Newbie's Skill

Sixty-Four

My eyes immediately looked at Luffy. I knew deep down he wasn't talking about me. Luffy looked taken aback before looking away.

"Yeah I did," he admitted. "But he's gone. He went to sea, but how-" He seemed to examine the blond closer, losing the words he wanted to say. "It can't be..." he breathed. The blond took off his top hat, and Luffy was in complete shock. "Are you...?" Tears welled in Luffy's eyes.

"It's been a long time, hasn't it, little brother?"

"Sabo!" Luffy cried after a bug-eyed moment. He wrapped himself around the blond's head.

I silently watched their reunion, a hint of jealousy nagging in the pit of my stomach. I knew there was a second brother, but both Ace and Luffy thought he was killed at Sea. Now, after twelve years...he shows himself and proves he's alive.

I looked away. I hated seeing Luffy all buddy-buddy with him. I felt abandoned again. Then again, I had no right to this feeling. Being abandoned by my biological brothers was the reason behind my constant jealousy.

"So, can I have Ace's Flame Flame Fruit?" Sabo asked a crying Luffy.

Luffy nodded, sniffling, "It's what Ace would have wanted." Sabo glanced in my direction, finally taking notice of me. I glared at the floor to my right, refusing to look at anyone. I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder, but I still didn't budge.

"I'm not taking Luffy from you," the blond told me softly, making Luffy cock his head in confusion. "You did great. I owe you my thanks." I finally looked him in the eye. He was thanking me? For what? "You filled a gap that was made twelve years ago. And now...I can thank you."

Luffy smiled, "Sabo! This is Ashlo. Ace took him in a few months before he was killed and watched over him like an older brother. Now, he's my little brother, too!" Luffy had his famous wide grin set on his face.

"Brother, huh?" Sabo chuckled. "I wouldn't mind another little brother." Sabo grinned like Luffy, but he seemed more formal than that. I tilted my head, watching him. Bellamy finally glanced at Luffy from his seat on the floor. He seemed terrified.

"Did you just say that was Ashlo? The Salom D. Ashlo? The Black Cap Pirate? The Rogue? The rookie pirate with the telekinesis devil fruit?" Bellamy was blabbering, absolutely terrified. What was his problem? Pops was dead, and so was Ace. There was no one who would pose much of a threat to him if I got hurt. Well...besides Luffy and Rayleigh. Bellamy gulped, "The baby of the Whitebeard Pirates...?"

"Yeah, so what?" Luffy asked. He got defensive immediately. I didn't dare move, knowing Luffy could snap at any little movement.

"We had a run in with his folks the other day..." I tensed at Bellamy's words. "They were looking for him, and they seemed desperate...but in a bad way." Luffy's eyes slowly moved to look at my shocked fear. "They're coming for him, and they're not stopping until they have him. Doflamingo decided to help them. He'll be keeping an eye out for Ashlo. He'll kill anyone in his way. You have to get out of here if you want to keep your lives-"

Luffy punched his left palm with his right balled fist with a murderous glare.