Newbie's Skill

Thirteen

"Put them down. No matter how annoying the brat is, he's not a threat to you," Pops called out to me. I couldn't swallow my pride so easily. Shanks chuckled.

"No, it's okay. I'll play his little game. I heard he had a hot temper, but he's cocky against the Marines," Shanks smiled, standing up. Ace shook me slightly.

"Hey, come on. Snap out of it," Ace scolded. I guess he noticed my dead look, and he stumbled back a bit with Marco. "Ashlo..." Shanks swiped his sword, hurling one of the daggers at my head. I simply moved my head to the side, avoiding a leathal head shot. It barely sliced me, but it wasn't enough to make me bleed. My eyes never moved from him. It was a fast attack, and the normal person would have been dead on the ground. Me? There's nothing normal about me. "Just as I figured." My daggers came to me, forming a circle in front of me.

"Ashlo, cut it out! That's enough!" Marco yelled.

"The kid is fine, Commander Marco," Shanks told him. "He's not some normal little kid."

"If you hurt my son, prepare to face the consequences," Pops scowled. I stepped, vanishing. People looked around for me frantically before I appeared behind Shanks, swinging my leg, knocking him off his feet. It was only a surprise attack. I doubt that'll work again. Shanks grunted. I hit his exposed side, and that was a cheap trick on my part. Then again, I didn't realize he was missing an arm.

I landed on the ground after the kick. I'm surprised I gained some leg strength. It felt like just yesterday that I started and had no abilities and no fighting experience. It must have been all of the fighting between me and Marines, bandits, and pirates.

"That kid...just hit Shanks...and knocked him down..." a random guy breathed in disbelief. Shanks stood to his feet.

"That was one hell of a kick. Nice work. I'd expect nothing less from the Rogue Pirate." The ginger brushed off his clothes, and he eyed me with a smirk. "I understand that you aren't too affected by my haki either, even half-prepared. That's impressive." I backed off a step before he was face to face with me, and he punched me in the gut, sending me flying. I crashed against the edge of the ship. I coughed up blood as my blades clanked against the deck. "Oh, crap! I went overboard!" he panicked, running over to me, crouching down. My eyes shot open, and I pinned him under me in just a few seconds.

"You're down," I panted.

"I deserve it," Shanks chuckled breathlessly. "I won't fight anymore. I lost fair and square."

"You held back on me!" I shouted. My crew just looked at me like I was an alien.

"Uh..." Shanks looked away, and he knew he was caught. "Look, Kid. As much as I respect what you just silently asked, I'm not about to die at the hands of Whitebeard. Not today anyways." I stood up, clutching my stomach. I think he broke a rib.

"Damn it," Marco cursed. I limped to my chambers, shutting the door weakly.