A/N: Thanks for all the reviews and questions guys! Keep them coming.
Also, side note, once the Dressrosa story arc is finished, I think I might write Rei in Film Z. A couple of you have suggested it and I'm seriously considering it (See? Your input really matters!). It'll be separate fanfic so that this story will stay with the canon arcs to avoid confusion. This is still up in the air so I'll keep you guys posted.
Status Update with Rei #2
DRUMROLL. CUE SPOTLIGHT!
Rei rubs her eyes at the bright light and sits down on the stool behind her.
Rei: Oh no. Not this again.
Me: Welcome back!
Rei: You're lucky I'm still semi-wounded from my fight.
Me: You're lucky you get to be a Straw Hat Pirate.
Rei: What kind of retort is that?
Me: It's not. I thought we were just stating facts.
Rei stares at me blankly.
Me: (coughs nervously and takes out my notecards) Okay! So should we get to the questions?
Rei: More questions?!
Me: Of course! (flips to the first question). Okay this is from a couple of people. First question. Who is the best fighter out of Luffy, Zoro and Sanji?
Rei: Well, each of them are better than the other in certain terms. I mean, for strength and speed, I think Luffy. Will power, in terms of sense of self, would have to be Luffy as well. Although Zoro has the most discipline out of the three and is able to stick to his goals without distraction. Sanji definitely is the strategist out of the trio but Luffy has more battle experience than he does….
Me: So overall, who is the best fighter?
Rei: Luffy. He's the captain for a reason.
Me: If you had to choose any one of the Straw Hats to fight with you in a battle, would you also think it would be Luffy? Another popular question, by the way.
Rei: I'd actually choose Sanji for a fight but I actually trust Luffy the most.
Me: Wow. Really? Sanji?!
Rei: Luffy and Zoro are two wild cards, who are better off fighting on their own. I would just get in the way. Plus my Sea Prism Stone chains would add an unnecessary risk to Luffy. Sanji is the next best tactician for the Straw Hats, after me, so I think we'd be able to fight the most efficiently together.
Me: Unless you're fighting a woman.
Rei: I'd be able to fight the females for him and he can concentrate on strategy.
Me: Now that you say that it does seem like you two balance each other out. He's all legs and close combat. You're mostly chains and long distance...
Rei: I think having Sanji fighting with me would be the most mutually beneficial out of all the pairings.
Me: What about Zoro?
Rei: He's bad with directions.
Me: In more ways than one...Okay. Next card! This one is from Sandshrew Master. Who do you trust the most?
Rei: Luffy. He's my captain. I have to trust him the most.
Me: I see. (Flips to the next card) Well, here's one more question from Sandshrew Master.
Rei: Another one?!
Me: I guess he really likes you.
Rei: Like Bartolomeo likes Luffy?
Me: No. I doubt anybody in this world likes anything, or anyone, as much as Bartolomeo likes Luffy. He's the ultimate superfan. (Clears throat) So are you ready for the question?
Rei: Why wouldn't I be?
Me: Which Straw Hat's past do you what to know more about?
Rei: Zoro.
Me: (Grins stupidly) Ooooooh.
Rei: I want to know more about his Haki and how he was able to control his dreams.
Me: (Smile fades from my face) Is that all?
Rei: I mean, I want to know about everyone's past. Just right now, it's more pressing for me to find out about Zoro's.
Me: (Mutters to myself) Ugh, Rei….You're no fun. (Shuffles cards) Okay. More questions. This is from a guest.
Rei: What guest?
Me: Just a guest. Didn't leave a name so let's just think of it as a guest on our show.
Rei: What show?
Me: (Gestures to the stage and the lights all around) This show. This Q&A! Oh...never mind. So here's the question! What is your biggest fear?
Rei: Frogs.
Me: WHAT?!
Rei: I'm scared of frogs.
Me: I heard you the first time. I was just surprised you're scared at something so….
Rei: So…?
Me: Basic?
Rei: I can't help it. When I was little, the prince hid a frog in my bathroom cabinet. When I opened it in the morning to get my toothbrush, it jumped out at me. Have been scared of them ever since.
Me: That's so….
Rei: Stupid?
Me: Cute. Actually. That's kind of cute. Big, bad strategist like yourself afraid of a tiny little frog.
Rei: (Starts to stand up in a threatening manner) Are you mocking me?!
Me: EEEP! No not at all! (Hurriedly look down at my cards to avoid eye contact) NEXT QUESTION! Also from the same guest. Do you think you and the Straw Hats are ready to face the Blackbeard Pirates right now?
Rei: No. We're not ready.
Me: What do you think needs to happen for you guys to be ready?
Rei: We need more information for starters. Teach is able to combine two devil fruit powers, which is something no one has ever done before. We cannot take that lightly. I need to find Vegapunk and see what he knows about Devil Fruits.
Me: So part of your reason to find him is to help your crew? It's not just because it's your dream?
Rei: Of course.
Me: Is that all you need then to beat out the Blackbeard Pirates? Information?
Rei: No. A lot of us are not physically able to take them on. Blackbeard is now a Yonko, which means we need to assume his crew's strength is close to, if not equal or more, to the Red-Haired pirates.
Me: Does that mean you don't think you guys can defeat Shanks and his crew too?
Rei: Not yet. Especially not with Uncle Shanks' Haki.
Me: His Haki?
Rei: My bloodline carries naturally strong Haki abilities.
Me: So you're saying Uncle Shanks can use Linked Haki like you and your mother?
Rei: No. There are other ways to adapt your Haki. With Uncle Shanks' skills, he doesn't need to use Linked Haki.
Me: So what does your crew need to defeat Blackbeard or Shanks?
Rei: Time.
Me: Time?!
Rei: With time comes wisdom, experience, and more developed skills.
Me: But they already spent two years training!
Rei: Who said that their training is over? You can never stop training, especially in the New World.
Me: You're beginning to sound like Zoro.
Rei: The man might be a jock but he didn't get there without his strong mentality and discipline.
Me: This leads us to our guest's last question! Which of the Straw Hats can you relate to the best?
Rei: Robin.
Me: ROBIN?! Not Zoro?
Rei: We both know what it's like to grow up as a child prodigy. To grow up in hiding. In some ways, she had a harder time than I did but we both know the cruelties of this world and how people can turn on you in a heartbeat if you're not careful.
Me: Okay. Now this is my las question then...Which Straw Hat can you relate to the least?
Rei: Brook. I mean, how do you relate to a 90 year old skeleton who was brought back from the dead?
Me: Good point. (Checks watch) Well, it looks like we're out of time and you should really go back now.
Rei: Well, it's not like I chose to come here. I also have a feeling this won't be the last time I see you either…
Me: You're too smart for your own good. (snaps fingers)
CURTAINS CLOSE. END SCENE.
