A/N- This isn't the first fan fiction that I have written, but it will be the first that I have published. I have actually taken elements from some other fanfictions, but I really had some issues with how they were explained, and had been thinking of ways that I would do it in my own way. So, here is my One Piece fan fiction with a sprinkle of Naruto.

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece, Naruto, nor any of their characters. I guess I do own any OC's that I write about.

A Fickle Redhead.

-x-

It was supposed to be just another average day in my average life, but for some reason or another, I had the (mis?)fortune to pique the interest of something I shouldn't have. Okay, that probably doesn't tell you all just what I have gotten myself into.

It all started when I was on my way to the first day of classes at my college. I was all set for the day, I had brought my lunch, my textbooks, tablet jacket, cell phone, etcetera etcetera. I had even made it all the way to the campus before I bumped into, what I assumed, was an old homeless person before things went straight to the loony bin.

Obviously, the first thing I did was apologize to the poor guy I had bumped into, but then I had gotten a closer look at the man. He was shorter than by about half a foot, and long graying hair that covered most of his face, and went down to just below his shoulder. He was dressed in jeans covered in holes, and an old lumberjack style flannel shirt with a ragged coat to cover it. I could see patches all over the clothes. All of this led me to the assumption that he was down on his luck.

So, the first thing I said after my almost reflex like apology was, "Are you ok?"

He grumbled something under his breath, and then looked up to my eyes, and I noticed how his were actually shifting between colors right before my eyes. One second they looked hazel, and then they shifted between black, blue, green, purple, red, and then the oddest of all was how they turned completely white. It made me wonder what was happening until I realized he had been talking to me. "... that's why I need your help! Can you do it, boy?" He fiercely whispered at me in my confusion.

I tried to figure out what it was he had asked me to do, but I decided to just dumbly nod my head at him. "Sure, why don't we go inside, and talk about it." I pulled out my lunch bag to offer him. "You can have my lunch while we talk, O.K.?"

He fiercely shook his head, and started dragging me around the corner. I was more shocked by his sudden actions than anything else, and for some reason just numbly followed his lead. I don't know why, but any thought of not doing so just never entered my head. He quickly let go of my arm when we were out of sight of everyone else, and he started to hastily whisper something to me. "When you get there you need to train your power until you can open the case, and then eat what's inside. With it you should be strong enough to save my family. Now, all I need to do is give it to you before it shows up to correct me." He quickly took a necklace from around his neck, and jammed it into my hands. I took a glance at it, and saw that it was a gray polished stone cube that looked like it was stone, but harder than any I had seen before. I could faintly feel some kind of etchings on the jewelry. His next words jerked me away from his present. "You'll be able to find them when you unlock that." He started to get twitchy as if expecting something to happen. I saw him take a deep breathe, and then slam his right hand on my left bicep, and things started to get blurry as I felt my body start to burn from the inside, and as I let a wordless howl escape my lips I saw his white as snow eyes look down on me writhing in pain as he said, "Now it will have to take you back instead of me…" I felt the edges of my vision blur when I my face get splashed with something warm and wet. Then, I saw nothing, but blackness.

I woke up to the sound of trees falling, cursing, and waves lapping against sand. I tried to open my eyes, and as soon as they moved I felt a lance of electricity bolt through me. It felt like touching a live wire. I let a strangled curse escape my own lips, and jerked up. "AWW! What is this?!" I fell back on the sand to pant heavily as the pain receded. I slowly worked my eyes open again, and moved what felt like a snail's pace as I sat up to look around me.

I saw a white sandy beach, tall trees of different kinds, and an angry woman running around cursing while punch said trees into splinters. I felt my brain kick into overdrive. "Okay, this person is obviously in a bad mood, and has herculean strength… I need to get out of here."

I slowly got up as quietly as I could, and made my way to the other side of the beach. I had almost made it to the forest in my slow limp before I realised that the suring and explosions had stopped. I felt cold sweat go down my back, as I turned my head to see a 5'7" red headed woman staring daggers at me in my attempt to escape. I made a instinctual decision to run as fast as I could, and felt the lightning race over my body as I jerked forward and fell on my face.

After the waves of agony had passed, I heard something like bells ringing or wind chimes going off. I struggled to look up, and saw the red head laughing with her head thrown back while resting on a rock right in my escape path. I was shocked for what felt like forever as I realized that the music I was hearing was actually laughter. Unfortunately, as soon as it had appeared, It had disappeared. I saw her face clearly, and it had changed from happiness to anger in a split second. Her eyes were doing the same thing as the old man's had done, and shown me a kaleidoscope of various colors before hers settled on pitch black all throughout the eyeball.

I flinched and felt a tremor of a shock as she stood up to walk towards me. "I don't understand why he would pick some like you…" I heard her say as the words drifted into my ears like the wind. I ignored the pain as I rolled over to scoot away on the sand until she plopped down to tuck her vermillion dress under her and stared at me as I froze on the spot. I hadn't froze of my own volition, but solely because some force was compelling me to not move.

at least until she raised her hand and turned it in a slow motion. As it turned so did my head until she had apparently seen enough of my face. I heard her inhale deeply before she sighed. "He really missed them…" She seemed to snap herself out of something and looked down on me with all the authority of a king. "You do not belong here, but, thanks to that man, you are now stuck here. Forever."

I let that sink in as I felt body come out of its restriction. I looked around to the desolate beach she had just gone on a rampage in. "W-where is "here"?"

She quirked an eyebrow at me, and then scowled. "He never even told you? Did you at least consent before he threw all of this at you?!"

I blanched in terror at the palpable rage saturating the air around us, and hastily back away while holding my hands up. "He asked me to help, and I said yes, but I didn't understand! I'm sorry!" I saw her start to calm down, and I hastily said what had been bothering me this whole time. "What the hell just happened to me? I was about to start classes, and then that man started rambling on and asking for my help, and WHAT IS UP WITH YOUR EYES?!"

I slumped on the ground in semi-comfortable position before she started to grin mischievously at me. "Oh, so he hasn't actually told anything…" She scrunched up her face in thought. "This could actually be fun… and you did consent. OK, It's settled!" She smiled in a such an innocent way that I felt as if someone had punched me in the gut. "Well, to start with, you are in the South Blue." She kept up that innocent smile as she stared at me like prey.

That's when it hit me like a ton of bricks. "Did you say South Blue? L-Like from One piece? Like devil fruit, corrupt marine, insane pirates, and the freaking golden age of pirates?!" I felt myself start hyperventilating, and reached up to cup a fist in front of my mouth to not pass out.

She kept up her smile, but I could tell she was laughing on the inside by the way her eyes sparkled with mirth. "Yes, yes, yes. All of those things, and more! You see, you consented to something that shouldn't have happened, and now you have to live with it. That man" She spoke this part a little too vehemently for my tastes. "has most likely ruined your life. Isn't that interesting?" She cocked her head to the side in playful innocence.

I felt like my world was collapsing around me. "What do you mean I consented?"

I saw her lip twitch in a bid to not laugh at me. "Well, he asked you to save his family, I'm sure. So, when you agreed, he gave you the tools necessary to fulfill the promise you made. Which is quite sad if you ask me because it's something even he couldn't do by himself." She snorted loudly at that, and looked down at me with amber yellow eyes.

I felt my breathing calm down, and I searched for where to start. "Can… can you just tell what's going on? I get that you're laughing at my expense, but I'd really appreciate it if you'd just tell me how the hell to get home!" I ended up yelling because staying calm isn't really possible with nothing normal to latch onto.

The smile on her face disappeared in an instant, and my blood ran cold as she looked at me with pale blue eyes. "I don't appreciate your tone, human." I flinched at her use of that word for some reason. "You are not in a position to speak. The only reason that you are even alive is because that man has put all of his hopes into your hands, and I owe him at least that much." She leaned back to settle into the sand, and I felt the pressure evaporate. "I won't tell you everything, but I can say this. That man gave his life to get you here. He gave you a task; to save his family. Finally, he gave you the tools you'll need to even stand a chance at fulfilling your promise." She stared at me silently while I tried to digest that.

I numbly picked up the necklace the man gave me. "So, if I save his family, then I can go home?"

She scrunched her forehead in thought before nodding slightly. "I can do that… If you save them, then I will send you home like you never left. Deal?"

I nodded my head fast before a thought hit me. "Wait! You'll send me home? How can you do that? I'm in some kind of fictional world. How can you do that?!"

She winked at me in a playful manner. "Oh, human. You should have realized this by now, but there's no such thing as fiction. If I want it to happen, then it does. This is all just for me to play around with. I felt the beach start to shake, and the sky go dark with rain and lightning. The wind blew up a hurricane, and in the middle of the hurricane was the faint outline of my college campus. Then it all disappeared in an instant when she waved her hand. She glared down at my frightened face, and smirked a little at me. "So, I take it you understand that I can follow up on my end of the bargain. Now, you just have to finish your task."

I slowly stood up from the wet sand to look at my necklace. "You said he gave me tools? What does it do?"

She walked over to me to point to my left bicep where there was a marking in a language I can't even begin to understand literally burned onto me. "This is the second gift. With this mark he opened all of your meridians to allow the ambient energy found in all living beings to flow unimpeded through your body." She looked at the blank look on my face, and scowled. "Think of it as… chakra. That's the name for it in a world you're probably familiar with." She nodded as my face lit up with understanding and then shock. "Glad to see you understand. Now, The first gift is that necklace. in your hands. It's made of sea prism stone, and contains the seed of a devil fruit; I won't tell you which. When you chakra is matured enough, you can channel it to open the necklace, and fulfill your promise." She turned around to walk away while waving lazily over her shoulder. "Have fun, human." She got farther away she started to disappear like a mirage.

I stood numbly as I tried to take all of this in, and walked over to the forest to sit under a tree where the ground was dry. "I can't believe this… I'm in the world of One Piece. I have chakra? How does that even work? Who exactly was that old man?" I slumped against the tree to think things through. I peered down at my necklace, and tried to see what it was. I could faintly see miniscule etchings flowing all around the cube. "One thing I know is that everything she told me is the truth… It's like a feeling I know deep in my soul. So, I can't let anyone see this. I will need the devil fruit to get home."

I put the necklace on, and hid it under my gray shirt. The next thing I did was an inventory. I found that aside from the dark blue jeans, gray long sleeve tee, brown jacket, and my brown sneakers, I also had my bag for class and my lunch box. I checked the bag to find a textbook for Engineering 242 and 243. There was also a notebook, calculator, my tablet, cellphone, wallet, tylenol, a snickers, and a set of earbuds. "Dang… I doubt there's a signal out here. I'll turn off the electronics for now in case I find a use for them." I decided to use to use the notebook to sketch out what I know.

'What RHD told me: I'm in the south blue. I have Chakra. I have a Devil Fruit. I need to save the old man's family.'

I crumpled up the page in frustration after looking at it for half an hour. I stood up, and grumpily grabbed my bag to move to set up a temporary camp. I may not know where I am, but I was a boy scout, and have had plenty of engineering classes to do this much. I found some loose branches from RHD's rampage to start a fire, and made a lean-to with palm leaves and particularly large rock. After I sat down to eat my lunch box before the lunch meat went bad. I had just started my meal when I noticed one startling fact.

My body felt a peculiar rush of energy, and then it seemed to condense into a spot two inches above my navel. I reached down with my hand to feel what it was, but couldn't feel anything different. I tried eating some more of my bologna sandwich to see if it came back, and tried my best to mentally follow the flow of energy I felt this time. I carefully repeated the process until I felt myself mentally connect with the spot where it was going, and felt like my body had connected with a live wire again. This continued for a few seconds until my body stopped twitching, and it cooled down. I then started to feel it turn into a comfortable heat flowing through every part of my body. I stood up quickly, and went to a large stone on the beach to try something. I sprinted over there, and went for a tumble as my legs connected with too much force into the loose sand. I tried moderating the force I applied as I made my way to the stone, and started lifted up the stone that easily weighed three times my own body weight. I had almost lifted it above my knees when suddenly the warmth stopped flowing, and the rocks almost crushed my hands beneath it. I barely avoided damage to my hands, but my face wasn't so lucky.

"Sunnava!" I grumbled under my breath as I rubbed the stinging cheek that connected with the stone. I glared at the rock angrily until I felt myself getting dizzy. I plopped on the ground in confusion, and tried to think if I had gotten a concussion that easily. "I don't think I hit it that hard… It must be because I did something wrong with that energy." I walked over to my lean-to and sat by my lunch box to continue eating. I quickly felt that warmth returning. I nodded my head to myself in confirmation.

"That's what I thought. I just got this power. I must need more time to build up chakra reserves. If I use too much I'll get chakra exhaustion like Kakashi did in the land of waves. I don't want to spend a week bedridden on an uninhabited island." I jerked my head up to look around cautiously. "I wonder if this island is uninhabited… I guess I just assumed it was because no one came to check up on the place after RHD went on a rampage, but I guess I need to make sure."

I grabbed my bag, and slung the leather messenger bag over my shoulder. I clipped my collapsible lunchbox onto the strap before taking a nice sized branch I found for firewood. I made my way onto the beach to look for a stone to sharpen it into a spear before I made my way along the beach. I turned around to see a trail of footprints in wet sand, and decided it was as good as any breadcrumb trail, and continued on my way.

I continued along the beach until it split into two paths. One led upwards along a rocky path, and the other led around like previous trek had been so far. I decided to take the trail up to see if I can get a clear view of the island. The trail was bumpy, and full of gravel. I continued until it started to level out, and then looked around to see it had plateaued into a rocky grassland. I couldn't see anything on the grassland except for one small stone house. I could see a faint smoke trail coming from the chimney. There was also a small garden situated next to it, and stones piled up around it to make a fence.

I slowly made my way over to the hut when I was suddenly kicked in the back of my knee to force me down, and a knife placed at my throat. "What exactly were you going to do with that stick of yours, boy?" I heard a raspy voice growl into my ear.

I gulped audibly until I felt my adam's apple catch on the blade, and then I felt a warm trail of blood drip down my neck. I felt the knife ease up enough for me to speak. "I'm stranded on the island. I just wanted to know where I am."

I felt him release me, and jerk the stick out of my hands before walking in front of me. I slowly stood up with my hands out to the sides. He looked me over critically while I did the same. He was a muscular man who reminded me of grizzly adams with his brown beard, and clothing made of animal skins. "I never saw your ship land. How did you get here?"

I looked him in the eyes and put my best innocent look on. "I don't know for sure. I just woke up on the beach with my bag and the clothes on my back." I decided that the truth was never a bad option. Even if I left out the whole Red Headed Deity part of it all.

He slowly let his shoulders ease as he nodded his head. "I hope you forgive me, but you can't be too careful these days. Pirates are everywhere."

I nodded in understanding. "I'm not mad. I would be careful too." I gestured at his house. "So, do you live on this island by yourself?"

I turned his head slightly to look over his shoulder with a wistful look flickering on his face. "Yeah. I've lived here ever since I retired from the marines. It's nice to be somewhere that doesn't get overrun by pirates."

I scrunched my eyebrows in thought. "Is it really that dangerous around here?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "It was back in my day. When I was a marine, there were pirates everywhere out for Roger's treasure. It seems like as soon as he passed the world went into anarchy."

I hummed in thought as he said that. "How long have you been retired, Mr…" I smacked my forehead in realization. "I never told you my name! I'm sorry about that. I'm Zachary Sewell."

I saw his beard twitch a little, and wondered if he had just smiled. "I'm Montgomery Tyler. Pleased to meet you Mr. Zachary."

I felt my lip twitch into a smile. "You can just call me Zach. So, Tyler, would you happen to have a map? I need to get somewhere as fast as I can."

He scratched his beard lazily, and gestured towards the house. "Come on, I think I still have my marine issue map in the hut."

I smiled happily as I followed him into his hut, and when I looked around I saw a simple bed, a desk, and a treasure chest locked up tightly in the corner. "You sure do live simply, don't you?"

He nodded absently as he looked around on his desk until he pulled out a rolled up piece of leather. "Here it is. I had it transcribed onto leather to keep it more water resistant. I just had to stop it from calcifying." He gently unrolled the nicely tooled leather to look it over before nodding, and handing it to me in a hard leather case along with a strap. "There you go. A detailed map of all marine explored territory."

I grabbed case, and froze as he finished his sentence. "Wait, what? Isn't that confidential? are you allowed to just hand something like that over?"

He shrugged good naturedly. "I don't see why not. I retired so I don't need it anymore and you obviously do. I can tell by the look in your eyes that you have a long journey ahead of you."

I felt a smile tugging at my cheeks, and bowed like they do in the One Piece anime. "Thank You for your map." I straightened up to look at the map he had given me, and he sidled over to direct my gaze.

He pointed at one particular island in the South Blue near Reverse mountain. "This island is called Grizzly Plateau, and it's been granted to me through meritorious service to the world government. Now, where do you need to go?"

I looked around the map, and noticed that aside from the Blues, there wasn't much information. Which brought me to the understand that anything from the grand line must be of more considerable secrecy. "I need to make it to the East blue. I either need to make it to Conomi Island, or at the very least to Logue Town."

After finishing this I looked over to see him shaking his head. "That's definitely not an easy journey, Zach. You might not know this, but getting between Blues is no easy matter. There are two ways to do something like that. The first is to directly sail through the Calm Belt, Grand Line, and then Calm Belt again. Which is almost impossible unless you're a Marine, or from the New World. The second option is to go through Marejois, and the Red Line. Only high ranking World Government Officials or royalty would be qualified to do such a thing."

I felt my shoulders slump in defeat. "That means I'd have to join the marines, or make a deal with them just to get there. That definitely doesn't sound safe considering I have both chakra, and a devil fruit. I might end up a test subject, robbed, or forced into slavery. I need to sail there." I firmed my resolve before straightening my back. "I guess I'll just have to go through the Grand Line."

I saw him walk away while I was considering my route, and then heard something click in the background. "I can't say that I've seen many young men willing to go on such a long journey before. What's waiting for you once you get there?"

I smiled at him a little ruefully. "Well, it's not exactly waiting for me, but if I can find it, then I'll be able to go home to my family again. I just have to" This is where I scowled at myself. "Fulfill a promise before I can do so."

I saw him sitting on his bed by his chest before he nodded to himself. "You know, I am getting on in my years, and It's been awhile since I last went out for a trip to Logue Town. I think I might have a spot available for you if you wanted to sail there with me." I jerked my head up to see him smiling kindly to me.

I don't know why, but I felt my eyes start to get blurry. "Why would you do something like that?"

He shrugged as if oblivious to my near breakdown. "I just think that it would be really sad to a brave young man never make it home just because he made a promise he obviously regrets making. I do respect how you're still going to uphold it though. That's why I am doing this."

I coughed loudly, and rubbed my eyes surreptitiously. "I can't believe I almost cried over a little charity. I guess RHD really did a number on me. Either way, this is a good opportunity. Even if the only reason that I'm getting is because he mistakenly believes honor is what's making me fulfill this promise." I straightened my back to look him in the eyes before I bowed again. "Thank you very much for your charity. I don't know how to repay you."

He waved it off before rifling around in his chest before pulling out an old Marine's cap to put on. "There we go. Can't make a trip without proper headgear." He smiled up at me before pulling his chest to his desk, and packing up his things. He motioned to the door. "Just give me a second to pack my things, and we can head on over to my ship to set sail for the Calm Belt."

I nodded my head vigorously, and went to sit on his fence. I did a quick inventory of my own while he was in there, and came to the conclusion that I did indeed still have all my stuff. After a few minutes he came out with his chest slung over his shoulder, and we made our way off the plateau to what I determined as the direct opposite of where I came into this world at. We eventually made it down to a smaller sized ship that looked like it could hold maybe five people, and their supplies. It also looked like it could be run by only one skilled sailor. I saw Tyler gesture proudly at the ship. "There she is, my pride and joy, the Going Wild. She'll be able to hold us, and being the Marine I was, she's already fit for a long voyage."

I smiled happily as I walked over to the dock. "Wow, Tyler. It looks great. You really think we can make it through the Grand Line with this ship, though?"

He smirked proudly at that. "Of course she can. Before I left the Marine some information was made know to all Vice Admirals or higher about the effects of Sea Prism Stone on the Calm Belt. We'll be able to sail through the Calm Belt easy, and with me here, there's no need to worry about any of those pirates you find in Paradise. We'll get you to Logue Town, Zach."

I felt my jaw drop as I digested all of that, and gave him a once over. "Y-You're a V-Vice Admiral?!" I practically yelled at him.

I saw him look at me in confusion before he slapped his knee in laughter from the look on my face. "Of course I am! How else do you expect me to have gotten an island from the World Government?!"

I stared at him in awe and trepidation before turning to fully look at the somewhat small, but not desolate island behind me. "Wow… To have actually been granted an island is a big deal. I've never heard of that kind of thing outside of royalty in the manga. Wait! Is he royalty?" I turned to fully inspect him. "No, he doesn't give off that vibe. He's just a highly capable Marine. I wonder if I can get him to train me a little." I turned back to look at him a little sheepishly. "Say, I know I'm being a little forward here, but do you think you could maybe train me a little?"

He blinked slowly before giving me a deliberating look. Then, I noticed an almost maniacal glint in his eye as he smiled at me in what looked like expectation. "Oh, yes. I do believe it would be my pleasure."

I slowly took a step back before his grin widened, and he threw me on top of the ship yelling. "Oh, No, Sir! Not now! You asked for it, Zach. Now let's get started with your training with some good old fashioned rowing to build those shoulder muscles!"

I looked skeptically around the boat I had been thrown on, and noticed two rowing benches on opposite sides of the ship. I raised my hand sheepishly. "How do I row the boat without it just going in circles?"

He stopped cold from his little jig about 'finding a new victim/trainee' and looked at e as if I were an idiot. "Well, obviously you have to run back and forth! Now get going, or we'll miss the tide!" He then proceeded to throw a pebble straight at my rear to get me in motion. I glared over my shoulder at the sadistic smile blossoming on the man's face. "Why the heck did I volunteer for this?"