Newbie's Skill

Sixty

Luffy showed up on the island the next day. I leapt for the 19-year-old in absolute delight while Luffy's crew laughed loudly.

"Luffy!" I yelled in excitement. He had a huge smile as he swung me around before setting me on my feet.

"I missed you, too, Ashlo," he hummed. His arms only tightened, thrilled to finally have me back.

"How was Fishman Island?" Marco wondered as he finally joined us. He had to pry me off of Luffy, and even then, I pouted like a child. Haruka laughed at me.

"It was fun," Luffy nodded.

"I wish I could have seen it," I sighed. Marco smiled sadly down at me after he released my shirt.

"Hello, Ashlo," Robin greeted me as she and Franky inched closer to us from their ship. I waved at them.

"About what I said on the com snail," Marco reiterated firmly. Luffy frowned at the statement. "That's why I asked you here."

Usopp and Chopper glanced at each other in worry as Zoro crossed his arms. Sanji lit a cigarette, and Nami bit her lip nervously. Franky seemed worried, Robin leaned against a tree trunk, and Brook sipped his possibly nonexistent tea. Jinbe swallowed the lump in his throat. Marco sat on a log with a heavy sigh.

"About that..." Nami murmured gently.

"Look, this crew is getting old. After losing Pops and Ace in the same day, we've lost a lot of spirit and some of our heart. Ashlo is still young and full of life. He's a new target for the government. We won't have the strength to protect him for long. He deserves a little love and patience. He needs a crew that can match his energy level. We love him, and he'll always be our little brother. However, we can't keep up with him. That's why we need you to look after him from now on," Marco explained. The shock on my face was inevitable. I could see it clear as day in his eyes. My eyes shifted to Luffy with tears.

"No," Luffy finally said, making my heart break even more.

"What do you mean no?" Haruka shouted. I darted for the ocean, but Luffy's arm came and snaked around my waist multiple times. The rest of his arm snapped back to his body, dragging me in toe. I wiggled and fought endlessly to get loose.

"There is still something I have to take care of before I can take him in," Luffy told them smoothly. His crew looked just as confused. I glanced up at him in curiosity. What was so important that I couldn't come with?

"And what exactly is that?" Jozu asked in wonder.

"I need to get Ace's devil fruit back before Blackbeard gets his hands on it." I tensed at the name. I grit my teeth in irratation. "It's being put up as the grand prize in a tournament on Dressrosa Island, and I want it."

"Let me join, too," I begged. "The more of us in that competition, the better the chances we can get it. You know we make a killer duo. Literally. No one can stop us." Luffy gazed at me sadly before turning his attention to Marco.

"Take him," Marco urged.

"We'll see him one last time in Wano. Take care of him for us," Haruka grinned. Luffy sighed, glancing back at his crew for any support.

"We can do this together," Nami smiled softly. Robin closed her eyes with a small grin.

"It's still your call, Captain," Zoro piped up. Sanji gave us a wide smile and a thumbs up.

"Are you sure you want this, Ashlo?" Luffy leaned down and murmured in my ear. I nodded eagerly. "All right, then. Get your stuff on the ship before I change my mind." And I did just that.

"Luffy!" Marco called from the ground while we were on the ship. Luffy looked at him. "Thank you for this. I know this is what Ace would have wanted, too. Be careful!"

"We will. No worries. Ashlo's in good hands," Luffy responded. We all waved goodbye to the Whitebeard Pirates, but I waved goodbye to the only family I've ever known.