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Hearing Vivi's request, Ikki handed the compound bow to her with a smile.
Vivi took the bow and examined it carefully. After pulling the string a few times to get a feel for the tension, she skillfully nocked an arrow. Without spending much time aiming, she released the string.
Unlike Ikki's earlier attempt, Vivi's arrow struck the target with ease. Though it didn't hit the bullseye, it was still an impressive shot given the conditions.
Luffy, watching this, was immediately intrigued. "That looks fun! Let me try!"
Taking the bow from Vivi, Luffy gave it his best shot. However, his result mirrored Ikki's earlier attempt—complete failure. His arrow missed the target entirely.
As the crew laughed at Luffy's antics, Usopp stepped forward. "Let me give it a try!" he declared confidently.
Ikki handed the bow to Usopp, curious to see how the crew's sniper would perform. While Usopp was known for his slingshot skills, Ikki wondered how he would fare with a weapon designed for precision and lethality.
Usopp examined the compound bow carefully, testing its string and grip before nocking an arrow. The moment he drew the bowstring, his demeanor shifted.
Unlike the playful Usopp who wielded a slingshot, the Usopp holding the bow exuded a sense of calm, focus, and lethal intent. The transition was subtle but unmistakable.
Just as Usopp began aiming, the sea wind picked up, causing the waves to grow rougher. The floating target bobbed wildly, nearly submerging beneath the water at times.
Ikki observed the scene, certain that the shot would miss. The unpredictable waves, combined with the rocking of the Going Merry, made hitting the target nearly impossible.
But, to Ikki's surprise, Usopp held his ground. As if sensing the perfect moment, he released the arrow.
A sharp swish echoed through the air as the arrow sailed through the waves, piercing the bullseye with precision.
Ikki's eyes widened in amazement.
Luffy was equally impressed, stepping forward to slap Usopp on the back. "As expected of our sniper! That was amazing!"
Usopp, initially stunned by his own success, quickly regained his composure. Puffing out his chest, he boasted, "Hahahaha! I'm the great Sniper King, Usopp! Hitting a target at fifty meters? Easy! Even five hundred meters is nothing for me!"
Hearing Usopp's exaggerated claim, Ikki smirked and untied the rope securing the target. He moved it farther away, adjusting the distance to 100 meters.
"Let's see you back that up," Ikki said, pointing to the now-distant target. "Give it another shot."
Usopp hesitated. Hitting the target at 20 meters with rough waves was one thing, but at 100 meters, with the ship and target both swaying unpredictably, it felt like an impossible challenge.
Seeing Usopp's reluctance, Ikki reached into his belongings and pulled out a bamboo copter. Holding it up, he grinned. "How about this? If you can hit the target—not even the bullseye, just the target—I'll give you this bamboo copter."
Usopp's eyes sparkled with excitement. He'd been envious of the bamboo copter ever since he saw Luffy using it. The way it flew through the air seemed magical.
The problem? Ikki had taken it back from Luffy after just one use. Why? Because Luffy's chaotic nature meant the bamboo copter could easily cause the crew to get lost if left in his hands.
The reason it's never Luffy who gets lost isn't because he has a good sense of direction—it's because, in Luffy's mind, he doesn't get lost. If he can't find his companions, it's obvious to him that his unreliable friends are the ones who've wandered off!
Usopp couldn't resist the allure of the bamboo copter. He figured there was no harm in trying, even if it meant exposing his earlier boast.
This time, he adjusted his goggles seriously, signaling that he meant business. He nocked the arrow, steadied his stance, and began aiming with full concentration.
The commotion had drawn the attention of Sanji, Zoro, and Nami, who came over to watch. Seeing Usopp's focused expression, the group instinctively fell silent, even holding their breath.
Usopp was in the zone. His sharp eyes locked onto the target 100 meters away. He calculated the rhythm of the waves, gauging their rise and fall. Then, at the perfect moment, he released the string.
The arrow whistled through the air, cutting cleanly across the undulating sea.
All eyes turned to the target.
Ikki pulled out a telescope and aimed it at the distant mark. His heart raced as he saw the arrow lodged dead center in the bullseye.
The rest of the crew erupted in cheers, showering Usopp with praise for his exceptional sniping ability.
Ikki, however, had an idea—a bold and possibly reckless one.
As the applause died down, Ikki stepped forward and extended the rope even farther, setting the target at a daunting 500 meters away.
This caught Usopp off guard. He stared at the tiny black dot in the distance, then turned to Ikki in disbelief.
"You're not seriously expecting me to hit that, are you?!"
Five hundred meters wasn't just far—it was ridiculous. The target was barely visible, and the range of a standard compound bow couldn't even reach that distance.
Ikki smiled and removed the cross-shaped bracelet from his wrist. Handing it to Usopp, he said, "Try it with this."
Usopp accepted the bracelet, his curiosity piqued. It didn't look like anything special—just a simple accessory.
Noticing Usopp's doubt, Ikki instructed, "Put it on your wrist and imagine yourself holding a bow."
Usopp hesitated briefly but followed Ikki's instructions. As soon as he visualized a bow, a magnificent longbow, glowing with a radiant blue light, materialized in his hands.
Usopp's eyes lit up with awe.
"This bow," Ikki began to explain, "is called a quincy bow. It generates its own arrows and amplifies their power. Its range is incredible, but how far it can shoot depends entirely on the skill and control of the user."
Nami, recognizing the bow, gasped. "Wait a minute... Isn't that the same bow Ikki used to accidentally flatten half a mountain last time?"
At her words, everyone turned toward Ikki, who looked visibly uncomfortable.
Nami elaborated for the others, recalling the time Ikki had helped them with the Thousand-Year Dragon. While trying to demonstrate the bow, he'd misfired an arrow that obliterated a distant mountain.
It had been an impressive—but embarrassing—moment, cementing Ikki's reputation as someone clearly unsuited to ranged weapons.
Hearing Nami's remark, Usopp's enthusiasm grew. He gripped the bow tightly, excited by its potential.
For as long as he could remember, Usopp had struggled with feelings of inadequacy, hiding them beneath layers of bravado. Despite his outward confidence, he'd often doubted himself. But moments —holding an artifact with incredible power—ignited his determination.