36 34. Promise With Luffy!
At the Sea restaurant Baratie,
Usopp strained to release Luffy's head from the pole,
But no matter how hard he tried, it was futile.
"Luffy, can't you save some snacks for yourself?"
Upon hearing about dim sum, Luffy's mouth couldn't help but water, and he inquired, "Snacks? Where can I get some?"
Usopp, squatting on the ground, gritted his teeth and muttered, "Hey!"
"What on earth are you daydreaming about!"
Just as Usopp was getting anxious, a voice suddenly whispered in his ear, "Use this."
And in an instant, a western sword appeared in Usopp's view.
"Thank you."
"Just the right sword to free Luffy."
Without hesitation, Usopp grasped the western sword.
Though he handled it with caution, he underestimated its sharpness!
With a mere flick, the boat pole cleanly split apart!
While Usopp marveled at the sword's edge,
Luffy, clutching his neck, yelped in pain, glaring and cursing, "Are you trying to off me!"
After apologizing, Usopp disregarded Luffy.
Turning with a smile, he intended to return the sword.
However, as Usopp caught sight of the sword's wielder, his smile froze, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
One stumbled and accidentally plunged into the sea.
Al stowed the sword back into his backpack, gazing oddly at Usopp, who was calling for help, and muttered,
"What's this guy so scared of? I don't look scary, do I?"
Upon realizing it was Al who rescued him, Luffy chuckled, saying, "Hey, I'm Luffy. Thanks for helping out."
"Hey, I'm Al. It was nothing, really," Al replied nonchalantly.
"What about your crewmate? Is he okay?"
Luffy followed Al's gesture, suddenly alarmed, and reached out to pull Usopp up.
"Usopp, you alright?"
Just as Luffy was about to shake Usopp awake, Usopp abruptly sat up, pointing behind Luffy, trembling with fear all over his body.
"Lu...Lu....Luffy, run!"
"What are you on about, Usopp? He drew his sword and saved me just now."
"He's my savior, um... well, sort of."
After pondering with a troubled expression, Luffy suddenly recalled something.
"Ah, right."
Luffy released Usopp and turned around, smiling, "Can I have a duel with you?"
Observing Luffy's innocent grin, Al shook his head, "No, let's save it for next time."
Al glanced at Nami, who was waving at him, and continued, "I must be off soon."
"Then would you care to join us on my ship?"
"Sorry, I've got my own pirate crew."
Luffy pouted, looking crestfallen, "You're no fun."
Observing Luffy's composure in front of this intimidating individual,
Usopp pushed through his fear, stood up, and pointed at Al, declaring,
"You're not plotting to off us, are you!"
Al paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, asking, "Why would you think that?"
"Isn't it obvious? Pirates meeting pirates usually means a showdown!"
"I'll have you know, I'm the captain of a band of 5,000 strong!"
Just as Usopp was about to continue, Al suddenly interrupted:
"What do you have that's worth me squaring off with you?"
Usopp was left speechless.
Upon careful consideration, what Al said seemed to ring true. Besides the Merry being valuable, they didn't really have any reason for Al to pick a fight with them.
Observing that Al harbored no ill will, Usopp breathed a sigh of relief and inquired again, "Then what's your aim?"
Al responded with a smile, without hesitation, "You could see it as the mutual draw between the strong and the strong."
As Usopp seemed inclined to say more, Luffy suddenly cut in impatiently, "Enough!"
"Usopp, that was rude of you."
"Luffy! I don't need you lecturing me!"
As it seemed the two were about to bicker, Al found himself chuckling along with them.
"Straw Hat Luffy, remember to have more gold and silver treasures ready for our next encounter."
Luffy chuckled lightly and boisterously declared, "Let's go! I'll be even stronger the next time we cross paths!"
"Deal."
"Alright, it's a deal."
The two exchanged smiles, but Usopp stood beside them, bewildered.
What's going on here?
And the significance of those few words would only become clear at their next meeting.
After Al and Luffy had an intense duel, Usopp suddenly had a realization.
But those were matters for another time.
After bidding farewell to Luffy and the rest, Al approached Tom.
Observing that Krieg had been thoroughly defeated, Al sneered, "Pathetic weakling. I gave you a chance, what a waste."
Observing Al's inexplicable chatter, Tom assumed he wanted to take a swing at the vile fellow too.
Grabbing an oversized mace from behind him, Tom raised his eyebrows and let out a wicked chuckle, offering it to Al.
Al paused for a moment, then chuckled helplessly.
Even with just his intuition, Al could discern why Tom harbored such animosity towards Krieg.
Perhaps Tom wasn't able to fully relish the duel with Hawkeye!
Thus, he redirected his resentment towards Krieg, who rudely interrupted the duel from the outset.
One could say that Krieg brought it upon himself!
But this turn of events didn't displease Al.
Tom would be deterred, and Al would gain EP, a double win.
However, Al declined the mace offered by Tom and instead sat aside, checking his EP.
[Received 9999 EP from Hawkeye]
[Received 6999 EP from Zoro]
[Received 4356 EP from Krieg]
[Received...]
[Received...]
After tangling with Krieg, Zoro, and Hawkeye, plus considering Arlong and the rest, alongside previously accrued EP, the total EP now stood at 106,590!
Without a moment's delay, Al promptly exchanged the crew summoning card from the system mall.
Then, he tossed the remaining EP into the lottery machine, aiming to rid himself of all the ill fortune!
As the lottery machine's tune played in his mind, Al activated the crew summoning card simultaneously!
----------
Read 15 chapters in advance in Patr*on: patr*on.com/Cosmic_Kaminari
