Newbie's Skill

Twenty-Seven

I peeked down at the Straw Hats as they readied their boat. However, they were missing something. Well...someone. I chuckled. That kid sure seemed like a handful. I wondered where Ace was. Were they together? I hope nothing happened. I saw hands on the railing of the boat before someone launched themselves into the boat, knocking out two crew mates.

"Luffy, huh? I think I'll like this guy," I whispered to myself.

"So, how strong is he?" the little reindeer asked.

"Well let me put it like this," Luffy started, "when we were younger, I was never able to beat him in a fight. And this was way back in the days before he ate a Flame Flame Fruit. That's how strong my big brother is."

"You mean there's a flesh and blood person that you couldn't beat?" As I was studying them, I figured she was the navigator, but I couldn't quite catch names.

"Big brother of a monster is an even bigger monster." That raven sure was a funny one.

"I guess so because Ace used to beat me up all the time," Luffy chuckled. "But I bet now I could kick his big butt." Luffy laughed. He seemed serious but also joking. I couldn't imagine it, but I'm sure he could one day.

"I'd like to see you try and back that claim up," the swordsman scoffed. I heard someone jump, and I saw Ace.

"So," he said. "Exactly whose butt..." Luffy freaked out, falling forward, and Ace landed. "Is getting kicked?" I chuckled from my spot on the sail log. Ace left temporarily to deal with what the Princess called billions fleets, but he came back shortly after. I watched them talk together for a few minutes before Ace looked around. "Has anyone seen a kid roughly Luffy's size anywhere? I can't believe that kid. I keep losing him."

"Oh, yeah," Usopp said. This time, I did catch names. Nami was the navigator, Zoro was the swordsman, Sanji was the chef, Chopper was the doctor, Usopp was the sniper, Vivi was the Princess, and Karu was the Princess's duck. "There was another guy with you."

"Yeah, Ace. Who was he?" Luffy asked.

"He's kind of like you, Luffy. He's a pain in my ass," Ace smirked, giving Luffy a noogie. "But playfulness aside, he's a crew mate of mine. He's a sixteen-year-old that Marco and I saved a little over a month ago. He doesn't have anywhere else to go to, and Pops took him in. He's kind of our little brother on the crew. His name is Ashlo. If you didn't realize it at the scene, he also has devil fruit powers. His is called the Tele Tele Fruit that gives him the power of Telekinesis."

"Wow," Chopper gushed. "He sounds really cool!"

"Yeah! Can we meet him?" Luffy pleaded.

"What do you think, Ashlo? Feel like talking?" I sighed, standing up and backflipping to the others. I huffed at Ace who simply shrugged. "I know you're not a people person, so I figured I'd ask."

"Do I really have a choice?" Ace shrugged his shoulders. I ignored him, turning to smile at Luffy. "It's nice to finally meet you, Luffy. Ace told me a lot about you." Luffy smiled, rubbing under his nose. I waved at the crew. "I didn't mean to intrude. Sorry about that."

"Oh, it's all right. I'm sure Marines are a hassle for you as well," Vivi smiled. I laughed.

"You've got no idea, M'lady." She kind of blushed, and then I felt awkward. Sanji glared at me.