Chapter Text
Usopp was an Omega male. Yes.
And he hated it with every fiber of his being. You’re probably wondering why he hated it so much that he used suppressants all the time to keep it hidden—and hadn’t had a proper heat since first discovering his sub-gender.
Simple: male Omegas are incredibly rare. Even worse, most people see them as weak, disgusting, and shameful.
Well… at least that’s what most people believe.
Female Omegas, on the other hand, are common and highly prized. Of course—they’re beautiful, desirable, and generally treated as treasures. Now, Usopp didn’t like that part either—but at least the perception of female Omegas as prized possessions comes mostly from cruel, shallow people. Decent folks see them as people, not objects.
Betas are the most common. Both female and male betas exist in abundance. Female betas experience heats, though not as strong as Omegas, while male betas have ruts like alphas—but again, weaker.
Then come the Alphas. Male Alphas are more common than female Alphas, often natural leaders, strong-willed—good or bad depending on their character. Female Alphas are rarer, but highly respected. They must possess exceptional strength and ability to earn the title of Alpha. Disrespecting a female Alpha is considered worse than disrespecting a male Alpha. Even other Alphas rarely dare to do it.
There are three forms of bonds, also known as claim markings:
Mating mark or bond: Requires mutual consent and scenting. Both parties must accept without fear or force.
Pack mark or bond: Commonly used for families or pirate crews. The head or captain, ideally with consent, marks people to guide and protect them. (Not all use it honorably—some exploit it, unfortunately.)
Ownership mark (slave mark): The worst type. Forced, made from fear, distress, or despair, often combined with cruelty, hatred, or disgust. Dangerous and unwanted, far more than any pack or mate mark.
Scenting is simpler than marking.
It’s a form of trust and bonding, used to:
Show a bond publicly, like a promise or proposal.Track family members without marking them. Indicate romantic intent or parental protection.
Each scent carries a specific meaning: friendship, trust, a lover’s promise, or parental care.
There are at least three ways bonds or marks can be broken:
Mutual ending: The safest method. Both parties agree to release the bond. Rare, but possible—like a divorce or accidental mate bond that wasn’t intended.
Grief-induced break: Occurs when one bonded individual dies. Dangerous because grief can destabilize pheromones. Most people stay nearby for safety.
Forced break: The most dangerous and often life-threatening. Common with slave marks or abusive bonds. Can end in death if done improperly. Occasionally used to save oneself from a partner or leader who has turned aggressive—but extremely difficult and risky.
Usopp was ten when his presentation hit, and to be honest, it was the worst day of his young life. His mother was gone, his father absent, and he had to face it all alone.
The villagers didn’t make it any easier. By the time it was over, he couldn’t leave fast enough, yet their eyes weighed on him like a judgment he couldn’t understand. They were annoyed with him already, but now… now they were disdainful. There was something in the way they looked at him that broke the boy in ways he’d never admit, not to anyone.
If it hadn’t been for Kaya’s parents—the only people who saw a scared, confused boy rather than a “bad Omega male”—he would have never understood why everyone acted that way.
Kaya’s parents had the patience to explain everything, helping him understand himself and the world around him. Never once did they treat him badly. In fact, they treated him as one of their own, always letting him stay over, never scolding him for the lies he used to cope with grief. They understood he never used them to hurt anyone.
They helped him get suppressors to make him seem like a beta. They hated that his body had been “ruined,” and they knew what would happen the moment he ran out of them—it would have been disastrous. But they also knew that the dangers of being an Omega male far outweighed any absence of a heat.
So, they taught him how to make his own suppressors.
Even then, the boy didn’t visit often, afraid of being a burden or causing trouble. He came over once or twice a month at most, and every time, Kaya’s family understood. The villagers, when they smelled beta instead of Omega, assumed his presentation was just different because of his age. That didn’t stop their growing dislike of him.
The only people who ever truly liked him were Kaya’s family, Mary, and three little boys. But even that small circle of warmth didn’t last long.
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When Usopp first met Luffy, Nami, and Zoro, he had only just returned to Syrup Village a few weeks prior. Though if you asked around, he’d always been “there,” given how quickly he fell back into his habit of calling for pirates.
He found it strange at first—seeing two unbonded alphas and an unbonded omega together, yet not fighting each other.
They helped save his island, and he quickly learned to memorize each of their scents, the warmth each carried:
Luffy was like the sun—bright, warm, and safe, but also dangerous, unafraid to burn anyone who threatened his nakama.
Nami was like tangerines—sweet, tough-skinned, unforgettable, but sour when angry, reminding you never to underestimate her.
Zoro was like metal—strong, deadly, and sharp, but with a warmth toward those he liked, more loyal than any dog you’d ever meet.
Soon after joining the crew, Usopp realized sub-genders didn’t matter.
So why did he still wear his suppressors? Because what if they changed their minds once they found out?
When Sanji joined, Usopp was just as nervous. Another alpha—and this time, he and Zoro didn’t get along at all. It wasn’t until Arlong Park that Usopp understood their rivalry was simply competitive.
Taking the time to appreciate Sanji, Usopp found himself reminded of the kind of friend he’d always wished for.
Sanji was like spices—spicy, elegant, delivering a powerful kick, yet capable of a kindness that could bring people to tears, whether through food or a smile.
Heading into the Grand Line, making their promises and sending their dreams into the sky, Usopp had never felt more at home. It was overwhelming, but in a way he liked—because for the first time in his life, he wasn’t afraid of what he’d suffered through for so long.
Usopp and Nami got along incredibly well, and while everyone else was confused by their closeness, he wasn’t. He knew the reason—they were both omegas. Omegas in the same pack often connected quickly, understanding each other in ways others couldn’t.
And of course, they had run away together. In Little Garden, Nami had been there to see his pride, his excitement, all of it. She was strong, even for an omega, packing a punch he wished he could match.
When she got sick, he stayed with Vivi, caring for her while she rested, and took care of Nami, too—quietly, patiently, like only someone who understood the fragility of life could.
Chopper was a reindeer doctor who didn’t have a sub-gender, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t detect scents and pheromones. His Devil Fruit allowed him that ability, though, of course, his nose wasn’t as strong as some others.
Chopper was the first to ask Usopp what he truly was, and Usopp knew he couldn’t lie. So when Luffy had shouted “beta,” he couldn’t help but feel relieved.
It took a moment for Usopp to notice the little doctor’s own scent: herbs, healing, health, and just a tiny hint of cautious curiosity—like a child’s wonder expressed in a goofy little dance whenever he was complimented.
Vivi was an omega, and of course Usopp was too—but no one knew he wasn’t a beta. So when Vivi and Nami became closer, it stung a little. Losing his “big sister” in a way hurt, but he let it happen; he was keeping a secret—a big one—and he deserved it.
Vivi’s scent was like the desert at night: cool, refreshing, full of hidden information, but carrying the weight of responsibility—the heart of a true queen.
After Alabasta, when Robin had appeared aboard the Going Merry, Usopp had been terrified. But he knew Robin was using suppressors—he couldn’t smell her true scent, and of course, it wasn’t the same as his. Hers completely hid her presence, while his suppressors masked him as a beta.
Even though he had been scared, he felt an unexpected comfort around her. Not trust—he wasn’t there yet—but something familiar. Honestly, he was probably the first person who wasn’t Sanji or Luffy to trust her completely.
Even when Robin had gained Nami’s favor, the omega still didn’t fully trust the older woman. And honestly, Sanji probably didn’t fully trust her either, though he treated her like a queen.
Usopp himself was slightly surprised at how quickly he had trusted Robin—within a day. Maybe it was because they both had to hide who they truly were, like him. Or maybe it was because, despite her dark sense of humor, she carried a steady, calm, and just slightly wary presence.
He could read her fear—not just through scent, but through body language. She was clearly afraid of being thrown overboard at any moment, not yet trusting them fully.
So it surprised him, Robin, and the entire crew when he, one of the warier members just a day before, walked over and sat down next to her (respecting her space), exuding calm, trusting, and relaxing pheromones—a scent no one else on the crew had experienced from him before.
He could literally smell everyone’s surprise as he moved to comfort her. But Robin was the most stunned. The boy who had feared her the day before was now sitting beside her, not touching, not intruding, just offering reassurance. She couldn’t remember the last time anyone had done something like that for her.
If she hadn’t had perfect control over herself, she might have smiled—or even cried. Instead, she simply breathed in the lovely scent as long as she could, still wary of the crew, but trusting the long-nosed boy and, of course, the captain.
It wasn’t until Skypiea, when the woman was unconscious after being attacked, that he learned she was an alpha female.
To be honest, it made sense. She commanded a form of respect that felt completely natural—an alpha female’s presence demanded it.
Her scent carried the warmth of old books, the truth she longed for as a child, and a sense of humor sharp enough to warn anyone willing to underestimate her. Beneath it all was someone willing to give herself entirely for the people she loved.
It made a lot of sense to him now that he thought about it. But more than that, it gave him a strange, deep comfort—he had met and befriended another person with a rare sub-gender.
He now understood the difference: she was an alpha female, respected and strong. He was an omega male, hated by many. Yet, somehow, he had found someone like him in a way, and he couldn’t help but feel safe—though he couldn’t quite understand why.
Then Water 7 happened. He was emotional, his suppressors wearing down, doubts filling his mind so thick it was hard to think. He left, feeling a shame unlike any he had known—not the shame of being an omega male, but the shame of feeling betrayed, of betraying his captain and best friend, his alpha.
Then he ran into Franky—the man who had once beaten him, robbed him, and laughed at him—but this time, there was no anger.
The beta standing before him was just as broken, forced to rebuild himself into a cyborg. If Usopp hadn’t been feeling petty, he might have even complimented him, called him “SUPER,” just as Franky always did.
The two “betas” spoke. Usopp cried, telling Franky about the Going Merry. And Franky, with quiet honesty, explained truths that Usopp had refused to accept, truths he didn’t want to hear.
He wanted to hate Franky, to strike as he’d been trained. But he didn’t. Instead, he listened and talked—not with anger or hatred, but as the broken boy he had always hidden from the world with lies, stories, and smiles.
Franky hugged him. Yes, he hugged the boy. He apologized and promised he would help his new “bro.”
Franky’s scent was of forests full of life, of creation, of strength—an emotional cyborg unafraid to show he was human, even beneath the metal that encased him.
Franky had never smelled such pain from someone before—a heart-wrenching emptiness, devoid of the anger or hatred the boy should have felt toward him.
And yet, he found himself holding the small beta like family, promising silently to protect him.
Why? He didn’t know. But something about Usopp touched Franky’s own shattered heart, broken after Tom’s death, healing it just enough to think, “This boy is special, and I won’t ever hurt him again.”
Then the CP9 agents came, crashing the fragile peace, attempting to kidnap him. Unfortunately for Franky, they almost succeeded—but Usopp stood his ground, fighting valiantly, getting himself kidnapped alongside his new friend.
On the Sea Train, when Sanji showed up, Franky got kicked in the face. To be honest, he appreciated it. Now that he knew who the boy was, he’d do anything—no matter the consequences—to make it up to him.
Usopp felt safe with Franky. No matter how petty he wanted to be, he couldn’t—not when the man had hugged him, giving him something he had so desperately needed but never allowed himself to admit.
He was on top of the Sea Train when he learned of Robin’s kidnapping. He left, knowing he had no right to fight alongside the crew he had betrayed.
Then he returned as Sniper King. He knew they recognized him, but they also understood: Usopp wanted to help, was willing to risk his life for Robin, even if he didn’t yet have the right to be part of the crew. Pretending to be a friend, someone with no ties to the crew, was also driven by fear.
Standing across from the Tower of Justice, shooting while hearing Robin scream, “I want to live!”, he smiled. He was afraid—but hearing her voice, finally expressing her truth, sharing her scent with them, gave him courage.
(Except when Luffy pulled them off the side of the building to crash a train through a wall to reach the tower.)
Being used as a human sword, he would have sued if he had the chance—but he couldn’t deny it: getting Robin back was his fault, leaving too many loopholes in her safety.
Almost being killed by Wolf, only to be saved by a cook whose feet could turn to fire—these were trials he endured, carrying the weight of responsibility.
The words, “I’ll do what you can’t do, and you do what I can’t do”, stuck with him as he climbed to the roof.
Shooting at Marines trying to hurt Robin was one thing. Seeing her terrified was another entirely.
Standing on the bridge, he yelled at Luffy, “Let’s leave here together!” The rubber boy managed to get back up, and they pushed forward.
Saying goodbye to the Going Merry was the hardest part of the day. She had given everything—her life, her all—to save him.
He stayed hidden behind the mask until he was alone, his body beaten three times over. Finally, he ran to the edge of the island, screaming his apology:
“I’m sorry!!!”
Landing in his crying captain’s arms was the safety Usopp had missed so dearly.
Then being pulled into a hug by the cyborg—of course, the crew was confused by how close they were, even after everything Franky had done.
Usopp didn’t care. He was happy to hug the man, explaining that he and Franky had talked things through. The crew didn’t question it any further.
That night, Luffy decided, “I want to make a pack bond.”
The crew was quiet, but hopeful—and it didn’t take long for them all to agree.
Thriller Bark was probably one of the scariest experiences ever. Usopp never thought he’d meet a beta skeleton—but after Luffy, he almost instantly accepted Brook once he smelled his scent.
His scent wasn’t death, bones, or rotting wood—it was flowers. A warm melody with bad jokes, a lonely soul craving family, hidden intelligence, and secrets tucked in his skull.
Fighting a ghost girl who could sap a person’s spirit wasn’t on his bucket list, but it turned out he was immune. It made sense, given his own self-hatred and hidden depression.
Of course, he wasn’t excited for the questions that would come later after defeating her—but those could wait.
Especially when Zoro was found covered in blood, half-dead.
Usopp never wanted to smell the scent of death on someone he loved again. Even after Zoro woke and claimed he was fine, Usopp didn’t believe him. There was no scent of pain, yes—but he knew better. He always knew, especially after all the suffering Zoro hid.
The bright side: Brook had joined the crew. Almost immediately, Usopp made himself comfortable around him, laying his head in the skeleton’s lap while Brook played music.
It surprised Brook—the young beta—but he almost instantly welcomed the boy. His scent made him feel at home, not just because of the new captain.
Brook had his suspicions, though. Usopp had been wary the moment he arrived—but once he smelled Brook’s scent, he trusted him enough to relax. Brook didn’t question it… not yet. He would wait for the right moment, but for now, he would enjoy the boy’s company.
Giving Brook his pack mark was a little tricky, but they figured Luffy would mark him while Usopp drew the symbol for everyone to see: he was officially part of the crew.
It wasn’t even two weeks later when they were separated.
The “beta” had watched many crewmates disappear before his eyes, including himself eventually.
When Usopp saw the news of Ace’s death, he trained harder than ever, desperate to leave the island. For the next two years before reuniting with his crewmates, he pushed himself to the limits.
When they finally met again, he was beyond happy. Seeing his pack again made it easy to forget the pain.
Fishman Island was fun—until being caged and then forced to fight an uglier, stronger Arlong, on drugs.
It was a plus meeting Jinbei though.
A Fishman beta with the scent of the ocean—so wise, fatherly, and gentle—but could easily kill if he needed to.
Next was Punk Hazard, and boy, was he angry. Experimented-on kids, poisonous gas, a land split half-freezing, half-boiling hot… He was more than happy to team up with Nami to take down the stupid ghost clown.
Oh, and they brought three allies with them: a tiny little dragon, the samurai guy, and Trafalgar Law.
Now Dressrosa was another story entirely (Like most of their adventures). They were there less than a day and somehow already got caught up in a war.
The tiny people seemed to believe he was some kind of hero. He didn’t like that he'd forgotten Robin, it was far from something he'd like to stay stuck on, because she played the most important role in Water 7 in his heart, and that was not something he took lightly.
Then becoming a god in other people’s eyes was definitely not on his bucket list, and getting five stars pinned on his head? Absolutely not. No thank you!
But as the sniper, even if he was tired, he wasn’t about to let his captain become a toy. So he made an impossible snipe to save Luffy and Law.
The end of that miserable fight was the greatest feeling, and staying three extra days to rest was absolutely worth it.
And the funny thing? When the captain had an entire grand fleet swear loyalty to him against his wishes—it was… definitely something funny.
They got to Zou, didn’t stay long, before sanji needed help in whole cake, even if he was to blind to see it. And so they separated yet again: one team for Sanji, and one for Wano.
He, Robin, Franky, and Zoro went to Wano with their allies, while the others went after Sanji.
It was mostly just staking out the place, and preparing for yet another war. The smell of blood and death all around made him sick and dredged up unpleasant memories.
But bright side was that Jinbei had officially joined the crew, and Usopp was overjoyed to have him as part of the pack. After the fight, they added him to the pack mark.
He teamed up with Nami and Otama to run from Big Mom, Ulti, and Page One. With the perfect tag-team, they took them out and split tasks—she handled the main floor while Usopp went after the samurais before they sacrificed themselves foolishly.
After the war, they stayed for a week, letting everyone rest, restock on supplies, and celebrate with the free people of the land.
And of course, they made sure Jinbei got added to the pack mark as well.
When they saw their new bounties, Usopp couldn’t believe it—five hundred million berries on his head. Him. An Omega male. The rarest thing ever.
After processing the thought, he frowned. He didn’t want to hide his sub-gender anymore… but he was scared. Very, very scared.
His friends had known him for two years, and all of them thought he was just a beta. For all he knew, if they found out the truth, they’d toss him aside. He was a shame to have aboard the Sunny, after all.
It wasn’t just fear—it was something deeper, heavier. But he focused on keeping his reaction steady, keeping his friends from noticing the gears turning wildly in his head.
Usopp couldn’t explain it, but a very, very bad feeling gnawed at him. Something was about to happen—and he was far from a fan of this feeling.
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