Chapter 2: Meeting the Team

*Last time on JUMP FORCE: IN THE HEART OF WAR:*

"Hey wait, Kurama! I'm not done asking!"

…..

"*tsk* Stupid fox."

Naruto couldn't think of any more things to say to his inner demonic companion, before he heard Luffy laughing. "Shishishishi. That settles it…" This caught both Goku's and Naruto's attentions. "Huh?" Was both Goku and Naruto's thought.

"He's gonna join my crew!" Luffy announced for the entire world to hear him.

"HUUUUUUHHHH?!" Was Goku and Naruto's response.

3rd P.O.V. Director's Office:

"He's gonna join my crew!"

"HUUUUUUUUHHHHHHH?!"

This caused the other three men in the room to look at the local powerhouses in confusion. So far, all that Zac, Trunks and the director were talking about was the state the world at the moment. The director didn't hold any information back while he explaining. Turns out, the real world was not the only place that was being attacked. This invasion has spread to other worlds as well. The ones that Zac thought were anime from the looks of Goku, Naruto and Luffy being in the same room as him. Also their worlds were attacked at the same time, and so far it didn't look like the invaders were doing it just for kicks, but the real reason was still a mystery to all of them.

Some of the fighters that formed this team, comes from the real world as well. Funny enough, the director also comes from the real world. Which is weird, but at the moment Zac can't exactly tell what's normal anymore. The venoms in this case, were also human, but when a human with malicious intent gains power from the Umbras cube, they turn into "Venoms", the henchmen that the villains from the Jump worlds use in order to do their dirty work. On that point, regarding the villains from the Jump world, not much is known about their reasons for participating in this invasion. All that they know is that the villains are working together with a mysterious ally.

So far 3 worlds were attacked. It was during those attacks when the Earth's of Dragon Ball, Naruto and One Piece came together and formed Jump Force. Unfortunately the director didn't say anything else. Having the strongest heroes from each world working together, Jump Force is responsible for fighting against these invaders, called Venoms, and pushing them back while finding the mastermind behind this war. To Zac, it sounded like something straight out of an anime-inspired RPG (No pun intended). 'I mean seriously, again how can any of this be happening?' Zac still can't wrap his head around any of this.

"Man, all this... just sounds crazy." Zac groaned out.

"I understand your confusion Mr. Nelson. Many that came here didn't understand what was going on either. Some are still denying what is currently happening in your world. But right now, we can't afford to have you pondering about this." Trunks said. This caught Zac's attention. "Wait, what are talking about?"

This time the director stepped up. "Mr. Nelson, the moment you received the Umbras cube, you became a member of Jump Force. We are tasked to prevent the Venoms from conquering not just your world, but also everyone else's." This made Zac a little upset. Can they really just say something like that?

"Wait, who are you again?" Zac asked, since all he got from him, was that he was the director of this place.

"My name is Glover." The director stated.

"So Glover, where and when exactly did I sign something, that makes you think I'm a member?" Zac said, making Trunks and Glover frown a little. Trunks was caught off guard by Zac, but for Glover it was different. Zac couldn't see it but Glover was analysing him. Glover could see in his eyes that Zac was angry, but in the end he chose not to say anything else. "You probably haven't notice, but I was having a really bad day. I lost my family today. My father. My mother. And my little brother. They were murdered when some lackey from a funko-pop-reject destroyed a building they were hiding in. I almost lost my friend and I'm pretty sure I saw my life flash before my eyes three time in one day. Heck two of them were even in the same spot! And from what you're saying, everyone else I know could be injured or worse…. DEAD! SO WHEN EXACTLY DID I GIVE YOU THE IMPRESSION THAT WAS JOINING?" Zac said, causing the three other occupants to stop their yelling.

The last sentence caused an echo, as loud as thunder to ripple across the room. Zac's emotions were out of control. All of them that were pent up. Fear, sadness, but most of all anger was all coming out at once. He gnashed his teeth together, trying to prevent himself from having a breakdown right then and there, but it was becoming harder and harder by the second. The other people in the room looked at Zac with mixed expressions. Naruto almost said something, but the look on Zac's face made him stop, because he understands the anger and the sadness from losing people he was close with, since those were feelings that he, himself experienced once. Luffy looked at Zac with a plain, neutral face, but deep down he also understood the pain of losing a brother. Goku emphasised with him a lot, how or why was a mystery.

"You can't make that kind of decision. Not when I didn't have a say in it." Zac said, with his voice breaking on a few words. By now the room became really quiet and Zac noticed, which caused him to look away from all of them. He turned to the desk and bent his head a little. "I need time." Trunks had empathy in his facial expression. He understands what Zac is going through, but Director Glover watched Zac with a neutral face. After a while he walked up him and when he was standing next to him, he answered.

"Have a look at the screens, Zac." The director said while pointing the screens that were playing scenes from around the world. Zachery looked up at them with tear stained eyes, but what he saw almost made him lower his head again. All the screens showed was chaos and he could hear a few people screaming, making him cringe. "The things you are currently seeing are scenes from an ongoing war. A war that was brought to you by an unknown mastermind for an unknown reason. And in a war, when waged people get hurt or they die. You must understand that there are other people out there, who feel the exact same emotions that you are experiencing. That lost what you have lost and more. At this very moment there are refugees flooding this base as we speak and more than half of them are injured and some of them could be fatal. In other words Zac, everyone here understands what you are feeling more than you realise." This made Zac look down and clench his fist on top of the desk.

"But as much as I want to give you time to grieve, I'm afraid I can't give anyone such a luxury. Right now I need an answer from you. Are you willing to fight with us? To stop this war? Are you going to help us stop the spread of violence that is currently threatening to destroy everything. The Umbras cube embedded in your body has granted you power in response to your will and with it you now have the power to fight alongside the people from the Jump worlds." The director said this while turning towards Zachery. "So, are you in or are you out? Because if we do not act, then it won't just be your world that will suffer, but all worlds that will fall into the Venom's hands."

Zachery stood there like a statue, taking in what the director just said. He didn't like, but he's right, there is a war going on. Not just in his world, but in others as well. People were literally dying the same way his family did, or maybe even worse. While all that is happening, he's standing there feeling sorry for himself. "Damnit. Damnit. Damnit what am I supposed to do? I can't just walk out there and fight a war? They can't expect that from me, can they? *Augh* Lord what should I do?" Zachery thought while giving a small prayer for guidance.

What he found in response, wasn't what he wanted to happen. He expected a grand vision, but instead he got memories of his family. What would he do in this situation? The answer he would come up with was his father's constant lectures. However, these memories came forward in a new light. Once upon a time, Zac would have been annoyed at his father's lectures, but today there some new feeling that came with them. It wasn't annoyance. Instead it was... gratitude. He took another look at the screens and then back at his hand, which he brought up to inspect. There is one particular memory that came up, where he got his answer.

Flashback (Zac's P.O.V.):

It was a Saturday, back when I was in the seventh grade and Ronny was in the second grade. That day was not a good day, since mom and dad left us home alone, to run some errands, and later in the day, I didn't want to play a game - I can't remember what it was. Ronny throwed a gigantic tantrum after that. He then grabbed a rock and threw it into the neighbours yard and knocked out a window. I remembered them being really pissed off at us. The neighbours called our parents, which made them rush home to meet an angry couple with me and Ronny standing in the driveway. They talked with the Mitchells and luckily calmed them down, I also remembered my dad offering to pay for the broken window.

My dad took me to my room, while my mother kept my brother in the living room. In my room is where we had the talk.

"But dad, why am I the only one in trouble? I didn't even do anything!" Back then, I remembered my dad towering over me in the room. It made me uncomfortable.

"It's because you were put in charge when your mother and I left you and your brother at home today. Damnit, Zac you know how your brother is, why didn't you just play a game with him." Dad said with his arms still crossed. Back then I didn't like it when someone told to do something. It just irked me, I don't know why.

"Oh so now I'm supposed to drop everything I'm doing and tend to his every need? I shouldn't have to do something when I don't want to and he shouldn't force me to do something just so we all miss another one of the brat's 'episodes'." I said. This really pissed off my dad, but back then I didn't care.

"Now listen here!" When dad said that, I got so scared I almost passed out, but I tried not to show it. "Don't you ever talk about your brother like that. You know as well as I do, he can't help it." I knew what he meant, but back then I didn't care about that, because if I'm being honest, when my dad said that, it made he think he didn't care how I felt. That my brother could do no wrong ever.

"Right, as usual everything is my fault." I said that when I sat down on my bed. I also didn't look at my father's face, but I wanted him to feel bad for what he said. Unfortunately that backfired for me.

"Stop feeling sorry for yourself. You won't get away with everything you do, and just because we didn't tell you to do something, doesn't mean we didn't expect you to be responsible. You know this, so don't even try to act like you didn't. Like it or not Zac, but one day you won't have us to rely on anymore and when that day comes you should be able to understand the difference between responsibility and irresponsibility. That inaction has just as many consequences as actions do." My dad said. I was too focused on my own feelings to understand what he said back then. He grounded me right after giving me that lecture.

Back to the present (3rd Person P.O.V.):

'Dad... I think I get it.' Zac thought. When Zachery finished relieving that memory, he visibly flinched, but thanks to this new feeling about the memory it made him chuckle softly. That lecture gave him perspective… and more importantly, it helped to give him an answer. With a grin on his face, he then wiped his tears and looked back at the director with resolve.

The director could have sworn he saw a flame burning in his eye and it looked like he was about to give an answer. "*sigh* I'm sorry for the outburst. You didn't deserve that. You know... if my dad were still still alive, he probably would have knocked me over the head and give me one of his stupid lectures... funny, I actually want him to do that. I'm grateful for everything you did for me and Jason. Thank you."

"To answer your question, director Glover. I want to join... if you'll still have me." Everyone in the room, became relieved when he said that. For a moment, they thought that Zac wouldn't join their endeavour. At that moment the director and everyone else in the room, had a smile on their faces. Naruto, Luffy and Goku all have smiles on their faces at the sight of Zachery Nelson's new found resolve.

"If I may ask, what made you change your mind?" The director asked, he could already guess what he was going to say, but he wanted him to say it himself.

"Before my dad died, he told me something. He said that I should live…" Zachery started. Now everyone was interested in his answer now. "I know that doesn't make sense. But he told me I should live. So that's what I'm going to do. But let me get one thing straight, I'm not out for revenge or anything cliché like that." This made the director lift his eyebrow a little.

"What do you mean by that?" Trunks asked.

"My parents raised me to honour God. Revenge won't help me and it won't change what happened. My family is gone, but God is still here. It will be an insult to my family's memory if I abandon that." When Zac said that, while portraying the first genuine smile they saw. Everyone else in the room had pretty much the same reactions to Zac's words.

With Goku, Naruto and Luffy:

"Shishishishishi, now it's settled." Luffy said with a large monkey-like smile.

"What?!" Both Goku and Naruto said at the same time.

"Wait a minute! What do you mean it's settled now? What was the first reason you wanted to take him?" Goku asked when he finally regained his composure.

"Because he looked like a nice guy." Luffy said in a 'matter-of-fact' kind of tone.

It was at that moment both Naruto and Goku fell on the ground, anime style. "Not only that. You also said he was strong, so that means my crew will become stronger than it was." Luffy added but it made them face plant again.

"You can't just call dibs like that Luffy, my team could need him too, you know!?" Naruto said.

"Yeah, I mean he is strong and if he joins my team, than I can spar with him a little." Goku added.

"*tsk*. Those reasons are dumb."

"Like yours was better!" Screamed Naruto, making Goku and Luffy laugh.

Back with the rest:

"What are they talking about?" Zachery asked, obviously he listened to their conversation on the other side of the room. But it wasn't like he couldn't after all they were screaming half of the time.

"Oh they must be arguing over whose team you are going to join and from the sound of it, all three of them wants you." Glover said.

"Wait, what teams?"

"Yes teams. From a tactical perspective, Jump Force is broadly divided into three teams. After a person gets an Umbras cube and joins Jump Force, they join either of the three teams that make up our organisation." Trunks explained a bit further on the director's behalf.

"Ok, but why are they fighting?" Zachery asked, putting more emphasis on the fact that Goku, Naruto and Luffy are arguing.

"Well, because each one of them are in command of a team. Son Goku is the captain of Team Alpha, which is responsible for protecting our remaining territories and containing the Venom invasions. Monkey D. Luffy is the captain of Team Beta, which is responsible for storming and regaining lost territory that was taken over by the enemy forces. Finally we have Naruto Uzumaki, who is in command of Team Gamma, which is responsible for infiltrating enemy territory and gathering intelligence as well as espionage." Glover explained. At that moment Zachery was baffled. But the director continued his explanation.

"As I previously mentioned, they are arguing over which team you will be joining in the future."

"Ohhh Ok." Zac said. But instead of feeling happy at famous anime characters fighting over him to join one of their teams, there is something that he has to do before any of this goes further. The director noticed this and decided to ask him.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Huh, no sorry. It's just….. I was told my friend was taken to the infirmary. Can you tell me where it is?" Zachery said. The director and Trunks luckily understood why he would be asking.

"I can take you to where he is." Said a really high-pitched mechanical voice behind Zac's back. Zachery almost jumped from that unexpected voice, and he turned his head to face the source. It was Navigator. "Where did he come from?" Was Zachery's thought.

"After all, I was the one who brought him to the infirmary. I can take you to him." Navigator said.

"Really? Then would you?" Zac asked to which Navigator gave a mechanical nod. He then led Zachery towards the stairs that led them upward. He passed by the bickering trio and caused them to stop their argument.

"Hey, where is he going?" Naruto was the first one to ask.

"To the infirmary, Naruto." Trunks answered.

"Ok, but why is he in a hurry?" Naruto asked again.

"When I arrived at his location, it wasn't just him that was injured. His friend was also there. After I inserted the Umbras cube into his body, Navigator went to check his wounds and discovered that he was in a fatal condition. So Navigator teleported him to the infirmary to save his life." Trunks explained to Naruto, who luckily understood it.

"Ohh I get it. He's just looking out for his friend." Luffy added with a large smile.

*Ehem* Then the sounds of cough echoed through the room that made everyone look towards the director.

"Well considering all three of you are eager to settle your argument over which team Mr. Nelson will join, now is the time for him to be assigned. Don't you all agree?" Glover asked as he walked around the desk, and faced the screens for something to pop up. The other three joined them in front of the director's desk.

With Zachery (Zac's P.O.V.):

The base looks awesome, to be honest. It looks like something straight out of Star Wars or Halo or maybe both. From what I can see, there is a courtyard that connects to three entrances, with two entrances being on my left and right-hand side and directly across from one another, while the third being right in front of me the second I came out of that office. I could see a lot of people walking around, either exiting or entering one of the three entrances. Many of them wore funny outfits, but there were a few who looked like normal people. From the look of it, they all looked like refugees from my world. Seeing that made my chest hurt again. But never mind that right now.

"Hey Navigator, where exactly is the infirmary?" I asked, hoping to at least get some insight. Navigator led me up another flight of stairs, that were directly behind us for some odd reason, to the second floor of what I think is the main junction of the base. I could see it looked like a courtyard with chairs and tables standing in front of what I think is a desk full of clothes and other accessories. 'Probably a gift shop.' I thought. I didn't focus on it too much, because right next to it was another entrance, that looked different from the ones I saw earlier. It looked an entrance that takes you down to the basement.

When Navigator went in first, I followed him down into a hallway with another flight of stairs. As I was walking down, the wall on my left became a window for me to see through. I could see underneath the entire base and underneath the base, looked like there was a giant crystal, floating around the main junction, surrounded by blue and white mechanical-looking cubes. I could also see three more concrete tubes that led down to the basement, like the one I'm walking in. I almost reminded me of a spiral. When I finally finished my descent I was met with another gigantic junction with two floors. I was on the second floor, with another platform on the other side, separated by a large hole that gave you access to the ground floor and the other platform was connected by multiple platforms like bridges. I continued to follow Navigator to the ground floor. While I was walking on the second floor platform I noticed it that had many doors on both sides. I don't know what they were, but through one that was cracked open I saw what looked like a gym. Awesome, but moving on. After that long hallway came another flight of stairs that we took downwards. It was only one flight of stairs before we arrived on the ground floor, which now looks like a huge tunnel. It's so big that it even platforms directly above us looked like it was miles away. If I squint my eyes I could probably see a bunch of people walking near the railing. I could recognise the outfits that some of them wore. But there was no time for that.

"Here we are." Was Navigator's reply. Finally we stood in front of two large, metal sliding doors.

"Are you sure?"

"Why don't you see for yourself" Navigator said and just then the doors slid open. Now this reminds of me Star Wars. All it needs is the Darth Vader theme song. Just when the doors stopped, I saw what was inside. It's a hallway, which resembled one from a normal hospital. There was a desk with a woman behind it, doctors and nurses walking through the hallways as well as patients rushed to places for immediate treatment.

"Follow me" Navigator said and I followed. He took me to a large hospital room with a four beds in it, two on each side. In the one bed on the right-hand side laid Jason, heavily bandaged up and with oxygen tubes in his nose, as well as an IV bag full of blood.

There was also something that made my stomach turn and it was the fact that his right arm was missing.

"What happened?" I asked Navigator.

"The doctors had to amputate the arm. If they didn't, he would have died." Navigator stated bluntly. 'Jeez man, do you really have to be so cold?'

"We also discovered that he had bruised ribs as well as a concussion. He is sedated now, but he'll be awake in a few hours or so. I'm sure you want to talk to him at that time." Someone else with a very high voice, said further. Wait a minute it came from behind. I looked and was shocked at what or I mean who I saw. Standing there in a doctor's coat was a small deer-like person, with a big blue and pink, coloured hat that had his antlers sticking out from as well as a large circle with a 'X' on it. He also had a big eyes and a blue nose. "Should have seen this coming." I thought, since its Chopper that's standing right in front of me.

He then looked up from his notepad and saw me staring at him. "Uhh, is there something wrong?" Chopper asked, looking very uncomfortable.

"Huh, no, sorry for staring. It's just…. This is my first time seeing a talking reindeer." I said, I really hope I don't piss him off.

"Huh, wait you know I'm a reindeer?" This caught him off guard. Since everyone thinks he's a talking raccoon-dog or something. "Well yeah duh Chopper. I mean you did say it a lot, didn't you?" I said, completely ripping off the Band-Aid on my knowledge of their world.

Too say, that he was speechless would be a complete understatement. I mean his jaw was touching the floor. If this wasn't a serious situation then I would have laughed right now. "YOU KNOW MY NAME?!" He yelled and it was a surprise that no-one came into our room to reprimand us.

"Yeah, I mean I already saw Luffy in that other office, and since both of you are from one of my favourite anime's then of course I would know you're name. If I didn't what kind of One Piece fan would I be?" I asked.

After he shouted out 'Amazing' in anime style, with the stars in his eyes, he was speechless again, but luckily he regained his bearings and quickly turned serious. "Like I said. We sedated him for the time being, and he is going to be out for the rest of the day. Is he your friend?" Chopper asked.

"Yeah, he is. His name is Jason"

"I see. He's lucky he only lost his arm. I had to watch many people die from their wounds today. If he arrived later then I don't know if he would have survived." Chopper said to which I nodded.

"It feels more like the grace of God, then luck." I said.

"Huh, why do you say that?"

I hesitated for a second, I mean why would I tell him what happened? He may be a famous anime/manga character, but that doesn't mean I should tell him, but since I started with that, I guess I have no choice but to tell him. "My family died today." I said. He then became very still and sad when I told him that.

"But at least we're alive. I know he'll be bummed out because he lost his arm, but he'll bounce back from it. Hehe I mean, he's bounced back from worse." I said, with a sad smile on my face.

"That's good to hear." Chopper said. But I could tell that he wanted to say something else, but he was hiding it.

"Something wrong?" I decided to ask. He kind of jump a little when I asked him that, but luckily got over that. "No nothing's wrong. I… I just wanna ask if he also knows about our world, like you do." He finally asked. I have to admit, it surprised me that he didn't ask me sooner.

"Uhh no. He didn't watch really get into One Piece like I did." He looked a little sad after I said that, but he later replaced that with curiosity.

"Ok, hey can I ask you about something else?" Chopper asked. I'm starting to see where this is going, but I'll humour him.

"Sure go for it." I said.

"How much do you of our world? Do you know everything about the other crew members? Where's the One Piece? Do you know where it is? Oo can you see into the future?" Ok that was wasn't just one question, but at the very least I should have seen that coming.

"Ok, ok, chill. In that order, I would say. Number 1, I know all the way up to episode 574, that's when you guys left Fishman Island and headed for the New World. Number 2, yeah I know the backstories of the entire crew. Luffy's, Nami's, Zoro's, Sanji's, Robin's, Brook's, Frankie's and Usopp's. Oh and before you ask, yeah I know your backstory too. Number 3, no, I don't know where the One Piece is, no one knows. Heck I don't even know what it looks like, so I can't describe it for you. Number 4, no, I can't see into the future, but if you were to be from an earlier timeline than yeah, I would probably have seen your future adventures. But like I said I only know up to episode 574." I answered as best that I could. Why does this feel so weird to talk about?

"That's so awesome." Chopper once again said it with a sparkle in his eye. "Wait, you said you know my past too?"

"Yeah, I did, what about it?"

"Well, aren't you scared? I mean I'm a talking reindeer…. I can walk on two legs and talk just like a normal human would….. I even have a blue nose….. D-Don't you see me as a monster? A freak?" It looked like he was on the verge of crying. Why would he be asking me that? Don't tell me the people here made him relive his past experience with humans?

"Some of the other doctors said some pretty mean things to me. At first they wanted to chase me away, but they changed their minds when they saw how much I know about medicine. But even that doesn't stop their hateful stares. Even some of the children refused to accept my help." Chopper said, while looking down in fear. I stood there for a second, trying to come with an answer that wouldn't make me look like some stupid fanboy or something. After a few seconds I opened my mouth to answer him.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Chopper." I said. "But can I be honest here?" I asked, Chopper looked at me for a few seconds, before he nodded. "I mean, you already have a crew that doesn't care about what you are. Why should you care about what others think?" For a second, it seemed he froze when I asked him that and because of that I started to panic, hoping he wasn't upset at my questions, but luckily that wasn't the case. Because now his face is starting to twist into a smile. Oh boy I sound like a preacher now.

"So I don't think you're a monster. Far from it, I just think you are one hell of a doctor." I finished, trying to lift his spirit. And it worked.

In a split second, his face and body turned into the signature Chopper-being-Chopper dance. "Oh Shut Up, you moron. Don't think this makes me happy or anything. I mean come on." He said that while swinging his arms around dancing and having a gigantic smile on his face. It took all of my willpower not to bust out laughing right now. But it is getting hard to breathe.

"Shishishishishi."

Wait- Huh. I'm pretty sure that's not me. Unless this cube managed to change the way I laugh now. If it did I'm not gonna be happy. I looked around at where the laughing might be coming from and there was no-one. But I didn't look above me. So when I looked up I saw the frame of Monkey D. Luffy hanging from one of the rails on the ceiling, looking down at us with the devilish grin. It was at that moment I couldn't help but say, "Bliksem!" Because damnit he- wait, how did he get in here without us knowing about it?

He stopped laughing and looked down at us, still wearing that devilish grin of his. "He's right Chopper, you shouldn't let those people get to yah" He said.

"Dude, how did you get in here?" I asked.

"Huh… Through the door." He said while pointing at the door. Huh, how didn't any of us see him? "You're really dumb" He stated, and then laughed again. But unfortunately that didn't stop me from responding.

"Shut up. I don't wanna hear that from you Luffy!" It felt like my face changed in the way that resembled the angry faces in the One Piece anime, with the shark-teeth and everything. And of course he's laughing. Like he does every single time someone chews him out. Luckily my attention was taken away by Chopper tugging on my pants.

"Hey, what does that saying mean?" Chopper asked.

"What saying?" I asked. I really hope he doesn't mean what I think I mean.

"You said something when you saw Luffy. What does that mean?" He asked with a cute curious face. Now at this point I was starting to sweat from being nervous, I mean he did hear me… so oh crap. "Damnit, better think of something… Ah hah!" I thought.

"Uhm, it's in my home language and many people say it when they are surprised or scared." I explained and hoped that he would at least understand it.

And it looks like he did, because after I said that he turned to Jason and went over to him to continue with his doctor duties. "*Phew*, crisis averted. Mission accomplished, well done private *giving myself a mental salute*. I mean if he learned the definition of that word then I might not live to see another day when the rest of his crew finds out." Now the image of a pissed off crew came into my mind…. Sending a chill up my spine and making me shiver in fear.

Just when I turned around, I was immediately faced with the Monkey-style devil grin that was plastered on Luffy's rubber face. This time I had to contain my swear outburst.

"Seriously dude, were you raised by ninja's or something?!" It felt like I did the shark-face again. Yeah I'm never gonna get use to this. And as per-frickin' usual he is still laughing, but this time it was in my face. "Shishishi. No, I was raised my bandits. Wait, I thought you knew that already." I winced when he asked that. 'Ok, I walked right into that one.' I asked, mentally picturing me smacking my forehead.

"Not that this isn't a pleasure, but what are you doing here? Other than giving me heart-attacks. I thought you were still back in that office with the others." I asked.

"Ohh yeah right, I almost forgot…." He said before jumping on the empty bed next to Jason's, but he stopped right there and looked dead into my eyes, as if he was staring into my soul. Let me tell yah, it is weird as hell. Luckily after a few seconds of awkward silence, he finally said: "I want to ask you something." He stated with seriousness etched in his voice.

"Which is?"

.

.

.

.

"Join my crew." It finally came out….. Wait-What?

"Ok, first of all, that's not a question, that's a demand and second- WHAAAAAAATTTT?!" I don't know if it is physically possible, but it feels like my jaw is touching my shoe.

I mean, what the hell? Why is he asking me that? Does he want me to join the crew or his team? So many questions were flooding my mind as those words were echoing in my eardrums. But one question is standing out from all of the rest, and that is: Why does he want me to join his crew? I can think of a few reasons, but let's just see what he says first.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because you're nice guy. And your strong." Luffy answered. Ok that answer has to be one of the dumbest answers you could possibly give to someone. But hey this is Luffy we're talking about, in other words an answer that is dumb to us will be considered genius to him.

"Ok, are you sure there isn't another reason why you are asking me that?" I asked trying to get him to admit to something, even though deep down inside I know that there won't be another reason why he's asking that. He looked at me for a few seconds, by my guess he's thinking about what I asked and is trying to answer the question. "Don't hurt yourself." was my thought to this situation, because I thought it was only a matter of time before I start seeing smoke come out of his ears.

This whole thinking session was interrupted when Chopper got my attention for the second time. This time luckily, it was for something else. "Luffy wouldn't want you to join the crew if it was for something bad. You know that right?" Chopper said. I know that, but something is bugging me about that question and I don't know what it is. I just sighed and tried to think about the next thing I want to say next.

"Yeah, sorry about that. An old habit I guess. But there is still something bothering me…. I don't understand why you want me on your crew. Last I checked, you already had the full deck... So, yeah... I mean, what's so special about me? I know squat about pirating or ships or even how to sail on the ocean." I finally said. Luffy stood there for a second before answering: "What do you mean?"

"Look..." I said, while making my way to one of the empty chairs in the room and sat on it. "Don't get me wrong, I'm all up for joining your team, Luffy. You know to help out in this war and everything, but I can't be a part of your crew. I have no talents or skills to contribute." I explained, but Luffy just looked at me while biting his upper lip. A second later he, turned his head sideways and I can swear I saw an actual question mark appear beside his head. 'Must be my imagination.'

"*sigh* Luffy, you're the captain." He nodded. "You have a first mate. You have a navigator. You have a cook. You have a shipwright. You have a sniper or a lookout depending on the situation. You have a doctor." I said, while pointing at Chopper and he nodded again. "You even have an archaeologist, and... and a musician, who's a skeleton for Pete's sake." He nodded again. "Me, I'm just a simple guy. I don't have any skills to help out the crew or any crew for the matter." He kept on staring. But he started laughing again.

"Yeah, I already knew that, but I still want you to join my crew anyways." Luffy said and this time I actually smacked my forehead.

"Why?" I asked, frustratingly.

"Because your a nice guy." He answered, and I smacked my forehead again. 'Wow, someone who's airheaded and thickheaded. A really dangerous combination.'

But before anything else could be said, I heard a small moan coming from Jason. I hurriedly stood up from the chair and rushed to the side of his bed, almost pushing Luffy out of the way. Chopper went to the other side, and jumped up onto a stool to check his condition. I didn't really focus on that. "Jason." I said his name and it looked like he noticed it. "Jason." I said again. He then opened his eyes but a second after he opened them, he squinted.

"W-Where am... I?" Jason asked, his voice sounding a little bit hoarse.

"*sigh* Boy, am I glad to see you awake. Wow, man I almost had a heart attack." I said, but whatever reaction I was hoping he would get, didn't happen. The second he looked at me, he looked at me with obvious confusion.

"Who're you?" He asked.

"Oh right. Forgot about that for a second. But yeah, it's me... Zac." I said. He started at me for a while.

"You're not Zac." Jason said, sounding sure of it.

"Dude, I'm not lying. It is me. I just look a little different." I said, hoping he would believe me.

"Bullshit." He didn't.

"I'm serious. What the hell am I supposed to do to make you believe me?" I said, but he just ignored me. I'm guessing, he's thinking I might be playing some sort of trick on him. 'Always so bloody stubborn.' I thought, being annoyed. But then I got an idea.

"Ok look man, how about this? Remember that time you got absolutely wasted at the Willow Tree?" Zac said. Jason turned to look at a little more puzzled this time. It think it might be working. "Oh wait, you obviously don't remember the entire thing. But you got so wasted from taking shots the whole night, you disappeared into the bathroom. I had to drag you out, covered in puke." He looked at me, a bit more disturbed, but I can see I'm getting through.

"But at least you do remember the part where I threw into the back of my dad's car. After all, he did make us clean it." I finished, not really willing to share that entire story, but the little I did say did cause him to believe me.

He looked me up and down, before asking: "It is you!"

"Duhhh!"

"But what happened you? When did you get so... jacked?"

"Bro, it's a... really, really long story." I said. "I'll definitely tell you about it some other time, but right now I think you should get some rest." Jason then looked down at his missing arm, but he didn't freak out. He only stared at it. I couldn't help but feel guilty for his circumstances right now.

"Zac, I'm sorry." He let out. I looked at him and had a feeling where this was going.

"Today, I totally froze up man. I couldn't help. I wanted to..." He said, with tears starting roll from his eyes. He wanted to say something else, but it looked like he couldn't get the words out. I placed my arm on shoulder to comfort him.

"It's alright man. I don't blame you. I'm just glad we got out of there in one piece." I said. He dipped his head again, and stayed there. Luffy, who's been silent the entire time, looked at the two friends. He didn't show it, but he felt bad for Jason, however he continued to remain quiet. Jason then winced in pain and Chopper, who was checking his IV bag, turned back to him and quickly placed his stethoscope on his chest. He moved it around for a bit while listening very closely to his heartbeat.

"Heartbeat steady... but those chest pains are normal for rib damage." Chopper said before he took out a prescription notebook and quickly wrote something on it, before tearing it off. "I'm prescribing you some painkillers. It will help. The nurse will come by later to give it to you." He said, before he jumped off the stool and ran out the room, but when he exited the room, he almost bumped into the janitor pushing his utility cart.

"Hey watch it!" The janitor screamed and I heard chopper screaming back an 'I'm sorry'. "Ugly, little rat." was what I heard him mutter and I contemplated whether or not I should beat him up for that.

"Uh Zac, why does this guy look like that guy from that pirate anime you love so much?" Jason asked. I turned around to see Jason looking at Luffy.

"That's because he is, dude." I said. But he didn't believe me, he just stared at me with an 'are you serious?' expression on his face. "I'm serious."

"Yeah right and I'm as big as a bull, but you don't see me doing porn, now do yah?" He stated sarcastically. I would have winced at it, but to be honest, this kind of thing is to be expected from him. He doesn't believe anything until he sees it for himself. I'm used to it. "I don't think anyone wants to see you doing that. But anyways what's your point exactly?" I said flatly.

This time he winced. I could have sworn I saw an arrow go through his chest. 'I think I'm starting to see things.' However, Jason quickly bounced back. "Look, my point is, just because he looks like Luffy doesn't mean he... really... uhhhh." For some reason, it looked like Jason was losing his sentence and he was staring at something other than me.

"So you're Zac's friend, huh?" I heard from behind me. I whipped my head around to my left, to find Luffy's head next to mine, but I don't see this body. I whipped my again to the other side and saw his body still on the other bed, but his neck was stretched. 'Huh. Wow, so this is what it looks like for real. Not gonna lie... it's kinda weird to look at.' I thought as I looked at Luffy neck behaving almost like a snake's body. But when I looked back to Jason, I winced, because he's staring in absolute shock at Luffy right now.

"Nice to meet'cha. I'm Monkey D. Luffy, but you can call me Luffy. Any friend of the crew is a friend of mine." Luffy said, while his neck dangled and slithered in the air. But, Jason still continued to look disturbed by it.

"Believe me now?" I said with smug. However, instead of answering me, I started to hear his heart monitor start to beep with increased intensity. Then I heard some kind of alarm go off. I saw his breathing become erratic and it looked like he couldn't get it under control. This caused me to panic.

"Jason?" I said, trying to get his attention, but the next thing I knew a nurse ran past me to look at the heart monitor. She did something else, but I didn't understand what it is. Chopper also came into the room, but when he saw Jason, he ran to his bedside and transformed into a bigger form to push Jason down gently on the pillow while screaming for the nurse to give him something. The nurse complied, but before she gave him the thing he asked for, she turned to us and said: "You two should leave. The doctor is busy."

"Let's go Luffy. We're in the way." I said. I turned around to leave and Luffy jumped off the bed to follow.

In the hallway:

Luffy and I walked into the hallway just before the nurse came to close the door behind me. Without realising it, I started to pace in front of the door, while my brain worked in overdrive. There were so many questions going off in my head, it melt like my brain was going to melt. I couldn't process any of them and I can't stop thinking about the worst case scenario.

"Hey are you alright?" I heard Luffy ask.

"Yeah I'm fine. I'm just thinking." I said.

"About what?" Luffy asked.

"Where do I begin? I was recruited by Jump Force, where everything I knew used to just fiction. I'm sitting in a hallway with one of my all-time favourite characters from anime. Let's see, what else? Oh yeah, my friend is also crippled... it's like I'm just noticing all of this for the first time." I said. However, Luffy didn't answer instead he just looked at me. And he stared. And he's still staring. It feels really awkward that I'm telling him this, because how is he going to understand anything I say? I mean, I just flat out told him he's one of my favourite characters. What the hell is he supposed to say to that?!

'This feels like that time I confessed to my crush back in high school... only back then, she had the heart to reject me quickly.' I thought, while cringing about that awkward day. Yeah that memory isn't really helping at all right now! But before the embarrassment could eat me alive, Luffy brought my attention out of it.

"Wow I'm one of your favourites! Haha, thanks." He said with stars in his eyes, but that quickly changed. "Hey wait, if I'm one of your favourites then why don't you wanna join my crew?" He asked, scratch that, he sounded like he was yelling. I couldn't stop myself from blushing. 'Damnit! Don't scream it out like that! People might read the situation differently.' I thought, while hoping no-one is around to hear this conversation. I coughed into my hand to compose myself before I answered.

"Look Luffy, it's not gonna work. Like I said..." I couldn't finish because Luffy cut me off. "Yeah and I told you I don't care about that. I still want you to join my crew." I sighed and almost rolled my eyes, because I'm not making a dent at all. "Come on. It's gonna be fun."

"Fun?" I asked, without thinking.

"Yeah, you know. So what do you say?" He asked again, seeming very hopeful that I give him an answer. Even though I felt unworthy, I still couldn't say no to him. At least not without at least explaining why.

I sighed and scratched the back of my head before asking: "Luffy, do you remember that time when you and the crew got to Reverse mountain?" Luffy looked at me with confusion, but the look didn't last. After a few seconds, he chuckled before saying: "Yep."

"Ok before you sailed up the mountain, you and the crew came together and put your feet on a barrel. That was when all of you thought of your dreams or goals for the journey before you smashed it." I said and Luffy nodded with a smile.

"That's the thing. I don't have that. You know... a dream, like that." I said and his smile disappeared. Luffy now looked at me with an unreadable expression. And I thought earlier was uncomfortable, but this is way worse. Luffy just stood in front of me, quiet as a mouse. The only sounds I could register are the voices over the intercoms calling the names of doctors or the other staff to certain parts of the infirmary. Even in-between the intercom voices blaring, the silence still continued.

'Man, why is he so quiet? Just say you don't want me on the crew and be done with it! Everyone on your crew have such amazing dreams. Zoro wants to become the world's greatest swordsman, Sanji wants to find the All-blue, Nami wants to draw a map of the entire world, Chopper wants to become a doctor that can cure anything, Ussop wants to be a brave warrior of the... huh? wait a minute, does that even count as an amazing dream?' I thought. I didn't even realise I lowered my head to keep myself from looking at him.

"Then what about what you said?." Luffy asked suddenly, before I could continue.

"Huh? What?"

"You know, what you said in the old man's office earlier. Did you already forget about that?" Luffy said. I looked at him with a flat expression, before I realised what he was talking about. But before I could show my recognition to Luffy, he started chuckling.

"Haha, wow you did forget, didn't you? You're so stupid!"

"Shut up, Luffy! I can remember just fine. But what about it?" I asked, growling a little.

"Isn't that your dream?" He asked.

I immediately wanted to say no, but for some reason I couldn't get it right. "Yeah, sure... you can say that, but that dream isn't like the dreams of you and the rest of of the Strawhats." I don't know why, but the second those words left my mouth, I felt like I said something stupid. And it was confirmed, when Luffy laughed again.

"Really? Because it still sounds like a dream to me." Luffy said, but it sounded really annoying.

"Yeah so what if it does, what's your point?"

"So don't feel bad about it. You said earlier in the old man's office, that your father told you to live your life, right? If that's what you want to do then live it out. Don't let anyone stop you from doing it! It's your life!" Luffy said.

"Huh?! Uh... I-I... *pff* What?" I stuttered. What the hell is he on about? I couldn't understand what he was on about, but as I continued to maul over what he just said, it slowly but surely made sense. 'Wow, now I feel like an absolute idiot.' I thought with an hand over my face. I also started to chuckle and it slowly transformed into full on laughter. Luffy still kept his grin on his face, but when he heard me laugh, he also started laughing. What I also noticed was, like my voice, my laugh was different, but I didn't care.

"Ok, Luffy, you win. I give up." I said, while wiping a tear my eye.

'He was always very clear on who he wants to be friends with and I'm not seeing Naruto or Goku coming here to ask me join their teams. I mean, sure they were fighting earlier in the director's office, but I'm not seeing them here doing what Luffy's doing. Oh screw it!' I thought.

"You know what, fine. Luffy, I'll be happy to join your crew." I said.

He didn't even try to hide his excitement. "YEAAAHHH! HAHAHA!" And this time, there were doctors and nurses in the hallway, who told us to be quiet. But we didn't care. "So, what now, captain?" I asked, while he was still laughing. But when it looked like my question finally registered to Luffy, he stopped laughing. "Oh yeah, I gotta take you to the Sunny."

Once again, I felt my almost pop out of head. 'Hold up, the Thousand Sunny is actually here? On this base? How?!' But before I could ask him about it, Luffy turned to towards the open hospital door and started running. 'Guess it's time to follow him'. I started jogging to catch up to him. It wasn't long before we were out of the infirmary and into that big tunnel again, but this time we took a different route. We didn't have to run long into the tunnel before we had to turn up another tunnel with stairs leading upwards. 'I'm getting a Kung Fu Panda vibe here.' was what I was thinking while jogging up the stairs.

Let's just say it took me a while to finally get to the top of the seemingly endless stairway and funny enough I wasn't even tired yet. I guess the cube Trunks gave me, altered my physique and now I am stronger, faster and more agile then I was before this war came to my world. But my internal discussion came to an end when I saw where we came out of. It was a beach, with an actual ocean, since I can smell the salt in the air.

There were even seagulls flying in the distance. Right now I'm not even going to ask how this is possible, since the term "normal" left my world when the invasion came. Besides the beach was a sort of platform with the Straw hats pirate flag hanging in between two large cement pillars. Next to the platform was a bust of someone that I didn't know and next to that was a desk. No jokes like an actual high-tech, secretary desk with woman sitting behind it and everything. I think that is where the team members go in order to go out on missions for their teams. What I could also see, was the Thousand Sunny docked at a harbour next to other ships, and boy was she a beautiful ship. It looked even better than in the anime. Next to the Thousand Sunny was a marine ship. I just hope it isn't the bad marines that piss me off.

Along with the beach theme wing, I could also see people walking across the sand. These people wore mixed clothes from different anime I have seen and heard about. I could see that some of the girls and guys wore the One Piece, marine uniform (luckily not the same one that attacked me, since the colours were different), also the Jonin vest from Naruto on some of the others. If there wasn't a war going on right now I would have thought this was the best convention ever. I then turned and saw Luffy smiling right in my face.

"So is this place awesome or what?" Luffy asked with the same smirk on his face. Ok I admit this is awesome, but personal space is something that I also treasure.

"I would be lying if I said no." I said with an equal grin on my face as well. "I just never thought that I would see the Thousand Sunny in person. Now that is one awesome ship." I also stated as I looked towards said ship.

"I know right. Shishishi."

I couldn't stare at the ship longer when I heard footsteps walking towards us. When I looked my eyes, again, popped out of their sockets, because standing right in front of me was none other than Sanji. He looked just like when he came back from the two year time-skip. "Hey Luffy, I've been wondering where you were." Sanji spoke for the first time. Just like Luffy he sounded like in the anime's dubbed version. 'Huh, I just now realised it.'

Sanji blew out a puff of smoke and looked towards us, but before he could talk to Luffy he saw me standing next to him. "Who's this? A new recruit." He said as he looked me up and down. 'Seriously, this is making me feel self-conscious' I thought. Since this was dragging on I decided to speak up.

"Hi, my name is Zachery Nelson, but most people call me Zac. Yes, I'm a new recruit. Nice to meet yah." I said as I stretched out my hand for a handshake. He was caught off guard by my manners, but he shook it off.

"Heh, finally someone with some manners." He said, as he took my hand and shook it. "Well anyways welcome to Team Beta. I'm the-" Before he could say his piece, Luffy decided to be rude.

"Don't worry about that, Sanji. He already knows who we are." Luffy said. This stopped Sanji right in his tracks and made him open the one eye, not covered by his hair, in shock. "What do you mean?" He asked.

I sheepishly rubbed the back of my head and said: "Yeah, he's right Sanji. I know who you are. I said the same thing to Chopper in the infirmary just now." Sanji just looked at me with doubt present in his eyes, but after a while he gave in and inhaled some more smoke from his cigarette and blew it out. Now that's a different kind of flavour.

"I've seen and heard some weird things, but what you just said is definitely a first." He didn't give any indication if he believes me or not, so now I think I have to prove it to him. "If you want, I can prove it." I said. He looked at me for another few moments, luckily it was a short this time. Then he muttered something under his breath. "I can't believe, I'm considering this."

"Ok, fine….. Where do I come from? That's my question. If you can answer it, then I will believe you. Got it?" He asked.

I thought for a second. That was actually a tough question to answer, because if you think the question over then you will realise that there are three possible answers, namely: The North blue (The Germa Kingdom), the island where he and Red-Leg Zeff was stranded on and finally the Baratie. I kept on thinking, but I could tell that Sanji was getting impatient about this, since I could hear him tapping his foot on the sand.

3rd Person POV:

"Ughh, I can't believe I got dragged into this. I mean I 'did' hear and see things that were impossible, but this is just beyond crazy…. Insane even!... Well if he can answer it then I might consider it…. What the hell is taking him so long?!" Sanji internally debated.

"Do you have an answer or what?" Sanji asked.

Zac put up his finger and said: "Give me a second." Sanji calmed down for said second, but he got a little frustrated when Zac said that.

"Look, I'm not gonna lie and say that I believe what you said, because what you said is completely impossible. There's no way, you know me or anyone on this crew. I already accepted that there are other universes with things that can blow my mind, but this is just downright insane." Sanji said. He couldn't understand what Zac was saying or perhaps he couldn't understand how Zac could say it in the first place. Zachery looked up from his thinking episode and looked at him. He wasn't angry with him, not at all.

"I know you think this is crazy. I mean come one you don't know me and here I am saying that I know you. But give me chance and maybe I can prove you wrong. That's all I'm asking." Zac said. He did understand why Sanji would think that and that's why he asked Sanji to ask him a question. So that he can give him proof of what he claims he knows. Sanji was taken back by his statement, but he decided to at least give him a chance. Luffy, who was standing there the whole time, looked at his crew members in silence. He didn't want to intervene with this, because he wanted them to settle things and maybe get along afterwards.

After a while, Zachery finally gave his answer: "You come from the Baratie, the floating restaurant on the sea. You were born in the North Blue, but you travelled to the east and you were working in the Baratie as the Sous Chef when Luffy, Zoro, Usopp and Nami and those two bounty hunters came by. Of course Luffy destroyed the ceiling of the restaurant with a very dumb move, but when he saw you, he tried to recruit you. But being the stubborn guy you are, you refused, because you wanted to settle a debt with Red-Leg Zeff. But after the fight with Don Krieg, you finally accepted the offer, but, also being the hopeless romantic you are, you joined only because Nami was there. Does that answer your question?"

To say, Sanji was shocked was an understatement. He stood there with his one visible eye, wide open in shock and his mouth open. He also didn't notice his cigarrete had fallen out of his hand and onto the sand. What really shocked him though was how Zac answered the question. He answered it in vivid detail. "No way… He didn't just answer the question, but he answered it in a way that says he was there. But how could he have been there? From what he's wearing, I can tell that he is a new recruit, but…. How? Unless..." As Sanji tries to reason to himself, Luffy started chuckling next to him. Signalling that he still there.

"Shishishi. See, isn't he cool?" Luffy said.

"Ahh shucks Luffy, you're making me blush." Zachery said while rubbing the back of his neck, while sporting a small blush.

"But wait, that wasn't a dumb move. I wanted to try something new when that cannonball came at us!" Luffy said, clearly saying that he took offence to what Zac just said.

"Yeah right. Could've fooled me, pal." Zachery said back, with a sweat drop. Luffy though was still not happy with what Zachery said.

Sanji was still in his thinking state, all while the both of them were talking/arguing. Well it looked like one was arguing and the other was playing it cool. But what came through his mind made him want another smoke. He finally accepted the fact that Zachery knew him and his life, but unfortunately there was one thing that bugged him about this revelation. "If he knows me… Does that mean he knows my past... Before the Baratie?" Sanji was wrestling with that idea, until Luffy got his attention back from his thoughts.

"Hey Sanji."

"Hmmm. Yeah what is it?"

"Is the food ready, cause I'm starving." Luffy said, while rubbing his stomach and Zac could have sworn he heard a growl.

'Huh, guess there's nothing that bugs him, is there?' Sanji thought, as he lit another smoke. "Yeah that's what I wanted to tell you."

Luffy then disappeared faster than Zac could see and all that could be seen was a dust cloud left behind from his speedy arrival on their ship. Zac looked perplexed at the cloud, while Sanji sighed. "Come on, we better hurry, before there's nothing left." Sanji said, before he heard another growl. He looked back at Zac, making Zac chuckle. "Sorry."

"Guess, its double-time for you, otherwise you're gonna have to wait until I make more." Sanji said, before he walked back to the ship.

"Oh yeah right." Zac said before he caught up with him.

"I'm sure you already know this, but the captain can be an idiot sometimes." Sanji said.

"Uh yeah. That's Luffy alright." Zac said. This luckily made Sanji chuckle a little. As they were walking, Zac saw more and more marines walk pass them. Some ran by and others were standing around and chatting with each other. However, he couldn't ignore the marine's stares. It made him uncomfortable. He wasn't the only one though, after all being part of a famous pirate crew, caused Sanji to have the same stares directed on him.

"Don't let them." Zac heard Sanji say when he started walking up the plank to the deck. He wanted to ask how Sanji knew what he was meaning, but the words were caught in throat. So, instead he followed him up until he jumped on the deck. "So, this is it."

Zac just nodded stupidly. "You alright there?" Sanji asked.

"Yeah it's just... this is a dream come true." Zac said. He was in awe once more, because he has always seen the deck behind a screen for a majority of his life, but this is a new experience. Everything was just as it was in the anime, so there no need to fully memorize this experience. Sanji just looked at him with an unreadable expression, but deep down he still felt weird about the situation, but he didn't know how to say it. Instead, he put all his thoughts and feelings on the situation, on the back burner for now. "Well, I guess it would be for someone like you." Sanji said, while inhaling more smoke. He didn't mean it in a bad way, but those words did cause Zac to flinch a little.

"Yeah, but if it makes you feel any better, I don't know every room on the ship. Just certain ones." Zac said. Sanji was visibly confused, but inside he felt a little relieved when he realised he doesn't know everything. "So, Zac was it? When did you get a cube?" He asked.

"Today, when the attack happened." Zachery replied.

"Ok, and from what world do you come from?" He asked again.

"Well, I guess you can call it the real world." Zac said. This got Sanji's attention once again.

"What do you mean, by the 'real world'?" Sanji asked, with a little more interest.

"Well, in my world you guys were all in a manga and an anime. That's why I know so much about you guys. There is no such things as devil fruits, weird ass islands or Haki. Pirates' maybe, but they are rare these days, since our 'Great Pirates' era ended a long time ago. Also with regards to Naruto, ninjas are also rare, but we don't have any chakra. Finally with regards to Goku we don't have any aliens, or inner energy or something like that." Zac explained. Sanji was interested to say the least. An entire world where there are nothing but normal people walking around doing every day stuff. But it also meant something else.

"So your world is boring then." He said. All Zac could was nod in pity, there even those depressed/gloomy lines over his body. "Yeah you could say that."

"What about a family? Do you have people who are waiting for outside the base?" This question caused Zac to have a flashback to what happened to the store his family was hiding in. He could remember every detail… also the screams of the nearby people being slaughtered. Sanji noticed Zac going quiet after he asked the question.

"You alright?" He asked. What concerned him also was Zachery being white as paper.

Zachery looked at Sanji and said: "I will be, I guess. Sorry, about your question, I did… at least before today's attack." Sanji read between the lines. He felt a little stupid for asking that question. "This guy probably went through a lot today. I should lay off the questions for a little while." Sanji thought. After that silence fell over the two again.

"Ok, well you better make your way to the kitchen before Luffy eats everything. In the meantime, I'm gonna call the others." Sanji said as he walked towards the stairway leading up to the top floor above the deck. "Wait 'others'?" Zac thought. If there were others, then where are they? Are they also from the One Piece universe? Or are they from different universes? Well in any case Zac couldn't wait to meet them. "All right." Zac said, after he ran past him towards the door, that he remembered leading towards the dining room.

But before he entered, he looked back to Sanji and said: "Oh yeah, before I forget. It was nice to meet you Sanji."

"Yeah nice to meet you too." Sanji said, before he walked somewhere else, disappearing from Zac's view. Zac then opened the door and walked into the dining room and saw that it looked exactly like it did in the anime. The second he smelled the food, his mouth watered and his stomach demanded he eat until he bursts. There were lamb dishes, chicken, beef, lobster and crab with many other plates of salad's, potatoes and even sandwiches. But when he heard something that resembled an animal eating, he saw Luffy with all the food on the table, munching away like there's no tomorrow. Immediately, Zac's eyes went wide in alarm.

"Hey, wait Luffy don't eat everything!" Zac said, before blitzed toward the table and took a seat right across from him. He grabbed two clean plates and on the one, he filled it with meat and the other plate he filled with salad. It would be an understatement to say the food is amazing, because the second he took a bite of the meat, he felt his tummy go into a yummy frenzy.

"So, what do you think? Sanji's food is pretty good, right?" I pieced together, because Luffy still had his mouth full.

"You said it. This is awesome." Zac said, after he finished both of his plates, faster than he used too in his previous body. But when he looked at Luffy he saw he was extremely fat, confusing Zac, but when he looked to the rest of the table and saw every plate empty. His eyes went wide again. 'When did he?!'

Luffy just laughed causing his big belly to jiggle. "Ah man, that was so good!" Luffy said.

'He really did eat the bones. Damn.' He thought he would see this coming from Luffy, but he was wrong, even if he did see it almost a million times, it still came as a shock as he gazed across the entire table. But he was pulled from it when he heard his stomach growl again. 'What?! Seriously! I'm still hungry?!' Zac thought, shocked that that plate didn't help at all. But he wasn't the only one who heard the sound.

"Shishishi, yeah me too." Luffy said, rubbing his fat belly. This just caused Zac to focus his incredulous gaze on him.

'Vlakvark (warthog). Wait... what does that make me then?' Zac thought.

However, Zac couldn't realise in time, that there was someone else who entered the room. "Well it's good to see you at least had a plate before Luffy devoured everything." Zac flinched when he heard Sanji's voice from the door, next to the ladder to his left. Zac turned his head to Sanji.

"The others are on their way. In the meantime, I'll whip up another batch. The director was kind enough to send another shipment, just for this occasion." Sanji said, just when a ding went off. Zac whipped his head back to the bar area directly behind him. "Sounds like it's ready." Sanji said, as he passed Zac on his way to the kitchen. He bent down and opened one of the ovens, and the smell Zac received was so delicious his mouth watered, literally.

"Voila, my I present, my special Skyshark Roast." Sanji said. Zac looked at the dish with intrigue and confusion. 'I don't remember that thing.'

"Is that a fish from Skypeia?" Zac decided to ask.

"Yep. You don't recognise it?" Sanji asked, a little surprised Zac doesn't know it.

"Yeah sorry, there's just so much stuff in your world, I can't remember all of them." Zac said, feeling a little sheepish. Sanji didn't show it, but he felt a little more comfortable with their new crewmember, compared to earlier. However, this little interaction was halted by the other hungry animal in the room. "Hey! Sanji hurry up! Bring more meat?!" Luffy whined.

"Hold your horses, Luffy. Now, considering you ate the whole first course I made for the other captains and left nothing in the second, you're going to have to wait until the others get here, before you can eat." Sanji said nonchalantly. But Luffy didn't want to hear it. "Come on Sanji, I'm dying here!" Luffy said. There was a growl that surprisingly came from Luffy's fat belly again, causing Zac to freak out a little.

"I mean it, Luffy, you're not eating a bite from this until the others get here!" Sanji said, doubling down on his decision, but that caused him not to see what comes next. Neither of the two saw Luffy appear behind the plate in Sanji's hand and swallow the whole thing. Zac freaked out more when he saw this. 'So fast! And he even ate the plate.' Sanji was also freaked out, but not for the same reason, instead it was because his hand is now inside Luffy's mouth along with the plate. Luffy then slowly withdrew his mouth from the plate and hand, with a look of satisfaction on his face.

"Wow, this is so good." Luffy said with his mouth full.

"YOU GREEDY PIG!" The second those words left his mouth, Sanji unleashed one hell of a beating on Luffy, kicking his face to the point it couldn't be recognised through the huge lumps and bruises. Zac cringed at the beatdown and for a second felt sorry for Luffy. It was always funny to see it happen in the anime, but now it was hard to watch. "Ouch." Zac muttered.

When Sanji was done, he saw Luffy with his back on the floor and another giant lump on top of his head. Not knowing if he was unconscious or dead. But when he saw a giant bubble blow up right above his nose, Zac realised he was just sleeping. "He's actually asleep? Oh yeah, I forgot he does that." Zac muttered out loud.

"I'm going to get some ingredients in the pantry. I won't be long." Sanji said, but it was evident that he was still mad about what happened. The large pantry then opened up and Sanji disappeared in it. On occasion, Zac could hear Sanji say something about the quality of the ingredients. All the while, he just quietly sat at the table and still staring at Luffy on the floor. Having enough of the gross beating Luffy had, he turned back to admire the dining room further, but while he was doing that, he couldn't help my wonder about the 'others' Sanji mentioned. 'Are they the original crewmembers? If they are I can't wait to meet Zoro, or Frankie or even Ussop... hell, I'll even be happy to meet Brook if I could. But what about Nami or Robin? Will I be able to keep my cool with them or just make a gigantic fool out of myself?' Zac thought.

After a while of waiting around for Sanji to come back he heard a door open. When he turned towards the direction of the noise, he saw someone through the door and boy was he surprised. Sharing the dining room with him, stood a young boy, with blonde hair and blue eyes. He also appeared to have a head band tied around his forehead. The boy also wore mostly black, consisting of a black jacket with a salmon coloured stripe going down the sleeves, along with black pants that has a bandage wrap around the right leg and black shoes that seem to resemble the sandals that Zachery is wearing right now, but it seemed to go up to reach his knees. The only thing he wore that wasn't black was his T-shirt, which was white. But the one thing that caught his attention was the two whisker marks on both of his cheeks. This was none other than Boruto Uzumaki, the son of Naruto Uzumaki.

"Stupid Hancock, trying to tell me that I'm not needed on the team. *tsk* WHO DOES SHE THINK SHE IS?!" Boruto said as he slammed the door behind him.

'Well that answers my question about the other team members, but I guess I shouldn't ask what's going on now.' Zachery thought as he watched Boruto continue rambling. Zachery then decided to look away in order to not catch Boruto's attention and continued to ignore his tantrum for a while.

As Zachery was ignoring the situation, Boruto stopped his tantrum for some air. He took in a deep breath and exhaled, finally calmed down. Boruto then noticed that he was not alone, when he spotted Zachery occupying the same space that he used to blow off some steam. Obviously in this situation he was embarrassed to see that he seemed to have ruined someone else's day with his rant. There even was a dust of pink on his cheeks, right where the one whisker mark was.

"Ummm did I just yell while you were sitting there the whole time?" Boruto asked.

Zachery then looked at Boruto. Deciding not to be rude, he answered his question. "Yes. Yes, you did."

"Ohh sorry about that, I guess I didn't see you there." Boruto said, sheepishly.

"No problem. I understand if you want to let out your frustrations." Zachery said.

"Oh cool, thanks."

"Like I said no problem."

And then came the awkward silence…

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…..

"So are you new here?" Boruto asked, trying to break the uncomfortable, awkward silence.

"Yeah, just joined a few minutes ago. The name's Zachery Nelson, nice to meet you." Zachery answered.

"Boruto Uzumaki" Boruto introduced himself. But since Zachery already knew his father Naruto, it was obvious that he would know about Boruto. Before another awkward silence could break out, Zac and Boruto hear footsteps coming through the pantry door. Sanji emerges from the room, while holding a large basket filled with many ingredients. It looked like a miracle he could carry that huge amount, but then again this is Sanji. 'Wow' Zac thought, as he saw the massive amount of ingredients. Sitting the basket down on the kitchen floor, Sanji noticed the new presence in the dining room. "Ohh Boruto, I see you met our newest recruit." Sanji said.

"Yeah, quite the pleasure…." Boruto while he rubbed his hand behind his head sheepishly. Not that he going tell Sanji how he met Zac.

"Take a seat and wait. I'm gonna get started on the third course, thanks our idiot captain over there." Sanji said, taking out the cigarette in his mouth and pointing at Luffy still asleep on the floor. Boruto finally noticed Luffy sleeping on the floor with all the bruises and the giant snot bubble coming out of his nose. 'Yeah, I know, it feels like you just walked into a crime scene.' Zac thought, as he looked at the disturbed Boruto.

Boruto walked to the closest chair and sat down, just as Zac heard Sanji starting prepping the ingredients. As Sanji is prepping, Zac was lost in his thoughts again. 'Boruto Uzumaki, well shit this must be awkward for Naruto. Wait if they already met, did Boruto tell his father that he's the Hokage? Wow, imagine the look Naruto's face if he hears that. Anyway, let's see, who else might be on this team? Well I heard him mention Hancock when he walked in. Did he mean, Boa Hancock, the Pirate Empress? If he did, then no thanks. *ugh* Better steer clear of her, otherwise I might lose my sanity. Is there someone else?' Zac thought.

"Hmmm." Zac hummed as he tried to answer his last question.

"Something on your mind?" Boruto asked. Zac turned his head to him.

"Uhh yeah, uhm are there other people on our team?" Zac asked.

Boruto looked a little surprised at the question, but before he could answer Sanji chipped in: "No, it's just me, Luffy, Boruto, and Miss Hancock. You're actually the first new recruit that joined our team." Zac was confused when he heard that.

"Wait what about Zoro or the rest of the crew? Aren't they here?" Zac asked.

Sanji for some reason looked like he got a little angry. "No, the mosshead went to join Goku's team." He said, which shocked Zac. "As for the rest, some of them are here, while the others aren't. Chopper went to join the medical team in the infirmary, while Robin joined team Gamma. Frankie's here too, but he's a part of group of shipwrights and contractors that maintain our ships. Nami is on the base, but she hasn't joined any of the teams, however she's still a part of the crew and comes here from time to time." Sanji finished.

Zac struggled to believe this. "Hold up, you said I'm the first new recruit that joined your team. Why's that?" Zac asked.

"It's because every new recruit joined either Goku's team or my stupid old man's." Boruto answered. When Zac turned around to look at him, he saw his scowl. "Every time a new recruit comes along, the always choose team Alpha or Gamma, saying it will be cooler to join them instead of us. That they don't want to be a part of a goofy looking team or they say..." Boruto wanted to say something else, but he stopped mid-sentence. However, Zac had a feeling where this might be going.

"I'm sorry hear that." Zac said.

"Don't worry about it. It's not a big loss. We still have the Navy that makes up the bulk of our whole team." Sanji said.

"But still they're missing out." Zac said. Making Sanji let out a small chuckle. "I still can't believe Zoro joined Goku's team. Are you sure he didn't just get lost trying to find team Beta's station?" Zac asked, which almost made Sanji laugh out loud, but he caught himself in time.

"I'm serious. He really went to join team Alpha on his own." Sanji said.

"Oh." Zac let out, the information finally sinking in. But in a split second, Sanji's facial expression changed to a big goofy smile. "Oh well, it's his loss. I'm just lucky I'm on the same team as the beautiful Miss Hancock." He said, and Zac saw little hearts float in a line above his head. 'There it is. Are those real?' Zac thought.

"Why'd you join?" Boruto asked, getting Zac attention away from Sanji's little show.

"Huh? Oh, uh well Luffy pestered me until I gave in." Zac said, causing Sanji to flinch and Boruto to fall out of the chair. All the while Luffy is still snoring on the floor. In the end, Sanji looked a little embarrassed hearing what his captain actually did. "Yeah that definitely sounds like him. Sorry about that. Hope he didn't cause you too much problems."

"Nah don't worry about it. In the end we worked it out... To be honest, it's kinda rare too see Luffy make sense. I guess I forgot he also has his moments. Even if they aren't that much." Zac said. This actually got a genuine laugh from him. "Yeah." Sanji said, flipping the food in his pan. But Boruto, who got up from the floor and was currently pushing his chair back on its legs, wasn't laughing at the situation.

"Sounds to me like you didn't have a choice. You only joined to get Captain Luffy to stop bothering you." Boruto said. To someone else, that would have sounded rude to hear, but Zac understood his concerns.

"No not really. I've always been a big fan of One Piece, ever since I was a kid." Zac said. Sanji managed to flip his pan full of food, but what he heard still caught him a little. "Yeah many kids my age enjoyed Dragon Ball or Naruto way more than they did One Piece... and sure I also enjoyed Naruto, but One Piece was the show I grew up watching the most." Zac said, thinking back to his days on the playground. How kids his age mocked him on how One Piece wasn't as cool as Dragon Ball or Naruto. Back then those things the other kids used to say did hurt, but after a while it didn't bother him anymore. As he got older, some people started coming around and others stopped the taunts.

"If I'm being honest, I'm actually happy Luffy wanted me to join. I don't know how I would be if I joined Goku or Naruto's teams." Zac finished. "But you do have a point, he was really annoying, but in the end it didn't bother me that much." Sanji raised his exposed eyebrow, while he turned one of the knobs on the stove and left the pan on low heat. He started to cut vegetable on the counter next to the stove, all while digesting what Zac said. Zac sounded sincere, but Sanji still didn't know how to live with him, especially with the knowledge he has about him and the rest of his crew, but there could be a way to help with that.

"So, Zac I got another question for yah." Sanji said, getting both Zac's and Boruto's attention. After a short pause, to blow out another puff, he asked his question. "Who's more beautiful: Nami or Robin?" This got an immediate reaction out of both. Zac's face grew beat red and Boruto just looked at Sanji like he was a moron. 'Is he for real?' Boruto asked himself, while still holding his incredulous expression.

"Uh-Uhm... Well... T-T-That's a tough question." Was all Zac could get out before steam started coming out of his ears. He didn't really want to answer that question, but luckily for him, that's all he needed to say because Sanji's heart-eyes suddenly returned and he started wiggling like one of those blow-up, balloon people you see around car sales. "You're right I can't decide either. Both of them are just so beautiful and now that the lovely Boa Hancock joined us as well, we have three incredible beauties on the team."

Sanji didn't notice it, but at the mention of Hancock's name, Zac's embarrassment immediately disappeared and in its place was a deadpanned expression. Boruto did notice Zac's change and thought to himself, while holding the same expression: 'You're not the only one Nelson.'

While this was going on, Luffy finally woke up from his nap and sat up. While the bumps and bruises were still visible on his face, he miraculously lost the weight he gained from earlier. "Hey Sanji, is the food ready yet?" Luffy asked as if what happened earlier never did. This interrupted Sanji's daydreaming and silly dance routine, before he responded. "You're not getting anything Luffy." This only made Luffy whine.

"Uggghhh, but why?" Luffy said before he stomach growled again.

"OH SHUT UP! IT'S BECAUSE YOU ATE EVERYTHING LIKE A DAMN WILD ANIMAL THAT I HAVE TO MAKE EVERYTHING FROM SCRACTH AGAIN! Besides Zac barely got anything thanks to you and Boruto didn't have any at all. So you can just forget it." Sanji yelled. But Luffy wasn't paying attention to anything he was saying, instead choosing to pay more attention to the baskets of bread and fruit behind him. So, while Sanji was still being angry at him, he tried to sneak his hand past him and take some of the food, but what he got instead was Sanji's foot stomping hard on his stretched arm.

"OWWWWWUCH"

"DON'T THINK I WASN'T BEING SERIOUS, YOU DAMN RUBBER THIEF!" Sanji said.

This caused Zac to laugh out loud. 'I guess I didn't need to worry after all. Sure it's awkward, but I think I can live with it." However, Boruto wasn't laughing, instead his stomach was growling. "Hey come on you guys I'm starving over here. Can't you just out all this on hold or something?" Boruto said. Then Zac's stomach stomach growled again, making him agree with Boruto.

"Yeah I know, Boruto but it's still going to take a while." Sanji said while he resumed cooking. Seeing his chance, Luffy tried his luck again with one of the baskets, but this got him another swift kick to the head from the ship's cook. "STOP THAT ALREADY YOU MORON!" Sanji yelled. Luffy's head was knocked against the wall behind him and his body followed, before he slid down on his behind.

"Raahhh! Sanji, stop being a jerk!" Luffy yelled.

"I'm not a jerk you dumbass!" Sanji replied.

"YOU GUUUUUYYYSSS!"

TO BE CONTINUED.