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“Remind me again why I had to tag along with two idiots instead of doting on Nami and Robin?” the chef of the Straw Hats spat as he walked down the somewhat crowded street. Alongside him was the sniper, Usopp, and in front of them, a few feet away, was the captain, Monkey D. Luffy.
“Because,” Usopp groaned, “Nami and Robin are going shopping, Zoro left before we could stop him, Chopper and Franky are getting cola and supplies, and Jinbe and Brook are guarding the Sunny. In other words, we’re going to follow Luffy to make sure he doesn’t cause a riot before we’re restocked. Does that make sense?”
Sanji sighed, “Yeah yeah, look after the captain, whatever.” he lit another cigarette as they walked. The town they’d stopped in wasn’t anything special, so it’s not like the scenery could take away from the annoying task. Either way, he wasn’t about to let Nami or Robin down, so he may as well endure.
“Woah! Check it out!” their rubber captain shouted as he rushed forward.
“Hey, Luffy, wait up!” Usopp called out, quickly speeding up to keep him in his light of sight. Sanji quickly followed after them.
It wasn’t long before they caught up to him, barely winded. “What’s got you so worked up?” Usopp asked.
“Look!” Luffy exclaimed, spreading his arms to emphasize the space. In front of them was an open area with various stands set up in rows, similar to an open flea market. However, instead of a market, the stands were only displaying items. Items that piqued Usopp’s interest.
“Oh! It’s a gun show! I’ve never been to one of these before.”
“Really? They're awesome! Come on, let's go!” he was already running in before Sanji caught up.
Usopp nudged him a bit, “Looks like he's found something to entertain himself for a bit.”
“Yeah well, we'd better stick around to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid. Besides, it could be fun.” he took a drag of his cigarette, walking into the gun show with Usopp by his side.
Walking through the stalls there were many different kinds of weapons, all of which had the safe on and no ammunition nearby for viewers safety and peace of mind. A lot of different weapons the chef and sniper have never seen before. The ones that immediately stood out were Marine issued rifles*, on account of how often they'd seen them.
“Huh, I've never actually seen one of these up close.” Usopp commented, looking over the rifle displayed in a glass case. There were several iterations, as the design changed and evolved over the years. All of which were well maintained.
“I know right. Usually we're trying to run away from these things.” Sanji said.
The old woman behind the stall laughed. “Can't say I've ever seen pirates at one of our gun shows. First time for everything I guess.
Sanji smiled, “I guess so, mademoiselle.” turning on a bit of charm for the lady.
She laughed, “well aren't you a charmer. The name's Yori Hana, ex-Marine.”
This immediately put Usopp on edge. “Y-you’re not gonna turn us in, are you?” He stuttered.
She laughed again. “Those days are far behind me, but don't go causing trouble now, ya hear?”
“Anything for you, my dear,” Sanji said. “By the way, have you seen a guy in a straw hat run past?”
She perked up, “Oh yes, that lovely young man. Came through here not too long ago. I was very impressed with his knowledge on Marine infantry. He ran that way,” she pointed further into the stalls.
“Thank you very much. We'll be heading off but we'll swing by again.” Sanji assured.
“Take care of yourselves.” Hana said before going back to her paper.
They walked off, taking a moment to process her words. “She was impressed with Luffy's knowledge? That seems pretty far-fetched.” Usopp chuckled.
“Well his grandfather is a Marine Vice-Admiral. I wouldn't be surprised if he picked up a few things from him.” Sanji said.
“Huh, I guess you're ri-”
“NO WAY!” They both heard a familiar voice shouting in the distance.
“There he is.” they said in unison, quickly following the voice.
“I can't believe you actually have one! I thought they were still in development.” Luffy exclaimed, looking over the massive bazooka on display, which was easily twice as big as an adult.
The young man chuckled. “They are, but my dad works in R&D for the Marines. This is just one of the prototypes.”
“Wow, your dad is so cool.” he suddenly heard the sound of his two crew mates behind him. Turning around, his smile grew as he saw them. “Guys! Guys, check it out! This guy has an actual Eagle Launcher!* Isn't it awesome?” Luffy points at the large bazooka.
“Yeah, it's really impressive.” Usopp said, looking up at the weapon.” But isn't that a bit big for, well, anyone?”
The man laughed. “It's actually lighter than you'd think. It uses wapometal instead of standard steel or iron, making it easier to carry by a foot soldier.” To demonstrate, the man easily picked up the weapon with one arm. “See, even my scrawny arms can pick this thing up. Though, being able to fire it would require an amount of training.” he set it down.
“Wow, that's so cool! Thanks for bringing it!” Luffy said.
“Of course. Enjoy the other stalls.” He said as the three walked off.
As they walked, Usopp thought about what they'd seen. Luffy clearly knew at least a bit about Marine weapons. Maybe his grandfather really did teach him something. He'd ask Luffy about it.
“So Luf-”
“Woah! Is that a LAR Grizzly!?* I've only seen them in books. And that's a .44 caliber Flintlock Revolver!* And-” he gasped. “Is that a genuine M19 Bazooka?!*
“Yes sir, indeed.” The man in suspenders said. “This here rocket launcher only had two-thousand made before production was cancelled due to faulty wiring. It was supposed to be the latest and greatest for the time, but it never saw the battlefield.”
“Apparently there was something that caused them to explode after firing. It was nicknamed ‘The Jumper' after it caused a lot of soldiers to be launched into the sky.” Luffy said to his friends.
“That's right! You sure know your stuff, boy.”
Luffy grinned. “My grandpa's in the Marines. He knew I liked guns and stuff so he'd show some off when he visited.”
Usopp and Sanji looked at each other knowingly. So it was his grandfather.
“Well I'm somewhat of a collector myself. I go by Simon Pennybottom, and I procure only the rarest of rare weapons ever developed. Feel free to browse, but no touching.” He said.
Luffy gave his word he wouldn't.
The man's stall was larger than the others they'd been to, most likely due to the sheer amount he had. He didn't just have guns and bazookas, but swords, spears and hammers as well.
Luffy looked like a kid in a candy store.
“Usopp, look! This model of pistol was used when I saw your dad.” He said, pointing at the flintlock* hung up on the wall.
“Woah, really?” he explained, amazed to see the weapon his father preferred. “Wait, how are you so sure?” He questioned.
“Oh I know all the guns on Shanks' crew.” He pointed to the barrel. “You can tell from the barrel being about six inches long with a flared muzzle. He once shot an apple from across town using it. It was awesome!”
Usopp tried to picture his dad doing something that cool, and in his head it was spectacular.
As they went through the stall, Usopp and Sanji noticed a connection forming in their heads.
“That's a 1611 pistol!*”
Pistol.
“Benn used a rifle like this!”
Rifle.
“That’s a Ruger Redhawk!*”
Redhawk!?
“Wait, Luffy.” Sanji asked, stopping Luffy’s explanation. “Aren’t all your attacks named after guns?”
“Yeah! ‘My fists are as strong as a pistol!’ I used to say that all the time as a kid, and I trained to make sure they were.” Luffy said, extending his arm.
“I’d say they’re faster than a pistol,” Usopp chuckled.
“Huh, who knew our captain was a gun nut. That along with beetles.” He shivered slightly at the thought of those creepy crawlies.
“There used to be a yearly gun show back in Foosha Village. I’ve seen a lot of different weapons, and I’d create awesome attacks based on them! Maybe here, I’ll see something I haven’t seen before and I can think of an awesome new special move!”
Sanji chuckled, Maybe, Luffy. Maybe.”
“Luffy, check this one out!” they heard Usopp call out.
Luffy gasped, “Is that a GAU-19 Gatling Gun!” he said, running to look at it.
Sanji shook his head, smiling. His captain sure was full of surprises.
THE END.