I changed into a sensible pair of long tan pants and a red shirt, then I strapped my sword and kogatana to my right hip and made my way out onto the deck. I was greeted by smiles from every one as they went about their business. I went and stood in the same place I had my first day on this boat, I stared out at the waves.

Beautiful... I thought, The waves are just beautiful.

"Day dreaming?"

I looked behind me to see Benn smirking. "Nothing wrong with that, I'm a passenger on this ship."

Benn pulled out a cigarette, "I didn't say anything." He lit it.

"Yeah, I know you didn't." I sighed at turned back to the ocean, "Do you see this view every day?"

"Some days are better than others, but yes."

I took a deep breath, "It makes me consider..." I stabbed that sentence with a metaphorical knife before I could finish it. "Nothing, I'm still just a passenger and will be until I decide to leave." I said firming myself for some sort of retort from Benn. Yet none came.

I glanced back behind me, no one was there. I sunk lower so my chin was resting on the railing. My hands strayed down to the Amaterasu, I really wanted to try it out, but everybody was really busy... "Hey."

I glanced back at Shanks, "Hello."

He eyed my hand that was hovering over my blade. "You want some practice?"

I sighed, "Is it really so obvious." I straightened up, "Yeah, I am sorta itching to get some use out of these." I patted my blades.

Shanks thought for a moment, "Alright, let's see how good you are." Shanks drew his own blade.

My eyes widened, "You... Want me... to fight you? ARE YOU CRAZY?! There's no way I'm anywhere close to your skill! I mean, just looking at you I can tell we're worlds apart in skill!"

Shanks frowned, "I swear, you act like him. You just drew yourself a line that you're most likely never going to cross unless you have to." He waved his blade accusingly at me, "You can't judge a person's skill on how they look, I firmly believe that people will rise to the expectations you put them to. Now come on! You wanted to test them, so let test them!"

I sighed, "Fine." I pulled the Amaterasu out with my left hand, my right just hovering over my kogatana. I shifted into a stance that felt comfortable and waited, I saw Shanks shift slightly, I dodged to the left, fully expecting to get hit, but somehow I just barely missed his blade.

"Good." Shanks commented as he readied himself for another attack. I dodged back to the right, and just barely missed getting hit again. "Very good."

I kept on defense for a while longer, then launched my own attack, I twirled around and sliced downward with my blade. Shanks and I locked blades, we got a good look at the others eyes. His eyes.. Oh god... they look so... so cold.

I had no doubt that Shanks could see me sweat under his intense stare. My free hand moved almost on it's own, I grabbed my kogatana firmly in my right hand and smashed the hilt into Shanks wrist. It didn't have the desired effect seeing as his hold on his sword only got tighter, though I obviously caught him off guard because I was able to unlock our blades and take the true offensive. I slashed a few more times with my kogatana, then sheathed it again. I didn't know what I was doing but I had a good feeling.

"Wha-?" Shanks started but I ignored him as I placed both my hands on the Amaterasu's hilt. I concentrated, I felt a small bead of sweat slowly crawl down my forehead. With in one powerful slash, something separated from my blade. It was a long thin green wave. I kept my concentration steady, willing it to move at Shanks. That proved to hard for my already exhausted body, I lost concentration on the wave and it went haywire, it destroyed a few boxes that were near by, and scared the living daylights out of a few of the crew mates. Shanks was able to stop it before it caused too much damage.

I stared wide eyed at the damage I'd caused. "The hell?" I said out loud as the exhaustion took hold of the rest of my body forcing me to collapse, "Did... I do that?"

"Yep." Shanks said matter-of-factually. "I knew that there was more to you than meets the eye." He sheath his sword. "That was some move you pulled there. I think you've earned the right to stay on this ship as a 'passenger' as long as you want." He beamed a large smile my way.

"Yeah... I guess so..." I paused as Shanks started to turn away. "Hey wait!" He turned around, "I want to talk to you." I waved the crowd of people gathering around us away as he leaned down. "I... I want you to train me."

"Well... I don't normally train passengers..."

"Please!" I begged, "I'll do anything! Just train me!"

A devilish smile crossed his face. "Anything? I accept your offer." He walked away laughing.

I paled, I knew exactly what he wanted. I just joined a pirate crew!