Chapter :1

The Journey Begins

Disclaimer: I do not own either Dragonball Z or Naruto. Both of those properties are copyrights of Akira Toriyama, Toei and Masashi Kishimoto, etc respectively. These stories are purely for fan entertainement and is totally non-profit.

"(Yawns!) Kakashi-sensei, why do we have to go all the way to this stupid Ox Kingdom all the way outside the Ninja Nations just to babysit some stupid spoiled prince. I mean can't they just hire some bodyguards to do that? Why do us ninjas, especially a great ninja like me, have to get relegated down to bodyguard duty." Naruto complained as Team 7 made their way down the road in the forest.

"Because, Naruto, the Ox Kingdom is an important link between the Ninja Nations and the outside world. It's one of the few places where people can openly transition from our more traditional Ninja countries and the more technologically advanced outside world. Their crown prince is expected to make an important diplomatic overture to the Ninja Nations and they didn't think he would be safe under the protection of regular bodyguards in the Ninja world. They decided that they wouldn't settle for anything less than the best, so they decided to hire ninja in order to protect him from other ninja. Because of the recent Sand/Sound Invasion all our resources are stretched thin and all the other teams are away on mission so we were the best team available. Does that answer your question Naruto?" explained Kakashi as he looked down lazily from his book with his "good" eye. "Yeah, I guess." grudgingly said Naruto, having nothing more to add.

"Quit your complaining Naruto, we're almost there. Besides I thought you would be thrilled to be getting an A-ranked mission?" Sakura scolded Naruto. "Huh? This is an A-ranked mission?" asked Naruto. "As I already told you, our clients don't know how many or how strong the people who might be interested in stopping his journey are. They could be anywhere from regular bandits to S-rank missing-nins in strength. I hear our clients were so worried about the threat that they were willing to pay for an S-rank mission but since the danger level wasn't confirmed and the fact that the only teams available were genin teams the mission was downgraded to an A-rank with S-rank pay. Since we're the only genin team with an actual A-rank mission under our belts we were chosen." Kakashi once again explained.

"*groans* It still doesn't seem like much of a mission. But with any luck we'll run into some killer ninja and I can blow them all away with my super cool awesome jutsu!" Naruto boasted with his fists pumped and his trademark goofy grin. "Hn. Well if we ever run into some academy dropouts I'll be sure to send them all your way since you're of their level." Sasuke mocked with one of his rare smiles. Naruto just glared daggers at Sasuke but didn't reply since he felt the didn't even dignify a responce. 'It never ends with those two, does it?' Kakashi thought to himself while shaking his head.

Pretty soon they found themselves at the entrance of a large town with a beautiful white palace at the top of the hill which the town was built around. As they made their way through the streets, they could feel the eyes of the locals glancing at them suspiciously. While it unnerved Sakura a bit, Kakashi, Naruto and Sasuke looked like they didn't mind it. Kakashi due to his experience, Naruto due to the fact that he got worse glances on a daily basis and Sasuke just plain didn't care.

Finally they made it to the palace where they were warmly received and taken to see the Ox King. They found themselves in a large chinese style room with an extremely large man wearing a hat with horns and sitting indian style on the floor.

"Welcome! I am the mighty Ox King! And you must be the ninja we hired to protect my precious grandson." spoke the man they now knew as the Ox King. The ninja were all on their knees in traditional respectful seating position in front of the Ox King. "That's correct, I am Kakashi Hatake the squad leader. This is Sasuke Uchiha..." said Kakashi, doing the introductions. "Your Majesty." said Sasuke with a short nod but spoken in his casually flat but respectful tone. "Sakura Haruno..." continued Kakashi. "It's an honor to meet you." greeted Sakura with a little bow of her own. "And Naruto Uzumaki." finished Kakashi as he came to the person last in line. "At your service!" Naruto proudly declared while placing right arm across his chest and smiling his foxy smile.

"They all seem to be a little young aren't they?" observed Ox King. "Don't be fooled by their age, I assure you that they are well qualified." assured Kakashi with one of his eye smiles. "You don't say? Well you'll have to forgive my skepticism, Although I've known my fair share of young people with incredible skills and abilities, but you can't help but be a little cautious about people as young as them handling these sort of matters." said Ox King as he looked at Squad 7 with delight in his eyes as he was reminded of some other young warriors that he knew.

"Are these the ones who are going to escort our precious Gohan?" asked a feminine voice from out of seemingly nowhere. Squad 7 turned to see a young black haired woman in a chinese style dress and holding a baby in her arms walk over from behind the Ox King and sit right next to him. "Why yes they are Chi-Chi. Forgive me everyone but this is my daughter Chi-Chi. Chi-Chi these are the ninja's that are going to escort Gohan on his journey over to the Ninja Nations." introduced the Ox King. The ninja bowed their heads in respect and greeting to the the Ox King's daughter and Chi-Chi slightly nodded her head in polite return as well. "Please, I beg for you to protect my precious Gohan!" pleaded Chi-Chi with watery eyes and a pleadingful look on her face.

"Uum...? Excuse me m'am... but is he the one we're supposed to protect?" asked a sweat-dropping Naruto as he pointed to the baby being held in Chi-Chi's arms. The other members of Squad 7 also sweat-dropped as they also dreaded that this just might be the case as far as they knew and also for Naruto stupidly opening his mouth at such a stupid subject.

"Who him? No, this is Goten, our second son. Our first son Gohan is much more older and should be very easy to work with. He should be out front at the gate waiting for you." said Chi-Chi as she pointed out forward to the direction of the front gates outside. Everyone in Squad 7 were somewhat relieved to hear this as they then sent a combined glare at Naruto and then bowed out respectfully as they then went off to find their charge.

A little later, as Squad 7 approached the giant front gates that were colored red that contrasted with the white stone construction of the palace, they saw that the door to the guard house on the left side of the gates was open and that there were two figures in the doorway hidden by shadows so they couldn't see them properly. "But daaaad... Why do I have to go along with these ninja bodyguards? Aren't I strong enough that I can take care of myself?" said the slightly whinny sounding voice of a yound boy. The other tall figure crouched down and reassuringly placed his hands on the smaller figures shoulders like a parent would.

"Yes, I know son, but the people that your meeting with wouldn't allow us to send you without a ninja escort so there's nothing we can do about it. You're just going to have to deal with them. Just remember to be nice and try to act normal for them. Now go out there and have fun." apparently said the father of the young boy as he then stood up proudly and disappeared into the shadows.

The shorter figure then walked out into the light of the outside and revealed himself. He was a fairly handsome young boy about the same age as the genin of Squad 7 with wild spiky black hair that was apparently cut in the back while wearing a white chinese shirt with mandarin black pants along chinese style slipper shoes, he also carried a regular grey backpack. "Hello, my names Gohan. I guess you guys are my ninja escorts. Nice to meet you." said Gohan with a bow of respect.

"Hmmm... Well, he's a polite one." analytically said Kakashi. 'Who does this guy think he is? Mr. "I don't need protection" Give me a break! I'll show him what a real ninja is and then he'll see that he definitely needs protection!' thought Naruto as he eyed Gohan angrily.

'Hn, this guy dosen't seem to be very much to me at first glance. But then why did he say what he said earlier? "Doesn't need our protection" huh? This guy either thinks very highly of himself or he thinks very lowly of us. Either way I don't care. He's probably not even worth my time.' thought Sasuke more observingly as he immediately just dismissed him as a threat.

Well, he seems nice enough and he's even cute too but still he doesn't look like a prince charming to me. But overall not bad.' thought Sakura, giving him her own 'appraisal' and though liking what she sees she was still not too impressed.

"Well, it's very nice to meet you too Gohan. I'm Kakashi Hatake the squad leader and these are my students, Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki. Altogether we're Squad 7 and we'll be your escorts on your journey." introduced Kakashi while each member gave his/her own special 'Hi' in order.

"Very nice to meet you all. Although you're not exactly what I imagined you to be I'm glad that you're here. I'm sure that you're all well qualified ninja and that you'll do all of your bests in protecting me to my destination. And thank you all for taking the opportunity to be my bodyguards." Gohan said with another bow of respect.

"Well thank you young prince, but I'm afraid that we have a long road ahead of us and it'd be best if we got underway immediately. There will be plenty of time to get acquainted with each other while on the trip. But for now let's head out Squad 7!" said Kakashi and everyone, Gohan included, immediately started moving out and out passed the gates on their way to their destination.

A little while longer once they were passed the village and got onto the open road they decided it was time to get further acquainted. "So? What should we be addressing ya as? Your Majesty? Or just simply your Royal Highness?" Naruto asked as a kind of half-joke and half-poke at his supposedly royal title.

"Oh? Just call me Gohan. I don't really like people addressing me like that. I've only been a 'real prince' for only a few months now and it's only at big ceremonies and stuff like that that I actually allow people to call me that." Gohan sincerely replied with a bit of a nervous smile.

"You've only been a prince for a few months? What do you mean by that? How is that even possible?" asked a very confused and curious Sakura who scooted up right next to him and way too close for comfort which made him feel even more awkward.

"Well, you see I've always lived in a small house in the countryside with my mom and dad like a normal person. It wasn't until a few months ago that I discovered that my grandfather was the king of his own village with a castle and everything, to me he was always just my grampa. You see when my mom married my dad she decided to live with him in the countryside instead of the palace but when she did that she also renounced her status as a princess and so it was decided that I would be the next in line as the crown prince. Of course I wasn't told about this until a few months ago on my 12th birthday so this is all still new to me." explained Gohan with a nervous but friendly smile. "Wow! Talk about lucky..." muttered an amazed Sakura with white encircled anime eyes.

Naruto however, wasn't as impressed as Sakura was. "Hmph! So what? So he didn't live in a palace all his life, so what? That doesn't mean he's like us or anything. He could still be an arrogant rich jerk who looks down on us as if we were poor commoners. It's not like he's earned what he's got like some of us have to do." annoyedly scoffed Naruto from his position further up front with his hands lazily placed behind his head. Sakura shot Naruto a glare for his remark.

"You don't mind him Gohan. He's only jealous that you get to be so lucky and he's not. So you've lived in the countryside with your mom and dad all your life huh? That sounds nice. What was it like for you and your family when you were living there?" inquired a now curious Sakura, wanting to know more about him.

"Well I still live there, I just go to the palace to visit my grampa and for official business and stuff like that. We like the peace and quiet that surrounds our home and we prefer the privacy of our lives instead of being on display for the public." answered Gohan.

"Oh? Well that sounds fair. I sure wouldn't want people with cameras bothering me at my home all the time neither. So, do you have any interests?" asked Sakura, now finding him to be much more likable then she at first thought. "Well, I sorta have an interest in the Martial Arts which I train in in my spare time when I'm not studying or helping to take care of Goten." Gohan admitted a bit bashfully with a small nervous blush and a small scratch to his nose.

"Eh!? You practice Martial Arts!?" exclaimed Sakura a bit more loudly than Gohan would've liked. This statement by Sakura caught both Naruto's and even Sasuke's ears. "So? Is that why we overheard you saying that you didn't need protection and that you could "take care of yourself" back at the palace? Is it that you think that your "Martial Arts" training is so superior to our ninja style training that you look down on us and that you don't need us?" confronted Sasuke with a particularly eye piercing glare directed at Gohan.

"Wait a minute! I didn't mean it like that but it's just that I've progressed so much in my training that I've equalled or surpassed my teachers in martial arts and I feel that I can take care of myself against most opponents. It's not that I don't think you guys aren't strong, it's just that I feel that I could probably just protect myself just as good as you can protect me. I'm just not sure how our two styles of fighting could compare to each other if we were to fight one another. My style could be seriously weaker against your ninja style and that the same could be said for your style. We're just not sure and that's why we hired you to protect me." Gohan answered in a partial truth, not wanting to make himself seem so much stronger than them even though he probably is and accidently alienate them.

The squad seemed to accept his honest sounding explanation as the truth. "Hmph! Well I guess that means that us ninja are just gonna afta show you how awesome we are!" Naruto said while flashing a foxy grin. Gohan returned his 'challenge' with a Son grin of his own which was joined by both Sakura and Sasuke who were all looking forward to the challenge.


Author's Thoughts:And so the start of a magnificent new part of the story. This idea of mine about a crossover has been in my head for a loooong, long time. So just to let you know, I'm setting the Naruto Universe as the same in the Dragonball Universe. I know that conventional wisdom is to separate them. But in this one they're in the same. And just so that if I didn't make it clear already, in this world the 'Ninja World' that we see on the Naruto map is separated from the rest of the world and is part of the larger map of the Dragonball world. It's just that they are considered seperate continent that is not usually visited by those outside it. Nor those inside it go out as the ninja's are not usually interested in the workings of the outside world. And so both sides pretty much stay to one side of the other's business and leave them to their own devices. And not only that, but I'm setting this story in the same timeline as the events of my Dragonball Z story. So if you want to know where Gohan really is in this timeline you should really read that story before you do this.

But for those of you who did read my story. just for the sake of convenience let me tell you that this takes place about a few months after the World Tournament for Gohan. So he's been living the life of being the official prince of his grandfather's kingdom for a little while now. And as for Team 7 it's shortly before Sasuke's about to leave but after the Tsunade arc. So it's right around the same time as that episode in the anime where the gang tried to unmask Kakashi.

So if you're wondering why Gohan's family has engaged ninja's to protect Gohan when they know perfectly well that he's more powerful than them? The reason is because the Z-Fighters have heard about the ninja's in their world and are unsure about their powers. So that's why their prudent about sending for ninjas to protect against other ninjas. That and they're also curious about them and the abilities. Weither they're stronger than them, or that their powers are just different than them and hard to combat. So that's why they've sent him. They've sent Gohan on a little 'reconnaissance' mission to find out about them and observe them. Hoping of using Gohan's natural disarmability about being a child and therefore 'harmless' in order to let the ninja let down their guard and show their powers in front of Gohan in order to watch them. So that's the secret agenda that Gohan was assigned if you didn't catch it in between the lines.

But anyway, consider this whole 'crossover' thing like more of a What If: scenario than a part of he actual main story. But so anyway, on with the show! Here it is the beginning of the 1st Part of my Two-Part crossover story.