OK, here's a story I'm writing to go along with my Naruto/Kamen Rider story: Kamen Rider Kurama. The chapters are going to be really freaking long so, consider yourselves warned. I hope I do justice to both Naruto and One Piece.
I don't own a damn thing and I make no money from this.
The Pirate King and the Kaizokukage.
Romance Dawn
Naruto walked down the street of the village that had become his adopted home. 3 years ago he'd been banished from his home in Konoha. And all because of that stuck up son of a bitch Sasuke Uchiha. If that power hungry little sociopath hadn't tried to betray their home for that pasty faced pedophile Orochimaru, then things would have been fine. But he just had to try and abandon the ideals that they had learned growing up. Naruto had been given the mission to bring Sasuke back to the village. That mission had been a success: Sasuke had been returned to Konoha, granted his arms and legs were broken, along with a few ribs and a concussion, but he had been brought back alive.
Unfortunately, those bastards on the civilian council hadn't seen it that way and had done everything in their power to see to it that Naruto got expelled from the Konoha Ninja Ranks and banished from the Village. The ninja heads and Tsunade had done everything they could to keep Naruto in the village, but that half chopped up bastard Danzo had bribed, blackmailed, and/or given the Fire Daimyo bullshit information that led to his approval of expulsion from Konoha.
And so it was with a heavy heart that Naruto turned in his headband, packed up his few belongings, and left the only home he'd ever known. It had been a tearful farewell from his friends. Ino and Tenten had tears beginning to form in their eyes while Hinata was openly crying. Lee was complaining that he'd never gotten to have his fight with Naruto. Neji simply gave Naruto a firm handshake and thanked him for everything he'd done for him. Shino had also shaken Naruto's hand, saying that Naruto was a good man and that he was proud to have known him. Shikamaru, Choji, and Kiba also said they were proud to call Naruto their friend and comrade, and that if he ever needed help, they would be there for him.
Iruka had taken back the headband he'd given Naruto after he became a ninja. "Just to hang onto it." he had said with a forced smile. Tsunade had apologized more times than Naruto had bothered to count and hoped that he would forgive her, which Naruto did without pause or hesitation. Shizune had given Naruto a pack of medical supplies, just in case. The Ichirakus had presented Naruto with a life-time supply of instant ramen, which they said would only last the blond knuckle head about a year.
Jiraya had given Naruto a scroll containing information about the Rasengan that had, at first come straight from the 4th Hokage himself and had been added onto by Jiraya along with several scrolls on chakra control. He also gave Naruto information about a village that Naruto could go to. Naruto took the information and made his way to the Land of Waves. He'd been honestly surprised at the name of the Great Naruto Bridge. After visiting with Tazuna, Inari, and Tsunami, Naruto finally found a ship that would take him to the village Jiraya had recommended.
During the trip, Naruto and Kyubi had started to come to a mutual understanding of each other. In exchange for Naruto making Kyubi's living space more habitable, Kyubi would help Naruto out in matters of controlling his chakra, using elemental chakra, and even helped to create couple of weapons for Naruto. It had turned out that the Kyubi had been something of a blacksmith in the demon world and was a master at creating weapons.
From the moment he'd stepped onto the dock of that island, Naruto had found himself a job at the local Tavern. And it was there that he had met the man who would quickly become his best friend: Monkey D. Luffy. The two of them hit it off quickly. The pair would train together to master their skills and powers. Luffy had told Naruto about his dream of becoming the King of the Pirates. Naruto had smiled at the idea and told Luffy that he would be Luffy's first mate when the time came.
And now, 3 years later, Naruto was making his way down to the docks. He had grown in the past 3 years and now wore an outfit that was mostly black but still held his trade mark orange. He also wore a dark orange jacket. He wore a pair of gloves. The left glove had a seal on the back of it with the kanji for 'gun' on it. This one held his pistol. It was based on a flintlock, but fired off a small Rasengan. His write hand had a similar seal except it had the kanji for 'sword.' This one held his specially made cutlass that could channel his chakra through and unleash a wave of Rasengan-like chakra with it.
Naruto came to a stop at the edge of the dock where a young man in denim shorts, a red vest, sandals, and a straw hat was sitting in a small boat.
"First Mate Uzumaki Naruto reporting for duty Captain Luffy." Naruto said with a smile. The straw hat man looked up with his own wide smile, his boyish face only marred by a scar under his left eye. "Permission to come aboard?" he asked.
"Permission granted First Mate Uzumaki." Luffy replied with a smile. Naruto hopped into the small boat and glanced back at the people that had gathered. He saw the mayor and Makino, his boss at the tavern.
"Sorry to leave you shorthanded Makino." He said with an apologetic smile.
"I'll be fine Naruto; I kept that place running long before you showed up." Makino said with a smile. "Just make sure you and Luffy take care of each other." The pair smiled at the bar maid.
"We will," Naruto said. "Believe it."
"Naruto!" shouted Luffy. "Set sail!"
"Aye, aye captain!" yelled Naruto and he kicked off from the docks. Naruto unfurled the sail on their small boat and took off to the open sea. About 5 minutes after setting off though, they were attacked by a giant sea serpent.
"Well, if it isn't our local sea monster." Luffy said his smile still firmly in place.
"Take him Captain." Naruto said, leaning back. "From what you've told me, you and this overgrown eel have some personal business."
"Right," Luffy said. "Sorry to have to do this, but I want to show you something I've been working on for the past 10 years." Luffy threw his fist back and Naruto watched out of the corner of his eyes as his captain's arm stretched back out their boat.
"Gum-Gum," Luffy said as his fist started to come back. "Pistol!" the elongated hand slammed into the sea monster, knocking it out of the water before it fell back in.
"Nice punch." Naruto said, standing next to his captain. "So, how many men do you think we'll need to conquer the Grand Line?"
"About 10 people ought to do it." Luffy said, holding his chin in thought. "And we're also gonna need a pirate flag."
"Not to mention a bigger ship." Naruto said crossing his fingers in front of him. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" 8 other Naruto's appeared in a puff of smoke. The boat they were in started to rock and sink a little. "See, I don't think we can fit 10 people in this boat." The pair laughed as Naruto's clones disappeared.
"Look out world," Luffy said; throwing his hands above his head, "I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!" Naruto settled back in the boat as he remembered the first time he heard Luffy make that declaration.
Flashback, 2 and half years ago
Naruto and Luffy sat in a clearing, panting after a day of training.
"Hey Luffy," Naruto panted, "not that I mind, but why are you out here training?"
"I'm training," Luffy said, "to become King of the Pirates!"
"King of the Pirates?" asked Naruto. "What do you mean?" Luffy looked at Naruto like he was crazy. He spent the next hour explaining to Naruto what it meant to be the King of the Pirates, why he made that decision, and what his prized straw hat meant to him. To Naruto, it sounded a lot like being the Hokage.
"Hey Luffy," Naruto said, causing the monkey boy to look at his friend. "When you become a pirate, let me join you, as your first mate."
"Really?" asked Luffy.
"Yeah," Naruto said, giving a foxy smile to match Luffy's monkey one. "I haven't known what to do since I got banished from my home, but I think helping you will help me find my place in the world."
"Then it's decided." Luffy said, standing up and sticking his hand out. "When I become a pirate captain, you'll be my first mate."
"Aye, aye Captain," Naruto said, slapping Luffy's hand.
Present Day
Naruto pulled himself out of his daydreaming and glanced around.
"Hey Luffy, I just realized 2 major problems." Naruto said.
"What?" asked Luffy.
"Number 1, neither one of us knows anything about navigation." Naruto said. Luffy had to agree with him there.
"What's number 2?" he asked.
"That." Said Naruto bluntly, pointing to a raging whirlpool that was starting to suck in their small boat.
"Wow, and the weather was so nice, now it's turning into a disaster." Luffy said, still smiling. "But you know, even if we could get away, I can't swim."
"And I'm not the kind of person who would leave my friend to drown, especially when he's my captain." Naruto said smiling as well.
"Oh well." The two of them said in unison before they were sucked into the whirlpool.
Later, on an uncharted island, a young boy named Koby was pushing a barrel up a hill. He was the cabin boy for the lady pirate 'Iron Mace' Alvida, but he didn't want to be. What he wanted more than anything was to…actually, that'll be explained later, right now, Koby was pushing a barrel up a hill and into a shack where 3 of his 'shipmates' were hanging around.
"What's that Koby?" asked a shipmate who bared a striking resemblance to Frankenstein's monster. "Did a barrel of rum wash onto shore?"
"Yeah, and it's not empty." Koby said. "I wasn't sure what to do with it."
"Well I know what to do with it!" said one of the pirates with blond hair. "Let's drink it all up!"
"But if the captain finds out she'll have our heads!" pointed out Frank (enstein.)
"She's not gonna find out." Said the third, rather pudgy pirate. "It's just the three of us and Koby here."
"I guess you're right." Frank said.
"And you ain't seen nothing right Koby?" the big guy threatened.
"I ain't seen nothing." Koby confirmed. "Please don't hit me." It was at that moment that the barrel burst open and out sprung one Monkey D. Luffy.
"What a great nap!" he shouted at the top of his lungs. "Wow, looks like we survived somehow." He laughed. "I was getting so dizzy I thought I was gonna barf." He was pushed out of the barrel by one Uzumaki Naruto.
"I'm glad you didn't." he said. "If it was between drowning and dying from the suffocating stench of throw up, I'll take drowning. How did we get in that barrel anyway?" he wondered. It was then the two noticed they weren't alone.
"Who are you guys?" they asked in unison.
"Who the hell are you?" the three pirates demanded. "And what are you doing here?" The shack they were in was suddenly blown apart by something that knocked out the three pirates and sent Naruto and Luffy rolling down a hill. When they finally came to a stop, they found Koby standing in front of them.
"Um, are you guys ok?" he asked. The pair just laughed as they stood up.
"We're ok, just a little shaken up." Naruto said. "I'm Naruto and that's Luffy. Where are we?"
"This is the base of Iron Mace Alvida, the lady pirate." Koby said. "I'm Koby, her cabin boy."
"Well none of that really matters to us." Luffy said dusting himself off while Naruto nodded. "You wouldn't happen to have a dingy would you? Ours got sucked into a whirlpool."
"A whirlpool?" Koby asked, stunned.
"Yeah, it caught us by surprise." Naruto said, rubbing the back of his head.
"You guys are lucky to be alive." Koby commented. "And if it's a dingy you want, I think I can help you out, maybe," he lead them to,
"What's this, a coffin?" Luffy asked as he inspected the 'dingy.'
"It took me two years to build it." Koby said.
"Two years?" asked a shocked Naruto. "And you don't want it?"
"I made it so that I could escape from this place." Koby said. "But I don't have the courage to try and use it."
"Why don't you just escape?" Luffy asked.
"No way! Just thinking about what Alvida would do to me makes my bladder weak." Koby said, shaking his head so fast it became a blur. "Two years ago, I just wanted to go fishing and I ended up getting on a pirate ship by mistake. In exchange for my life, I have to work as her cabin boy."
"Wow, your clumsy and dumb." Luffy said.
"Not to mention gutless too." Naruto added. "You really are worthless."
"You don't have to be that frank about it." Koby said. "But you're right; I don't have guts to go floating around in a barrel. Why did you guys go to sea anyway?"
"I'm gonna be King of the Pirates." Luffy said.
"And I'm gonna help him." Naruto added. Koby went wide eyed and started ranting and raving about what being the King of the Pirates meant and how hard it was. It got to the point where Naruto and Luffy punched him in the face to shut him up.
"What was that for?" Koby demanded.
"You were being hysterical." Naruto said. Koby just chuckled embarrassedly.
"I'm not afraid to die Koby." Luffy said, getting the pair's attention. "I've set myself to become King of the Pirates. And if I die trying, then at least I tried." Koby stared in awe of the man before him while Naruto had a small smile on his face. "And I believe I'll succeed too."
"Or you're just deluding yourself." Naruto said.
"Hey!" his captain snapped while Naruto laughed.
"But either way, I'm with you until the end Luffy." Naruto said.
"Maybe I can be like that." Koby said, getting their attention. "If I'm willing to risk my life trying,"
"Huh?" the two pirates asked.
"Maybe it's possible." Koby said, looking up at them. "Do you think I could join the Navy?"
"The Navy?" asked Naruto. Koby started ranting again, about how they might be enemies, but it had always been his dream to be a Navy officer, and that he'd risk his life and one day capture Alvida. And like the devil that appears when you mention them, Alvida showed up out of now where and smashed Koby's dingy to smithereens. She was a large woman, very large, like she was almost a complete circle she was so freaking big. (A/N no disrespect to anyone who's big boned but if you've ever seen Alvida then you know what I'm talking about.)
"You little sneak!" Did you really think you could escape from me?" she roared. "Is that the bounty hunter you hired, well he certainly isn't Roronoa Zoro."
"Zoro?" Luffy asked. Naruto just shrugged at him.
"I'll give you one chance to make it up to me." Alvida continued. "Who is the fairest throughout all the seas?"
"Lady Alvida, you," Koby started but Luffy cut him off.
"Hey, who's the tough-looking old biddy?" Luffy asked, causing Alvida's crew, and Alvida herself, to go slack jawed in shock.
"Luffy, take it back!" Koby screamed, shaking Luffy. "Throughout all the seas Lady Alvida is," he paused and remembered Luffy's words: I'm gonna be King of the Pirates, and if I die trying then at least I tried. "Lady Alvida is…the ugliest hag of them all!" Alvida loomed over the trio. Naruto and Luffy were laughing their heads off while Koby was screaming in fear.
"Why you little," Alvida growled raising her mace.
"Good for you Koby." Luffy said and stood in front of him, but felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Captain." Naruto said, stepping forward. "Leave this one to me."
"It doesn't matter which of you goes first!" Alvida roared, bringing down her mace. There was a clang of metal against metal and everyone went wide eyed as Naruto held back Alvida's weapon with his sword.
"You're gonna have to do better than that." Naruto said and pushed Alvida back. He held out his free hand and a swirling ball of energy appeared in it. During his years of training, he'd managed to perform his signature jutsu one handed. "Rasengan!" Naruto shouted and slammed the spinning sphere into Alvida's…it's hard, to tell where her stomach ended and her chest began…let's just call it her torso. The attack sent the Lady Pirate flying away.
"Now!" Luffy snapped. "Give Koby a dingy, he's going to join the Navy."
"Yes sir." The crew said, afraid of what he could be able to do. As they sailed away from the island, Koby was amazed at Naruto's skills and was trying to talk them out of going to the Grand Line, aka the Pirate's Graveyard. Naruto just ignored the pair and was writing in a notebook but when the subject their crew came up, Naruto mentioned that guy Alvida had mentioned.
"You mean Roronoa Zoro?" Koby asked.
"If he's a good guy, I'll let him join my crew." Luffy said.
"Works for me." Agreed Naruto.
"No way, that'll never happen!" Koby screamed. "That guy's a demonic beast!"
"How do you know?" Naruto asked.
"A demonic beast huh?" Luffy said his mind elsewhere.
"Roronoa Zoro is his real name, but everyone calls him Zoro the Pirate Hunter." Koby explained. "He's like a bloodthirsty hound roaming the seas for men with bounties on his head. They say he's a demon in human form." Naruto scoffed and rolled his eyes.
"Most people wouldn't know a demon if it came up and kissed them full on the mouth saying 'What's up doc?'" He said.
"Luffy he's a pirate hunter." Koby pleaded. "Pirate hunters don't mix well with pirates."
"I haven't decided whether I'll ask him to join my crew yet." Luffy said. "If he's a good guy then,"
"He's in prison because he's not a good guy!" Koby shouted. Naruto just laughed at the pair and went back to writing.
A day later, they arrived at their destination.
"We're finally here!" Luffy shouted. "We made it to the naval base town."
"Nice job Koby." Naruto said patting him on the back.
"Huh? Of course I did. That's the minimum requirement for those who travel at sea." Koby said. "If you guys keep randomly floating around you'll never be pirates. You should find a navigator for your crew."
"Yeah, we'll look into getting one of those next." Naruto said.
"But for now, let's eat!" Luffy declared. The trio found a little place called Food Foo and had their fill of food.
"Well Koby, I guess this is where we go our separate ways." Luffy said.
"Good luck with the navy and everything." Naruto said. "Here's hoping you become a great sailor."
"Thanks guys. And I hope you become great pirates." Koby said tearing up. "Even though we'll be enemies…"
"Hey Luffy, I think that guy we're looking for is supposed to be on this base." Naruto said. "Roronoa Zoro," half of the restraint suddenly shot to the wall.
"Maybe we shouldn't mention him that much." Koby whispered. "I saw a poster that said Captain Morgan is at this base." He said in a regular voice. This caused the other half of the restraint. The group quickly left the restraint, with Luffy and Naruto laughing.
"What a great restraint." Naruto said. "We'll have to go back there sometime."
"I wonder why everyone was so jumpy." Koby mused out loud. "I mean I can understand why everyone would be afraid of a criminal like Zoro, but why would they be scared of the Captain?"
"Who knows, maybe they got carried away." Luffy laughed.
"Why would they do that?" Koby almost yelled "I'm trying to be serious here." The trio made their way through town and was soon in front of the Navy base.
"It's a lot bigger up close isn't it?" asked Naruto. Luffy and Koby nodded in agreement.
"Well go on in Koby." Luffy said.
"B-But I haven't mentally prepared myself yet," Koby said. "And those people were scared when they heard the Captain's name." Naruto rolled his eyes at Koby's cowardliness, but he had to admit, it was a little weird how everyone freaked out when they heard Captain Morgan's name. While Naruto was pondering this, Luffy was trying to climb up the wall.
"Hey Luffy, whatcha doin?" Naruto asked.
"I'm trying to see if I can find the demonic beast from here." Luffy said. Naruto chuckled and walked up the wall. Literally, he walked straight up and was soon perched on the rail like a bird.
"You guys aren't going to find him that way." Koby said matter of factly. "He's probably in the deepest pit this base has."
"Well there's someone over there." Luffy said, dropping down and running for a better view. "It's probably Zoro."
"What!" Koby yelled in shock. Naruto walked along the wall, perfectly balanced with his hands in his pockets. "How are you able to do that?" Koby asked Naruto.
"I use to be a ninja." Naruto explained. "Doing stuff like this was drilled into my head so much it's second nature to me these days." The group soon had a better view of a man tied up in the middle of the yard.
"There he is." Luffy said while Koby was freaking out. He fell off the wall and started confirming that he was indeed Roronoa Zoro by his bandana and sash, but Naruto was only half listening at most. He was busy examining Zoro. Though he was tied up, Naruto could tell that he was strong, and when Naruto caught the look in his eyes he could clearly see that they were they eyes of a warrior and a killer, but he also saw deep honor and duty in those eyes. Whether Koby's description of him being a demon in battle was right or not, he could tell that Zoro was a good man. Kind of like another 'demon' that Naruto had known when he was a kid.
"That's suicide!" Koby screamed, pulling Naruto out of his thoughts. "If you let him loose, he'll kill us wreck the town!"
"You're thinking about how to get him free?" Naruto asked. Luffy nodded.
"Hey kid!" Zorro shouted, getting everyone's attention. "Come over here and untie me. I've been here for nine days and I can't take it anymore."
"He's smiling." Luffy said.
"H-He's talking to us." Koby said, fear dripping from his voice.
"He's serious." Naruto said, telling that he wasn't lying about being hungry. It was a little something he knew from experience.
"I'll make it worth your while." Zoro promised. "I'll capture someone with a big price on his head and give you all the bounty. You can trust me; I'm a man of my word."
"He is," Naruto whispered to Luffy.
"D-Don't Do it Luffy!" Koby begged. "As soon as you untie him, he'll kill us and get away, I just know it!"
"He won't do that?" Naruto said. "He is a man of his word."
"And besides," Luffy said with a smile, "we wouldn't let him." A clunk to the group's right got everyone, even Zoro's, attention. They all turned to see a little girl climb up. She turned and shushed at them. Then she hopped down and started to walk up to Zoro.
"Hey, don't go over there, it's dangerous!" Koby warned. But the girl paid him no mind and walked right up to Zoro.
"What do you want?" Zoro demanded.
"Luffy, Naruto, do something, she's gonna get killed!" Koby shouted.
"Why don't you do anything?" Luffy asked. Naruto just ignored the pair, watching Zoro and the girl.
"Get lost! Do you want to get killed?" Zoro demanded.
"I made rice balls for you. I thought you might need some food." She said, holding out the snacks. "It's the first time I made rice balls. I hope you like them."
"I'm not hungry." Zoro said. Naruto narrowed his eyes at him. "Now beat it and take that stuff with you."
"B-But," the girl whimpered, her eyes tearing up.
"I don't want it!" Zoro yelled. "Now get out of here or I'll stomp you to death!"
"Roronoa Zoro! You shouldn't pick on little girls." Shouted a snobbish sounding voice that Naruto for one instantly didn't like. "I'll tell my father on you." Strike that: Naruto hated this guy already.
"Who's that weirdo?" Luffy asked.
"He must be some high ranking naval officer." Koby assumed. "Now that little girl will be safe."
"Somehow I doubt that Koby." Naruto said, his eye narrowed.
"Well if it isn't the idiot son, living off of daddy's wealth." Zoro commented.
"Did you just call me an idiot?" the 'idiot son' asked. "A man in your position should guard his tongue, or he could lose it!"
"I'd pay to see you try." Naruto muttered under his breath.
"Huh?" Luffy asked.
"Nothing Captain," Naruto said. The Idiot Son walked up to the girl and snatched one of the rice balls.
"Did you bring those rice balls for me little girl?" he asked. "How thoughtful."
"Hey, give those back!" the girl snapped. The I.S. ignored her and took a bite.
"Blech!" he shouted and spat out the rice ball. "Disgusting! It's sweet! There's sugar on it! Rice ball are supposed to be seasoned with salt not sugar."
"But I like sweets," the girl explained, "so I figured sugar would be better."
"These are completely inedible!" the I.S. shouted and started stomping on the rice balls.
"Stop! Please! You're ruining them!" the girl begged.
"How evil," Koby gasped, "that little girl worked really hard to make those rice balls." Beside him Naruto gave a low growl and started to draw his sword. He was trying to decide whether or not to just shot the Idiot Son in the head a few times or to just chop it off.
"Don't worry, I'm sure the ants will find them delicious." The Idiot Son laughed as the girl started to cry.
"Why?" she pleaded. "I worked so hard on them."
"Oh stop that crying, this is why I hate kids." The Idiot Son said. "It's your own fault. Can't you read the sign? It says 'Anyone aiding this prisoner shall be found guilty of the crimes he has committed-Captain Morgan." He pulled the little girl close to him. "I'm sure you've heard how scare my father can be. If you were an adult, you would be put to death." Naruto was gritting his teeth now. It was taking every ounce of will power not to jump at the guy and obliterate him with the biggest Rasengan he could create. "Hey you," the idiot son said to one the marines that was with him. "Throw that brat over the fence."
"But," the marine said.
"I'm ordering you to throw that little brat over the fence!" the idiot son roared right in the marine's face. "Are you going to disobey a direct order? I'll tell daddy on you!"
"Y-Yes sir, right away." The marine said. He grabbed the girl. "Curl up into a ball, it'll hurt less when you land." He whispered, and threw her over the fence. Luffy jumped into the air and caught the girl, using his body as a shield to take the brunt of the impact.
"Are you ok?" Koby asked while Luffy brushed himself off. Naruto still stood, watching the scene before him.
"My aren't you a stubborn one." The idiot son commented to Zoro.
"That's right; I'm gonna last out here for a month." Zoro said. "You just keep your end of the bargain."
"I wouldn't dream of breaking my word. If you survive out here for a month, I'll let you go." The Idiot Son laughed. "It's my pleasure I'm sure." Naruto looked over at Luffy who had climbed up next to him. The pair nodded and jumped down from the fence. Side by side, they approached Zoro.
"You're still here?" he asked when he noticed them. "Better not let Helmeppo's father catch you."
"Who's Helmeppo?" Luffy asked.
"My guess is the dumbass with two chins, bad haircut, and the fancy suit." Naruto said. Zoro nodded in conformation.
"Anyway," Luffy said, "I'm looking for good men to join my pirate crew."
"Pirate Crew?" Zoro said. "You think I'd lower myself to that level?"
"But becoming a pirate is my dream." Luffy said. "What's wrong with that?"
"You think if you untie me I'm gonna join your pirate crew?" Zoro demanded.
"Well I haven't decided if I'll ask you." Luffy said offhandedly. "You've got a pretty bad reputation you know?"
"Bad reputation huh? Well anyway I don't go for that kind of deal. I've got my own plans for the future." Zoro said. "I don't need your help. I can get out of here on my own. All I have to do is last for a month here, and then I'm a free man. Captain Morgan's idiot son promised me."
"I'm not sure if you can trust him though." Naruto said glaring in the direction he'd seen Helmeppo leave.
"Either way, all I have to do is survive here for one month." Zoro explained. "Then I'll be free to pursue my dream."
"Hmm, I see." Luffy said. "I don't think I could last a week without food."
"I don't think either of us could last a day." Naruto said with a smile.
"I'm different from you guys; I've got more will power." Zoro said. It reminded Naruto a little bit of Sasuke and Neji before Naruto had knocked the common scene into him. But it didn't hold the complete tone of arrogance. It wasn't like Zoro was bragging; it was more like he was stating a fact. "Go look for your crew elsewhere."
"It's too bad." Naruto said as he and Luffy turned to leave. "We could use a good man like you, strong, noble, honorable,"
"Hey, wait a minute." Zoro called to them.
"Huh?" Luffy turned.
"Pick that up for me." Zoro requested looking down at the rice balls.
"You're not going to eat it are you?" Luffy asked. "It's more of a dirtball now than a rice ball."
"I know you're hungry man but," Naruto started.
"Shut up!" Zoro interrupted. "Just feed me, and don't miss a grain of rice." Naruto watched as Luffy fed Zoro the rice/dirt ball and then watched him cough.
"I told you it was mostly dirt." Luffy said. "You wanna kill yourself?"
"T-Tell the kid," Zoro coughed. "Tell her I said it was delicious. Tell her I ate it all." Luffy and Naruto smiled at the man.
Later, they found the little girl, Rika, and delivered Zoro's message.
"Really?" she asked.
"Yep." Luffy said sitting next to her while Naruto leaned against the wall, scribbling in his notebook again. "He ate it all up."
"I'm so glad." She said with a smile.
"Could that guy really be as bad as everyone says?" Koby asked.
"He's not a bad guy!" Rika shouted. "Everyone in town is afraid of him but he hasn't done wrong.
"He got throwned in prison 'cause of me. Captain Morgan's son had a bunch of mean dogs. They attacked me," she explained. "Roronoa Zoro saved me! Besides, those dogs were running loose and scaring everybody in town!"
"That's why Zoro's in prison?" Luffy asked. "Because he hurt that guy's dog to save you?" Rika nodded yes
"Ok, now I really want to separate that pompous S.O.B.'s head from his shoulders." Naruto growled.
"That makes since." Koby said. "Zoro's really scary, but he only goes after people with a price on their heads. And he wouldn't get thrown in prison for that."
"No kidding." Naruto said. "Heck they pay him to do that."
"Captain Morgan and his son are the bad ones." Rika said. "They put people to death for no reason and everyone's afraid of them."
"You're not bowing your heads low enough scum!" laughed an annoying and familiar voice. "I'll tell my father on you."
"Speak of the devil." Naruto grumbled
"Do you want to be thrown in jail like Roronoa Zoro? We're going to hold a public execution in him for three days." Helmeppo laughed marching down the street. "We'll make an example of him! I can hardly wait!"
"Three days?" Luffy asked. Naruto narrowed his eyes. "But you made a promise to him."
"What? Where did you hear about that?" Helmeppo asked. "That promise was just a joke! He's just a stupid beast for believing it!" Naruto and Luffy remembered Zoro's words about Helmeppo's promise and surviving for a month. In a flash of movement Naruto and Luffy charged forward and nailed Helmeppo in the chin, they each hit one of them.
"Luffy! Naruto!" Koby said, trying to pull the two back. "Stop! Calm down! You want to make the entire Navy your enemy?"
"This guy's scum." Naruto growled.
"Koby, Naruto, I've made my decision." Luffy said. "I'm going to ask Zoro to join my crew."
"Aye, aye Captain," Naruto said.
"Th-they really did it?" some of the villagers gasped. "He punched the Captain's son! Captain Morgan will be furious!"
"Luffy! Naruto! Stop!" Koby shouted. "Are you guys trying to pick a fight with the whole navy?"
"Scum is scum, no matter who their father is." Luffy said.
"Y-You hit me! You actually hit me! No one's ever hit me! Not even Daddy!" Helmeppo screamed. "I'm Captain Morgan's beloved son! I'm telling Daddy on you!" everyone gasped in fear at the sight.
"Don't go running to your pa." Naruto snapped. "Stand and fight me like a man."
"Luffy! Naruto! Please stop!" Koby pleaded.
"You'll die begging for mercy." Helmeppo threatened. "You're walking corpses. My Father will kill you!"
"He's not worth hitting." Luffy said putting his hat back on, it had fallen off after they punched Helmeppo.
"That was great big brothers." Rika said happily. "I feel a lot better now."
"Then I wish we'd given him a few more whacks for you." Luffy said, Naruto nodding beside him.
"Rika! Get over here!" said a woman, probably Rika's mother. "You shouldn't be talking to those people. If they think you're their friend, they'll kill you too."
"But Mommy, they're good men." Rika said. "And Zoro, he's a good,"
"What are you saying?" her mother interrupted. "You didn't go to the parade ground did you?"
"Um, well, nooo," Rika trailed off.
"Hurry up, let's get inside," Rika's mother said. Rika looked back to see Naruto waving to her while Naruto gave her his trademark foxy smile just until the door slammed.
"They won't let you get away with this!" Koby screamed. "And Captain Morgan has the whole Navy behind him!"
"Yeah, whatever," Luffy brushed him off.
"We need to talk to Zoro Luffy," Naruto said. "We've got to warn him about that two chinned, double-crossing piece of shit." Luffy nodded and the two rushed to the Naval Base, leaving Koby in the dust.
"Hey," Luffy said as they approached Zoro.
"You again," Zoro growled, "If this is about me joining your pirate crew, the answer is still no."
"Call me Luffy, that's Naruto." Luffy said. "I'll untie you if you join my pirate crew."
"You don't listen boy!" Zoro yelled.
"Yeah Luffy does have kind of a one-track mind." Naruto said, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.
"Look, I've got my own mission," Zoro growled, "and it doesn't involve becoming a stinking pirate!"
"You're too good to be a pirate?" Luffy asked. "You, a bounty hunter? Who everyone things is some sort of demon?"
"I don't care what people think." Zoro said. "I live by my own cod, I've never done anything I regret, and I don't intend to in the future. This is why I'll never be a pirate."
"Sorry, but I've made up my mind." Luffy declared. "You're gonna join my crew."
"I don't care what you've decided!" Zoro shouted.
"I heard you can use a sword." Luffy said, catching Zoro off guard. His face turned into a proud smirk. Not arrogant smirk, but a proud one of his own abilities.
"Humph!" he grunted. "If I wasn't tied up I'd show you,"
"So where are your swords now?" Luffy asked.
"They took 'em from me. The Captain's Idiot Son," Zoro said. "Next to my life those swords are my dearest treasures." Naruto smiled at Luffy and flicked his Captain's hat.
"Treasures huh? Too bad they took 'em," Luffy said, fixing his hat. "I know! I'll get your swords from the idiot son."
"What?" Zoro asked.
"Then if you want your swords back," Luffy said with a smile, "you'll have to join my crew!"
"You little rat!" shouted Zoro. Luffy took off running for the base. "Hey! Come back here!"
"See ya soon!" Luffy called.
"He's going into the fortress," Zoro said.
"Yep," Naruto said, leaning against the wood posts Zoro was tied too.
"That's one dumb pirate." Zoro said, forcing Naruto to laugh.
"Yeah, the Captain has his moments." He agreed. "But when you need him, he's there. He also knows the meaning of personal treasures." He gave a small smile and chuckled.
"Something funny?" Zoro asked.
"It's nothing," Naruto said. "You just remind me a little bit of this other demon I knew when I was a kid. He was a tough, dangerous, borderline emotionless bastard. But in the end, when something precious to him, that's when I really saw him become a demon, a demon of vengeance." Zoro looked at him and then the pair noticed Koby walking towards him. "Hey Koby." He said with a wave.
"Naruto, where's Luffy?" he asked.
"Inside the base." Naruto said.
"What? Why is he so reckless?" he asked. Naruto just shrugged.
"Yeah, I've noticed." Zoro said. "Who is he anyway?"
"That's a bit of a long story." Naruto chuckled while Koby started to untie Zoro.
"Hey, now you're being reckless!" Zoro shouted. "If they catch you freeing me, they'll kill you!"
"They imprisoned you unfairly. I can't stand to see the Navy act improperly!" Koby snapped back. "I'm going to become a proper sailor! Just like Luffy's gonna be the King of the Pirates!"
"What?" Zoro screamed. "Does he know what that means?"
"I was shocked when he first told me too." Koby laughed. "But he'll succeed or die trying. That's just how he is." Naruto smiled and nodded. Koby suddenly flew back blood flowing from his shoulder.
"Koby!" Naruto shouted. He and Zoro glared up at the direction of the shot.
Commercial break!
Naruto stood in a clearing, glaring at the Mizuki who had just turned himself into a tiger-like monster.
"You call me a demon, and then throwaway your own humanity." Naruto growled at his former teacher. "That is unforgivable!" His coat blew open to show a belt with a spiral buckle on it. "Henshin!"
A power long lost from the world. Now it returns in the hands of Konoha's greatest hero in the making.
Naruto stood in his armor and drew his sword. "Let's rock!" he shot forward.
Now watch as he takes Konoha and beyond by storm as Kamen Rider Kurama!
Kamen Rider Kurama-The Tests of the Ninja.
Now, back to the show!
"Ahhhh I've been shot! I'm bleeding!" Koby screamed. "I'm gonna die."
"Good, you're alive." Zoro said. Naruto knelt down to check on the wound.
"It's just a graze, you'll live Koby." He said.
"Get out of here." Zoro ordered. "They're on their way down."
"But, I haven't untied you yet." Koby said.
"Don't worry about me. I just have to survive the month and they'll let me go." Zoro said. "So just beat it,"
"They're not going to let you go!" Koby interrupted. "You're going to be executed three days from now!"
"What are you saying?" Zoro demanded. "That idiot promised me! If I survive the month, I'll be set free."
"He never intended to keep that promise." Naruto said, standing up. "That's why we're here, Luffy wants you for our crew, but I could never just stand by and do nothing when a good man is executed." Zoro was stunned speechless.
"The Navy is your enemy now. Please, if we free you, will you help Naruto and Luffy?" Koby begged. "They saved my life. I'm not asking you to become a pirate, but you three are really strong, and if you work together, you should be able to escape from here."
"Stay where you are!" barked a marine. Naruto looked up to see that they were surrounded by sailors, each one packing heat. "Captain Morgan has ordered your immediate execution." Zoro grit his teeth, Koby started screaming, and Naruto got into a fighting stance.
"Surround the Fortress! If that bastard in the straw hat escapes you'll all be sorry!" roared an angry voice. Behind the marines, Naruto saw a giant of a man with a metal jaw wearing a captain's coat and resting an ax on his shoulder. "You three are simple outlaws aren't you? You're trying to overthrow me!" As the man got closer, Naruto saw that he wasn't holding an ax; his hand was an ax, with the handle sticking out of his elbow.
"Captain 'Axe-hand' Morgan I presume." Naruto said.
"Roronoa Zoro! Peasants and pirates may tremble at you name, but you're no match for one as great as I." Morgan boasted. "You may be a barracuda, but I'm a great white shark! Take aim!" Koby whimpered in fear, Naruto was starting to swirl his chakra around him. Zoro meanwhile seemed to have his life flashing before his eyes.
"Fire!" Morgan shouted. Naruto was about to throw up a technique he'd developed, but a shadow passed over the trio. Luffy stood protectively in front of his friends, taking the bullets.
"You?" Zoro asked.
"Luffy!" Koby cried.
"Nice timing Captain." Naruto said, relaxing his chakra.
"Straw Hat," Morgan growled. The marines all looked shocked as the bullets dug into Luffy's body.
"Bullets can't hurt me!" the rubber man declared, standing tall and bouncing the bullets back at their senders. The marines all scrambled for cover while Luffy laughed happily.
"What are you?" Zoro demanded. Koby was passed out on the ground, his mouth foaming.
"I'm the guy who's gonna be King of the Pirates." Luffy declared. "So, which sword is yours?" Luffy asked, holding out the three swords from his back. "I didn't know so I brought all three."
"They're all mine." Zoro explained. "I practice santoryu, three-sword style."
"Seriously?" Naruto asked, scratching his head. "How does that work?"
"One in each hand, and the third in my mouth." Zoro explained. Naruto blinked at him.
"I'd hate to see your dental bill." He said.
"If you fight the navy with me here and now, in the eyes of the government, you'll be one of the bad guys." Luffy said pulling Naruto and Zoro's attention back to the marines that surrounded them. "Of course you could obey the law and let them kill you."
"You must be the spawn of demons." Zoro said with a dark chuckle. "But I'm not ready to die without a fight. All right damn it! You've got yourselves a pirate!"
"Really? You'll join my crew?" Luffy asked.
"I don't have much choice." Zoro grumbled. "Now untie me!" Naruto and Luffy got to work untying the ropes that bound Zoro, but it was slow going.
"If bullets can't hurt him, then use your swords!" Morgan ordered. Naruto looked up to see the marines charging at them blades drawn.
"Uh, Captain," he said enviously.
"C'mon! Hurry up!" Zoro shouted.
"Unh! These knots are too tight," Luffy said.
"Luffy! Zoro! Naruto!" Koby shouted as the marines bore down on. "Look out!"
"Oh to hell with this!" Naruto shouted. He sword poofed into his hands and he slashed at the ropes holding Zoro. In a blur of movement, Zoro grabbed his swords and blocked the marine's blades with them.
"Whoa." Naruto said, impressed.
"Wow!" Luffy said. "He's cool!"
"The first one to move dies!" Zoro growled. The marines all took on looks of fear.
"All right, so I'm a pirate. I gave you my word. I've fought the Navy so therefore I'm officially an outlaw." Zoro said. "But here this: I have a mission to fulfill." Luffy and Naruto looked at him. "I'm going to be the World's Greatest Swordsman! All I have left is my destiny! My name may be infamous, but it's going to shake the world! But you two are making me become a pirate. So if I have to abandon my dream for any reason, then I'm going to make you two commit Hara Kiri (A/N a traditional form of suicide by samurais who felt there was no way to reclaim their lost honor.)
"The World's greatest swordsman, that's great." Luffy declared. "And it' fitting that your new boss is going to be the King of the Pirates. Anything else would make me look bad." Naruto smiled at his captain and rested his weapon on sword on his shoulder.
"Hmph." Zoro grunted. "You talk big."
"Why do you hesitate?" Morgan barked. "Hack those brigands into mincemeat, now!"
"Zoro, duck!" Luffy said, swinging his leg back. "Gum-Gum Whip!" He brought his leg forward and mowed down the Marines, his leg flying just over Zoro's head.
"What are you?" Zoro asked.
"He's a rubber-man." Naruto said, walking forward, his sword was still on his shoulder and he was now spinning a gun in his left hand.
"And you, why didn't you just cut me free in the first place?" Zoro demanded.
"Luffy wanted to be the one to free you, didn't seem like the first-mate and scribe's place." Naruto said with a shrug.
"Hear me!" Morgan demanded, getting everyone's attention. "All you cowards who were whining just now will shoot yourselves in the head!"
"What?" Naruto shouted.
"I won't tolerate defeatists in my outfit!" Morgan continued. "Fire on my order!" the marines, out of fear or some twisted scene of duty, brought their guns up to their heads.
"They're actually going to do it." Zoro said.
"Like hell they are!" Naruto roared as he and Luffy shot past the swordsman. They broke off, Luffy heading for Morgan, Naruto for the sailors.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto shouted. In a puff of smoke, 5 Narutos jumped out, 2 were holding 2 swords each, another 2, 2 guns, while the fifth held a gun and a sword.
"Let's make it showy!" the Naruto with a gun and a sword shouted as they descended upon the marines. They faintly heard Koby yelling at Luffy, but pushed it aside for now.
One of the two-swords Naruto landed between a pair of marines and slashed at their weapons, sending them clattering to the ground. He stayed between them, he left arm behind his back. "I don't recommend doing anything right now." He said coolly.
The other Naruto with two swords flew over the marines and swung his swords that were attached to wires. The blades with battered or slashed the guns in the marine's hands. "Damn I'm good." Naruto said as the swords returned to his hands.
The first Naruto holding a pair of pistols charge at the marines, firing off shot after shot. Marine's guns were being blown apart by the mini-rasengans. That Naruto's counterpart weaved its way down the line, blasting guns with acrobatic ease. It finally came to a rest with its back to the first gun wielding. "Keeping it stylish." The two said in unison, blowing the smoke off their barrels.
The final Naruto cut his way down the line of marines and spun in a circle to finish off the last of their weapons with his gun.
"Who are you?" one of the dumbfounded marines asked as the clones with matching weapons disappeared in puffs of smoke.
"Uzumaki 'Gokai' Naruto," the original said, spinning his pistol around on his finger. His old ninja skills suddenly kicked in and he spun around to block a dagger attack from a marine and pushed the sailor back. "And who are you?"
"Lt. Yamato 'Dragon' Burai!" the naval officer declared. He had dark hair and green eyes. Over his uniform he wore triangular golden armor and held a dagger in his hand. "I will not let you and your little friends bring down the Captain!"
"Tch, you guys started all this when you guys broke your promise to Zoro." Naruto said. "But you do seem stronger than the rest, so allow me to take this seriously." He resealed his gun and sword. He clapped his hands together and a cloud of smoke appeared. When it cleared, Naruto was now holding a spear with the end looking similar to an anchor. "Let's go Dragon boy." Naruto taunted. The two fighters charged at one another and clashed.
Burai was clearly skilled with his dagger, but Naruto had the advantage in reach. He easily blocked every one of Burai's stabs and slash. Burai, getting desperate, threw his dagger at Naruto. Naruto smirked and knocked the dagger into the air with the end of his spear. Then he jumped up and kicked the dagger and threw his spear at the same time. The two blades knocked the armor off of Burai. Then, before the 'dragon' could react, Naruto was in front of him.
"This ends here." Naruto growled. A rasengan was forming in his hand. "Wind Style: KazeRasengan." He thrust his hand forward and nailed Burai in the stomach. The rasengan flew from his hand, taking the Navy Lieutenant with it.
Naruto turned to collect and reseal his spear, when he noticed the armor and dagger.
"Cool," he said with a smile, "souvenirs." He knelt down, pulling out a sealing scroll and place the two items inside of it. He rejoined the group in time to see Luffy knock out Helmeppo with his Gum-Gum Pistol and Zoro slash Morgan.
The trio stood, Luffy looking at Helmeppo, Zoro sheathing his sword, and Naruto looking at the marines.
"Any of you still want to capture us?" Zoro asked. The marines looked at each other before they all started cheering happily.
"Huh?" Naruto said, scratching his head.
"They're happy we defeated their captain?" Luffy said, equally confused.
"That mean," Koby said, brightening up, "Captain Morgan was ruling them through fear." At that moment, Zoro collapsed.
Later at Food Foo, Zoro, Naruto, and Luffy had just finished stuffing their faces.
"Man, I'm stuffed." Zoro said. "Not eating for nine days was worse than I thought."
"See, you wouldn't have lasted a whole month." Luffy said.
"Funny, you two seem hungrier than me." Zoro observed.
"Because of Luffy's Gum-Gum and my own powers, we've got high metabolisms." Naruto said. He wasn't sure if it was true but it was as good an excuse as any.
"Thanks for feeding me along with the heroes." Koby said.
"It's the least I can do!" Rikia's mother said happily. "You four saved the whole town."
"Wow, you're great!" Rika said.
"Yeah, I'm kinda great." Luffy laughed. "And I'm going to become a lot greator."
"Don't let it go to your head captain." Naruto said with a laugh.
"So," Zoro said seriously, "what's next?"
"We're headed for the Grand Line!" Luffy declared.
"Huh? That's suicide!" Koby yelled. "There are only just three of you! If you go there you'll be sailing to your deaths! The most bloodthirsty pirates in the world are there!"
"Well I guess if we're after One Piece, the grand line is where we have to go." Zoro said.
"You agree with him Zoro?" Koby asked.
"What's it to you?" Zoro shot back. "You're not coming with us."
"No but I'm worried about you! Is that so wrong?" Koby demanded. "Can't I worry about…my friends?"
"That's not what I," Zoro started.
"Luffy, we haven't known each other for very long but we're friends aren't we?" Koby asked.
"We're going our separate ways," Luffy said with a smile, "but we'll always be friends." This brought a smile to Koby's face.
"You're the first real friend I ever had." Koby said. "No one ever stuck up for me. I wouldn't even stick up for me. But you guys taught me to fight for what I believe in!"
"That's why I'm going to the Grand Line." Luffy said.
"Makes since to me," Zoro said.
"After we take care of a few things." Naruto said. "Like getting a bigger ship."
"Right, right," Luffy waved him off.
"So what are your plans?" Zoro asked tapping Koby tapped him on the forehead with his sword.
"Huh?' Koby asked.
"You were cabin boy on Alvida's pirate ship for two years." Zoro pointed out. "Watch out for the Navy's intelligence. If they find out about your background, they won't let you enlist." The door opened catching the group's attention.
"Excuse me." Said an officer, presumably the new head of the base. "You gentlemen are pirates correct?"
"That's right." Luffy said happily.
"Um, you saved our base and this town, and we're truly grateful to you. However we're still naval marines and we can't shelter pirates." The man said. "I'm sorry but I have to ask you to leave. But to show our gratitude, we won't report you to the navy." Outside, many of the townspeople protested but Luffy stood up.
"I guess we'll be going then." He said. Naruto stood up with him.
"Thanks for the food ma'am." Naruto said with a smile.
"Luffy," Koby said sadly.
"You're leaving already?" Rika's mother asked. The three pirates just walked out, passing the stunned Koby.
"Aren't you going with them?" the naval officer asked.
"I'm," Koby said. "I'm not one of them." Luffy smiled at the door.
"Excuse me, Pirates." The officer said. "Is that true?" Luffy turned to them.
"Let me Explain." Luffy started. "I know all about his past."
"Luffy?" Koby gasped. "You're not going to,"
"See, there was this secret island. And a big pirate woman, her name was Alvida?" he looked to Naruto who nodded.
"Luffy, don't," Koby begged.
"She was really mean." Luffy continued. "And for two years, this guys was,"
"Shut up!" Koby shouted, punching Luffy across the face. Everyone was stunned into silence and no one noticed the small smiles and Zoro and Naruto's faces.
"Why you!" Luffy shouted and punched Koby back. "Take that!" he started raining down blows on Koby's face. "And this!"
"Enough!" the officer ordered. "Stop disturbing the peace!"
"Hey," Zoro said, grabbing his new captain by the back of his vest. "That's enough." Naruto glanced at Koby. He looked beaten up, but knowing Luffy's strength first hand, he knew that the captain was holding back.
"It's clear that you're not friends!" the officer shouted. "Please leave the town now!" the trio walked out of the restraint, leaving Koby where he was. As they passed the crowd of marines, Zoro turned to them.
"Catch us if you can." He taunted. Naruto couldn't help but laugh at that.
"You know, that was some pretty bad acting." Zorro told Luffy when they reached the docks. "I wouldn't be surprised if they saw through it."
"It's all up to Koby now." Luffy said confidently. "He'll get in somehow."
"Yeah," Naruto said, glancing back towards the town. "I've got a good feeling about that kid."
"Well, it's a good time to be leaving." Zoro mused. "Everybody hates us, that's the way a pirate should leave a town."
"I guess that's true." Luffy agreed as he untied their boat.
"Luffy!" Koby shouted behind them.
"Koby," Luffy turned to him.
"Thank you very much, Cap'n Luffy!" Koby said, saluting him. "I'll never forget what you did for me."
"This is a new one." Zoro said with a smile. "A pirate being saluted by the navy,"
"We'll meet again Koby!" Luffy laughed.
"See you on the seas, Officer Koby." Naruto said as the crew of three climbed into the boat.
"'Ten'shun!" shouted another voice. Luffy, Naruto, and Zoro turned to see the marines from the base saluting them too. Naruto just shook his head and kicked off from the docks and the boat drifted off to sea.
"We're on our way!" Luffy shouted. "To the Grand Line!" Naruto just shook his head and started writing in a notebook he had.
"What're you doing?" Zoro asked.
"Writing down our latest adventure," Naruto said. "It's a hobby of mine. I think I'm going to call this, the Tale of Captain Morgan."
"Sounds like an interesting title." Zoro said as he leaned back.
A day later, the group was just sitting out on the water.
"I'm starving!" Zoro shouted. "Don't you think it's strange that neither of you can navigate?"
"No, drifting has worked pretty well for us." Luffy said.
"What's your excuse?" Naruto asked. "Aren't you supposed to be the biggest bad-ass on the high seas?"
"I followed a pirate I was after out to sea. But I couldn't find my way back to my village." Zoro explained. "So I made the best of things. I went after pirates that were in the area. I had to earn money somehow."
"So you got lost." Luffy said bluntly.
"You don't have to put it like that!" Zoro snapped. "Anyway, what kind of pirate doesn't know how to navigate a ship? It's ridiculous! At this rate, we'll never make it to the Grand Line."
"We've got to recruit a navigator as soon as possible." Naruto agreed. "That way we'll at least have some idea on where we're going half the time."
"And we need a cook, and a musician, and," Luffy listed off.
"Those can wait!" Zoro and Naruto shouted before they fell back along with Luffy.
"I'm starving!" they said in unison. Zoro opened his eye and saw something in the sky.
"Hey," he grunted, "it's a bird,"
"It looks pretty big," Luffy noted. "Let's eat it!"
"Huh?" Zoro asked. "How?"
"Leave it to me! I'll catch it!" Luffy proclaimed. He threw his arms up to the mast of the ship.
"Oh boy," Naruto said, knowing where this was going.
"Gum-Gum Rocket!" cried Luffy shot towards the bird.
"Okay," Zoro said watching his captain fly to the bird.
"I've got a bad feeling about this." Naruto said. Luffy suddenly stopped and the bird kept flying. "Oh no," Naruto groaned.
"Help!" Luffy shouted from the trap inside the bird's beak.
"You idiot!" Zoro shouted and grabbed the oars. He started row so fast that Naruto had to adhere himself to the boat with chakra. They heard shouts of help ahead of them.
"Shipwreck survivors? Now?" Naruto asked. "God must hate us."
"I can't stop!" Zoro shouted. "Just grab on and climb in!" they plowed through the people who, miraculously climbed on.
"You climbed on, nice." Naruto said.
"Hey! Stop the ship!" the guys said. "We're pirates of Buggy the Clown." Naruto and Zoro looked at each other and then turned to the pirates.
Thirty seconds later, the pirates had gotten the crap beat out of them and were rowing the ship.
"Thanks a lot you morons." Naruto growled. "You made us loose the Captain."
"Keep rowing." Zoro ordered. "If there's any land nearby, he'll get there." For the next couple of minutes, the pirates said that the reason they were out there was because some woman tricked them, stole their ship and treasure, and then left them to get nailed by a passing storm.
"Impressive meteorological skills," Naruto muttered to himself.
"She'd probably make a good navigator." Zoro said.
"We think she'll make a great corpse!" one of the pirates said.
"What'll we do about the treasure we lost?" asked one of the others.
"If we return empty-handed, Buggy will be furious!" the last one said, worriedly.
"Who's Buggy?" Naruto and Zoro asked.
"Only the most ferocious pirates in these parts!" the pirate said. "Haven't you heard of Buggy the Clown? He ate the fruit of the Devil!"
"The fruit of the devil?" Zoro asked. Naruto bit his lip. If this Buggy guy ate a devil fruit, then they'd probably need Luffy's help to beat him.
Ok, now to do a little house keeping. Kaizokukage Is, I think, roughly a translation of Pirate Shadow. And if Naruto's fighting styles seem familiar, especially to fans of Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger, then yes they are the big inspiration to that, just like that naval officer that Naruto fought. There will be other original opponents like that as the story and Naruto will keep collecting souvenirs.
Anyway, if you guys have any comments or idea, I'm open to suggestions, not flames mind you, but suggestions.
Read and Review, please.