Newbie's Skill

Eighteen

"The way you took on Shanks was really cool. I expected nothing less," Chuck smirked. I flinched at the reminder. Ace was still upset with me for that and the stunt I pulled last night. I fidgeted with the line. "Do you know how to fish?"

"Not really. I didn't really need the skill for anything. I used to always stay close to land, so I never really had a reason to fish."

"Ah. Torn between land and sea?" Grape asked. I shook my head.

"I never got to see the sea except from a distance growing up. I'm a runaway on the run. I found a secluded island about a month ago, so I stayed close by. I always hid my ship, too."

"You know, you're pretty cool for your age."

"Thanks," I chuckled at Lucky. Something tugged at my pole, and I was almost pulled off the ship. "Holy crap!"

"It must be huge!" Lucky cheered as they helped me.

"To my luck, it's probably a minnow, and I'm just weak," I laughed. They helped me pull, and the fish jumped. It was the size of a small island. I yelped when it opened its mouth at us.

"Fire Fist!" It was scorched, and someone saved my fall. I glanced up at Ace who was grinning like an idiot.

"Nice catch," he praised. My cheeks reddened. "Let's have chef cut it up, and let's eat!"

"Yeah!" the men around us cheered.

For the next couple weeks, I was with those three, learning to fish. Properly. I never knew it was so relaxing and...fun. I also learned a few things from the lookouts. I even learned that I could train with the others whenever I wanted. I learned about the guy I was scared of. His name was Marshall D. Teach.

Marco trained me most of the time, but when he couldn't, Teach trained me. It was rare, but it still happened. He grew an unusually strong obsession with me, and it creeped me out. Sometimes I went and vented to Thatch about it, and he said he'd always be nearby.

I soon learned that I had my own little navigational instinct. I could tell which way was north, south, east or west just by feeling the water. I could even tell where land was with my new found technique and by closely studying the ripples in the water.

"You're getting better," Teach laughed. I was sparring with him while Marco was out. I glared at the raven with distrust. "I'm very impressed."

"I'm calling it a day now," I spoke, watching his expression. He smirked wider. He lunged for the attack, and I stepped, vanishing. He absolutely despised when I did that. I chuckled when he looked around in annoyance. I swiped his legs from under him, and he grunted, landing on his ass. "I said that's it. Stop fighting me." I headed off to the infirmary to see Marco. He smiled at me when I walked in. The doctor who treated me poorly when I talked with Pops huffed, ignoring me. I shrugged it off.

"Sit. I'll check your ribs in just a second," Marco announced.

"Sure." I sat on the bed, and I pulled my shirt off. A few minutes later, Marco was kneeling next to me.

"How does it feel?"

"A lot better," I replied. He nodded, examining the area, lightly pressing here and there. "You have an incredible healing time, Kid. It's impressive. It's good as new."

"That's great!" I smiled.