It was still the familiar appearance of Usopp's Green Vine Grapple Device.
The device materialized out of thin air and was immediately gripped in Usopp's hand. In the next moment, he swung it sharply.
In an instant, the device seemed to come alive—two thick vines shot out, rapidly coiling around Usopp's waist.
"Transform!!!"
With Usopp's shout, countless unknown plants surged out from the Green Vine Grapple Device, spreading wildly and racing across his entire body.
Each different plant moved like a living soldier, executing its own task.
At the same time, it was as if they were following a perfectly written program, precisely completing every step of a predetermined plan.
In the blink of an eye, Usopp—who had been wearing his rustic suspenders just moments ago—completed his first-stage transformation, entering Green Vine Grapple Device · Armor Mode!
Dark green armor woven from vines and leaves wrapped tightly around his body, like a deep forest clinging to his form, radiating a dense aura of nature.
The helmet on his head was formed from a bright plant stalk, shining vividly under the light like fresh summer leaves.
His long nose jutted forward like an extended branch, strikingly obvious and eye-catching.
At the same time, strange tubular structures appeared along all four of Usopp's limbs.
Each tube was wrapped and connected by fine plant roots, clearly serving some special function.
"This is…!?"
Seeing Usopp in this form for the first time, Red immediately showed a look of curiosity, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
He was genuinely shocked by what Usopp had suddenly revealed.
After all, in the pirate world, even a random container could be used as a transformation tool…
But for Usopp to completely redesign the Green Vine Grapple Device—originally meant for launching and storing ammunition and plant seeds—into something like this in just a few days…
Even Red couldn't help but feel amazed.
"Hehehe!"
Seeing the reaction he wanted on Red's face, Usopp grinned proudly beneath the hardened vine armor.
"It was thanks to your reminder last time, Red. It made me realize that the insect army is just one of my tools—not my entire strength!"
"So I seriously reflected over the past few days."
"And with Franky's help, I upgraded the Green Vine Grapple Device into this new combat configuration!"
"Right now, I'm scary strong!"
"So don't get too shocked later~"
Usopp joked casually.
Yet the pride in his voice was unmistakable.
Clearly, he was extremely satisfied with his current state.
"Oh?" Red raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly. "Then I'm really looking forward to it."
As he finished speaking, Red stepped back, leaving Usopp alone on the battlefield.
Across from them, Lorelei—sitting atop her Lapras and dressed in an office-style uniform with black stockings—finished delivering her scripted lines.
"As long as I use Ice-type Pokémon, no one can defeat me!"
"Since you still dare to challenge me even knowing that, prepare yourself for defeat!"
Step!
With a graceful leap, Lorelei jumped forward and pulled out a red-and-white Poké Ball.
The battle field instantly unfolded, enveloping the entire ice-covered arena.
Elite Four battles were nothing like Gym challenges with cheering crowds and heated atmosphere.
On the contrary—
Because the battlefield environment was fully tailored to the Elite Four member's Pokémon attributes, it placed tremendous pressure on challengers.
But for Red and Usopp, this pressure was nothing new.
From their humble beginnings in the East Blue, they had come a long way. Though the time seemed short, they had experienced far too much.
Even Usopp—the once cowardly, sneaky liar—had forged a unique aura of a true powerhouse.
"Then I choose you!"
"Go, Dewgong!"
A red beam of light shot down into the center of the battlefield.
In the next instant, a Pokémon covered in snow-white fur with a cute horn appeared before Red and Usopp.
It was one of Lorelei's signature Pokémon—
A Level 61 Water- and Ice-type Pokémon: Dewgong.
"Level 61, huh?"
"As expected of the Elite Four—pressure right from the start."
Although Dewgong's base stats weren't especially outstanding among Pokémon, it was still owned by one of the strongest Trainers in the world.
Its strength was absolutely not to be underestimated.
What's more—
Red glanced sideways at Usopp, who was only Level 45.
A full sixteen-level gap.
In a normal Pokémon battle, that would practically mean an instant knockout.
And yet, through sheer effort, luck, and grit, Usopp had forced his way into the ranks of the strong.
Even without those iconic scenes from the original timeline, he still shone brilliantly.
"Show me your strength, Usopp!"
Red took another step back, fully yielding the battlefield.
The battle was about to explode.
As an Elite Four member, Lorelei had no intention of holding back.
"Dewgong, use Hail!"
"Turn this place into your domain!"
"Rooaah~!"
The gentle-looking Dewgong let out a deep roar as icy-blue light flooded its eyes.
Terrifying frost energy gathered above the battlefield, rapidly forming frigid clouds.
Bang!
As the first hailstone smashed into the ground, the frozen arena instantly transformed into a raging snowstorm.
Countless hailstones rained down, clattering against Usopp's vine armor.
"A weather move?"
Red's eyes flashed.
"Be careful, Usopp!"
"The opponent likely has the hidden Ability Ice Body, allowing it to recover stamina continuously in hail!"
"So either break the weather, or defeat it in one decisive burst!"
"That's your only choice!"
Receiving the warning, Usopp raised a thumb toward Red through the vine-formed visor.
His gaze locked onto Dewgong.
"An opponent that can recover endlessly, huh…?"
He spoke in a low voice.
Then a meaningful grin spread across his face.
"In that case… let's test the real power of this configuration!"
"Dewgong! Use Ice Beam!!!"
Seeing the hailstorm fully formed, Lorelei immediately ordered an attack.
But before Dewgong could finish charging—
"Green Vine Grapple Device—Reconfigure!"
"Turret Mode!!!"
A surge of life-filled energy burst from Usopp's body and poured into the device.
The vine armor came alive once more. Thick vines writhed outward, piercing deep into the ice beneath the battlefield.
Usopp crouched down as his arms lifted high, the tubular ports on his limbs locking onto Dewgong.
In the blink of an eye, Green Vine Grapple Device · Turret Mode activated.
"What kind of move is this!?"
Lorelei frowned, but she didn't stop the attack.
Ice Beam fired.
At the same moment, Usopp roared:
"Finisher—High-Explosive Usoppgy Bomb!!!"
Hidden wooden hatches opened along his arms.
Two pitch-black shells snapped into the vine cannons.
BOOM!!!
Scorching flames erupted as the shells blasted forward.
Before colliding with the Ice Beam, Usopp detonated them midair.
BOOOOOOM—!!!!!
A massive explosion engulfed the battlefield, melting ice and snow in all directions.
Even Red and Lorelei were washed by the heat.
But Dewgong endured.
Lorelei shouted confidently:
"Impressive power!"
"But Ice-type energy perfectly counters your attacks!"
"Dewgong, keep firing!!!"
Ice Beam tore through the smoke once more.
"This battle ends here!"
She waved her hand.
But Usopp grinned.
"Oh? Is that really so?"
"Then try freezing this!!!"
Click—
Usopp slammed his arms together.
The cannons crossed diagonally.
"Super Finisher—High-Explosive Usoppgy Bomb—"
"Infinite Ammo System!!!"
BOOM!!!
Shell after shell erupted from the rotating vine cannons.
The battlefield transformed into a modern warzone.
Explosions roared endlessly.
With the Storage-Storage Fruit and the Green Vine Grapple Device working together, Usopp had turned himself into a walking ammunition depot—armed with fully automated firepower.
"What… what is this!?"
Lorelei froze in disbelief.
By the time she reacted, the bombardment had already lasted tens of seconds.
Over two hundred High-Explosive Usoppgy Bombs rained down.
Finally—
"Stop!!!"
"Dewgong has lost the ability to battle!!!"
Usopp immediately ceased fire.
As the smoke cleared, Dewgong lay at the edge of the battlefield, eyes spinning, body covered in burns and bruises.
The match was decided.
Usopp exhaled deeply.
"Phew…"
"Only used one-fiftieth of my High-Explosive Usoppgy Bomb reserves."
"But if even outdated ammo can shine like this…"
"Then it was worth it."
(End of Chapter)