Title: Wanderer Of The Wind

Summary: Nowadays, many people have forgotten about him from the ever-changing years of the Great Pirate Era. He doesn't mind though; all he wants to do for living is to cook good ramen and travel around the world like he has been doing for several centuries. But it's such a shame that his quiet living would soon be shattered apart by a certain, unique yet familiar self-proclaimed "Pirate King".

Disclaimer: One Piece is created and owned by Oda Eiichiro, and Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto. Reading these two amazing mangas have given me will to live through final exams...and life...

Warnings: Major spoilers. Language. No pairings in mind right now. Mostly family, friendship, adventure and hurt/comfort genre.

I also want to give a shoutout to my favorite authors: wolfsrainrules, cywscross, and cywsaphyre for giving me inspiration to write this story. Their stories are amazing. If you have time, please do read their works.

-En

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Prologue I:

The Empty Throne

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Inside a certain bar, the two figures sat across the counter with steaming, large bowls placed in front of them. The delicious scent of different seasonings and broth filled the room, along with a hint of rum, ocean, and metal. One of the figures reached across the counter and took a pair of chopsticks, letting a grin of joy spread across their face as they started to eat what was inside the bowl. The other presence sitting next to him in the right laughed, their voice filled with amusement and fondness, before they followed suit and started to slurp in the perfectly cooked noodles.

A loud "clank" echoed throughout the bar as the last drop of broth was consumed and the porcelain bowl was placed down gently on the wooden surface.

"...This taste never changes."

First one to finish, the owner of a deep yet powerful voice comments. Right at this moment, anyone can detect the wavering tone of his voice and emotions. Thick with nostalgia, joy, determination, tiredness, and "burning will". But people will certainly not believe that a man who conquered all, obtained everything a person can ever dream, was capable of breaking down like this. However, showing weakness in a way that did not make him look "weak", the man can certainly make people bow to their knees with his presence alone.

The presence of a "King".

"This world is always changing, but I know this taste will never change. As long as you stay who you are, my old friend."

The man cloaked in red and gold-rimmed coat slowly stands up, raises his right hand and takes something off from around his neck. A beautiful, sapphire-colored crystal reflects the sunlight as the necklace was placed gently on the counter. He tilts his head slightly to the left, smiling gently at the empty seat, where no one should be sitting but the man continues to talk as if someone is there. His voice filled with respect and gratitude, and a farewell.

"I guess this is the time to finally return this to you."

The man grins wide and proudly, before turning around and showing his back to his "right-hand". He glances over his shoulder, the grin on his face widening, and the determined look in his eyes never disappearing.

The sight of the man standing so proudly, strongly, certainly didn't look like he will be walking towards his own death soon. Even after years of long journey and fighting against sickness that was slowly breaking him apart, he was still the same man whom "he" chose to follow, to trust, to protect and to fight for.

"...I'm not going to die, partner."

The very last moments of the "Pirate King",

His Captain,

and above everything else,

His best friend never sounded so bright and joyful.

Silver Rayleigh closes his eyes, never turning back to see the fading footsteps heading towards the door, and whispers a single word in revenant, wavering voice to his captain and the other presence in the bar.

"Thank you."

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Sabaody Archipelago

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"...If you're still here, I just wanted to say that I think you made the soup a little too salty."

Rayleigh laughs jokingly, ignoring the blurriness in his eyes, blinking it away along with the remnants of old memories. Of his captain's last moments.

People often say the way to a person's heart is through their stomach.

And in a way, what was happening right now wasn't too far away from that phrase.

He holds up the empty bowl and smiles,

"Can I have seconds?"

Leaning against the wall of the bar, currently colored in different shades of scarlet, yellow, and orange, the figure bathed in the light of the sunset moves slowly and a grin appears from their half-shadowed face.

"I'm guessing a bottle of your best sake will be the payment, right?"

Rayleigh widens his smile at the old friend, and laughs.

"Of course, I was planning to have a banquet with you anyway. It already has been 10 years since you last visited this island… Where were you wandering off this time?"

The former "right-hand" of the Pirate King asks curiously, perhaps even a little childishly, at the other presence in the bar.

The familiar, fox-like grin curves up into a large smile, as the figure finally steps out of the shadow created by the sunset, and reaches up to tap his neckline with a finger. Making it obvious to see the absence of a certain accessory around his neck, and Rayleigh widened his eyes in utter astonishment and awe.

Because the Dark King knows what the other man was implying,

The time has finally come.

Over the years, the untold legends of this man has been hidden -forgotten- from the eyes of the public, the Marine Headquarter and the World Government. Then again, who would've guessed that someone dangerous and powerful as him will be just traveling around the world and cook ramen?

(Although they're delicious.)

With wide eyes, Rayleigh continues to stare at the other man who just revealed something a whole world certainly hasn't been expecting. And definitely not ready for.

...Unpredictable. Kind. Fierce. Dangerous. Protector.

Like a maelstrom passing by, a dragon protecting its "treasure"...

Or a wandering 'ghost' of the wind.

This 'young man', whose appearance has never changed ever since the first day he met him on the Oro Jackson with Gold Roger, was always cloaked in unsolvable mysteries.

And now, the man standing in front of him was smiling as if he found something interesting and worth it enough to give away the "symbol".

The Symbol of Loyalty.

In contrast to Rayleigh's growing turmoil, a pair of sapphire eyes closes and makes a upturned-crescent shape. The sound of a carefree laughter echoes throughout the building.

"I finally found the next King!"

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Thank you for reading.

- En