I was standing near the stern of our ship. Leaning against the rail. When yet again, I heard a loud bang. Looking over my left shoulder; I saw the newest member of our crew hit the rail. From the sound of the bang, and him flying out like that; my guess would be his tried to attack pops again. Something this kid tried every few hours, since he joined the crew. Each time ending like the time before. I knew this kid was going to be a handful.

I shook my head and turned, heading towards the kitchen. That boy will keel over if he doesn't eat. He pushed away any food given to him, refusing to eat. Yet he attacks pops like it's nothing. He's a fool if he thinks he can survive without food…he won't survive if he continues to attack pops either. Man, this kid will be the biggest handful yet. Why did pops take him back here with us?

Thatch stood, leaning against the counter. He looked at me as I entered the room. He waved and asked what I would like. After explaining to him that the new guy hadn't eaten in a few days. He quickly got to work. Fixing up a meal for him. I leaned against the counter, intertwining my fingers together. After a few moments, he slid me a bowl. I thanked him, saying I owed him. Then I left him alone, walking back to the wounded Ace.

I set the bowl down in front of him. He looked up at me and then pushed it away. Refusing to eat it. I frowned before leaning against the rail next to him. A smile slowly forming across my lips.

"You don't have to eat you know. Just know, our cook, Thatch worked hard to make that meal just for you. The least you can do it eat it. Out here, being picky will only get you killed. Not that I care if you live or die. You should really think about why pops saved you…"

"Tch…" Was all he said before reaching for the bowl. Looking down at he, he spoke, "Why do you call him 'pops' he's not a father to all of you is he?"

"No, but he took us all in. When we had nothing or no one. He came and saved us from others. He takes care of everyone on our crew. The world hates us for what we are you know…this, makes us happy…even if it's just a word…one other thing. No one is forcing you to stay. Either leave and start all over or bare pop's mark and become one of his sons."

That was it, I pushed off the rail and walked away. That was all I had to say. This decision is his alone to make. Now let's hope pops wasn't wrong in letting this kid join. He has a long way to go before he's ready to be a division captain; but if pops is right about this kids power. He might just make it all the way there.

I walked into pop's room, looking around at the damage that Ace had caused. Shaking my head back and forth slowly. This could be harder than I thought.

"Is something wrong Marco?"

"He did a number in here, didn't he pops?"

"He's feisty, but he's just a boy. Much like you when I first met you."

"That's true, but I didn't try to attack you. Are you sure he's worth it?"

"Marco, that boy was all alone. He will settle down in time."

"I trust your judgement pops."

"How is he doing?" Pops said, shifting in his bed.

"He'll live, I just had Thatch fix him up something to eat. Thankfully he ate it."

"That's the first time he's eaten since he's been here?" His voice sounding more of a question than a statement. I nodded my head, as a sigh escaped his lips, "He will be hard…he has so much fire inside him."

"We all did at some point; he will see pops. This crew is like a family to everyone in it." I said, sudden the door was thrown open. Standing there, was Teach.

"What's the matter Teach?"

"First Division Captain Marco, pops. He did it! Ace now holds pop's mark!" He said, then I rushed out of the room. Unsure why I moved to begin with. I rushed to the deck to see Ace standing there. The mark of the Whitebeard pirates on his back. I smiled and walked over to him.

"Welcome to the Whitebeard Pirates Ace."

"Yeah yeah…that doesn't mean I won't attack pops anymore! I guess it's better to be a part of something…if even for a little while." He said, looking at the crew gathering around him. I wasn't able to ask him what he meant because Thatch stepped up.

"How about a feast? To honor the newest member of the Whitebeard Pirates?" Everyone cheered as Thatch headed back to the kitchen. Someone rolled over a barrel of sake and from there on; the party began. A party I hung back for. Watching the rest of the crew joke around and have fun. I watched the open sea. Something I enjoyed more than drinking.

The sea was good for making anyone forget anything. It was just so beautiful you had to get lost in its beauty. I couldn't share this love with anyone else. They all seemed to think that the sea was empty. Not seeing the beauty in it, much like they couldn't see beauty in the simplest of flames. Maybe that's what is drawing me to that Ace kid.

His Devil Fruit Powers, he controls fire. He, unlike fire itself wasn't so…breathing. He seemed to do as he pleased no matter what. Something that did bother me, yet, drew me in. Like a moth to a flame; this kid will draw me in…I just know he will.