheer loudly, rushing over to Sogeking.
Luffy:
"YAY! SOGEKING IS BACK! We finally get to see you again!!"
Chopper:
"Yay!! We’ve all missed you, Sogeking!! You’re the coolest!"
The others, watching from the sidelines, react in different ways:
Jinbei (warily):
eyes narrowing, scanning Sogeking closely
"Something about this doesn’t feel quite right. This person... Sogeking, you say? Are you sure?"
Nami (squinting suspiciously):
"His voice sounds familiar, but... something’s off about him. Why do I feel like I’ve seen that mask somewhere before?"
Franky (fist in the air, grinning):
"WOAH! The greatest sniper in the world! The legendary Sogeking has come back to save us all!! What a man!!"
Zoro (with a shrug, unimpressed):
crossing his arms, glancing at Sogeking
"He’s got the hero entrance down, I’ll give him that. But something’s off. He feels... familiar, though. I’m not sure why."
Robin (with a slight frown, eyes narrowing in thought):
"He’s certainly familiar, but something is different. Usopp... why is he acting like that? It’s almost like he already knows."
Sanji (looking at Sogeking with narrowed eyes):
eyes narrowing as he observes closely
"Something feels... wrong. It’s like he’s hiding something. But Usopp seems fine, so maybe I’m overthinking it."
Sanji glances at Usopp, but can’t shake the feeling that something’s off about the situation.
Brook, meanwhile, stands off to the side, feeling a chill in the air. His bones rattle slightly, and his grin fades. He senses something deeper.
Brook (in a quiet, thoughtful tone):
his voice carrying the weight of something intangible
"I don’t know what it is, but... I sense... a sadness. A deep, unspoken sorrow in both Sogeking and Usopp’s souls. It’s like... they're both hiding something. A pain they can't escape."
Everyone looks at Brook with confusion, but Usopp's gaze shifts, just briefly, toward the musician. Brook’s words cut through him like a knife, and for a moment, he nearly breaks down. But he catches himself.
[Sogeking speaks to Usopp more intimately]
Sogeking’s voice softens, lowering as if to speak directly to Usopp, away from the celebrations. Usopp feels the weight of his words.
Sogeking (in a quieter tone):
"You’ve grown strong, Usopp. Stronger than I ever was. I’ve watched you from afar, and I’m proud of the man you’ve become. I know you’ll be the greatest sniper... just like your old man."
Usopp’s heart stops for a moment, but he keeps his face neutral, his hand gripping Black Kabuto tightly. The words hit him harder than he could have anticipated. His mind spins, his throat tightens, but he doesn’t let it show. He can’t.
The world around him continues on, but Usopp feels as though he’s the only one there, with Sogeking, with his father. But he stays silent, swallowing down the lump in his throat, pretending that nothing is wrong. He can’t let the crew see. He can’t let Sogeking know that he knows.
Usopp (forcing a grin):
"Yeah... You’re right, Sogeking. I’m gonna be the greatest sniper ever!"
Sogeking gives a final, solemn salute, his voice booming once more as he turns away.
Sogeking (with a touch of finality):
"You’ve got this, Usopp. Don’t forget that. I’m always watching, just like the great Sogeking should be."
With those words, Sogeking turns and begins to walk away, leaving the crowd still cheering. Usopp watches as Sogeking disappears into the festivities, the pain and joy both too much to bear. He clenches his fist around Black Kabuto, willing himself to hold back the tears.
[Scene transitions: Yasopp aboard the Red Force]
Back aboard the Red Force, the ship sails away from Wano. Yasopp stands on the deck, looking out at the fading island behind them. His mind is heavy with the encounter—how it felt to see Usopp again, but also the ache of knowing they still can’t be together the way they both long for. The future ahead is uncertain, but Yasopp’s thoughts turn to Elbaf, the land of the giants—the place where Usopp has dreamed of going. He wonders if that will be where they can finally have their reunion. The moment when he and his son will truly become the brave warriors they both want to be.
Shanks walks up beside him, offering a comforting presence as always.
Shanks:
"How did it go, Yasopp?"
Yasopp turns to look at Shanks, his expression a mixture of exhaustion and quiet relief.
Yasopp:
"It was... everything I expected, and nothing like I imagined. Usopp’s grown into a fine man, a true warrior. But it’s not over yet. I know there’s more we need to say to each other. One day, we’ll have the chance to face everything... together. Maybe in Elbaf... where Usopp can be the warrior he’s always dreamed of being."
Shanks nods, understanding Yasopp’s unspoken pain.
Shanks:
"One day. But for now... you did the right thing. You gave him what he needed."
Yasopp gazes out at the sea again, the weight of his past and the hope for the future hanging heavy on his shoulders. He knows that his journey is far from over. The path to reuniting with Usopp is long, but he believes in his son—he believes in the warrior Usopp has become.
[Scene ends]
As the Red Force sails into the open sea, Yasopp watches the island of Wano disappear in the distance. The future is uncertain, but one thing is clear—his journey to reunite with his son is not finished. He knows that when the time is right, they will meet again, and it will be their moment to share their stories and their pain. Until then, Yasopp stands by his captain, Shanks, looking toward the horizon with a sense of quiet hope.