A One Piece Fanfic by serrende, Opening the Box
deals with Sanji attempting to talk to Usopp after the events of Thriller Bark, trying to figure out why he says he's already negative. But is getting to the bottom of this really the best idea...?
This fanfic contains examples of:
- The All-Solving Hammer: Sanji sees Zoro as having this attitude, musing at one point that if he let him know what was going on, the marimo'd find some way to 'help' that'd leave him "hacked up into ground beef" again, because that's just what he does.
- Bittersweet Ending: While talking about it helped a little — mostly the second time around — both acknowledge that there's no 'quick fix' for Usopp's issues. Still, they understand each other a little better now.
- Blunt "Yes": When Sanji bitterly asks if his prying makes him "the bad guy now", Usopp irritably snaps "Yes!" before correcting himself:Sanji: Oh, so I'm the bad guy now, am I?
Usopp: Yes! ...No. You're being nice again. But you're kinda being a jerk about it. - Change the Uncomfortable Subject: Usopp attempts this when Sanji starts prying a little too much.
- Digging Yourself Deeper: Both Sanji and Usopp manage to do this, thanks to some poor choices of words here and there.
- Disability Immunity: Deconstructed. Sanji is deeply, deeply concerned about the fact that Usopp was able to No-Sell Perona's Negative Ghosts due to his self-esteem issues.
- Don't You Dare Pity Me!: Usopp sees Sanji's concern as Condescending Compassion, as well as an unwelcome reminder of his weaknesses. This spurs him to lash out when Sanji refuses to back down and keeps bothering him.
- Epiphany Therapy: Averted. As Sanji quickly discovers, Usopp's issues aren't about to be banished with one or two pep talks, especially when he doesn't want to talk about them in the first place.
- How We Got Here: The story starts with Sanji smoking in the kitchen, brooding over how poorly his first attempt to approach Usopp and discuss matters with him went. It then flashes back to show their entire conversation.
- Insistent Terminology: Played for Drama when Usopp "corrects" Sanji, reminding him that it was Sogeking who fought alongside the other Straw Hats to save Robin, not him.
- Internalized Categorism: Usopp sees himself as a Dirty Coward through and through, as well as the weakest and most useless member of the crew.
- Meaningful Echo: In a Call-Back to what Sanji told him once before:Usopp: And maybe that's just how it has to be. I can't be you and you can't be me. But... but that doesn't mean I have to like it, goddamnit!
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: While Sanji honestly means well, his stubborn refusal to back off despite Usopp sending all sorts of signals that he really should doesn't end well. Then there's the matter discussed under Not Quite the Right Thing...
- Not Quite the Right Thing: As it turns out, while the reasoning behind their decision was sound, seeing the others sailing away from Water 7 without him left Usopp convinced they really didn't need him after all.
- One Side of the Story: Usopp explains to Sanji that he spent some time observing the other Straw Hats as the new ship was being built, trying to figure out a good time to approach them. However, they seemed so happy and excited that he kept losing his nerve. Hearing this, Sanji mentally notes that the sniper apparently didn't see how tense they all were, or notice that Luffy rarely left their temporary headquarters, waiting there just in case Usopp showed up.
- Percussive Maintenance: Before their conversation veers into uncomfortable territory, Sanji opens by complaining about his galley's stove, noting that it shouldn't be malfunctioning given how it's brand new. After their talk goes poorly, Sanji ends up kicking the stove out of frustration, causing it to hiss in a way he deems satisfying.
- Poor Communication Kills: Sanji discovers that getting Usopp to open up about his insecurities is much easier said than done, and that the sniper drastically misinterpreted the Straw Hats leaving Water 7 without him.
- Remember That You Trust Me: Enies Lobby should've helped with this whole 'negativity' thing, right? That's how Sanji sees it, anyway...
- Saying Too Much: Usopp repeatedly does this, such as when he offhandedly remarks that he couldn't have been the one who saved everyone at Enies Lobby because they don't really need him.
- They're Called "Personal Issues" for a Reason: Usopp really, really doesn't want to discuss his personal insecurities, which spurs a nasty argument when Sanji keeps pressing him.
