As the weeks continued, the crew noticed an enthusiastic change in Zulu. He had always been determined and focused, but now there was a newfound sense of purpose in his every action.

He spent long hours training himself to be even more agile and powerful in battle. His yoga grew more intensive, and he even took up weightlifting with Zoro. He worked hard to hone his fruit skills, building larger and more complex creations, testing his limits further every day.

One day, they found themselves facing a large pirate crew that had been terrorizing a small island community that the Straw Hats had hoped to rest and restock at. They decided to help the islanders get rid of their invaders, but it quickly became obvious that they were severely outnumbered.

After multiple failed attempts to get past their enemies' defenses they had to retreat and regroup. Zulu used his powers to create a wooden barrier between them to protect the crew from the oncoming attacks, and they huddled to plan.

"We can't take them head-on" Nami explained to the crew. "We need to be more strategic about this one."

"I could distract them while you guys come in from the back to attack them" Zulu interjected. "My Golems have become much more manageable lately and I'm certain I can keep them busy enough for you guys to get by."

The crew looked at each other, contemplating the risks. Zulu HAD become much better at controlling his fruit, and he was known to be good on his word. If Zulu said he could handle it they knew they could trust him, it was risky but their best chance none the less.

Standing, Zulu waved his hand and nearby wooden debris were sent soring the direction of the attacking pirates, knocking many down and drawing their attention away from the crew dispersing from behind his defensive wall. As they were down, he focused all of his power and raised his arms, drawing up the wood from the floors and creating a massive wooden golem. It towered over the pirates and raised one large fist before striking down, sending dust and debris into the air. As it smashed about and distracted his opponents from the crew systematically eliminating them from the back, he felt a sense of satisfaction, all his hard work was paying off. Finally, the thought, I can thank them for everything and prove my usefulness beyond being just a chore boy. But as he fought beads of sweat were staring to break out on his forehead and he was rapidly running out of breath. His golem was taking multiple hits from the opposing crew and he was using a lot of energy to repair the damages and keep it attacking.

As he concentrated, Zulu began to feel a strange sensation in his chest. It was a sharp pain that spread quickly, and then snapped, causing him to gasp in agony.

He stumbled backwards, clutching his chest as the world around him began to blur. His Golem ceased its movements and collapsed to the ground; sending dust everywhere, and the crew pausing to observe the commotion.

"Zulu!" Chopper cried out, noticing his fatigue and rushing to his side.

But it was already too late. Zulu's body hit the ground with a sickening thud, his eyes rolling back in his head.

The crew was in shock. They hadn't expected for Zulu to end up so drained from his powers, they had gotten so use to his reliable nature that they had forgotten he was relatively new to his fruit and still had many limitations about how much he could take, no matter what he claimed.

Zoro and Sanji were quick to move in to defend him, fighting off the pirates who had noticed his weakened state.

Thanks to Zulu's Golem and their plan the majority of their enemy had been taken care of, the battle ended shortly after. The islanders were very thankful and happily helped stock the ship with whatever provisions they needed. While the rest of the crew were allowed to party and celebrate their victory Zulu was regulated to the infirmary bed on the Sunny to rest. Chopper and Nami had given him an earful about overexerting himself in battle and that as punishment he was forced to rest instead of joining the festivities inland.

Zulu was sitting in bed listening to the music flowing from the Island and pouting. He had to reluctantly agree that he HAD been reckless, but this crew had become more than just comrades to him, they were his friends and he felt like he had to do his part in helping and protecting them. That didn't mean he had to be happy about their way of "caring" for him, seeing he was currently excluded from the party.

He was brooding when he heard a knock at the door. Shockingly it was Luffy, not shockingly he was holding a massive plate with various meats assorted all over it.

"I wasn't expecting You Captain." Zulu admitted once he got over the shock.

"Yeah, you were probably expecting Sanji Huh?" Luffy stated sticking a large leg of meat into his mouth and chewing.

"Excuse me?"

"Oh right, Robin said to leave you alone about that."

Zulu's eye started to twitch. "And what EXACTLY is THAT supposed to mean!?"

"Forget about it" Luffy said, waving his free hand in a dismissive manner, "I'm here because Nami's still mad at you for making us worry today."

Shoulder slumping in annoyance and guilt Zulu puffed his cheeks out and turned his head away. "I had thought THAT conversations had been effectively finished earlier when she a Chopper practically bit off my head."

"Yeah, but Nami says she doesn't think you took her seriously enough, and that as Captain it's my job to inform you that as a guest you shouldn't be allowed to put yourself in danger like that."

"Boo, I got the point. No more risky stunts while I'm a guest."

"Exactly! So join my crew!" Luffy suddenly exclaimed, shoving more meat into his mouth.

"What!?"

"If you join my crew you're no longer a guest and then both you and me don't have to listen to Nami anymore!" And then he flashed a toothy self-satisfied grin to Zulu.

Blinking in amusement Zulu decided to counter him "Captain, I'm not sure that how it works"

"I'm captain and I say it does." Luffy said, annoyed by his lack of enthusiasm, and put his hands on his hips.

"What would I even do? You have everything your crew needs." Zulu continued to probe.

"Nami said you were practically a dime lord already, so you can be that." And he crossed his arms, and nodded his head as if the conversation was settled.

Again Zulu was left baffled and blinking. "What the hell is a dime lord?"

"I don't know," Luffy absently replied, stinking a finger up his nose. " I was eating while she was talking, maybe she said nickel king?" Penny steward?"

"Luffy… do you mean quarter master?"

"YA that's it! sheshesheshe!" And he looked at Zulu expectantly.

". . ."

". . . "

"sigh, Yes, I will be your Quarter Master Luffy."

Luffy flashed him a large toothy grin "Good! I'll tell the crew!"

Zulu smiled, feeling a sense of camaraderie with his new captain. And a growing sense of exasperation at what he had just agreed to. Effectively he was the crew's new babysitter, Not that it's much different to what I've been doing I suppose, He thought to himself, he was not looking forward to what that may entail in the future.. However, as they sailed towards their next adventure, Zulu couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. With his new family and powers, he knew that there was nothing they wouldn't face together.