#I haven't actually gotten to the Sniper King part in my re-read

[kozuki-hiyori]

Usopp's character arc between Alabasta and Enies Lobby, my beloved

(Sorry, I've been re-reading OP over the course of the past few months and his progression really sticks out... although, maybe that's just my love of him)

Obvi, he joins the crew as such a coward, we all know that (gotta love him for that too) But after speaking to the giants in Alabasta he really does grow!! The fight with him and Chopper against Mrs. Merry Christmas and Mr. 4 (and their dog) with that first instance of bravery that is really, really him standing up and deciding to be brave for his crew (even if that bravery only lasted a few seconds) You just can't help but cheer for him!! He's so joke-y all the time and his sudden instances of conviction are briefs, but they're there all the same!! Through Skypeia and Long Ring Long Land, he does at least try to fight and support his crewmates!

And then, of course Water 7!

How all of this bravery he can't find in himself, but is still there, comes crashing down, because he knows he's the most scared and cowardly and is still, truly, weak, and how he worries about being dispensable because of that. How he's the one who gets beat up, again and again, and how his strong connection to the Merry brings this all out. And although he is brave in his persona of Sniper King, he can't quite find the bravery to face his crew without that mask. At least not until he finally asks to rejoin.

It's just so good!! God, I fucking love him!!