Last time the newcomer, Monkey D. Luffy or just Luffy fought and defeated the mega-demon. As it turns out, Luffy has the power to stretch. Shortly aster the battle, Will, the rest of the Guardians, Elyon and half the Royal Guard arrived on the scene. But before the mega-demon could be question about the missing children, it killed itself with a napalm bomb. On with the show!

Chapter 12: The Straw-Hat Crew

Back in Meridian, a small party was going on in celebration of the arrival of Luffy and his fellow pirates. Luffy introduced his crew to Will, Naruto and their friends:

First-mate Zolo: A sword master who practices a three-sword style called santôryu. He was a bounty hunter until Luffy saved his life. His dream is to be the greatest sword master ever.

Navigator Nami: A professional thief with hyper weather instincts. An expert with the quarterstaff, Nami dreams of being the first in her world to make a complete map of the Grand Line.

Ship's Gunner Usopp: A natural for telling tall tales, Usopp is also an expert marksman with his slingshot. While a coward with fast feet, in the end, he'll always come through for his friends. (Usopp wears brown overalls, a yellow bandanna with built in binoculars. He has a long thin nose and thick black hair. In his ever-present side bag is his trusty slingshot and ammo.)

Ship's Cook Sanji: A former assistant chef of a high-class restaurant, Sanji has vowed to feed anyone who needs to be. An expert in leg-style martial arts, Sanji is also a hopeless romantic who has it bad for Nami, who doesn't return the affections. His dream is to see an area of the Grand Line called 'The Great Blue,' where fish from all over the world congregate. (Sanji is tall with short blond hair. He's dressed in a black suit, and is usually seen with a lollypop in between his teeth.)

Ship's Doctor Tony Tony Chopper or just Chopper: His blue nose made him an outcast amongst his fellow reindeer. Eating the 'man-man fruit' made Chopper a shape shifter, and an outcast amongst humans. Chopper found him true calling in the study of medicine. At first Chopper was shy of Luffy, due to the fact that Luffy and Sanji both kept trying to eat him. However, Luffy won Chopper's friendship and loyalty.

With the introductions made, it was Elyon who suggested; "I think a demonstration of your abilities is in order for those who missed your battle with the mega-demon." "I'd sure like to see what you can do." Said Shikamaru. "Same here." Said Kiba and Ino.

Vathek then brought in several practice dummies used for combat training. Zolo volunteered to go first. He drew two of his swords, and held the third between his teeth. He charged at the dummy, slicing with all three swords. To Will it seemed like one movement, but the dummy was lying in several pieces on the floor. "How many times did he swing those swords?" asked Taranee. "I saw three." Said an impressed Caleb. "It was more like seven," said Saske, "Seven each."

Next up was Sanji. He stretched his legs before rushing at the dummy. Sanji then delivered a swift kick to the dummy's left side, sending it crashing against a far wall. "Cool!' exclaimed Rock Lee, "What do you call that?" "That," said Sanji in a medium New York City accent, "Was the BBQ Rib-Buster. And this…" He then swiftly kicked another dummy, this one in the throat area, nearly severing its head, "Is the Trachea Turnover."

"Are all of your moves named after foods?" asked Rock Lee. "Pretty much." Answered Sanji. "If you thought that was impressive," said Usopp, "Then you ain't seen nothing yet!" Usopp went next. "Stand aside and be amazed by the awe inspiring marksmanship of the brave and handsome Captain Usopp!" Almost too fast for Will to see, Usopp whipped out his slingshot, and sent six bb's into the dummy at various kill points. There was a rousing applause form the ninja's and the Guardians. "Yes his marksmanship is definitely a 10," said Nami, "But his bravery is only a 3. And don't get me started on his courage, or lack of."

"Oh Nami!" crooned Sanji, who literary had hearts in his eyes, "The way you just tell the truth, just makes my heart soar like a giant eagle!" "Well I'm shooting your eagle down!" said Nami as she smacked Sanji back to normal.

Nice," said Kiba as he faced one of the dummies, "But check this out!" As Kiba readied his chakra, his teeth elongated into fangs, as well as claws extending from his fingers. He then got down of his hands and readied to attack. "Beast mimicry! All fours jutsu!" Faster than Will could see, Kiba had landed on the dummy, shredding it with his claws and fangs like a wild animal.

"Wow!" said Irma, "You wouldn't want to see him down a dark ally." "It's even more impressive in actual combat," said Hinata timidly, "When Kiba is facing a real opponent." "It's even better when Akamaru's fighting with me," said Kiba, "Right Akamaru?" Akamaru barked in agreement.

Elsewhere, Luffy was talking with Will, Elyon, Sakura, Saske and Naruto. "We were heading to the next island in the Grand Line," said Luffy, "When this big rip in the water opened up, or something like that. Anyway, this old man came out of the rip, saying that I owed him a favor." "That'd be Tibor," said Will, "He said that he was calling in a favor."

"Anyway," continued Luffy, "A couple of years ago, Tibor, or at least I think it was Tibor, saved me from drowning, because I can't swim. He told me that one day he would have need of someone with abilities like me someday." "Well he couldn't have picked a better time to ask for your help," said Elyon, "Because we really need it."

"I'm just wondering," said Luffy to Naruto, Saske and Sakura, "My crew's told their dreams, so what are yours?" "Well," said Sakura, "The dream of almost any ninja is to be all he or she can be; to improve his or skill in the pursuit of perfection." "I'm going several steps further," said Naruto, "Someday I'm gonna be the next Hokage." "What's a hokage?" asked Luffy. "Top ninja," said Naruto, "Number one in my village. When I'm on top, everyone will respect me."

"What about you Sakura?" asked Nami, "What do you dream more than else?" Sakura slightly blushed, then answered, "My dream, what I whish more than anything else, is to someday prove myself worthy to the man I love." She glanced at Saske, who didn't even notice.

"What's your dream Saske?" asked Luffy. For a moment to two Saske remained silent before answering, "If you must know, my one wish is to avenge the deaths of my parents and restore honor to the Uciha clan." "It sounds like a big wish." Said Nami. "More than you think," said Saske darkly, "For I must kill a man to fulfill it. Kill him, or die trying."

"Oh Saske!" exclaimed Ino, who had shoved Sakura out of the way, "You carry such a burden. You shouldn't carry it alone." "Back off blonde!" exclaimed Sakura, "The only one who's gonna help Saske carry his burden is me!" "Why should Saske have to put up with your large forehead when he can have a vision of perfection like me," said Ino smugly, "I'll never know."

"He wants me because underneath this forehead," said Sakura, "Is a brain, one that works anyway. You've used so much bleach on your hair, it's a wonder your brain hasn't shriveled into a raisin by now." "My hair's all natural!" exclaimed Ino, "On the other hand, your billboard-brow must be the result of genetic mutation!"

"Shut your trap bleach-head!" exclaimed Sakura. "You shut yours billboard-brow!" exclaimed Ino. "Bleach-head!" Billboard-brow!" "Bleach-head!" Billboard-brow!" "Bleach-head!" Billboard-brow!" "Bleach-head!" Billboard-brow!"

"Hay Nami," said Luffy as Ino and Sakura continued to bicker, "Do you think the one Sakura loves might be Saske?" "Gee," said Nami, "It must be 'Obvious Day' on 'Camp Stupid.'"

The end of chapter 12. Next chapter, the fight to save the children of Metamore continues. See you next time!