Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or One Piece

Chapter 1

"Shakky, pleeease. One morrree and I'll leeave," slurred Rayleigh. His clothing stunk of rum, the offending smell irking even the experienced bartender.

Sighing she brought a hand to the Dark King's cheek, "Honey, that's enough. Anymore and I'll really start worrying." A hiccup later and he tried to use a look on her. Shaking her head she pointed to the door, knowing he'd handle any trouble on his journey.

Lighting a cigarette she blew smoke up as she waited to see what he would do. Unfortunately, pirates drank for more than just getting into the proper social mood. It tore their attention away from the fleas, the rotten food, the fragile mortality for a pirate sailing amongst monsters, human and not. Many days she drank herself to blackedout dusks just to get away for awhile But she awoke, hungover as any bastard could be, always.

Nowadays she served drink, talking with those who desperately hid their sorrows behind the lip of a glass. It was probably her way of coping. And pirates coped. Her husband Rayleigh usually told rambling tales of a black haired teenager, eyes shining with an unholy light of ambition. How together they sailed the seas through towering waves and the shadows of battalions during dawn. As drunk as he was he never mentioned names. Perhaps it was less about the risk of bad attention and more that to the infamous pirate, names and reputations never mattered. A swaying deck and his captain at the helm, maybe a fluttering of laughing from the crew. Paradise.

Leaning her head on her palm, she watched as Rayleigh grumbled but smiled and ambled off his stool. He mouthed a goodbye kiss and left. She could almost swear that she heard the sound of a crew laughing as the door swung closed. A chuckle escaped her. It did sound like heaven.

The silver haired pirate ambled his way to the coast, making his way without much trouble despite the pitch black of night. He hoped he'd sober up on his swim to Punk Hazard. Rumours of the island being a haven for Marine experiments reached him after the Akainu and Kuzan bout and he hoped he could satisfy his curiosity. Though he couldn't alert the Marines too much, hence his covert swim. Luffy should also be reaching there soon if he calculated it right. A small reunion would do both of them some good.

Rumbling and flashes of lightning erupted above him in the sky. A powerful storm from the smell of it. Ignoring it he walked up onto the wooden docks, the place shut down tight on account of the recent troubles with the Straw Hats. Taking his shirt and shoes off he placed them into a bag tied to his ankle.

"That should do it. Bye Shakky," whispered the Dark King. A powerful concussive wave blew outwards from the docks as a shadowed shape flew through the air and into water. It quickly disappeared into the depths before reappearing meters away, its form moving quickly.

...

The storm had been stranger than usual, and that was saying something considering new world weather. It had been simple scaling the Red Line to enter the New World, but the storm he first saw at Sabaody had apparently followed him. Constant rain and thunder met him at the end of each swim stroke. Curious if this was the work of a devil fruit he expanded his senses with Haki. A few sea monsters littered the depths here and there but nothing human. Grumbling he wondered if moving underwater would lose the storm.

Pausing for a few seconds he dove. Diving deep below the surface he flew down onto the sandy floor. A large swath of bubbles trailed after him, keeping up with the immediate displacement of mass. Placing his hands on the floor, he took a position akin to a runner, his legs bent to explode forward.

Moments later a man had begun to sprint across the sea floor.

'Should have done this earlier,' Rayleigh thought as he smiled. Almost as if his words were cursed the moonlit water above echoed with a deep roar. Glancing up, he nearly swallowed water in shock. A black cloud hovered over him, its shape stretching as far as the eye can see in the water. A frown finally came to his face as he watched the arcs of lightning shoot out from the billows around the cloud.

'Enough of this,' decided the pirate. Jumping up the silver hair of the man glinted in the murky sea as he flew to meet the cloud, his hand reaching behind him to pull out his sword. With a swing of his arm a flying wave of force spiralled into the cloud, imploding it instantly. Lightning erupted out as if a leak had occurred and light encompassed the entire sea, pushing Rayleigh back in surprise.

Blinking the spots from his eyes he looked up to see nothing but dust. Smiling he swam towards the surface, glad the storm was gone, though still confused at the apparently sentient cloud. Emerging from the water he was surprised to see that it had become morning. Not very odd by New World standards but something did give him pause.

The horizon looked normal and the waves seemed to shift normally. Yet… he could hear seagulls. Punk Hazard had been an entire day of swimming away. Seagulls usually tended to the coast and especially so in this sea. To hear them now could only mean land was closeby.

'Strange. I've not heard of an island so close north of the Red Line. Perhaps I should check it out.' Swimming out he followed the calls of the birds, weaving easily through the water.

Land appeared an hour later. The bustle of folk working and bartering drifted into his ears. Smiling he sped up, hoping to make it to land soon. A good beer or two and a story from this unknown island would be enough for him.

The town had the look of crime. Men with swords seemed to litter the storefront and merchants, harassing them for protection money most likely. Though he'd love to step in, doing so recklessly could make matters worse. Sighing he walked down the dirt road in the direction of the town square. He hoped some questions could be answered.

A construction crew worked across the square, apparently building a new house. Older men strangely made up the crew. Not something you'd normally see unless there was trouble. Merchant stands crowded the center, filling his sight with dozens of people and stealing his attention as they slowly stilled at his entrance.

He was a sight of oddity, clearly. The tied up silver hair and his built body alongside a sword attracted too much attention. He was tall by these people's standards, standing at six feet and some. Though the lack of youthful men working alongside the aged construction force may have emphasized that impression.

"Look! Strange huh? Didn't even see him come by boat. Wonder where he came from?"

"He's from the Land of Lightning, I guarantee ya'. They grow em' big up there."

"Silver hair close 'nough to white hair I'd say. Sword fits too. What's this old sparky doing here?"

"Wonder what the boss'd think about this. You think them ninja up there got a hit on him?"

Whispers and talk quickly spread. Rayleigh didn't expect this much of an impression, though he had to wonder at what the rough looking man meant by Land of Lightning and ninja... The island couldn't be too big or more would be known, and the name didn't ring any bells. But ninja he had heard of before, making it all the stranger. It couldn't be that he somehow landed upon the shores of Wano...

'Oh seas. You continue to surprise me with adventures well past my prime,' a wistful Rayleigh pondered.

Walking towards a stand he looked at the items. An array of close to rotten fish and jerky made from something strange, going by the smell.

"W-welcome sir! Please, we just caught these and the meat was made only a few days ago," the small girl looked too thin as she pitched him the food. His eyes drifted down to her jar, coins of unknown make barely covering the bottom. Even stranger. Nearly all islands use beri as ordained by the World Government. For there to be a local currency lends credence to the isolation of these people. Paying her would be a problem if they didn't expect beri.

Smiling and unconsciously rubbing the back of his head he laughed, "Sorry, little miss. I seem to have misplaced my wallet."

A breath of relief was released from everybody listening in, immediately washing away the tension of his appearance.

"He's just some silly old guy."

"Can't believe we thought him a ninja. They'd be a bit more serious ya' think."

The little merchant scowled before shaking her head. Getting the message Rayleigh ambled away, the laughing smile on his face not fading.

Stopping near the construction workers he saw one older man taking a water break.

With attention off of him this shouldn't be too difficult.

"Working hard?" The question was light hearted, aimed at putting the old man at ease.

"Aye. Bones too brittle for it, but me family's got to eat. Rao," shaking the grizzled and tanned worker's hand, Rayleigh couldn't help but feel for him.

"Rayleigh. That's unfortunate to hear Rao. No sons or younger men to help?" The Dark King had begun to take off his cloak, rolling it up and stuffing into his pack. His sandals clipped the ground as he approached Rao's workstation.

Seeing what Rayleigh was doing, the man gave a thankful nod, "Many thanks. Jus' put the stacks over yonder. As fer the able men… well, let's jus' say they've been hired fer a job you can't say no to." Rao's words were hesitant and vague enough to imply a fear of others listening in. Nodding Rayleigh easily hefted the stack of wooden planks, carrying it over his shoulder and to the base of the house being constructed.

Ignoring the looks of the other men, Rayleigh went to gather the rest.

"Amazin'. Never seen a man yer age do it so easy like. You a ninja or somethin?" Rao's words trailed off, hoping he didn't say anything stupid.

"Or something. Ninja, huh. Are there many ninja around these parts?" The pirate side eyed Rao as he hefted another stack.

Laughing, the old man waved his hand, "Ninja don't much come here in the Waves. We're too poor to hire em'! Mainland's where you'd get more luck."

Strange and stranger. A mainland? Was this island so large that it had a country attached to it? And the ninja here were apparently hired like mercenaries or bounty hunters. The World Government doing the hiring maybe?

Patting his hands together to clear the dust and dirt, Rayleigh casually mentioned, "The World Government would probably be the one feeding them with their resources."

Rayleigh almost flinched when a flabbergasted expression came across Rao.

"World Government!? What do ya' mean? God help us if them five great ninja nations came together withou' some extra bloody war," Rao nearly trembled at the thought.

They haven't heard of the World Government? Five nations? To think that in isolation there could exist multiple governments outside of Marine control. And for five to exist separately, the lands would have to expansive. Such a bold statement would light the concept of a World Government on fire, threatening the balance of powers.

'Where have I found myself,' the pirate mulled over in his slowly darkening thoughts.

That storm, perhaps it had done something. Something that even he didn't notice. He would have to shelf Punk Hazard for now. This… place was too curious for him to leave alone. Hopefully Shakky doesn't worry.

"Ahaha. Just a joke my friend. A bad one I might add. Though I must be leaving. Could you point me in the direction of the mainland?" Hoping the laughter would put the man at ease, he was rewarded as Rao laughed along and pointed west.

"Twas' nice chattin' with you. Take care now, gettin' off this island is harder than comin' in these days."

Nodding in understanding, Rayleigh waved as he took off.

"Psst, look. That's him. You hear about the freak not having the ability to use ninjutsu? Turns out him failing so much was cuz' he ain't stupid, he's defective!" The howls of laughter reached his ears perfectly, as if they knew it would be the best time to make the comment when he approached.

The 10 year-old Naruto had always been optimistic. That despite the looks and his worse than dirt reputation he'd somehow become Hokage through sheer force of will. But walking down this dirt road, villagers laughing as he passed and pointing in some cruel enjoyment of his trouble, the dreaded words kept cycling in his mind.

I apologize Hokage-sama. His chakra system is so damaged that even Master Tsunade couldn't repair it. It's impossible. We didn't catch it after the… incident but it looks like the other chakra slowly warped it under our noses.

Old man Hokage yelled a lot after that, his face harsh and angry at the medical staff, but he heard none of it. Damaged, impossible. The Hokage had sat him down after that, looking into his eyes with such a deep pity that his doubts fell to pieces.

Ninja are powerful. They can move faster than any normal person. And they can hit even harder. Ninjutsu is their bread and butter, but taijutsu and ninjutsu worked too. Yet it all needed a chakra system. It all needed the energy coursing through your body so that a three meter drop wouldn't sprain an ankle.

"No wonder I got hurt so often," the bitter words escaping him like acid.

Kicking a stone he walked aimlessly, his feet probably thinking better than his mess of a brain.

But what about that boy, Rock Lee, sir.

The medical director looked at his assistant before sighing in exasperation. Please don't raise our patient's hopes, Yashi. Rock Lee still needs his chakra system and tenketsu to reinforce his muscles. Without them he'd die from his training alone.

Closing his eyes Naruto shook his head to rid himself of the scene. The way such fleeting hope burnt out was torture. He should have whalloped that piece of shit assistant.

Opening his eyes he saw the village. Even his feet knew to take him up here, atop the monument of the Leaf. Where he could see what he'll one day be responsible for. To remind him what exactly was at stake here. But how can he? How can anyone defy reality if it throws them in the deepest hole? So deep you could barely make out the people you were supposed to surpass.

He collapsed more than laid down atop the hill cresting the four Hokage heads. His eyes slowly swiveled over each face, easily pulling up images of badass fights and ninjutsu. Each one was powerful with a different set of skills. But they all had chakra. What's a ninja without one?

Tears had started to come out. And then it wasn't long before he sobbed his heart out, for the first time in years praying for something to fix this.

"Please…"

A lone shinobi with grey hair flickered next to the boy, exhausted and asleep from a horrible day.

"Don't worry Naruto. You're too tough to let this get to you. I know you are," the words felt more as if they were convincing himself than the boy, but ignoring that he gently picked Naruto up. At the very least this sleep would let him forget. Body flickering away he took Naruto home before returning to his own.

2 months later

Naruto slouched forward as Iruka droned on about the 4th treaty of Spring or something. Steadily ignoring the snickers around him as he had done for weeks, he flipped his pencil around and copied it word for word.

"Maybe they should write a new treaty explaining how a certain ninja should be left alone when doing missions, can't have him dying so fast," Kiba nearly exploded in laughter at his own joke. Apparently funny as half of the class did the same.

The sting of the jokes faded faster everyday. Yet it still stung. Staying at the ninja academy had been a decision left up to him. The Hokage explained that he should at the very least finish the lessons, but he wouldn't force him to stay. He also said that being so knowledgeable about ninja would give him better job prospects. Whatever that meant.

He wasn't a quitter and despite the hopeless situation he hadn't completely given up the idea of being a ninja. No one had to know just yet, but he was looking. Researching ways of leveling the playing field and beating ninjas in a fight. But he needed time and ideas, and that's where class came in. History had to have one guy who fought ninja without chakra. One hint and he could run with it, but so far it's been weeks of annoying jokes and boring treaties.

"Well look at the time! Please hand in your assignments to Mizuki and remember to study up on which jutsu signs the Samurai use in combat situations. A quiz will be on it tomorrow," spoke Iruka, interrupting dozens of conversations in the classroom. Quickly packing his things he flew over to Mizuki and handed him a piece of paper before running off. Luckily after the news of problems came out, all the usual assholes like Mizuki had taken to ignoring him rather than make his life frustrating. He'd die of shock if it was pity, most likely they thought him already defeated. Well, they'll have to watch and see. Running he jumped out of a window on the first floor hall before sprinting home.

...

"Hmm, Samurai used folded chakra metal to harden their attacks. This, blah, blah… However, this is in great contrast to traditional Samurai who used their substantial technique and perception to cut with normal folded steel rather than the use of overpowering chakra enforcements!" The reading of the passage quickly captured his own attention. Holding his book tighter, he continued.

"Their technique and skill had been so impressive, that even powerful ninja fell to a disciplined samurai who scanned for the slightest of weaknesses to exploit. Despite eventually falling out of favor as newer samurai brought in more revenue and results, it had proved that skill can overcome pure power." Falling back against his bed, Naruto stared at the ceiling. It wasn't impossible. Close, but not enough for him.

"Now where am I going to find a swordmaster as a good as the samurai of old."

He could scarcely believe it, even two months later. This place had its own countries, governments, royalty, powers… Ninja dominated the lands using techniques as fantastical as devil fruits and Haki. These warriors lived in Hidden Villages, and similar to the balance of powers between the Yonkou, the society here was balanced precariously between five ninja villages.

Terms like World Government and Red Line were met with empty gazes every single time, an unfamiliarity that could not be faked. From the account of a retired fisherman the countries stretched across the Elemental Nations, what they called their continent, at distances similar to the Red Line. For this land to go unnoticed throughout all of history, and for his land to go unnoticed by these non primitive people implied too many unsettling things.

The first and most important being that something was done to him. He was brought here after that flash of light under the sea. It was the only time his awareness flickered into darkness. And following that train of thought, this attack, as what else could an unsolicited displacement be, led to him being transported to a world or lands so very strange to him.

'There can be no other explanation. Despite the wonder of the New World, cartographers knew geometry. Unless the seas could distort dimensions, the size of these lands would make it impossible to stay hidden. This land must be on another world. Poor Shakky...' the Dark King depressingly thought.

Adjusting his brown cloak, the silver haired pirate continued on his way down the dirt path. The scuff of wagon wheels followed closely behind him. Merchants in need of protection and him in need of coin had led him to quickly accept this job; a band of silk weavers off the coast of the Land of Waves looking to sell to the Hidden Leaf villagers.

Despite his awareness of the situation's uneasiness, he was still excited to see the village. As according to gossip it was the most powerful of the ninja villages. A cornerstone to what exactly the Elemental Nations were.

"So Rayleigh-san, how long have you been here in Fire Country? With you having to follow our directions to the Leaf and all," remarked the pregnant wife of Saizo, the merchant band's apparent veteran.

Eyes scrunching closed, Rayleigh laughed amicably, his hearty laughter carrying into the woods surrounding them.

"I didn't think it was so obvious! I am from a few borders up north, the Land of Lightning more specifically. It's been only two months since I came down here looking for business," his sword rattling as he patted it.

Nodding in satisfaction, the woman covered her mouth as she chuckled, "I guessed right then. Your features and height alongside that sword convinced us of your ability enough to hire you. Those Lightning swordsman are known even down here. Not that I want to see your skill in combat, heavens no! Peace is much preferred."

Rayleigh stilled, prompting his clients to do the same as the wagon grinded against the dirt.

"I am afraid, miss, that you spoke too soon. Come out from behind that tree, you three," Rayleigh spoke firmly, his voice scaring off a few birds too close for comfort.

In practiced motions the three men swiftly jumped in front of the entourage, immediately confronting the silver haired pirate.

Each of the men wore headbands, each in different places. Yet they all were marked with a scratch across a symbol that looked to be three curved lines. Purple and blue made up their clothing, clearly reinforced with visible chainmail and armor padding. The intensity of their presence felt at odds with their youthful faces.

"No! Just our luck to be caught against three bloody Mist missing... Rayleigh-san, please be careful!" Briefly noting the apparent name of the village where these ninja had come from, he wondered what exactly 'missing' meant. Narrowing his eyes at the scratches on the bands he concluded that they may be renegades from their original faction.

"Gentlemen. As you can see we are not some great entourage of riches. Please step away," Rayleigh did not bother to reach for his sword. Despite hearing many stories about the prowess of ninja and their inner 'chakra', his Observation Haki did not give him the impression that these three would be trouble.

"Oi Kenshi, did this old fart really just ask us to step away? I think I'll kill him first," the black haired one on the left sneered as he brandished his kunai.

Cackling, Kenshi, or the red haired man in the center, spit on the ground, "That's what I think about your peace. In this world it's shark eat smaller shark. And you sons of bitches decided to cheap out with some little fish, not even a ninja. No headband and no kunai. Though we did notice that nifty looking sword, might just take that."

The one on the right shifted his sword up, catching the glare of the sun. Rayleigh recognised the glint of a swordsman in the young man's eyes, hungry for a battle of blades.

"Can't wait to cut you all open and hear you squeal!" The menace twirled his blade towards the men and women behind Rayleigh, eliciting groans and cries of terror. The swordsman ninja wanted him serious and knew how to do it, the crazed gaze never leaving Rayleigh's eyes.

A frown came to the Dark King's face, more serious than he had been for the two months in this strange world.

"Enough," the word was unlike any the ninja had experienced. It eclipsed the narrow pupils of the silver haired man, pulsating out like nothing else existed around them. And then the weakness came. It etched into their skin, crawling up into their nostrils, like blood rushing too fast to be safe. They dropped their weapons and they looked up, their eyes stretching into the beyond as they thought, 'I am going to die.'

The choking flavor of vomit and saliva rose up within them, torturing them with the suffocating presence of a being greater than any they could hope to stand against.

Like puppets on a cut string, all three men instantly fell as the word finished echoing into the woods, the whites of their eyes showing and the foam at their mouths fizzling.

Rayleigh paused before speaking out, "Don't worry, they are not dead. I just used a special technique from my homeland to temporarily knock them unconscious."

Before he had even finished his explanation, cheers and laughter erupted behind him.

"Amazing!"

"Hahaha! I've never seen such a thing!"

"We sure got our money's worth. A guy who can knock out people with just a look! Can't wait to tell my ma."

The rapid firing of praises got even to Rayleigh as he rubbed the back of his head, "It was nothing! Please you're making me blush."

Two men stepped up to the knocked out missing ninja, "Rayleigh-sama, if we deliver these men to the Leaf you can be rewarded their bounties." At their sudden look of what appeared to be groveling, Rayleigh sighed.

"Please make sure you tie them adequately at the very least."

After a quick bow they both heaved the ninja towards the wagon, tying them up and leaving them in the back.

"Well, let's continue, we should be able to make it before dark," the pirate swept his cloak behind him as he walked ahead followed by his newly christened fans.

…

Rayleigh's eyes widened at the sight of the Hidden Leaf Village. The open enormous green gates already impressed him of the village's presence, but it was as his Haki reached out that he finally understood the power of ninja relative to his world.

'Many are powerful amongst the denizens of the village. But two shine radiantly amongst the rest.' He looked at his hand, watching it shake slightly. 'I am excited to test my will against them.'

"Rayleigh-sama? Is everything fine? We have to go present our papers to the guards, though I imagine since you're from a bit far away you'll have to register for one. Don't worry I'll help out!" The kind nature of Saizo tore his attention to him, allowing him to nod gratefully.

"Thank you. Nothing is wrong. I am just...excited to see the wonders of the Leaf."

It didn't take long for Rayleigh to be questioned by many men in armored green vests, the insignia of Leaf ninja shining on their bands.

"So you're from the Land of Lightning then? My uncle travels there. Which town?"

Rayleigh enjoying the searching questions laughed, "It's a small backroad town! There's barely a pub there, I wouldn't imagine you'd know it."

Scowling the guard with spiky black hair continued to press, "You were hired to protect these people, even defeated the three missing we took custody of earlier. Where's a person like you learn how to take down three chunin level ninja with a-" The guard looked down at his notebook before scowling even harder, "-with a look apparently."

"I learned many things training with the sword, as I have for the past dozens of years. My techniques sometimes lend to the flashy. As you can imagine an audience of merchants sometimes carry my praises too far," Rayleigh apologized earnestly.

Sliding from his position to a frustrated and tired stance, the guard sighed before nodding, "Crazy civilians. Well, I don't see any problem giving you a probationary permit. But this comes with the condition of being checked on, so don't do anything suspicious or it's my ass, got it?"

Without waiting for a reply, the papers with his face and name were stamped and handed to him.

"Your fans paid for your papers, so you can go ahead and enter. Enjoy," grumbled the guard.

Nodding cheerfully, Rayleigh finally met up with Saizo.

"Good to see everything was resolved. I am sorry the rest couldn't say goodbye but we were in a hurry to set up our stand. Please take this, your bounties included, and feel free to drop by, a discount's there with your name on it Rayleigh-sama," Saizo eagerly shook his hand before giving him a coin pouch filled with the currency of these lands, Ryo.

Waving the friendly merchant off, Rayleigh took off.

'Now let's see what these strong presences are.'

Naruto tried to ignore the incessant tapping of the clerk's foot as he browsed his collection of Katana. Clearly he wasn't welcome here and the combination of the staring and tapping was rapidly frustrating him.

"Are you done?" The curt voice of the clerk interrupted his thoughts.

"Nope," answered the orange wearing academy student, almost popping the 'p'.

A smile came to Naruto's face after hearing a small growl.

'Stupid, your attitude just convinced me to take my time.'

RING

Glancing back Naruto caught the door of Goro's equipment store swinging closed; a tall man wrapped in a brown cloak entering after the bell sounded.

Almost transforming, Goro nearly prostrated himself in front of the man, welcoming him to look around.

Scoffing, Naruto hurried down the aisle, not in the mood to see such a disgusting change in behavior.

"Oho, I am not much interested in swords. My beauty here has kept me alive for many years," the ninja in training caught the man patting a green pommel at the tail end of his words. Narrowing his eyes he saw the sharp edge of the sword poking out behind his cloak.

"That is no problem at all, sir! A beautiful sword needs a beautiful sheath. I'm sure you can find the perfect one here," the Clerk pointed in the direction behind Naruto.

Nodding the cloaked stranger walked swiftly behind Naruto, smiling as he passed. Almost involuntarily Naruto smiled back, causing him to widen his eyes at the friendly man.

'Silver hair and a scar over his eye. Looks like a master with a lot of experience. Could it be?'

Peering through the corner of his eyes as the older man browsed the shelf of sheaths, Naruto wondered how he could ease himself into a conversation.

"Rayleigh," the man apparently read his mind as he spoke directly to him when no one else was nearby.

"N-naruto," he almost cursed himself for stumbling over his freaking name.

A laugh was Rayleigh's response. Blushing Naruto looked down before asking him, getting it out of the way.

"You're a swordmaster?"

The silver haired man paused before taking off the hood of his cloak.

"I wouldn't say that. I have not taught anyone swordsmanship specifically. Though, not to toot my own horn, I am skilled in the art," Rayleigh boldly claimed. Yet unlike the mindless boasting his peers and he used to partake in, the firmness and resolve in the swordsman's eyes shined as brightly as the sun.

As if the fire spread to Naruto, his confidence, the spluttering pit of embers for two months now, rose into a raging bonfire.

Spinning to directly face the man, his gleaming blue eyes lasered onto Rayleigh's black ones.

"Then prove it. Teach me how to use a sword!" The boy's voice rang throughout the store, causing Goro to stumble and whip around to face them both.

"You brat! I'm so very sorry sir, a thousand apologies. We'll remove him right away!"

Both ignored the clerk as they stared each other down.

'This was one of the two presences I sensed. I had thought my Haki had dulled when I met a child but there may be an inkling to it. His eyes remind me of Luffy's… and him,' the Dark King couldn't help but smile as he pointed to the door.

"Let's talk outside, looks like we're causing trouble," the man took off, hearing the hurried footsteps of Naruto take after him.

"Wait! Sir! Ah damn it all," the clerk growled as he heard the bell at his door ring and his potential business leave.

The boy looked skinny and short, a contrast to his fiery attitude. His yellow hair spiked up in tufts not unlike a porcupine. Orange jacket and pants aside, he had a lot of potential.

Both Rayleigh and Naruto sat at a table of a local BBQ place. As both waited for their food, Rayleigh began to think.

Did he have time? Could he really train a student in this strange land whilst also looking for a way back? And that was discounting the fact that these people had innate energies like chakra that changed how they fought with swords. Haki could reinforce objects, it was not out of the question that chakra did something similar.

'And from what Naruto just told me, he wanted training to become 'the greatest ninja,' a requisite of which was ninja techniques…'

Sighing, Rayleigh knew that at least a free meal should make the boy more forgiving when he told him the bad news.

"And then I threw the balloon at that stupid Kiba! Not much of a ninja covered in blue paint!" Laughed the ten year old.

"Naruto," almost instantly the boy paused as he could tell that Rayleigh had become serious for the first time since he met him.

"I would be willing to teach you the ways of the sword. But I am… inexperienced in the use of chakra. I am sorry, but with my guidance, most likely you would never reach your potential," Rayleigh hesitated only once as he delivered the news, hoping Naruto wouldn't take it too badly.

Laughter was not what he expected. Was the boy never serious afterall? But that fire from earlier could not be faked, surely.

"This is great! You're the perfect sensei! Can't use chakra by the way, forgot to mention that, hehe. Body's all messed up from something and my chakra system doesn't and will never work," the excited rambling slowly descended into a whisper, the undercurrent of pain so apparent that Rayleigh nearly reached a hand out to the boy's shoulder.

'Well, then. That greatly changes things. The boy clearly has gone through some trauma, physical and mental. On top of that there was something else I've noticed. He isn't well liked here,' the pirate narrowed his eyes at the waitress that still hadn't taken their orders in all their time here.

"Miss! Yes, you. We have a bunch of hungry stomachs here and we've been waiting long," embarrassed as everyone stared at her the waitress took their orders, shuddering as Rayleigh's narrowed eyes barely left her gaze. Eyes of a warrior from her experience serving ninja were not easy to mistaken.

Laughing, Rayleigh watched as Naruto cheered him on.

"Now that's dealt with, why don't we continue? As long as you understand I cannot teach you chakra, I would be glad to impart my knowledge," the silver haired man did not want to press him about his personal situation, afraid that it would put a damper on the now cheerful Naruto's mood.

Another cheer rang across the restaurant as Naruto excitedly agreed to Rayleigh's terms.

"Hokage-sama, the man is still with Uzumaki. They're currently occupying a field north of Training Ground 2 that the boy usually uses for training. On the matter of their conversations, it is apparent that this stranger, Silvers Rayleigh, fully plans on training Uzumaki to use a sword. Personality analysis has revealed that Rayleigh is kind and emphatic, yet also clever. No underlying fear of Bijuu, rather there may have been a slight confusion at some behavior citizens have showed Uzumaki, implying a lack of knowledge regarding the Jinchuriki. The boy's personality matrix currently reflects what it did two months ago, before news of his chakra system was revealed," pausing the cat masked ANBU stepped back as one wearing the mouse mask began his report.

"It has been five hours since Rayleigh entered Leaf jurisdiction. Our forces quickly raised threat levels of the man from a D to a B after he made direct contact with Uzumaki one hour post-entrance. Interrogation has given us an update on the two rogue Mist ninja brought in earlier by him. Both have regained consciousness, yet the third is unchanged," and lastly the boar masked ninja stepped up as the other stepped back.

"Prediction, he will awake an hour from now. Initial interrogations on the ninja present us with the possibility that this man, whom our sensors have since reported the lack of any conceivable chakra signature, put them into a state of unconsciousness with a word and stare. The silk caravan witness reports agree with this scenario. Yamanaka-sama confirms this through memory recovery and also posits that it was a technique using no chakra as it did not emit a chakra signature, subconsciously or consciously to its victims. Accounting for the amount of unknowns behind this swordsman as well as the interest in Uzumaki, threat level should be raised to A rank."

Silence met the end of the reports as the Hokage rubbed his forehead. Not much information-wise has changed his first thought to confront the man. Spies in the Land of Lightning could not confirm his existence, nor could they trace the 'Rayleigh' family name. Only historical evidence of the name had been near the Land of Waves and south of the country. But that only went back two months...

What were the chances that a man without chakra who utilized powerful techniques could happen to meet the one person that needed him most to stay a ninja?

Coincidences were nonsense in this world. But for there to be an intentional manipulation here, then it was too apparent. Too stupid. Too flimsy.

'Even the Raikage isn't brash enough to send such a character here. One who would approach a target an hour into his mission,' thought a frustrated Sarutobi.

And it couldn't be a double bluff play. All simulations and tests point to the best possible way to carry out a covert operation is never to intentionally bring attention to it for even more covert operations.

"Unless the Raikage ignores this basic intelligence then this Lightning citizen is not a ninja under his employ," the Hokage spoke his last thoughts aloud.

All three ANBU nodded, following the line of silent thoughts and agreeing instantly.

"And with respect to the worthlessness of body language readings in these type of scenarios, the personality ones, much more reliable with ninja, show that he does not have the matrix for a covert ninja. I'd conclude with 85% accuracy that he is not a spy nor is he after Naruto specifically for the Bijuu. Rather he went after Naruto for some other reason. This most likely being a result of sensory information. In a roundabout way, he found something interesting, a Jinchuriki, and approached it without knowing. This improves it from an unlikely coincidence to a likely one. Threat level B," grunted Hiruzen as he lit his pipe with a burst of fire chakra, blowing smoke up.

"Initial reports from the south says this man felt out of place, asking strange, childish questions about the land and ninja. This in combination with no chakra means this man is not a ninja, 95% confidence. Threat level D. Yet he is a non-ninja with a technique to keep three chunin unconscious for hours with a stare, threat level A. And… with more thorough reports from the Land of Waves and near it, a Yamanaka has identified that this Rayleigh mentioned something strange multiple times. Barring distorted memories by time, the Yamanaka reports that Rayleigh mentioned a 'World Government,' in complete seriousness and without irony every single time. Threat level S," the last comment had all three ANBU flinching, unaware of the report and finally understanding the seriousness of the situation.

"This Rayleigh is strange, too strange. There have been many events where techniques without chakra act in similar ways to ninjutsu. But a 'World Government' in this context gives credence to a technique beyond our scope. Strange questions about land and ninja indeed. When Naruto returns home safely, detain Silvers Rayleigh. Notify Hatake Kakashi, Maito Gai, Sarutobi Asuma, and Kurenai Yuhi," on that final word, Sarutobi Hiruzen, the third and wisest Hokage, pulled off his Hokage robes and brandished his staff, ready for combat.

Nodding the three ANBU flickered away.

Author's Note:

This is a new story which shouldn't affect Close My Eyes. Naruto the character's role right now seems to be sharing the spotlight with Rayleigh, but he will soon take over and be the primary character. The premise behind this is a generic transport fic, but I wanted to make this a bit more realistic in terms of reactions and physical limitations (you'll see soon). Anyways, enjoy the story!