Perona stood proudly before everyone, a confident smile gracing her face: "You've probably experienced how powerful these ghosts are, haven't you? They're all my clones! Heh heh heh heh~... This is as far as you go!"
Sanji's eyes widened, staring at Perona in shock, his mouth agape: "That annoying ghost manipulator is actually such a cute lady! How is this possible?"
Usopp, on the other hand, roared angrily at Sanji: "Now's not the time to discuss this! From the looks of it, Orochimaru definitely won't help us. If we encounter those ghosts, we'll be done for in an instant!"
Orochimaru slowly took a sip of tea, then calmly said: "Usopp is right, which is why I trust you very much, Usopp-san."
Usopp pointed at his face in horror, stammering: "You want me to deal with them?!"
Orochimaru smiled and nodded: "Usopp is quite strong."
Usopp scratched his head awkwardly and chuckled sheepishly: "Oh, it's nothing... If that's the case, then leave it to me... But... let's run first!!!"
Less than two seconds of happiness, he suddenly noticed a group of ghosts flying towards them. He quickly turned and ran with the others, his heart filled with fear.
Perona laughed and activated her ghosts, sending them swiftly towards the group. The ghosts instantly passed through the four people's bodies, then circled in the air before flying back to Perona's side, making a cute grimace (´•౪•`), looking very adorable.
Orochimaru sighed again: The Devil Fruits in the Pirate World are truly amazing! How wonderful it would be if I could research these Devil Fruits... Ghosts are also souls, right? Whose souls are they? I wonder if Perona can summon the souls of deceased humans? If so, perhaps I could borrow her ability from Moriah? However, this idea was quickly dismissed. No, no... Luffy and Garp are still alive.
(P.S. I've always believed that, at least in my story, Luffy and the others are the shackles on Orochimaru's humanity, holding his last bottom line as a human.)
Perona suddenly felt a chill, and she instinctively wrapped her clothes tighter, muttering to herself: "Strange, why did it suddenly get so cold? It must be because Kumashi isn't here."
Beside her, Orochimaru was recording with a picture transponder snail, looking quite intrigued.
ORZ. Sanji: My existence is less valuable than a mackerel... Wuwuwu.
ORZ. Franky: Yes, I really want to be trampled by wild dogs.
ORZ. Zoro: I'm truly sorry for walking on the same land as everyone else.
Usopp also subconsciously lay on the ground, listening to the dismal wails of the other three.
Perona summoned a group of zombies, waved her hand at the group, and turned to walk towards Orochimaru. She still liked the gloomy aura around Orochimaru. "Catch them... How boring. Orochimaru, it seems you've misjudged them. They can't possibly defeat me."
The zombies ran towards Zoro and the others. With a sharp cry from Usopp, "Scattershot Salt Star!!"
Lumps of salt were thrown into the mouths of the zombies, and screams erupted. Perona quickly turned around, only to see the zombies purified, black shadows emerging from their mouths.
"Who is it?!" Perona's voice was a little flustered.
Usopp stood up, gripping his giant slingshot, "I won't let you harm my Companions!"
Orochimaru held up the picture transponder snail and clapped like he was coaxing a child, "Go, Usopp... You're doing great, Usopp... Excellent, Usopp! And Perona, you go too!"
Usopp looked at Orochimaru speechlessly, "Whose side are you on?! Don't cheer for the enemy!! Why do you always come up with these strange trials?! And why do those enemies always get along so well with you?" Usopp finally couldn't hold back and kept complaining.
Orochimaru spread his hands, "Who told Garp to pick me up?"
"Picked up??" Usopp was a little surprised, but didn't pay it much mind, subconsciously replying, "Then I really have to thank Old Man Garp."
Perona watched the two people ignoring her and chatting amongst themselves, stomping her feet in anger: "Hey! Don't ignore me!! What trial?! What are you talking about?! And you, you sly fellow! Did you pretend to be hit?"
Perona angrily walked opposite Usopp, extending both hands, preparing to attack again: "Hmph, this time, I'll definitely finish you off!" A ghost quickly passed through Usopp's body, but Usopp only staggered for a moment before standing straight as if nothing had happened.
Perona looked at this scene in surprise, her heart filled with doubt and panic: "What's going on? Impossible! Why didn't you kneel like the others? You were clearly hit by the ghost, what method did you use?"
Usopp looked at Perona, a strange smile on his face, and said in a low voice: "Hehe, actually there's no special method... Because... I'm inherently a very pessimistic person!"
Upon hearing this, Perona's face instantly turned pale. Her eyes widened, and she shrieked in disbelief: "Eh!!!" As if struck by a massive blow, Perona fell backward, stumbling to sit beside Orochimaru, tears streaming down her face as she covered her mouth, unable to believe what was happening with Usopp.
"How can such a foolish thing exist... There shouldn't be anyone in this world who can withstand negative ghosts. As long as people are alive, they should be positive and move forward, but this man..." Perona muttered to herself, her eyes filled with incredulity and shock.
As time passed, Perona's emotions grew more agitated, and tears blurred her vision. She looked at Usopp, a complex emotion welling up in her heart. She felt as if she was seeing a pitiful person who had lost their desire for life.
Perona clenched her hands and shouted at Usopp: "You can do it!!!" Her voice was full of passion and encouragement, as if hoping to transmit her inner strength to Usopp through her shouts. A group of zombies also stood behind Perona, waving flags and chanting in unison: "Go! Go! Don't give up!" Their shouts echoed throughout the space, seemingly cheering Usopp on.
However, amidst all this commotion, Orochimaru remained remarkably calm. He turned his head, his shoulders constantly shaking, clearly trying to suppress his laughter. His expression was twisted, as if he was struggling to control his laughter, but in the end, he couldn't help but let out a low chuckle.
Usopp heard Orochimaru's laughter and immediately widened his eyes, a furious expression on his face. The shark-faced man roared at the group: "Don't encourage me!!! And Orochimaru! Were you secretly laughing?!"
(ㅍ_ㅍ) Orochimaru's expression instantly changed, returning to his calm demeanor, "No... you misread it."
Usopp turned to look at the three still kneeling on the ground, "Alright, you three, recover quickly! Go save Nami and Brook! You can't beat that woman! I'll handle her! I'll finish her quickly!"
The three looked up at Usopp's towering back, in disbelief, "What is this reliable feeling? It actually didn't work on him?"
No, the few of them suddenly realized, gnashing their teeth as they looked at the snake slowly sipping tea. That Orochimaru, he must have anticipated it, he deliberately wanted to see us make fools of ourselves! That insidious and cunning snake!! We should definitely catch him and beat him a hundred times!!! A hundred times!!! Even Sanji's mind was filled with this thought at that moment.
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