PROLOGUE

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or One Piece

Honestly, I was shocked by what I'd been told. It never occurred in my mind that the man I had considered as my father was dying at the moment. He should be looking for a cure not planning his own death. Yet, he still put on that stupid grin on his face.

"Are you stupid?" I exclaimed. "We must find a way to cure you!" I shouted.

My rambling was stopped as he put his hand on my head. He lowered himself down and looked at me in the eyes.

"I'm afraid there is nothing could be done for me." He said gently.

"But….!"

"No, Naruto. You must understand." He interrupted me. "It's already too late. My time is running out."

Even if my heart said no, that was sadly the truth. If what he had told me about his illness was correct, then it really was a rare disease with no cure known yet. Tears began to flow down from my eyes as I realized that he was really going to die.

"Since when did you become a crybaby?" He asked suddenly. From his tone, I knew that he was teasing me.

"Shut up!" I couldn't help it. My voice was cracked. "I had every reason to cry."

He chuckled. "I know that. But don't waste them for me."

He put his forehead on mine.

"Listen to me. Even though we're not really related, you are my son, my eldest. You had brought happiness for me and Rouge since we took you in our little family." He said. "So, don't be sad. With your baby brother on the way, I want you to be strong like you always do." He grinned. "I believe you will change this world someday."

That was the last thing he said to me. That was the last time I saw him.

I couldn't believe it. He had been gone, and now she would too. Another loved one would leave me. It hurt. It really hurt.

"Naru, come here, please." She smiled at me as she beckoned me to come closer. I knew that she was exhausted and I could sense that she didn't have much time left. "Meet your baby brother." I stepped closer to see the baby.

Gently, she guided my hand to touch my little brother.

"Ace, this is your big brother, Naruto." She said with shaking voice. "He would take care of you. He would keep you safe when your dad and mom couldn't." She started to sob. "He would be the best big brother ever."

She looked up to me with that much trust and love. "Of that, I have no doubt at all." Here, I couldn't prevent my tears from falling down anymore.

With her last strength, she handed Ace to me. Then, she closed her eyes forever.

I hugged little Ace closer to me and let myself to mourn. Ace was crying, unaware that he had just become an orphan, just like me. But, I made a promise to myself that he would never feel the pain of loneliness. I would make sure of that.

A/N: Yeah, I know it's really, really late. But, there it is, the Prologue of The Yellow Maelstrom.