A Match? No Need!

Sanboi looked at the path they took to get here, but Tsuru was nowhere to be found. He felt something in him break, as if he was remembering something. But before he could, an arm placed itself around his neck.

"Yo! I'm Dragon! You're Sanboi right?"

The fifteen year old had short black hair, a tall nose, pale skin and what could be described as sharp eyebrows. He had a rather thin body if he was compared to his father but he was tall enough for his age that it didn't matter. He'll probably be as big when he comes of age.

"Yes, sir."

Sanboi had seen this older boy before, the one who was with the other man. His toothy grin had made Sanboi feel more relaxed as Dragon then let his neck go.

"I heard that you've got a devil fruit already! What is it? Dad didn't tell me what it was! He was even mad when I asked."

Dragon remembered having to suffer a few hits when he asked his father this morning. As the man looked like he was on the verge of crying when he brought it up, the fruit must have been something good.

"Devil fruit?"

"You know! The fruit that gives you abilities! I don't have one yet, but I'll probably get one when I get older, just like my mom!"

Dragon had a happy expression when he thought about his mother. Her loving presence had always taken care of him so much that he wanted to leave here and go back home. But his promise to her that he'd be the best Marine, better than his father, was keeping him on his toes. He needed to do what he said or he'd be letting her down!

"Oh! Was that called a devil fruit? I had a fruit that looked like a star, it was so good!"

"?"

Sanboi looked at the boy in front of him who was giving him a confused look. It seemed he said something wrong as there was no response coming back to reply to him.

"Was that not it?"

"I don't think that was it, did you have one that was disgusting instead?"

"I don't remember having anything that tasted disgusting? Maybe I didn't eat one?"

"Really? Maybe I was wrong..."

Dragon was unsure of his conjecture now that he was talking to the kid. He was pretty sure that he had a devil fruit before but the boy's honest expression had showed him no trace of deception, a talent he had ever since he could remember.

"Anyway, wanna see my new work?"

"Your work?"

Dragon who had thrown the bait had a strange smile on his face as he looked at Sanboi. He then gestured at the boy to come closer, using only a small wave of the hand. When Sanboi did as he asked, he then softly whispered to the boy.

"I set up a smoke station for barbeque in my room. I've been building it for like three weeks now."

"Smoke station?"

"Yeah! Like when you hang meat and smoke it for a while. It turns into barbeque afterwards!"

Dragon used his hands as if he was hanging the meat right here, right now. Sanboi seemed to be listening intently to him, causing Dragon to be more enthusiastic as the boy might just be a new accomplice.

"What's a barbeque?"

"What's a barbeque?! Are you kidding me?"

Dragon's shout had caught the attention of a few lingering Marines, causing the him to laugh shyly and took Sanboi into his room. It was then that Sanboi finally understood, this boy was an idiot.

"Look! I got the grill here so I can use the smoke to cook these!"

Dragon had come closer to a few meat that were hanging from a pole that seemed to be made from pieces of metal poles that were taken from who knows where. They were hanging just above the grill which was on the floor. Around the whole set up were five cloths that were carried by more metal poles that had been formed into the skeleton of a box. The cloths were something he had procured from the other rooms, those whose owners were probably on a mission somewhere.

The plan seemed to be that he would start the grill, letting it create smoke while using the cloths to trap the smoke inside his contraption, gradually cooking the meat. Dragon had been thinking of the outcome already, a feast of barbeque that he'd have no limits on.

"Why not just eat in the cafeteria?"

"That Gristen woman will only let me have 'fresh food'! I think my dad made her do it, I swear he's out to get me!"

Dragon punched the air in indignation, feeling unlucky to have a father that seemed to hate him. He wondered why he was like that, was it because he didn't love him?

"How do you start cooking?"

"Oh? Oh! We just need to start the grill!"

Dragon whose melancholic face turned bright instantly when the food was at stake. He was now going to give the kid a mission, one that he couldn't do on his own.

"For that we need a match! But the only place I know where those are available are in the storage and the kitchen, which is off limits for me."

Dragon didn't let it slip that he was caught trying to steal matches before, thankfully they let him go. But this was also why he can't do it, as his face would be instantly recognized if he goes there. If he tries to push it, he might just get punished for it.

"So we need the match to start the grill?"

"No, we need a fire to start the grill. Matches are just the most convenient things to get fire here."

"Oh? Fire?"

Dragon was thinking to himself as to how to get those matches when a source of blinding light came from the side, spooking him. He was even able to feel the room heat up instantly, causing sweat to build up on his back.

"I got fire right here!"

A gleeful smile was plastered on Sanboi's face as his fist turned into what looked like a glowing molten metal that emitted fire from time to time.