章 12: Chapter 12: The Path of Life
Chapter 12:
The Path of Life: Farewells, Arrivals, and Encounters.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or One Piece.
"Hey Sanji, Naruto! Hurry up already! The rest are waiting to meet-up and we have to get ridda Stupid-Krieg! Come on!" Monkey D. Luffy's voice rang out towards the restaurant. Gin was packing away supplies given by the cooks in the compact storage of Sanji's boat. While Ussop strode up towards their captain.
"Luffy. Just give those two a little more time, alright. I mean, Sanji spent years here and probably has a lot to bring, or some goodbyes to say. And Naruto's still recovering from Don Krieg's poison gas. Let them move slowly, and maybe Kakashi will solve the problems with Nami so any danger is gone once we meet-up with him." the pragmatic coward hoped.
"No way, that's boring." Luffy's refusal came. Sanji and Naruto didn't notice, one glancing around his old room while the other was dealing with several goodbyes from the cooks.
"You really have t' leave like this, kid!? I mean, all of you were good to work with, but Sasuke was a little broody and Kakashi was just a lazy bum who got in the way of me hitting anyone," Patty complained. "Sakura was great at organizing and she made customers happy! But you were amazing, whether in the kitchen or in the dining room Naruto!"
The cook roped Naruto into a bear-hug, with others joining him to praise Naruto all the while from his hard work to the popular sexy-jutsu. Naruto himself could only blush, trying to shake off their attention.
"Awwww. I-It was nothing Patty! You guy were awesome to work with, ya know. And learning how to cook from Zeff was so cool. I'm really glad we became friends, and I'll never forget any of you, ever!" Naruto promised, trying to push down the strange feelings in his chest. Somewhere between a tight pain and weird happiness, these emotions were pushing for tears to reach his eyes. But the boy just shoved them aside to continue smiling at everyone.
"You can't ever forget us with this, kid." One of the staff shouted over. He was setting-up a camera in the corner of the restaurant. Then rose his voice. "Everyone gather around, with Naruto up front! He's taking this photo and three more to Kakashi, Sakura and Sasuke to remember us by forever!"
A chorus of cheers followed, with everyone moving over to the camera. But Naruto protested that Zeff had to be there too, so it was put aside while the rest searched for their boss.
The old Pirate had just offered Luffy his old Log-book, but the Straw Hat had declined despite Gin's protests over how important such a treasure could be to their survival.
'"Don Luffy. I argued 'gainst Krieg takin' it by force, along with th' Old Man's Restaurant. Bu'now it's beein' offered, and this could be the difference b'tween all o' th' crew living or dyin'."
But Luffy just grinned. "Nah, that's what Krieg would do and I don't' want to be like him. We'll find our own way once we get there."
Gin nodded his head, while Zeff grinned at the reply.'
Now, he had been looking for Sanji, but Naruto mattered enough to him to pose for the photo. He kept a stern look, even with Naruto on his shoulders with both arms raised, throwing 'Pace' signs at the camera.
Sanji was in his room, packing away everything that mattered enough for him to take with him. His eyes took one last sweep around the room, filled with old memories that were the sweetest of his life. The young man couldn't take his eyes off a single photo of himself and Zeff, and all the days spent in company of the pirate.
'The geezer was berating me there after dropping plate to look at women.' 'In that chair he watched as I ate down a cake that had baking soda instead of baking powder. That foamy taste in my mouth was horrible, but it had to be done.' 'Over there he tried to fire me for the first time, before I caught on and swore this day wouldn't ever come….'
Lowering his head and lifting a bag to his shoulder, the cook nodded at the best time of his life thus far and left to start a new chapter.
'I always promised myself that one day I would go to the Grand Line. Naruto and the others still need to learn about Black-Leg style. And I can't exactly trust Kakashi to look after Sakura or any other women who join them, since that Monkey D. Luffy is too much of an airhead and the others don't give women the right kind of respect.' The cook pledged tp himself.
Before his eyes turned to hearts. "And of-course I need to find and save Nami from herself and any horrors that would cause her to leave. And then comfort her with my full, unwavering, undivided and unrelenting affections. Something I hope she will eager reciprocate!" Perverted thoughts churning in mind, Sanji's legs become noodles, moving out towards the deck.
Ussop and Gin heard his thoughts aloud and saw the hopeless pervert in various windows of the Baratie. "Does'he do that often?" the Man-demon asked his new crewmate.
"Only whenever Nami was around," the sniper shrugged. "Looks like we're gonna have to keep that idiot focused once we catch up to her, or safe from any women that want to pick a fight because he might be worse than helpless against them."
With a nod, Gin turned back to his job. Johnny and Yosaku were aboard too, impacient to get going and see if Zoro was alright. While Luffy watched as Naruto and Sanji moved through the front doors towards their boat.
The rest of the cooks watched their departure, while Patty and Carne tried one last surprise attack on Sanji.
"PAY BAAAACK!" "HERE IT COMES, SANJI!" Both jumped him from above. Yet only touched empty air; Sanji pushed Naruto's head low, shifting himself forward and around. Two solid upper-kicks to their jaws, and the cooks were sent flying back.
"Well that was just pretty stupid," Naruto said, Sanji guiding him to the boat. "Not like I'd ever do anything like that to Sasuke."
The blondes, one a man the other a boy, nearly reached the waiting nakama ahead. Before a voice stopped both in their tracks.
"Sanji…Naruto…." Zeff's voice cut through them. "Take care of each other."
Both of his students, one across years the other only a month, were stifling at those words. Never once had Zeff used Sanji's name with such affection, neither had Naruto heard someone so filled with pride and concern for him over the 12 years of his life.
THe scene that came could melt any heart, Sanji throwing his head to the ground and pour his heart to the man who was a father in all but name to the cook. While Naruto ran back, up the walls to throw his arms around the chef.
"I…I will! And I'll never forget you or any of the people, the fun, the work, the lessons or your kicks here at all Oji-san!" Naruto declared. Unbeknownst to any, using the same words and affections that Hiruzen had received from the boy, and Zeff earned from his fair treatment and acknowledgement towards the Jinchuriki.
It took ten minutes to pry Naruto's arms from the chef. With eyes that were unable to meet all the respect and acknowledgement given by the cooks, Naruto kept his head down as he moved aboard the boat. Sanji's head rose, to see Zeff whipping tears from his own wrinkled eyes in pride and pain at his protégé's departure.
With the last farewells made, Johnny and Yosaku cast off the boat and began to sail for a nearby island. Soon, the restaurant dropped out of sight, and Gin walked over to their new cook. "Hey Sanji? It migh' not be my place t' pry. But wha' did that cook do t' earn such reverence from y'?"
Sanji held Gin gaze, before a shadow covered his eyes. "Can you wait until we meet-up with the others. Then I can give that story to everyone."
Gin held respect in his gaze, before nodding at Sanji's request. While Luffy stood tall and proud at the bow.
"Alright, men! We've got two new nakama, and still need to get another back! Let's get to an island to turn over Bastard-Krieg," gesturing at the bound, gagged, knocked out waste of space on the boat.
"…then, we head to Cocoyoshi village to get Nami, Zoro, Kakashi, Sasuke and Sakrua all together!"
0…...0
"WH-WH-WH-WH-WH-WHAT IN ALL HOKAGE IS THAT COW!" Sakura screeched. They had been sailing for some hours, Sasuke combing the horizon while Kakashi navigated and Sakura kept close watch over Zoro. Kakashi had given one gasp in that time but told her and Sasuke nothing was lost or amiss.
That is, until the sea erupted from below, and a giant, spotted monstrosity with jagged teeth and a bull-nose ring was eying their boat.
"Sea Monster! It's pro-gggrrrrrrrrr-from the Grrrrand Line," Zoro answer, trying to grasp his one remaining sword while the other hand clenched over his wounds.
"That thing is from the place you want to go!" Sasuke exclaimed, all composure lost at the sight of the sea-monster. Zoro simply clenched his teeth in response.
"Yeah…Sea Kings. I only heard rumors about them, mostly, until running into a few here and there. Apparently, the Grand Line is littered with them. One of themany reasons that Sea is called a grave-yard. Either the people there, like Mihawk, will kill you. Or the Sea monsters will do the job. Unless you're strong enough to fight them."
"GGGWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAA!" The giant Sea-cow (yes, a sea monster with trait of a land cow) reared its head, jaws open to hone-in on the boat.
"EEEAAAAHHHHHHHAAAAAHHHHH! IT'S GONNA EAT US!" Sakura cried in hysterics. For a strong hand to cover her mouth.
"If you have time to shout about it, then do something to stop it!" Zoro commanded her. "Wasted breath like that just leads to death!"
"Water-style: Giant Vortex jutsu!" Zoro turned his head, while their first sight of a sea-king left the Genin too shocked and terrified to look away.
An oversized vortex of water slammed into the creature's face, knocked the cow aside. Zoro was the picture of bewilderment, at the sight of Kakashi producing an enormous cyclone of water and channel it towards the beast. The man's left eye was still covered, his hands conjoined, and all attention was focused on where the threat had disappeared to.
"Sakura! You said before that this Arlong is a Fishamn. Zoro! Do you know if they could have any connection to that creature?" Kakashi commanded them. Though a question, Kakashi's tone carried a level of command Zoro couldn't' help but acknowledge.
"It might be," the swordsman answered. "I know enough about Fishman that they come straight from the Grand Line where a creature like it would have ventured from. Not sure about rumors of Fishmen being able to talk with other fish, but it's possible."
The Jonin nodded, only to hear the water begin to churn….far too constant to be accidental.
The Sea-Cow burst forth again, this time eyeing the vessel beneath it, not going for a quick, easy meal.
"Sensei, use a water-jutsu then a lightning one! That might force it to leave us be!" Sakura suggested.
"Perhaps, but I can't cast both at the same time. And neither elements are basic enough for Sasuke to copy and use instantaneously with his own Sharingans. Water-clone jutsu!"
The original created ten spare Kakashi's to materialized from the ocean water. Eight moved forward while two grabbed the oars in the boat.
"Don't stop until you fall apart and approach the island with Cocoyoshi village from the east, wherever an unobserved beached can be found," his instructed, himselves.
"Zoro, you're still recovering and too weakened to help against this threat. I'll tie down this creature, then catch-up with you."
"No sensei-!"
"Sakura, that is an order," cold, sharp words cut the girl protests in her throat. Kakashi's posture, voice and eye all shared the same demeanor. Fixing his Genin with the inapproachable will to have his orders obeyed.
"Wait!" one of his clones called over. "You still have Icha-Icha: Tactics in your pouch! Give it here, we can't let that book become ruined by the water or whatever that sea-cow could do?"
Everyone Kakashi grew pale at the thought of losing their favorite book. The original quickly drew it from his tool-pouch and handed it to one clone, then shifted his attention back to the threat. The Sea-monster was moving in again, as the Jonin's clones spread out to meet it, the original formed a new jutsu.
'This is a little desperate but will hopefuly work!' he hurriedly thought.
"Water style: Pulsing wave jutsu!" slamming both hands downward, Kakashi sent a pulse of water-chakra through the ocean he stood atop. Waves began churning from his hands, pulsing outwards reminiscent of the earth-wave jutsu. Pouring enough power to send the boat dozens of meters way, Kakashi's move did the same with the Sea-monster while his clones stood in-place, balancing with chakra as the waves flowed beneath them.
Kakashi himself faced the creature, sharply aware of the situation.
'He's a big enemy, but also very slow. Plus, there's no chakra around here, meaning that's no summoning-creature with a cap to its presence.. I don't think I have the kind of physical might to knock him back with taijutsu. And using large-scale lightning-jutsu might cause the water itself to become conductive. Any splash from his guy crashing down could hit me, Zoro, Sasuke or Sakrua and leave electric shocks. So that avenue it out.'
The creature emerged again, yet somehow paused at the sight of Kakashi standing on the water. The Jonin cocked his head at the look of surprise in the assailant's eyes. Before it looked around and began to move away.
'That's where I sent the boat!'
"Attack!" Kakashi ordered his clones, while his hand wove together, forming a jutsu.
Each clone drew kunai composed of water and leapt at the creature's face. They splattered immediately after, soaking the creature in water for Kakashi's next attack.
"Lightning style: Thunderbolt!" several electric charges formed in the Jonin's hands. Before casting them outwards at a very precise target.
"WWWWWGGGGGGGWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAA" The cries of pain were loud and deep. The fresh salt-water from the clones magnified they electric impact of the attack, leaving parts of the sea-monster chard and smoking. Still, it wasn't near enough to hit anything fatal, and eyes of rage cast over the source of its pain.
Now both of Kakashi eyes were out. "That's right. I'm your opponent. Now, come and get me."
The Jonin's Sharingan found what he sought, then dashed straight towards the sea-creature. It dove towards him, but the Jonin easily dodged the monster, and dove beneath the surface.
Once below, Kakashi cast his gaze backwards.
'Good. The creature's taking time to turn around after diving towards me. Time I can use.'
His hands were flying at full-speed, straining to focus enough and execute the jutsu without speaking aloud and wasting oxygen. Kakashi formed a massive water-dragon beneath himself, gripping to it with his chakra and directed towards the sea floor.
His left eye had seen one part of the land beneath the waves, angled with an upwards slope. His jutsu was directed towards that section, not towards the sea-monster.
Glance over his shoulder, the Jonin noted that the creature had turned faster than he'd thought and was barely 30 meters away. Focusing ahead, he waited for the right timing while measuring his breath carefully. Drawing closer to the sloped ocean floor.
The sea-monster was faster, moving closer as the jutsu streamed towards its target. 30 meters….25 meters…10 meters….
'Now!'
The water-dragon failed, with the jaws of the sea-monster wide open! The sea-cow's maw closed around him, and locked tight. The creature was still moving, feeling around the mouth-full of sea-water for its target. Only for its eyes to wide-CCGGGRRRRRRRRRRRWWWWGRGRRRRRRRRRR!
Even muffled by the water, a sickening crash was made as the sea-monster had driven itself into the ground, head-first. As a bull to a matador, rage had filled its eyes and left no room to notice it was barreling straight for the solid ground.
Stunned, the sea-cow turned about in the water, until the earth began to move. Large masses of earth began shifting beneath the creature, centered on its fins. Soon there were bound, resembling gloved shackles and keeping the threat anchored to the ocean floor.
Three Kakashi's looked on, keeping their hands pressed on the earth to maintain the jutsu until the sea-cow was bound to the ground. Kakashi himself looked on from 20 meters away, incase his gambit failed.
'Earth style: Rock Shelter. This may not be the most ideal as a defensive jutsu, but it'll work to bind-down that monster for a while. Now…'
Once the jutsu was complete, the Jonin floated there, and watched the sea-monster thrash about. The restraints held and it was no longer a threat. Coving his left eye, Kakashi was straining for oxygen and began swimming upwards.
'No…too….far…' he was over 10 meters down and lacking air. Glancing up, the Jonin saw bubbles rising up, nearly forming a rounded staircase.
'Stair….' An idea came to the strategic shinobi, from instinct alone. Kakashi grasped out, channeling chakra to his hands, the same principle for water-walking. Sure enough, he gripped a solid-mass, and began pulling himself upwards through the water.
In no time, he was almost at the surface. On a reflex he refused to fight, Kakashi ripped off his mask! Breaking the surface, he took a deep, unobstructed gasped for air.
"Huuuuuuuuuhh….. …..huuuuuhhhh….hhhuuuuhhhh…" The man caught his breath, before looking back on what transpired.
'What…what was that thing? I've only seen summoning-animals in the Kage-class reach that size. It even had some intelligence.' He thought, with a stone in his gut. Thinking back to his students, and the idea of fighting multiple sea-kings at any one time, the Jonin could only imagine failure at the prospect.
"I thought that some strong allies and myself would be skilled enough to handle anything that we encounter," he muttered, staying on the surface with chakra from practiced instinct.
"Or Sasuke, Naruto and Sakrua could learn and work together as a team to escape or survive any other threats that we found. If those things really are scattered across this place, the Grand Line. Then perhaps it would be wiser if we waited before trying to go there…" he muttered, silently.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura's call travelled over the water. Immediately, Kakashi fixed his mask, then saw his Genin and Zoro close-by. Sasuke vaulted over the side, Sharingan's wide and scanning the water for any trace of the creature that attacked them. The Last Uchiha reached his teacher, before hauling him to his feet and moving back towards the boat.
"I'm alright," Kakashi assured them. "Just a little short on air. I managed to hurt him with a lightning-jutsu. Now, that sea-cow is tied-up on the bottom of the sea."
Zoro's eyes grew wide, fighting any sense of reason to disbelieve the Jonin's words. The swordsman had been knocked overboard when Kakashi had threatened Mihawk with his Chidori. After the waves sent the boat away, the Genin had needed more than some time to explain ninjutsu to the swordsman, especially how Kakashi could turn water, lightning and more elements into weapons.
Now Roronoa was feeling more and more eager to keep the ninjas with their crew, and deep trust in his captain's judge of talent and character.
Kakashi's unseen lips drew a line at Sakura and Sasuke's concerns. "Well…I was having a thought…" cool and calm filled his voice. "Sakura. Can you record that event in the Voyage Journal?"
Both Genin face-planted at that response. "Guhhahahahaha! Probably a good idea, Kakashi. Taking a Sea-King on your own isn't really a feat to be seen every day," Zoro agreed, before either could respond.
With a shrug of resignation, Sasuke's eyes returned to their surroundings, focusing only on their destination and a confrontation with Nami. While Sakura looked for any distraction and pulled the Voyage Journal from her tool-pouch.
As she began to record her sensei's escapade, Kakashi took the time to sit and breath.
'This isn't good. Within today I've used one Chidori, four shadow clones, dozens of water-clones, one water-dragon, and three simultaneous earth-shelter jutsu. All of those took a number on my chakra. Once we find Cocoyoashi village, Zoro will need to recover from the rest of his wounds. Sasuke, Sakura and I will observe and report. Then wait for Luffy and the others to arrive. Before making any moves."
One hour later, the boat reached the shoreline of the Conomi Islands. Zoro demanded that he was fine and stood up, dragging their boat up the shoreline to hide it. Kakashi decided arguing wasn't worth the effort and helped him do the same. Soon the boat was left in the trees, and the group began to plan-out what to do next.
"Sensei. How do you want us to look for Miss. Nami? This isn't like Tazuna-san's village. We need to stay hidden or inconspicuously, not move around where anyone can spot us." Sakura surmised. It may be reciting a textbook, but her recollection of the principles gave the group somewhere to start.
"We won't learn anything if we just stand around here," Zoro disagreed. "I'm going to explore, see what there is to find." The swordsman strode forward, but Kakashi stopped him.
"No, Zoro-san. This situation is something of an unknown. Walking ahead blind might bring more trouble in. We still don't know for absolute certainty if Nami is here. It's only the most plausible case."
The swordsman couldn't move, gripped by Kakashi's tone. The Copy-nin had adopted a mission-focused mindset, completely. One from a person who had done over a thousand missions, most them higher-ranked.[1]
"First, we need to make a camp, or find somewhere to regroup. That will give us a place to look for the others, and if no one returns, we'll know if they are in a predicament. Otherwise, if things go badly, then we'll have a safe spot to recover at." The Jonin had already taken-in their surroundings, and had a flexible plan laid-out to share with the others.
"This place doesn't have much foliage, and from the short grass or broken branches, it seems people pass through here often. We need to find a cave, or an abandoned house to stay in. The boat needs to come with us too, for a quick escape if we need one. Once we find somewhere, you and Sakrua will go and look around overtly, while Sasuke and I take a more subtle, unseen approach."
"Zoro. Both of your swords were broken by Mihawk, meaning only your green-hair and earing can give away your identity as a bounty-hunter. I have some hair-dye stored away, so you can pass-off as a wonderer with Sakura. Ask around about this place, but do not mention Nami by Nami by name. Understood?"
Sakura and Sasuke and Zoro nodded. With them in agreement, Kakashi moved over to the boat, drawing a storage-scroll from his vest. Place it over the boat, Kakashi woven his hands in various signs. In a flas, smoke emerged and the boat was gone from sight.
"What! Kakashi, I thought you wanted to keep that boat for a quick getaway!" Zoro shouted.
"He does," Sasuke replied, from a smug look on his face. "Kakashi sealed the boat into that scroll he placed on top. Ninjas like us can cause physical objects to become coated with chakra and sealed into small loads, for easy transportation."
Zoro blinked at the Uchiha. Then resigned himself. "Walking on water, fighting with elemental powers, eyes that can see things before they happen, and turning large objects into ink. Sure, why not add to the it."
Kakashi smiled at the sight, placing away from scroll he had used. 'Good thing I wrote-up several of these into case we needed them.[2] Also, I suppose it's a good thing I had the forethought to seal-away that treasure Captain Luffy had kept on the Merry inside of a few scrolls.'
0…...0
Elsewhere on the sea, the other half of the Straw Hats were cruising towards a nearby Marine base that Gin had designated as the closest. The Man-demon himself stood against cabin wall, watching his new crewmates. Naruto and Luffy with up at the bow, the smaller boy on the other's shoulders after they had fought together over that seat. Ussop was crouched over his supplies, making new ammunition stars. Krieg was still out-cold and guarded by Johnny and Yosaku, while Sanji had gone indoors to make lunch.
Gin was shifting about, unfamiliar with such a carefree group.
'Well, no point'n dwellin' on it. We'r makin' good time and should reach tha' base soon.'
"Uhh, hey, Gin!" Ussop called over.
"Once we get this this base, you should probably hide inside while we turn Krieg over to the Marines. None of us are wanted by the Navy except you, and it might cause some problems. Plus, if you know this base, do you think the officers might try to skim some of Krieg's bounty for themselves?"
Johnny and Yosaku had been listening, "Hey, that's pretty good thinking, big-bro Ussop. And, you are still sure about giving us most of the bounty for this guy? I mean, big-bro Luffy was the one who knocked him down so hard."
"No problem there, Johnny!" Luffy called form the bow. "Money and treasure aren't as big as adventure. And you guys probably need that money more than we do, and never would'a beaten Krieg on your own anyways."
Both of the swordsmen collapsed, their spirits low by the truth in Luffy's words. Gin himself nodded, pushing down the flicker of guilt at turning his former boss into prison.
"I agree with'ya Ussop, and I'll stay below deck when th' time comes. And I know this base because Krieg was plannin' to raid it after getting' a new ship. It's run by a Commodore, "Pristine Principles" Godfrey. Th' man's know for stickin' t' regulations and rules. Krieg thought flyin' a Marine flag and actin' to turn himself in would sucker the guy and let'm take whateva' Krieg wanted."
"Hagglin' over Krieg's bounty shouldn't be an issue."
Ussop nodded at Gin's assurance, quietly glad since they didn't have Nami around to haggle for a higher price.
BOOOOMMM SPLASH!
"AAAHHHHHH!" "Captain!"
"What's wrong out here!" Sanji exclaimed, bursting through the door. Glancing around he saw nothing off the port side, even as the boat rocked from the waves.
"Bibg-bro Sanji!" Yosaku called over. "That was a cannon-ball that hit the water off the standard. And it knocked big-bro Luffy overboard!"
"Shit!" the cook cried out. "You and Johnny stay beside Krieg to make sure he doesn't' wake up and pull anything on us! I'll grab that Rubbery deadweight."
Yet when Sanji got there, Naruto was climbing aboard with Luffy over his shoulder.
"Hey there, Sanji-senpai! Luffy fell off the boat, but I ran over the water and pulled him out before too long," the blonde explained, with a tumbs-up.
Nodding at the quick, thinking, Sanji's attention moved to find the source of the explosion. Gin was beside him, looking at the Marine ship a few hundreds yards away.
"Damn. Naruto and the Don were looking ahead, while th' rest o' us were gathered on the port side. That ship crept up on our blind-spot," the experienced Gin observed. While the boat drew closer.
"Chichichichichichichichi! Now what has brought such lowly begins as these to my path, here? Interfering with Marine business."
All of the Straw Hats aboard looked up, spotting a line of marines with the rifles leveled towards the boat and a single canon on the bow. Behind the line of men, an officer stood under a hood, with rat-like whiskers on his cheeks.
"Hey, why'd you shoot at us! Can you not see what's infront of you!" Naruto called up.
For the marines to smirk a the boy, following their officer's lead.
"I am Marine captain Nazumi," the crooked figure spoke, his voice a slippery shrill of superiority. "This territory is occupied by Arlong pirates, and no wayward sailors may approach until the marines have removed them. Move along now before you suffer true damage."
Sanji frowned at the man, while Gin drew his double-barrel pistol. Luffy had recovered by then and pouted at the marines.
"Hey! That's not nice to do! Don't sink my ship, or I'll kick your ass! And if you know where Arlong is, can you take us to him?" the small-minded captain suggested.
"Chichichichi! Silly boy. Do you honestly not know who I am. That you can intimidate me in any conceivable way?" Captain Nazumi jeered from far behind his men. "Sink that ship and remove them. They are a justifiable obstruction to our duty here, and need to be removed in the most expedient way."
"Gum-gum: Pistol!" Luffy had enough, throwing out a long punch that nailed the cooked marine dead in the face, long before the imbecile could think to dodge. Then he extended both arms forward, grasping the railing of the opposite boat.
"Gum-gum: Rocket!" Several marines went down, as Luffy spread his legs to close-line them as a passed. Naruto grinned at the Monkey's style, and brought his hands up.
"Shadow-clone: jutsu!" producing three dozen copies, the shinobi led them over the water and up the haul to join in the beat-down. Gin himself grinned, before taking aim at the gunners.
Quickly both of them were shot dead, bullets right between their eyes.
Quickly, all of the crew was beaten-up and Luffy stretched one arm back towards their boat. Shooting himself forward with one arm around Naruto, straight towards Sanji and Gin.
"Gh-! Wait, straw hat you-!" GGWWWBBAAAKKKK! Sanji's complaint was cut-off by Luffy colliding with him, causing the entire boat the shake.
"Whoops! Hahaha! Sorry Sanji, my bad!" the grinning captain applogized to the mowed-down cook. Who quickly rose and began dropping his foot on the younger teen's head.
"Sorry! That's-bwang-no-bwang-way-bwang-to-bwang-treat-bwang-your-bwang-own-bwang-crew,-bwang-idiot!" the scolding came, joining with one kick for every word.
"And you!" Naruto shuddered under Sanji's voice, anger and concern mixed together.
"Naruto, you're still recovering from that poison! Don't run into fights like that without thinking first!"
Naruto simply pouted, "But I feel fine, Sanji-senpai! There was a fight and I wanted to help Captain-Luffy and—" his excuses were cut-short, and a rough hand on his shoulder.
"Kid. Krieg's HM5 isn't somethin' you can jus' shrug off afta a day. Sanji's right. If we run int' a fight, let th' big guys take it." Gin bluntly declared. For Naruto to huff and cross his arms, silently promising to show them he was fine.
"Hey Gin!" Luffy called over after crawling to his feet. "I wanna talk to you about something. And Sanji, come on and get lunch ready! The sooner we eat, the sooner we can get rid of Bastard Krieg then go and get Nami.
0….0
Sakura and Zoro walked through the streets of Cocoyashi village. After finding a cave to act as a rendezvous, the group had split-up into pairs; Kakashi left with Sasuke to poke around the forests and landscape silently, while Zoro and Sakura strode through the village to spot any traces of Nami.
Most of the residences avoid them, giving way before Zoro's scowl. The swordsman's hair was a deep shade of black done by Kakashi to hide his green hair. While Sakura was under a henge, appearing like herself with a narrow forehead and the same hair-shade as Sasuke. The girl could barely hold it, though, at the depressing sights around her.
'These people…they…they look almost like those in Tazuna's village,' the sheltered Genin thought, spotting children clinging to their homes and adults with hard eyes. The shops around barely had any goods or foods to sell, and everyone was glancing about with fear.
'This place doesn't look anything like people in Konohagakure. And everyone's acting like someone bad is going to come out of the blue at a snap. What is going on here? And maybe we can help these people like w/e did in Nami no Kuni' the girl thought.
"Hey! Hey there, Mr. black-hair swordsman and the tiny girl beside him!"
Sakura stopped, along with Zoro. Turning aside, the girl's mouth hit the street.
'Wh-…..wh-' "What the, how do you have six arms! And that guy beside you has a mouth that resembles a sword-fish!" she exclaimed.
10 meters away, two figures stood at well over 6 ft. tall. One of the pair had pink-skin and a protruding mouth, sporting a red-sun tattooed on his forehead; the other teal-skinned, and a tell-tale sword-fish's nose, with a matching symbol on his shoulder.
"Well of course we do, as I'm an octopus fishman, and Crawley here is a sword-fish fishman," one of them spoke up, politely. "Now, why does the man beside you carry a sword in Arlong-Pirate territory! Identify yourselves, both of you, now!"
Yet, before either could speak, six figures pointed back at their addresser.
"Oh, my name! Well I'm Hatchan, swordsman and officer of the Arlong Pirates. All my friends call me Hatchi, though," the man politely spoke, four hands in a thumbs-up while two gave peace-signs.
Zoro made a soft grunt, placing his hand on Sakura's shoulder.
"Really? Well I didn't know you didn't allow weapons to be carried here. My sister and I got stranded on a lifeboat in a storm some days back," following a story Sakura and Kakashi had put together.
"This island was the first one we spotted, so we were just wandering to find somewhere to stay. Travelling on the seas without any weapons isn't the best idea to go for. Does your crew control this village, then?"
Hatchan blinked, while his partner eyed them carefully. But Sakura recovered her wits.
"Please!" the smart girl fell to her knees. "Please, my big brother was injured during our escape. I patched him enough to walk, but we really need a doctor to help him. That sword he carries is a family heirloom, and the only token we have of them. I…I have some money to pay you if there's a doctor here who can help us."
The fishmen turned their attention to Zoro, noting his grip on the weapon and the heavy amount of bandages.
"Huh. Well, if he's got that many bandages, he probably wouldn't be able to use any weapons at all," Hatchan declared. "And if you don't live here, there isn't much reason to collect from tribute. Crawley, let's leave them. I haven't seen them here before, and nobody here would try to use that sword on us because of what Arlong would do to them," Hatchan declared.
"The doctor's place if just around that corner," he described, 3 figures pointing out in said direction. "Head on over, then make sure to leave soon."
The pair began to move away, as Sakura rose to her feet and Zoro stepped up.
"Hey, we're looking for a girl named—Grrr!" Sakuua punched the man in his chest, right over the injuries.
"Big-brother, we won't find your old girlfriend here! Asking about her won't do anything but upset these people," the girl scolded him.
"Hmmm, a missing girl-friend, huh?" the fishman Hatchan asked, causing Sakura to panic. 'No! No, no, no, no, no, no-!' her mind drowning in dread, but keeping her face hidden by Zoro's kneeling figure.
"Hmmm. Well, let's see," Hatchi's voice continued. "No, I haven't seen any other ladies come through here at all. Nami is due to be back by now but hasn't shown-up here yet. Wonder what's taking her? Oh well, you must be a lucky guy to have a girlfriend Mr...Oh! How rude of me!"
Hatchan faced Zoro lightly. "I'm sorry, I either didn't ask or was rude enough to forget your name. Huh!"
Once again, with Sakura watching, six figurer place Hatchi in to spotlight. "Whatdoyoumean? I already told you my name. Hatchan! Nice to meet cha!" The last words were joined with six hanky's waving in farewell before the friendly fishman turned and left.
Once they were out of sight, Sakura turned back to her partner. And immediately was frozen by Zoro's glare.
"Brat….explain…that…hit. Now." His voice growled towards her. Eyes demanding answers, as pure fear rippled down Sakura's spine.
"I….I…I-II'm s-s-s-ssorry Zoro-san….uh…I-I h-hit you bec-because I was afraid if you me-men-mentioned Miss. Nami then it mi-might lead to the-them asking h-how you me-met her…O…(gulp)…Oritmighthavetippedhe-her offbeforewe-weknewwhat's…(hhhuuuu)…goingon-andmight causeherto-toleavethisislandagain."[3] Sakura brokenly explained, in fear for her life.
Zoro frowned for some minute, before merely nodding. Easing himself to his feet, he began to walk on. "Alright. Come on, let's get to this doctor. I won't be of much use if we have to fight if these open up."
Sakura followed him, towards the doctor's office. Ignorant that she had witnessed a miracle….one a hundred folder rarer than the Logia-class or Mythical-Zoan type Devil Fruits.
Roronoa…Zoro…was going…in…the...correct…direction.[4]
Elsewhere on the island, Kakashi and Sasuke stood high in the tree line, scanning over a large building several stories high, sporting black flags with the motif of a saw-tooth shark across the roof.
"Guess these pirates aren't really too afraid to hide where they are. If Nami is connected to these guys, staying here will let us see her before too long," Sasuke observed. Focus solely on the target of their role on the island.
Kakashi kept a more open eye on their target.
"Perhaps. But there is a lot more to see here than that, Sasuke. For a start, this base is a clear sign for how to find them to anyone. If a Marine ship were passing by then they could simply report it somewhere and a large fleet could be sent in with orders to remove them. That certainly hasn't happened at all, there aren't any traces of a fight along the walls or inside the bay, nor any traces of those canon-weapons at all."
"Everyone on this island likely knows these pirates are here as well, yet they haven't removed them. What does that tell you?"
Sasuke glared at his sensei, before the more rational part of his mind began to process those facts. Several moments passed as the boy worked to uncover and fit different pieces together, while Kakashi continued to spy on their target.
"They aren't afraid of being caught," Sasuke muttered. "Or they might have some contacts to ensure the Marine either don't know they are here."
"That, is a better answer," Kakashi acknowledged. "I've counted at least 40 different pirate down there, thus far. Including Arlong himself in that deck-chair. Plus, we aren't certain if—"
"There!" Sasuke hissed, passionately. Following his outstretched hand, Kakashi saw the doors of the building had opened, with a familiar orange-haired girl passing through them. From a distance, he spotted her moving a wooden bow-staff into collapsible pieces, then storing it down her cleavage.
Pushing some perverted thoughts aside, the Jonin also spied Nami's uncovered shoulders. 'That's the same exact mark as the flags. She must have kept the tattoo hidden beneath sleeves the entire time with Zoro and the others.
"So, she is one of them…traitor!" Sasuke growled, his shoulders tense as the beytral of another benevolent figure creeped into his mind.
"Sasuke." The tone in Kakashi's voice brought Sasuke to a halt. The tones were deep, focused and cold, the byproduct of a former ANBU. "If she is with the Arlong Pirates, then a confrontation with them might be coming once Luffy, Naruto and the others arrive. I'm going to stay here and tally-up their strength and try to move in closer to their base."
"You are to stay here. Should something happen within their base and I lose an inconspicuous way out, a distraction from you will be essential."
Sasuke stayed in-place for a time. Two emotions warring inside his conscious, follow the orders and keep and edge, or give in to his instructs and confront the traitor.
"Uchiha Sasuke!" Kakashi fixed him with a demanding glare. "Should you follow her, then you would be following your brother's advice. Pursuing hatred and vengeance at the expense of everything else." Kakashi watched carefully as Sasuke went through dozens of reactions.
Shock was first, before giving way to anger. Reflection followed, all clear to see on the boy's face. The Hatake kept an expecting eye trained on his student, until Sasuke let a long, shuttered breath pass. And nodded.
Satisfied, Kakashi vanished, moving closer to the base, unseen and unheard. Electing to use conventional stealth and avoid needless chakra-consumption, any and every shadow, blind-spot or gap were opportunities for him to move. Too fast to be spotted and completely aware, it took minutes for Kakashi to reach a shadow inside the front doorway near the roof. Deducing that many tall fishmen would typically look ahead or downwards, he listened, felt and smelt for any clues or advantages that could be found.
"Hmmmmr. That damn Marine Nazumi's several hours late," one voice, sharp and jagged came from outside. "The scummy human is often very prompt whenever I send a message for him."
"Chew…you don't think the skinny rat would've gone turncoat and squeeled to the Marine's, do you Arlong?" A response came, causing Kakashi's eyes to narrow.
'So that's Arlong's voice,' he focused on the conversation, as a third voice came up.
"Hhh. That would have meant incriminating himself along with us. You remember the deal our boss made, he get's to a tied bonus for keeping attention away from this island and our business. Maybe Momoo got hungry and swallowed their boat, the garbage humans wouldn't be able to handle that giant sea cow."
"Shahahahahahahahahaha! That's a good point, Kuroobi. Still, now would be a bad time for our friend's appetite to get the better of him. Nami's getting a little too close to fulfilling our bargain."
As Arlong mentioned that name, Kakashi's eyebrow flickered slightly.
"You know, I still can't believe that she's served us with such loyally since for these eight years now. She knew the consequences after that red-haired woman was killed by you, Arlong, but even Celestial Dragons that Aladdin described put family first and foremost."
"Chew…just goes to show how terrible humans are. All they want is power and survival, without any higher goals or fidelity."
"Boss! Boss, boss!" an new cry broke into the conversation, filled with urgency.
"There's a Marine ship within half a kilometer of here! They're from the Branch 77, and are getting ready for a fight!"
Kakashi's eye narrowed, curious to follow the consequences; but his ears picked-out several footfalls running for the door. 'Damn! It's a risk but-' keeping himelf hidden thorugh balance and chakra gripps on his feet, the Copy-nin's hands began to weave signs. "Transperency-jutsu." Cloaking his body with chakra, the masked ninja was soon invisible, and measuring his chakra-consumption carefully while Arlong's voice came back.
"Branch 77, is that right!"
"Yes, that's the one, Arlong," the messenger replied.
"A new comer then. Alright, Chew, pay them a visit and negotiate with the man in-charge. If 2,000,000 isn't enough for them to overlook us, then kill everyone on-board!" At his command, several dozen splashes came from the courtyard, joined with a loud blast that Kakashi recognized as a canon-ball.
"Oh no! It's head straight for Arlong and Chew by the door!" making Kakashi nervous. 'I need to move, and most of the crew are outdoors now. From their scents.' Rapidly but maintaining his transparency, the Jonin moved through the halls via the ceiling. Finding one room with an open window and hiding nearby with a view outside.
He watched as the canon-ball was incoming straight for Arlong, his eye narrowing as nobody moved to stop or avoid it. The projectile was coming in towards Chew, but he was quickly thrown aside by a hulking figure with a black-mane of hair and bright yellow shirt. "Arlong!" many of the fishmen shouted, and the canon-ball neared his head. To be caught in the fishman's mouth, and shattered by his jaws moments later.
"Whoa. He crushed a canon-ball." "Those jaws are terrifying."
"Chew…boss, I could have avoided that. You didn't need to intervene," the crewmate who had been thrown aside responded. Arlong spat the pieces of iron and gunpowder form his mouth, before turning to his subordinate.
"Chew. If you had evaded it, that ball may have hit a column and damaged Arlong park. I know very well that you are strong, just as you know I would never let any of my crew be harmed unnecessarily, brother," the being responded. With more than a glimmer of concern in his eye that Kakashi could easily see.
"So, what about the talks?" a familiar voice came, from a pale fishman wearing a dark blue gi and built as a fighter.
"Cancelled." Arlong answered, followed by rousing shouts from the others. They were eager to get stuck in a fight. "Chew…pity Hatchan went into the town. There's no point wasting the time and the exercising to take out the trash. Kuroobi, let's take five others and deal with these wanabe idiots. I'm going to double-check those sea-charts Nami drew-up, then we'll take care of them."
Kakashi kept a close watch was they departed. Barely anything followed for several minutes until the group returned.
"Any issues?" Arlong questioned them.
"Chew…nothing all at. Those sea charts from Nami's work were perfect, as they always are."
"We just removed the rudder from their ship by moving underwater, then repositioned a reef down below into a strong current. A whirlpool form and the boat was dragged to the seafloor without any problems," Kuroobi's voice joined-in.
"We know everything about these waters, from the winds to the currents and the depths. Though I admit most of that is due to the records Nami drew up. If she can be persuaded to make more of them for us to cover all the world's oceans, nothing would be beyond our reach to rule or control."
This suggestion was followed by a loud sigh from Arlong. "I know. She's brilliant. She would be critical in the creation of the Arlong Empire. But it's a shame she's been so successful with our deal."
"I know..chew. Still remember the day that tiny brat had watched you kill her mother, and made a deal to buy her village back for a hundred-million bellies."
Unbeknownst to them, that caused Hatake Kakashi's blood to freeze….only the man's trained senses let him follow what came next.
"That's correct. We agreed on it eight years ago. And I'm the kind of man who always keeps his promises when it comes to money."
Kakashi had heard enough. Try to restrain his emotions and not reveal himself with Killing-intent, the Jonin slipped away from Arlong Park.
End.
To clarify the encounter with Momoo. I was telling it from the Mugiwara and Ninja's mindsets. And none of them know Momoo has a name. Plus, the sheer size of a Sea King or similar animal would only have comparisons to Summoning-creatures or Biju in Naruto. Humans with amazing power isn't something too unfamiliar to Kakashi, but something on a Sea-King's scale or the kind of power from an Admiral would likely be the only things that would be revelations to him.
That is why running into Momoo shook Kakashi more than Mihawk's presence did. Also, I hope I was able to capture the essence of how Kakashi himself fights in this chapter. Rather than just throwing in the iconic skills that different characters use in-series, I always want to focus on their tactics, their mentalities, their MO towards a fight; balancing iconic skills with their own mentalities and actions in a fight.
I actually placed this chapter on-hold after some PM's asking about a new chapter for my other story Hanyou Family came in. I hadn't updated it in nearly 4 months, so I placed that one as a priority. Now that it's finished, I will endeavor to keep updates more balanced.
To tell the truth, this chapter didn't take too long to write once I returned to it, and I am glad to have one of my favourite character on the scene now! Hatchan! I love that octopus fishman, and his quicks can be pretty fun to write! Aside form him, I do hope that the hypocrisy and prejudice from the Arlong Pirates was well-established here.
Along with Arlong's character and priorities. A lot of people cast Arlong into the same light as Don Krieg, but both men had one critical difference: Arlong's highest priority was his crewmates, treating each of them with true brotherhood and deeply concerned and angry when they were hurt. Don Krieg viewed his crew as an expendable means, while Arlong valued his crew above everything and would never hurt or abuse them at all.
[1]-Naruto databooks. Prior to taking a Genin Team, Kakashi had completed 1,141 missions total; including 414 B-ranked, and 298 A-ranked. The only characters with more completed official mission to their credit are the individual Sannin.
[2]-Kakashi may not have been credited with this skill in-canon. But his skills with Fuinjutsu were sufficient to create a successful Evil-Sealing Seal over the Curse-mark Orochimaru gave to Sasuke. I doubted the complexity of the latter fuinjutsu would be higher or more intricate than standard storage-seals. Plus, this also means that if Kakashi can makes more scrolls, the Straw hats can store more treasure in them, and avoid it being stolen by people who don't comprehend where the treasure is hidden. Of course, there are some down-sides as well.
[3]-Sakura might be less than useful most of the time canon before Tsuande beat some common sense into her. Here, a) there was no Sasuke to distract her, b) no Naruto to annoy her, c) she was serious after seeing how people were living under Arlong, d) 1 month of some real-life work to put her mind to.
[4]-This is not a total gag! It happened for a reason in the following chapter.
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