“Oi Zoro, you'd better not wander off, we have to get to the Sunny together.”

The green-haired man just yawned and ignored him as he headed to a store to order some sake.

Usopp was preparing to follow him when he realised who the pink haired girl was. He turned around and they finally exchanged a glance. If I don't say anything she might not recognize me.... He thought.

Eeehh!? Depressed nose? Just my luck to find you here.

Orrrrr maybe not...

"Oh you, if you think I'll let you try anything suspicious before our long awaited meeting" , he uttered as he lightly readied his weapon.

"HAAA!? Suspicious?" retorted Perona. “Boy are they ungrateful,” he swung his umbrella to rise to the other's height. “If it wasn't for me the angry seaweed couldn't have made it to this island even being teleported back!” she stressed pouting.

But Usopp was already acclimatized to this kind of confrontation with her so he stayed in the same place, without stepping back; the only thing that changed was his semblance, analyzing her words. Seaweed? Zoro... You led Zoro??? How?

“Because we ended up on the same island you dumbass!” She stuck out her tongue but didn't try to summon her ghosts just yet. Attracting attention wasn't the goal right now.

“Ohhh I see, in that case how lucky that you were there,” the dark-haired man grinned.

Huh? That's strange, the pink-haired girl thought. She couldn't remember seeing him smile like that.

As Perona processed the last line, Usopp spun around as he no longer felt his crewmate's presence. He immediately ran and in the background she could see him dragging the other a little into his range of vision again.

At such a scene she couldn't help but let out a giggle. Apparently she wasn't the only one who could scold the swordsman for his crappy orientation.

“I already told you to let go of me” . Zoro grumbled.

“You should at least say goodbye before you get lost baaaaka,” she teased.

“Yes Zoro, you should thank her and we should get going.”

“Like I couldn't have done it on my own.” Reluctantly the taller one replied. Finding a raised eyebrow on his so-called friend's face.

“Tsk, whatever, let's go.” He turned to address the girl. “You be careful too.” He then began his own route.

Usopp was ready to pick up the pace right after the swordsman when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

Strange...

This time it was tangible.

The hand withdrew as quickly as it was placed and instead he only noticed how the ghost princess turned her index fingers. Did she have anything else to say?

She stared at him.

"Oi, I should follow him so I don't lose him. Really thank you for that..."

“Are you still immune?” it seemed more of a rhetorical question but the sharpshooter heard it anyway.

Eh eh?

She wasted no more time and from her right hand she summoned one of her smaller ghosts and pierced hin in the stomach in the blink of an eye. Usopp hunched over in surprise. Perona moved closer to observe the result. Her body tensed as she heard a dry chuckle. She watched as the other settled back and locked gazes.

What kind of expression was that?

He had just been pierced and looked even calmer than last time. The only difference was the movement of his body.

Words withered at such a sight.

Usopp just smiled a little sweaty. “Phew guess you can't help but to try huh?”

Perona frowned. "H-how? You seem like you are in a better position from that time."

Usopp brought out his cocky side. “Well, you see, the secret is to always prepare for the worst scenario.” His attempt at humor was interrupted as he realized the closeness he had adopted and that the other had not broken or distanced herself.

"W-well, i-i-if that's all I really must g-go. It was..." The sniper mulled it over for a second, “...interesting to see you again, ghost princess.”

"Perona"

Uhmm?

“My name is Perona,” both hands clutched at the dress.

"Oh? OH OK! Goodbye Perona!", once again he waved his hands in farewell, adding that big smile.

Unexpected reunion 👻

I will now be shipping (platon) even tho I doubt anyone actually ships it

for the funsies and sillies