Newbie's Skill

Five

Great. I got lost at sea, and now my log pose is jammed. Could this day get any worse? Champ gazed up at me in exhaustion. He barked, and I knew he was hungry and thirsty. I pet his head lightly. I didn't know what to do. These weren't easy waters anyway. Come on, think. There had to be something. I saw the water begin to almost shake. The ripples became large and ferocious. A sea king leapt out from the water. I had to jump. If not, Champ and I would be swallowed whole.

"Swim, Boy!" I commanded. Champ and I dove for the sea just as the king chomped down on our boat. This was bad. Really bad. I couldn't swim. I was a devil fruit user. I almost sank, but someone pulled me up. I heard Champ being pulled out as well. Next thing I knew, I was on a wooden surface, being given CPR. I rolled to my side coughing out the water from my chest.

"Give the kid some space, Guys. Back off a little," someone said. I slowly put some weight on my hand to sit up. I coughed a little more before looking around. Pirates. I instinctively put my guard up, but it was no use. If they fought me now, I would surely lose. My body ached painfully. I winced, and I searched for something. Champ returned to me with a wagging tail, licking my face repeatedly. I smiled tiredly at him with relief.

My eyes observed our surroundings with caution. I saw Ace crouch in front of me, reaching his hand out, making me flinch. His hand immediately retracted, looking beside me at Marco with almost a knowing look. Then, he smiled at me.

"Glad you're all right, Kid," Ace said.

"You should have just let me drown," I growled. Ace put his hands up in surrender.

"Woah there. I was not going to let that happen on my watch."

"You should have." I averted my eyes to the ship. I didn't want him to see my feelings. Or my past. I didn't need people prying.

"Look, if I'm not going to let my troublesome kid brother drown, I sure as hell won't let a kid like you drown," he huffed. What a stubborn man.

"How do you know I'm a kid?"

"It's obvious. Your attitude and stubbornness indicates mid-teens. Am I wrong?"

"Sixteen," I grumbled. Ace laughed full-heartedly. He was really positive, and it got on my nerves. I'm practically a hostage on an enemy ship.

"Told ya. You act just like my brother. Gives it away pretty easily." He stood up, and I glanced up, seeing his arm stretched down to me. "Hungry?" Champ whined, nuzzling his snout under my chin. I sighed heavily. There's nothing I can do now. I just needed to be able to snag a ship from them. That's all. I glared at Ace, then Marco, and I stood up shakily on my own. I was drenched from head to toe, and so was Champ. Ace sighed, noticing my distrust in them before dropping his hand to his side.

"This'll take a while," Marco whispered to himself.