This recommendation is centered around Usopp because his speech in the last part of the fanfic makes me cry every time. It truly encapsulates Usopp's role in relation to Luffy and highlights his true purpose in the crew. While I could quote Usopp’s speech verbatim, I feel that wouldn’t do it justice; it’s best to read the entire story from the beginning. However, I often revisit the fic just to experience that final part again. The story has received a lot of kudos, so I’m sure many people have read “Synthesis” by @kbstories . It moves me to tears each time. Usopp really knows how to deliver an impactful speech. You should definitely check it out!
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
My fiance and I were blabbing about potential one piece movie ideas last night and I'm obsessed with this one idea and I know it will never happen but FUCK I wish it would. So basically the premise is its a normal fantastical high stakes adventure for the strawhats, that doesn't change. Plot beats don't change either. But, the twist is its all from usopps perspective. Not like literal looking theough his eyes, but focused on him, and his experience. Generally as a character he notices everything, it's his job to be the sniper, and that paired with anxiety makes usopp hyper aware of his surroundings, the crew members, and where they're at. Idk if you guys have noticed, but unless he's super into a hobby or something he's doing for fun, he's super aware of everyone and their emotional state, safety, his environment etc. That's part of why he's scared all the time, he's very risk aware. So the movie would be showcasing that basically. You would see his strategy options he debates and why, the things he notices about crew members, and get a good look at his internal workings and his perspective of his crew members and their capabilities. And because he values them highly, it will end up having these moments of appreciation when he's observing their strengths. But the story would be his perspective, his experience as he's running around, his thought process and concerns for others that motivate his behavior etc. It wouldn't jump to other characters, just show his story. And after my fiance was done describing the opening scene and its cool details(I won't even try, he did it so beautifully and I can't recreate it) I was like "wait, so are we basically describing 'the zeppo' buffy episode but just usopp instead of Xander as a premise?" And he was like, "oh my God, yes. That's the one where the world is ending but we just follow Xander around and see his highjinx and emotional journey of recognizing his value right?" "Yes, and by the end he doesn't need other people to see his value, or know his experience because he sees it himself and that's good enough." Anyways I'm obsessed with this idea now and desperately wish it would be a real movie. Usopp is such an undervalued character and his scenes are framed as comedic even when he's really cool. This could break that form(slightly, it would still be fun but he wouldn't be comedic releif) and also could showcase characters like nami and chopper as well. Usopp sees their value as well and I don't think namis fights in this would be reduced to just using thunderbolt tempo etc.
…and Zoro uses the Hana Arashi/Nosestorm nickname on Usopp. Especially as a term of endearment or when Usopp is in angst mode. and he needs the team's comfort and encouragement. And Zoro showcases comfort and encouragement in his own way by uttering that nickname alone. The authors of such fanfics seem to include this as an inside joke shared between the swordsman and sniper; a moment that Usopp looks at in embarrassment, but a moment that Zoro acknowledges fondly.
I think it gives insight into their relationship and dynamic wonderfully.
It's endearing and sweet. I'd like for this to happen canonically. Like, for real. Like, Zoro just utters it in one scene out of nowhere and Usopp's face gets read in utter embarrassment. Everyone else is clueless, but Zoro just chuckles to himself with a smirk. Or maybe it's in a moment of fear when Usopp risks his life or something.
As I've said in previous posts, I definitely do think that they both wholeheartedly trust in each other's abilities and strengths.
A funny Reddit post I found in MemePiece board/thread.
Here’s a fanfic that showcases what I’m talking about.
A Rant About Fandom and Agenda Piece in One Piece Fanfiction
Disclaimer: This is just my personal opinion about how Usopp is often written in fanfiction. Everyone is free to write what they want, and this isn’t meant to police anyone’s creativity. That said, I wanted to vent some frustrations I’ve had with how certain aspects of Usopp's character are handled. If you’re a fan of Usopp and care about balanced portrayals, this might resonate with you.
A recurring issue I have with Usopp in One Piece fanfiction is how his lying is often portrayed as a negative trait that needs to be "fixed," while the other Straw Hats are rarely called out or "fixed" themselves. I love Usopp angst and enjoy Usopp-centric fics, but I struggle with Water 7 introspectives that depict him as being entirely alone, tearing himself down as if he's the only one with flaws, while the rest of the crew is portrayed as perfectly fine (when they are just as flawed). I also can’t stand fics where the author “calls him out” in hurt-no-comfort scenarios.
Everyone is free to write what they want, but I can’t get into Usopp angst unless he’s treated with dignity, validated, and there’s genuine hope by the end. Especially when Water 7 is brought up, there’s certain wording that needs to be handled carefully. Terms like “wrong,” “weak,” “sorry,” “jealous,” and “deserved it” shouldn’t be overemphasized or even included unless the point is to show how warped Usopp’s self-perception is. His lying doesn’t need to be changed unless the rest of the crew is held to the same standard. He’s a liar—so what? Luffy brought him aboard fully aware of this, and Usopp’s never hidden it; he’s even been upfront about it with Luffy, Nami, and Zoro, openly calling himself a liar.
What really bothers me in fanfiction is when authors claim to be fans of Usopp but then put him through unnecessary hardships or make him apologize for things he doesn’t need to. It often feels like they’re trying to paint him as the only flawed member of the crew, while the other Straw Hats' problematic behavior goes unchecked. This “Agenda Piece” approach frustrates me, because it’s far easier to accept Usopp for who he is than to try and change him just because he isn’t as “perfect” as the others.
If you’re going to write Usopp, please be clear about whose side you’re on. That doesn’t mean antagonizing the other characters, but if you're going to explore these dynamics, do it in a way that’s balanced and respectful. I had to get this off my chest after coming across some problematic Usopp fanfics recently—it’s motivated me to update my own stories.
I enjoyed this newly published Usopp-centric one-shot found on AO3
The fic is titled, I’ll Do What You Can’t! by AlwaysFanfiction.
Please give it a read. I had an absolute ball. It depicts Usopp in a sniper battle and it’s bad AF. He’s protecting his loved ones and does a d*mn good job!
Fic found here.
(I’ll ask the author if they’re here on Tumblr to guarantee I’ve given them enough credit of course 😄)
Head High | Chapter 23 excerpt (not yet published)
4 years ago
“Please take care of her,” Sanji said to the 13-year-old boys. “I’m trusting you both.”
Zoro nodded to emphasize Sanji’s words to both Luffy and Usopp. “That means no fights.”
Usopp nodded immediately. “You don’t have to worry about me.”
Sanji let out a snort. “Trouble seems to follow you everywhere. You need to lie low.”
Usopp frowned with an affronted “hey!”.
Zoro pointedly looked at Luffy. “You need to remain calm,” he said sternly. “Yes, you wanna be an MMA fighter, but you can do better. Leave the fighting in the ring, especially when you start to train.”
Luffy was too busy looking at Usopp with a guardian stare to give Zoro’s words a response.
Zoro frowned. How bad was the bullying? Sure, a couple fights in middle school were expected but Luffy’s facial expression was…off. He did mention and admit that Usopp was getting bullied and he’d, of course, intervened each time, but…how many times?
Either way, Luffy eventually snapped out of it and smiled at Zoro with a nod. “You can trust us!” He said a bit too cheerfully. “No need to worry!”
The green-haired teen sighed. That wasn’t reassuring at all. He looked at Usopp. “You better make sure he doesn’t do dumb shit,” Zoro said pointing at Luffy but his gaze still on Usopp.
Usopp shook his head in frustration. “Do you think that’s easy?”
Sanji took a dum-dum from his pocket and proceeded to open the wrapper before sticking it in his mouth. He looked at Luffy. Something was knowing in the blonde-haired boy’s eyes. At least it looked that way to Zoro.
“Luffy,” Sanji said seriously. “Please don’t make it hard for Nami-swan and Usopp.” Sanji put his hand in his pockets. He didn’t look 15 years old at that moment. “We won’t be here to get any of you out of trouble…just cool it, okay?”
Sanji then met Zoro’s eyes. “Do you think we can trust them?” The blonde asked.
For both 15-year-olds, Marine training was a bit much for 2nd-year high school students. Yes, it was mandatory and a regulation that most schools had to follow in the country of Marilandia. But…how could it be so effective if it was taking two weeks out of a teen’s life to just disrupt their daily routine? Sanji and Zoro had thought it was their only option when they opted for it during their entrance exams. And they ultimately forgot that Athletic Day could count for a credit, and the Marine training could be saved for when they were of age, which was when they graduated from high school. But Sanji and Zoro realized all of that too late. So, mandated High school Marine training it was.
“It’s gonna have to be okay,” Zoro replied to Sanji’s question. “Nami is strong too.”
“But they gotta keep her safe,” Sanji stressed. “She lives alone and– “
“We’ll keep her safe,” Usopp reassured. “Worst case scenario, I’ll even make sure Heracles keeps an eye on her…it’s not that different from what he already does.”
Luffy threw an arm around Usopp’s shoulder and nodded eagerly. Almost too quickly. “Yep. Nami will be safe and sound!”
Yet, as both Sanji and Zoro nodded in acceptance at the two tween’s words, no one ever expected what would happen eventually. As confident as Usopp was, and Luffy’s wholehearted expressions of “no need to worry!”, they both didn’t consider how hasty actions brought trouble. Intentionally or not.
Well, the best thing was to simply leave it to a higher power.
