However, the night had not gone silent. At the large castle in the middle of Grand Jipang, Vivi stood in front of a gray-haired man wearing a green robe with an orange sash and a blue robe over it. His beard was tied to look like an end of a rider's crop. "My daughter," he addressed. "I have heard word of the Summoner in Grand Jipang."

"Yes, father," Vivi acknowledged. "I was able to meet him at Commissioner Rayleigh's office where he's training with Detective Luffy."

"I see… So, Rayleigh is supervising the new officer. What can you tell me about the Summoner?"

"Father, the Summoner is but a child. He came to Grand Jipang with a summoned that refuses to return to his plain of existence."

"I find it troubling that the temple that Rayleigh knows would house a young boy like this claim you've made."

"Father, I have always spoken the truth to you!"

"No, I understand your claim… It's just that I'd want to see this for myself. Could we invite this… I forgot to ask… Did you get his name?"

"I did. His name is Ash." A nod came from the father.

"Ash… Vivi, can I have you find him tomorrow so that I may meet him personally." The request made Vivi bow.

"Of course, father. If you'll excuse me…"

"Yes, goodnight, daughter." One more nod, Vivi left for her room in the castle. The father seemed interested with Ash.

1st Mission! Ash is an Officer!

At Shakky's inn, Ash and Pikachu were sleeping soundly in a futon provided by the innkeeper. As they slept, the door to the room slid open to reveal a young dark green-haired woman in a green and yellow robe. She came to the pair before picking Pikachu up. "It's time to get up," she cooed. Pikachu stirred and turned to see the woman. "If you want, I have breakfast in a little bit."

("Oh, thanks!") cheered Pikachu. This alerted the Summoner from his sleep.

"Can't I stay asleep?" he groaned as he sat up, his bare and muscular chest came exposed. He turned to see the green-haired. "Oh, Makino…"

"Good morning, Ash," Makino smiled. "I was asked by the innkeeper to get you." Ash sighed to the order. After Makino left with Pikachu, Ash got dressed. In a dining room, Pikachu was playing with a baby boy wearing a yellow robe. "Do you like my son, Pikachu?"

("He's precious…") cooed Pikachu. Ash soon emerged where Makino presented Ash with a small bowl of rice, soup, broiled dried fish and tofu with some tea. Ash saw the food, ready to eat.

"Thanks, Makino," he praised. Makino smiled to the greeting.

"I heard from Shakky that you're going to get your jitte from Rayleigh, today," she informed. Ash nodded, knowing about the weapon.

"That tool Boss Luffy wields, huh?"

"It is, though he rarely uses it. He does like to show it off to prove authority." A giggle came from Ash before he ate. Shakky emerged to see Ash and Pikachu about.

"Good morning, Ash," she welcomed. "How was sleep?"

"Nice…" replied Ash. "I wish I had more."

"Well, maybe you will after some completed assignments by my husband," Shakky briefed. "He's also got your jitte ready." Ash acknowledged the news with a nod. After breakfast, Pikachu waived to the baby before meeting up with Luffy and Rayleigh in the latter's office.

"Ash, thank you for joining us," Rayleigh praised. "I'm going to be brief. Ash… You and Luffy have the assignment prepared."

"Sir…" addressed Ash. "I have chosen who to summon should the need arise, including Pikachu."

("Reporting for duty, commissioner!") saluted Pikachu. Rayleigh chuckled to Pikachu's reply.

"I really like your spirit," he smiled as he petted Pikachu. He faced Ash again. "You really are everything your sensei told me about in his letters. I wouldn't doubt that we'll see more of your creatures and what they can do." He stood straight up and faced all three. "Now then… Since this is your first day and you're still new to Grand Jipang, I'll set you up with a bit of an easy assignment." Ash bobbed a nod to Rayleigh's order.

"Understood, sir," he complied. "Where are we going?" Rayleigh looked at a letter that was on his desk.

"We've got reports about some joker causing a major disturbance somewhere down in the southern area of town with his band of six subordinates and one animal. They don't seem that much of a threat, but we certainly can't have them running around and making a ruckus. I want you to head over there, find and apprehend these troublemakers for disturbing the peace. Luffy and the others have already been briefed about the assignment and are waiting for you." Ash and Pikachu nodded.

"We're on it."

"Oh, and one more thing…" He opened a drawer in his desk and brought out a jitte. "You'll need this." Seeing the jitte, Ash awed his new stand.

"Whoa… my own jitte!" Handed, Rayleigh smiled to Ash having the jitte to use.

"Every policeman is required one after all… and now that you're one of us, you'll need your own." Bowing, Ash and Pikachu accepted the role.

"Thank you, sir. I'll make good use of it."

"I have faith and trust that you will. Now, go on out and do your duty."

"Yes, sir!"

"Dismissed…" With one more salute, Ash and Pikachu departed before stepping outside where Luffy, Usopp and Brook waited.

"So, you're on this as well?" asked Ash.

"It's not much of a secret that we're all helping keep the peach in Grand Jipang," Usopp mentioned.

"I see that you stayed in Shakky's inn," Brook realized. "You must have been able to meet up with her and Makino, right? Did you see what color their panties were?" Usopp bonked Brook on the skull.

"Inappropriate!" snapped Usopp. Ash and Pikachu shook their heads.

"Well, shall we get going?" asked Luffy. Ash nodded, allowing them to proceed. The kids from before saw the Summoner and realized his new role.

"The Summoner's an officer!" noticed Carrot. Hearing Carrot, the others joined and surrounded the officers.

"You're really staying!" cheered Orika.

"I can't wait to see you deliver justice!" wished Onion. The kids hoped that they keep the peace in Grand Jipang.

"We appreciate the warm gesture, but we need to get going," Usopp advised.

"We have some crooks on the other side that need a beatdown," Luffy briefed. The kids knew they had a mission.

"Come back safely," wished Pepper. They proceeded to another part of Grand Jipang where they found a large raven-haired man in a red robe like Luffy which included blue trousers underneath. By him were a few others like a green-haired lard of a man wearing a green striped robe and black trousers with a few swords at his side. There was a redhead woman wearing a sky-blue robe over her potbellied stomach. Joining them was another large raven-haired man with darkened skin and wearing a sun head-dress, maroon robe over blue striped trousers. Another man was a blue-haired wearing sunglasses and a red robe with flowers decorated, the hair being wavy and slick. The next man was blond and messy while wearing a black robe with black trousers as he had bags under his eyes and a pointed chin. There was a short raven-haired woman wearing a purple robe. Lastly was a brown fox with a mustache.

"Now, let's go after these stores!" the raven-haired in the red robe ordered. The group dispersed and started to raid the stores. They also attacked other people with their swords.

"Stop this, right now!" shouted Luffy. The gang turned to the law enforcers which included Ash and Pikachu.

"I knew law enforcement would show up!" the bigger raven-haired growled.

"Demaro, what do we do?" the redhead woman asked.

"There's only four of them and eight of us," the blond counted. "I'm sure we can overwhelm them." They charged at the four where Ash had a scroll ready for the fox.

"Good thing you chose this, Pikachu," he presented as he unrolled his scroll. "His howl at dusk warns the weak of its bite! Come forth, Lycanroc!" The flash from the scroll blinded those around. When the light dimmed, an orange wolf with white fur from the snout to the underbelly emerged with rocky spikes around the mane blended with more white fur and a white tail. The criminals gawked to what they saw while the wolf looked at them with green eyes.

"What the hell!?" the blue-haired gasped.

"I heard about it," the short woman realized. "The Summoner… One who brings unusual demons to life via his summoning scrolls!"

"Ya sure know how ta time information, Cocoa!" the green-haired gulped. The fox charged at Lycanroc.

"Nora, don't!" the helmeted one called out.

"Lycanroc, use Accelerock!" commanded Ash. Lycanroc sped at Nora who gasped. Lycanroc smashed into Nora who flew into Cocoa. The two landed in a thud, knocked out.

"Cocoa!" the redhead cried.

"You'll pay for that, Summoner!" the green-haired shouted as he armed himself with short, curved swords.

"I should've known we'd be dealing with a bunch of ronin," Usopp groaned.

"Still, they want to fight us," Brook pointed out. "Allow me." He stood up as the green-haired slashed at him. However, Brook's jitte caught the green-haired criminal's sword and shattered. He gasped before Luffy blew into his thumb of his fist, blowing it up like a balloon. He threw a punch that caught all stomach of the green-haired.

"Manjaro!" the blond cried. Manjaro spat out a lot of vomit from the punch.

"I don't like lookalikes that don't look alike!" growled Luffy. Manjaro was launched back to the others before collapsing, out of breath. The others charged at the rest when they were beaten violently. Brook scared the redhead and the blond after they stabbed him… and he didn't fall. Lycanroc summoned stones from the ground before they sprung up, catching them in the stomach. More vomit ejected from the supposed ronin. All that was left was the blond.

"Demaro?" he gulped to the leader. "Chocolat?" The name of the redhead with her potbelly flattened. "Turco?" The name of the blue-haired. Everyone was down and the jitte from each was bent.

"Should we be glad we have a good blacksmith that can help fix our jitte?" joked Brook.

"Still, they're not even worth much," Ash scoffed. "Pikachu knocked out the largest guys with one Thunderbolt."

("It's disappointing…") mulled Pikachu. There were men in blue robes and holding spears to the ronin. Joining was a tall white-haired man with his hair in six curled rolls, three on each side of his head.

"It's Igaram!" realized Usopp. Igaram wore a blue robe over a white undershirt while also wearing a gray jacket-like robe.

"Detective Luffy, why am I not surprised?" he smiled. "And I see that you have the Summoner on hand." Lycanroc came to and sniffed around Igaram. He noticed and looked to see the orange wolf. "Oh, are you wanting to know if I'm friendly?" He knelt down to where Lycanroc sniffed around the head. It barked and panted in delight.

"Ash, that's Captain Igaram who heads Grand Jipang's royal guard," Brook informed.

"Oh, he's that kind of enforcement?" believed Ash.

"Brook, don't leave out that I'm also personally responsible for Princess Vivi," Igaram added. Brook irked before saluting the captain.

"I was just going to imply that, Captain!" he replied. Igaram nodded to Brook's understanding as he turned to Ash.

"As a matter of fact, Vivi's father, King Cobra, has requested an audience with you, Summoner," he offered. Ash seemed rather surprised to hear of the king wishing to see Ash and Pikachu personally. "In fact, there will be a dinner for you and your creatures." To Luffy, the food prompted him to join.

"Well, don't mind if we tag along, right?" he wished.

"Don't worry, Luffy…" assured Igaram. "My wife is ready with your portion," Usopp didn't feel like joining.

"As much as I like to join, I'm going to be filling out a report back to Commissioner Rayleigh," he denied.

"And I'll be going back to my flat," Brook also denied. "I'm actually a little disappointed since the two women didn't wear any panties." The rest groaned to Brook's failure. At the castle, Vivi and her father greeted the officers and the creatures. Lycanroc came to and Vivi petted it. The petting made the wolf tickle Vivi by rubbing the rocks on her.

"Stop!" she laughed. "That tickles!" After the rubbing, Lycanroc licked Vivi in the face as the father looked on.

"Maybe keeping Lycanroc out here for this long wasn't such a good idea," Ash started to regret with a smile.

"At least you're such a good sport," Luffy teased with his mouthful of food. The father sat down on the throne.

"Ash the Summoner," he addressed. Ash and Pikachu turned to the father. "I am Cobra, the ruler of Grand Jipang. Let me welcome you personally to this city."

"Thank you," Ash accepted.

"I heard that you helped stop the gang of ronin as your first assignment by Commissioner Rayleigh. Tell me, were you planning to stay longer than your stint? From what I've heard from the temple you were raised in, you weren't one to stay in one place for an extended amount of time."

"I know there are places that could use the teachings of my sensei, and I wish to continue the process until I no longer can."

"There is a lot that goes on in Grand Jipang. It would be easier to stay and since you have a job alongside Detective Luffy, your sense of justice is a blessing. We know there are more nobles who may come into Grand Jipang like Nelson and ruin it because of the emperor. By keeping our streets crime-free, we will do our best to protect you."

"With all due respect, your highness." Bowing, Ash and Pikachu acknowledged Cobra's offer.

"By the way, I also heard you're staying at the inn owned by Shakky. Are your scrolls of summoning there as well?"

"Yes, but I cannot summon anymore than a handful at full strength."

"That's all right. We don't want you to use your mana so needlessly. Stay here for the night. Besides, we have also received word that we have a major festival with all sorts of other kingdoms coming to visit." That made Ash and Pikachu realize the ordeal. Cobra offered a place for Ash and his creatures to stay. It was a step-up but Ash and Pikachu would be in different rooms.

"Is it okay for me to request having Pikachu for the night?" asked Vivi. Ash and Pikachu seemed rather surprised to have this offer. Pikachu squeaked to accept Vivi's wish.

"Pikachu wants to accept," Ash briefed. Pikachu leaped from Ash to Vivi in delight.

"Thank you. Goodnight, Ash."

"You and Pikachu, too." They entered different rooms where Vivi had Pikachu and Ash slept with Lycanroc. Meeting royalty had Ash ponder about staying for this festivity.

TO BE CONTINUED...