Chapter 11: Unanimous! Ash's New Role!

Clouds partially covered the morning sky. Sanji started to make his way to the kitchen to make breakfast. "Okay, I'm positive that I can use the stuff we found on that island voyage," he believed. As soon as he reached the door to the kitchen, he began to remember something. 'Wait… Ash wasn't with us at all during the night. I know he's been getting too cozy with my sweet Robin.' On that hunch, Sanji looked into the women's bedroom window. However, he saw Robin sleeping with Pikachu. He didn't see Ash inside. 'His rat's there… not him. Maybe he wanted to make something for the two and fell asleep in the kitchen? I mean, an all-nighter doesn't sound too far-fetched.' He resumed his entry to the kitchen but nothing in there was touched. 'Strike two… Did he fall asleep on the toilet?' As he reached and started to make entry to the bathroom, he noticed on the prow the hammock with Nami's hair dangling out. 'So that's where Nami-Swan is! Lemme make sure she's ready for some Sanji action.' He made his way to the prow. Nami slept so peacefully, she didn't feel the cook coming. Then he saw Nami's arms around Ash, snug. Sanji became enraged. "Nami-Swan…" Sanji lifted his foot above his head. Ash heard Sanji's growl. "Belongs to me!" Sanji swung his foot down on the hammock as Ash bolted out of the hammock with Nami in his arm. Both came out fine from the abrupt awakening.

"What the-" gawked Nami. Zoro watched from the crow's nest. Realizing who he nearly struck, Sanji became a little concerned.

"Hold on, Nami-Swan! I-I… I-I can explain!" Nami didn't want to hear an excuse after he put her health on the line.

"I won't hear about it!" she roared as she punted Sanji between the legs. The shot to the groin made Ash wince but Sanji cried in pain. After Nami removed her leg, Sanji gripped as he stumbled from the shot to the privates. He was in pain so excruciating that he didn't see the end of the prow. He fell from the prow to the lower deck, hitting it head first. Only awake for a few minutes just to fall back to sleep the hard way, and Zoro smiled to it.

"I'm not sure which I like better," he sneered. "Ash's quick evasion or stupid cook's payment." Before long, everyone awakened to the morning stew of breakfast… once Chopper treated Sanji's wounds above and below. As they waited, Ash brought out a picture of a ponytail brunette woman in a pink button-down shirt over a white blouse and a white skirt.

"That's your mother?" asked Robin.

"This is," Ash replied. Nami picked the picture from the table to find a name.

"Delia Ketchum," she read. "I wanna say either she's got some of the best beauty products Berries can buy or this is how she naturally looks, because… look how young she appears!"

"Tell me about it," Usopp awed. "And I thought you had the looks and beauty."

"Hey, I'm not jealous about it. In fact, I appreciate all she's doing since having Ash." Luffy snagged the picture to study himself.

"Say, if we find your mom," Luffy began. "We should have her be a Straw Hat like Ash!" To Usopp, it's an outrageous idea.

"Get real, Luffy!" he snapped as he smacked Luffy in the head. Zoro saw the photo and merely shrugged it off. Chopper also viewed the photo.

"She looks like a nice lady on the picture," he viewed. "Is she really?"

"Well, of course, Chopper!" answered Ash with a smile. "She'd even take care of you on the spot, regardless if you're a reindeer or a Pokémon." Chopper smiled, feeling relieved if the occasion were to happen. Franky also saw the picture.

"Ash, your mom is SUPER!" he cheered while clanging his arms. All laughed to Franky while Robin studied the picture.

"You know, I'm starting to feel the connection between me and her," Robin studied.

"You do?" wondered Usopp.

"Yes, though I do wish to meet her to be sure and of what the connection is." Ash giggled, wondering the same ponder. Brook had a chance to see the photo, despite the absent of eyes.

"Such a fine lady indeed!" he awed. "Do you know what color her panties are or were in-" Zoro silenced Brook with a backhand to his head. The punch propelled Brook into the wall, spilling his tea.

"You think it's appropriate to question a mother's underwear in front of her child?" warned Zoro.

"Thought it couldn't hurt… Ouch…" Sanji took a break from cooking to see the photo.

"All of a sudden, I'm hearing great things about someone's mother," he sighed. When he saw the picture, hearts replaced his eyes. "Whoa, what a knockout! I wouldn't mind cooking for her!" Ash nervously chuckled to Sanji's wish.

"She's an awesome cook as well," he pointed out. Sanji gawked and turned to Ash.

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, especially her famous Deep Dish Chili Dog Pizza." Luffy gasped to the food Ash brought up.

"Deep Dish Chili Dog Pizza?" he repeated.

"Believe me, it's a pizza to behold: The yeast-risen crust, pizza sauce made of sweet ripen tomatoes, melted and bubby cheese, chunks of chopped hot dogs with sprinkles of chili powder, re-fried beans, fresh onions…" The more Ash described the Deep Dish Chili Dog Pizza, the more Luffy's mouth watered in wanting to have a bite of it. In fact, his eyes became pizza pies. The idea blew Luffy's mind as he took a huge gasp to the picture of the Deep Dish Chili Dog Pizza and fell over, his tongue sticking out and wiggling. All saw Luffy faint with a massive grin on his face.

"Not the first time Luffy's gone into a food orgasm by thought," Sanji sighed. Ash shuttered to the sight. Once Luffy recovered and everyone ate breakfast, he and Ash got back to learning Pokémon.

"So, those Team Rocket guys that came to take Pikachu," he reminded. "I've been wondering… Are they also trainers? I get that Meowth is a Pokémon that can talk unlike Pikachu…" Ash remembered who Jessie and James had in store as far as Pokémon were concerned.

"Jessie has Arbok and Lickitung and James has Weezing and Victreebel," he listed. Ash had his PokéDex on hand.

"Could you show me one?" Ash nodded before registering a purple cobra with an odd red, yellow and orange patterns in its hood that looked like a face.

"Arbok, the Cobra Pokémon," it registered. "Arbok is the evolved form of Ekans. The patterns on its hood are used to intimidate its prey." Luffy awed Arbok's look and description.

"That Arbok's so cool! Maybe I can have one as part of my team!" Ash smiled to Luffy's interest.

"There you go!" he laughed. "Perhaps one that can slow enemies like the Marines down with attacks like Poison Sting." To Luffy, Arbok's more than a cool Pokémon to him.

"Not only that, but it takes me back to Amazon Lilly." Ash became curious to this item.

"Sounds like some place."

"Well, after some bear guy sent me there, I found myself in a land where only women live in. Needless to say how curious the women were after they stripped me naked." Ash gulped and jumped at the nonchalant telling of Luffy's adventures.

"Naked in front of women, and you're not bothered by it?" Luffy blinked to Ash's concern.

"What's the big deal?" Ash wanted to say something but instead backed away.

"Forget it. Continue…"

"Okay! I met the leader of Amazon Lilly and the Kuja Pirates, Boa Hancock, who also called me her fiance, whatever that is." Ash awed the new name given to Luffy while in the palace on Amazon Lilly, Hancock gasped suddenly. Once calm, she began to swoon, drawing Gloriosa's attention.

"Hancock, what's wrong?" she asked.

"I swear I heard my darling Luffy mentioning my name!" replied a heartfelt Hancock. She rushed to pick up Luffy's 400 Million Berry bounty poster. "Luffy, please keep me in your unwavering heart!" She started to kiss the poster. Gloriosa groaned to the sight, quickly annoyed. Back on the Sunny, in the crow's nest, Ash and Zoro resumed their training. Wooden sword in hands, Zoro began the lesson.

"First, we'll need to meditate," he instructed. "It will be easier to maintain focus with this, not to mention aid in mental dexterity. As a trainer, I can see it stressing you." Ash listened, thinking a little meditation wouldn't hurt. Their legs crossed, each closed their eyes. "Breathe deep… Find your center…" Ash focused on breathing, calm while Zoro watched. Without making a sound, he stood up. He gathered the wooden sword and approached Ash. He prepared an overhead slash. Zoro held his wooden blade up. Ash sensed something and saw Zoro right in front of him. He tried to get up but lost his footing almost immediately before Zoro swung the blade. In a flash, Ash clapped the wooden sword before falling on his backside. "Nice! Though, that was a fluke." Ash blinked while getting back on his feet.

"Wait, that was a test?" he asked.

"Of course, after you protected Nami from that perverted cook. Besides, it's called the Bare-Handed Blade Block, a risky technique. I didn't expect you to know how to use it considering your world prohibits weapons." Ash shuttered to the thought.

"That was out of instinct after all you taught me so far."

"Is that so? Well, let's continue on the Bare-Handed Blade Block." As Zoro started to set with the sword, he began to ponder once more. 'Maybe it's too soon to conclude but I believe he's inheriting Observation Haki. Let's work some more and see if I'm wrong.' Ash and Zoro continued with the Bare-Handed Blade Block which Ash had better stances to catch the wooden sword. Zoro moved swiftly through the crow's nest to judge Ash's awareness and so far, the results started to astound him. Impressed, Zoro wanted to up the ante. "You're improving faster and faster. Let's do a final test. Put this blindfold on." Ash blinked to the blindfold handed to him.

"You sure?"

"It's my test. I wouldn't be doing this without probable cause." Shrugging, Ash put the blindfold over his eyes. After the blindfold's applied, Zoro put his hand in front of Ash's face. "See my hand?" Ash looked but couldn't see.

"It's all black."

"Good." Zoro retreated as Ash's left in the dark, literally. Ash couldn't see anything. Pikachu watched nervously to Ash's test. Ash stood completely still. Without warning, Zoro came from behind Ash without making a sound. He held his sword up, ready for his strike. He swung, but Ash caught it again. Shocked, Zoro couldn't believe Ash's reaction. It was another successful Bare-Handed Blade Block, but from an angle that's not possible to him. 'No question… I believe he's got the Haki. I like to see the cook counter something like his ability to sense attacks.' Ash removed the blindfold and saw a smiling Zoro. "That was impressive. Good work." Ash nodded to the compliment as Pikachu chimed itself. Suddenly, there was a noise from below. A bang could be heard from below.

"What was that?" wondered Ash. Zoro heard the noise as well.

"Came from Sick Bay."

"Got it. I'll go check it out." Ash and Pikachu exited the crow's nest, leaving a grinning swordsman to himself.

"Looks like you'll be trading that ladle for a sword, stupid cook." Ash reached the sick bay and opened to find a mess and Chopper inside covered in some soot.

"Chopper, you okay?"

"Yeah, just underestimated the contents of the herbs and plants from our scavenger hunt," he admitted. "Still, I see potential that these plants can do so much in the line of medicine." This awed the trainer and Pikachu. More awe came from seeing the numerous bottles of medicine on shelves around the room.

"I find it hard to believe you make all of these types of medicine on hand. This isn't due to the Human-Human Fruit you ate, is it?"

"Nah, though I do see it as a benefit. See, I was under the studies of Doctor Kureha for six years in making medicine. It also helped me create the Rumble Balls that give me boosted abilities for a short amount of time." Pikachu saw a tray of gold balls.

("Are these it?") it asked.

"Yep. They look like gold jawbreakers but they're my power source before I began to train away from the Straw Hats for two years. I rarely use those anymore." Pikachu grew inspired by the development of Chopper.

"Doc Kureha must be one heck of a doctor," Ash huffed.

"She's also my first patient." This information irked Ash.

"What?!"

"Indeed. One day, she did a self-diagnosis when she got sick and realized she had a fatal disease. I put all my studies to work before coming with a cure for her disease. She recovered and I felt grateful her teachings paid off." Ash and Pikachu awed the story from Chopper. "Even after that ordeal, she continued giving me medical studies before I met Luffy and the Straw Hats. Doctor Kureha allowed me to travel with Luffy to find different ingredients for my medical science."

"I can tell. No wonder you've got a chock full of prescriptions on display. "I'd say you're already a great doctor. If anything, that bounty the Marines gave you is a gesture to have them offer you a job to work for them." Pikachu squeaked to Ash's awe in agreement. Chopper began to act giddy and danced.

"Stop it, you jerk! You can't favor me into that!" Ash and Pikachu sighed to Chopper's reaction.

"Maybe I should add about you being an assistant to Nurse Joy." Chopper stopped dancing and looked to Ash.

"Nurse Joy? Who's that?" Ash wanted to start the explanation but a parade of steps had all turn to the door. Barging in was Sanji heavily panting.

"What's this about a nurse named Joy!?" he stammered. Ash, Chopper and Pikachu gawked to his arrival. "Sorry. I was serving tea to Robin on the other side when I heard that name." Chopper gasped in disbelief.

"That's impossible!"

"Name a woman like Vivi and I'll come to know her!" Chopper groaned to Sanji's ears.

"Ash, this is someone who made a vow not to fight a woman, even if his life's on the line." The detail made Ash shutter.

"He'd let a girl literally tear out his heart and die and still would let her do it," he visualized. Sanji straightened himself out.

"So, tell me," he started. "Who's this Nurse Joy?" Ash had little option.

"Nurse Joy runs the Pokémon Center to check up on Pokémon and treat those that are sick, injured or both. In fact, there are Pokémon Centers all over the world, and a Nurse Joy at everyone of them. In fact, they're all related like Officer Jenny." Chopper and Sanji gawked to the last detail.

"You mean all the Nurse Joys and Officer Jennies are a family?" gawked the reindeer.

"It's a Joy-full world Pikachu and I live in." Out of nowhere, Sanji brought out a canvas and a marker.

"Okay, Ash…" he called. "Give me every detail about these Joys and Jennies!" Ash gulped to the idea of telling Sanji about the two women mentioned.

"Okay… Nurse Joy is a pink-haired young woman with her hair in a pair of loops and dressed in a nurse's outfit. She also wears white dress shoes and pantyhose." Sanji scribbled to the detail and already saw what he believed fit the description.

"And Jenny?"

"Officer Jenny wears a blue police uniform with gloves on which also has a skirt. She had cyan hair in a ponytail and wore a skirt and dress shoes." Sanji drew more with his marker. With one more stroke…

"Aside from no color, how do they look?" Sanji turned the canvas over to Ash. Down to every piece, it's on the canvas and Ash looked flabbergasted.

"That's… Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny alright…"

("Man, he's good,") shuttered Pikachu. Sanji began to imagine having both Joy and Jenny with him, hearts once again in his eyes.

"Happiness Joy!" he cried in lovestruck wailing. "Justice Jenny!" The other three groaned to Sanji's dream. Leaving after treatment, Ash and Pikachu met up with Franky at the helm.

"Hey, Ash!" he greeted. "You doing alright?"

"Yeah, though it scares me how accurate Sanji can be with women," he shivered.

"That's Sanji for you." Ash came to the rail in front of the wheel.

"You know, I'm still impressed with this ship."

"Thanks. I guess I should be constantly praised for the work. I've been constructing ships since I was with Tom who introduced me to being a shipwright. I often ignored warnings from him and my brother, Iceberg. It started to bite me like a mosquito when the World Government accused Tom of building a ship for Legendary Pirate Gol Roger. Rather than defend himself, Tom made a deal to construct sea trains." Ash and Pikachu blinked to Franky's tale.

"Wait… Trains that run on water?"

"They still run today. When that happened, I even believed the World Government would commute their sentence on Tom… until they used my warships against me." Ash gasped to Franky's dilemma. "After that… I tried to stop the World Government myself but got ran over by Tom's train, the Puffing Tom. I should've died that day, but I got turned into a cyborg. After that, I had sworn not to build another ship as long as I live." To Ash, Franky found himself regretting his passion. "For a while, I helped keep Water 7 safe and formed the Franky Family. I'm sure the two women would keep you around as part of the family. However, the Straw Hats came along after losing the Going Merry. Iceberg encouraged me the only way a brother would after annoying them half to death and got me to build the Thousand Sunny." Ash listened to Franky's story.

"I find it odd that the World Government, who stole your ships to frame Tom, would fix you into what you are now."

"Not this form. This is actually an upgrade from the two years I was away from the crowd. When I got plowed by the Puffing Tom, I somehow stayed conscious and using my 'Battle Franky 36'- I made a lot of those ships during my youth- I came back with bigger pipes and my stomach replaced with a refrigerator for my fuel supply." He opened his stomach to reveal Cola bottles. "At least I like this since it powers me up." To Ash, Franky's survival had a purpose.

"I think whoever's watching over you guys didn't want you to die before your dream could be fulfilled. You said before that you wanted to build a ship that travels the world, right?"

"Yeah… Wait… Are you saying getting plowed by the Puffing Tom wasn't suppose to kill me?"

"Maybe… You didn't fulfill your wish yet. Not to mention meeting a lot of fun people around." Franky let out a laugh to the comment.

"True enough… Man, if I had met you a long time ago…" Ash turned to the sea for a little longer. A little while later, he entered the library to find Nami who drank tea and snacked on slices of tangerines as she drew an island. Hearing the door, Nami looked up to find him and Pikachu approaching.

"Oh, hey!" she greeted. "I have another cup if you want some tea." Seeing no harm, Ash came over and pour himself a cup. As he finished, he noticed the island drawing with different scales of circles.

"That wouldn't be the island we're on yesterday, is it?"

"Pretty fast, wouldn't you think so?" Ash studied the drawing, awing the craft of the redhead. That's when Nami offered another island drawn out. "This is actually my first. It's my home island when I lived in Cocoyashi Village with Bellemere and Nojiko." This made Ash awe her with her map drawings.

"So you've documented lands you've been on since becoming a Straw Hat?"

"No, long before then when Bellemere was alive. That's why that wretched fishman, before learning about his past, didn't kill me. Think about it, I live after Arlong killed Bellemere. After Luffy sent Arlong packing, then helped me rid Nezumi and his men, I became a permanent member of Luffy's crew." The name made Ash recall.

"Hold on… Did this Nezumi have a mouse hat and whiskers on his face?" Nami gawked to the detail.

"Yeah, but how would-" Ash pulled whisker hair from his pocket.

"Let's just say I gave him a good punch during the raid and tore some of his unusual facial hair out." Nami gasped in shock. She didn't expect Nezumi to be at the fort they raided after Ash jumped on board. She snorted before wrapping her arms and pulling Ash's body to hers for a massive hug.

"You little man! How I wish you were a little older to love!" Her squeeze turned Ash's face purple. Seeing his face on the verge of passing out, Nami released him. "Sorry."

"It's all good. By the way, Nezumi was the one who had the Poneglyph scroll on hand and he and his privates had in order to send to Marie Jois, wherever that is." Nami blinked to the information Ash provided.

"Really?" She then palmed her face. "I was so focused on the gold you brought back that I wasn't listening!"

"Like I said, it's all good." Nami smiled before rushing his face and slamming her lips to his cheek. After the little meeting, Ash came out with a massive dent to his cheek in the shape of Nami's lips.

"Hey, Ash!" called Luffy. "Round two?!" Seeing him, Usopp, Chopper, Franky taking a break and Brook fishing, Ash felt he needed a moment of peace. Usopp handed Ash a pole.

"Let's see if we can get a Sea King this time!" he urged. "I can imagine Kaya's face when she hears about it in Syrup Village!" Ash turned to Usopp with curiosity.

"Kaya?" he repeated.

"Yeah, after we stopped the Black Cat Pirates, Kaya gave us the Going Merry to travel to the Grand Line," Luffy briefed.

"See, Kaya's learning to be a doctor like Chopper," Usopp explained. "I hope after we find One Piece that I can check on her progress." Zoro came forward as well.

"Kaya and Usopp are friends and whenever he had a chance, he'd tell stories to her," he added. "Though this is where most of Usopp's nose comes from." Usopp growled to Zoro's meager verbal assault.

"Oh, those tall tales you mentioned after I saved you from the Marines," Ash sneered.

"Hey, who's side are you on?!" snapped Usopp. Brook laughed to the comic relief on deck.

"Laughter can be the great music for someone like the Soul King such as me," he snickered. Now Ash wondered what Brook meant.

"What are you talking about?" he asked. Brook wanted to clear the air.

"When I stepped away for the two years, I traded in my violin for a guitar for the moment and assumed a new persona as 'Soul King' Brook." Ash chuckled to Brook's story. Suddenly, he felt a tug… then a pull before starting to pull back. Pikachu alerted the boys while Ash stood and fought with every yank.

"I got a big one!" Chopper transformed into the muscled form and grabbed Ash, as well as Zoro, Brook and Usopp. United, they heaved but no give to the line.

"What the hell?!" grunted Zoro. "What did we line?! Laboon?!"

"He'd better not!" snapped Brook. Luffy saw the others losing the struggle. He bit his thumb.

"Hang on, guys!" he encouraged. "Third Gear!" He blew into his thumb which increased the size of his body before it entered his arms and legs. The extra muscle gave the crew a chance.

"And pull!" shouted Usopp. They pulled. One massive yank pulled a giant of a fish: a gold colossal shark that its head looked to be the head of a halberd spear with the head of a hammerhead shark. All gawked to the catch. "Oh my god! That's a Sea King!" To Ash, their lives were on the line.

"I'll need a heavy hitter for this!" he gritted as he grabbed a Pokéball and threw it. "Snorlax, I choose you!" The ball opened and Snorlax appeared. Ash had his commands at the helm as the Sea King leaped up. "Snorlax, use Mega Punch!" Snorlax gave the Sea King a strong punch to the abdomen. It sent the Sea King back. It returned to spear the Sunny. "Body Slam!" Snorlax leaped from the Sunny and landed a belly flop onto the Sea King's head. Rattled, the Sea King flung Snorlax upward. "Come down with Mega Kick!" Snorlax extended a foot as the Sea King leaped again. The kick with the weight of the Hibernate Pokémon smashed the fin of the Sea King and turned it around. Snorlax jumped on the Sunny and landed without moving the Sunny. "Let's finish it: Hyper Beam!" Snorlax charged light in its mouth before spitting a beam that struck the Sea King, cushioning its fall from the sky onto the Sunny. The boys became starry-eyed except for Brook.

"That was SUPER!" cheered Franky.

"Way to go, Ash!" wailed an excited Usopp. Snorlax saw his master receiving praise while Brook and Chopper shared some to it.

"That was amazing, Snorlax!" cheered Chopper. "I didn't know you could do that!"

"Indeed!" agreed Brook. "You're getting some extra food!" Snorlax growled happily to the concept. Chopper glared at the Sea King.

"It might take a couple of hours for Sanji to make sure that Sea King's in pieces." Ash wiped his face of sweat after that battle.

"That was exciting," he huffed. "So that's a Sea King… Talk about a fitting name. What's next, Sea Queens?" Robin witnessed the struggle and came to Ash.

"That was an impressive battle with the Sea King," she complimented.

"Yeah, thanks! Kinda wore me out." Robin believed Ash and had an idea.

"Maybe I know something that could help out. Brook!" Hearing his name despite no ears, Brook came over to Robin.

"Yes, my dear sweet Robin?" he swooned. Robin came to his missing ear and whispered something. "Oh, I can do something like that." Now Brook turned to Ash. "Binks' Brew isn't the only song I know." Ash seemed interested to what other songs Brook knew.

"Alright, let's hear one," he requested. Violin in bony hands, he began to play a melody as Robin summoned hands to cover her ears.

"This is called… Lullaby Parry." Ash blinked but before he could ask, the melody began to lull his consciousness. His eyes heavy, he started to fall asleep. Brook finished as Ash began drifting backwards. Robin acted fast.

"Pierna Fleur!" she called before a line of legs appeared. They caught Ash before riding him down the line to the women's room.

"Ah, so that was your plan. Somehow that 'Devil Child' name is starting to make sense."

"Well, that and since I'm Ash's replacement mother, I'm just doing what's best for him." Robin journeyed into the woman's room to find Ash in bed and fast asleep. She joined him in bed to snuggle alongside, as well as give him a kiss to the forehead. More arms appeared to help wrap him in her motherly care. Ash's sleep lasted about two hours as he woke to find himself in Robin's slew of arms. She felt movement and woke to find Ash. "Did you have a nice nap?" It took a while for Ash to realize where he slept in.

"Yeah…" he quietly answered. Robin nodded to his reply.

"You'll have to excuse me but I didn't want you to get sick after hauling in that Sea King." Ash smiled, understanding Robin's concern.

"Thanks, and I thought Jigglypuff's the one I had to worry about putting me to sleep." This irked Robin.

"Jigglypuff?" Remembering about the lack of Pokémon, Ash wanted to clarify.

"It's a Pokémon my friends and I run into sometimes. Ever since Jigglypuff found a marker in Misty's bag, it's used its Sing to put us to sleep like Brook did. At least you or Brook didn't draw any funny faces onto me." Robin laughed as she hugged Ash around the shoulders.

"Now why would I do something like that?" Both shared a laugh. The sun began its decent to close the day, but Ash's day wasn't done as Ash entered the kitchen once more to help Sanji with dinner. When Ash brought up his real mother, Sanji wondered about the recipe for Deep Dish Chili Dog Pizza and Ash happily accepted. He even had a recipe for something without meat.

"Creamy Vegetable Stew?" he read.

"I know Luffy wouldn't eat it," Ash shrugged.

"I know… no meat. It's a nice alternative from Brock. I kinda wish we'd meet in real life and exchange recipes… at least the ones that don't have Sea Beasts or Sea Kings in it." Ash laughed. Sanji now believed he had the wager with Zoro "in the bag." 'Moss-Head might wanna start fasting real soon. His reign over me's about to end.' Ash recalled days ago about Sanji's dream.

"When you brought up the All Blue as your dream, what are you gonna do about it?" To Sanji, it's more than simply finding the meeting of seas.

"Not only do the waters of East, West, North and South Blue meet, but all marine life as well, including fish that are rare or even new fish never been scene. Could you imagine the dishes with fish like that?"

"Not off the top of my head but I bet with your massive skill and some imagination, you may have something that would knock a lot of socks off."

"There you go! When I do find it, I'd wanna take you there, one way or another." Ash nodded, still wishing to keep the honor of the promise. After throwing in a few pizza pies in the oven and the stew's pot boiling… "Hey, I'll take care of the rest. I appreciate that you told me of my sweet Robin's wishes to you." Ash accepted before leaving the kitchen. As he stepped outside…

"Ash, up here!" voiced Luffy. Looking up, Ash found Luffy with Pikachu above and toward the prow. Ash reached Luffy and had him join on the spot where they made the vows. "I know you haven't been here for a long time… but how's it been being a pirate?" Ash began to reflect the time he came on the Sunny to now.

"A lot to absorb at once," he admitted. "Being a pirate, fighting corrupted Marines, seeing Sea Beasts and Sea Kings, Devil Fruit users like you and Robin…" Luffy laughed to the item. "Fishmen and giants like Lily, plus someone who's more into women than Brock…"

"Sounds like a lot, and to think… no Pokémon to find." Ash let out a burst of laughter to the point.

"Good one. I hadn't noticed it." Ash began to reflect his experience as a pirate. "I never knew being a pirate would be this much fun." To Luffy, it's a dream he almost didn't get to try.

"Same here. Gramps would disagree." Ash heard Luffy, blinking to the thought.

"Was Gramps a Marine?"

"Well… he's a Vice Admiral. He wanted me to be a Marine like him and often took out his frustration on me when I brought up pirates." To Ash, Luffy never listened to his elder. "Of course, if not for him… I wouldn't have known about my dad named Dragon." Pikachu jumped to the name given.

"That's a name that would make me change my you-know-what's that my mom points out." Luffy grinned to the reaction.

"He's the leader of this Revolutionary Army and is suppose to be the most dangerous man in the world. I bet your dad isn't as extreme, right?" Ash frowned to the topic. "Did I say something wrong?" Ash shook his head while an ear emerged from Pikachu's ears. Robin seemed to be listening to the conversation.

"I never knew my dad… In fact, there isn't any picture of him or anything about him for that matter. It's like my mom had me, and he was never around. It's only been me and Mom." Luffy seemed sympathetic to Ash and removed his straw hat to place on Ash.

"I guess we're related: no dads involved in our lives." Ash showed a small smile while Robin shed a tear, saddened by Ash's family issues. "Listen, whatever you've done, it's a hell of a lot more than what your dad's done. Believe it, best friend. You're a pirate and a trainer. No one will outdo you."

"I guess so. Thanks…" Ash stretched himself before starting himself off. "I'll take a dip before dinner."

"Okay. Just don't drown." Ash laughed before making his way to the bathroom. When he and Pikachu reached the library, Robin stood in their way.

"I heard it," she advised. "No father in your life and only Delia to take care of you… I'm amazed that you're this strong without him." Ash believed Robin, her powers seemingly unreal.

"Robin, you don't need to worry or burden yourself," he tried to ease with a smile. "I've been living my life as I wanted to live. You should, as well. I don't want my family's issues becoming someone else's down the road." Robin nodded before hugging him with tears draining her eyes. The boy and Pokémon bathed and dried before making their way to the kitchen. As they reached the door, they heard something inside.

"For some reason, I believed he's part of us before we came together," Usopp brought up. "I know he's been with us for a little over a week but at the same time, it's like he's been with us since before Luffy left East Blue to become a pirate." Others listened in to make their own assessment of Ash.

"It's even weirder to think that his presence came to us," Brook added. "For the longest time, we came together to escort Luffy to One Piece. Now, I think it's because we're drawn to a force that we sensed in the minimum and only to come together in the right time." Even Luffy had his own take.

"It's like he's a brother that I'm now recognizing for the first time, even though it's been a week," he pictured.

"And the strange thing about it is that Luffy actually makes sense," Zoro scoffed. "Though, I would agree on this aura we're feeling from him. I'd say since getting the Going Merry, there's been his aura that we didn't recognize until he's been with us and meeting everyone. Luffy, Nami, Usopp, Sanji and I would be the first to come together and as Brook said, it's his force and not Luffy's desire."

"That would go for me since we met on Drum Island," Chopper listed.

"And me since joining from Alabasta," Robin continued.

"Not to mention this big guy from Water 7," Franky added.

"Then me after I saved you at Thriller Bark," Brook finished.

"It's easy to see that he's a part of us long before he and his Pokémon became a part of us," Nami summarized. "He's a great friend… though I think that's being light."

"No kidding," Sanji smiled. "He treats his Pokémon like family… and he deserves every member." Luffy nodded and knew the next step.

"I'm glad we all came to this decision for him," he nodded. "So, who's gonna tell him when he arrives?" Ash smiled, hearing the comments about him.

"Should we?" he asked Pikachu. Before Pikachu could answer, waves crashing into the Sunny shook the ship enough to make Ash lose his balance. He reached for the door handle but his weight and the shift in the wake made him fall into the kitchen. All saw the stumble and Nami came to his aid.

"You alright?" she asked.

"Yeah, just a stumble from the waves." After getting up, Franky had the honor.

"Ash, we're just talking about you," he started. "We've had our meeting while trying out your known dishes and… we have made a unanimous decision." Ash wondered to it since he heard the compliments. "Ash Ketchum, we hearby declare you Vice Captain of the Straw Hats." Ash took a few seconds before gasping in shock as well as Pikachu.

"What?! Vice Captain?!" He stumbled in trying to understand this ordeal. "Now, hold on! This is so sudden! Why me?! Nami's better fit for the role than I am! And I'm still a kid! Vice Captain doesn't sound right, even for me!" Nami placed a hand on his head for support.

"We understand your point," she agreed to a point. "But you've been helping us ever since you saved us when you first arrived. You've listened and supported everyone and our goals. You've done more in such a short time that even I felt you fit Vice Captain better than any of us." Ash looked to the faces of everyone's smiles. His influence made him part of the crew. Now, he landed a major role with the Straw Hats.

"Vice Captain… Thank you Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Chopper, Robin, Franky and Brook. I accept the role as Vice Captain Ash Ketchum." The Straw Hats and Pikachu cheered to the acceptance. Usopp raised a glass.

"Ash, join us!" he urged. "There's a glass of Cola for you!" Ash obeyed and grabbed a glass to raise. "Now… a toast! To our new Vice Captain, Ash Ketchum!" Cheers echoed with volume before the feast including the pizzas from Delia's recipe, Brock's veggie stew and numerous dishes from the Sea King Ash reeled in. Luffy also shared more meat to Ash, a bigger chunk than days ago.

"Suddenly, this feels like the best day of my life," the new Vice Captain cheered. Robin giggled before she used her Pierna Fleur on Ash again to raise his height. "Whoa!" Robin bobbed Nami to join before holding him steady. Both kissed Ash on the cheeks, a present for his promotion. Brook and Sanji whimpered in dismay to the sight.

"And still, he gets the girls," mulled Brook.

"Why does this happen?" whined Sanji. Luffy shared a large piece of meat to Ash who willfully ate it. As night began to settle, Nami took Pikachu into the girls room once again. Ash cleaned himself up once more before entering the men's room full of yelling.

"If you think a few recipes he brought over from his world is enough, you've gone senile!" yelled Zoro.

"Yeah, and what has he done with your swords?!" countered Sanji. "Just wait til the day you're eating your own words as well as my worst dishes, Moss-Head!"

"You're the one who'll use those cooking hands to wield blades!" Zoro chucked a pillow at Sanji who ducked, but found Ash instead.

"Maybe I should give you a thrashing with some Diable Jambe I've been cooking up!"

"Can't you guys can it?!" snapped Usopp. Zoro and Sanji turned to Usopp, still livid.

"Can it, yourself!" they shouted together while nailing Usopp with more pillows. Ash seemed ready to end the argument with a sneer.

"Guys…" he called. As Sanji and Zoro turned, Ash hurled pillows like he had a Pokéball, striking Zoro in the face. Sanji blinked to seeing Zoro go down before he turned, only to have another pillow smash him in the face. He fell as well. Both now risen and faced their grinning Vice Captain. "You do realize this… means… war." Sanji and Zoro glanced to each other while Usopp and Chopper became more frightened.

"How long has it been since we've agreed on something?" wondered Sanji.

"Never long enough," Zoro sneered. "Come on!" All three began to fight among themselves with the pillows. The commotion never bothered the women and Pikachu. To Ash, his legacy among the Straw Hats became absolute as he now had new responsibilities to go with the new title of Vice Captain.

TO BE CONTINUED…