Girl falls into One Piece

Chapter 6

Edit: 6/27/16 Time: 1:12 am

Naguri, Gol D. Roger and Swordsmanship

We all basically bonded and hung around as winter came along. It was colder so I started wearing long sleeves to cover up the cold and pants. All four of us were in the forest chasing after what I think looked like a panda. Luffy jumped on it and killed it. That reminded me of my first kill.

Flashback

It was a week ago and we were chasing this tiger, smaller than the normal one we take down. My mental pride took over and I leaped at it and smashed its face in all the way through. Later on, I looked at how rash that was. Sabo, Ace and Luffy ran up to me. Sabo grinned at me and something was in his eyes I couldn't identify at the time. He said. "Good Job, Mace! You got your first kill!"

I grinned back feeling a childish pride at what I did. Luffy shouted out and latched himself to me. "Cool Mace!"

I laughed and hugged him back as I felt my eyes brighten. I let go and him and Sabo went to pick up the tiger. I was about to go help them when I felt a hard pat to the top of my head. I saw Ace in front of me going to the tiger. Smiling softly, I helped carry the tiger.

Later on when we cooked it and started eating, I felt like it tasted better. Must have been in my mind or something. When I went to go to sleep I recognized the look in Sabo's eyes. Pride. Pride for me. Smiling I went to sleep.

End flashback

I was torn from my flashback by a hard punch to my head. I yelped and held my head with both hands with tears in my eyes; I could already feel the bump. I saw Ace having a raised fist. I glared and he smirked as he said. "You spaced out again."

I grumbled about Ace as I helped them with the animal. Before we could do anything, I heard Sabo yell. "Luffy! Watch out!"

I whipped my head around and my eyes widened as my jaw dropped. That is one big ass tiger! He was staring us down and Sabo said. "Leave it Luffy! He just wants the Danpa!"

My eyes widened again as I was about to run to Luffy, but Ace grabbed my collar. The tiger jumped right in front of Luffy and he said. "It's my prize; I'm not going to let you take it."

Dammit Luffy, just forget it! It licked him and then swatted him away. I yanked myself from Ace's grip and my eyes were narrowed when he stopped rolling. He did his Gum-Gum thing, but he got hit again and landed on the tiger's head. He was flung back once more and I looked at Sabo. We all ran to him. We dragged him away as he yelled out. "I'll get even with you!"

We ran over to the bridge that we crossed when we were first chasing after Ace. Luffy was depressed about his kill being taken and Sabo said. "Luffy, sorry about you're first prize."

Ace said. "Whatever, the tiger had it now."

I glared. "Jerk."

He growled. "Shut up Mace!"

Luffy said loudly. "That was my first prize! He can't just steal it!"

Even though Ace said it in an asshole way, he was right. We never seen a tiger that big here and judging on Ace and Sabo's reactions, they hadn't either. I still hate how rude he is to Luffy though. Whatever, it's the way Ace is.

Luffy then started getting mad and stomping on the bridge making it shake. I paled as me and Ace yelled at him. "Watch it!"

He suddenly gave us a teasing grin and started jumping up and down. He fell half way through and I slid on the bridge to grab Luffy's hands, Ace and Sabo close behind me. I growled. "Luffy I'm going to hurt you!"

Ace and Sabo seemed to agree. Dammit, he can't even swim! We fell through and I screamed as I fell. Someone grabbed my ankles and I heard Ace say. "Pull us up, Sabo!"

Soon we were back on the bridge and I smacked Luffy over the head. He pouted and asked. "What was that for, Mace?"

I glared. "Idiot! Don't do that, you're the one who can't swim!"

He laughed and Ace scowled while Sabo sighed. "Let's just go home."

We all agreed and I was holding onto Luffy's shirt as he walked to the end and I heard Ace snort and Sabo snicker under his breath. I scowled, but didn't reply. We went in the woods and climbed up the ladder to our tree house and all sat down and Sabo put the lamp on. I sat next to Luffy and Ace. Luffy whined. "I'm hungry!"

Ace reached over me and punched him and I pushed him in annoyance. "Knock it off."

He smacked me in the head and I decided to keep quiet. My younger body also catching up with me, I leaned on Luffy shoulder and fell asleep. I woke up a little bit later by Luffy jostling me and us all dragged sheets and pillows in the middle. Setting up our little bedding area, I laid down in between Ace and Sabo. Even if I was older mentally I felt safer.

Then I fell asleep and ignored Luffy's weird giggling and was woken again by Luffy talking loudly. "Ace! Sabo! Mace! You have to come aboard my ship with me!"

He then said. "We'll fight that tiger to see who will become the captain and Mace can fight so she'll decide who she wants to go with!"

I smirked; I wasn't a bad idea even if that tiger was huge. I could use this as a reason to get stronger; I can't rely on Ace and Sabo my whole life. Ace and Sabo agreed. All three of them looked at me for my answer; I grinned widely and said. "Yeah! It'll be fun."

They laughed. Finally we got to sleep and I was not woken up. The next day, I thought they were going to look for the tiger right away, but they went to the stream. We each caught a fish and they tied theirs to their backs and I smirked. "You all look stupid."

Luffy pouted. "Put on the fish."

I said. "Nope."

Ace rolled his eyes and said. "Whatever, come on!"

Snorting, I muttered under my breath. "Ace looks the stupidest."

I looked forward, but was pushed into the water. I swam up and glared at Ace, spitting out water. He laughed and Luffy and Sabo joined him. I pulled myself up and shook my head like a dog. We walked somewhere and Luffy was whining about using the fish like this being a waste.

Sabo said they were using them as bait and I thought it was smart except it was tied to them and if they had to get away, the weight would slow them down.

We heard a roar and I tensed, my hands tightening around my pipe. It roared a second time and Ace said. "Here he comes!"

The fog was in front of us because it was still snowing and I blinked when instead of the tiger, I saw a huge ass bear with a scar over the left eye. Sabo asked. "Is that a tiger?"

I rolled my eyes and they call me and Luffy dumb. Sabo said as it raised itself on his hind legs and roared. "That's a bear!"

Luffy told it to go away. I scowled; it was still bad even if it was not the Great Tiger. They said it was good practice and we all ran at the tiger, but Ace cheated by going first. I went a little slower, a calculating look in my eyes as I decided how to defeat it. I have something Ace and Sabo don't, a 16 year old brain.

Ace jumped up and attacked it with the pipe and swiped at it. He jumped down and it was swaying. I grinned, he actually did it! Ace was facing us and I had a horrified look when all he did was give it a big bump on his head. We all screamed, hey if Ace and Sabo can't defeat it, no way in hell could me and Luffy do it!

I ripped the fish from Luffy's back and Sabo and Ace got rid of theirs. We ran as it roared behind us. After a while of that, a hammer was coming at us and we ducked just in time. We stopped and a long figure that was most likely a man jumped in front of us. He had a long cape and a brown hat with white hair. Sabo gasped from next to me. The old man shocked me by running toward the raging bear no matter how much we screamed at him. Is he crazy, that bear is huge and he's an old man!

Snow was flung everywhere and when all he did was hold up a hand and the bear stared at him and then the old guy told him to go away and he did shockingly and Luffy said. "Cool!"

The old man came back over and we followed him into the forest and he made a fire. He told us he was a pirate captain. Luffy said, looking at him with awe. "You were a Pirate and a Captain, Naguri!?"

Luffy said something about Shanks doing what he did and I asked."What are you talkin' about Luffy?"

He grinned. "When Shanks helped me, he did that thing with this big sea monster! That old man is cool too."

Naguri looked a little embarrassed about that. Sabo was whispering to Ace, but he was loud. He told about how Naguri lived at the Grey Terminal and collected a bunch of junk and the blue Jam pirates would bully him. Sabo also said that he looked pathetic. I rolled my eyes, he isn't pathetic. He just saved our lives!

Luffy laughed as he said. "You don't know that's how pirates are."

I grinned, he must be thinking about Shanks. He's right. Sabo yelled at him. "And what do you know about Pirates!?"

I said, smiling. "He's right. Shanks would do the same."

Sabo complained and Ace cut us some fish. Sometimes I forget that Sabo has a temper of his own, even if he's the calm one most of the time.

He gave it to us and I winced at the hotness, but ate nonetheless. Someone else would take it from me if I didn't eat it.

Ace asked him. "Why is a Pirate Captain out here?"

I think he might be too old to be a pirate right now. Naguri asked."How could you ask me something like that?"

Ace frowned. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

He knows about a slight bit of being polite?!

Naguri said. "Okay, I'll tell you. Do you know about Gol D. Roger?"

I looked up and my eyes widened in shock when I saw the look in Ace's eyes, shock and hate? It was close to the look I saw when we first met. It made me freeze in fear for a second before I relaxed and scolded myself, how could I fear Ace like that? He's my brother after all.

Naguri said. "We challenged Gol D. Roger to a fight!"

Luffy shouted. "Really?!"

Naguri said. "Yeah, but we lost and split up."

I frowned, that must have sucked. He continued. "But everything went downhill from there and now I'm here."

Luffy shouted, almost visible stars in his eyes. "You fought with the King of the Pirates, That's so cool!"

Naguri smiled down at Luffy. "No, no but we lost badly."

My eyes widened when I noticed the tone in his voice. Admiration. Naguri said. "Yeah and his crew was real strong too."

I heard a twig snap and I looked to see Ace leaving. Something about Gol D. Roger must have bothered Ace, but I don't know what. I muttered. "Ace..."

I was so worried that I didn't hear what Naguri was saying to Luffy. I shocked at myself, no matter how much I cared about Sabo and Luffy, I never thought it would reach to him too. Not was the way we acted around each other.

I came back into the conversation when I heard Luffy ask for some tips from the old Pirate Captain. I frowned and looked at him with a wary look; I did not want Luffy near some stranger even if he did save us. You don't know other people's motives.

Luffy asked about Ace after Naguri agreed and Sabo said. "About that, Ace's dad is the King of the Pirates."

My jaw dropped as Luffy yelled. "What?! Ace's father is the King of the Pirates!?"

But why would he hate him? Not being there? His reputation? These were some of the things that drifted my family apart. Over the years, my father went away the more times he gained rank and then when he would be home, he would push me to become a Marine. But then again, my father didn't have a reputation, at least nothing like the Pirate King.

Sabo told me and Luffy seriously. "You can't mention it to anyone or tell Ace. He's kill you. Both of you."

I nodded, it made sense, if you hate someone, you wouldn't want to hear about them. Luffy asked him why and Sabo didn't know. I was quiet and they seemed to notice.

Luffy asked. "Ne, why are you so quiet Mace?"

I shrugged. "Nothing."

Luffy asked. "But why is Ace mad, it's his Dad right?"

Sabo had a dark look on his face. "So what?"

I nodded. "Yeah, parents aren't so great."

They both stared at me. Sabo asked me. "What are yours like?"

I stared at the ground. "My Dad was a Marine and we didn't get along, mom took his side a lot."

Sabo patted me on the shoulder and I looked up to see him smiling at me. I grinned back at him, feeling better. Luffy wound his arms around me and I chuckled. We said bye to Naguri and walked into the forest toward our tree house. Sabo told us. "Just act casual."

I nodded. "Sure."

Luffy agreed with me. We climbed up and Sabo went in first shouting. "Ace! I didn't know you were home!"

I snorted, way to be casual. Luffy rushed in and said. "Hey Ace! I didn't know your father was Roger."

I face palmed and I smacked Luffy on the head. "You were not supposed to do that, Idiot!"

Sabo freaked out."You idiot, Luffy! I told you not to mention it."

He was shaking Luffy and I pulled Sabo away. "Calm down Sabo. You know how Luffy is."

Ace asked quietly. "Luffy?"

Luffy said. "Yeah?"

Ace asked. "Who told you and Mace that?"

I said. "Sabo did."

Sabo punched me in the head which caused me to let out a yelp and a bump showed on my head. I rubbed it with a pout and Sabo harshly whispered. "Don't tell him that!"

Luffy asked. "What's Roger like?"

I blanched. Luffy does not have a brain to mouth filter at all. Sabo was shocked into fear again. They were yelling and I was too. "Calm down already, there is three of us and one of Ace."

They would not listen and I felt a hard punch to my head and fell to the ground, then heard two thumps a second later. Ace yelled as my eyes rolled in pain. "Don't ever mention that name again!"

They yelled at him and he punched them both again giving them quivering bumps on their heads and I glared. "Watch it. All they did was asked you something!"

He growled and hit me on the head. I groaned in pain and yelled."Will you both stop hitting me!?"

Ace yelled at us and Luffy got up as he started dancing around."Roger, Roger, Roger. Ace's dad is the King of the Pirates!"

I snorted and jumped up. I stuck my tongue out and said. "Yeah ha ha, Roger Roger!"

He growled and tackled me to the floor. I yelped and tried to push him off. After hitting me again he dived at Sabo and Luffy. Soon the place started shaking and when we were done fighting all of us were laying on boxes and Ace said. "We are no longer brothers!"

Sabo and Luffy said. "That's what I was going to say!"

I groaned. "You guys all Suck! Luffy I'm ignoring you!"

I turned on my side with a wince. Luffy jumped on me and said."No Mace! I'm Sorry to you only!"

I looked at him and flinched away from his puppy dog eyes. I frowned. "Fine, but only you!"

Ace and Sabo shouted. "Shut up!"

/ / / / / / /

The next day, Ace and Sabo went on their own way and Luffy went to go see Naguri. I was hesitant, I wanted to make sure Luffy would be okay, but at the same time I wanted to train without any watchful eyes, to see how hard my skill could go if I pushed myself. Luffy seemed to know so he gave me a grin, but a softer one and said. "It's s'okay! I'll be fine Mace."

I frowned, but then sighed shaking my head. Luffy grinned more and I ruffled his hair with a nod. Naguri was leaning against a tree. I walked over and said. "Look after him Naguri."

He laughed and ruffled my hair while made me look up. "Sure, nothing to worry about Girlie! Have fun!"

I gave him a smile and felt a little better. Having said bye to Ace, Sabo and Luffy, I was ready to go off. I waved at Naguri with a grin and said. "Bye Naguri! Good luck with Luffy!"

He smiled and nodded. I walked off and knew Ace and Sabo would be in the forest and Luffy would be where ever Naguri was taking him. So I decided to walk in the Grey Terminal. Shoving my hands in my pockets, I walked to the trash heap.

A couple of people nodded at me and I nodded back. I wondered around for a day just looking at trash. I found an empty area and moved around trash and boards. First I flattened some wide space and made boards and stuff. Take screws they were laid around, I hammered them with a rock.

When I figured it was sturdy enough, I laid under it, my jacket pulled tight around me, battling against the cold. I felt warmth later on, getting up and walking out. I saw a fire. I figured they wouldn't mind if they were like the homeless people at home.

"I walked over and one the guys said. "What are you doing here alone, kid?"

I shrugged. "We're separated for a while."

They laughed and joked and I did too a couple of times. I felt my eyes close and I fell asleep. I woke up with a groan and stood up. Stretching, I walked a little bit into the forest. I stared at the tree and kicked it. I creaked and I did it a couple of times and to my shock, it fell over. I smirked; I've gotten stronger after all.

I grabbed the pipe off the floor and started swiping it in the air. I spread my feet shoulder length apart and swung it. I went downward and pulled it up to strike above my head and then in my middle. It became a smooth order until I could do it like breathing. I would switch it up, but it was the same.

I heard a clap and a voice say. "Not bad even if you have the wrong weapon."

I whipped around and glared with my pipe facing the intruder. I seen him around before. He had a small black beard with grey mixed in and his hair was pulled into a small ponytail. Grey also mixed in. He had normal dirty Grey Terminal clothes and his arms crossed over his chest. He had a smirk on his face.

I asked. "What do you want?"

He shrugged, looking bored. "Nothing, just interested."

I frowned as I cocked my head to the side. "About what?"

He replied with calculating eyes. "It's the way you use that pipe. You strike the way you strike with a sword."

I snorted and said. "It's the most easy way from me to do."

He muttered lowly. "A born swordsman, eh?"

I watched him wary and he grinned suddenly and asked. "Why don't you let me teach you the way of the sword?"

I blinked a little shocked by the suddenness of his words. "Why Who are you?"

He said. "Austin, a retired Swordsman Sensei."

I asked. "Why would you want to teach me?"

He shook his head and chuckled. "You have skill and if you mold that, you could be great."

I thought about Luffy, Ace and Sabo getting stronger and nodded. "Sure, Austin."

He warned. "It will be hard work and there will be times when you just want to give up."

I gave him a cheeky grin and said. "Bring it on."

That's how my training started. First he taught me the forms, which was where I would go in a stance when I did different strikes and if I would do it wrong, he would wap me with the flat of his sword in the arm, leg, back or shoulder. He would either show me a tiny bit of history or spar, which got my ass kicked and chewed out.

I learned that there is a World's Greatest Swordsman and his name is Dracule 'Hawk Eyes' Mihawk. He looked scary and epic at the same time. I went to bed every night with blood and bruises. He gave me a sword, but it was carved out of wood.

I like it better than the pipe and I had a weird trust in Austin I couldn't explain.

/ / / / / / / /

It was around the fourth day that I was getting good at the sword, well good enough for a beginner. It was natural for me. We were walking around the Grey Terminal, the sword attacked to my hip. He tightly tied rope to my waist, a small hole in the hilt. He pointed to two people who were robbing some old man. Austin said. "Go practice and fight them."

I looked at him shocked. "I've only been doing this for a couple of days!"

He shrugged and said. "Fine, let the old man get hurt."

I glared and put my hand on the hilt of the sword. Pulling it out, I jumped in and slammed my sword into one's shoulder. He screamed and clutched it. Both spun around and glared at me. They jeered when they saw me. "Aw, look a little pipsqueak!"

The other one chuckled. "That's cute!"

I felt anger boil in my stomach and glared at the men. I slashed at that guys legs and he fell to the ground with a yell and when the other bent down to grab him, I whipped my sword and hit the back of his neck with it. He crumbled to the floor, out cold. I did the same to the other guy and they were both out cold on the ground.

I smirked slightly and Austin nodded. "Good."

We walked off and I trained till I couldn't go on. One day, while I was eating fish he caught, he said. "You're weak."

I stopped to glare at him. He continued. "You have upper body strength at all."

I snapped. "I'm only 7!"

He rolled his eyes.

"You're a women; you could never gain the muscles a man could that easy."

I stood up with a fist balled at my sides. "So, I'll just have to train harder!"

He nodded. "That's what I was hoping you'd say. That's why I'm starting you on exercises today."

So I did push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks and others till I was blue in the face.

Soon enough a week past with me living in the Grey Terminal and learning swordsmanship and I can't say I regret it even if I miss Luffy, Ace and Sabo. I decided to look for them. I asked one day. "Austin, I'm leaving to look for my brothers."

He nodded. "Okay, don't forget that I taught you."

I nodded and he said. "Remember to keep up those exercises to build up strength."

I nodded and was about to give him the sword and he held up a hand. "Keep it and perfect your skill with it."

I smiled and left. I walked into the forest and decided to catch dinner before I met up with my brothers. I need to find something that was small enough for me to eat. Crocodiles are a not, too much. My appetite went up, but not by that much. I found a medium sized deer and killed it with a couple of stabs and kicks to the head.

After going through the nasty process of skinning it, I roasting it over a fire and ate what I could when I was done. I took the rest and put it in a makeshift pack I found in the trash heap.

Patting my stomach, I went to the forest, deep where we been before, looking for my brothers. I wandered around and scowled, who knows when I'll find them! I put my right hand on the hilt of the sword because it felt comfortable. I wandered around till night time and more of the meat. I heard a crash and jumped.

I ran toward it with my eyes narrowed and saw a tree on the ground and a dust cloud. I saw two people on the ground and I realized how it was. "Sabo, Ace!"

They looked and Sabo grinned when he saw me. Ace just glanced over and looked away. Sabo said. "Mace, you back!"

I walked over to them and asked Ace. "Why did you ruin the tree?"

He glared and snapped. "I didn't!"

I raised my eyebrows and said. "Sure..."

He punched me on the head and I winced. I muttered. "I didn't miss that."

Sabo laughed and looked to see Luffy who had an axe in his hand. My eyes widened. "Who gave Luffy an axe?"

They shrugged just as shocked as I was. Luffy called. "Mace!"

He ran at me and I yelped, ducking and grabbing the axe and after putting it down, Luffy wrapped his arms around me and said. "I missed you!"

I smiled. "Me too."

We walked in a clearing and Naguri was there, starting a fire. Luffy let his arms stretch near a target, but punched the old man in the face. I smirked, impressed. Naguri let himself up and he and Ace talked about whatever. I was hanging with Sabo and Luffy still.

I asked Luffy. "What have you been doing?"

He said. "Chopping up wood and getting stronger!"

I grinned at him and Sabo said. "Hey, where did you get that?"

I looked at my wooden sword and said. "Got it from this old guy. I am learning how to use a sword."

Sabo smiled. "That's cool."

I nodded and Luffy grinned. "That's cool, a sword!"

I grinned again, I really love this thing. My head snapped up when I hear Ace yell. "What if Roger had a son?!"

I looked up and frowned, my bangs covering my eyes. Dammit! It don't matter who his Dad is, we're his brothers, ain't that what matters!? I curled my hands into fists as anger bubbled inside of me.

Naguri grinned and said. "It must be hard on the son, whatever he decided to be a normal person or a pirate. He will be haunted by his father's name. It must be hard. If I were his son, I wouldn't want to become a pirate. His name would ruin his son's life to no end."

Ace yelled at him angrily and I was grinding my teeth together. I was shocked to find hot tears sting my eyes as I quickly as possible blinked them back.

Ace in a fit of anger attacked Naguri and he was blocked. He started swinging, but didn't hit him at all. At last, Ace's pipe went into the fire and It sizzled out.

Since Naguri won he got to do what he wanted to do with Ace and we walked to this Cove and he showed us a large ship in the making. They were all amazed by it and I'll admit it, I thought it was cool too. He got Ace to agree to help him and I did too because Luffy was, but Sabo was pissed.

Eventually he agreed because he was told he would get help with the tiger and then Naguri told us his dream of going out to sea and finding his split up crew. I was a little flabbergasted, but looking at his determination made me smile and I agreed with Naguri. Luffy it seems looked up to him.

Ace walked away and I looked at him, Sabo called out. "Ace?"

Ace said. "A promise is a promise; I'll give you a hand. And…I'll defeat you tomorrow."

I smirked, a least he was back to normal. Sabo asked. "What was that?"

I grinned. "That was Ace."

Luffy laughed and Sabo smacked my head and said. "Shut up you."

I laughed, happy I was back. I did miss them.

/ / / / / /

So that was what we did. We did a lot of hard labor helping the man with his pirate ship. It was tiring, but I gained in muscle mass doing it all and Austin said I needed to gain my strength. It's been a couple of months and Ace was a bit surprised when he learned what I had, but just shrugged saying I could never do it. After a yelling match, punch to the head and separation, we were fine.

Naguri even taught me a bit. He knew a guy on his crew that was really good. Sabo and Ace were fighting right now and Luffy threw a punch at them and I had to duck so I didn't get hit. It hit the old man and I laughed as they apologized.

We went around him and he said. "So you think being strong is what a captain needs?"

They all agreed and I was about to, but thought about it. Of course you need physical, but isn't it important to have mental strength too? Naguri said. "Of course it's important to be strong, but there is another important thing."

Sabo asked. "Important thing?"

Naguri nodded. "Yes, and the thing is…I forgot."

He said the last part with a grin and I have a feeling he didn't forget. Luffy and Sabo made faces at him while my shoulders slumped. That's such an anti-climactic answer. Shaking my head with a sigh, I went with it. That's what kept me sane so far, just go with the flow.

I sighed and we trained again for the rest of the day. I swung my sword at Naguri and he blocked. I was frustrating, but I was getting better at it. At night we all laid out blankets and I slept between Luffy and Ace.

/ / / / / / / / / / / /

We spent a couple more days on the almost done boat and then we were finally finished, I grinned with pride. I was one of the people who helped build that. We laid down a thick log bridge as Naguri got in. We all grinned at him as his boat got in the water. Luffy was screaming excitedly and Naguri said. "I couldn't have done it without your help, Thank you, I'm really grateful!"

We were all smiling, even Ace. Sabo asked. "Say Naguri, are you setting sail soon?"

Naguri said. "Yes, but before that, I have to wrap up your training."

Naguri shouted. "Let's go after the big tiger today."

We all cheered and instead of fear, I felt excitement. We all walked to the forest and stood in front of it, but not going in. I had my sword in my hand at its sharpest. Sabo said. "Here he comes."

There was crashed and trees being broken as the tiger stood in front of us. I gulped, forgetting the size of it. Ace yelled. "I go first."

I rolled my eyes despite the seriousness. Of course he would do that. He ran at the tiger. He jumped up and wacked it in the face with his pipe and it shook its head, while Ace was getting cocky; it smacked him to the ground with its tail. I frowned, a little worried, but then again I knew it would take a lot to hurt Ace.

Sabo went to wrap his fishing pole line around its neck, but it pulled him to the ground. Grinding my teeth together, I ran at it when it was looking at Sabo and smacked it with my sword with strength. It flinched back. I was smacking it with anger over and over again. How dare it beat up my brothers?!

Later on I would have realized it was just protecting itself. It roared loudly and smacked me with his paw and I crashed to the ground on my back next to Ace. I groaned at the pain in my back, but it was bearable so I knew I didn't break anything.

Luffy called out. "Ace, Sabo, Mace!"

It was running at Luffy and I and Ace got up at the same time. We ran at it as it ran at Luffy. He was screaming and I ran faster. Before it could step on eat Luffy, we all grabbed a part of his paw and held it above our heads. I sweated at the effort. My knees buckled, but keeping Luffy safe was more important.

Sabo said. "He's strong".

Ace said. "Yeah, were not strong enough."

I grunted out. "We need to get it away."

Ace called out. "Guys, give me a hand."

I grinned, so he got it. We all jumped away from it and I ran with Sabo as Ace and Luffy went the other way. Ace then yelled. "Sabo! Mace! Do it!"

He gave me a look and I nodded, fearful, but determined. Sabo yelled while waving his arms. "Hey, tiger over here!"

I yelled too. "Yeah you dumb kitten!"

It roared and it made me wonder if it understood me. Its eyes had a glare on me and I took it as a yes. It ran at us and we ran too. Sabo grabbed my hand and I felt like I was sweating bullets. Ace yelled. "Come over here!"

Sabo yelled. "We can't!"

I yelled. "Y-yeah, it's going to kill us!"

I couldn't stop the stutter. Ace yelled. "Mace, Sabo you can do it! Bring him as far as you can!"

We ran in that direction and Sabo pulled me forward so I ran faster. We jumped up in the air and the tiger was right behind us. Ace used Luffy's arms as a slingshot and hit the tiger with his pipe. I crashed into Luffy and he hugged me tightly. "Mace you're alright! You too Sabo!"

He smiled and I and Luffy both got up. We all stood around the defeated tiger and Sabo said a bit disappointedly. "So…Ace is going to be our captain after all?"

Luffy yelled. "I worked so hard for this!"

I sighed, hoping I might have been able to win. I patted Luffy on the head, but he was too depressed. Sabo said. "Give it up, Luffy."

Ace said. "Don't worry; I'm not going to become Captain."

We all looked at him shocked. Isn't that what we were fighting this big ass tiger for?!

Luffy asked. "Why?"

Ace said. "It's because I didn't fight this tiger all by myself."

I smirked, way to say thank you. Sabo got it too. Ace smirked suddenly. "Well, I mean I'm going to beg you guys to let me become captain and Mace will want to come on my pirate ship."

I snorted. "You wish."

His eyes narrowed, but did nothing else. Sabo asked me and Luffy. "Are you both going to beg him?"

I and Luffy grinned. "Hell no."

Ace yelled. "You fools!"

I laughed, grinning from ear to ear. I looked up and grinned at the old man. He sent me a smile. He turned away, but Ace called. "Hey old man!"

He looked at him and Ace said. "Next time I will defeat you! You keep winning until then!"

Luffy yelled. "Goodbye!"

Sabo called. "Take care!"

I called too. "Yeah, good luck on finding you crew and see ya!"

He ripped off his cape and I looked at it awe to see his Jolly Roger. That means he was wearing it this whole time and his dream was still there when we met him. Naguri left and we were all in a good mood.

Ace shrugged. "Let's go."

With that, all four of us brothers walked off.

/

I didn't have internet for a whole week, so I'm happy I finished this! Even if I was up till 1:00 am to finish it. Tell me how you like it and another reason why the update is so late is because I had no internet for a whole week and then a pile up of end of 9 week exams and work. I will either have another chapter of this or Luffy's friend. I know you probably didn't want to hear me talk or rant, but whatever.