Newbie's Skill

Thirty-Nine

I took off towards the platform, and before I knew it, I had Luffy running side-by-side with me. I saw a big-headed, purple haired guy running behind us. Who was that supposed to be? Jinbe was behind us, too.

"Where's the crew?" I asked.

"Not here," he replied.

"So what kind of crew did you bring with?"

"Escapees from Impel Down."

"Damn. I could never accomplish that."

"We have to get Ace out."

"Got any plans on how?" I quizzed.

"No clue. Just charge straight in and use force."

"Not the brightest plan, but I can get behind that," I snickered.

"That was some entrance," he complimented. "I just fell from the sky and almost drowned."

"I'm sorry I missed that," I laughed. I swung a kick at an oncoming Marine, and Luffy threw a punch at another. We were both Ace's little brothers. We both felt like it was our duty to save him.

"Ace! We're coming to get you!" Luffy hollered up to him. Our eyes locked, and I noticed the panic in his features.

"Ace," I mumbled.

"Luffy! Ashlo!" he called.

"Are you ready, Luffy?" I questioned. Luffy nodded in agreement.

"Let's go save our big brother." We continued to bulldoze our way through the Navy to get to the execution platform.

"Don't let those kids die, ya hear me, Marco?" Pops ordered.

"Got it," Marco agreed.

"So who is this, Luffy?" Jinbe asked. "Do ya know him?"

"He's part of my big brother's crew. His name is Ashlo, but the military has given him all kinds of nicknames."

"Salom D. Ashlo? As in the Black Cap Pirate rookie that Dragon mentioned?" the big guy with the purple hair asked.

"That's me in the flesh," I answered.

"Goodness me," he said in shock.

"That's Ivankov. He apparently works with my dad," Luffy explained.

"Nice to make your acquaintance," I greeted. "But I don't think now is a good time for introductions. Our first priority is to get Ace out of those chains and away from the military."

"I agree. We have to hurry," Jinbe agreed.

"Go Luffy!" I shouted coming to an abrupt halt. He followed my lead. "I'll take care of the vice admirals trailing us. Go!" I ordered, and he hesitantly left me alone with an unsure nod. I turned on my heel, and my eyes immediately locked with Pops. He gave me a small nod. "Time to see if this training did anything for me," I mumbled to myself.

I took in a deep breath. I was able to finally master the armament haki. Marco had taught me the basics of it since I mainly used hand-to-hand combat if I wasn't using my devil fruit. Either that or my blades. Those four days on the island were useful. I now had mastered not only observation haki during my first two months at sea, but now I knew armament and coquerer's haki. I knew all three now.

"Hya!" the first one hollered. I blocked the blade with merely my forearm. My eyes opened, staring him dead in the eye.

"You and me. Have your buddies tag with you, so I can make it easier on myself and take you all out at one time," I challenged.