Newbie's Skill

Twenty-Six

"I would worry about the Marine more than the pirate right now. So you better move it, Luffy."

"You know me?" Luffy stopped eating temporarily, looking at me in shock. He swallowed his giant mouthful of food, just gazing at me. I smiled a little.

"Sure do. Through quite a few people and stories. You're supposedly a big shot around here." Luffy continued eating as I noticed Ace storming back, and Ace's face lit up.

"Hey! Lu-" Smoker slammed his face into the rubble.

"Straw Hat!" he growled. "I've been looking for you, Straw Hat. I thought I'd find you here. Seems I was correct." Luffy was staring at him, continuing his dining. I snorted. "Would you quit eating!" It took a minute, but I saw Luffy begin to sweat.

"You're that Smokey Guy! What are you doing in Alabasta?" he shouted, spitting some food out at the Marine. That Marine looked so pissed and annoyed, it was quite enjoyable. Luffy put a hand out. "One sec." He basically inhaled the food into his mouth. What was this guy made of? I believe it was rubber, right? "Thanks a lot for the meal," Luffy said, bowing his head before taking off. Smoker chased after him, and Ace finally got up.

"Hey! Luffy! Wait up! It's me!" Ace yelled, grabbing his bag and chasing after him. I looked at the chef who seemed upset they didn't pay.

"If I may, Sir. I'd like to pay all three of our meals," I smiled sweetly. After I paid, I darted for the streets. It was no time at all that I caught up with Ace.

"He's grown up," Ace sighed. "I won't let Smoker hurt him."

"What's the plan?" I asked. He passed me a grateful smile, and we soon came in contact with a group of Marines. They were chasing the Straw Hat Pirates. We jumped between the two, stopping the chase.

"Heat Haze!" Ace stopped Smoker's smoke with his fire. I stood by his side. He seemed a little furious over someone trying to hurt his little brother, but overall, I was sure he was glad to see him.

"Imperium," I mumbled, flicking my hand up, making a gun hit it's handler in the face. Marines were weird. Their bullets never really helped against devil fruit users. Ace's fire stopped not only Smoker, but his brother and his friends, too. Ace brought himself back together to show his appearance. I readied myself for the Captain's goons and his swordsman. I will protect Ace. And his brother.

"You again," Smoker said. Ace grinned.

"Hmph. Just give it up. While you may have the power of smoke, mine is fire. A fight between the two of us would be pointless. It'd probably go on forever."

"All right. Looks like the mystery man has devil fruit powers." That must be Roranoa Zoro. He used to be a bounty hunter. I've clashed with him once.

"Who is this guy anyway?" the raven male beside him asked. I didn't expect to be noticed, but at least pretend, Dudes. "And why is he helping us?"

"That you, Ace?" Luffy breathed.

"You haven't changed a bit, Luffy," Ace smirked at his kid brother over his shoulder. I glared at the Marines. I wasn't going to let them hurt Ace while his back was turned.

"It is you. Really? Wow. Did you eat a devil fruit or something?"

"Yeah. The Flame Flame Fruit."

"We'll secure the perimeter," a Marine soldier announced while a group ran through an alley. Ace gave me a look, and I knew what to do. I leapt after them.