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  Coby imagined Nami and Vivi in those clothes, and yeah, they'd definitely look stunning. Same went for dancer clothes too, but that wasn’t the issue. He objected for two reasons: first, they wouldn’t blend in at all—way too spicuous. And sed, revealing too much skin uhe scorg sun wasn’t smart. Nami and Vivi were his womehers gawk and burn with jealousy if they dared, but not when they would get hurt for it.

  As they browsed through the market, Nami held up a few more outfits, debatiween colors and styles. “This one or this one?” she asked, holding up a red top and a green one.

  Vivi smiled, weighing in. “I think the red suits you better. It’s bolder.”

  Coby smirked. “Go with the red, Nami. It’ll turn heads.”

  Nami chuckled, knowing that Coby’s flirty ent wasn’t just for fun. He knew how to get under her skin, and she secretly loved it. She tossed the red top into their growing pile of clothes, satisfied with her choice.

  After they picked out what they hey paid the vendor auro the rendezvous point. The boys were waiting, and Coby handed over the new clothes. Only Luffy was missing—probably already off meeting with Ace.

  As the guys ged into their new outfits, Zoro noticed a group of Marines moving around the market, clearly on patrol. He g Coby. “Looks like trouble might be close.”

  Coby nodded, keeping an eye on the Marines. “Usopp, that’s your cue. Time to hand over Mr. 5 and Mr. 3 to Smoker's crew.”

  Usopp sighed, his shoulders slumping. “Why is it always me with this stuff? Last time, I had to deal with Captain Kuro, and now this?”

  Nami shot him a look. “You’re the best at this kind of thing, Usopp. Just make it quick.”

  Coby added, “Smoker’s not here, but Tashigi is. You’ve got this. Just remember—Mr. 3 and Mr. 5 are Baroque Works agents. Their bounties are frozen because they’re w for a Shichibukai. Make sure you tell her that. If she wants them, she’ll have to pay.”

  Usopp took a deep breath, noddiantly. “Alright, but are you sure Smoker didn’t spot me in Loguetown, Coby?”

  Coby reassured him with a grin. “He didn’t see you, Usopp. Yood. Just go.”

  With that, Usopp steeled himself and made his way over to the Marirying to look as fident as possible. He approached Tashigi, who was busy anizing her squad.

  “Excuse me, Lieutenant Tashigi,” Usopp called out, drawitention.

  Tashigi turned, her eyes narrowing as she reized Usopp from somewhere but couldn’t quite pce him. “Yes? I help you?”

  Usopp cleared his throat. “I, uh, might have some information you’d be ied in. I’ve got two Baroque Works agents—Mr. 3 and Mr. 5. They’re Shichibukai underlings, so their bounties are frozen, but I’m willing to iate a deal.”

  Tashigi raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “You’re telling me you’ve captured higher-ranked agents from Baroque Works?”

  Usopp nodded quickly. “Yeah. If you’re ied, I’d like to discuss the terms. Maybe we work something out.”

  Tashigi sidered his offer for a moment, then nodded. “Alright. e with me. I’ll take you to Captain Smoker. He’ll want to hear this himself.”

  Usopp’s nerves fred up again, but he kept his cool, following Tashigi through the streets toward the make-shift Marine base. As they walked, he gnced back at the crew, who gave him encing nods from a distance.

  “Remember,” Coby had said earlier, “if they want the agents, they pay up. No freebies.”

  As they were walking, they saw Smoker ahead, chasing after Luffy. Usopp khat Luffy would definitely reveal his cover if he got too close, so he turned away, trying to blend into the crowd.

  "Tashigi! Catch Straw Hat Luffy!" Smoker yelled from ahead.

  Tashigi responded instantly, drawing her bde and moving swiftly to intercept Luffy, who had just jumped off a shop tent and onto a nearby rooftop. Smoker was about to follow when Ace suddenly appeared in front of him, blog his path.

  From a distance, uttered, "System, I want that fire ability."

  [Skill S initiated on 'Mera Mera no Mi'. Analysis in progress… The Mera Mera no Mi grants the user trol over fire, enabling both offensive and defensive maneuvers. The fruit's power includes full elemental transformation, widespread destru capabilities, and intangibility. Due to the preheure of this fruit's abilities, the estimated cost for acquisition is 333,333 SP. Please firm if you wish to proceed with the Skill S and acquisition.]

  Seeing the price, Coby cursed under his breath, "So fug expensive."

  He focused on one specific ability, narrowing down his choice.

  [Skill S initiated on 'Hiken (Fire Fist)'. Analysis in progress… This teique involves geing and ung a massive fist of fire with destructive force. As a singur offensive move derived from the Mera Mera no Mi, the estimated cost for acquisition is 20,000 SP. Take he power of the attack is depe on Host's power. Please firm if you wish to proceed with the Skill S and acquisition.]

  Coby sidered his options, thinking quickly. Before he could decide, the situation with Luffy and Smoker escated.

  Ace smirked, blog Smoker's jutte with his arm, his skin igniting with fmes. "You're not toug my little brother," Ace said, his voice calm but deadly serious. Fmes danced around his body as Smoker tried to push past him, but it was useless—Ace’s logia powers celed out his.

  After a tense few seds, Smred at Ace, who stood calmly, his body flickering with fmes. Finally, Smrunted and turned away, frustration clear in his movements. Ace watched him go before heading off, probably to meet with Luffy.

  Tashigi, who had been standing by, immediately approached Smoker. "Captain Smoker," she begaone serious. "One of the bounty hunters... He cims to have captured two Baroque Works agents, Mr. 3 and Mr. 5."

  Smoker’s eyes narrowed, his expression darkening. "Where is he?" he demanded.

  Tashigi led Smoker to where Usopp was standing, looking nervous as hell but trying his best to keep it together. When Smoker appeared in front of him, t over him, Usopp felt his heart race. But he knew he had to py this right, or things could get ugly.

  Smoker's voice was low, dangerous. "You’re telling me you captured Baroque Works agents?"

  Usopp gulped, trying to muster up some ce. "Yeah, that’s right!" He straightened up, puffing out his chest a bit. "I huhem down all by myself!"

  Smoker stared at him for a moment, clearly skeptical. "You’ve got guts, hunting down underlings of a Shichibukai. They are basically gover agents," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

  Usopp, sensing that he o talk before loosing his nerve, quickly answered, "I don’t care what they are! To me, they’re just criminals causing trouble. And I heard you were ied in Baroque Works agents, so I thought, why n them in? But of course, I expee reward for my efforts!"

  Smoker studied him, his expression unreadable. Usopp could feel the sweat dripping down his back as he waited for Smoker’s response. Finally, Smoker let out a low growl. "If you’re lying, I’ll have you locked up for wasting my time. But if you’re telling the truth… we’ll talk about your reward."

  Usopp nodded quickly, eager to get out of this situation with his skin intact. "I’m telling the truth! Just… just follow me, and I’ll show you where they are."

  Smnaled for a few Mario follow, and Usopp led them through the streets of Nanohana, praying that everything would go smoothly. He knew he was good at lying when he was scared—hell, that’s when he was at his best. But fag Smoker was a whole different level of terrifying.

  As they approached the location where Mr. 3 and Mr. 5 were tied up, Usopp turo Smoker with a fident grin. "There they are, Captain. Just as I said."

  Smoker eyed the two unscious Baroque Works agents, his gaze flig back to Usopp. "You really did catch them… Impressive." His tone suggested that he was still unsure whether to believe Usopp’s story, but the proof was right in front of him.

  Usopp chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, you know, just doing my part to up the Grand Line!"

  Tashigi ied the two prisoners, firming their identities. "Captain, it’s defihem," she reported, standing up.

  Smoker crossed his arms, finally giving Usopp a nod. "Alright. We’ll take them off your hands. And as for that reward… I’ll make sure you get what’s due."

  Usopp exhaled in relief, trying to keep his cool. "Thanks, Captain Smoker. I appreciate it." Inside, he was cheering, gd to have pulled off the bluff.

  As the Marines hauled away Mr. 3 and Mr. 5, Usopp quickly excused himself, eager to get back to the crew ahem about his success.

  Meanwhile, Smoker turo Tashigi. "Keep an eye on these pirates. There’s moing ohahe eye."

  Tashigi nodded, uanding the seriousness of the situation. "Yes, Captain."

  --

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