There are plenty of running gags in One Piece that act as both sources of comedy and character moments.

All the Straw Hat Pirates have one that is brought up regularly. Nami’s love of money, Zoro’s getting lost and Chopper being a tsundere are all examples of these gags. For as funny as these gags are, they usually tie into deeper aspects of the characters. There is almost always a reason for these jokes, and they are surprisingly plot relevant.

One of Usopp’s gags is his ridiculous lies. Usopp was introduced as a liar as well as a sniper, and the crew values both sides of him. He lies because his stories make the people in his life happy. Both Banchina and Kaya enjoyed his stories when they were sick. Aside from the use his lies provide and how they define the bounds of Usopp’s cowardly nature, his lies are quite strange. Plenty of Usopp’s lies come true later in the story. It stands to reason that even more of his lies will be proven true in the most important arc for his own story.

God Usopp Keeps Gaining Followers

Usopp Might Not be a Captain, But He has the Charisma for it

 

Even though Usopp isn’t the captain, he’s very good at getting followers for himself and the Straw Hats on the whole. Usopp played a large role in Dressrosa. Plenty of his actions were focused on him being the exceptional sniper that Luffy needed to keep him safe, but the other side of things involved him unintentionally gaining a following. Through his mission to stop Sugar, several groups ended up pledging themselves to Usopp. He gained the title “God” as a result. Many of those that view Usopp as their savior turned to joining the Straw Hat Grand Fleet. This gave Usopp his army of thousands of men that he once lied about.

While the Straw Hat Crew may be clued into Usopp’s lying, not everyone is. Usopp used that to his advantage during the Wano arc. On one hand, he helped come up with the plan to trick the Gifters into eating Tama’s dango. On the other hand, he managed to gain a following within the Beast Pirates when he tricked a group of them into thinking he had conqueror’s haki. His enemies were willing to follow him, even if he didn’t gain their loyalty like he did in Dressrosa. Where Usopp goes, he has a good chance of using the surrounding situation to help himself out and gain followers.

Usopp’s Lies Keep Coming True

While not every lie Usopp has told has come true, some of the big ones have. Several of the stories he’s told Kaya have been proven. He’s encountered creatures he once pretended were real, like a cerberus, a giant mole and a dragon. He’s also found out there is a land of dwarves in Dressrosa, too. Usopp gaining an army of followers through the Straw Hat Grand Fleet and his other adventures just contribute to this. Plus, his connection to Dorry and Broggy – and subsequently, Elbaf – is strengthened when they confirm his story about the giant goldfish.

Will Usopp Really Become the Sniper King?

Usopp’s Fate in the Elbaf Arc is Still Unknown

Continuing the through line of Usopp’s lies becoming true and Usopp’s ability to gain followers, his most important lie comes into question. Usopp used the alias of Sniper King from Sniper Island to help his friends even after he left the crew, and it’s a lie he still upholds to Luffy and Chopper. With all that considered, will Usopp become a real Sniper King? If that is going to happen, Elbaf is the perfect place for it.

Not only is Elbaf important to Usopp’s story, but it is a place of legends and fables. The people of Elbaf are said to be highly religious, and Usopp being called a god may be a point of conflict or an aid to him there. However, it’s Usopp’s ability to gain followers and spin a tale that he may find the most useful thing. Already, fans have theorized about a Sniper Island existing in Elbaf, but even without that, Usopp may find himself earning the loyalty of some giants. With that and his other traits combined, it wouldn’t surprise anyone if Usopp was really declared the Sniper King during the Elbaf arc.

While the character gags in One Piece are a source of familiar comedy, they are usually related to important character traits and can impact plot points. Usopp is a liar who inadvertently tells the truth sometimes. Elbaf is an important location for him, and giants have already proven some of his stories true. It only makes sense that one of his most important lies comes true in one of the most important places for him.