Newbie's Skill

Four

I pulled on my chains in my cell. I couldn't break free. It's not that it was sea prism, I was just too weak against the thick cuffs. Champ whimpered from across from me. I sighed, ceasing my struggle. I needed to get out of here and fast.

"Damn it," I cursed. I heard a few others laugh at me and my struggles.

"First time?" the guy in the cell next to mine chuckled.

"Yeah. Took them 27 tries, but they finally caught me. Their laughter ceased, and I scoffed. Amateurs.

"How long?"

"Two months."

"Already?" he exclaimed. "Well. You must be special. Tell you what. How about you join my little crew. You must not have a crew yet."

"I'll pass."

"Yeah-wait, what? Why would you refuse my offer?" he shouted.

"First of all, I don't give just anyone my assistance. And second, I'm a loner. I don't play with others. Forget playing nice with others, I don't even play with them. Back off, it's not going to happen."

"Then that must mean you're The Black Cap Pirate the Marines have been fussing about for the past few weeks."

"That's me," I bragged. I smirked darkly in their direction. "So don't cross me." Some gulped, some avoided eye contact, and others looked speechless. I huffed, looking forward as my pup whined sadly. "I know, Buddy. We'll be out soon, okay?" We all felt the boat shake violently. What the hell was going on out there?

"Either we're in a terrible storm or someone just invaded the ship," a guy predicted. "Or a cannon went off." Suddenly, all of the cuffs opened, and the doors were unlocked. I just sat there speechless.

"This ship does not know how to not piss off the Whitebeard Pirates," the guy next to me laughed as everyone darted for the spare ships. After a moment of it clearing out, I opened my jail cell, and I picked up Champ in a hurry. I slightly lost my balance when another powerful shake occurred, but I ran up to the deck. Pirates were wiping the floor with the Marines. I held Champ close as I hopped overboard. I didn't have any of my daggers. I noticed them right before I jumped. I crawled back up the ship, grabbing the sack with my daggers, dropping back to the little paddle boat.

"What kind of paddle boat doesn't have oars?" I muttered to myself.

"Cause it's not a paddle boat. It's a flame boat, powered by my Flame Flame fruit."

"Oh, that makes more sense in the design-" I paused, thinking about it. I turned around in panic as a guy stood on the edges in the back. My breathing escalated.

"Hey, now. I'm not here to hurt you. I'm here with an offer. Come join the Whitebeard Pirates. We'll protect you."

"We promise you'll be safe," a blond promised. He was the first division commander Marco. That means this guy was Fire Fist Ace, the second division commander. My heart pounded, but Champ jumping up into my arms snapped me out of it. I leapt for a dropped boat, kicking the two escapees out, claiming it for myself.

"Imperium," I called. I controlled the oars to move with speed and accuracy. I ignored them all calling out for me, but I felt a little bad. All they were trying to do was help, but I had to leave before the Marines came to their senses. First, I needed to find safe docking and some food for my dog. Then, I'll worry about everything else another time.